A/HRC/20/28 (1996) on the right to participate in public affairs, voting rights and the right of equal access to public service. With regard to the obligation of States to modify cultural patterns of conduct inhibiting the advancement of women’s human rights, the Working Group also refers to Human Rights Committee general comment No. 34 (2011) on the freedoms of opinion and expression. 27. In relation to its focus on times of political transition, the Working Group will look at countries that are presently going through processes of political transition, 2 as well as countries with lessons learned from past political transitions, particularly since the entry into force of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1981. The Working Group is attentive to the fact that while political transitions provide a unique opportunity to improve respect for women’s civil and political rights, including their participation in the political system, and women’s status in the legal and social systems, there is also a danger of regression on women’s human rights. 28. The Working Group will also incorporate into its review the fact that women participating in political change and public life are often exposed to violence. The Working Group takes note of reports that women defenders are more at risk than men of suffering from certain forms of violence and other violations, due to the perception that they are challenging accepted sociocultural norms, traditions, perceptions and stereotypes about femininity, sexual orientation, the family and the role and status of women in society.3 29. The Working Group intends to examine measures taken by States in political transition to improve women’s constitutional and political position and their status in society and protect them from all forms of violence. It recognizes the agency of women, including as conducted through international and regional institutions and networks, in influencing positive change at the national level. Recommendations will be made on improving legislation and the implementation of laws to empower women and to secure women’s right to a full and equal political and public life. 30. In order to develop its research on this thematic priority, the Working Group sent letters to all States Members of the United Nations on 8 December 2011 seeking information on: constitutional and other legislative initiatives and reforms put in place to promote women’s rights and gender equality; the framework of State institutions, machineries and mechanisms to implement actions in order to fight against all forms of discrimination and violence against women; women’s political participation, on equal terms with men, in the transitional and post-transitional process at all levels of decision-making; and women’s access to justice, including transitional justice mechanisms. The Working Group takes this opportunity to thank the 40 States that had responded to the call for information at the time of submission of the document. 31. The Working Group also posted a call for submissions on its web page for information on good practices, lessons learned and promising experiences in the field of political and public life both in general terms and/or with particular reference to times of political transition. 2 3 The Working Group understands political transition in the widest sense of the term, including transitions that involve fundamental change of the political regime and/or of the legal system. See the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders (A/HRC/16/44 and Corr.1). 9