The United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) is often described as an international bill of rights for women.

It is ratified by 185 countries. Singapore became party to CEDAW in October 1995.

CEDAW is based on 3 core inter-related principles:
•    principle of equality
•    principle of non-discrimination
•    principle of State obligation

These principles provide the framework for formulating strategies to advance the human rights of women.

AWARE will be conducting a three-hour workshop for people working on women-related issues in Singapore. This workshop aims to raise awareness about CEDAW, and how it can be used as a tool to advocate for women’s rights in Singapore.

When: 16 Aug 2011

Time: 7pm-10pm

Nominal Fee:

Non-member: $10

Member: $5

Speaker: Ms Braema Mathi, who heads AWARE’s CEDAW Sub-Committee

Ms Mathi joined AWARE in 1992 and served two consecutive terms as the President of the association. As AWARE’s Honorary Research & Advocacy Director, she reviews AWARE’s research and advocacy priorities, and identifies key areas to focus on in the short and long term.

From 2005 to 2007, she led an AWARE team that researched and advocated for extra-territorial jurisdiction for Singaporeans who had committed sexual crimes on minors in other countries. As a Straits Times journalist and as a founder of migrant advocacy group Transient Workers Count Too, she has brought attention to the issue of human trafficking.

Ms Mathi served as Nominated Member of Parliament from 2001 to 2004. She is also the founder of MARUAH (Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism, Singapore). She is involved in international multi-level platforms, advocating through the human rights instruments of CEDAW, ASEAN and the United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review.

Click here to register.

Email Nadzirah at advocacy@aware.org.sg for more information.

For more information about CEDAW, click here or email advocacy@aware.org.sg