CEDAW/C/GC/40 IV. Normative framework for the equal and inclusive representation of women in decision-making systems 22. Under international human rights treaty law, women are guaranteed the right to equal and inclusive representation in decision-making systems. The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women affirms women’s equal right to participate in political and public life, including international decision making and decision-making related to peace and security, as well as their equal rights to participate in decision-making in the economic sector. The Convention on the Political Rights of Women grants women equal rights to vote, run for office and hold public positions without discrimination. 30 Under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, women and men have equal civil and political rights, including in relation to decision-making in the political and public spheres. 31 The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights also stipulates the equal right of men and women to enjoyment of all economic, social and cultural rights, thereby also including decision-making in these spheres. 32 Regional conventions, including the American Convention on Human Rights, the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the Protocol thereto on th e Rights of Women in Africa, the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence 33 ensure similar protections. Reflecting an intersectional approach, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that women with disabilities face multiple forms of discrimination and stipulates that States parties must ensure that a ll persons with disabilities can effectively and fully participate in the conduct of public affairs. 34 The International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination prohibits racial discrimination across all political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life. 35 23. The four United Nations World Conferences on Women, held in Mexico (1975), Copenhagen (1980), Nairobi (1985) and Beijing (1995), have shaped women’s roles as equal actors in decision-making. In the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the participation of women in power and decision-making is identified among the strategic objectives. Governments are called upon to remove all obstacles to women’s full and equal share in economic, social, cultural and political decision making, so that power and responsibility are shared between women and men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities. 36 In its resolution 1325 (2000) and its subsequent resolutions, the Security Council urges States to ensure the equal representation of women at all decision -making in conflict prevention, management and resolution. Sustainable Development Goal targets 5.5 __________________ 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 10/29 Convention on the Political Rights of Women, arts. 1 –3. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, arts. 1 (1) and 3. International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, art. 3. European Convention on Human Rights, art. 14; American Convention on Human Rights, arts. 1 and 23; Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, arts. 4 and 5; African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Right s, arts. 2 and 13; Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, art. 9; Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, arts. 21, 23, 39, and 40; and Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, preamble and arts. 1 and 6. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, arts. 6 and 29. International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, art. 5. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, paras. 1, 190 and 192. 24-20036