HowtoStructureaShadowReport-NationalDemocraticInstitute.doc

CEDAW Shadow Reports NDI encourages women’s organizations to treat shadow reporting as a major tool both to hold governments accountable in ensuring women’s political participation and in protecting their human rights. The approach involves developing and submitting reports – often called “shadow” reports -- to expose discrepancies between a country’s obligation under a treaty or agreement and actual legal practices. It encourages coalition building, teaches monitoring and evaluation of government activities, presents a united program of action to promote women’s political priorities, and holds the government accountable for its actions. What is a Shadow Report? The Convention to End All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) requires each state that has ratified the convention submit a report to the CEDAW Committee detailing the steps the state took to implement the rights CEDAW defines. A shadow report is a formal review of that state report prepared by a coalition of civil society organizations for review by the CEDAW Committee. Once submitted, the shadow report becomes as much a part of the official record as the report the state summited. The evidence and assessment presented in the shadow report is given as much consideration as the information presented by the state. In short, a carefully documented shadow report is a powerful tool. It offers civil society an official platform to review information the state presented, assess its accuracy, and provide the CEDAW Committee with additional information it needs to address specific gaps in state policies and specific barriers to women’s full equality in public and private life. It spurs the creation of a powerful coalition of interested parties –elected officials, agency staff, lawyers, academics, civil society organizations, and human rights advocates – that can assist in drafting the report and ensuring women’s equality. It also builds the shadow coalition’s relationship with national and internati