WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 1st Meeting (PM) WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN OPENS IN BEIJING; ADDRESSED BY PRESIDENT OF ICELAND, PRIME MINISTERS OF PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH Statements Made on Behalf of UN Secretary-General and by Conference Secretary-General; Chen Muhua, of China, Elected Conference President There could be no neutrality in the fight for women's liberation, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, said this afternoon, as the Fourth World Conference on Women opened its two-week session in Beijing. "The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis", Ms. Bhutto said, quoting poet Dante Aligheri. The Conference transcended politics and economic issues and dealt with a fundamental moral crisis of injustice and inaction, silence and acquiescence, caused by centuries of oppression and repression. It must create a climate where the girl child was as welcome and valued as a boy child. Women's issues must be addressed as part of overall social and developmental concerns, Conference Secretary-General Gertrude Mongella stressed. Sustainable development was impossible without cementing the partnership of women and men in all aspects of life. Women had struggled with their menfolk for the abolition of slavery, liberation from colonialism, dismantling of apartheid and the struggle for peace. It was now the turn of men to join women in their struggle for equality. Vigdis Finnbogadottir, the President of Iceland, said the United Nations was playing a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to secure equal access for women in all aspects of political, economic and social life. However, the task of the Conference would be to address the glaring deficiencies which remained. She cited, in particular, the increased number of women living in poverty, which was reflected in the areas of health, education, physical security, and political and economic power and influence. Much would depend on the political will of Governments to ensure implementation of the Conference's proposals, she said (page 1a follows Conference on Women - 1a - Press Release WOM/BEI/131st Meeting (PM) 4 September 1995 Begum Khaleda Zia, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, called for a more vigorous application of development policies by the United Nations and other international forums, with special attention to the plight of the women of underdeveloped countries. She proposed the creation of a new post of Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Women's Affairs. She also called for establishment of a high-level United Nations Commission of eminent women to monitor and evaluate the performance of all United Nations bodies on issues relating to women. The Commission would also suggest programmes to facilitate the implementation of the Conference's platform of action. Speaking upon her election by acclamation as Conference President, Chen Muhua, Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress of China and President of the Executive Committee of the All-China Women's Federation, said the Conference's task was both noble and arduous. It must turn its theme -- action for equality, development and peace -- into reality. While the progress being made to promote gender equality was gratifying, stark realities must be faced. Such problems affecting women included poverty, hunger, a higher illiteracy rate relative to men, lack of adequate health care and domestic violence. (Biographical details on Mrs. Chen are contained in Press Release WOM/BEI/6, issued earlier.) Through a statement read out by his Special Representative, Ismat Kittani, United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali said that securing the equality of women and men, in law and in fact, was the great political project of the twentieth century. Attitudes as well as behaviour -- both of individuals and institutions -- must change to take account of the real rights and real needs of women. The United Nations would press for international legal action against those who perpetrate organized violence against women in time of conflict. Also addressing the Conference were Nguyen Thi Binh, Vice-President of Viet Nam, and Speciosa Wandira Kazibwe, Vice-President and Minister of Gender and Community Development of Uganda. In other action, the Conference elected this afternoon seven Vice- Presidents from the African States, three from the Eastern European States, five from the Latin American and Caribbean States, and six from the Western European and other States. Specifically, from African States, it elected Botswana, Congo, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal and the Sudan. From the Eastern European States, it elected Azerbaijan, Romania, and The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. From the Latin American and Caribbean States, it elected the Bahamas, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba and Panama. From the Western European and Other States, it elected Australia, Greece, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. From the Asian States, it elected Bangladesh, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan and Syria. (page 1b follows Conference on Women - 1b - Press Release WOM/BEI/131st Meeting (PM) 4 September 1995 ## Elected as Vice-President ex officio was Li Zhaoxing, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of China. Elected as Rapporteur-General was Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Namibia. Elected as Chairman of the Main Committee was Patricia B. Licuanan, Commissioner of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, of the Philippines. The Conference appointed the following as members of its Credentials Committee: China, Fiji, Honduras, Namibia, Portugal, Russian Federation, Suriname, Togo and the United States, on the understanding that if one of those States does not participate in the Conference, it would be replaced by another State from the same regional group. As recommended following pre-Conference consultations, the Conference took note of the recommendation that the Conference's report should consist of its decisions and a brief account of its proceedings. It would also include a repertorial account of the work of the Main Committee and of the action taken in the plenary meeting on its recommendations. The Conference also adopted its rules of procedure and its agenda. According to its agenda (A/CONF.177/1), the Conference will hold a general exchange of views, in which it will consider the main conclusions and recommendations of regional preparatory conferences, as well as national priorities and commitments. The general exchange will also take up a second review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward- looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the year 2000, which was adopted 10 years ago. The Conference will resume at 10 a.m. tomorrow, to begin a general exchange of views on main issues before it. ## (page 2 follows Conference on Women - 2 - Press Release WOM/BEI/131st Meeting (PM) 4 September 1995 Statements ISMAT KITTANI, Under-Secretary-General and Special Representative of United Nations Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali, speaking on behalf of the Secretary-General: The effectiveness of the Conference will depend largely on the willingness to be open and receptive to ideas and suggestions coming from the organizations of civil society. Securing the equality of women and men, in law and in fact, is the great political project of the twentieth century and a crucial role in the realization of that project has been entrusted to the United Nations. At the founding of the United Nations, the recognition of the dignity and worth of women, and the essential contribution of women, on an equal basis with men, was to be an essential element of a better world. Today, the international community is celebrating 50 years of unceasing effort, spearheaded by the United Nations, to advance the cause of women. Equality before the law is being achieved in many countries, but equality in fact remains an elusive goal in all countries. Equality of dignity is far from being achieved. Real and concrete steps are still required. Since the Charter was signed, a total of 24 women have been elected head of State or Government, but there is far to go before there is equality between men and women in senior government posts. As Secretary- General, I have appointed women to head several United Nations programmes, bringing the total number of executive heads to five. The General Assembly just elected the first woman judge to the International Court of Justice. The goals of the Charter for gender equality in the United Nations itself should be strictly followed. I have approved action plans within the Organization to foster gender-sensitive working environment and to ensure that the Organization addresses the gender aspects in all its works. The role of women in peace is another theme of the Conference. Violence against women should receive the unanimous and firm condemnation of the entire international community. We will press for international legal action against those who perpetrate organized violence against women in time of conflict. Another theme of the Conference is development. We should be able to say of our development efforts that not only is development necessary for rural women but what is good for rural women is good for development. Women -- their lives, their roles, their aspirations -- are the key to development in every dimension. When the rights and hopes of women in the fields of equality, peace and development are advanced, so will all human society come to benefit. The Conference, a call to action, is a milestone in the history of United Nations work for women and the culmination of a chain of global conferences. The Platform, (more) - 3 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 comprehensive and challenging, takes an integrated approach to a wide range of issues, cutting across economic, social, cultural and political concerns of the United Nations system. But the Platform will not become a reality unless the partnership between government and civil society extends into the implementation stage. Neither government decrees nor the isolated acts of small groups will be enough to make the Platform work. The partnership must be mobilized at the family, local and State level. The movement's theme -- "think globally, act locally" -- is more relevant than ever. Attitudes as well as behaviour -- both of individuals and institutions -- must change to take account of the real rights and real needs of women. (The complete text of the Secretary-General's statement is contained in Press Release WOM/BEI/8, of 3 September.) CHEN MUHUA, President of the Conference: In 1985, I attended the third World Conference on Women in Nairobi, which produced the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategy. Now, 10 years later, on the eve of the United Nations fiftieth anniversary and the approach of a new century, the Conference was gathered to draft a Beijing strategy and programme of action aimed at promoting gender equality. The world was now facing the two common tasks of peace and development. Advancement of the status of women has become a key objective. Action is needed for equality, development and peace. It is gratifying that, thanks to the joint efforts of the United Nations, national governments and non-governmental organizations, progress is being made in promoting gender equality, and women are playing an increasingly important role in social life. The importance of women's role and their rights has been stressed in recent years at a number of United Nations Conferences. Improving the status of women forms part of the common aspiration of mankind. Nevertheless, it is important not to lose sight of the stark realities. The number of women in poverty is increasing, and a large number of women and children are still fighting a losing battle against hunger. Women's illiteracy rate remains far higher than that of men, as large numbers of girls are forced to drop out of school for different reasons. Many lack adequate health care. In some regions, women and children have been the predominant victims of armed conflict. Domestic violence against women continues. All of those are serious obstacles to the advancement of women worldwide. The task of the Conference is both noble and arduous. It must turn its theme --action for equality, development and peace -- into reality. The international community must make a solemn commitment and translate it into concrete actions. The Conference must live up to the ardent expectations of the entire world. (more - 4 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 GERTRUDE MONGELLA, Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women: the Conference is phenomenal -- the largest ever gathering of people for a United Nations conference. The draft platform of action embodies the aspirations, hopes and actions which will take us all into the twenty-first century. But it is for everyone. There can be no spectators, no sideliners, no abstainers, for it is a crucial social agenda which affects everyone. A number of features became obvious in the process leading towards Beijing. First, women's issues must be examined in a holistic manner and addressed as part of overall social and developmental concerns. Sustainable development is impossible without cementing the partnership of women and men in all aspects of life. Women have struggled with their menfolk for the abolition of slavery, liberation of countries from colonialism, dismantling of apartheid and the struggle for peace. It is now the turn of men to join women in their struggle for equality. Secondly, because of the cross-cutting nature of women's issues, it is imperative that each issue be given due weight and consideration. Thirdly, the inter-generational link, which is unique to women, must be recognized. Finally, women have learnt achieving equality depends on themselves. Action will not be taken based on some theoretical principle of equality -- the statistics are much too gloomy in several key sectors such as poverty, education, illiteracy and health, violence against women, governance, politics and human rights. The Conference must address the eradication of illiteracy, ill health, poverty, unemployment, violence and promotion of decision-making and empowerment. It must focus on actions that will eliminate discrimination, marginalization and social exclusion. There is already a basis for change; however what is lacking is the commitment to actions which will bring about change. The Conference must elicit commitments to action coupled with commitment of national and international resources. Each government must now set priorities, specify the resources and declare the steps it will take to hold itself accountable to the world's women. The Conference must also preserve earlier achievements and agreements and move beyond rhetoric to work towards genuine change. MOHTARMA BENAZIR BHUTTO, Prime Minister of Pakistan: The Conference transcends politics and economic issues and deals with a fundamental moral crisis of injustice and inaction, silence and acquiescence caused by centuries of oppression and repression. As the first woman elected to head an Islamic nation, I feel a special responsibility towards women's issues and towards all women. As a Muslim woman, I feel a special responsibility to counter the propaganda of a handful, that Islam gives women a second class status. Today, the Muslim world boasts three prime ministers, elected by male and female voters. Our election destroys the myth that a woman's place is in the house, that it is shameful, dishonorable or socially unacceptable (more) - 5 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 for a Muslim woman to work. Muslim women have a special responsibility to help distinguish between Islamic teachings and social taboos spun by the traditions of a patriarchal society. The Conference needs to create a climate where the girl child is as welcome and valued as a boy child. The rights Islam gives Muslim women have too often been denied. Women are denied rights and subjected to domestic violence all over the developed and developing world. Pakistan has started a public awareness campaign against domestic violence. It is also important to create a greater awareness of the dowry system as a social ill. Women were the victims of a culture of exclusion and male dominance and suffer from poverty, deprivation, and discrimination. Half a billion women are illiterate and 70 per cent of women are denied primary education. Pakistan is concentrating on primary education for girls and on training women teachers and opening up employment opportunities for women. A woman cannot ultimately control her life and make her own choices unless she has financial independence and she cannot have that unless she works. Discrimination against women will only be eroded when they are educated and employed. If my father had not educated me or left me with financial means, I would not have been able speak before the conference today. Women cannot be expected to struggle alone against discrimination and exploitation. As Dante said: "The hottest place in hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of moral crisis." Today, there can be no neutrality in the fight for women's liberation. Pakistan is satisfied the draft platform of action, as negotiated so far, focuses on critical areas of concern for women. However, it needs to address the question of new and additional resources, external debt, structural adjustment programmes, the human rights of women, protection of women trapped in armed conflicts, and the realization of the right to self- determination in the territories still under foreign occupation and alien domination. The platform is disturbingly weak on the role of the traditional family. This weakness could lead to misinterpretation, and even distortion by opponents of the women's agenda. VIGDIS FINNBOGADOTTIR, President of Iceland: Regardless of how immediate the effect of the Conference might be, its work would have been dismissed as unthinkable some years ago. In retrospect, it will be seen as a natural step towards the progress of civilization. For women today, the idea of not being able to enjoy equality strikes us as absurd and irrational, and very many men agree. Today, most States are legally committed to protecting and promoting women's human rights. The need to secure women's full and equal participation in all spheres of private and public life is increasingly recognized. The United Nations is playing a pivotal role in spearheading efforts to secure equal access for women in all aspects of political, economic and social development. (more) - 6 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 However, there are also glaring deficiencies. The number of women living in poverty has increased disproportionately to men, and women now constitute the majority of the world's poor. This is reflected in the areas of health, education, physical security, and political and economic power and influence. It will be the task of the Conference to tackle those shortcomings. Much depends on the political will of Governments to ensure implementation of its concrete proposals. The foremost goal of the United Nations Charter is to eliminate war. However, underlying the Charter is a no less ambitious ideal: the commitment to address the sources of human conflict through the promotion of human rights, justice and social progress. International political manoeuvering overshadows that ideal. However, in recent years, the United Nations has adapted itself quickly to the new demands of the post-cold war environment. The Organization has broken free from the narrow conception of security as something measured largely in military terms. Instead, we are charting a new path to peace, based on the recognition that the security of individuals is in the long run not to be separated from the security of States. Equal rights of men and women is not added as an afterthought. They are enshrined up front in the second paragraph of the Preamble to the Charter. The Conference is demonstrating that urgent global concerns, including the environment, population growth and social development, involve women just as much as men. All rights are matched by obligations. In demanding equal rights to control their lives, women are also declaring their willingness to undertake the obligation of tackling those global concerns, with men, for the benefit of all. BEGUM KHALEDA ZIA, Prime Minister of Bangladesh: Improving the condition of women is vital to the future of mankind. Women are a fundamental force in eradicating poverty, charting a sustainable future and attaining regional and global peace. We must affirm the need for a new relationship and harmonious partnership between men and women, governments and citizens -- indeed, all those who can contribute solutions to complex social problems. Everything possible must be done to create, promote and sustain awareness of the role and contribution of women by all means possible. Bangladesh has made every effort to enhance the status of women and there have been significant achievements in government policies, politics, education, health and in female employment. Bangladesh has supported the goals and objectives of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies. While its achievements have not been spectacular, they indicated the determination to realize those goals. The recommendations of a ministerial meeting on women held recently in Dhaka -- including the eradication of poverty among women; survival; protection and development of the girl child; measures to counter violence against women; equal access to educational opportunities and to health care services and nutrition -- should be (more) - 7 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 reflected in the platform of action. The platform should uphold the religious, cultural and social values instrumental in strengthening family ties, social peace and stability. The teachings and tenets of Islam could make a positive contribution to the realization of equality, development and peace. There must be a free flow of resources to achieve the Conference's goals in the form of finance, technical know-how and the transfer of technology. There must be a more vigorous application of development polices by the United Nations system and other international forums, with special attention to the plight of the women of underdeveloped countries. At the General Assembly this year, priority should be given to the creation of a new post of Deputy Secretary-General in charge of Women's Affairs. A high level United Nations Commission made up entirely of women of great eminence should be established to put forth specific proposals and suggest programmes to facilitate the implementation of the platform of action. It would monitor and evaluate the performance of all United Nations bodies and agencies on issues relating to women. Moreover, the Secretary-General should take the lead in instituting an annual Woman of the Year award. SPECIOSA WANDIRA KAZIBWE, Vice-President and Minister of Gender and Community Development of Uganda: Nothing short of an aggressive re- addressing of gender imbalances will achieve sustainable, people-centred development. Following a policy of affirmative action, Uganda now has six female ministers and five women high court judges. Women hold 16 per cent of the seats in Parliament and 19 per cent of the membership of the constituent assembly. A minimum of 30 per cent of local council members must be female. An equal opportunities commission will monitor the implementation of affirmative action laws in favour of women and marginalized groups such as the disabled. Uganda's new constitution includes provisions to protect women's fundamental human rights and dignity, including the right to equal treatment with men in social and political activities. Women will have the right to readdress imbalances caused by history and traditional customs. Laws and cultural traditions which affect the dignity, welfare or interest of women are prohibited. There has also been a record increase from 25 to 33 per cent in women's tertiary enrollment. The Conference will provide the international community with an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and failures regarding women's advancement and provide solutions. The most crucial area is the issue of functional illiteracy for women in the developing world. The girl child must be guaranteed a relevant education to equip her with the skills necessary for a competitive world. NGUYEN THI BINH, Vice-President of Viet Nam: Viet Nam has lived through long years of war. Vietnamese women have been tested by harsh trials and countless (more) - 8 - Press Release WOM/BEI/13 4 September 1995 hardships from which they have derived endurance and tenacity and an ability to take their fate in their own hands, to show initiative and creativeness under even the most difficult circumstances. Today, they are tackling the task of rebuilding and developing their country, making efforts to overcome the legacies of war and cope with the challenges of the fight against poverty and underdevelpment. The strengths of Vietnamese women, however, cannot be fully enhanced unless attention is paid to the catalytic role of education. We hope the international community and each developing country will give priority to the objective of universal education for all women as a decisive factor for development, equality and social justice. Once Vietnamese women have been equipped with knowledge and know-how, they will actively participate in the move into the main-stream of socio-economic development of their country. ## * *** *