ISO: NRU *************************************************************************** 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 Ms. Marlene Moses Head: Republic of Nauru Delegation at the FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN 4 -15 September 1995, Beijing, China Madam President Distinguished Delegates Ladies & Gentlemen Nauru, a small island state has achieved the status of legal equality between women and men. Women enjoy equal pay, equal opportunities for education, the right to vote and participate in politics. However, like most women of the world, the women of Nauru still struggle against traditional discrimination and for a future of full and actual social and cultural equality. The equality for which we struggle is one in which the particular role and capacities of women all fully valued. So, too, our nation struggles to have our rights equally respected in the world community. However, our right to a healthy environment and women's most special capacity, the bearing and nurturing of children, is now severely threatened by nuclear testing. The tests conducted by China and during the very days of this Conference, by France, are a clear violation of the principle of equality among nations. The consequences of nuclear accidents, the results of previous testing and the use of atomic weapons have resulted in foetal damage, birth defects and infertility. The future of our people and of our nation is gravely threatened and our equality is undermined by these tests. As the Honourable Minister from New Zealand has stated at this Conference, and I quote, "Countries r the South Pacific are unanimous in their opposition to testing in their region on both environmental and moral grounds." The French test shows a blatant disregard for the peoples of the South Pacific region. We find this action morally reprehensible. Both the French and Chinese tests violate the spirit of the recent NPT Review and extention conferences and the Agreement made there by the nuclear powers to exercise utmost restraint in the period leading to the signing of the comprehensive test ban treaty. Our people are outraged at the negation of the principles of the United Nations charter and the fundamental moral principles of world society. Nuclear weapons themselves violate such principles and their legality under international law has been questioned. A small island nation calls upon the world community to defend the principle of equality. Women's voices and the voices of the small island states have a right to be heard. It is no longer acceptable to exclude women or the small island nations. The exclusion of any people is morally irresponsible. As an observer state, it is our moral responsibility to protest the exclusion of another observer island state of the Asia-Pacific region. The principle of equality applies to women and men and to nations large and small. The themes of this Conference are Equality, Development and Peace. Why has Equality not yet come about? Why has Development not yet come about? Why has Peace not yet come about? In approaching these goals, we have been blinded to the real issue that controls us: FEAR Fear is the root cause of our failure to bring about equality, development and peace. At the opening of this Conference, Mrs Mongella declared that, and I quote, "All the indications point to a social revolution in the making. " The revolution that needs to come about is to break through the shackles of fear. Those in power have to be liberated from their fear before we can have equality, development and peace. Unless fear is uprooted from controlling our families, our countries and future generations, this revolution will be impossible. If we can overcome our fear then we free ourselves to realize the goals of the revolution toward equality, development and peace. Two of the greatest sins mankind has committed are the sins of fear and neglect. It is a sin to continue neglecting those whom we have the power to help and set free because of fear. Thank you, Madam Chair.