ISO: ATG *************************************************************************** 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 BY HONORABLE SENATOR GWEN TONGE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY AND LEADER OF THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA DELEGATION TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN BEIJING, CHINASEPTEMBER 5, 1995 Madame Chair, My delegation congratulates you on your election as Chairman of this very important Conference. Your election serves to commend the role which you and your country have played in the advancement of women. Our congratulations extend to our distinguished Conference Secretary- General, Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, for her sterling leadership in the advancement of women, universally. We are especially grateful to her. Her tireless drive in the empowerment of women, the world-over, should not go unrecognized. Eighty years ago, in May 1915, The International Congress of Women meeting at The Hague endorsed "the right of all peoples to autonomy, self-determination and democratic government"; thirty years later, in 1945, the United Nations Charter promulgated the equal rights of women and men in the pursuit of human progress. These major advances also set the stage for legitimating rights and freedoms that would enhance the welfare and security of small nations. This Fourth World Conference on Women can be seen as an attempt to build on these lasting principles by prodding men and women, governments and leaders, to create better societies. The Rio Earth Summit, the Global Conference on Small Island Developing States, the International Conference on Population and Development, and the World Conference on Social Development, give adequate testimony to the claim that the empowerment of women is a key ingredient in the success of 21st century civilization. It is becoming more and more apparent that much remains to be done and done quickly if we are to remove the obstacles which stand in the way of full participation by women. Increasing poverty, prevailing violence against women, unlawful discrimination, educational inequalities and inadequate health-care stand in the path as obstacles. The level of participation of women in decision-making and sharing of power -universally- is still unacceptably low; failure to redress this imbalance will call into question States' adherence to the basic principles of democracy. In Antigua and Barbuda, women have attained a reasonable measure of influence in Government, following democratic elections last year; and though Government is the single largest economic actor, the private sector employs more than twice as many workers. Women account for almost 50% of the labor force but are to be found concentrated in a few occupational groups, predominantly in the low-wage sector. Additionally, a large number of women work at non-wage jobs which contribute to the creation of wealth. Women's equality and their advancement, at the national and international levels, are concerns which seize the attention of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda. On August 24, 1995, my Prime Minister, the Honorable Lester Bird, moved the Resolution to ratify the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women. Pursuant to the rules of this Convention and the Ratification of Treaties Act, instruments have been deposited with the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States. Legislation on domestic violence will also go before the Parliament of Antigua and Barbuda before the end of 1995; implementation of the terms of the Convention can then begin at the national level.Madame Chair, We are pledged to achieve gender equality in job opportunities, diversity in women's employment, and remuneration which reflects the value of work performed. The Trade Union movement, more than fifty years old, remains a critical player in this endeavor. Technical and vocational education, geared towards training more women for nontraditional employment, can also help to redress the imbalance in job opportunities. The Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda are pledged to ensuring the end of discrimination against women in employment. Yet, other critical areas of concern remain for the women of Antigua and Barbuda. The inclusion of women in decision-making, ending domestic violence, making health-care more readily accessible, and amending laws which unfairly discriminate against women are to be addressed successfully prior to the year 2000. Antigua and Barbuda will seek to lead the Caribbean sub-region in advancing women's empowerment. Madame Chair, Outside of our sub-region, most goals set out in the Nairobi Forwarding- looking Strategies have not been achieved, and the Platform for Action has identified priority areas for attention. There is still a long way to go before the general goals of equality, sustainable human development and lasting peace are achieved. The delegation of Antigua and Barbuda believes that this Fourth World Conference on Women provides significant opportunities to promote and develop international law for the global emancipation of women. The Platform for Action reflects different theoretical perspectives of women's subordination; it addresses the concerns of women and seeks to promote and protect the human rights and the fundamental freedoms of girl children and women. Women's equality and women's rights have been mainstreamed into international human rights; yet, the hope of conference participants is that the document to be agreed upon prior to the conclusion will act as a powerful catalyst for progress and will produce tangible results for women all over the world. The Fourth World Conference on Women will then reaffirm our faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of every human person, and in the irreversible equality of men and women. It is important that negotiations during this Conference be approached in a very constructive spirit and with a forward-looking attitude. Serious consideration must thus be given to the issue of population growth which in turn will raise questions on fertility and reproductive rights; globally sustainable development cannot be achieved without paying maximum attention to the role of women. It is imperative that women be accorded equal and equitable rights in every society around the world if we are to reverse the ills which beset our planet. Education is the key to empowering women, to ending gender-based discrimination and for changing social relations which perpetuate prejudices. Not only is it important to ensure equal access to good education for women, as we have done with great success in the English- speaking Caribbean, it is also necessary to educate the general public. Social relations, and our way of thinking about the role of women, must evolve and our societal responses must reflect the new thinking. Madame Chair, As we approach the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations, small States like mine have a great deal to celebrate. Thirty-five years ago, in 1960, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 1514 which signaled the end of colonialism; small countries were thus able to achieve independence peacefully. The United Nations has thus been more than symbol in our counties' immediate past history. Standing on the shoulders of history and peering into the twenty-first century, we see a new world with greater freedoms, unparalleled justice, free of prejudice and violence, stronger families, better societies. The United Nations will continue to secure the rights of the weak and the downtrodden, empowering those who are most in need. This Fourth World Conference on Women is indeed one of the platforms of history from which the nations of the world will have launched a lasting change in the social fabric of our world. Thank you, Madame Chair.