ISO: BRN *************************************************************************** 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 Brunei Darussalam HE The Hon. Pehin Dato Haji Awang Hussain Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports at the Fourth World Conference for Women Beijing, 12th September 1995 Madam President, I would like to join others before me in extending my congratulations on your election as President of the Fourth World Conference on Women. My delegation and I would also like to express our thanks to the Government of the People’s Republic of China for hosting this very important Conference and to the people of the People’s Republic of China for the kind hospitality accorded to me and my delegation. I am convinced that with your wise leadership and as well as commitments from us all, we can expect satisfactory conclusion of this Conference. I would also like to express our appreciation to Her Excellency Mrs. Gertrude Mongella, the Secretary General of the Conference for her inspiring leadership and to her team of dedicated staff for the preparation of this very important Conference. Madam President, Brunei Darussalam is a country with a small population. With nearly 47 percent of our the population being women, their increasing participation in the development of the nation will always be assured and will continue to contribute significantly to the progress and well being of the nation. True to our Islamic way of life, the women in Brunei Darussalam are accorded a highly respectable and responsible status in society. Madam President, Women in Brunei Darussalam have benefited a great deal from the country’s progress and development despite the fact that there is no specific stated policy on women. Efforts on development are pursued for the betterment of all Bruneians regardless of race, ethnic grouping or gender. Without a doubt the steady progress of providing free education to the population has the greatest impact on social development in Brunei Darussalam. Educational opportunities are equally open and readily accessible to women and men. Indeed, we have now come to the stage where there are more women in all institutions of learning including tertiary education. This opportunity has enabled nearly 85 percent of the female population to be literate with illiteracy primarily confined to the older generation. Good health is another factor which has contributed significantly towards development as a whole. For the women in Brunei Darussalam, they have always enjoyed good health as reflected by the positive health indicators. The government gives high priority to preventive and promotive health programmes on women’s health through comprehensive safe motherhood and reproductive health programmes, in addition to other health programmes. The fact that life expectancy for female is 76.6 years, outliving the male by about five to six years is a testament to the importance of provision of health service for everyone. With better education and due to labour-shortage at all levels, employment opportunities for women are always available both in the private and public sector. Thus, the labour force participation rate of women now stands at 46.6 percent. We now find women gainfully employed in major occupational groups be they professional, technical, administrative and many others. Their initial participation in the supporting roles is rapidly changing. We are seeing increasing numbers of them in positions of executive, managerial and professional categories. The picture of women as entrepreneurs is also changing. We now see women increasingly involved in business not just as the traditional door to door vendors of goods and services but also in more modern and fiercely competitive fields of business. Women now hold positions such as proprietors, managers, directors and in partnership with national and international companies. We are, now also seeing women in decision-making positions, where women in partnership with men are sharing power and responsibility. We are convinced that all these positive developments in the status of women in Brunei Darussalam are the results of free education and the equal opportunities and access to various socio-economic activities. The Government of Brunei Darussalam has long recognises the important role of women and will continue to provide even more opportunities to women to develop their potential to the maximum in the interest of the progress and well being of the nation. Women also continue to play important roles in nation building through the NGO movements. Women associations in Brunei Darussalam tend to be active and self supporting, which is an admirable achievement given the size of our population. Their contributions are especially noticeable in the fields of welfare, education, prevention of crime such as drug abuse, and in youth development where the fruits of their achievements can be seen in the increasing awareness among women of the significant role they play in society. Nevertheless, Brunei Darussalam, too, is very much aware of the universal ills of abuse and violence against women and children, as well as increasing crime rate, drug abuse etc. Although statistics on this show that such crimes are comparatively low, we cannot be complacent. We believe that the increase in crime rate is partly the result of the erosion of traditional family values. The traditional role of women as mothers and as pillars of the family as well as their unique role in humanizing society should not be underestimated. Women and men together in partnership play a vital role in the upbringing of children in the family and instilling desirable values in them. Too often, the trend in some countries seem to relegate the importance of this pivotal role of women as mothers to the margin. The point is that the traditional role of the Family needs to be strengthened. For only then would our future generations be able to withstand the onslaught of undesirable influences which can tear the very fabric of our society apart. Madam President, Brunei Darussalam is confident that we will continue to ensure people are at the center of sustainable development, where women and men are in partnership pursuing the common goal of nation building. As we ensure more and more women to participate in socio- economic activities, we are also confronted with other problems such as the erosion of the family institution. The challenge we are faced with today is to seek the right balance where the continued security, progress and sustainable development of the nation can be ensured through cohesive and stable family units where everyone, women, men and children can participate equally and fully in every aspect of life. This is not an easy balance to achieve but one in which we are determined to succeed. Finally, Madam President, This Fourth World Conference of Women has provided us all, with the opportunity to learn more about the status and development of women all over the world. It is an occasion where we exchange views and where we commit ourselves to ending the discrimination of women. The Platform of Action provide us with the tool and mechanism to contribute positively to the empowerment of women throughout the world. Let us ensure, as we enter the 21st century, we, women and men in partnership, commit ourselves to furthering human development in a world that is just, harmonious and at peace. Ladies and gentlemen, Thank you for your kind attention.