The year 2000 marks twenty years since the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was opened for ratification by the United Nations. The sources have been organized into various topics identified within the articles of the Convention , i.e. Political and Public Life, and Rules of Procedure. For example, Discrimination and Violence Against Women in the Workplace references are located under Employment and Domestic Violence Citations are located under Marriage and Family Life. In addition, each corresponding article of the Convention has been replicated at the beginning of the respective sections. As well, the preamble to the Convention is outlined at the beginning of the bibliography.
Sources concentrate on ratification procedures and post-ratification impact.
Subject headings include NGO participation, media and legislative initiatives. Regional Analysis sources have been organized according to country or region. Included are references pertaining to any significant population of women, i.e. Muslim women citations are located in the Middle East and Muslim Women section. Many of the sources within each section have been cross-referenced in order to provide a more comprehensive resource for the reader. The IWRP wishes to thank Nancy's Very Own Foundation for financial assistance to provide technical support to women's NGOs participating in the impact study.