The Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is an international human rights treaty whereby Governments agree that they will implement measures (policies, laws, resources) to ensure that women and girls enjoy the same rights, freedoms, opportunities and outcomes as men.
The Convention defines discrimination against women as
"…any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field.“