Department on the Status of Women

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international human rights treaty adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1979. Although 175 countries have ratified CEDAW, the United States has not.

CEDAW specifically mandates ending discrimination against women and girls in political and public life, status of nationality, education, employment, health care, financial endeavors, sports, cultural life, marriage and family relations. It recognizes the role of culture and tradition and aims for substantive gender equity.

In April 1998, San Francisco became the first city in this country to adopt an ordinance implementing CEDAW locally. It also established a Task Force which works with the Commission and City departments to identify discrimination against women and girls, and to implement human rights principles.