The Independent Commission for Human Rights reports every four years to highlight the progress made during the previous four years, and this could include areas such as the measures taken to put the Convention into practice. These measures could be of legislative, judicial, administrative and other natures, and the progress made thereof, diagnosis of the obstacles to the implementation of the Convention and specification of the mechanisms which the State shall adopt to promote equality. This is highly recommended since several laws and legislation enforced in the State of Palestine run counter to the principle of gender equality, and these shortfalls can be founds in the Penal Law, Personal Status Law and Public Retirement Law. This is particularly essential since the national indicators for Palestinian women’s participation show their weak and quite limited participation in political life and decision-making circles. Recommendations • The State of Palestine should sign and ratify all relevant international human rights treaties and conventions, as so stated in Palestinian Basic Law. • The State of Palestine should ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. • The State of Palestine should – once it ratifies the above Convention - present initial and periodic reports to the Committee on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. • The State of Palestine should review all the legislation and laws currently in force in order to adapt them to conform to the principle of equality. • The State of Palestine should take into consideration continued affirmative action to accelerate the process of equality. 36