The main clauses and provisions of the ICESCR can be broadly grouped as follows:

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Part I: Self-Determination (Article 1) This part establishes the right of all peoples to self-determination. This includes the right to freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social, and cultural development. It also grants peoples the right to manage and dispose of their natural wealth and resources.

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Part II: General Principles (Articles 2-5) These articles lay down fundamental principles that apply to the implementation of all the specific rights in the Covenant. Key principles include:

• Progressive Realization (Article 2.1): States are required to take steps, "to the maximum of its available resources," to progressively achieve the full realization of the rights in the Covenant. This recognizes that full implementation may not be immediate.

• Non-Discrimination (Article 2.2): The rights in the Covenant must be exercised without discrimination of any kind, including on the basis of race, color, sex, language, religion, political opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, or other status.

• Equal Rights for Men and Women (Article 3): States commit to ensuring the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all rights set forth in the Covenant.

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Part III: Specific Rights (Articles 6-15) This is the core of the Covenant, detailing the specific economic, social, and cultural rights that States must protect. These include:

• Right to Work (Article 6): Everyone has the right to gain their living by work that they freely choose and accept.

• Right to Just and Favorable Conditions of Work (Article 7): This includes fair wages, equal pay for equal work, safe and healthy working conditions, equal opportunity for promotion, and rest, leisure, and paid holidays.

• Right to Form and Join Trade Unions (Article 8): This clause protects the right to form and join trade unions and the right to strike.

• Right to Social Security (Article 9): Everyone has the right to social security, including social insurance.

• Protection of the Family, Mothers, and Children (Article 10): The family is recognized as the "natural and fundamental group unit of society." Special protection is to be given to mothers before and after childbirth, and to children from economic and social exploitation.

• Right to an Adequate Standard of Living (Article 11): This is a comprehensive right that includes the right to adequate food, clothing, and housing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions. It also includes the right to be free from hunger.

• Right to Health (Article 12): This is the right to the "highest attainable standard of physical and mental health." States must take steps to reduce infant mortality, improve environmental and industrial hygiene, prevent, treat, and control diseases, and ensure medical services and attention in the event of sickness.

• Right to Education (Articles 13-14): This is a multi-faceted right that includes free and compulsory primary education, generally available secondary education, and equally accessible higher education.

• Right to Culture (Article 15): Everyone has the right to take part in cultural life, enjoy the benefits of scientific progress and its applications, and benefit from the protection of their intellectual property.

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Part IV and V: Implementation and Final Provisions These parts of the Covenant establish the mechanisms for monitoring its implementation, including the reporting process by which State Parties report on the measures they have adopted and the progress made in achieving the observance of the rights. The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is the body of experts responsible for monitoring this process.