Document Fragment View

Matching Fragments

25. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) was held in 1979 under the aegis of the United Nations. As a matter of fact, CEDAW was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18th December, 1979. This convention was the culmination of more than 30 years of work by the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, established in the year 1946, monitoring the situation of women around the world and to promote women's rights. Thrust of CEDAW is maximum participation of women on equal terms with men in all fields of life to ensure full and complete development of a country. CEDAW is the most comprehensive international convention focused on eliminating discrimination against women. India ratified CEDAW in 1993.

*** *** *** ***
(e) The same rights to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children and to have access to the information, education and means to enable them to exercise these rights.

*** *** *** ***

26. In its 20th session held in 1999, CEDAW adopted several recommendations. General recommendation No.24 pertains to women and health. Such recommendation emphasized on the need to ensure access to adequate healthcare facilities particularly in respect of family planning, protection of women's health and safety in working conditions, 2025:HHC:17166 including safeguarding of the reproductive function, special protection from harmful types of work during pregnancy and with the provision for paid maternity leave. It was also emphasized that women should have the same rights as men to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children.