Convention on the political rights of women

PartiesTooltipParties with a link have a reservation.

Extensions

China

Netherlands, the Kingdom of the

United Kingdom

Albania

12-05-1955

1. As regards Article VII: The People's Republic of Albania declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.
2. As regards Article IX: The People's Republic of Albania does not consider itself bound by the provisions of article IX which provides that disputes between Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention shall at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision, and declares that for any dispute to be referred to the International Court of Justice for decision the agreement of all the parties to the dispute shall be necessary in each individual case.

Antigua and Barbuda

25-10-1988

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda reserves from the application of this Convention all matters relating to the recruitment to, and conditions of service in, the armed forces of Antigua and Barbuda.

Argentina

27-02-1961

The Argentine Government reserves the right not to submit to the procedure set out in this article [article IX] any dispute which is directly connected with territories which fall within Argentine sovereignty.

Australia

10-12-1974

The Government of Australia hereby declares that the accession by Australia shall be subject to the reservation that article III of the Convention shall have no application as regards recruitment to and conditions of service in the Defence Forces.
The Government of Australia furthermore declares that the Convention shall not extend to Papua New Guinea.

Bangladesh

05-10-1998

Article III:
The Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh will apply article III of the Convention in consonance with the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Bangladesh and in particular, article 28 (4) allowing special provision in favour of women; article 29.3 (c) allowing reservation of any class of employment or office for one sex on the ground that it is considered by its nature to be unsuited to members of the opposite sex; and article 65 (3) providing for reservation of 30 seats in the National Assembly for women in addition to the provision allowing women to be elected to any and all of the 300 seats.
Article IX:
For the submission of any dispute in terms of this article to the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, the consent of all the parties to the dispute will be required in each case.

Belarus

11-08-1954

As regards Article VII: Belarus declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.

Bulgaria

17-03-1954

As regards Article VII: Bulgaria declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.

Canada

30-01-1957

Inasmuch as under the Canadian constitutional system legislative jurisdiction in respect of political rights is divided between the provinces and the Federal Government, the Government of Canada is obliged, in acceding to this Convention, to make a reservation in respect of rights within the legislative jurisdiction of the provinces.

16-01-2015

The Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations and has the honour to refer to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women and the Secretary-General's communication of 6 January 2015, C.N.1.2015.TREATIES-XV1.1, relating to that treaty. The Permanent Mission of Canada notes that this communication was made pursuant to the Secretary-General's capacity as Depositary for the Convention on the Political Rights of Women. The Permanent Mission of Canada notes the technical and administrative role of the Depositary, and that it is for States Parties to a treaty, not the Depositary, to make their own determination with respect to any legal issues raised by instruments circulated by a depositary.
In that context, the Permanent Mission of Canada notes that 'Palestine' does not meet the criteria of a state under international law and is not recognized by Canada as a state. Therefore, in order to avoid confusion, the Permanent Mission of Canada wishes to note its position that in the context of the purported Palestinian accession to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, 'Palestine' is not able to accede to this convention, and that the Convention on the Political Rights of Women does not enter into force, or have an effect on Canada's treaty relations, with respect to the 'State of Palestine'.

Czech Republic

22-02-1993

The Government of the [Czech Republic] declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of this reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all the other signatories of the Convention, with the exception only of that part of the paragraph to which the reservation relates.

Denmark

07-07-1954

Subject to a reservation with respect to article III of the Convention, in so far as it relates to the right of women to hold military appointments or to act as heads of recruitment services or to serve on recruitment boards.

Ecuador

23-04-1954

The Government of Ecuador signs this Convention subject to a reservation with respect to the last phrase in article I, 'without any discrimination', since article 22 of the Political Constitution of the Republic specifies that "a vote in popular elections is obligatory for a man and optional for a woman".

14-09-2015

Withdrawal of reservation made upon ratification.

Eswatini

20-07-1970

(a) Article III of the Convention shall have no application as regards remuneration for women in certain posts in the Civil Service of the Kingdom of Swaziland;
(b) The Convention shall have no application to matters which are regulated by Swaziland Law and Custom in accordance with Section 62 (2) of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Swaziland. [(a) The office of Nggwenyama; (b) the office of Ndlovukazi (the Queen Mother); (c) the authorization of a person to perform the functions of Regent for the purposes of section 30 of this Constitution; (d) the appointment, revocation of appointment and suspension of Chiefs; (e) the composition of the Swazi National Council, the appointment and revocation of appointment of members of the Council, and the procedure of the Council; (f) the Ncwala Ceremony; (g) the Libutfo (regimental) system.]

Fiji

12-06-1972

The reservations of the United Kingdom 1 (a), (b), (d) and (f) are affirmed and are redrafted as more suitable to the situation of Fiji in the following terms:
Article III is accepted subject to reservations, pending notification of withdrawal of any case, insofar as it relates to:
(a) succession to the Crown;
(b) certain offices primarily of a ceremonial nature;
(d) recruitment to and conditions of service in the armed forces;
(f) the employment of married women in the civil service
All other reservations made by the United Kingdom are withdrawn.

Finland

06-10-1958

As regards Article III: A decree may be issued to the effect that only men or women can be appointed to certain functions, which because of their nature, can be properly discharged either only by men or by women.

Germany

04-11-1970

The Federal Republic of Germany accedes to the Convention with the reservation that article III of the Convention does not apply to service in the armed forces.

Guatemala

07-10-1959

1. Articles I, II and III shall apply only to female citizens of Guatemala in accordance with the provisions of article 16, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the Republic.
2. In order to satisfy constitutional requirements, article IX shall be interpreted subject to the provisions of article 149, paragraph 3 (b) of the Constitution of the Republic.

12-07-2007

The Government of Guatemala notified the Secretary-General that it had decided to withdraw the reservations made upon ratification.

Hungary

20-01-1955

As regards Article VII: Hungary declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.
[...]

India

01-11-1961

Article III of the Convention shall have no application as regards recruitment to, and conditions of service in any of the Armed Forces of India or the Forces charged with the maintenance of public order in India.

Indonesia

16-12-1958

The last sentence of article VII and the whole article IX do not apply to Indonesia.

Ireland

14-11-1968

Article III is accepted subject to reservation in so far as it relates to
(a) the employment of married women in the public service;
(b) the unequal remuneration of women in certain positions in the public service,
and subject to the following declarations:
(1) that the exclusion of women from positions of employment for which by objective standards or for physical reasons they are not suitable is not regarded as discriminatory;
(2) that the fact that jury service is not at present obligatory for women is not regarded as discriminatory

Israel

16-01-2015

The Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations presents its compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as depositary to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, and refers to the communication by the depositary, dated 6 January 2015, regarding the Palestinian request to accede to this Convention (Reference number C.N.1.2015.TREATIES-XVI.1).
'Palestine' does not satisfy the criteria for statehood under international law and lacks the legal capacity to join the aforesaid convention both under general international law and the terms of bilateral Israeli-Palestinian agreements.
The Government of Israel does not recognize 'Palestine' as a State, and wishes to place on record, for the sake of clarity, its position that it does not consider 'Palestine' a party to the Convention and regards the Palestinian request for accession as being without legal validity and without effect upon Israel's treaty relations under the Convention.

Italy

06-03-1968

In acceding to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, done at New York on 31 March 1953, the Italian Government declares that it reserves its rights to apply the provisions of Art. III as far as service in the armed forces and in special armed corps is concerned within the limits established by national legislation.

Lesotho

04-11-1974

Article III is accepted subject to reservation, pending notification of withdrawal in any case, so far as it relates to: Matters regulated by Basotho Law and Custom.

Malta

09-07-1968

In acceding to this Convention, the Government of Malta hereby declares that it does not consider itself bound by article III in so far as that article applies to conditions of service in the Public Service and to Jury Service.

Mauritius

18-07-1969

The Government of Mauritius hereby declares that it does not consider itself bound by article III of the Convention in so far as that Article applies to recruitment to and conditions of service in the armed forces or to jury service.

Mexico

23-03-1981

It is expressly understood that the Government of Mexico will not deposit its instrument of ratification pending the entry into force of the amendment to the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States which is now under consideration, providing that citizenship rights shall be granted to Mexican women.

Mongolia

18-08-1965

To articles IV and V: The Government of the Mongolian People's Republic declares its disagreement with paragraph 1 of article IV and paragraph 1 of article V and considers that the present Convention should be open to all States for signature or accession.
[...]

Morocco

22-11-1976

The consent of all the parties concerned is required for the referral of any dispute to the International Court of Justice.

Nepal

26-04-1966

As regards article IX of the Convention: "A dispute shall be referred for decision to the International Court of Justice only at the request of all the parties to the dispute.

New Zealand

22-05-1968

Subject to a reservation with respect to Article III of the Convention, in so far as it relates to recruitment and conditions of service in the armed forces of New Zealand.

Pakistan

07-12-1954

Article III of the Convention shall have no application as regards recruitment to and conditions of services charged with the maintenance of public order or unsuited to women because of the hazards involved.

Palestine

06-02-2015

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.49.2015.TREATIES-XVI.1, dated 23 January 2015, conveying a communication of Canada regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, dated 31 March 1953.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of Canada and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine ‘non-member observer State status in the United Nations’. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which enters into force on 2 April 2015, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

06-02-2015

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.34.2015.TREATIES-XVI.1, dated 23 January 2015, conveying a communication of Israel regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, dated 31 March 1953.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of Israel, the occupying Power, and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine ‘non-member observer State status in the United Nations’. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which enters into force on 2 April 2015, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

06-02-2015

The Permanent Observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations presents his compliments to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in his capacity as Depositary, and has the honor to refer to depositary notification C.N.33.2015.TREATIES-XVI.1, dated 23 January 2015, conveying a communication of the United States of America regarding the accession of the State of Palestine to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, dated 31 March 1953.
The Government of the State of Palestine regrets the position of the United States of America and wishes to recall United Nations General Assembly resolution 67/19 of 29 November 2012 according Palestine ‘non-member observer State status in the United Nations’. In this regard, Palestine is a State recognized by the United Nations General Assembly on behalf of the international community.
As a State Party to the United Nations Convention on the Political Rights of Women, which enters into force on 2 April 2015, the State of Palestine will exercise its rights and honor its obligations with respect to all States Parties. The State of Palestine trusts that its rights and obligations will be equally respected by its fellow States Parties.

Poland

11-08-1954

As regards Article VII: Poland declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.

Romania

06-08-1954

As regards Article VII: Romania declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.

Russian Federation

03-05-1954

As regards Article VII: The Russian Federation declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.
[...]

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

27-04-1999

The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines reserves from the application of article III of this Convention all matters relating to the recruitment to, and conditions of service in, the armed forces of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Sierra Leone

25-07-1962

In acceding to this Convention, the Government of Sierra Leone hereby declares that it does not consider itself bound by article III in so far as that article applies to recruitment to and conditions of service in the Armed Forces or to jury service.

Slovakia

28-05-1993

The Government of [Slovakia] declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of this reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all the other signatories of the Convention, with the exception only of that part of the paragraph to which the reservation relates.

Solomon Islands

10-05-1982

In relation to the succession: The Government of Solomon Islands declared that Solomon Islands maintains the reservations entered by the United Kingdom save in so far as the same cannot apply to Solomon Islands.

Spain

14-01-1974

Articles I and III of the Convention shall be interpreted without prejudice to the provisions which in current Spanish legislation define the status of head of family.
Articles II and III shall be interpreted without prejudice to the norms relating to the office of Head of State contained in the Spanish Fundamental Laws.
Article III shall be interpreted without prejudice to the fact that certain functions, which by their nature can be exercised satisfactorily only by men or only by women, shall be exercised exclusively by men or by women, as appropriate, in accordance with Spanish legislation.

Tunisia

24-01-1968

[Article IX] For any dispute to be referred to the International Court of Justice, the agreement of all the parties to the dispute shall be necessary in every case.

Ukraine

15-11-1954

As regards Article VII: Ukraine declares its disagreement with the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention, with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.
[...]

United Kingdom

24-02-1967

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland accedes to the Convention with the following reservations submitted in accordance with article VII:
(1) Article III is accepted subject to reservations, pending notification of withdrawal in any case, in so far as it relates to:
(a) succession to the Crown;
(b) certain offices primarily of a ceremonial nature;
(c) the function of sitting and voting in the House of Lords pertaining to holders of hereditary peerages and holders of certain offices in the Church of England;
(d) recruitment to and conditions of service in the armed forces;
(e) jury service in Grenada, [...] as well as in the Kingdom of Tonga;
(f) . . .
(g) remuneration for women in the Civil Service of [...] Hong Kong, as well as of the Protectorate of Swaziland;
(h) . . .
(i) in the State of Brunei, the exercise of the royal powers, jury service or its equivalent and the holding of certain offices governed by Islamic Law.
(2) The United Kingdom reserves the right to postpone the application of this Convention in respect of women living in the Colony of Aden, having regard to the local customs and traditions. Further, the United Kingdom reserves the right not to apply this Convention to Rhodesia unless and until the United Kingdom informs the Secretary-General of the United Nations that it is in a position to ensure that the obligations imposed by the Convention in respect of that territory can be fully implemented.

United States of America

16-01-2015

The United States Mission to the United Nations presents its compliments to the United Nations and refers to the U.N. Secretary-General's depositary notification C.N.1.2015.TREATIES-XVI.l, dated January 6, 2015, regarding the purported accession of the 'State of Palestine' to the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, done at New York March 31, 1953 (the Convention).
The Government of the United States of America does not believe the 'State of Palestine' qualifies as a sovereign State and does not recognize it as such. Accession to the Convention is limited to sovereign States. Therefore, the Government of the United States of America believes that the 'State of Palestine' is not qualified to accede to the Convention and affirms that it will not consider itself to be in a treaty relationship with the 'State of Palestine' under the Convention.

Venezuela

31-05-1983

Reservation with regard to article IX: [Venezuela] does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice for the settlement of disputes concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention.

Yemen

09-02-1987

a) The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen declares that it does not accept the last sentence of article VII and considers that the juridical effect of a reservation is to make the Convention operative as between the State making the reservation and all other States parties to the Convention with the exception only of that part thereof to which the reservation relates.
(b) The People's Democratic Republic of Yemen does not consider itself bound by the text of article IX, which provides that disputes between Contracting Parties concerning the interpretation or application of this Convention may, at the request of any one of the parties to the dispute, be referred to the International Court of Justice. It declares that the competence of the International Court of Justice with respect to disputes concerning the interpretation or application of the Convention shall in each case be subject to the express consent of all parties to the dispute.