IV. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS ADOPTED BY
THE COMMITTEE ON THE ELIMINATION OF
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
Sixteenth session (1997)*
General recommendation No. 23: Political and public life
States parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against
women in the political and public life of the country and, in particular, shall ensure to women, on
equal terms with men, the right:
(a) To vote in all elections and public referendums and to be eligible for election to all
publicly elected bodies;
(b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the implementation
thereof and to hold public office and perform all public functions at all levels of government;
(c) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations concerned with
the public and political life of the country.
Background
1.
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women places
special importance on the participation of women in the public life of their countries. The
preamble to the Convention states in part:
“Recalling that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of
rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on
equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their
countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more
difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their
countries and of humanity.”
2.
The Convention further reiterates in its preamble the importance of women’s participation
in decision-making as follows:
“Convinced that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the
world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women on equal
terms with men in all fields.”
3.
Moreover, in article 1 of the Convention, the term “discrimination against women” is
interpreted to mean:
“any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or
purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women,
*
Contained in document A/52/38.