The Working Group is guided by articles 4, 7, 8 and 9 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women's general recommendation No. 23 (1997), in which the Committee states: The political and public life of a country is a broad concept. It refers to the exercise of political power, in particular the exercise of legislative, judicial, executive and administrative powers. The term covers all aspects of public administration and the formulation and implementation of policy at the international, national, regional and local levels. The concept also includes many aspects of civil society, including public boards and local councils and the activities of organizations such as political parties, trade unions, professional or industry associations, women's organizations, community-based organizations and other organizations concerned with public and political life.