ISO: IRN
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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.
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AS WRITTEN


Speech of H.E. Ms. Shahla Habibi,
Presidential Advisor on Women's Affairs

For The Fourth World Conference on Women
Beijing September 1995


In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Madame Chairperson,Distinguished Delegates,

Let me begin by praising the Almighty Allah who has created all human
beings of the same spirit, granted them freedom, and privileged the most
pious ones with his blessings. He who has created men and women equal in
human dignity and responsibility. He who has encouraged them to strive for
equitable social roles, in consonance with their natural capabilities and
potential, in order to meet social justice. 

Madame Chairperson,

I would like to express my congratulations on your well deserved election
as the Chairperson of this historic international Conference. I would also
like to thank the friendly Government and people of China for hosting the
Conference and for the hospitality extended to me and my delegation. 

Although various international conferences, have addressed the question of
women and their role in the attainment of the objectives and goals pursued
by the international community, the Fourth World Conference on Women
provides us with a unique opportunity to review thoroughly the status of
women world-wide and the progress achieved, so far, in ensuring full and
unhindered participation of women in all steps of life, including
economic, social and political activities of their society. 

Given its significance in setting an agenda for promotion of women's
contribution to the society, the Conference has drawn the world public
opinion and has, thus, triggered controversial discussions on its
objectives, scope and activities. Many have viewed the Conference
positively and believe that it attempts to contribute to the advancement
of women. However, some contend that the conference is but a chance for
the imposition by an active minority of certain sets of notions. Against
this background, there is the need to overcome the existing concerns
through addressing controversial issues in a constructive, realistic and
balanced manner. 

Going through the draft Platform for Action, one might come to the
conclusionthat there exists a trend of confrontation between men and women
in defining their roles in the society. This trend can overshadow many
positive elements, embodied in the text, and accordingly undermine the
full and expeditious implementation of the provisions of the Platform.
Moreover, the family is the basic unit of the society and plays a crucial
role in prosperity, public moral and education of new generations, as well
as social integration and social stability. Such a foundation can not be
maintained unless responsible partnership within the family prevails,
through mutual recognition of and respect for the rights and
responsibilities of its individual members. In this respect, women should
not be viewed as peripheral members, rather as a companion in a joint
effort for ensuring the well being of the family. The role of the women
and her rights in the family are one of the pivotal factors in the
maintance of this holy institution. Unfortunately, the draft Platform has
not properly underlined the motherhood role of women. We strongly hold
that, despite the existing misperception, emphasis on motherhood is not at
the expense of women's empowerment. In other words, a delicate balance can
be established between the family as well as social roles of women.
Therefore, necessary measures should be taken to support and strengthen
the family and provide essential cultural, social and economic grounds for
.formation of families and marriage at an appropriate age so as to cherish
the human dignity. 

This Conference is a conference on women. Therefore, we should avoid
confining its scope to specific issues related to sexual behaviour. To be
exact, I am concerned about the weight given to the question of abortion,
disguised by certain ambiguous references in the text. We believe that the
right of women to choose should not be exercised at the expense of the
right of an unborn child to life. Providing affordable family planning
programs and strengthening moral values and social responsibilities
prevent resorting to abortion as a method of birth control and termination
of unwanted pregnancies. 

As I noted earlier, an active minority is trying to impose its certain
sets of ideas on the majority of the international community. They have
established a yard-stick and are applying it to measure the commitment of
others to the cause of women. Let me assure you that the implementation of
the final document of the Conference, to a great extent, hinges on
recognition of political, economic and social differences among nations
and the necessity of respecting various religious, ethical and cultural
values, which determine the extent of implementation of the programs
foreseen by the Conference. In other words, the positive contribution of
divine religions to the promotion of ethical values, social justice,
equity and tolerance should not be underestimated. 

As reiterated by the Symposium on the Role of Women in the of Islamic
Society, which was held in Tehran (17-19 April 1995), and sponsored by the
Organization of the Islamic Conference, Islam views men and women, as two
partners complementing and not competing with each other. They are equal
in creation, human dignity, human rights, and responsibility towards
welfare of the family as well as their society. Islam 1400 years ago, has
recognized and ensured through its principles, the economic, social and
political rights of women . Women, in Divine conception, are not created
to be exploited as sex objects or become victims of profitoriented
economic growth. 

Throughout the last decade the Islamic Republic of Iran adopted
multifaceted measures in line with its belief and culture for the
promotion of women's role in peace, equality and development. Foremost
among the constructive measures taken and recorded in official
international statistics are the increase in the number of literate women,
the high percentage of women in higher education, the almost equal school
enrollment, accessible and affordable primary health care, and substantial
reduction in the mother and infant mortality'rates. 

In the political scene, the establishment of national machinery for the
advancement of women, the increase in the number of women parliamentarians
and the enhancement of their participation in various levels of national
decision making is .indicative of the current pace of progress. The
dynamism of both governmental and non-governmental organizations on
women's issues in recent years attests to the significance that the
government and people attach to the advancement of women. The paramount
achievments made by Iranian women in the social dimension are still an
ongoing process. 

In the course of the last year, various initiatives have been launched to
provide for a constructive exchange of views at regional and international
levels. In this respect, three international and regional conferences on
"The Role of Women and the Family in Human Development" co-sponsored by
Iranian NGO's, the OIC Symposium on " The Role of Women in the Islamic
Society" and the regional seminar on "The Status and Health of Women": 

In conclusion I wish to reiterate the following points: 

Issues such as war and mass killing of thousands of women and children in
Palestine and the ethnic cleansing policy in Bosnia ,the deterioration of
moral values specifically in the media, the increase in illegitimate and
immoral relationships between men and women outside the family unit,
unabated sexual exploitation, unfavorable international economic
environment and its impact on women, and above all the lack of committment
of some governments to the fate of their nations depict a future world
that cannot be looked upon optimistically. 

We should address these predicaments at this Conference. I wish this
Conference every success, while hoping that the final document would
accomodate the legitimate concerns of all states, thus making it
acceptable and feasible for all. 

I wish to end my speech with a statement by the late Founder of the
Islamic Republic of Iran, Imam Khomeini, who stated "The woman is the
source of all virtues". 

Thank You, Madame Chairperson.