Themes
Women's human rights in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a member of CEDAW, the United Nations Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women and other Human Rights Treaties. The Dutch state accepted the obligation to implement the rights of women in the Netherlands and abroad. Aim for human rights collaborates with a number of Dutch partner organizations in the 'Netwerk VN-vrouwenverdrag' (Network CEDAW) to ensure that the Dutch authorities take their obligations seriously.
UN Women's Convention
CEDAW, the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, was ratified by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1979, and came into effect on 3 September 1981. The underlying idea behind CEDAW is that existing opinions on the position of men and women in society lead to discrimination of women. The biological and social differences between men and women must not be permitted to result in women being placed at a disadvantage. Read more
Reporting to the UN
Every 4 years, State parties to CEDAW must report to the CEDAW Committee on the implementation of their obligations under the Convention in their country. This mechanism is called reporting. In general, states tend to give a rosy picture of women’s human rights in their country in their report. Therefore the CEDAW committee also allows Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs, to present their vision on the situation in their country. These NGO reports are called shadow reports. Shadow reports often complement the state report by being more critical. Aim for human rights, member of the CEDAW Network of NGOs, contributes to the Shadow Report on the implemention of women's rights in the Netherlands.
UN Women's Convention in the Netherlands
CEDAW entered into force for the Netherlands on the 23th of July 1991. The Netherlands also ratified the optional protocol. This creates the opportunity for an individual to file a complaint against the Dutch state if her rights under CEDAW have been violated. The Dutch government has the responsibility to take measures to strengthen the position of women in all areas of society. Moreover the Dutch government has the obligation to report to the CEDAW Committee on the implementation of women’s human rights.
The Dutch Shadow Report: the implementation criticized
On behalf of the Dutch CEDAW Network, Aim for human rights coordinated the writing of the Dutch shadow report to the fourth Dutch state report to CEDAW. A broad group of organisations was contacted to provide additions and improvements to the Dutch state report. The NJCM, Dutch section of the International Commission of Jurists also provided its input to the shadow report. Aim for human rights provided information on the implementation of women’s human rights in Dutch foreign policy. Read more
