ISO: PAK *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN Address by Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan at the Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing September 4, 1995 Madam Chairperson, Mr. Secretary General, Distinguished Delegates, Sisters ! Pakistan is grateful to the Government and the people of China for hosting this Conference. We have been deeply touched by the warm welcome and gracious hospitality. I pay a special tribute to the Secretary General of the United Nations and Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, the Secretary General of the Conference for their tireless efforts in organizing this meeting. My dear sisters, ladies and gentlemen! There is a moral crisis engulfing the world as we speak, a crisis of injustice and inaction, a crisis of silence and acquiescence. The crisis is caused by centuries and generations of oppression and repression. This conference, therefore, transcends politics and economics. We are dealing with a fundamental moral issue. This is a truly historic occasion. Some 40,000 women have assembled here to demand their rights; to secure a better future for their daughters; to put an end to the prejudices which still deny so many of us our rightful place in society. On this solemn occasion I stand before you not only as a Prime Minister but as a woman and a mother—A woman proud of her cultural and religious heritage, a woman sensitive to the obstacles to justice and full participation that still stand before women in almost every society on earth. As the first woman ever elected to head an Islamic nation, I feel a special responsibility towards women's issues and towards all women. And as a Muslim woman, I feel a special responsibility to counter the propaganda of a handful that Islam gives women a second class status. This is not true. Today the Muslim world boasts three women Prime Ministers, elected by male and female voters on our abilities as people, as persons, not as women. Our election has destroyed the myth built by social taboo that a woman's place is in the house, that it is shameful or dishonourable or socially unacceptable for a Muslim woman to work. Our election has given women all over the Muslim world moral strength to declare that it is socially correct for a woman to work and to follow in our footsteps as working women and working mothers. Muslim women have a special responsibility to help distinguish between Islamic teachings and social taboos spun by the traditions of a patriarchal society. This is a distinction that obscurantists would not like to see. For obscurantists believe in discrimination. Discrimination is the first step to dictatorship and the usurpation of power. A month ago, Pakistan hosted the first ever conference of Women Parliamentarians of Muslim world. Never in the history of Islam had so many working women and elected representatives gathered together at one place to speak in one voice. As over a 100 delegates from 35 Muslim countries gathered together, I felt an enormous sense of pride that we women had each other for strength and support, across the globe and across the continents to face and oppose those who would not allow the empowerment of women. And, today, I feel that same sense of pride, that we women have gathered together at Beijing, at this ancient capital of an ancient civilization to declare: we are not alone in our search for empowerment, that women across continents are together in the search for self-esteem, selfworth, self-respect and respect in society itself. In distinguishing between Islamic teachings and social taboos, we must remember that Islam forbids injustice; Injustice against people, against nations, against women. It shuns race, colour, and gender as a basis of distinction amongst fellowmen. It enshrines piety as the sole criteria for judging humankind. It treats women as human beings in their own right, not as chattels. A woman can inherit, divorce, receive alimony and child custody. Women were intellectuals, poets, jurists and even took part in war. The Holy Book of the Muslims refers to the rule of a woman, the Queen of Sabah. The Holy Book alludes to her wisdom and to her country being a land of plenty. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) himself married a working woman. And the first convert to Islam was a woman, Bibi Khadija. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphatically condemned and put an end to the practice of female infanticide in pre-Islamic Arabia. The Holy Quran reads: When news is brought to one of them, of the birth of a female (child), his face darkens and he is filled with inward grief what shame does he hide himself from his people because of the bad news he has had. Shall he retain it on sufferance and contempt, or bury it in the dust. Ah ! what an evil choice they decide on (Surah Al-Nahl, Ayat-57, 58, 59) Ladies and gentlemen! How true these words ring even today. How many women are still "retained" in their families "on sufferance and contempt" growing up with emotional scars and burdens. How tragic it is that the pre-Islamic practice of female infanticide still haunts a world we regard as modern and civilized. Girl children are often abandoned or aborted. Statistics show that me now increasingly outnumber women in more than 15 Asian nations. Boys are wanted. Boys are wanted because their worth is considered more than that of the girl. Boys are wanted to satisfy the ego: they carry on the father's name in this world. Yet too often we forget that for Muslims on the Day of Judgement, each person will be called not by their father's name but by the mother's name. To please her husband, a woman wants a son. To keep her husband from abandoning her, a woman wants a son. And, too often, when a woman expects a girl, she abets her husband in abandoning or aborting that innocent, perfectly formed child. As we gather here today, the cries of the girl child reach out to us. This conference need to chart a course that can create a climate where the girl child is as welcomed and valued as a boy child, that the girl child is considered as worthy as a boy child. When I was chairperson of the South Asian Association of Regional Countries, SAARC declared 1989 as the Year of the Girl Child. Six years later, the girl child's vulnerability continues. And it continues, not because of religion in the case of Pakistan, but because of social prejudice. The rights Islam gave Muslim women have too often been denied. And women are denied rights all over the world, whether developed or developing. All over the world women are subjected to domestic violence. Often a woman does not walk out for she has nowhere to go. Or she stays and puts up with the domestic violence for the sake of her children. We in Pakistan have started a public awareness campaign against domestic violence through the mass media to inform women that domestic violence is a crime and to alert men that they can be punished for it. Often women, in many a society are tortured, not only by men, but by women in-laws too, for financial benefits from the woman's family. Sometime a wife is killed by her husband or in-laws so that they can gain another wife and more dowry. Dowry system is a social ill against which we must raise our voices and create greater awareness. Women are not only victims of physical abuse, women are victims of verbal abuse. Often men, in anger and frustration, indulge in the uncivilized behaviour of rude and vulgar language against women. Unfortunately, women at times also use vulgar language to denigrate another woman. So we have to work together to change not only the attitudes of men but the attitudes of men and women. Women have become the victims of a culture of exclusion and male dominance. Today more women than men suffer from poverty, deprivation, and discrimination. Half a billion women are illiterate. Seventy per cent of the children who are denied elementary education are girls. In Pakistan we are concentrating on primary education for girls to rectify this imbalance. We are concentrating on training women teachers and opening up employment avenues for women. It is my firm conviction that a woman cannot ultimately control her own life and make her own choices unless she has financial independence. A woman cannot have financial independence if she cannot work. The discrimination against women can only begin to erode when women are educated and women are employed. If my Father had not educated me or left me with independent financial means, I would not have been able to sustain myself or to struggle against tyranny or to stand here before you today as a special guest speaker. If the girl child is to be valued, if the wife is to say "No" to domestic violence then we owe a special obligation to creating jobs for women. That is why we in Pakistan, set up in 1989 the Women's Bank. A Bank run by women for women to aid and assist women in setting up their own enterprises to gain financial independence and with it the freedom to make one's own choices. Today 23 branches of the Women's Bank in Pakistan help working women. Our major cities are marked by enterprises set up by women: bakeries, restaurants, boutiques, interior decoration. We have lifted the ban on Pakistani women taking part in international sporting events. In 1997 we host the Second Muslim Women's Olympics. Special sporting facilities are being set up to encourage participation by Pakistani women in sports. And Pakistani women are playing a significant role in defusing the population bomb in Pakistan. One hundred thousand women are to be trained to reduce Pakistan's population growth levels and its infant mortality levels. When I visit poverty stricken villages with no access to clean drinking water, it gladdens my heart to see a lady health visitor, to see a working woman amidst the unfortunate surroundings. For it is my conviction that we can only conquer poverty, squalor, illiteracy and superstition when we invest in our women and when our women begin working. Begin working in our far flung villages where time seems to have stood still and where the Bullock not the tractor is still used for cultivation; Where women are too weak from bearing too many children. Where the daughters are more malnourished than the sons for the daughters get to eat the left overs. Where villagers work night and day with their women and children, to eke out an existence; Where floods and rain wash out crops and destroy homes; Where poverty stalks the land with an appetite that cannot be controlled until we wake up to the twin reality of population control and women's empowerment. And it is here that the United Nations and its Secretary General have played a critical role. Distinguished Delegates ! Some cynics argue about the utility of holding this conference. Let me disagree with them. The holding of this conference demonstrates that women are not forgotten, that the world cares. The holding of this conference demonstrates solidarity with women. The holding of this conference makes us determined to contribute each in our own way, in any manner we can, to lessen the oppression, repression and discrimination against women. And while much needs to be done, each decade has brought with it its own small improvement. When I was growing up, women in my extended family remained behind closed walls in village homes. Now we all travel to cities or abroad. When I was growing up, women in my extended family all covered ourselves with the Burqa, or veil from head to foot when we visited each others for weddings or funerals— the only two items for which we were allowed out. Now most women restrict themselves to the Duppatta or Chadar and are free to leave the house. When I was growing up, no girl in my extended family was allowed to marry if a boy cousin was not available for fear of the property leaving the family. Now girls do marry outside the family. When I was growing up, the boy cousin inevitably took a second wife. Now girls do not expect their husbands to marry again. From the norm, it has become the exception to the norm. When I was growing up, women were not educated. I was the first girl in my family to go to university and to go abroad for my studies. Now it has become the norm for girls to be educated at university and abroad when the families can afford it. I have seen a lot of changes in my lifetime. But I hope to see many more changes. [ And some of these changes I hope will flow from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights calling for the elimination of discrimination against women. I hope some of these changes will flow from the Convention for the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination which Pakistan signed last month. Of course there was resistance from many quarters. But we are determined to move forward in fulfilling our dream of a Pakistan where women contribute their full potential. Distinguished Delegates ! As women, we draw satisfaction from Beijing Platform of Action which encompasses a comprehensive approach towards the empowerment of women. But women cannot be expected to struggle alone against the forces of discrimination and exploitation. I recall the words of Dante who reminded us that: "The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis." Today in this world, in the fight for the liberation of women, there can be no neutrality. But my dear sisters, we have learned that democracy alone is not enough. Freedom of choice alone does not guarantee justice. Equal rights are not defined only by political values. Social justice is a triad of freedom, of equality, of liberty: Justice is political liberty. Justice is economic independence. Justice is social equality. Delegates, Sisters ! Empowerment is not only a right to have political freedom. Empowerment is the right to be independent; to be educated; to have choices in life. Empowerment is the right to have the opportunity to select a productive career; to own property; to participate in business; to flourish in the market place. Pakistan is satisfied that the draft Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women negotiated so far focuses on the critical areas of concern for women and outlines an action-oriented strategy for the solution of their problems. However, we believe that the Platform needs to address the questions of new and additional resources, external debt, structural adjustment programmes, human rights of women, protection of women entrapped in armed conflicts and the realization of the right to self-determination of the territories still under foreign occupation and alien domination. It must also seek to strengthen the role of the traditional family as the bedrock of the society. Disintegration of the family generates moral decay. This must be arrested. The Platform is disturbingly weak on the role of the traditional family. This weakness can lead to misinterpretation, and even distortion by opponents of the women's agenda. We have seen much progress. The very fact that we convene in Beijing today is a giant step forward. But new clouds darken the horizon. The end of the cold war should have ushered in peace and an era of progress of women. Regrettably, the proliferation of regional tensions and conflicts have belied our aspirations. As in the past, women and girls have again been the most direct victims of these conflicts—the most helpless, and thus the most abused. The use of rape as a weapon of war and an instrument of "ethnic cleansing" is as depraved as it is reprehensible. The unfolding of this saga in different parts of the world, including Jammu and Kashmir and Bosnia Herzegovina has shaken the conscience of the entire international community. The enormity of the tragedy dwarfs our other issues—urgent though they are. This conference must, therefore, express its complete solidarity with our sisters and daughters who are victims of armed conflict, oppression, and brutality. Their misfortunes must be our first priority. Madam Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen ! I come before you to speak of the forces that must shape the new decade, the new century, the new millennium. We must shape a world free from exploitation and maltreatment of women. A world in which women have opportunities to rise to the highest level in politics, business, diplomacy, and other spheres of life. Where there are no battered women. Where honour and dignity is protected in war and conflict. Where we have economic freedom and independence. Where we are equal partners in peace and development. A world equally committed to economic development and political development. A world as committed to free markets as to women's emancipation. And even as we catalogue, organize, and reach our goals, step by step by step, let us be ever vigilant. Repressive forces always will stand ready to exploit the moment and push us back into the past. Let us remember the words of the German writer, Goethe: "Freedom has to be re-made and re-earned in every generation." We must do much more than decry the past. We must change the future. Remembering the words of a sister parliamentarian Senator, Barbara Mikulski, that "demography is destiny", I believe time, justice and the forces of history are on our side. We are here in Beijing to proclaim a new vision of equality and partnership. Let us translate this vision into reality in the shortest possible time. Thank you Madam Chairperson. ISO: ISL *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN Address by Madam Vigdis FINNBOGADOTTIR, President of Iceland FOURTH UNITED NATIONS WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN Beijing 1 1995 Delivered September 4th 1995 Madam Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: I am honoured and indeed deeply grateful to have the opportunity to address this singularly important conference. History, I suspect, will judge this conference as important ill many ways, and not least for simply taking place. Irrespective of how concrete or immediate its effect proves to be, it is some encouragement to us to know that the work being done here would have been dismissed as "unthinkable" only a few years ago. but will eventually see m in retrospect a natural step towards the progress of civilization. The Fourth World Conference on Women is taking place in a jubilee year, as we commemorate the founding of the United Nations fifty years ago. In our venue here it is perhaps appropriate to recall that the ancient Chinese used the phrase "May you live in interesting times" not to wish people well, but as a curse. At the same time as we celebrate this anniversary, our sense of triumph at what the global community has achieved in unison is strangely muted. We cannot ignore the tragic human conflicts that still rage on in various parts of the world. Obviously, the march of history does not yield itself to the whims of the almanac. Nevertheless, the timing of our conference inevitably merges its theme with the wider question of the kind of vision we want to set out for the United Nations in the next half century. It is certainly a mark of how far we have come in the past twenty years that the pairing together of women s advancement and issues of human survival is no longer questioned. Instead, it is accepted as legitimate and timely and even necessary. Needless to say it was not always so. In the earliest work of Western political thought, Plato s Republic, Socrates attempts to sketch the best political order according to nature. But he is interrupted by his friends who blame him for omitting the role of women. It turns out that Socrates has been reluctant at first to admit women as equal partners in his scheme of things. for fear of earning himself the ridicule of his fellow men. He then reminds himself that the chores that will be expected of women under the new scheme were at one time shocking and ridiculous for men as well. But then, in his words, "the appearance of absurdity ebbed away under the influence of reason s judgement about the best". This is of course the viewpoint of a male in a male-dominated society, praiseworthy as its acknowledgement of notional female equality may be. But for women today, the opposite is closer to the truth: the idea of not being able to enjoy equality strikes us as absurd, as well as irrational. I happen to know that very many men agree with us too. Unlike Socrates, perhaps, today s architects of a better future will hardly need to be reminded to take due account of women if only because many of them are women anyway, and their number is steadily increasing. Today, most states in the world are legally committed to protecting and promoting women s human rights. And beyond the possibilities offered by legal frameworks, the need to secure women's full and equal participation in all spheres of private and public life is increasingly recognized. Women's rights have ceased to be a peripheral, "progressive" cause and have instead acquired a universality, not least through efforts made at a global level by organizations such as the United Nations. At a time when the United Nations is frequently faulted for not being equipped to deal with pressing challenges, we do well to recall the pivotal role of our world organization and its agencies in spearheading efforts to secure equal access for women in all aspects of political, economic and social development. With due regard also to the contribution made by numerous non-governmental organizations, I would therefore like to take this opportunity to pay special tribute to the United Nations for their leadership in this field. But we must not bathe ourselves in the glory of self congratulation. We need the courage to qualify all that we have accomplished with a frank admission of our most glaring deficiencies. Paradoxically, the number of women living in poverty has increased disproportionately to men; now, women constitute the majority of the world's poor. This is reflected at all levels: health, education and physical security, as well as political and economic power and influence. Girls and women frequently do not enjoy the same access to nourishment and medical attention as men. Two-thirds of the world's illiterate adults are women and so are most of the world's refugees and victims of violence. Moreover, there are many countries where women, if included at all, are deliberately kept on the margins of public life. It will be the task of this conference to tackle those shortcomings: not just admit to them, but try to explain where they originate and how they can be eliminated. In the coming days the conference will review the critical areas of concern to women and, hopefully, adopt a Platform for Action containing concrete proposals. But we must not rest satisfied with words alone. Needless to say that much depends on the political will of governments to ensure their proper implementation. New resources may be required in order to do so, but they are not a prerequisite, and their lack must not be used as an excuse for failing to act at all. It is well within the means of many national governments to prevent some of the adversities which particularly affect women. Indeed, it is their responsibility to do so. Together, we now have a unique opportunity, because, in a sense, we are revisiting the United Nations Charter. Mistakenly or not, the birth of the United Nations was seen by many people as the fulfilment of an ageless quest for lasting peace. The foremost goal of the United Nations Charter was to eliminate war. But underlying the charter was a no less ambitious ideal: the commitment to address the sources of human conflict through the promotion of human rights, justice and social progress. It was certainly not the fault of the United Nations that international political manoeuvring overshadowed this second ideal. The onset of the Cold War and the outbreak of East- West rivalry induced the leading powers of the world to try to impose durable peace by the paradoxical means of establishing military superiority over each other. In a word, the United Nations were never given the chance to work as intended. The experiment was never completed. In recent years we have witnessed the United Nations adapt themselves quickly to the new demands of the post-Cold War environment. The series of conferences, starting with the World Summit for Children in New York and continuing with the "Earth Summit" in Rio, the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna, the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo and the Social Summit in Copenhagen, have set a new agenda whereby the organization has broken free from the narrow conception of security as something largely measured in military terms. Instead, we are charting a new path to peace, based on the recognition that the security of individuals is in the long run not to be separated from the security of states. It is in this sense that we are revisiting the United Nations Charter. In so doing we are rediscovering the neglected relationship, embedded in the Charter, between the maintenance of peace and the equal rights of men and women. The drafters of the Charter did not add "equal rights of men and women" as an afterthought. They enshrined it up front in the second paragraph of the Preamble to the Charter. And as we carry the torch for women to Beijing now and the "City Summit" in Istanbul next year, we are also demonstrating to the world that urgent global concerns, including the environment, population growth and social development, involve women just as much as men. All rights are matched by obligations, and in demanding equal rights to control their lives, women are also declaring their willingness to undertake the obligation of tackling these global concerns, in league with men, for the benefit of everyone on the planet. If we can state the cause of equality in such terms, we have truly universalized it and begun to look far into the future towards a very different quality of society. But curiously enough, such a vision strikes me as far less "unthinkable" than the notion of women s equality would have seemed a hundred years ago. In this sense we can justifiably say that we have come a very long way indeed. Ladies and Gentlemen: We have come to Beijing to advance the cause of women. But even more importantly, we have come here as responsible citizens of the human race committed to creating a better world for succeeding generations. In the Chinese language, there is a sign for peace showing a man and a woman under one roof. As I conclude this address by thanking the Chinese government for their generosity in providing the venue for such a large conference of men and women from all over the world, I should like to express the sincere wish that, before we depart from under this roof, we may come to make a relevant, substantial and lasting contribution to world peace. ISO: VNM *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN ADDRESS BY RE. MADAME NGUYEN THI BINH VICE - PRESIDENT OF THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN Beijing, September 4, 1995 Madame President, Madame Secretary-General of the Conference, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me, at the outset. express my gratification at joining with thousands of other women who have come to Beijing in their quest for equality, development and peace. Particular praise should go to the People's Republic of China whose vast efforts have made possible the holding of our important Conference as well as the large NGO forum. I wish to sincerely thank the Government of China for inviting me to attend the Conference as well as for the warm hospitality extended to me. In this last world gathering of women of the 20th century, let us together strive to chart the road towards a 21st century that will be more peaceful, more equitable, more prosperous and let us answer the call of the United Nations in the year of its fiftieth anniversary "United for a Better World", a world that will be better for women as well as for all humanity. Madame President, Like many other countries, my country, Vietnam has lived through long years of wars which have ravaged this already-poor land and left behind millions of orphans, widows, disabled and missing-in-action. Vietnamese women. as part of their nation have been tested by harsh trials and countless hardships. They have derived therefrom their exceptional endurance and tenacity, their ability to survive and to persist in their full identity through the storms of life, just like the Vietnamese bamboo tree, which is supple but unbreakable, which bends under the wind but does not break, and which afterwards, stand again as straight and proud as before. However, what Vietnamese women have achieved along and together with men in the past could not be explained if one did not point to their other source of strength drawn from their unique experience of the past, namely their outstanding ability to take their fate in their own hands. to show initiative and creativeness under all circumstances, even the most difficult. Observers however concur in the recognition that the Vietnamese nation. both men and women, while firmly anchored in the past are resolutely turning to the future. Today Vietnamese women are tackling the task of rebuilding and developing their country. To this end they have brought into full play the two strengths which they had displayed during the war. Moreover, they have had to make new and additional efforts to overcome. step by step, the legacies of war and cope with the challenges of the fight against poverty and underdevelopment. Consequently, they are part and parcel as well as active agents in the reform and | renovation process in Viet Nam, which is known as Doi Moi. From my previous experience as Minister of Education and Training, confirmed by many international conferences and symposia as well as studies and surveys at the national, regional and international levels, I have the conviction that the two above-mentioned assets of Vietnamese women cannot be fully enhanced unless due attention is paid to the catalyst and multiplying role of education. We should therefore invest on the education of women, and especially of girls. Quite a few developing countries, particularly in our own region, seem to have reached the same conclusion. Consequently, we do hope that the international community and each developing country will give the necessary priority to the objective of universal education for all women as a decisive factor for development, equality and social justice. I am fully confident that once Vietnamese women as a whole have been equipped with knowledge and know-how, they will actively participate in the move into the mainstream of the socio-economic development of their country and will be within their nation, in a position to make a worthy contribution to building a bright future for Vietnam. Madame President, Madame Secretary-General of the Conference, Your Highnesses, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen. These are some of the thoughts stemming from my heart and also the Vietnamese women’s message of hope and solidarity which I wanted to share with all of you at this Conference. Allow me also on this auspicious occasion to express the sincere gratitude of the people as well as of the women of Vietnam to our friends of yesterday and today for their friendship, support and assistance to us. May our Conference meet the expectations of all women over the world. Thank you for your attention. ISO: VNM *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN ALLOCUTION DE SON EXCELLENCE MADAME NGUYEN THI BINH, VICE-PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLIQUE socialiste DU VIET NAM LA QUATRIEME CONFERENCE MONDIALE SUR LA FEMME Beijing, 4 Septembre 1995 Madame la Présidente, Madame la Secrétaire Générale de la Conférence, Altesses, Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs, Je tiens tout d'abord à dire la joie que j'ai à me joindre aux milliers de femmes venues à Beijing dans leur quête pour l'égalité, le développement et la paix. Je salue tout particulièrement les efforts immenses déployés par la République Populaire de Chine pour rendre possible la tenue de notre importante Conférence et du vaste forum des ONG. Je voudrais remercier sincèrement le gouvernement chinois pour son invitation et pour la chaleureuse hospitalité dont je suis l'objet. Pour ce dernier rassemblement mondial des femmes dans le cadre du vingtième siècle, tachons ensemble de jeter les jalons qui nous mèneront vers un vingt-et-unieme siècle plus pacifique, plus juste, plus prospère et répondons à l'appel des Nations Unies en son cinquantenaire: "Unis (es) pour un monde meilleur", meilleur pour les femmes tout comme pour l'ensemble du genre humain. Madame la Présidente, Mon pays, le Viet Nam, comme tant d'autres pays a traversé de longues années de guerres qui ont ravage notre terre déjà pauvre et laisse des millions de veuves, d'orphelins, d’invalides et de disparus. Au sein de leur peuple, les femmes du Viet Nam ont été forgées au creuset d’après épreuves et de multiples vicissitudes, d'où leur exceptionnelle capacité d'endurance et de persévérance, leur aptitude a survivre et perdurer dans toute leur identité a travers les tempêtes, tels les bambous du Viet Nam souples mais impliables, qui se courbent sous le vent mais ne cassent pas et se redressent ensuite, droits et fiers comme avant. On ne saurait toutefois expliquer ce que nous avons pu, aux cotes de nos hommes et avec eux, faire dans le passe si l'on ne soulignait pas l'autre force que les femmes du Viet Nam ont puise de leur passe singulier, a savoir une remarquable aptitude a prendre en main leurs propres destinées, a faire preuve d'initiative et de créativité en toutes circonstances, même les plus difficiles. | Mais les observateurs s’accordent a reconnaître que le peuple vietnamien, hommes et | femmes, tout en gardant de solides amarres au passe, se tourne surtout vers l'avenir. | Aujourd'hui les femmes du Viet Nam s'attellent a la tache de redressement et de développement de leur pays. A cette fin elles ont fait valoir les deux qualités majeures dont elles avaient déjà fait montre du temps de la guerre. Elles ont du en outre déployer de nouveaux efforts pour surmonter pas a pas les séquelles de la guerre et faire face aux exigences du combat contre la pauvrete et le sous-développement. Aussi sont-elles partie prenante et agent actif du processus de reforme et de renouveau du Viet Nam, ce que nous appelons le Doi Moi. Je tiens, néanmoins, a exprimer ma conviction, tire de mon expérience en tant que Ministre de l'Education et de la Formation dans le passe, et corroborée par de nombreuses conférences et symposiums et de diverses études et enquêtes au niveau national tout comme régional et international, a savoir que ces deux atouts de la femme vietnamienne, ne peuvent être totalement mis en valeur s'il lui manque le catalyseur puissant et multiplicateur de l’éducation. II nous faut donc miser sur l’éducation des femmes et surtout des filles. I1 me semble que maints pays en voie de développement, particulièrement dans notre région, sont parvenus a la même conclusion. Aussi souhaitons-nous que la communauté internationale et chaque pays en voie de développement accorderont la priorité nécessaire a l’objectif d'une éducation universelle pour toutes les femmes comme un facteur déterminant du développement, de l’égalité et de la justice sociale. Je suis intimement persuadée que les femmes du Viet Nam, une fois dotées dans leur ensemble du savoir et du savoir faire, se placeront d’elles-mêmes au coeur du développement socio- économique de leur pays et seront a même de fièrement contribuer au sein de leur nation a bâtir des lendemains qui chantent pour le Viet Nam. Madame la Présidente, Madame la Secrétaire Générale, Altesses, Excellences, Mesdames, Messieurs, Telles sont quelques réflexions, venues du coeur, et le message d'espoir et de solidarité des femmes du Viet Nam que je voulais partager avec vous. Je voudrais également saisir cette heureuse occasion pour réitérer aux amis(es) d'hier et d'aujourd'hui la sincère gratitude du peuple et des femmes du Viet Nam pour leur amitié, leur soutien et leur assistance. Puisse notre Conférence répondre a l'attente de toutes les femmes du monde. Je vous remercie de votre attention./. ISO: BGD *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN STATEMENT OF THE HON'BLE PRIME MINISTER OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF BANGLADESH BEGUM KHALEDA ZIA BEIJING 04 SEPTEMBER 1995 Bismillahim Rahmanir Rahim Madam Chairperson, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, We have gathered here in Beijing for a common purpose, to renew our commitment to the advancement of women. As I stand here in this seat of ancient civilization, I feel inspired by a sense of optimism that the age-old prejudices against women are finally giving way and we are drawing closer to our cherished goal of equality, development and peace. I have no doubt that this World Conference in Beijing will be a landmark in the history of women's struggle towards equality and freedom that began with the holding of the First World Conference on Women 20 years ago in Mexico. I feel privileged to be present here at this historic moment to express Bangladesh's solidarity with you. I would like to express our deep appreciation to the Government of the People's Republic of China for their warm welcome, hospitality and excellent arrangements for this Conference. I congratulate you, Madam, on your election and feel confident that under your able guidance, this Conference will proceed smoothly and complete its heavy agenda. Madam Chairperson, The journey from Mexico to Beijing has been a long one. It was an odyssey that lasted two decades. It was a movement that was marked by a sense of deep commitment and perseverance. But the obstacles and barriers that stood in the way were formidable-foremost being the psychological barriers. But the sense of determination of women the world over was unshakable. A series of conferences sharpened global focus on our concerns. | There was progress, though in varying degrees, in every country of 0 the world. The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies was the beacon that guided our paths. Gender gaps in education and health narrowed. Female life expectancy increased appreciably. Maternal mortality rates were halved. Differences in literacy between sexes diminished vastly. This record of progress however cannot hide the fact that women still live in an unequal world. While educational and health care opportunities have increased rapidly for women, the doors to economic and political opportunities are not yet fully open to them in many parts of the world. This is clearly evident from the fact that 70 percent of the poor are still women. They are disadvantaged in matters of employment, wages, access to credit and representation in administrative and political levels. Violence and discrimination against women in many societies also remain high. The barbaric atrocities being committed against women in Bosnia is a painful reminder that even in Europe to-day the veneer of civilization and enlightenment is thin indeed. The previous three Women's Conferences succeeded in raising the international community's awareness about these issues. They were instrumental in persuading governments to accelerate their investment in the education and health of their women and in upholding women's rights. The main challenge for the Beijing Conference is to widen the economic and political opportunities which remain constricted uptil now. In Beijing our political will to advance the cause of women must find true and meaningful expression. In this context, this Conference must reiterate three factors that are crucial to the advancement of women: First: That improving the condition of women is a vital investment in the future of humankind. The spin-offs are many. Women are a fundamental force in eradicating poverty, charting a sustainable future and attaining regional and global peace. Second: We must affirm the need for new relationship and harmonious partnership between men and women, governments and citizens, indeed, all those who can contribute solutions to complex social problems. Democracy has fostered a larger civil society and value system. I believe this must be buttressed with a responsible society in which the suportive role of government is indispensable. Finally: We must do everything possible to create, promote and sustain awareness of the role and contribution of women by all means possible. Madam Chairperson, Perhaps it would be appropriate for me to share my country's experience with you. It is well known that in Bangladesh our constraints are numerous and diverse. Yet our commitment remains unflinching. We have made every effort in the last few years to enhance the status of women. We have sought to empower them to enable them to contribute their best to societal progress. We have several significant achievements to our credit. Let me enumerate some of these. Our Constitution guarantees gender equality in all spheres of national life. Legislations are in place to protect the rights of women. We have set up an independent Ministry of Women's Affairs. Government policies are directed towards the mainstreaming of women in our socio-economic development programs. A national Council for Women's Development under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister has been formed to provide policy guidelines and to oversee the activities of all the Ministries in this area. As is apparent, women in our society have begun to play a key role in politics. They freely participate in national and local elections. To ensure minimal involvement in legislative matters, 10 percent of parliamentary seats are also reserved for women. There are specific quotas for them at all levels of government services. Education for girl students is highly encouraged. Our 0 government has launched innovative schemes to increase their enrolment in schools. Food for Education program is one such novel idea that has paid dividends. Another programme is providing stipends for girl students up to grade ten. Today, in many parts of our country girl students outnumber boys Impartial observers have lauded our progress in health sector as well. Health-care services are now far more readily available. The life t expectancy of women has increased from 54 in 1985 to 57 years in C 1994. Infant mortality rates have been reduced. Women have gained t from the decrease in population growth from 2.35 percent in 1985 to l.9 percent in 1994. One of the most significant transformations that is taking place in Bangladesh today has been the substantial increase in female l employment, both in the urban as well as in the rural areas. Close to a l million women are employed today in the production of ready-made garments alone. Our policy of providing credit without collateral is paying rich dividends. It is estimated that there are well over six million self-employed women engaged mainly in small-scale productive ventures and related activities in the rural areas. While the government itself has made efforts in devising a large number of innovative programs for empowerment, emancipation and E employment of women, I would also like to stress that the s government's efforts have been supplemented by private and non governmental initiatives. The achievement of many of them, specially the Grameen Bank have been remarkable. The seven countries of South Asia which have come together under the umbrella of South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation have given the highest priority to women. In this connection, I would refer to the SAARC declaration of 1991-2000 as the Decade for the Girl Child and the SAARC target for the elimination of absolute poverty, preferably by the Year 2002. Our efforts have certainly been given an added meaning and significance by virtue of the fact that three out of seven SAARC countries today are headed by women who have been placed at the helm of affairs through the ballot box. In Bangladesh we are also poised to undertake appropriate strategic measures and massive programs for empowerment of women during the lt.- Year Perspective Plan beginning from this year. Bangladesh has thus stood stead-fast to the goals and objectives of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies. Our achievements may not have been very spectacular but they are clearly indicative of our determination to realise those goals. Last year in December, a common position paper of the SAARC countries containing five important recommendations was forwarded to the Conference Secretariat. More recently in July this Year, a SAARC Ministerial Meeting on Women was held in Dhaka. The Dhaka Resolution adopted at this meeting stressed the following: -eradication of poverty among women; -survival, protection and development of the girl child; -measures to counter violence against women including trafficking in women and children; -equal access to educational opportunities for women; and -equal access to health-care services and nutrition for women. I believe that this very significant work done under the framework of SAARC has a much wider relevance. We hope that these recommendations will be reflected in the platform of Action to be adopted in Beijing. Similarly, we should draw upon the results of other and international meetings held in the recent past. We can profit enormously from their outcome. The Platform of Action should uphold the religious, cultural and, social values which are instrumental in strengthening -family ties, social peace and stability. I would take this opportunity to mention here that, the teachings and tenets of Islam could positively contribute to the realization of our common goal of equality, development and peace. Madam Chairperson, Our vision for the future world is not for one that is ideal, but 2 for one that is just; not for one that is unattainable, but for one that is achievable. This vision can be transformed into reality, not by mere g commitment, but by matching action. The initiatives taken here in Beijing can be rendered far more meaningful by complementary action elsewhere. There must be a free flow of resources to achieve our goals. There must be commensurate new and additional resources in the form of finance, technical know-how and technology transfer from the developed to the developing world. There must be a more vigorous application of development | policies by the United Nations System and other international fora. There must also be special attention paid to the plight of the Women of the Least Developed Countries. The structural nature of their constraints make their problems mole acute. The global community must be called upon to augment national efforts by international action. This is an opportunity to display the universality of human fraternity. Let the world seize upon it. The Platform of Action adopted in Beijing will, no doubt, have a far- leaching impact on the lives of women for decades to come. However, I believe, what will be of crucial significance is to ensure that there is a good, effective, visible and credible follow-up mechanism in position. In Copenhagen at the Social Summit, I had put forward three specific proposals. One of these proposals related to calling upon the Secretary- General to making the entire UN System more responsive to this new agenda for international cooperation, which we established through a series of landmark conferences in Rio, Cairo, Copenhagen and now here in Beijing. In the case of the follow-up action to the World Conference in Beijing, 1 would like to submit the following three proposals: First: At the United Nations General Assembly this year priority should be given to the creation of a new post of Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Women’s Affairs. Needless to say, this post must be occupied by a woman of proven ability who would be given responsibility for co- ordination of all women's activities and women's programs throughout the UN System. She would also have specific responsibility for the implementation of the Beijing Platform of Action. Second: A high level UN Commission made up entirely of women of great eminence should be established. The members of this Commission would serve in their personal capacities. They could be drawn from different walks Of life. The Commission would put forward specific proposals and suggest programs to facilitate the implementation of the Platform of Action. Above all, it would monitor and evaluate the performance of all UN bodies and agencies on issues relating to women. The several eminent and distinguished women who are holding top positions in the UN System may also be invited to serve in their individual capacity on the Commission. Third: I would like to suggest that the UN Secretary-General takes the lead in instituting an annual award to be given to a woman, whose achievements during the year would earn her the title of: Woman of the Year. The person should be selected by an international jury of great eminence. Perhaps the Secretary-General could invite the distinguished Chairperson of this Conference, to serve as the first Chairperson of the International Jury. Madam Chairperson, My three proposals relate primarily to the international community and specifically to women of great eminence who have a global vision. While considering these proposals, we must not forget tile millions of women in our own countries, who struggle day and night to improve the quality of their lives and contribute in their own modest way to female emancipation, enlightenment and empowerment. National awards can be instituted for these women, who have contributed in their own modest way to the uplift of women in their respective countries. In doing so, we shall endeavour to remember the significance of the World Conference on Women in Beijing. In so doing, we shall pay tribute to the sacrifice and contribution made by countless generations of women. In so doing, we hope we shall also inspire our youth and future generations of girls to look ahead with a sense of confidence in their true Worth, dignity and capability. Madam Chairperson, I came to Beijing with a sense of great hope and expectation. I shall not leave disappointed. On the contrary, my sense of determination to continue to work for tile women of Bangladesh, for their betterment, for their happiness and well-being has been fortified and strengthened. True, the task is enormous but I know that today the world stands behind us. We shall support, sustain and encourage each other in facing the challenges ahead. We must succeed and indeed we will. Thank you. ISO: UGA *************************************************************************** The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women Secretariat. *************************************************************************** AS WRITTEN STATEMENT IN GENERAL DEBATE BY H. E. DR. SPECIOSA WANDIRA KAZIBWE HEAD OF UGANDA DELEGATION TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN BEIJING, CHINA SEPTEMBER 4,1995 AFTERNOON STATEMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA ON THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN BEIJING, CHINA. Madam President: It gives me great honour as leader of the Ugandan Delegation to be among the 1st speakers to address the eagerly awaited 4th World Conference on women. A Conference poised to prepare human kind for the challenges of the 21st century for a better world. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you Madame President and all the members of the Bureau upon election to guide this memorable Conference and I trust that your great wisdom and experience will guide us towards a fruitful conclusion of all the important agenda items before us. On the same note I would like to extend my delegation's sincere appreciation to the Chinese government for all the preparations put into hosting this Conference and the hospitality extended to us since our arrival in this beautiful country. The Secretariat for this Conference has had an immense task in the preparatory process and putting together the draft Platform for Action. I congratulate my sister the Secretary General Madame Gertrude Mongella and her team for all the work put into coordinating and guiding this process. Madam President, My delegation appreciates the on-going trends and initiatives in the UN system towards a more practical and systematic action for the advancement of women. For keeping the momentum through convening a series of global events where women's concerns and indeed developmental issues have been discussed. We note in particular the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which Uganda signed without reservations, that gives appropriate guidelines for member states to address critical issues that affect the status of women. It is my earnest hope that the momentum gained and enthusiasm generated during the past 2 decades will continue until such a time when Equality, Development and Peace are achieved in reality. Profound global changes in political, economic, social and cultural relationships have dominated the nineties and have provided us with new challenges. The rights and responsibilities of individuals and States on a range of global issues have been defined and re-defined in various conferences and conventions. The women's movement world wide, has played and continues to play an increasingly influential role in focusing debates and taking action for the empowerment of women. In all the debates, the message is clear: Nothing short of an aggressive re-dress in gender imbalances will attain sustainable people-centred development. Madam President, This has called for concerted efforts at national, regional and international levels to put into action the goals and strategies laid down in the Forward Looking Strategies which set the agenda for advancing the status of women in 1985. After almost a decade of consolidating its fragile peace, Uganda is now embarking on a process of democratisation and is committed to the protection of human rights and women's rights in particular. Madam President, Uganda's position on the role of women is clear and positive. In recognition of the disadvantaged position that women have held for a long time, the government has pursued a policy of affirmative action and as a result, Uganda has a record of six(6) women Ministers among whom is myself the Vice President and 5 women judges of the High Court. In addition, women constitute 16% of members of Parliament and 19% of members in the constituent assembly: a body that has written a new constitution for our country. We have guaranteed the presence of a minimum representation of 30% of either sex on all local government councils. The women's presence is crucial if they are to be effective watch dogs for their rights. To entrench this further, the constitution has provided for an Equal opportunities commission to monitor and Supervise the implementation of laws made to effect affirmative action in favour of women and other marginalised groups like the youth and persons with disability. In the new constitution, the following provisions which protect women's fundamental human rights and dignity of person have been embedded: 1) women shall be accorded full and equal dignity of person with men. 2) women shall have the right to equal treatment with men and that right shall include equal opportunities in political, economic and social activities. 3) women shall have the right to affirmative action for the purpose of redressing the imbalance created by history and traditional customs. 4) laws, cultures and customs or traditions which are against the dignity, welfare or interest of women or which undermine their status are prohibited by this constitution. In the area of Education, the government of Uganda has taken affirmative action to increase the rates of enrolment at the national University and other institutions of higher learning . As a result, there has been a record increase in female enrolment from 25% to 33% at the University while at some of the colleges, particularly agricultural colleges, 50% of the vacancies are reserved for female applicants and this is to continue until gender parity is achieved. Madam President, I wish to emphasise that this initiative is part of a steady movement towards the achievement of a critical mass of women in the decision making and managerial levels, in the political field and the public service. What we need is not only a few women who make history but a critical mass that effects change at all levels. The decade has also witnessed the review and reform of discriminatory taws, particularly the law on rape and defilement. Madame President, In addition to affirmative action, the Government of Uganda has taken steps to ensure the positive integration of women and gender issues in the mainstream of all development processes. The integration strategy is implemented at 2 levels. At the National level, through the National Gender Policy Framework and at the Sectoral level through Sector Specific Gender Oriented Policy. At both levels, guidelines for mainstreaming gender issues are provided, policy reviews carried out and training in gender analysis skills implemented. These interventions, Madame President are meant to provide a framework which all government structures, and development partners can use to mainstream gender issues in their policies and programmes. At the Community level, Uganda has established local assemblies for women known as Women's Councils. The Councils have a structure from grassroots to National level and provide local fora for women right from the grassroots level through which women are mobilised into civic participation. Madam President, The whole world now eagerly awaits for the outcome of this Conference. While the Conference has provided the international Community an opportunity to reflect on our past achievements and failures with regards to the advancement of women, it should in the same breath endeavour to provide solutions. The challenge, Madame President, is to have the Platform of Action translated into concrete programmes that will achieve tangible results for all women at all levels. We should continue to maternize globally but act locally. The most crucial area is that of functional literacy for the woman in the developing world. To make an illiterate woman history, we must make sure the girl child is guaranteed relevant education to equip her with skills necessary for survival in this competitive world. We must advocate for further affirmative action within an affirmative action for women with disakirty, women among ethnic and religious minorities. All this needs money. Women must have money, money will continue to be an illusion if we promote microprojects for women in groups. Money is power. It is well known that those with economic power control others both at international, regional and national level. The economic emancipation of women will call forces to the balance even at the family level. This may be the recipe for peace. We must have regional financial facilities for women from which similar institutions at the national level will draw funds to finance tangible economic projects in the hands of women. We must not forget the old English Saying that whoever pays the piper calls the tune. Madame President, The taste of the pudding is in the eating. We must stop kidding ourselves that power is given on silver platter all the time. We must not underestimate the political power of women - it lies in our vote- "Eyesitukidde, tanywa matabangufu". 'Mwene Nkovu, namanha bwesiigha". Strategy to end our woes is to vote for capable gender sensitive women and capable gender sensitive men. It is then that we shall stop begging. ALUTA CONTINUA