Convention on the Political Rights of Women
The Convention on the Political Rights of Women was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1953, and it is the first international legislation protecting the equal status of women to exercise political rights.
The preamble of the Convention reiterates the principles set out in article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which declares that everyone has the right to participate in the government of his country, and to access public services. The Convention on the Political Rights of Women specifically protects this right for women. Women are given the right to vote or hold office, as established by national law, on equal terms with men and without discrimination on the basis of sex.