Policy Brief on the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC) in Southeast Asia

It is critical in understanding the information in this policy brief, that we recognize the historical and contemporary experiences of marginalization against all women, and that our analyses of these experiences as they relate to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) should not be limited to the relationships or dynamics between cisgender and heterosexual men and women. Recognizing the powerful intersectional dynamics at work here and how the lack pluralistic views on gender and sexual diversity blind advocates and policy makers to the natural pluralistic nature of gender and sexuality. This consequently contributes to the restrictions on women's human rights.

This policy brief is based on a desk review of pertinent documents, including state submissions and shadow reports from ASEAN member-states and Timor-Leste. It includes the most recent periodic reports submitted by these countries, as well as the Concluding Observations from the CEDAW Committee, which were published between 2012 and 2017.