Article 7

Abstract

This chapter explores Article 7 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which comprehensively addresses States parties’ obligations in realizing women’s political rights. These include the right to participate directly in the formulation of public policy as elected representatives (Article 7(a)) or as appointed public officials (Article 7(b)), as well as indirectly through voting (Article 7(a)). Article 7 is unique in human rights law because it also encompasses non-discrimination with regard to the participation in non-governmental organizations and associations (Article 7(c)). In these respects, States parties must strive to realize formal, substantive, and transformative equality which includes the adoption of temporary special measures (TSMs) under Article 4(1) to accelerate its realization. The chapter analyses how the CEDAW Committee has interpreted the meaning and scope of States parties’ obligations under the article in its concluding observations and general recommendations. It states that the obligation to reach substantive equality in political and public life requires States parties to reach parity between men and women by 2030, even if its jurisprudence remains wavering.