Vietnamese legislation and the fulfillment of the right to participation of women following Vietnam's accession to CEDAW

Abstract

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) was adopted by the General Assembly resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979. Vietnam signed to join this treaty in 1980 and ratified it in 1981. As a State Party, Vietnam is legally bound to incorporate CEDAW’s norms into its domestic law in order to comply with the duty of "respect, protection and fulfillment" of the rights of women recognized in the Convention. The extent covered by women’s human rights set forth in CEDAW is very broad.

As such, this article only attempts to analyze fundamental legal principles provided in Articles 7 and 8 of CEDAW; highlights achievements recorded by Vietnam in realizing the right to participation of women in the political and public life of the country, which is denoted in the national system of laws and policies; points out limitations and makes some recommendations aimed at contributing to promoting the full realization of the right to participation of women in the coming time.