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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


Address toThe Fourth World Conference on Women by
Khunying Supatra Masdit, 
Convenor, NGO Forum on Women Beijing '95 5th September, 1995


 Beijing, People's Republic of China For two years, women of the world 
have engaged in an exciting and challenging effort. In all the regions 
of the world, women have met to forge a vision of our shared future.

 We are witnessing a milestone in the most powerful social movement of 
the 20th century—the women's movement. The NGO Forum on Women, Beijing 
'95 brings together over 25,000 women and men crossing ethnic, 
religious, national, age and language boundaries. This is a milestone 
not only because of the numbers of women attending the Forum, but 
because for the first time, grassroots women have met with international 
leaders to discuss and clarify the visions and messages of the world's 
women.

 An Editing Committee of women from each region synthesized Regional 
Platforms and incorporated inputs from international organizations. From 
this, they developed NGO Recommendations for the UN Platform for Action. 
This was a first, and through these ¡ experiences, more women read the 
draft Platform for Action than at any of the previous women's 
conferences. These women are continuing their deliberations during these 
two weeks in China in order to achieve the goals of equality, 
development and peace. 

The global mobilization around this Platform for Action and the NGO 
Forum has widened and strengthened women's networks throughout the 
world. The women's movement has increased in diversity, and national, 
regional and international leadership has t emerged. We are certain that 
this conference can move our agenda forward. The message from the NGO 
Forum is that the most urgent of issues are those that affect the most 
defenseless among us: refugees, the victims of war, children exploited 
in the workplace and in forced prostitution, migrant workers, women with 
disabilities, indigenous peoples and those facing discrimination because 
of sexual preference. 

We now ask you, distinguished delegates, to understand that our vision 
of equality demands women's active participation and leadership in our 
communities and countries. Our work for equality can and must be guided 
by our ethical and moral commitments. The equality we want has to be 
built on diversity. This diversity, in turn, is rooted in the principle 
that women's rights are human rights. 

Women's rights stand not only for legal reforms, but for the related 
changes which will guarantee the rights of women as citizens. Women's 
rights also include the right to a decent quality of life, including 
reproductive health and choice, protection from violence, as well as 
political and economic rights. 

Look at peace through women's eyes. Peace is not only freedom from war, 
but it is security of the person, the family, the neighborhood, the 
community and freedom from racism and ethnic conflicts. 

Look at democracy through women's eyes. Democratic values must begin at 
home. Gender equality has to be built from freedom and equality in the 
family. Families which teach and practice the belief that gender 
equality is right create societies which enable all individuals to 
fulfill their human potentials. This vision of peace and democracy can 
be a powerful guide as we develop strategies toward sustainable 
development. Women hold important roles in achieving this vision of 
sustainable development. Our roles as daughters, wives, and mothers do 
not negate women's capacity to take on public leadership roles. Indeed, 
our roles can bring a new dimension to women leadership at all levels. 

Our strategies toward sustainable development must not be geared simply 
toward economic growth, but must promote and account for other social 
values which lead to genuine human development. Thus, it is time to 
account for women's long overlooked household labor in national and 
international economic measures. It is also time to ensure effective 
social measures to protect women from violence. It is time to guarantee 
freedom of expression for women. It is time to involve women in 
decision-making at all levels, from families to nations and the world. 
And it is finally time to recognize that women's rights are human 
rights. 

We from the NGO Forum wish you well in your deliberations. We urge you 
to take into account women's visions and strategies for the 21st 
century. We ask that you do this both in your meetings this week and in 
your post-Beijing country policy actions. The women who have 
participated in this consultation process will carry these visions and 
plans with them when they return home. We expect that you will also 
carry our visions and plans forward into the work of this Fourth World 
Conference on Women. The torch is now in your hands. 

I thank you.