A/RES/66/130 Stressing the critical importance of women’s political participation in all contexts, including in times of peace and of conflict and at all stages of political transition, concerned that many obstacles still prevent women from participating in political life on equal terms with men, and noting in that regard that situations of political transition may provide a unique opportunity to address such obstacles, Recognizing the essential contributions that women around the world continue to make to the achievement and maintenance of international peace and security and to the full realization of all human rights, to the promotion of sustainable development and economic growth, and to the eradication of poverty, hunger and disease, Reaffirming that the active participation of women, on equal terms with men, at all levels of decision-making is essential to the achievement of equality, sustainable development, peace and democracy, Highly concerned that women in every part of the world continue to be largely marginalized from the political sphere, often as a result of discriminatory laws, practices, attitudes and gender stereotypes, low levels of education, lack of access to health care and the disproportionate effect of poverty on women, Recognizing the importance of empowering all women through education and training in government, public policy, economics, civics, information technology and science to ensure that they develop the knowledge and skills needed to make full contributions to society and the political process, Reaffirming the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding and the need for Member States and the United Nations system to increase the role of women in decision-making with regard to conflict prevention and resolution and the rebuilding of post-conflict societies, in accordance with Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) of 31 October 2000 and its subsequent follow-up resolutions, as well as other relevant United Nations resolutions, Noting with appreciation the establishment by the Human Rights Council of the Working Group on Discrimination against Women in Law and in Practice, 1. Reaffirms its resolution 58/142 of 22 December 2003 on women and political participation, and calls upon all States to implement it fully; 2. Calls upon all States to eliminate laws, regulations and practices that, in a discriminatory manner, prevent or restrict women’s participation in the political process; Also calls upon all States to enhance the political participation of women, 3. to accelerate the achievement of equality between men and women and, in all situations, including in situations of political transition, to promote and protect the human rights of women with respect to: (a) Engaging in political activities; (b) Taking part in the conduct of public affairs; (c) Associating freely; (d) Assembling peacefully; (e) Expressing their opinions and seeking, receiving and imparting information and ideas freely; 2