A/HRC/30/26 Women 24. In its general recommendation No. 23 (1997) on political and public life, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women identified a number of barriers to the equal participation of women in political and public life, including traditional cultural values and religious beliefs, absence of social services, violence against women, women’s economic dependence on men, negative societal attitudes towards women and harmful gender stereotyping. The Committee further noted that women were excluded from top-ranking positions in Government, the civil service, public administration, the judiciary and justice systems. As of 1 May 2015, the average proportion of women in parliaments worldwide was a mere 22.1 per cent.32 25. The Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and in practice identified other obstacles to women’s participation in political and public affairs, such as unwillingness of political parties to place women in realistic positions on their candidates lists; the fact that women tend to have fewer resources than men for election campaigns; attacks, threats and sexual harassment against women candidates; and nonrecognition of the right of peaceful assembly and freedom of association. At the same time, women who are outspoken as leaders, community workers and politicians often face harassment and stigmatization, as they are perceived as undermining traditional family values.33 Furthermore, women human rights defenders are exposed to gender-specific threats and violence, including gender-based verbal abuse, sexual abuse or rape, intimidation and murder.34 Indigenous peoples 26. In its advice No. 2 (2011) on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making (see A/HRC/18/42, annex), the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples notes that indigenous peoples are among the most excluded, marginalized and disadvantaged social groups in the world. Discrimination against indigenous peoples has had a negative impact on their ability to freely determine the direction that their own communities should take as well as their ability to have control over natural resources and to participate in decision-making with regard to matters that affect their human rights, including legislation. 27. In her 2014 annual report, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples identified several obstacles that affect the ability of indigenous peoples to fully enjoy their right to participate in political and public affairs, including the failure or reluctance of governments to recognize indigenous peoples; challenges in the development of practical implementation measures; ongoing negative attitudes towards indigenous peoples on the part of broader societies in which they live; and social and economic conditions preventing the full exercise of indigenous peoples’ human rights.35 Minorities 28. The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities affirms the right of minorities to participate effectively in cultural, religious, social, economic and public life.36 Yet, such persons remain underrepresented in the political and public processes and governing institutions in most 32 33 34 35 36 8 See www.ipu.org/wmn-e/world.htm. A/HRC/23/50, paras. 53–76. A/HRC/25/55, para. 99. See A/HRC/27/52, para. 11. E/CN.4/Sub.2/AC.5/2005/2, paras. 42–44.