A/HRC/40/31 51. Obstacles to equal political and public participation exist in many contexts. These barriers may include direct and indirect discrimination on grounds such as age, race, colour, descent, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, property, birth, disability, nationality or other status. Even where there is no formal discrimination in connection with political or public participation, inequalities in access to other human rights, such as the right to education, may impede the effective exercise of political participation rights. 52. Youth participation and representation in institutional political processes and policymaking is lower than that of other sectors of the population. A disconnect between young people and electoral politics can lead to a de-prioritization of their concerns by politicians and policymakers, including in the area of work, and can further fuel young people’s frustration and disillusionment. Moreover, the lack of representation of this group in institutional political bodies, such as parliaments, weakens the legitimacy of such democratic institutions. 53. States should draw from the energy, creativity and talents of young people and create the conditions for their participation in public affairs to influence policies on education, work and social security, among others, that can properly address their issues. For example, States could adopt proactive measures to improve youth representation and the representation of young women in national parliaments and other decision-making bodies. This may be achieved in a number of ways; for instance, steps can be taken to establish quotas, to develop all-female candidate shortlists, and to ensure a more equal presence for women and lower socioeconomic groups in youth wings of political parties and youth representative bodies (such as youth parliaments and councils). 54. To promote youth’s participation, States should ensure that effective citizenship education is provided at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Greater knowledge and the practice of democratic politics in supportive environments can foster civic and political engagement. IV. International initiatives relevant to the enjoyment of the right to work and other human rights by young people A. 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 55. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development places full and productive employment and decent work for youth at the centre of the new development vision.40 It emphasizes the catalytic power of youth employment in poverty alleviation, economic growth, and peace and prosperity for all. Targets under Goal 8 on decent work in particular, as well as several other goals, including Goal 4 on education, recognize the centrality of youth employment challenges, and open pathways for consistent and focalized action on decent jobs for youth, and youth development overall. 40 10 against Women (arts. 7–8); the Convention on the Rights of the Child (art. 15); and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (arts. 4 (3), 29 and 33 (3)). Key youth-specific targets include: 4.4: increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship; 4.6: ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy; 8.5: achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value; 8.6: reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training; 8.b: develop and operationalize a global strategy for youth employment and implement the Global Jobs Pact of the International Labour Organization; 13.b: promote mechanisms for raising capacity for effective climate change-related planning and management in least developed countries and small island developing States, including focusing on women, youth and local and marginalized communities.