Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

The Convention was drafted by the Commission on the Status of Women as a comprehensive legally binding treaty to codify the principles of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and other norms as well. The work on this treaty began in 1974, was officially authorized by the General Assembly in Resolution 3521 (XXX) on December 15, 1975, and was completed and adopted by the Commission on December 17, 1976. After consideration by the Third Committee (Social, Cultural and Humanitarian) and the Economic and Social Council, it was transmitted to and adopted by the General Assembly in Resolution 34/180 on December 18, 1979, by a vote of 130-0 with 10 abstentions. The treaty came into force on September 3, 1981, in accordance with Article 27, thirty days after the deposit of the twentieth instrument of ratification.