The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) convened its ninety-first session in Geneva on June 16, 2025, continuing its critical role in monitoring and promoting women’s rights worldwide. Running through July 4, 2025, at the Palais des Nations, this session brings together independent experts to review the progress of States parties in implementing the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.
CEDAW’s mandate remains pivotal in advancing gender equality and addressing persistent discrimination that affects millions of women globally. The session’s agenda includes reviewing reports from countries such as Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Mexico, Monaco, San Marino, and Thailand, providing an opportunity to assess legislative, social, and economic measures aimed at eliminating discrimination against women.
Comprehensive Review of State Reports Highlights Progress and Challenges
The Committee’s examination of State reports is a cornerstone of its work, offering a platform to evaluate each country’s compliance with the Convention’s provisions. This process involves detailed scrutiny of laws, policies, and practices affecting women’s rights, followed by constructive dialogue with government representatives.
In the previous 90th session, the Committee underscored the
“underlying causes of gender-based violence against women and significant barriers to women’s access to political life, education, employment and leadership positions”
as rooted in persistent gender stereotypes, a point emphasized by Committee Chairperson Nahla Haidar. This insight laid the groundwork for developing a general recommendation aimed at guiding States parties in dismantling these harmful stereotypes.
The 91st session continues this trajectory, focusing on emerging challenges such as technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TfGBV). Recognizing the growing threat posed by online harassment and abuse, the Committee’s Working Group on gender-based violence has advanced a draft working paper on TfGBV. The Committee has also convened experts and private sector representatives to share best practices in digital innovation and strategies to close gender gaps in technology access.
Leadership’s Commitment to Women’s Rights and Gender Equality
Chairperson Nahla Haidar reiterated the Committee’s commitment to its mandate, expressing gratitude for the collaboration with States parties, non-governmental organizations, and United Nations entities. She affirmed that despite ongoing challenges,
“the Committee had successfully delivered on its mandate to protect and promote women’s rights and gender equality.”
This sentiment reflects the Committee’s resilience and determination to uphold human rights standards amid evolving global contexts.
Rapporteur Brenda Akia presented the draft report of the 90th session, which was adopted ad referendum, setting a solid foundation for the agenda of the current 91st session. The Committee’s work also included adopting concluding observations on reports from Belarus, Belize, Congo, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, as well as addressing conflict-related sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through an exceptional report.
Civil Society Engagement Strengthens Human Rights Mechanisms
CEDAW’s sessions are notable for their active engagement with civil society and human rights experts, who play a vital role in amplifying women’s voices and holding States accountable. The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ), for example, has facilitated training workshops for women lawyers from diverse countries, enhancing their understanding of UN human rights mechanisms, including CEDAW.
Lebanese lawyer Nina Abdallah highlighted the
“limitations of these mechanisms when States do not accept mechanisms that allow for individual complaint,”
pointing out Lebanon’s non-ratification of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW as a significant barrier to seeking remedies for violations. Similarly, Maria Sol Taule from the Philippines described UN mechanisms as an
“effective tool to use as a platform to drumbeat our issues that haven’t been heard by our respective governments.”
These voices underscore the persistent challenges women face in accessing justice, including socio-economic marginalization, entrenched gender stereotypes, and patriarchal attitudes. Domestic violence often remains treated as an internal family matter, nationality laws discriminate against women, and cultural and economic barriers hinder women’s participation in decision-making processes. Such realities inform the Committee’s recommendations and advocacy efforts.
Monitoring, Reporting, and International Cooperation
The Committee requires all States parties to submit periodic reports detailing their implementation of the Convention’s provisions. These reports undergo rigorous review, followed by concluding observations that identify progress and areas needing improvement. The Committee also considers individual communications and inquiries related to violations of women’s rights, reinforcing its role as a watchdog and advocate.
The 91st session will continue this vital monitoring process, holding States accountable and encouraging compliance with international standards. The Committee’s work is closely aligned with global efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
CEDAW’s contribution to the 2025 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development highlighted
“women as leading forces for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in the post-Covid-19 world,”
calling for accelerated action and transformative pathways to ensure no one is left behind.
Addressing Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
One of the critical issues gaining prominence in this session is technology-facilitated gender-based violence. As digital platforms become ubiquitous, women face increasing risks of online harassment, abuse, and discrimination. The Committee’s proactive approach includes drafting guidelines and engaging stakeholders to develop effective strategies to combat this modern form of violence.
By involving experts and private sector representatives, CEDAW seeks to promote digital innovation that bridges gender gaps and protects women’s rights in cyberspace. This focus reflects the Committee’s adaptability and responsiveness to contemporary challenges affecting women’s safety and equality.
A Call for Continued Commitment and Action
The ninety-first session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women represents a critical juncture in the global pursuit of gender equality. Through its thorough review of State reports, engagement with civil society, and focus on emerging issues like technology-facilitated violence, CEDAW continues to play an indispensable role in advancing women’s rights.
The Committee’s work reminds the international community that eliminating discrimination against women requires sustained commitment, legal reforms, cultural change, and international cooperation. As Chairperson Nahla Haidar emphasized, the journey toward equality is ongoing, but
“the Committee’s efforts have laid a strong foundation for transformative change.”
In a world still grappling with gender-based violence, economic inequality, and political exclusion, CEDAW’s role as a guardian of women’s rights remains as vital as ever. The Geneva session is not just a procedural event but a beacon of hope and a call to action for governments, civil society, and all stakeholders committed to building a just and equal world for women and girls.
