Public Policies and Human Rights: the effects of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in Italy

The article illustrates the impact of the adoption of the Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in the system of protection and promotion of women' human rights in Italy through the analysis of periodical governmental reports submitted to the Committee regulated by the Convention as part of the reporting function. The Convention obliges States parties to submit to the Secretary-General a report on the legislative, judicial, administrative or other measures that they have adopted to implement the Convention within a year after its entry into force and then at least every four years thereafter or whenever the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) so requests. These reports, which may indicate factors and difficulties in implementation, are forwarded to the CEDAW for its consideration. According to guidelines adopted by the Committee, the initial report is intended to be a detailed and comprehensive description of the position of women in that country at the time of submission; it is meant to provide a benchmark against which subsequent progress can be measured. Second and subsequent national reports are intended to update the previous report, detailing significant developments that have occurred over the last four years, noting key trends, and identifying obstacles to the full achievement of the Convention.