PART SIX: PROMOTING DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY: OBLIGATIONS TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF DISCRIMINATION throughout the education system and in the community”.1253 The Committee has further noted that “States parties are to adopt measures towards a real transformation of opportunities, institutions and systems so that they are no longer grounded in historically determined male paradigms of power and life patterns. The education system is an example of an area for transformation that, once achieved, can accelerate positive change in other areas.” It has recommended on this basis that, inter alia, States develop “non-stereotypical educational curricula, textbooks and teaching materials to eliminate traditional gender stereotypes that reproduce and reinforce gender-based discrimination against girls and women and to promote more balanced, accurate, healthy and positive projections of the images and voices of women and girls”.1254 D. Media and awareness-raising Beyond the formal education system, States’ duty to eliminate discrimination by addressing social drivers gives rise to obligations to influence public perceptions through the media and wider public education and awareness-raising efforts. In its general recommendation No. 28 (2010), the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women noted that, in addition to the specific obligations arising under article 5, States had awareness-raising obligations in connection with the obligation under article 2 to “take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women by any person, organization or enterprise”.1255 Specifically, the Committee stated that States should enlist “all media in public education programmes about the equality of women and men, and ensuring in particular that women are aware of their right to equality without discrimination [and] of the measures taken by the State party to implement the Convention”.1256 Article 8 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities focuses specifically on awareness-raising. Through this article, States parties commit to raise awareness of, and foster respect for, the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities; combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices; and promote awareness of the capabilities of persons with disabilities. The Convention sets out an illustrative list of awareness-raising measures, including public awareness campaigns and working with both the education system and the media.1257 The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities has underlined the importance of awareness-raising, noting that “discrimination cannot be combated without awareness-raising among all sectors of government and society” and stating that any measures adopted pursuant to the Convention “must be accompanied by adequate awareness-raising measures”.1258 E. Training and sensitization 1253 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 28 (2010), para. 36. 1254 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 36 (2017), paras. 26 and 27 (d). 1255 Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, general recommendation No. 28 (2010), para. 36. 1256 Ibid., para. 38 (e). 1257 Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, art. 8 (2). 1258 Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, general comment No. 6 (2018), para. 39. See also A/HRC/43/27. 1259 Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, general comment No. 6 (2018), para. 50. PART SIX Article 4 (1) (i) of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities establishes a specific obligation on States to “promote the training of professionals and staff working with persons with disabilities in the rights recognized in this Convention”. In its general comment No. 6 (2018), the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities notes that “training and education should be provided for relevant agencies, such as legal decision makers, service providers or other stakeholders”, noting that such sensitization is essential to ensure that persons with disabilities are able to access goods and services on an equal basis with others.1259 The Convention also includes explicit provisions on training in articles 8 (awareness-raising), 9 (accessibility), 13 (access to justice), 20 (personal mobility), 24 (education), 25 (health), 26 (habilitation and rehabilitation), 27 (work and employment) and 28 (adequate standard of living and social protection). 199