Fourth World Conference    					WOM/BEI/27
 on Women    							11 September 1995
11th Meeting (PM)


     RIGHT OF WOMEN TO CHOOSE SHOULD NOT BE AT EXPENSE OF CHILD'S
       RIGHT TO LIFE, IRAN TELLS BEIJING WOMEN'S CONFERENCE


    Policy Statements Made by 32 Governments,
    Intergovernmental, Non-Governmental Organizations




    The right of women to choose should not be at the expense of the right
of an unborn child to life, Iran's Presidential Advisor on Women's Affairs,
Shahla Habibi, said this afternoon, as the Fourth World Conference on Women
continued its general exchange of views.  Providing affordable family planning
programmes and strengthening moral values prevented the use of abortion as a
method of birth control and the termination of unwanted pregnancies.

    An active minority was trying to impose its ideas on the majority of the
international community, she said.  They have established a yardstick to
measure others' commitment to the cause of women.  If the Conference was to
produce an implementable document, there must be recognition and respect for
the political, economic, social and religious differences among nations.

    The Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC),
Renee Guisan, stressed the need to protect women from the effects of armed
conflicts and from acts of violence to which they are particularly vulnerable.
 The ICRC worked with decision-makers and military officers on urgent measures
to curb violence and spread knowledge of humanitarian laws.  She expressed the
hope that an international criminal court would soon be established.

    No single internal factor has contributed more to Africa's socio-
economic problems than the conflicts within and between its countries, a
representative of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), Victoria Oku, said.
 Conflicts have forced millions -- mainly women


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and children -- into lives as refugees and internally displaced persons.
Recognizing their immense contribution, the OAU would continue to involve more
women in the peace process.

    The Congo's Minister for the Integration of Women in Development, Marie
Therese Avemeka, said. It was unacceptable that, 20 years after the first
international year devoted to women, they are still the primary victims of
poverty, sickness, exclusion, violence, unemployment, discrimination and armed
conflicts,  One step to remedy the situation would be to cancel the external
debt in the heavily indebted countries in order to finance programmes for
women.

    The economic sanctions imposed on Iraq have had a serious impact on the
vulnerable civilian population and impeded the advancement of Iraqi women,
Iraq's Ambassador to Beijing, Bassam S. Kuba, declared.  Countries suffering
from sanctions could not earmark funds to implement the platform for action,
since priority must be given to ensuring their citizens' survival.  The
Conference should take responsible measures to address the adverse impact of
sanctions.

    The National Liaison for Women's Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
stated that when Bosnian women were mentioned, images of suffering and mass
rape came to mind.  Even when there was no running water, electricity or gas,
they managed to keep their homes clean, feed their families, and remain active
in social, cultural, public and political life.  Despite wartime conditions,
the Government was endeavouring to improve their situation.

    The Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies, George Weber, said the Conference's platform of action
should seek to ensure women's access to a comprehensive range of health
services and promote sustainable income-generating activities for them.  It
should call for access to safe blood supplies, encourage the training of women
for disaster-preparedness and health care, and inform women about their legal
rights.  It should also support the prevention of violence against women.

    Statements this afternoon were also made by the Minister for Women,
Children Affairs, Community Services and Social Welfare of Malawi; The Vice
Prime Minister of Belarus; the Minister for Health, Sports, and Human
Resources Development of Tuvalu; the State Minister for Social Planning of the
Sudan; the Permanent Representative of Guatemala to the United Nations, on
behalf of the President of Guatemala; the President of the Laotian
Women's Union of the Lao People's Democratic Republic; the Minister of Science
of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia; and the Minister of Education,
Culture and Women's Affairs of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.


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    Also speaking:  The Chairman of the Committee on Social, Health and
Environmental Protection Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia; the
Minister for Territory, Environment and Agriculture and Relations with
Autonomous Governmental Enterprises for Productions of San Marino; the
Minister of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement of Myanmar; the Minister
of Social Affairs, Population, Labour and Employment of the Comoros; the
Director of Women's Affairs of Saint Kitts and Nevis; a representative of
Qatar; and the Minister for Labour, Youth and Social Affairs of Cape Verde;

    Also:  the Director of the Division of Scientific and Technical
Information of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); the President of
the Inter-American Commission of Women of the Organization of American States
(OAS); the Chairperson of the Global Commission on Women's Health; the Chief
of the Division for Women's Development of the African Development Bank; and
Norway's delegate to the Nordic Council.

    Representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also
spoke:  the International Federation of Agricultural Producers; the Commission
on Global Governance; the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom;
Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood; and Women and
Fisheries Network.

    The Conference will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 12 September, to
continue its general exchange of views.







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    JASNA BAKSIC-MUFTIC, of the National Liaison for Women's Affairs, of
Bosnia and Herzegovina:  Today, when Bosnian women are mentioned, images of
suffering, mass rape, manipulations of motherhood and forced pregnancies come
to mind.  Bosnian women represent the main pillars of society.  Despite the
war they have maintained the illusion of normal life.  Even when there is no
running water, electricity or gas they manage to keep their homes clean and
feed their families.  They are also active in all spheres of social, cultural,
public and political life.  There are 50 women's organizations involved in
research, education, justice, the media and humanitarian activities to assist
traumatized women, children and orphans.  Women fighters have been active
since the war began.

    Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitution, laws and regulations have
consistently implemented the principle of equality between men and women,
including equal pay for equal work.  Employed mothers are legally entitled to
one year's paid maternity leave.  However, the current demographic, social and
educational structure is completely distorted.  A large number of the
population is in exile and cities are swollen with refugees and the displaced
from rural areas, which suffered the worst waves of ethnic cleansing.  Many
women are under-educated and efforts will be needed to resocialize and retrain
them for economic independence.  Single mothers, who have lost their husbands
and members of their family are part of the Bosnian reality and they have
tremendous responsibilities.  Particular attention will be given to the
rehabilitation of the many women and children who have been disabled during
the war.  Despite difficult wartime conditions, the Government will try to
improve the situation in the following areas: assistance for orphans;
educational and vocational training for women; improvement in women's health,
particularly for the victims of violence; women's active participation in the
decision-making process; and power-sharing at all levels of social, political,
economic and cultural life.

    EDDA CHITALO, Member of Parliament, Minister of Women and Children's
Affairs, Community Development and Social Welfare of Malawi:   Malawi aims to
empower women in economic, social and political spheres.  The country's
National Commission on Women in Development and the Ministry of Women and
Children's Affairs has made some progress in empowering women.  The new
democratically elected Government has moved swiftly to improve the human
rights record of the country and to advance women and children's rights.  The
Constitution has specific sections on the rights of women which propound
gender equality and prohibit discrimination on gender or marital situation.
Malawi is establishing a law reform commission to begin identifying
discriminatory laws.  It supports affirmative action to redress the gender
inequality in access to education and currently, the enrolment of girls now
exceeds that of boys.

    The Government has begun programmes to increase women's access to
agricultural credit, extension services, and crop and livestock
diversification.  That has increased the number
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of women receiving credit from 15 to 31 per cent over the last decade.  The
Government has renewed its commitment in the areas of poverty, the girl child,
violence against women, and economic and political empowerment.  It has
embarked on a poverty alleviation policy and programme with specific
strategies, objectives and actions to integrate women into the mainstream of
development.  There is a gender committee at the cabinet level.  The national
platform of action promotes equal access to education and to reproductive
health programmes.

    RANDI BRAATHE, Chairman of the Standing Committee "Women in Agriculture"
of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers:  Women are
important actors in agriculture, a difficult and disadvantaged sector in
developing countries, where they are often the majority of the working
population.  In industrialized countries they are the backbone of family
farms.  Whether at subsistence or most progressive entrepreneurial levels,
women farmers are important as producers of food and renewable raw material;
managers of natural resources and custodians of the environment; animators of
rural communities; moral and material supporters of their families; and agents
for transmitting traditional knowledge and values.

    Unfortunately, women farmers often have no personal identity as farmers;
their role is undervalued or simply ignored.  The Federation has launched a
worldwide campaign for the recognition of the personal status of women
farmers.  This recognition could have far-reaching implications such as access
to land and other means of production; inheritance of property; credit and
training and information marketing and support services; personal social
security rights; and  membership in agricultural organizations.  This
recognition is also important for food security, sustainable development and
social welfare.  Governments and the international community are urged to
provide support in a coordinated manner, through well conceived integrated
programmes aimed at self-reliance and sustainability.  Farmer's organizations
can play a key role in enhancing women's position, improving their income and
mainstreaming their interests.  They can also help change attitudes by their
male partners and encourage the emergence of female leaders.

    MARIE THERESE AVEMEKA, Minister for the Integration of Women in
Development of the Congo:  Twenty years after the first international year
devoted to women, the various strategies adopted have not yet achieved their
intended results.  Women are still suffering painfully as humanity strives for
balance.  They have been the primary victims of poverty, sickness, exclusion,
violence, unemployment, discrimination and armed conflicts.  This is
unacceptable.  It is not a matter of reaffirming that women have the same
rights as men and an important role to play.  It is a matter of adopting an
action-oriented plan and providing the resources to implement it.  There is
the possibility of cancelling the external debt in the heavily indebted
countries in order to finance programmes for women.


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    The question of equality between men and women was a matter of urgency
for the promotion of peace and the achievement of sustainable development.  As
everywhere in Africa, the situation of women in the Congo remains precarious.
 Their fundamental human rights are recognized under the Constitution and
there is compulsory education for boys and girls from the ages of six to 16.
However, much remains to be done for women to be the de facto equals of men.
As a step towards that end, a ministry for the integration of women into
development has been established.

    The Congo commits to a series of regulatory and practical measures over
the next five years to improve the legal status of women.  Provision will be
made against all forms of violence and exploitation; to improve maternal and
child health; to strengthen literacy programmes for the girl-child and women;
to guarantee significant representation by women in all posts of
responsibility; to facilitate women's access to credit; and to establish
machinery for follow-up and assessment of implementation of the Conference's
platform of action.  However, in the face of structural adjustment programmes
-- a synonym for cuts in social spending -- international assistance is
required.

    SHAHLA HABIBI, Presidential Advisor on Women's Affairs, of Iran:  The
family is the basic unit of society and plays a crucial role in prosperity,
public morals, education, social integration and stability.  This foundation
requires responsible partnership within families.  The draft Platform for
Action does not properly underline women's motherhood role, which need not be
at the expense of their empowerment.  The Conference should not be confined to
specific issues related to sexual behaviour.  Iran is concerned about the
weight given to the question of abortion, disguised by certain ambiguous
references in the draft's text.  The right of women to choose should not be at
the right of an unborn child to life.  Providing affordable family planning
programmes and strengthening moral values prevent the use of abortion as a
method of birth control and the termination of unwanted pregnancies.  An
active minority is trying to impose its ideas on the majority of the
international community.  They have established a yardstick and are applying
it to measure the commitment of others to the cause of women.

    The implementation of the Conference's final document hinges on
recognizing political, economic and social differences among nations and the
need to respect various religions, as well as ethical and cultural values.
Islam views men and women as two partners complementing and not competing with
one another.  Women were not created to be exploited as sex objects or become
victims of profit-oriented economic growth.  Iran has adopted multifaceted
measures, in line with its belief and culture, to promote women's role in
peace, equality and development.  There has been an increase in the number of
literate women, the percentage of women in higher education, the almost equal
school enrolment, accessible and affordable primary health care and a
substantial reduction in mother and infant mortality rates.  The establishment
of women

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parliamentarians and the enhancement of their participation in various levels
of national decision-making is indicative of recent progress.

    SHAHLA HABIBI, Presidential Advisor on Women's Affairs, of Iran: The
family is the basic unit of society and plays a crucial role in prosperity,
public morals, education, social integration and stability.  This foundation
requires responsible partnership within families.  The draft Platform for
Action does not properly underline women's motherhood role, which need not be
at the expense of their empowerment.  The Conference should not be confined to
specific issues related to sexual behaviour.  Iran is concerned about the
weight given to the question of abortion, disguised by certain ambiguous
references in the draft's text.  The right of women to choose should not be at
the right of an unborn child to life.  Providing affordable family planning
programmes and strengthening moral values prevent the use of abortion as a
method of birth control and the termination of unwanted pregnancies.  An
active minority is trying to impose its ideas on the majority of the
international community.  They have established a yardstick and are applying
it to measure the commitment of others the cause of women.

    The implementation of the Conference's final document hinges on
recognizing political, economic and social differences among nations and the
need to respect various religions, as well as ethical and cultural values.
Islam views men and women as two partners complementing and not competing with
one another.  Women were not created to be exploited as sex objects or become
victims of profit-orientated economic growth.  Iran has adopted multifaceted
measures, in line with its belief and culture, to promote women's role in
peace, equality and development.  There has been an increase in the number of
literate women, the percentage of women in higher education, the almost equal
school enrolment, accessible and affordable primary health care and a
substantial reduction in mother and infant mortality rates.  The establishment
of women parliamentarians and the enhancement of their participation in
various levels of national decision-making is indicative of recent progress.

    ULADZIMIR RUSAKEVIC, Vice Prime Minister of Belarus:  The socio-economic
changes in Belarus and the Chernobyl catastrophe have had a number of negative
economic and social effects which have resulted in a rise in women's
unemployment, increased child and mother mortality, increased anti-social
behaviour and violence in the family and in society in general.  The
Government is doing its utmost to improve the life conditions of the
population as a whole and women in particular.   A gender entre has been
created within the framework of the Ministry of Social Protection to assist
the realization of the Republic's gender policy.  In addition, legal
protection for women has been improved.  Emphasis has been given to
international cooperation and Belarus is participating in joint efforts with
the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  The problem of
violence should be defined in the draft of the platform of action.

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    Belarus would like a number of points to be included in the final
documents of the Conference, including the adoption of a comprehensive
programme of action to promote women in countries in economic transition;
specific means for disabled, aged, migrant and refugee women; active
participation of women in sustainable development; and assistance to national
governments in their activities on enforcement of national mechanisms for
women's promotion.
    JOYCE AMENTA, Director, Division of Scientific and Technical
Information, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA):  The IAEA's role with
regard to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is
fundamental to women's concerns for a secure world order which would reduce
the risk of armed conflicts.  The Agency is involved in a number of projects
which will benefit women directly and indirectly, including irradiation of
crops to make them resistant to pests and weather and suitable for longer
storage; radioactive isotopes to combat and eradicate pests; early cancer
detection though the use of nuclear medicine and radiotherapy capabilities;
economic use of nuclear power for desalination of sea water; isotope hydrology
to assist in water resources assessment; and radiation technology to remove
toxic gases from coal fired power plants.

    As developing countries upgrade their economies and quality of life, the
nuclear option may become a more attractive option for electricity production
in more countries.  By assisting its developing member States, the IAEA seeks
to help expand the involvement of women scientists and technologists.  The
knowledge and skills being invested in women should contribute to shaping more
enlightened energy policies.  While formulating its programmes, the Agency
accords importance to the participation of women in its activities.  Along
with other United Nations agencies, it is an implementing agency of the United
Nations plan for the integration of women in development.  The Agency has been
making a particular effort to increase the participation of women in its
Secretariat to rectify the existing imbalance.

    FAIMALAGA LUKA, Minister for Health, Sports and Human Resources
Development of Tuvalu:  Women's aspiration to be liberated from inequality,
underdevelopment and conflict at all levels must be met with commitments at
all levels.  The advancement of women in the families, homes, villages,
communities and at the national level is also the advancement of society.  The
platform for action must create an enabling environment for women's
empowerment.  Equality, development and peace are relative conditions, whose
achievement must be pursued by women within the context of their respective
countries.

    The developed and developing States must work together to create
opportunities for women and their children, particularly those who are in
disadvantaged and vulnerable situations.  Living in a small-island, least
developed State, the women of Tuvalu -- like everyone else in the country --
continue to be confronted with the problems of underdevelopment.  Opportunity
to

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economic activities is limited, particularly for women.  The absence of
capital and technological know-how further exacerbates the situation of women.


    The Government has launched a new, four-year national development plan
aimed at integrating women in the development process, and at integrating
gender concerns into all aspects of decision-making, in both the government
and private sectors.  Particularly attention is being paid to primary health
care, as well as to early childhood education and the introduction of family
life education in school.  Like many small island developing States, Tuvalu
notes that the success of its efforts will depend on the financial support and
the understanding of multilateral donors.

    As a small, low-lying island atoll, Tuvalu is particularly concerned
about environmental issues.  The threat of sea-level rise and climatic changes
caused by global warming creates grave concerns for the country's security and
survival.  Nuclear weapon testing by France in the Pacific, which started last
week, has demonstrated one message:  the French Government cares little about
our existence.  Along with New Zealand, Australia and its Pacific island
partners, Tuvalu deplores the decision by France to resume testing.

    MARIAM OSMAN SIR EL KHATIM, State Minister for Social Planning of Sudan:
 Sudanese law  denies all forms of discrimination against women and stipulates
equal pay for equal work.  The Government has successfully limited the area of
war and minimized the impact on women and children.  Women play an important
role in peace realization.  In the war-affected areas, most government
departments are headed by women.  Since women's concerns are multi-faceted and
interdisciplinary, their causes should be promoted officially and non-
officially through the whole spectrum of governmental institutions and non-
governmental organizations.  Besides women's participation in the preparation
of strategies, plans, programmes and policies, women also participate in
legislative institutions and are at the heart of the political machinery and
its operations.

    Sudan aims to achieve woman's equality, to secure all their rights and
to satisfy their moral and spiritual needs in all aspects of social life.  It
has made comprehensive vaccination a priority and the Ministry of Health has
established a special administration for maternal and child welfare that works
in combination with regional administrations.  The enrolment of women in
educational institutions has increased six times since 1989.  Since the family
as a social unit is important to the Sudanese concept of development,
collective marriages are arranged through marriage councils to create a
society based on refined social values.  The concept of a single mother is an
exceptional social phenomenon in Sudan, occurring when the husband is dead or
disabled.  The extended family system takes over to support widows and
orphans.

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    DILMA QUEZADA MARTINEZ, President of the Inter-American Commission of
Women (CIM), a specialized agency of the Organization of American States
(OAS):  Since its foundation in 1928, the Commission has identified and
recommended strategies to eliminate discrimination against women and promote
their involvement in the national development process.  At its recent session,
the OAS adopted the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment
and Eradication of Violence Against Women, which entered into force on 5
March.  To date 22 countries are signatories to the Convention -- the first
and only one on women and violence -- and 11 others have deposited instruments
of ratification.

    One of the Convention's key provisions involves the seriousness of
physical, sexual and psychological violence against women in both public and
private life.  It condemns violence inflicted within the family, the home or
any other personal relationship, including mistreatment, rape, sexual abuse,
and violence perpetrated or tolerated by the State.  Governments are
responsible for reforming legislation which tolerates and provides impunity
for acts of gender violence.  The Convention offers guidelines for
legislation, and judicial, administrative and policy measures aimed at
preventing, punishing and eradicating such violence.  It should be signed and
ratified by all member States and its principles adopted in domestic
legislation.  The Strategic Plan of Action of the Commission aims to improve
the quality of women's lives and places special emphasis on the great
diversity of situations faced by women in the region.  The Plan revolves
around the participation of women in such areas as power structures and
decision-making; legal and institutional frameworks; labour; health;
elimination of violence; eradication of poverty; national institutions
responsible for policy on women; regional cooperation; migration and women in
conflict.

    JULIO ARMANDO MARTINI HERRERA, Permanent Representative of Guatemala to
the United Nations, reading out a message from the President of Guatemala,
RAMIRO DE LEON CARPIO:  Guatemala recognizes the role of women in a
multicultural, multi-ethnic culture such as Guatemala's.  The active
participation of Guatemalan women was decisive in consolidating the country's
democratic process in the struggle for the full respect for human rights.  One
sign of this is the universal attention given to Nobel Peace Prize winner
Rigoberta Menchu and Helen Mack, the first alternate winner.

    Women have demonstrated creativity and courage in taking care of their
homes without neglecting their civic and employment responsibilities.
Guatemala stresses the equality of all human rights, including the right to a
cultural identity, and the right to an education, including sexual education.
 That must be balanced against the right of parents to choose their children's
form of education.  Guatemala strongly supports all measures to combat female
poverty.  It recognizes the traditional family as the basic unit of society,
as well as the dignity of motherhood.

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    RENEE GUISAN, Vice-President of the International Committee of the Red
Cross (ICRC):  The ICRC is particularly concerned with the protection of women
against the effects of armed conflicts and the acts of violence to which they
are particularly vulnerable.  In wartime, women are the mainstays of their
families.  Crossing minefields and braving bombing and shelling as they search
for food and water, they are at great risk from undisciplined soldiers who
have no respect for women.  International humanitarian laws which protect
women as members of the civilian population are too often flouted and States
lack the political will to adopt effective measures to enforce them.  Today, a
growing number of conflicts take the form of civil strife in which the rules
of international humanitarian law are disregarded.  In some cases, there has
been a deliberate policy of violations of such laws intended to intimidate
civilians.  Systematic massacres have been carried out to uproot and drive out
entire communities.  Rape has often been part of these policies of terror.

    Urgent measures are needed to curb violence and at least spread the
knowledge of humanitarian laws, especially those that protect women.  This is
a major goal of the ICRC, which is working with decision makers and military
officers.  It welcomes the United Nations initiative to set up international
tribunals to repress crimes against humanity, war crimes and acts of genocide.
 The ICRC hopes an international criminal court will be established soon.
Provisions in the draft platform of action which strengthen the application of
international humanitarian law are welcome and the ICRC has prepared a
detailed position on points covered in draft.  It also strongly reaffirms its
stance in favour of a ban on anti-personal landmines, which have claimed the
lives of so many women and children.  Another concern is the uncontrolled sale
of weapons to users who operate outside accepted standards, and the use of
media -- notably radio and television -- to spread messages of hate, which
have led to indiscriminate violence and in some cases genocide.

    BASSAM S.KUBA, Ambassador of Iraq to Beijing:  Women in Iraq are now
sharing with men roles in the judiciary and parliament.  They are also
contributing to development.  However, the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq
have impeded the advancement of Iraqi women.  They are now shouldering great
burdens, combining work and household affairs.  Owing to inflation, wages
earned by women now are not enough to pay the costs for transportation.  The
international sanctions have had a serious impact on the vulnerable civilian
population.

    Countries that suffer from siege and sanctions cannot earmark funds for
the implementation of the platform for action, since priority must be given to
ensuring the survival of their citizens.  Some responsible measures should be
taken by the Conference to address the adverse impact of sanctions.  There
must be a link between objective conditions and political will.

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    ONECHANH THAMMAVONG, President of the Laotian Women's Union, Lao
People's Democratic Republic:  Government policies on women are modelled after
good standards found in developing countries.  The Lao Women's Union is the
only women's organization in the Republic.  It was founded to unite women of
all ethnic groups and promote solidarity and national unity.  It now works on
improving the economic and social conditions of women.  The Lao Government has
afforded the Union favourable conditions to help Lao Women utilize their
intelligence and energies in the service of social progress and economic
development.  Lao women promote and stimulate all economic sectors, especially
 agriculture, services, handicrafts and family economics.  Lao men refer to
women as the chief household economist.
    
     Women have concentrated their efforts in education but most do not
fully understand their rights and are still repressed by tradition and custom.
 The Constitution and new laws promise new opportunities for women and the
recognition of their rights.  Nevertheless, women and children in rural areas
need schooling: the rate of school enrolment of young girls and ethnic
children is about 18 per cent in the mountain region.  Hygiene and sanitation
requirements are also concerns.  Women in remote areas are still subject to
dangerous traditional beliefs.  Maternity care is non-existent, resulting in a
high maternal and infant mortality rate.  It is imperative to reinforce the
primary health education network in rural areas.

    PATRICIA GILES, Chairperson of the Global Commission on Women's Health:
 The Commission was established by the World Health Organization (WHO).  In
order to advocate for women at all levels of government at the
intergovernmental level, the Commission is identifying gaps in knowledge about
women's health.  It has already produced papers on the health of adolescent
women and on women's aging and health.  The collection by all nations of sex
disaggregated data on women is crucial to raising awareness among policy-
makers.

    The Commission will restate the special vulnerability of people deprived
of education and living in poverty and impress upon governments that, without
help, women cannot take their rightful place -- economically, socially or
politically.  Women are entitled to the right to health, as an inalienable
right -- and they are entitled to nothing less.

    SOFIJA TODOROVA, Minster of Science of the Republic of Macedonia:
Discrimination against women is an historical phenomenon and special efforts
must be taken to counteract it within the framework of the United Nations and
on national levels as follows:  recognition of de jure and de facto treatment
of women's rights as an integral part of universal human rights; higher
standards for improving and protecting human rights and freedom, including the
rights of women through national and international legal frameworks; and a
reduction in the gap between established legal norms related to human rights
and their implementation.  After gaining its independence in 1991, the
Republic began preparing legislation on women's rights and

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protection in accordance with international standards.  Women now enjoy equal
rights in employment, social protection and insurance.  There has also been a
quantitative change in the education of women and an implementation of special
health provisions during their reproductive years.

    However, there is still a gap between legal norms and their practical
implementation.  Women are marginally represented at the top levels of
government, political parties and the business sector.  Women are also often
the victims of violence and their issues are not adequately presented in
educational institutions or in the media.  Macedonia faces serious economic
and social problems, including a big increase in the number of unemployed,
which has directly affected women.  The possibility of the "insane war" in the
former Yugoslavia spreading is a constant worry.  The principle of equality
will only be achieved if a peaceful environment is present.

    JOHN HORNE, Minster of Education, Culture and Women's Affairs, of St.
Vincent and the Grenadines:  St. Vincent and the Grenadines and three East
Caribbean islands share a mere 2 per cent of the European Banana market.
These countries now face a total collapse of their economies because a
"friendly" country finds it expedient on behalf of traditional corporations to
call for the withdrawal of temporary preferential treatment by the European
Union.  This kind of expediency will never help us empower women, who play a
major part in agricultural production, eradicate their poverty and improve the
lot of the girl child.

    Sovereign States should be penalized in some way if they continue to
mock their commitment to the equality of human rights, enshrined in the United
Nations Charter.  St. Vincent and the Grenadines is a signatory to the
Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
Family violence, including the battering and sexual abuse of female children,
must be rooted out with appropriate community education and effective
legislation.  Equal numbers of girls and boys attend primary school but the
percentage of secondary students who are women drops to 40 per cent.  The
effects of economic recession in the developed world and the impact of
structural adjustment programmes have limited the Government's ability to
provide transportation to school children in rural areas.  An experimental
programme to ensure that teenage mothers continue their education immediately
following the birth of their babies has been successful and will be expanded.
 The international community should recognize women's unrenumerated work.
There is an urgent need for both sexes to respect women's rights and for men
to share responsibility in matters of sexuality and reproduction.

    HRANUSH KAKOBIAN, Chairman of the Committee on Social, Health and
Environmental Protection Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia:  In
Armenia's laws, statutes, decrees and governmental decisions, there is not a
single clause violating the rights of

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women.  Armenia has ratified all relevant international documents, including
the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against
Women.  The number of women in Parliament has increased.  An All-Women's Party
won second place among five other competing parties in the recent
parliamentary elections.

    However, the participation of women is still unsatisfactory.  Women
constitute only 11 per cent of officials in local government.  Women's non-
governmental organizations in Armenia have become more active within the
country.  The role of a woman as a mother cannot be underestimated.  It is in
mankind's own interest to provide women with special rights, and this is
already a priority in Armenia.  After the birth of a child, a mother is
entitled to three-year leaves without losing her job or pension benefits.

    During the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy,
unemployment among women in Armenia has become acute.  Women account for 64
per cent of the unemployed.  Poverty is becoming feminized, and most low-
paying jobs are held by women.  The six-year-long blockade of Armenia has
created a significant energy crisis, which chiefly affects women, children and
the elderly.  Armenia is in need of support from donor countries and
international organizations.  Our task is to use this assistance most
effectively, and to target it to sustainable human development.

    All the documents to be adopted by the Conference should be short,
concise and binding.  The governments of all Member States should take their
share of responsibility for implementing the Conference's decisions.  All
national preparatory committees for the Conference should receive the status
of permanent bodies, placed in charge of implementing the Beijing decisions
and resolutions.  Mechanisms should be put in place to inform women about
their internationally recognized rights.  The regional and national programmes
should be designed on the employment of women, women and family health care,
and women and democratization.

    EMMA ROSSI, Minister of Territory and Environment of San Marino:
Despite some inevitable difficulties, San Marino enjoys widespread social and
economic well-being which offers equal opportunities to men and women in the
fields of education, health and work.  The domestic relations law provides for
equal sharing of duties between parents in the family.  Women can retain their
rights as citizens when they marry foreigners but the question of whether they
can transfer citizenship to their children is still a matter of interest and
consideration.  In the social, employment and economic sectors, women have
reached levels of independence and representation which are more than
satisfactory.  Infant care facilities and full-time schools are numerous and
well organized.  Health care and social security services are guaranteed to
all women.

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    In San Marino, women have entered both the public and private sector
with equal treatment guaranteed by law.  Working women account for 40 per cent
of the economically active population.  In the public sector, the percentage
of women is up to 50 per cent; in the civil service, accounting for 63 per
cent of the total number of employees, 50 per cent hold decision-making and
leadership positions.  Dependent on the capabilities of all its members, a
small community cannot tolerate serious discrimination.  Women are not highly
represented in institutional and policy-making sectors.  Even when they serve
as Head of State, Minister, head of a political party or labour union, women's
participation in the direct management of power and decision  making is still
the exception.  Solidarity must be the common commitment of men and women to
enable them to build a future society benefiting from the intelligence and
skills of both sexes.

    GEORGE WEBER, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Red
Cross and Red Crescent Societies:  Currently the Federation works to alleviate
the suffering of some 15
to 20 million people annually, through emergency response, health services,
psycho-social support, family planning and reproductive health service, and
blood programmes.  These programmes give particular attention to women's
needs.

    We are especially concerned at the great number of women and their
dependants who are counted among the world's economic migrants.  They daily
experience violence and hardship.  Women have been made specific targets of
violence in conflict situations.  They have been made direct victims of mines.
 Others have suffered from economic sanctions.  Deterioration of women's and
children's health in some parts of the world is an emerging social disaster.
By the year 2000, over 13 million women will have been infected by HIV.

    The Conference's platform of action should seek to ensure access to a
comprehensive range of health services for women; promote sustainable income-
generating activities for women; call for the development of and access to
safe blood supplies; encourage the training of women for disaster-preparedness
and health care; inform women about their legal rights; and support the
prevention of violence against women.  The international community and
particular governments must undertake efforts to support the enjoyment by
women of their human rights.

     MAJOR-GENERAL SOE MYINT, Minister for Social Welfare, Relief and
Resettlement of Myanmar:  Women in Myanmar enjoy a special status.  Safe-
guarded by traditions and customs, as well as customary law, religious beliefs
and practices, Myanmar women have equal pay and employment opportunities.
Myanmar women possess equality with men as an inherent right and have had
distinguished roles in administrations since the days of Myanmar kings.
Special laws safeguard their rights in such critical areas as marriage and
inheritance.  Most

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important, in Myanmar society, men and women have a symbiotic relationship,
mutually depending upon one another.  They believe that they have equal and
shared responsibilities towards the family and society.

    Today, educated women work beside men in administration, law, judiciary
and medicine.  Based on individual skills and merit, they rise to the top in
decision-making and management positions.  Social norms or practices do not
prevent them from having prominent careers.  Since more than half the
population is female, it is imperative that the State make use of the
potential of women in national development.  The Government is therefore
making far-reaching investments in the education of women from all strata of
society.  The Government has engaged in the task of helping women at the
grass-roots level achieve good health and develop good moral character.  It is
also helping women at the poverty level to achieve economic empowerment
through credit facilities and income-generating activities.  In the social
sphere it is carrying out social welfare programmes aimed at protecting women,
and providing vocational training for young women living in border areas.

    VICTORIA OKU, Director of Administration and Conferences Department of
the Organization of African Unity (OAU):  The theme of the Conference --
equality, development and peace -- highlights the unsatisfactory socio-
economic and political status of women, particularly in Africa.  African women
are marginalized socially, economically and politically, and their living
conditions are harsh.  The African Platform for Action, adopted by the OAU,
recognizes the need for political will and for women's advancement at the
highest level of decision-making.  It cites the need for the provision of
adequate resources, ensuring the mainstreaming of gender concerns, and
monitoring the implementation of commitments made.

    The OAU has established a unit to promote women's issues and help OAU
member States to implement policies aimed at achieving gender equality.
African States have agreed to pay special attention to the full involvement of
women in social and economic development efforts, and to extend them equal
opportunities in such areas as health, education and employment.

    No single internal factor has contributed more to Africa's present
socio-economic problems than the conflicts between our countries.  Conflicts
have forced millions -- mainly women and children -- into lives as refugees
and internally displaced persons.  The OAU recognizes the immense contribution
of women in sustaining the family, even during times of armed conflict.  It
also recognizes the invaluable contributions women can make to the peace
process.  The OAU will continue to involve more women in the peace process.
It calls for continued support to implement the platform and plan of action.

    RATIBA SAAD, Chief for Women's Development, African Development Bank:
In Africa, women have a high level of economic activity and produce 80 per
cent of the continent's
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food; yet they have the worst social indicators, including high maternal
mortality rates, alarming rates of HIV/AIDS infection and illiteracy.  Their
untiring efforts have staved off starvation in many countries and, while this
shows their strength, it is also an indicator of their need for assistance and
support.  The Bank has undertaken several studies on how women's access to
credit can be increased.  Other priorities include integration of gender
concerns into development programmes, including poverty alleviation,
environmental sustainability, human resource development, policy reforms and
economic recovery.

    The Bank can play a specific role in the promotion and implementation of
the Conference's principal resolutions through ongoing policy dialogue and
partnerships between the Bank and its regional member countries.  Critical
areas of concern during the Conference, especially those pertaining to women's
empowerment, health and education, will become part of the Bank's country
lending strategy.  There will be a continuous dialogue and cooperation between
the Bank and its development partners, particularly members of the United
Nations system and bilateral and multilateral banks, in the exchange of
experiences regarding lending support for women.  Institutional cultures will
be transformed to make them more gender sensitive and cooperation with non-
governmental organizations will be enhanced, especially on projects where
women are the prime beneficiaries.

    SITTOU RAGHADAT MOHAMED, Minister of Social Affairs, Population, Labour
and Employment of Comoros:  Appreciable progress has been made in the
intergration of women in development, but a great deal remains to be done.
That process remains jeopardized by the debt burden and the economic crisis.
International commitments to alleviate the plight of the poorest have not been
respected.  The Comoros -- four islands in the Indian Ocean having a
population of 500,000 -- is committed to a process of mainstreaming women in
development.  The Ministry has dealt with the elaboration of a family code,
which will facilitate the sharing of responsibilities within the family.

    A Comorian woman has been appointed to the Supreme Court.  Women are
represented in the National Assembly.  Despite improvements, women's health
remains fragile, owing to such factors as malnutrition and infectious disease.
 For Comoros, Islam is the basis of all development and the family is the
basis of society.

    Governments, donors and the United Nations must marshal their efforts to
ensure the necessary follow-up to this Conference.  Industrialized countries
should demonstrate greater solidarity by rendering the necessary support to
those countries which are going through difficult economic times.

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    BERIT BRORBY LARSEN, representative of the Nordic Council:  The Council
calls on governments to rethink how to protect their most vulnerable
populations at a time of shrinking resources and accelerated global
competition.  The Nordic countries share a common welfare model based on good
housing, healthy food, equal opportunities for education and training, good
working conditions, pollution-control and adequate health-care services.  It
must be underlined, however, that the Nordic model is a framework in which the
five Nordic countries -- Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden -- show
variety in their systems.  Nordic legislation on gender issues has developed
over the last 50 years and is now at an advanced state.  Reality, however,
does not always meet the expectations engendered by the laws.

    Gender equality is a goal; the effort to achieve results requires hard
work and is an ongoing process.  Even if Nordic women enjoy the highest
representation in national government in the world, it does not mean that
women are equally represented in the decision-making process or in top
positions in industry, media or financial circles.  Most national governments
and administrations are still male-dominated and not eager to give more
influence and power to women.  The Council recently adopted its fourth
collaboration programme on equality and women issues for the period 1995-2000
by which it hopes that mainstreaming of women will be a natural component in
all political areas as well in jobs and  private life.  The most important
goal is to integrate aspects in all branches of politics and to change
attitudes at the work place as well as in the home.

    ROSALYN HAZELLE, Director for Women's Affairs of St. Kitts and Nevis:
Women must have autonomy over their sexual and reproductive rights if they are
to protect themselves from unwanted and unplanned pregnancies and sexually
transmitted diseases.  The Government is prepared to eliminate all forms of
inequality and is committed to the integration of gender perspectives in all
policies and programmes, despite the aftermath of Hurricane Luis, which will
have devastating effects on women in all areas of their lives.  Women,
however, can play a central role in the rebuilding process as they have
special abilities to resolve environmental issues arising from the disaster.
The Government is committed to reviewing, amending and introducing legislation
that will enhance the effectiveness of law enforcement officers dealing with
reported cases of violence against women and incest.

    To discourage the implementation of policies that address the
inequalities that confront women, the argument of reverse discrimination is
advanced, or that Caribbean women are already empowered.  Equality, however,
can only be achieved with policies and programmes geared to achieving equal
access to education, promotion of women in decision-making positions, adequate
health care for women, the elimination of sexual harassment and violence, and
equal pay for work of equal value.  Trade unions have a crucial role in
bringing about the

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changes regarding the inequities in salary levels and working conditions.  The
Government is committed to improving workers' rights and to use all whatever
resources and funds it has to meet economic and development targets to improve
women's situation.

    ABDULLRAHMAN AL-KULAIFI, representative of Qatar:  Defending the rights
of the family is a basic value in Islam.  On the eve of the twenty-first
century, women must struggle against pre-conceived ideas and against laws
which should have been abolished.  The Muslim culture has granted justice to
women by giving them the right to work, inherit and participate in all sectors
of life at all levels.  The women of Qatar have salaries equal to men, without
discrimination.  Women are also granted maternity leave with full salary.  The
State of Qatar has granted mandatory and free education to all women, to
ensure the progress of society.

    JOSE ANTONIO DOS REIS, Minister for Labour, Youth and Social Affairs of
Cape Verde:  The pace of women's advancement has not been sufficient.  The
Conference should adopt resolutions that will break present barriers hindering
women's access to the various decision-making bodies of society.

    Cape Verde's law prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex,
religion and social origin.  Men and women are equal before the law.  No
discrimination is tolerated in the exercise of political power.  There is no
privilege or exemption in law based on sex.  There is political will in the
Government to guarantee women's rights.  Cape Verde's third development plan
includes mechanisms to allow women to participate fully in the development
process.

    Considerable progress has been made in protecting the health of mothers
and children in Cape Verde.  There has been a drop in the maternal mortality
rate, improvements in assisted deliveries, and care is provided both before
and after pregnancy for working women.  The third development plan's focus on
education has already had visible results.  Monitoring mechanisms are being
set up to avoid discriminatory situations in practice, and to protect women's
interests.  Cape Verde is ensuring conditions to eliminate remaining
inequalities in the country.  There must also be solidarity between the rich
and poor countries, in order to reduce the negative effects which
underdevelopment has on the process of integrating women in development.

    WANGARI MAATHAI, Member of the Commission on Global Governance:  The
Commission calls for women to be put at the centre of global governance and
emphasizes that gender sensitivity must be introduced into conceptual
decision-making and operational stages of all multilateral government
agencies.  Many issues which concern women are symptoms of economic, political
and social forces, including the globalization of economies and the increasing
impoverishment and marginalization of millions of people, especially women.
Other factors are growing militarization and trade in small arms and land
mines; fear; and the culture of violence exemplified by racism, xenophobia,
and rising ethnic nationalism.

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    The Conference and the non-governmental forum demonstrate women's
determination to shape their own destiny and safeguard the rights of future
generations.  Civil society is an irreversible force for change; space for
non-State actors should be institutionalized within the United Nations system.
 It is important to integrate gender into General Assembly debates and monitor
the application of its decisions.  A senior advisor on women's issues should
be appointed to the Secretary-General's office to act as principle advocate on
women's interests.

    MANEL TIRANAGAMA, Vice-President, Women's International League for Peace
and Freedom, on behalf of the non-governmental organizations Peace Caucus:
Equality is one of the most important, though less acknowledged prerequisites
to peace.  Women must participate in all stages of peace processes and
negotiations.  From peace, education, preventative diplomacy, non-violent
peace-keeping to post-conflict peace-building, women's skills and experience
as mediators and conciliators in all spheres of society will make a
qualitative difference in the effectiveness of these activities.  The Peace
Caucus calls on the World Conference to fulfil the expectations of women
worldwide and to commit itself, among other things, to call for the provision
 for training of women, men and children at all levels worldwide in the skills
of peace-making and conflict resolution and to call for the full
democratization of the United Nations Security Council to allow the voice of
women of all regions of the world to be heard.

    NANDINI AZAD, Chairperson, Grassroots Organizations Operating Together
in Sisterhood (GROOTS):  This is a network of social movements in 24 countries
reaching over 4 million poor women.  They include those living in rural and
urban areas in the developing and developed world.  Economically vulnerable
and socially exploited, we demand their life, dignity and livelihood be
ensured.  GROOTS gives centre stage to strategies which organize women across
regional divisions to take up leadership roles and radically transform
structures which consistently favour markets over people, the rich over the
poor, men over women, short-term advantage over sustainable development and
commodities over communities.

    The Platform for Action must mobilize women to hold institutions
accountable for improving conditions among the poor and at the same time
organize families and communities.  GROOTS represents such organizations as
the Working Women's Forum (India); the Organization of Rural Associations for
Progress; National Congress of Neighbourhood Women (USA); and the Sistrene
Theatre Collective (Jamaica).  These women are neither weak nor defenseless
but are constantly confronted by structures which compartmentalize and
fragment their lives and multiple roles.  They need self-initiated, integrated
and gender equitable planning instead of protection.

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    GRACIE FONG, President, Women's Fisheries Network:  A sound and healthy
environment is crucial to the full enjoyment of human rights.  Empowerment and
equality must be built on the provision of equitable access to natural and
other resources by women, and the preservation of these resources.  Where
women have no power to determine how land, forests and fisheries are cared
for, their traditional ecological wisdom is being lost .  The environmental
and gender insensitivity of economic restructuring policies, including
structural adjustments, has intensified the obstacles facing women globally,
and jeopardized food security.  The environmental caucus seeks commitments
from all nations to act to ensure that women, and all people, can exercise the
right to live peacefully in a sound and sustainable environment.  It calls on
governments to allow women equal rights to control their own lives,
environment and living conditions, based on equal and equitable access to
decision-making structures.

    Right of Reply

    SPYRIDON DOKIANOS (Greece):  Earlier, the representative of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia spoke as the head of the delegation of the
"Republic of Macedonia". "This is the only country I know of which, in its
statements, uses a name different from that under which it was admitted to the
United Nations.  According to Security Council resolution 817 of 7 April 1993,
the State in question is to be referred to as the Former Yugoslav Republic of
Macedonia, pending resolution of the differences which have arisen regarding
its name.  That country's statement was distributed by the Secretariat bearing
a name under which it is not accredited to this Conference.
















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