ISO: IDN *************************************************************************** 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 H.E. MRS. MIEN SUGANDHI STATE MINISTER FOR THE ROLE OF WOMEN HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDONESIA TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN BEIJING, SEPTEMBER 5th, 1995 Madam President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a great honor for me to take part in this truly historic occasion. At the outset allow me on behalf of my delegation to express our congratulation to you Madame President and the other members of the Bureau for your unanimous election. My delegation is fully confident that under your able leadership and guidance the Beijing Conference will achieve its objectives. I wish also to commend the Secretary General of the Conference, Mrs. Gertrude Mongella and her team for their hard work in organizing this conference. Further, my delegation would like to extend our gratitude and appreciation to the Government and people of the People's Republic of China for their hospitality and generosity in hosting this important conference. Madam President, The objectives of the conference to achieve equality, development and peace for women have also been of concern to countries belonging to the Non-Aligned Movement. The Final Document of the Tenth NAM Summit held in Jakarta in 1992, in which the Head of States and Governments mandated the holding of the Fourth NAM Ministerial Meeting devoted to the Role of Women in Development clearly reflects this concern. Accordingly, the Fourth NAM Ministerial Meeting on Women was held in Beijing prior to the convening of the World Conference. This meeting indicates the strong commitment of the NAM member countries to the success of the World Conference in improving the status and the role of women in development, both as agents and beneficiaries. The critical areas of concern to NAM countries which were highlighted in that NAM meeting appear to be similar to those contained in the draft Platform for Action before the World Conference. These concerns of NAM member countries are consolidated in "Message of the Fourth Ministerial Conference of Non-Aligned Countries Devoted to the Role of Women in Development", officially submitted to the World Conference last week. The message has been circulated to all delegations participating in this conference for their consideration under agenda item 8 (in document number A/CONF.177/11 of September 3, 1995) Madam President, Distinguished Delegates, Speaking as national delegation, we are of the view that the three objectives of the conference namely Equality, Development and Peace are mutually supportive and interdependent. Empowerment of women is imperative to achieve those objectives. We also believe that the empowerment of woman requires an enabling environment at community, national, regional as well as international levels encompassing cultural, economic, political and social spheres. Indonesia has accorded high priority to the eradication of poverty and to the enhancement of the quality of the human resource, in terms of physical, mental and spiritual well being since the First Twenty Five Year Long Term Development Plan (1969-1994). We continue to intensify this policy in the present Second Twenty Five Year Long Term Development Plan. In this respect, our strategies are based on the principle of equality and harmonious partnership among all actors, men and women, governments and NGOs, community based organizations and the private sector. Indonesia has been successful in reducing the insidence of poverty from 60 percent in 1969 to 14 percent in 1995. The level of illiteracy among women fell from 21 percent in urban areas and 42 percent in rural areas in 1980, to only 11 percent and 26 percent respectively in 1994. Therefore, the female-male disparity in literacy declined from 14 to 7 percent in urban areas and from 24 to 15 percent in rural areas. By the l990's, particularly due to the compulsory basic education (6 years), female enrolment rates have exceeded those of males. Important gains for women were made especially at primary level of education. Significant gains for women are expected e to occur in the near future since in 1994 Indonesia has launched universal nine year basic education which is an essential step towards the empowerment of women. Likewise, Indonesia has been successful in improving the general health condition of its population. The female infant mortality rate fell significantly from around 98 deaths per 1000 girls under the age of five in 1980 to 52 in 1993. The female life expectancy at birth has increased from 54 years in 1980 to 64 years in 1993, which is higher than that for men; thus displaying that the Indonesian culture no longer puts preference for sons. The success of the family welfare movement, recipient of Maurice Pate Award from UNICEF and Sasakawa Health Price from WHO in 1988 is due to the tireless efforts of women all over Indonesia. Further international recognition is reflected in the granting of Noma Prize on September 8th 1995 during this conference. Women clearly have been active participants both as agents and beneficiaries of development. Active community participation, especially women organizations and the family welfare movement at the grass-root level, has contributed significantly to the narrowing of the gender gap and promoting harmonious and equal partnership between women and men; in line with the objectives of Equality, Development and Peace. Obviously, there will be no advancement of women without development and no development without full and equal participation of women and men. Thank You, Madam President.