Purpose of the mandate
Women and girls everywhere are still subject to significant disadvantage as the result of discriminatory laws and practices. Equality has not been achieved in any country in the world, and pledges to eliminate discriminatory laws have not been fulfilled.
The mandate was created to intensify efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and girls throughout the world.
About the mandate
At its fifteenth session in 2010, the Human Rights Council adopted by consensus
resolution 15/23 to establish a working group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice.
Most recently renewed in June 2019 through resolution
41/6, the mandate name was changed from the Working Group on discrimination against women in law and practice to the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls.
about the mandate and its methods of work
About the members
The Working Group is composed of five independent experts of balanced geographical representation, working collectively as a group and producing work in the name of the mandate. More
on the members of the Working Group
Impact of the mandate
This document highlights achievements made by the Working Group, alongside efforts from civil society organizations and state authorities, to eliminate discrimination against women.
The EDVAW Platform from 2017 to today
This document provides an overview of the journey toward strengthening cooperation among international and regional mechanisms on women's rights.
25 years in review of the Beijing Platform for Action
This booklet looks at the different contributions to the platform made by the 7 independent expert mechanisms mandated to address discrimination and gender-based violence against women and girls. Together they've creating a unified response to the many challenges that remain for the full enjoyment of women's right to a life free from discrimination and violence.
Statement of the EDVAW Platform on the occasion of the 65th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)
Latest thematic reports
Women’s and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights in crisis: This 2021 report focuses draws attention to the non-enjoyment by women and girls of their basic sexual and reproductive health rights as a significant impediment to gender equality, resulting from the persistent failure of States to adequately respect, protect and fulfil those rights. View report page | View document A/HRC/47/38
Women's human rights in the changing world of work: This 2020 report focuses on the need to ensure future trends like automation, globalization, climate and demographic change do not deepen existing discrimination against women. It provides targeted actions so that States and the private sector may support the creation of a world of work where women benefit and contribute on equal footing with men.
View report page | View interactive version (English |
Español) | View document
Women deprived of liberty: The Working Group takes a comprehensive look at the various forms of restrictions or interference with women’s personal liberty or movement, by state and non-state actors, including on the basis of their sex and prescribed gender roles. The report examines the causes, nature and extent of the deprivation of liberty, with particular attention paid to the impact of multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination against women and girls.
View report page | View document
Latest country reports
Mission to Romania (24 February to 6 March 2020)
end of mission statement | forthcoming report A/HRC/47/38/Add.1 to be presented at the HRC’s 47th session
Mission to Greece (1-12 April 2019)