WNC call for evidence for CEDAW report

Monday, 6th September, 2010

United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)- Women's National Commission (WNC) Shadow Report Consultation

The UK Government is party to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and as such submits a report every four years on progress made to eliminate gender discrimination domestically. The last report was submitted in 2007 and examined in 2008, and the next State report is due for submission in May 2011 with the examination scheduled for 2012.

As in previous years, the WNC will be producing a shadow report to submit to the CEDAW Committee. The content of the WNC shadow report is determined through extensive consultation with you, our Partners. So we are keen to hear your views. This open approach to the report enables the WNC to present a broad view from women on the UK Government’s report to the CEDAW Committee and, by extension, on the status of women in the UK. As a result, the CEDAW Committee is able to gain a good understanding of the primary issues and the diversity of views of UK women.

Please note that this is the first phase of the consultation process which is expected to run for an extensive period as it is important that we get this right. Therefore you will have opportunities to input further at different stages of the draft by identifying the gaps and ensuring facts and figures are accurate. In the meantime, to start the process, please find attached a copy of WNC's 2008 CEDAW Shadow Report for reference. Also attached is a letter from WNC Chair Baroness Joyce Gould outlining the consultation in a bit more detail.

We would ideally like to put together an initial draft for circulation within the next three months, so it would be very helpful if you can send your comments to Jennifer Blair at: Jennifer.Blair@communities.gsi.gov.uk by Thursday 21 October. Many Thanks!