The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is one of the most important UN human rights treaties, the aim of which is to ensure equal rights for women and men in all areas of life and to eliminate discrimination against women. Estonia joined the CEDAW Convention in 1991.
Now Estonia has also joined the Optional Protocol to CEDAW, which allows people to submit complaints to the UN committee about violations of the convention.
According to Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo, joining the protocol is an important step in confirming Estonia's commitment to ensuring equal rights for women and men. “Accession to the Optional Protocol to CEDAW gives people an additional international opportunity to protect their rights. This strengthens the protection of women's rights in Estonia and is an important signal that we value gender equality and human rights both domestically and internationally,” added Keldo.
By joining the Optional Protocol to the Convention, Estonians can bring complaints directly to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women if they believe their rights under the Convention have been violated. Before doing so, they must first use all available legal options in Estonia. The Protocol also allows the Committee to investigate serious or ongoing violations of women’s rights and to make recommendations to the state to improve the situation.
The Optional Protocol to CEDAW entered into force internationally on 22 December 2000. The Riigikogu approved the Protocol of Accession of Estonia on 23 April 2025, and it entered into force for Estonia on 17 October 2025.
