Professor Shazia Choudhry is the UK's candidate for the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women

Shazia Choudhry, Professor in the Faculty of Law and Hackney Fellow in Law at Wadham College, is the UK's candidate for the UN’s Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) for the term 2025 to 2028.

Professor Choudhry has an exemplary record in women’s rights. She has dedicated her professional career to expanding her own and other’s understanding of gender, human rights and violence against women. Professor Choudhry's research has a global reach; covering Europe, Asia, and South America, to date; and has been recognised internationally by invitations to present by the Supreme Courts of Mexico and Chile. Her research has also been cited by the Supreme Court of Mexico. Professor Choudhry is an experienced lawyer and as a Professor of Law, she has worked in the field of gender and human rights.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The CEDAW Committee comprises 23 experts on women’s rights from around the world. Voting will take place on 7 June 2024 for the 2025 to 2028 membership of CEDAW.

Professor Choudhry said:

"My entire career has focused on the human rights of women and the impact that international law, in particular, can and should have in this regard. I am therefore hugely honoured and humbled by this nomination for election to CEDAW."

The Rt Hon Kemi Badenoch, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, President of the Board of Trade, and Minister for Women and Equalities.

"Shazia is an outstanding candidate who will bring insight, deep knowledge, drive and determination to the CEDAW table."

Congratulations to Professor Choudhry on being nominated as the UK's first ever candidate for CEDAW since it ratified the treaty in 1986. Find out more about CEDAW and Professor Choudhry's candidateship.