International agreements

Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was concluded at the United Nations in 1979. The aim of the agreement is to promote the equal realisation of universal human rights for women in all areas of society.

The Convention is very specific in nature and obliges the signatory states to purposefully improve the situation of women in various spheres of life. At one time, the Convention also served as a model for the drafting of the Finnish Equality Act.

Compliance with the provisions of the Convention is monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee), to which the parties are required to submit national periodic reports. In addition to the conclusions and recommendations of the periodic reports, the Committee may make general recommendations aimed at clarifying the content of the provisions of the Convention.

This Convention entered into force in Finland 4 October 1986 (SopS 67-68/1986).

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)

Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO)

Convention No 100: Equal Remuneration Convention (1951). Treaty Series 9/1963.

Convention No 111: Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention (1958). Treaty Series 63/1970.

Convention No 156: Workers with Family Responsibilities Convention (1981) Treaty Series 72/1983.

The Conventions are available as e-publications: ILO, Labour standards

Conventions of the Council of Europe

Council of Europe website: Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (Istanbul Convention)