Adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is the most important human rights treaty for women ever created. The United States is the only industrialized country that has yet to ratify it.

Essays and personal reflections written by 42 former and current members of CEDAW’s Committee and five UN staff members reveal the profound impact this Convention has had on women’s lives around the world. With examples and moving reminiscences from Korea to Egypt, from Russia to the Caribbean, this book addresses CEDAW’s impact on women in personal status laws, labor markets, migration, human trafficking, politics, as well as the obstacles created by cultural stereotypes.