Topic Summary:

 

The clear objectives of the UN regarding women's rights clearly indicate the significance of governmental support of female empowerment. A key part of efficacious governmental support lies in female representation in government, as the leadership of women in determining the legal and political rights of women had massive ramifications. As a matter of fact, the Commission on the Status of Women made women's political rights a priority since its beginnings and has continued to do so throughout its existence. In 1945, only 25 of the original 51 members of the United Nations allowed women equal voting rights. As the blatant inequality in political rights between men and women in countries worldwide became evident to the Commission, a 1950 report was filed, noting the discrimination against women in the field of political rights. Following ample debate on the situation of the topic at the time, the Convention of the Political Rights of Women, which had been drafted by the Commission, was passed by the General Assembly on December 20, 1952, which began to work specifically towards the political rights of women. The first three articles incorporated upon the passing of the Convention asserted women's right of suffrage, right to be eligible for election and right to run for public office.

 

Women's Suffrage: 

Although many Western countries legalized women's suffrage in the twentieth century, the arduous struggle for the right to vote faced a myriad of circumstances, considering different religious and cultural contexts and forms of government. Female suffrage was scarce at the beginnings of the twentieth century, with women recently been given the right to vote in few countries. 

 

 

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