The Independent Commission for Human Rights International Covenant on Human Rights (Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and Civil and Political Rights) 1966 In 1966, the UN General Assembly approved of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Optional Protocol of the latter. These two covenants prohibit discrimination based on sex, viewing it as another element of discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of religion and language. Declaration on Elimination of Discrimination against Women 1967 The Declaration on Elimination of Discrimination against Women provides for “the constitutional right of women to vote in elections, equality before the law, marriage, education and economic and social aspects of life.” The UN General Assembly approved of this declaration unanimously in 1967. Despite the prominence and significance of this declaration - which does not have the framework of a contractual convention - it does not set forth obligations binding on States. Drawing on that, the Commission on the Status of Women considered in 1972 the feasibility of preparing a convention that would render this Declaration binding to States Parties. UN General Assembly’s Declaration of 1974 and Designating (1975) as the International Year of the Woman The World Conference on the International Year of the Woman, held in Mexico City in 1975, recognized the goals of the International Year of the Woman and its international action plan through which these goals would be implemented. Among these goals is the necessity of granting women their rights on equal terms with men in respect to voting and participating in public and political life on the local, national and international levels. International Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 1993 The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women in 1993, and this declaration reaffirmed the rights of women as human rights, such as the right to life, equality, freedom and 10