South Africa: Parliaments Must Turn Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) Commitments Into Real Change for Women and Girls

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Thoko Didiza, has called on parliaments to strengthen oversight of governments to ensure commitments to end discrimination against women translate into tangible improvements. She made the call during an Inter-Parliamentary Union webinar on September 2, 2026, focusing on parliamentary engagement with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Nearly five decades after CEDAW's adoption in 1979, discrimination, inequality, and violence continue to affect millions of women and girls worldwide. The webinar emphasized that adopting laws and international commitments is insufficient without meaningful change, and parliaments have a critical role through legislative, oversight, and budgetary responsibilities.

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