Fourth World Conference WOM/BEI/20 on Women 6 September 1995 4th Meeting (AM) DESPITE RAPID STRIDES, DOORS TO ECONOMIC, POLITICAL POWER ARE 'BARELY OPEN', UNDP ADMINISTRATOR TELLS WOMEN'S CONFERENCE Zimbabwe Minister Insists 'Equality in Poverty is Not Our Aim', As Beijing Meeting Continues Its General Exchange of Views If women's labour were paid or given a proper market value, they would emerge as the major breadwinners in most societies, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator James Gustave Speth told the Fourth World Conference on Women this morning, as it continued its general exchange of views. Despite rapid strides in women's health and education, the doors to economic and political power were barely open, he said, citing UNDP's 1995 Human Development Report. Policy makers must recognize women's contributions to wealth creation and ensure their equal access to resources and opportunities. Specific targets must be set to move women into decision-making positions. Development planners and international agencies must incorporate gender concerns into policies and programmes. "Equality in poverty is not our aim", Minister of National Affairs, Employment and Cooperatives of Zimbabwe, Florence Chitauro, told the Fourth World Conference on Women this morning. Stressing the need to end the feminization of poverty, she said any watering down of the language in the Conference's platform of action would impact negatively on the advancement of women. Equality of women and men in all respects should be ensured and not "considered", she said. Prince Sobandla Dlamini, Minister for Home Affairs of Swaziland, said adoption of the platform of action should help nations in setting goals. Poverty was the most serious of the critical areas of concern. The number of women living in poverty has increased, yet given the opportunity, women could be key contributors to combatting (more) Conference on Women - 2 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 poverty. Special attention must also be paid to the problems of insufficient food security; lack of economic empowerment, education and health services; and violence against women. Germany's Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, Claudia Nolte, said human rights were the focal point of the Conference and must not be restricted on religious, cultural or traditional grounds. She called on all countries -- including the host -- to denounce, prevent and punish violence against women. That included infanticide, forced abortion, prenatal sex selection, and trafficking in women and girls. The Minister of Finance of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Yun Gi Jong, said that during the Second World War, Japan's war-time Government forced as many as 200,000 women, mainly from Korea, other parts of Asia and Europe, to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers of the Imperial Army. The current Japanese Government must honestly accept the criminality of those acts, fully disclose the truth of the crimes, bring those responsible to justice, and provide State funds to compensate all victims. Statements were also made by Ireland's Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mervyn Taylog T.D.; First Lady of Egypt, Suzanne Mubarak; Commissioner Patrick Flynn, of the European Commission; Parliamentary Secretary within the Ministry of Social Development of Malta, Giovanna Debono; the Counsellor of the King of Morocco, Abdelhadi Boutaleb; the Minister for National Education, Youth and Sports of Gabon, Paulette Missambo; President of the Congress of Peru, Martha Chavez Cossio; and the Secretary of State i the Office of the Minister for National Solidarity and the Family of Algeria, Hania Semichi. Also this morning, the Acting President of the Conference, expressed the Conference's concern to the delegations from the countries affected by the hurricane now moving through the Caribbean which, she said, appears to be the worst in the past 50 years. The representative of Antigua and Barbuda expressed appreciation for the sentiments expressed. She said Antigua had suffered tremendously from the hurricane. Even the roofs of shelters and hospitals were torn off. In Barbuda, there was 90 per cent destruction. Many of the surrounding islands suffered tremendously. Saint Kitts and Nevis suffered damage especially to their hospitals and their homes. The Conference will meet again at 3 p.m. today to continue its general exchange of views. (more) Conference on Women - 3 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 Statements MERVYN TAYLOG, Minister for Equality and Law Reform of Ireland: The Irish Government plans to make equality a reality in Irish society, both in law and in fact. The platform of action should be built on previously agreed standards and all obstacles to women's full participation in public life must be removed. Ireland attaches importance to equal participation of women in decision-making roles and aims to ensure that women account for at least 40 per cent of the membership of State Boards. Strategies to promote increased involvement of women in economic life must include appropriate family-friendly conditions of employment, increased sharing of family responsibilities, and access to high quality child care. The work of women in the home must be recognized by Governments with greater visibility for unremunerated work in the home. Ireland supports inclusion in the platform of provision for legal protection against discrimination on the grounds of sex and marital status. There are plans to introduce legislation to outlaw discrimination in non- employment areas also on grounds of gender, marital and parental status, and sexual orientation. Ireland supports an examination of international legal mechanisms to promote equality of women and men. Women's health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, is vital to achieving the aims of the Conference. The Government is implementing a policy to develop a comprehensive family planning service within the public health system. The service includes education, counselling and advice on all methods of contraception. Steps have been taken to ensure a wide range of family planning services free of charge to the poorest in the community. YUN GI JONG, Minister of Finance of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea: In the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, women are playing leading roles in political, social, economic and cultural realms on an equal footing with men. State measures to protect women include free medical care, paid maternity leave and free education. "Committed to upholding the lifetime teaching of the Fatherly Leader, and rallied closely in the single-hearted unity around the Great Leader Comrade Kim Jong Il, we will consolidate and further follow up with the successes already achieved in the solution of women's problems, and make an active contribution to the common cause of gender equality, development and peace worldwide." The issue of violence against women is attracting international attention. During the Second World War, the Japanese Imperial Army carried out the criminal act of using "comfort women" -- a fact that had remained hidden for a half a century. The use of "comfort women" was an unprecedented human rights violation committed by the Japanese war-time Government, which pursued its policy of forcing as many as 200,000 women, mainly from Korea, other parts of Asia and Europe, to serve as sex slaves for (more) Conference on Women - 4 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 Japanese soldiers of the Imperial Army. Rather than providing adequate restitution, the current Japanese Government is collecting funds from ordinary citizens through a "citizen's fund". That Government must honestly accept the criminality of its acts; fully disclose the truth of the crimes; bring those responsible to justice; and provide State funds to compensate all victims. CLAUDIA NOLTE, Federal Minister for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth, of Germany: Women have been particularly affected by the unification of Germany and bear the brunt of job cuts as a result of the economic restructuring. Although women face different problems all over the world, there are many issues that must be tackled together. Human rights are the focal point of the Conference and must not be restricted on religious, cultural or traditional grounds. All countries -- the host as well as other States -- are called upon to denounce, prevent and punish violence against women as a violation of human rights. This includes infanticide, forced abortion, prenatal sex selection, and trafficking in women and girls. Germany has enacted numerous statutory improvements. For example, penal law provisions governing the trafficking in human beings have been tightened. Legal protection for the victims of sexual offenses has been improved. There are efforts to make rape within marriage a legal offense and there are also special campaigns aimed at eliminating violence against women. Germany considers it important that women all over the world know their rights and are in a position to assert them. In the framework of its bilateral development cooperation, Germany will provide $40 million between 1996 and the year 2000 for projects in the fields of legal and socio- political counselling in developing countries, with particular emphasis on women's needs. We want to contribute to a socially balanced economic and investment policy in developing countries so that women get an equal share. In Germany, equality is increasingly being measured by the degree of sharing between women and men; sharing of power and status, of rights and duties in the families, in the economy and in political decisions. Men have to accept greater family responsibility and give up privileges. This social process needs political support and the commitment of every person. To encourage the process of social change and as a follow-up to the Conference, 1996 will be declared the year of "Equality, Participation, Partnership". FLORENCE CHITAURO, Minister of National Affairs, Employment and Cooperatives of Zimbabwe: The Conference is an opportunity to make commitments to specific actions. Zimbabwe has worked actively to bring women into the mainstream of development. Any watering down of the language in the platform of action would impact negatively on the gains made since the Nairobi Conference and on women's advancement. Equality of women and men in all respects should be ensured and not "considered". We should not become entangled in disputes over semantics and avoid compromise over half the world's population by making vague commitments. (more) Conference on Women - 5 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 Zimbabwe has acceded to international conventions which espouse the equality of women and men. To ensure that its laws are known to the majority of men and women, the Government is carrying out an active education campaign. A water and sanitation programme has been started, which has alleviated the rural workload of the women of Zimbabwe. More resources are required to cover every district. The education of girls had been lagging behind. However, parity between the enrollment of girls and boys was achieved during the 1980s. Women have gained from a new approach to the question of land inheritance. An ongoing civic education programme aims at the greater participation of women in decision-making, from the grass-roots to parliamentary levels. Credit institutions rarely lend to women, since they do not have collateral to offer. Women in Zimbabwe have therefore formed cooperatives, and a village bank has been opened in one district. The Government this year introduced a poverty alleviation programme, focusing on women, youth and vulnerable groups. Although important advances have been made in ensuring gender equality, much remains to be done. Social and cultural attitudes have hindered women's advancement. Underdevelopment and demand for new technology which replaces women workers also affected the situation. "Equality in poverty is not our aim". It is time to end the feminization of poverty. SUZANNE MUBARAK, First Lady of Egypt: Despite the many instances of inequality and inequity inflicted on women throughout the world, the principle of the equality of women was now generally accepted, as was their right to participate in development. Efforts must focus on how to translate the Conference's recommendations into action. It is important to respect cultural values. Since the dawn of history, Egyptian women have participated in public life. Their modern awakening coincided with the move for independence. Egypt has chosen peace as the optimum course for the security and welfare of people. To ensure peace, Egypt is disseminating the culture of peace, as it is culture which determines behaviour. Egypt has also chosen democracy. Popular participation through non-governmental organizations in Egypt monitors the protection of women's rights and status. All Egyptians, Muslims and Christians reject whatever contradicts their religions and whatever contravenes the dignity of human beings, women and men alike. Education is a basic requirement for the maintenance of democracy, peace and equality. Despite what Egypt has accomplished, there is still a long way to go. Obstacles include lack of financial and technical resources, as well as unhealthy habits and traditions, which have been passed down for generations. Donors have come to believe that money they give is a form of charity, while recipients have come to feel it is something they can accept without end. The liberation of women's capabilities is one (more) Conference on Women - 6 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 of the most effective ways of alleviating the social ills which we all cause and from which we all suffer. It is one world facing one fate. Generous giving continues, resulting in success stories. Commissioner PATRICK FLYNN, of the European Commission: The European Community, which has signed cooperation and trade agreements with over 60 countries, is guided by the principle that the human rights of women and girls are an integral part of universal human rights. By incorporating a specific clause on human rights in all new agreements with other countries, the Community is helping to make the principle of human rights a reality. The Community is increasingly pursuing a strategy of mainstreaming the gender perspective in all its policies and programmes. In its development cooperation activities in all regions of the world, the Community is proving its commitment to women's empowerment. Partnership will be the key to realizing the goals of the draft platform for action. First, a new partnership must be forged between women and men, entailing equal rights and equal sharing of both power and responsibility. The success of measures also depends on partnership with key actors, including non-governmental organizations, trade unions and the private sector. Discussions must focus on concrete measures to ensure that every woman can participate equally and fully in every aspect of life, and that the results of this Conference are truly felt in the daily lives of women. GIOVANNA DEBONO, Parliamentary Secretary for Family Affairs, Ministry for Social Development, Malta: Malta's commitment to the equal status of women implies a transformation of power structures at whatever level power is exercised. Equal status of women is a priority in Malta. It has revised its Constitution and reviewed legislation to bar discrimination based on sex and the subordination of women. There have been temporary measures of affirmative action to correct accumulated imbalances between the sexes. Education is the main guarantee of this process and free education for girls and women at all levels has brought about a revolution in the gender composition of the professions. The near total imbalance at the national legislature has been challenged by a wider presence of women elected in recent elections. In Malta, laws provide the institutional framework for the equal partnership in marriage but the consolidation of the partnership requires a transformation in the attitudes of both spouses in general and the husband in particular. There has been a reexamination of text-books and recommendations to the media to encourage a new sensitivity to the unfair burden that traditionally ascribed roles would impose on the wife. Malta has strengthened the law to combat violence against women, children and the elderly and buttressed assistance to the victims. The international community should intensify efforts to bring to justice those responsible for such acts. (more) Conference on Women - 7 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 ABDELHADI BOUTALEB, Counsellor to the King of Morocco: Women's issues require the concerted efforts of all peoples. The international community made great progress with its conclusion of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. In Morocco, women participate at all levels of Government. Implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies have achieved positive results. Efforts made throughout the world to achieve the goals of the Strategies have often met with resistance in the form of customs and traditions which are not in harmony with the Strategies. Greater efforts are still necessary to bridge that gap and achieve full equality between the sexes. Legal reforms, in and of themselves, are not enough. It is education that will help consolidate the gains made. The solution of women's problems requires study of the organic link between women's needs and development. The grave economic situation on the African continent has adversely affected the situation of women there. In rural areas, women are afflicted by drought, desertification and poor sanitary conditions. Islam recognizes the equality between men and women. Women are recognized as man's sisters in terms of property, management and marriage. Marriage imposes no impediments to women's enjoyment of their civil and political rights under Islam. Women play an important role in environmental protection. Particularly in rural areas, the environmental potential of women must be tapped. Through reform of its family code, Morocco has made it possible for women to enjoy far-reaching rights, which has strengthened the family unit. Similar reforms are under way in the area of labour and the criminal code. On behalf of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Morocco expresses its full support for the women of Bosnia and Herzegovina, who have been victimized by ethnic warfare. Morocco calls for an end to such practices. PAULETTE MISSAMBO, Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports of Gabon: Gabon has enshrined gender equality in its law. Schooling is obligatory for both boys and girls and there is no discrimination in health care. Gabon guarantees equal employment opportunity and access. In the final document, special attention should be paid to the area of poverty. Gabon favours converting the debt-servicing costs of developing countries to development projects, which favour women. Gabon supports the United Nations Secretary-General's goals of improving the gender balance within United Nations posts. The Fourth World Conference should break from the tradition of speeches without effect and take concrete decisions. Prince SOBANDLA DLAMINI, Minister for Home Affairs of Swaziland: Although a modest start has been made in the advancement of women, there still exists a gap between intentions and achievements. All members of the international community must work to narrow that gap. Clearly, the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies were not fully implemented. There is an obvious need for serious political will and financial (more) Conference on Women - 8 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 commitment to address the critical areas of concern indicated in the draft platform for action. "We in Swaziland, both women and men, strongly value our traditional and cultural beliefs; however, the need to single out those beliefs that have a negative impact on the advancement of women has been expressed and will be addressed at the national level." Swaziland views the draft platform for action as a very important document that maps out strategies and provides guidelines for the advancement of women. Its adoption should serve to assist nations in setting goals for equality, development and peace. Poverty is the most serious of the critical areas of concern. The number of women living in poverty has increased, yet given the opportunity, women can be key contributors to combatting poverty through both remunerated and unremunerated work at home, in the community and at work. Special attention must also be paid to the problems of insufficient food security; lack of economic empowerment, education and health services; and violence against women. Addressing the problems facing girls is a practical way of dealing with the overall problem from its source, and no effort should be spared in that endeavour. MARTHA CHAVEZ COSSI DE OCAMPO, speaker of the Congress of Peru: The development of Peruvian women in the last decade, especially over the last five years is marked by equal access to education, better knowledge of health requirements, higher employment expectations, voting rights for illiterate women and the creation of a "Permanent Commission of Women's Rights". Speaker of Congress is the highest position ever attained by a woman in Peru and in most parts of the world. Women in Peru, especially those living in poverty, have turned themselves into a civil front of resistance to poverty and terrorism, allowing the country to start the process of reconstruction. The Government, once it had stabilized the economy and achieved national pacification, recognized women as the main agent of change and the fundamental institution of society. Additional policies for women should include equal access to the benefits of development; attention to populations displaced by terrorism; eradication of discriminatory policies towards females in the area of education; and improvement in health care. Work in the home should be recognized for its economic and social value. JAMES GUSTAVE SPETH, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The discrimination, deprivation and violence that women face -- from their personal lives to the highest reaches of decision-making power -- are described in this year's Human Development Report. It reveals that despite rapid strides in women's health and education, the doors to economic and political power are barely open. The report reveals that women are the primary nurturers of families and that they also spend more time than men at work. If their labour were paid or given a proper market value, women would emerge as the major breadwinners in most societies. The report also shows that while women are important food producers, in many countries (more) Conference on Women - 9 - Press Release WOM/BEI/20 4th Meeting (AM) 6 September 1995 they do not have legal control over the land they farm and receive only a small share of agricultural and other credit. As food producers, water collectors and fuel gathers, women in developing countries are first to feel the effects of environmental decline. Yet women's concerns and knowledge about the environment are too often ignored in designing programmes to reverse these trends. Policy makers must recognize women's contributions to wealth creation and the well-being of societies, and ensure equal access to resources and opportunities. Specific targets must be set for moving women into positions of decision-making power. According to the report, China ranks in 111th position among countries in the Human Development Index, but is number 23 in gender empowerment. China proves a nations's men can share opportunity with women regardless of the amount of wealth to be shared. Development planners and international agencies must incorporate gender concerns into all policies and programmes. There should be more support for the work of the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) which has proved a powerful catalyst for women's opportunities. The enormity of the challenge should not be understated. Understanding the complex set of relationships and attitudes that make up the universe of gender relations and which vary enormously from culture to culture is no easy task. Eliminating gender disparities is a deep, system-wide problem and needs a system-wide response. But it must be done. It is certainly time for a change. HANIA SEMICHI, Secretary of State in the Office of the Minister for National Solidarity and the Family of Algeria: Algerian women remain profoundly attached to their roots. They know their identity is admirably founded in Islam. They know, above all, that Islam means tolerance, the love of others and solidarity. Discrimination often takes the form of horrible tragedy and the murder of young girls. Algerian women are today suffering their harshest trials in the struggle for their rights. However, they will not yield to despair, as they recognize that solutions do exist. Account must be taken of the fact that the advancement of women is closely linked to the society in which they develop. That inextricable link is more dramatically evident in countries afflicted by economic crisis. International consultation and cooperation must prevail in the search for common solutions. Consistency in defining priorities and expressing needs must ensure that women's empowerment becomes real. Those priorities must include the right to education, to health care and to work; the struggle against poverty; the link between environmental sustainability and development; and the struggle against all forms of extremism and violence against women. * *** *