*************************************************************************** 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 Equality, Development and Peace: Some Thoughts on the Role of the Arab Women By: Dr. Souad M. Al-Sabah Address to the Governmental Plenary Meeting on Behalf of the National Organisation ofArab-American Women, Inc. The Fourth World Conference on Women Beijing - September 1995 Your Excellency, The Secretary General, Distinguished Delegations, Ladies and Gentlemen, As we meet today in Beijing nearer to the end of 1995, we should attempt to place this Conference in its correct historical context, noting that we live in a changing world. In this world, history appears to be moving at a faster pace due to the unprecedented scientific, technological and political changes which have changed the form of life around us. This imposes upon us the need to seriously consider the full implications of such changes particularly on the developing countries, including the Arab countries. The collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the cold war resulted in a fundamental change in the world's agenda, concerns and priorities. International focus shifted away from matters concerning military strategies, and State's Security, to those issues relating to the security of man and his natural rights. Similarly, international concerns shifted away from aspects of National Security, in the traditional sense, to those relating to social welfare and human rights. In this context, we find that United Nations Conferences in the last few years - from the Rio Summit on Land to the Women Conference in Beijing through the Vienna Conference on Human Rights. the Cairo Conference on Population and Development, and the Copenhagen Conference on Social Development - have all reflected such change in world concerns. And although these Conferences appear. in the first instance, to address different topics and issues, the reality focuses on the same thing. The core is the human being in his relationship to the society in which he lives and the environment which surrounds him. For this reason, one should emphasise the fact that the Beijing Conference represents a continuation of the previous Conferences, and in particular the Cairo Conference. This is so since the results of the Cairo Population and Development Conference should be regarded as the foundation for this present Conference. And as the United Nations has chosen "Equality, Development and Peace" as the slogans for the women's world role in this decade, the UN has rightly succeeded in determining the correct framework for women to contribute to the achievement of social progress and world peace. The equality goal means the abolition of all forms of discrimination between men and women. The development goal means enabling women to contribute to the achievement of economic, social and political progress. As to the goal of peace, it means standing against all forms of aggression and the use of force in international relations. Please permit me to put forward some thoughts concerning the Arab Women in relation to each of these goals of equality, development and peace. With respect to the goal of equality, we should endeavour to achieve changes in the legislations to effect equality between men and women in job opportunities, remuneration and promotions. This shall ensure the rights of woman, respect for her and preservation of her dignity, including the end of all forms of violence against her for political or social reasons. As to the goal of development, this can be achieved-through increasing the opportunities for women to participate in the economic and political fields. In this respect, what comes to mind first is education and the need to remove all the obstacles which discriminate against women in educational opportunities. This also includes review of educational programs and curricula to ensure the consolidation of non-discrimination values. Of equal importance is ensuring the availability of health services to women, particularly the poor amongst them and those living in the countryside rural areas. This includes providing them with all pertinent information on family planning and health care. Related to the above is the question of increasing the opportunities for women to participate in political life in general, and in those high levels of decision-making or impacting on it, in particular. As to the goal of peace. there is no doubt that commitment to international legitimacy, implementation of United Nations resolutions and respect for the right of nations to self-determination, represent the correct approach to securing peace in the area. In this respect we should note the encouraging positive developments in the Palestinian problem, and the continuing efforts to reach a total and just solution. This, once reached, will open up a new era of peace and development in the region. These goals of equality, development and peace represent different dimensions of one goal. That is the goal of progress for society and the human being - man or woman alike. Each of these goals compliment and consolidate one another. Ladies and Gentlemen, If the Arab nations are dreaming of a future of social progress, economic welfare, and political democracy and if they are seeking to achieve societies which ensure the respect for human rights ... this can not be achieved if society is deprived from the contribution and participation of women. The tomorrow which we are all seeking is one which is characterised with equality, sharing of responsibilities and the exercise of rights. It is one in which our nations are looking forward to economic and social advance, in which violence and wars are absent. This is the tomorrow which women are eagerly awaiting, while hoping that this Conference here in Beijing shall be an important step towards its realisation. May I thank you for your attention and wish you continuing success.