This page provides an overview of the relevance of the Convention for the South Asia region. The sub-pages highlight each South Asian country’s reporting status and ratification status in relation to CEDAW and the Optional Protocol.
Regional Overview
CEDAW is one of the most widely ratified human rights treaty. A total of 186 countries have ratified the Convention, including the eight South Asian countries of Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and India. By ratifying the Convention, all eight South Asian states are duty bound to undertake a series of measures at the national level to address discrimination against women.
In South Asia, CEDAW has been used not only as a standard that has informed the framing of a country’s constitution, as in the case of Afghanistan, but has also been deployed to interpret constitutional rights, to make laws CEDAW complaint, and to enact new laws.
Ratification Status
For country-specific information on the ratification status, reservations, and declarations pertaining to the CEDAW Convention by the South Asian countries, please visit the UN Website
Optional Protocol Status
For country-specific information on the ratification status, reservations, and declarations pertaining to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW Convention by the South Asian countries, please visit the UN Website
Reporting Status
F0r country-specific information on reports submitted by state parties and NGOs to the CEDAW Committee, please visit the UN Website
