- 146 - Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, that the human rights of women and of the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights. 11. The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights contains rights which are applicable to all persons, including women of all ages, from the girl child to the elderly woman. It thus constitutes an indispensable element in any comprehensive framework for the promotion and protection of the rights of women. 12. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights therefore enjoins the Fourth World Conference on Women to urge all States to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to set a goal of universal ratification by the year 2000. 13. In view of the central importance of the reporting mechanism provided for under the Covenant, the Committee invites States parties to the Covenant to devote particular attention to the situation of women in their reports. This will contribute significantly to a constructive and meaningful dialogue with the Committee regarding the condition of women. 14. In addition to reports submitted by States parties, the Committee welcomes submissions of information from a wide range of sources. These include United Nations specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, all of which are invited to participate during the Committee’s annual sessions. These entities are therefore encouraged to provide the Committee with information on the situation of economic, social and cultural rights from a more gender-specific perspective. 15. In response to the recommendation of the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights and at the request of the Commission on Human Rights, the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is at present drafting an optional protocol to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. This protocol would enable individuals to submit complaints of violation of their economic, social and cultural rights. It would provide an effective means towards achieving the fulfilment of the rights of women. For this reason, the Committee calls upon the Fourth World Conference on Women to support this undertaking.