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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


Statement by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA)
to the Fourth World Conference on Women,

Beijing, China 4-15 September 1995
delivered by Hilkka Pietila, Finland


Your Excellency,
Madame President,
Distinguished Delegates,

I have the Honor and Privilege to address you on behalf of the World
Federation of the United Nations Associations, the international NGO
whose work is most closely related to the United Nations. We have nearly
90 national United Nations Associations which constitute the people's
movement for the United Nations. I am speaking today on behalf of those
UNAs which are present here in Beijing and for those which were not able
to send their representatives here.

We in WFUNA and the UNAs are living along with the events and
proceedings of the whole United Nations system. Since the First UN World
Conference on Women in 1975 in Mexico City an unequaled and irreversible
progress has taken place for the advancement of women within the UN
system and consequently in the member states.

In these days the United Nations is under attack for problems on the
political front, but the UN is not only a political institution.. From
women's point of view the UN is a success - in many ways!

The success story of the UN

Through gradual steps during last twenty years the norms and attitudes
towards women have changed profoundly within the UN system. The male
dominated UN system has The draft Platform for Action of this conference
- in spite of its brackets and pitfalls - is a good sample of that new
approach. This indicates how long way we have come on the road from
Mexico City to Beijing.

The change of approach has emerged through ascending stages:

 - In the early decades of the UN women were seen as objects, for whose
protection and rights acts were needed;

 - In the 1970s the formula was to "integrate women in development,"
women were seen as resources for development, which means that their
dignity and rights were not yet seen as a cause in its own right;

- The International Development Strategy for the 1980s speaks about
women "as agents and beneficiaries in all sectors and at all levels of
development';

 - First the Nairobi FLS recognized women having a central role as
"intellectuals, policy- and decision-makers, planners, and contributors
and beneficiaries of development.

A very important achievement during these two decades is the ever
increasing and broadening information on women, their life, work and
participation around the world. Only the UN system is capable to acquire
such data on women world wide. but until the beginning of 1970s it was
not used for this purpose. Now it is possible to follow up whether the
conventions, strategies, recommendations, plans and programs for women
are implemented and whether the life and conditions of women are
improving in reality.

The fact is, that the UN system - though being an instrument of
governments - is significantly ahead of all its member states in respect
of the attitudes and norms concerning women.

Women making history

In the last five years, we have also seen women's international networks
becoming so strong and competent that no UN World Conference has passed
without women influencing effectively its outcome.

- At UNCED in Rio (1992), women were recognized as managers of natural
resources as well as household consumption and therefore a driving force
for sustainable livelihood.

- At the UNCHR in Vienna (1993) all human rights were acknowledged as
universal, inalienable and indivisible rights of women.

- At the ICPD in Cairo (1994) women's health, empowerment and
reproductive rights were placed at the center of development policies.

- At the World Social Summit in Copenhagen (1995) the political,
economic and social empowerment of women was seen as key to eradicating
poverty, unemployment and social disintegration.

There are still too many brackets in draft Platform for Action around
formulations which already have been adopted in the previous
conferences. It is totally incomprehensible and unacceptable that some
governments still make efforts to turn the process backwards, to nullify
decisions already made. All such brackets should be eliminated without
hesitation.

This Fourth World Conference on Women should consolidate these
achievements and integrate them into the Platform of Action.

The ultimate power lies with the people

This Conference is one of main events taking place during the 50th
Anniversary year of the United Nations. Here, we should adopt a New
Agenda for Equality, Development and Peace, which will guide us down the
homestretch towards year 2000.

Ultimately the responsibility for the realization of the resolutions and
decisions adopted in the UN conferences rests on both the governments
and the people in the member states. People are the guardians of
democracy and the watchdogs over the governments. They are the
consciousness of the states.

International conventions and resolutions give impetus and legitimacy to
the struggle of people, and particularly women, in claiming their equal
rights in their own countries, in their own lives. WFUNA and the
national UN Associations pledge to inform and mobilize women and men in
our respective countries about the decisions made here and about the
duties of the governments to implement these decisions. We will claim
commitment, resources, implementation, and accountability from our
governments.

We live in a time when women's equitable participation in all walks of
life is no longer only their legitimate right, but a social and
political necessity in each country in the process towards a more
balanced, humane and sustainable future.