IWRAW Asia Pacific is an NGO which supports the CEDAW Committee and OHCHR in facilitating participation of women’s groups and NGOs in the CEDAW review process.
Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad, Ireland, Mexico, San Marino, and Thailand are tentatively scheduled for their State Reviews at the 91st CEDAW session. Although the session is yet to be confirmed by OHCHR, it is expected to take place from 16 June – 4 July 2025.
There are several ways that NGOs can engage in the 91st session to share their reflections on progress towards gender equality in the countries up for their respective exchanges, highlight issues of concern, and influence recommendations made by the CEDAW Committee. OHCHR has shared a note on NGO participation which contains further details and information.
Submit a shadow report/alternative information to the CEDAW Committee
- The deadline to submit a shadow report is Monday, 19 May 2025.
- Reports are to be submitted as a Word document to OHCHR via the CEDAW online submission system. The word limit is 3,300, or 6,600 for shadow reports submitted as part of a coalition. Please note that footnotes are included in this word limit. Our website provides guidelines for writing shadow reports, including reports focusing on specific thematic areas. Reports have to be submitted in one of the working languages of the Committee (English, French or Spanish).
- If you have submitted a pre-session report, you have an opportunity to present updated shadow report information, and provide your alternative information to respond to the CEDAW Committee’s List of Issues and Questions which your state will have to answer. It is important that your updated report to CEDAW addresses the issues raised in the List of Issues and Questions, which is how the Committee prioritises issues for the exchange and seeks to address gaps in the state report. Please see the official session page for your country’s List of Issues and Questions.
Please reach out to the IWRAW Asia Pacific team pravind@iwraw-ap.org with iwraw-ap@iwraw-ap.org in copy, if your organisation, collective or coalition is preparing a shadow report for the 91st session.
Engaging directly with the CEDAW Committee at the 91st Session
NGOs which have submitted a shadow report have opportunities to engage directly with the CEDAW Committee during the session:
- Informal public meetings with NGOs:
- The deadline to register your interest to deliver an oral statement at the 91st session’s informal public meeting is Monday, 19 May 2025. NGOs seeking to deliver an oral statement need to register via the CEDAW online submission system. Please register on the event page under the 91st CEDAW Session shadow report submission by ticking the ‘Oral Briefing’ check boxes.
- Oral interventions by NGOs are permitted during this public meeting with the Committee. However, normally a maximum of 10 minutes is available per country, to be shared by all NGOs. Therefore, it is not always possible to accommodate all requests to make an oral intervention. Please inform us if you are interested in making an intervention, as we will assist in coordinating with other NGOs on dividing time and identifying priority areas.
- NGOs can participate in the public meeting physically or submit a pre-recorded video statement (see Quick guide for recording video messages ). Pre-recorded video statements must be received one week before the informal public meeting at ohchr-cedaw@un.org.
- If you wish to make an oral statement, you should register your interest with OHCHR, with IWRAW Asia Pacific in copy, when you send your written submission. As part of our coordination assistance, IWRAW Asia Pacific will compile the final list for OHCHR on behalf of your country group, with names in the order of presentation and with allotted times for speaking (as agreed by your group in advance).
- Private ‘lunchtime’ briefing with the CEDAW Committee:
- NGOs will have an opportunity to privately brief the CEDAW Committee in a country-specific meeting before the country exchange is held with the respective state delegates. It is an opportunity to answer any questions raised by Committee members during the informal public meeting and/or new questions that arise during the private briefing.
- Engagement at the lunch briefing can be hybrid upon request to IWRAW Asia Pacific.
- Please note that OHCHR does not provide interpretation support for this briefing.
Dates for your calendar
Monday, 19 May 2025
Deadline for submission of shadow reports and for registration of interest in making an oral statement
Sunday, 15 June 2025
NGO Coordination Meeting organised by IWRAW Asia Pacific for week 1 countries (Ireland, Mexico, and Thailand)
Monday, 16 June 2024
Commencement of 91st CEDAW Session
Public Informal briefings by NGOs from Ireland, Mexico and Thailand
Private lunchtime briefing (Mexico) – date to be confirmed
Tuesday, 17 June 2025
State Review (Mexico) – hybrid
Wednesday, 18 June 2025
State Review (Mexico) – hybrid, continued
Private lunchtime briefing (Thailand)
Thursday, 19 June 2025
State Review (Thailand)
Private lunchtime briefing (Ireland)
Friday, 20 June 2025
State Review (Ireland)
Sunday, 22 June 2025
NGO Coordination Meeting organised by IWRAW Asia Pacific for week 1 countries (Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad and San Marino)
Monday, 23 June 2025
Public Informal briefings by NGOs from Afghanistan, Botswana, Chad and San Marino
Private lunchtime briefing (Afghanistan)
Tuesday, 24 June 2025
State Review (Afghanistan)
Private lunchtime briefing (San Marino)
Wednesday, 25 June 2025
State Review (San Marino)
Private lunchtime briefing (Chad)
Thursday, 26 June 2025
State Review (Chad)
Private lunchtime briefing (Botswana)
Friday, 27 June 2025
State Review (Botswana)
Spread the word!
Please circulate this information among women’s rights groups. If you are with an NGO or a coalition working on an NGO report to CEDAW, please contact pravind@iwraw-ap.org with a copy to iwraw-ap@iwraw-ap.org.