*************************************************************************** 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 The Africa Regional Steering Committee (A.R.S.C.) Le Comité Organisateur Régional d' Afrique (C.O.R.A) THE AFRICAN WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNICATION NETWORK (FEMNET) Madam Chairperson, Distinguished Delegates. On behalf of the African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) and Network members present here at the conference and at home, I want to share our vision and commitment for the future with women of the world. Our vision, Madam Chairperson, is that we the African women will reclaim, reconstruct, and transform Africa, on the basis of gender equality, giving credence to the principles of democracy and human rights; mobilising and utilising human and other resources; and take our rightful place in the global arena, on the basis of equality with other nations, from now into the future, in partnership with our men, girls and boys. Madam Chairperson, the high expectations raised at the Nairobi conference ten years ago have not been realised in any appreciable measure. As we look beyond Beijing into the future, we want to learn from the past experience, that resolutions and declarations no matter how well articulated will be completely meaningless unless they are backed by concrete actions and commitments. We therefore want to rededicate ourselves to be the torch bearers of the implementation of the Platform for Action among NGOs in Africa.. To this end, Madam Chairperson, we are committing ourselves to provide guidelines to our network members, to assist them in developing actionplans, based on identified regional and national priorities as articulated in the African Platform for Action, the Global Platform for Action, and on the implementation of the CEDAW. These plans will spell out specific strategies for implementation, and for developing quantifiable, measurable and gender-based indicators; expected outcomes and time frames for monitoring, evaluation and reporting . In our efforts to lead the way, we commit ourselves to strengthen our network, to ensure improved capability, full accountability to our constituencies and collaborators, and to provide technical support to our Networks. Further we will ensure strong linkages between the different levels of implementation, both vertical and horizontal, in order to ensure maximum effectiveness, support and solidarity in all our endeavours. Madam Chairperson, to achieve these goals, we appeal for meaningful partnership, support and commitment, from our governments, UN agencies, the family, development partners, and the private sector. Africa is endowed with rich human and natural resources. African women demand to be recognised as the most important resource the Continent has. We therefore appeal for support in our struggle to transform the Continent. Peace, good governance, eradication of poverty, economic empowerment, education, health and gender are top priorities in the transformation processes. We appeal for global solidarity, and call for collective action, that will translate individual and national level commitment into a global movement to achieve gender equality, development and peace.We are optimistic that the Platform for Action will be backed by concrete and sustainable actions by the global community. Thank you for your attention. Signed Njoki Wainaina (Mrs.) Chairperson FEMNET/ ARSC