*************************************************************************** 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 ORAL STATEMENT OF THE BRAHMA KUMARIS WORLD SPIRITUAL UNIVERSITY TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN, BEIJING, SEPTEMBER 13, 1995 Madam President, Mrs. Mongella, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Although we stand here, gathered from many different lands and cultures, I greet you as my sisters and brothers, for spiritually we are one family. In the India in which I was born nearly 80 years ago, no girl could ever imagine that she would come to speak before an international gathering of world leaders. The strict social structures and family systems of those days were expected to lead me into a life of obedience with the wishes and desires of others and my formal preparation for life was limited to 3 years of schooling. The fact that I stand before you today as the co- administrative head of an organization with branches in over 60 countries worldwide and about 350,000 members is the direct result of a process of spiritual education that has empowered me to break the bondages of centuries of discrimination. The organization through which I received this education was founded by a man. It was when he was 60 that Prajapita Brahma, a respected Sindhi diamond merchant, surrendered all his property and wealth to a trust run by 8 young women. His vision of the future world was one of truth, justice and equality based on the foundation of harmony and balance between the sexes. Women and young girls were chosen by him as administrators and spiritual teachers, and the wisdom of that decision can be seen in the increasing recognition of the need today for the more feminine qualities of patience, tolerance, sacrifice, kindness and love. This was in 1936 and his unique action was to become the building block of an organization which, although still administered by women, offers to women and men alike, in roughly equal numbers, a lifelong spiritual education aimed at the full realization of the unique, original and inherently good identity of the individual. The awakening of the self and the discovery and realization of my potential enabled me to overcome external bondages and develop self- confidence, kindness and compassion. The message that I share with you today is that it is these qualities that are needed in all walks of life and that spirituality is the means to achieve them. The essential issues with which this conference is concerned are freedom, dignity and empowerment but the question remains how these values can be translated into our lives. Human values are universal because their foundation is the spirituality that gives value to the human being, whether male or female. Our work for a better world for women must therefore be built on a firm spiritual base. The Platform for Action highlights the need for urgent action by the international community and women must fully and equally participate in this process. Our programme for social, economic and political change must be balanced with a programme of personal and spiritual growth and development. I therefore ask that we leave this conference committed to: * maintaining our self-respect as much as we seek to gain respect, * reaffirming the spiritual identity of the individual, so as to help people build a vision of equality and lifelong respect; * remaining true to our own conscience regardless of what others may say by inculcating the habit of going deep within ourselves and touching the power of silence to empower US to take the right decisions; and * developing such inner contentment and fulfilment that will enable us not only to overcome the pain and anger within our own hearts but also to remove the hopelessness and sorrow within others. As we leave this conference, if the steps we take are full of truth, determination and courage the hand of God's blessings will be on us and success in our task guaranteed. Thank you, Madam President for giving me this opportunity to address this timely and important conference. Om shanti - Peace.