A/HRC/14/23 B. Freedom of expression for groups in need of particular attention and the role of freedom of expression in combating discrimination 40. The Special Rapporteur considers that Governments should remove all barriers that impede the full exercise of the right to freedom of opinion and expression and that hinder development and decision-making. 41. In this context, the right to freedom of expression gains added value when it is used to protect groups or minorities in need of particular attention, such as women, children, those living in extreme poverty, minorities, indigenous peoples and migrant populations. 1. (a) Women and children and the exercise of their right to freedom of opinion and expression Women 42. In accordance with the Special Rapporteur’s mandate to mainstream women’s human rights and a gender perspective in all his activities, this report reiterates the undeniable link between freedom of expression and women’s human rights, which include the right to express their opinions, to have access to their own means of communication and to work in the existing mass media. The following considerations should be taken into account in this regard. 43. General comment No. 28 of the Human Rights Committee on the equality of rights between men and women (article 3 of the Covenant) states that the causes of the inequality of women throughout the world include traditional, historical, cultural and even religious factors. This situation also influences the enjoyment of and respect for all the rights enshrined in the Covenant, including the right to freedom of opinion and expression and the right to access information in order to make informed decisions. 44. Everyone has the right to access the information needed to form opinions or to take decisions. However, women, in particular, have sometimes been denied full enjoyment of this right and, in extreme cases, this has led to them being denied information or the education they need. In cases where the State has failed to promote and ensure access to information and education, to means of expressing opinions, and to health and anti-violence programmes, this failure has had a negative impact on women’s ability to make informed decisions freely. Therefore, the Special Rapporteur considers that Governments should prioritize women’s education and access to information in their public policies. 45. General recommendation No. 19 of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (para. 11) states that the underlying consequences of violence contribute to maintaining women in subordinate roles, to their low level of political participation and to their lower level of education, skills and work opportunities, thereby exposing them to other risks such as the propagation of pornography and other forms of commercial exploitation. 46. Similarly, in its general recommendation No. 23, the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (para. 20 (a)) states that one of the obstacles (in addition to illiteracy and a lack of knowledge and understanding of political systems) to the exercise of women’s right to vote and to be elected is that their access to information about candidates, party political platforms and voting procedures is more restricted than men’s. In this regard, the Special Rapporteur highlights shortcomings in civil registry systems that must be remedied. 47. It is, therefore, fitting to recall the important contribution made by the Beijing Platform for Action of 1995, in which particular concern was expressed about the continued 8 GE.10-13049