1983 CEDAW logo
Australia signed on to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1983. Often described as an international bill of rights for women, it was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly and defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for international action to end this discrimination. It is also one of the most ratified human rights conventions in the world. (Sources: Attorney-General’s Department, Canberra, Office for Women, South Australia).