Fourth World Conference WOM/BEI/21 on Women 6 September 1995 5th Meeting (PM) AT WORLD WOMEN'S CONFERENCE, UNITED STATES URGES ALL NATIONS TO DO BETTER TO MAKE EQUAL RIGHTS A FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLE OF LAW World Food Programme to Commit to Women and Girls at Least 60 Per Cent of Food Aid Resources in Countries With Major Gaps Between Men and Women No women, whether in Birmingham, Bombay, Beirut or Beijing, should be forcibly sterilized or forced to have an abortion, the Permanent Representative of the United States said this afternoon, as the Fourth World Conference on Women this afternoon continued its general exchange of views. No mother should feel compelled to abandon her daughter because of a societal preference for males and no woman should be forced to undergo genital mutilation, become a prostitute, enter into marriage or have sex. Freedom to participate in the political process was the inalienable right of every man and woman, United States representative Madeleine Albright told the Conference. It was therefore unconscionable that the right to free expression had been called into question at the World Conference, whose purpose was the free and open discussion of women's rights. Every nation, including her own, must do better to make equal rights a fundamental principle of law, to enforce those rights, and to remove barriers to the exercise of those rights. The Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training of Zambia, Kabunda Kayongo, drew attention to the impact of structural adjustment programmes on the countries of southern Africa. The way forward for those countries should involve a comprehensive solution to the debt crisis, including debt-cancellation. The World Food Programme (WFP) was committed to the use of food aid to change behaviour and improve the status of women, the Programmes' Executive Director, Catherine Bertini, told the Conference. In countries with major gaps in literacy, (more) Conference on Women - 2 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 education and basic skills between men and women, it would commit at least 60 per cent of food aid resources to women and girls. In Afghanistan, Rwanda and other trouble spots, it would make sure women took the lead in managing food aid. Twenty years after the first World Conference on Women, there was no country where women were completely equal, Canada's Secretary of State on the Status of Women, Sheila Finestone, said. Women's rights must be respected as human rights, which were not a boutique from which one could pick and choose. The Conference's platform of action must include strong measures on violence against women, the problem of poverty, and women's important role in peace and conflict resolution. Women's rights are human rights, universal and indivisible, but those rights were being breached by China and France, said Australia's Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women, Carmen Lawrence. Australia deplored continued nuclear testing, the dangers of which must not be ignored. Those countries should bring an end to that abuse -- not only against the status and well-being of their country women, but also of women worldwide. The First Lady of El Salvador, Elizabeth Aguirre de Calderon-Sol, said the World Conference should lay the foundations of a new global society based on justice, freedom, democracy, equality and the peaceful co- existence of all nations. "We fervently hope that Beijing will be a milestone in history that will allow us to overcome the barriers of discrimination through the true enforcement of equality and equity among women and men." Statements were also made by Denmark's Minister for Social Welfare; the Minister for Health of South Africa; the Minister for the Advancement of Women and Children of Guinea; Lithuania's State Counsellor for Women's Affairs; the Minister for Health and Social Welfare of Fiji; the First Lady of Suriname, Lissbeth Venetiaan-Vannenburg; and Finland's Foreign Minister, Tarja Halonen. Also speaking were the representative of Malaysia; the Minister for the Promotion of Women of Luxembourg; Sweden's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Equality Affairs; the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland; Mongolia's Minister for Population, Policy and Labour; the Minister within the Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security of Guyana; and the Acting Minister for Community Development of Singapore. (more) Conference on Women - 3 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 Also: The Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan in the Social Sector; the Minister for Coordination of Social Affairs of Mozambique; the Minister of Employment, Labor, Public Service and Social Affairs of Togo; Her Royal Highness Marie Ranariddh of Cambodia; the First Lady of Djibouti, Hassan Gouled; and the First Lady of Equatorial Guinea, Constancia Manguede Obiang Nguema. Also addressing the Conference were the Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration, an intergovernmental organization; the Deputy Director General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO); the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat, an intergovernmental organization; an Inspector/member of the Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) of the United Nations; the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); and the Executive Secretary of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The Conference also heard from the following non-governmental organizations: the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions; Family Life Counselling; and the All India Women's Conference. The representatives of India and Pakistan spoke in exercise of the right of reply. The Conference will meet again at 10 a.m. tomorrow, 7 September, to continue its general exchange of views. (more) Conference on Women - 4 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, Permanent Representative of the United States: Women's rights are neither separate nor different from those of men. We are here to stop sexual crimes and other violence against women; to protect refugees, so many of whom are women; and to end the despicable notion that rape is just another tactic of war. Families must be strengthened and girls valued to the same degree as boys. The forces that weaken families - - including pornography, domestic violence and the sexual exploitation of children -- must be condemned and curtailed. Women must also have access to education and health care and the special needs and strengths of women with disabilities recognized. In acknowledgement of the concrete steps needed to advance the status of women, the United States has committed to the following: a White House Council on Women to plan for effective implementation of the Platform for Action; a six-year, $1.6 billion initiative to fight domestic violence and other crimes against women; a comprehensive assault on threats to the health of women, including cigarette smoking and breast cancer; a grassroots campaign to improve workplace conditions for women; more equitable pay and policies to help employees balance family and work; better access to credit; and promotion of women's role in development. The United States will continue to speak out openly and without hesitation on behalf of human rights of all people. No women -- whether in Birmingham, Bombay, Beirut or Beijing -- should be forcibly sterilized or forced to have an abortion. No mother should feel compelled to abandon her daughter because of a societal preference for males and no woman should be forced to undergo genital mutilation, become a prostitute, enter into marriage or to have sex. Freedom to participate in the political process is the inalienable right of every man and woman. It is unconscionable, therefore, that the right to free expression has been called into question here, at a United Nations conference, whose purpose is the free and open discussion of women's rights. Every nation, including my own, must do better and do more to make equal rights a fundamental principle of law; to enforce those rights and to remove barriers to the exercise of those rights. NARCISA ESCALER, Deputy Director-General, International Organization for Migration (IOM): Women migrants are more likely to suffer deprivation, hardship, isolation, loss of status and discrimination. There must be an improved awareness of their specific needs, and they must be given equal access to projects and services. Specific programmes for migrant women must be designed. The IOM has embraced a three-pronged policy approach to ensure the special needs of women are taken into account, from the moment they decide to migrate, through their social, economic and cultural integration into host communities, to their reintegration when they return home. Empowerment also involves the development of technical cooperation programmes (more) Conference on Women - 5 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 which protect the rights of migrant women. The IOM advises governments on migrant issues, and ensures that the concerns of migrant women are substantially addressed in capacity building exercises and training. As example from the Asian region, IOM is helping the Policy Research and Resource Centre for Filipino Women Workers to prepare a survival guidebook for Filipino women migrant workers. The guidebook, which will be released in the autumn, will include information on basic rights, job contracts, migrant realities -- including the most commonly reported illegal and abusive practices -- and on how and where to file complaints. It also has information on handling communication problems and cultural differences. IOM is committed to helping bring the issue of trafficking in migrant women to the forefront of international attention and assist governments to combat the practice. KAREN JESPERSEN, Minister for Social Affairs of Denmark: Existing human rights instruments must be accepted and ratified. Human rights are universal and should not be subordinate to religious and ethical values, cultural background and philosophical convictions. The role of minority and indigenous women in the development process must be promoted and strengthened. Active participation in economic development implies that women's economic rights must be respected, including the right to own land, to inherit property and to borrow money. National governments must take charge, the necessary funds must be provided, for example, by redistributing wealth through a just tax system, and by reducing military expenditures in favour of social and productive activities. Poverty and its alleviation, with special emphasis on the role of women, is a fundamental principle in Denmark's development cooperation. Much work remains before the Conference can approve a platform for action that will be a realistic common agenda for the advancement of women. A prerequisite is full respect for the conclusions reached at previous world conferences. National follow-up will be the key to ensure that the decisions of the conference will be implemented to the benefit of everyone. The United Nations must take charge of the follow-up activities ELIZABETH A. DE CALDERON SOL, First Lady of El Salvador: Women in El Salvador are working in the judicial, executive and legislative fields -- fields that up until recently had excluded women. While women's participation is still inadequate, the process of their advancement is irreversible. The country's National Family Secretariat is implementing a number of measures to benefit women in such areas as health, housing, education, recreation and training in non-traditional trades. Victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse are given protection. Poor women are given access to financial resources, with special assistance provided to rural women through the "food for work" programme. Pregnant and lactating women receive nutritional assistance through the "food for education" programme. (more) Conference on Women - 6 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 This Conference should serve to lay the foundations of a new global society based on justice, freedom, democracy, equality and the peaceful co- existence of all nations. "We fervently hope that Beijing will be a milestone in history that will allow us to overcome the barriers of discrimination through the true enforcement of equality and equity among women and men." CARMEN LAWRENCE, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women, Australia: Australia initiated the idea of a "Conference of Commitments" to ensure the work of the United Nations is more focused, pragmatic and concrete. This Conference must be relevant to women's lives and focus on key strategic areas. It has already forced Australia to examine how to ensure women achieve equal status with their colleagues, partners and friends. The country has come a long way in the last 10 years. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranks Australia sixth out of 130 countries on a range of criteria, including women's share of income and participation in education. This has been achieved through tougher anti-discrimination laws, better education, a more flexible industrial system, real increases in family assistance paid to women, the establishment of a national women's health programme and a huge boost to child care. Since 1980, life expectancy for Australian women has increased from 78 years to nearly 81 years in 1993. Women's earnings are now 84 per cent of men's for full time workers and more than 81 per cent of girls now complete high school. The majority of university students are women. Tougher laws and harsher penalties are not the only way to reduce violence against women. A national education campaign will be used in schools and protocols developed to enable police, lawyers, courts, community and government agencies to co-ordinate their response. The Government is committed to improving the health of indigenous women and teams of indigenous health workers, medical practitioners, women's health nurses, midwives and child health nurses. The Conference is also in part about the world community accepting the fundamental nature of individual and collective security which can only be achieved if we work towards -- not against -- a nuclear free world. This effort is being breached by some countries. Australia deplores continued nuclear testing. The dangers must not be ignored. Women's rights are human rights, universal and indivisible, but those rights are being breached by China and France. They should bring an end to this abuse -- not only against the status and well being of their countrywoman, but also of women worldwide. NKOSAZANA DLAMINI-ZUMA, Minister for Health of South Africa: Women in South Africa are definitely not free and they have no illusions about the challenges that lie ahead. Together with some men, they continue to participate in the revolution for equality, development and peace with the same vigour and determination they (more) Conference on Women - 7 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 exhibited in the struggle against apartheid. The objectives of the reconstruction and development programme will not be realized unless the condition of women in the country radically changes. The Government is committed to a reallocation of resources to ensure the achievement of that objective. More women candidates were put forth in the recent democratic elections than ever before. As a result, 25 per cent of the members of parliament are women. Democratic South Africa has three cabinet ministers, three deputy ministers and two judges on the 11-member Constitutional Court. The Government is considering an additional set of national accounts which will recognize the value of unpaid labour. The Government is committed to a policy of affirmative action to ensure that all aspects of society and institutions are fully representative of South Africans of both race and sex. It is also working towards providing universal access to education and health which will dramatically change the position of girls. Providing reproductive rights has been accorded priority. The Government has decided that abortion on request should be available to the women of South Africa. The elimination of violence against women is also a priority. South Africa's experience has taught it that institutionalized oppression cannot be reformed. It needs to be eradicated from society. IVONNE CONDE, Minster for the Advancement of Women and Children of Guinea: The profound crisis facing the economies of developing countries is felt most sharply by women. That brings the question of poverty to the forefront. There are struggles over the scarce resources available. Illnesses and malnutrition underlay the high rates of infant and maternal morbidity in Africa. Ultimately, poverty remains the chief obstacle to the advancement of women. In Guinea, the obstacles posed by poverty do not obscure the need to struggle for equal rights for men and women. The lack of financial and technical resources has been a major obstacle to implementation of the 1985 Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies. The African platform of action aims at changing the current face of poverty. The 11 points of that platform must be taken into account, as they represent the priorities of African women. GIEDRE PURVANECKIENE, State Counsellor for Women's Affairs of Lithuania: During the Soviet period, the myth of complete gender equality was declarative and promoted in the name of socialism. True equality did not exist in the workplace, home, society or political life. The majority of women worked, but in low level and low paying jobs and were mainly responsible for household work. As society has become more democratized, with freedom of speech and the press, many still do not associate women's rights with democracy. The constitution guarantees gender equality, though in practice many violations occur. Economic changes have had a particularly hard impact on women, who are the majority of the poor. The situation of women is further complicated by the patriarchal attitudes of the majority, including women. (more) Conference on Women - 8 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 There are other problems areas. Laws dealing with the family are based on gender equality. Child care benefits are the same for fathers and mothers, but men rarely take advantage of them. The implementation of such laws can therefore indirectly cause discrimination against women in the workplace. Anti-discriminatory laws are needed and mechanisms established to monitor them. Few women have positions in governing structures, only 7 per cent of parliamentary members are women and there are no female ministers in government. The intellectual potential of women is neither fully utilized or recognized. Hopefully, non-governmental organizations will become more active in promoting women's empowerment. The newly established Woman's Party plans to work on reversing the under- representation of women at senior levels of decision making. Preparation for and participation in the Conference has strengthened Lithuania's commitment and concern for women's issues. A programme for the advancement of women is being developed and will include concrete measures to implement the programme of action. SHEILA FINESTONE, Secretary of State for Canada: Twenty years after the first World Conference on Women, there is no country where women are completely equal. While Canada is proud of its record on women's equality, there is still much to do. Women's rights must be respected as human rights, and human rights are not a boutique from which one can pick and choose. The Government has adopted a Plan for Gender Equality which will ensure that future legislation and policies include an analysis of the potential for different impacts on women. Ten years ago, women's rights were enshrined in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Regarding the plight of women who face violence, action has been taken to strengthen laws, establish public education campaigns and build shelters. Canada has also conducted the world's first national survey on violence against women. The Conference platform must include the strong measures contained in the Canadian-initiated General Assembly Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. The platform must also respond to the face of poverty that is increasingly female. Canada is committed to the agreements on women's reproductive health and rights reached at the international Conference on Population and Development. They should be reaffirmed in the platform for action. The platform must further set out measures to enhance women's important role in peace and conflict resolution. War is not just a peace and security issue. It s a health issue. CATHERINE BERTINI, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP): In almost every society in the world, women gather, prepare and serve the food, but eat last. Even pregnant and breast-feeding women often eat last. The WFP touches the lives of more than 30 million women, from refugees in Rwanda to girls in Sarajevo. The Secretary-General has asked each United Nations agency to make commitments in Beijing to enhance the role of women. The WFP is committed to the (more) Conference on Women - 9 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 use of food aid to change behaviour and improve the status of women. In countries with major gaps in literacy, education and basic skills between men and women, it will commit at least 60 per cent of food aid resources to women and girls. In Afghanistan, Rwanda and other trouble spots, it will make sure women take the lead in managing food aid. Food aid will be distributed to women, because they will ensure their families are fed. The agency will only work with non-governmental organizations willing to be active partners in this enterprise. Fifty per cent of school feeding resources will be allotted to girls and double funding for women's literacy programmes. Too many Governments want to feed boys in schools and train men for jobs. Girls and women do not count. Food aid will be better targeted to overcome vitamin and mineral deficiencies in women. WFP staff will be more attuned to women's issues and the agency will hire and promote more women, aiming for full equality by the year 2000. Women are the sole breadwinners in one household out of three worldwide. Although underlying beliefs and prejudices cannot be changed easily. However, food aid can be a valuable tool in changing behaviour. Women produce 80 per cent of the food in Africa, 60 per cent in Asia and 40 per cent in Latin America. Women hold together families and societies. A world must be created where they do not eat last. MARY CHINERY-HESSE, Deputy Director-General, International Labour Office (ILO): Over its 76 years of existence, the ILO has consistently fought against inequality in the work place, especially against discrimination on the basis of sex. It has sought to improve the situation of women by promoting training; making more evident the economic contribution of women; and the elaboration of technical assistance programmes and advisory services which target the problems of the more disadvantaged groups of women. The ILO's arsenal of International Labour Conventions and Recommendations include some of particular relevance for women at work. Action has been initiated this year to formulate a Convention on Homework as well. All Governments are urged to ratify these Conventions. The ILO envisions a strategy which should include a supportive legislative environment which would guarantee quality working conditions for women, gender-sensitive labour-market policies, training and skills development for women and girls, appropriate social security and social protection, adequate arrangements for workers with family responsibilities and measures to improve women's ability to articulate their concerns themselves and elevate their representation and participation at decision- making levels of work-related groupings. KABUNDA KAYONGO, Minister of Science, Technology and Vocational Training of Zambia: Despite advances in constitutional views and democratic governance in Zambia, rampant de facto discrimination against women continues. Both (more) Conference on Women - 10 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 men and women need to work much harder to ensure the empowerment of women. Such empowerment continues to elude Zambia's women owing, in part, to its economic situation. The impact of drought in southern Africa, coupled with structural adjustment programmes, has affected all vulnerable groups in Zambia. The immediate result of the structural adjustment process has had serious social consequences. The overwhelming number of those most affected are women, particularly those in rural areas. Zambia has learned of the need to minimize the negative effects of structural adjustment on women and other vulnerable groups by designing programmes to increase women's access to credit and to involve non- governmental organizations financial intermediaries. The Government commits itself to ensuring full retention of girls through the education system. The Government has also created a credit scheme for persons with disabilities, which is cushioning the suffering of the poor. The draft platform of action has rightfully laid emphasis on poverty, education and health. The way forward for Zambia and others lies in creating an international economic environment for the promotion of investment flows, increased development assistance, technology transfers, improved trade opportunities, and better terms of trade. This should be coupled with a comprehensive solution to the debt crisis, which should include debt- cancellation. SERUWAIA HOUNG-TIY, Minister for Health and Social Welfare of Fiji: In light of political realities in the Pacific region, the platform of action, in its current form, has yet to make a firm decision on the issues of nuclearization and assistance being accorded to women in colonial situations. The Conference should address those issues. Some people in the Pacific are still under political and socio-economic conditions which make it difficult for them to realize their right to self-determination. Many people in the region occupy some of the smallest habitable islands on earth. Their physical environment is extremely fragile and vulnerable to pollution from nuclear waste, toxic substances and hazardous chemical waste. The largest number of atmospheric and underground nuclear tests have been carried out in the region, irreparably damaging its environment and the livelihood of people who are dependent on coastal waters and the oceans. The nuclearization of the region is an affront to its people and could possibly annihilate small ethnic groups, particularly those who live on coral atolls of the islands. Fiji urges nations who still have colonies in the region to implement and facilitate a programme of decolonization. Women suffer a greater burden because they are both under a patriarchal society and the domination of an alien country, thus placing them at a severe disadvantage. If sustainable development is the goal of the Conference, we must encourage the universal rights of all people to self-determination and independence and address the social situation of women in such political situations. The platform of action must also ensure that indigenous peoples fulfil their aspirations. (more) Conference on Women - 11 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 LISSBETH VENETIAAN-VANENBURG, First Lady of Surinam: Until the early 1980s, Suriname was a relatively well-off developing country but the recent economic crisis and the implementation of a structural adjustment programme has led to increased poverty, which mainly affects women and children. The Government is committed to minimalizing the negative effects on women and other vulnerable groups. To that end, a social safety net has become operational, covering approximately one-quarter of the Surinamese families. An important aspect of the programme is that women are the major beneficiaries. In addition, structural measures to maintain the general level of education and health care have also been undertaken. In the years ahead, emphasis will be placed on strengthening national machinery for the advancement of women. A three-year programme, carried out with the cooperation of UNIFEM, will support the institutional capacity of the Government machinery for the advancement of women and of non- governmental women's organizations. It will also deal with the re- employment of women who have lost their jobs as a result of the economic crisis. Funds have already been approved for the execution of this programme. TARJA HALONEN. Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland: Women have to act as catalysts for change and men must realize they have a lot to gain by changing their traditional roles and attitudes -- a concept which has worked well in Nordic countries. In 1906, Finnish women were the first in the world to get full political rights. Governments must not limit their actions to passing laws that guarantee equal rights, but must also ensure real equality. Particular attention should be given to vulnerable groups, such as women belonging to ethnic, linguistic or religious minorities as well as indigenous peoples, refugees and women with disabilities. Finland urges certain countries to withdraw their reservations to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. An optional protocol to the Convention providing for a complaint procedure would facilitate access to justice in human rights violations. The right to health includes sexual and reproductive rights. Education in family planning, use of contraceptives, safe abortion and information on health risks are essential to those rights. In Finland there is clear evidence that sex education and easy and open access to contraceptives significantly decrease teenage pregnancies and abortions. An open and positive attitude to sex gives the best results. Governments must end the harmful practices and abuse of girl children. Gender- based violence is a global problem linked to power structures and male domination in society. In Nordic countries, women take an active part in political decision making at all levels. The proportional electoral system combined with individual candidatures promotes women's political empowerment. Finland was ranked second in equality between men and women in this year's Human Development Report by the United (more) Conference on Women - 12 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Nevertheless, Finland continues to commit itself to the advancement of equality. Finnish woman's participation in decision making has been strengthened by a 40 per cent quota system for national and local government committees and boards. Equal pay for work of equal value and equal opportunities will be further promoted. A comprehensive action plan will be prepared to prevent and eliminate violence against women, to heal victims and rehabilitate offenders. DATIN SERI SITI HASMAH HAJI MOHD ALI (Malaysia): Although the world's economy is becoming more globalized and richer overall, the enjoyment of wealth is very uneven. As developing nations struggle with persistent external debt problems and structural adjustments, the basic needs of the people are hardly ever met. More women are thrown into the pits of poverty and remain the poorest of the poor. The main controllers of technology and wealth who have more global reach must have more global responsibility. The problem of indebtedness faced by many developing countries must be addressed so that they can finance development programmes, which must be guided by gender concerns. Unconditional development assistance should be provided to poverty-stricken areas. The family has to be preserved and supported, but while recognizing women's great contribution to the welfare of the family, women's role in procreation cannot be the basis for discrimination. Religion also could not be used to justify discrimination. The State must help in reducing the gender division between productive and reproductive roles by ensuring a more flexible work environment which harmonizes work and family responsibilities for both women and men. Special measures are needed to assist victims of violence. It is very disappointing that the United Nations has been rendered impotent in protecting women from large-scale violations of their human rights. "The continued slaughter, torture, systematic rape and possible obliteration of our Bosnian sisters are occurring in so-called United Nations safe areas in flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and Security Council resolutions". The United Nations must protect all people in the safe areas, and the unfair arms embargo against Bosnia and Herzegovina must be lifted so that country could defend itself. MARIE-JOSEE JACOBS, Minister for the Promotion of Women of Luxembourg: Women are demanding full participation in political, economic, social, cultural and civil life. Gender issues affected both men and women. Scourges such as prostitution, drug addiction, AIDS and homelessness did not spare women. Machinery to promote the equality of women has become essential. Special attention must be focused on education. As early as pre-school, children must be taught gender equality, through playful activities which teach them household tasks, regardless of their sex. Tomorrow's adults will then be aware of their shared responsibilities. It is important that young people be raised in a spirit of equality, and that they be given educational and vocational training in keeping with their talents and aspirations. (more) Conference on Women - 13 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 A policy of advancement for women requires that gender be enshrined in the constitution, as well as in international treaties. However, recognition of a right may remain on paper only if it is not accompanied by appropriate monitoring machinery. Women's unpaid work must be appraised at its true and inestimable value. Domestic violence must be eliminated, whether it be physical, psychological or sexual. Luxembourg is preparing to legislate regarding sexual harassment at work. It aims to reach the aim of 0.7 per cent of the gross national product for development aid by 2000. "I will stress that projects focusing on the rights of women and children be stressed in the provision of such aid. I appeal to the women of the world, that our solidarity may achieve the shared goals of development, peace and equality." CHIEF EMEKA ANYAOKU, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Secretariat: The Commonwealth has developed a plan of action for women's advancement which has as its central feature the strengthening of national women's machineries and the establishment of gender management systems. Commonwealth governments are expected to intensify their efforts to strengthen national machineries, which should operate at the highest- possible level. Gender integration should be supported through the establishment of focal points in all government ministries and departments. The plan emphasizes the need for effective monitoring and reporting systems involving the highest-level of government. No matter how well devised a plan may be, it can only be effective if it has adequate resources. "We must remain resolute in our common determination to establish machineries which are viable, and are equipped to carry out the task required of them." MONA SAHLIN, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Equality Affairs of Sweden: Although Sweden is ranked first in the gender development and gender empowerment indexes by the UNDP in its Human Development Report 1995, it does not mean that Swedish women have reached full equality. Equality, like democracy, must be conquered and reconquered. Sweden will increase its efforts to strengthen and enforce international humanitarian law in the area of violent crimes against women. It is urgent that an international war crimes tribunal be established and the perpetrators be brought to justice. These and the other gender-based crimes constitute the ultimate expression of the lack of equality between women and men. Sweden is prepared to give financial assistance to the United Nations Centre for Human Rights to realize concrete projects of an advisory and educative nature to combat violence against women. The Conference must address the issue of sexual rights and commit to promote individuals and couples' right to decide freely the number, spacing and timing of their children. It must deal with the devastating health impact of unsafe abortions and promote mutually respectful and equal gender relations. Women must have the right to control their own bodies. Sweden is committed to make special efforts to advance women's participation in society and to ensure their economic independence following (more) Conference on Women - 14 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 the year 2000. It will pay special attention to those women who often suffer double discrimination -- indigenous women, lesbian women and women with disabilities. The United Nations has a special role of advocating and putting into action equality and human rights of women. An important follow-up of the Conference would be the appointment of an Under-Secretary- General on gender issues and more resources of particular relevance to women. Finally, there should be an international discussion on the role of men. Equality cannot be achieved without the support and participation of men. ALEKSANDER LUCZAK, Deputy Prime Minister of Poland: There are voices in favour of women's liberation and voices against it. The Polish Government does not judge any of those opinions for they reflect the various roles of modern Polish women. The Government aims at achieving consensus in the society. The Polish legal system was one of the first to grant women and men equal rights. Its new constitution, currently being drafted, is based on a rigorous observance of this fundamental principle. Women's rights are guarded by independent courts and Polish law. However, full respect for these rights cannot be achieved without respect for universal human values. Women are the mainstay of what is good, beautiful and kind. They are guardians of motherhood and love. The Government should support those values for the sake of the common good. In this respect, Poland draws from the moral authority and teachings of the Catholic Church. Since 1989, Poland has been creating a market economy and has cut back on certain welfare benefits inherited from the previous system. However, the Government has pledged to create opportunities for economic advancement by fighting women's unemployment; observing the principle of equal pay for equal work; providing appropriate education and professional training; promoting equal access to managerial positions and supporting women's business activities. A woman's decision concerning contraception, abortion and divorce, which are often based on difficult moral considerations, cannot be subject to political bargaining. As guardian of the law, the Polish Government opposes adding a political dimension to highly personal decisions. The decisions are subject to ethical and philosophical judgements which originate in a woman's conscience, her family and the wider religious and secular community. ERDENE GOMOJAV, Minister for Population and Policy of Mongolia: Mongolia's Government has been implementing a concrete policy towards women, who enjoy equal rights with regard to education, health, work, pay and political participation. Ninety-five per cent of Mongolian women are literate and eight out of every 10 women has obtained at least primary education. Infant mortality rates are declining and progress has been made in protecting the reproductive rights of women. The State provides special allowances for pregnant, aged and disabled women as well as child care. (more) Conference on Women - 15 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 Despite such positive trends, women suffer from poverty and unemployment, especially those with many children who head their households. The Government has created special centres for poor women to enable them to increase their income. Attention is also being paid to the need to increase the participation of women in decision-making processes. Mongolia will work to reduce the maternal mortality rate. In addition, it will seek to incorporate the platform for action into its national development plans. INDRA CHANDARPAL, Minister in the Ministry of Labour, Human Services, Social Security and Housing of Guyana: Feasible targets must be set for women's advancement. Women must get more involved in trade unions and political parties. They must be mobilized to act as pressure groups on relevant issues. Some countries, because of religion or tradition, do not want to confront such issues as inequality of men and women in decision- making; gender equality; violence against women; and women's human rights. Those countries must take a bold approach in confronting those issues by promoting women's human rights. No government should condone violence against women. "If governments are not prepared to make concessions on these issues then the only alternative left is for women to vote them out of office." A new global human order is needed. An international fund for social development should be established. The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund should adopt innovative approaches in order to assist low- income countries to reduce their debt burden. Developed countries should cancel bilateral debt. Structural adjustment programmes should be reviewed since they create hardships for the poor and powerless. Governments must not be allowed to squander national resources. In Guyana, the battle for women's reproductive rights has been won, and a domestic violence bill is pending. In the 1995 budget, $500 million was allocated to the alleviation of poverty. Women can make a significant difference, but many do not yet recognize the strength which they possess. ERICA-IRENE A. DAES, Inspector with the United Nations Joint Inspection Unit (JIU): In the United Nations system, progress in the area of the advancement of women, while sometimes significant, is still quite disappointing. After 50 years of policy pronouncements and 20 years of action programmes, there is an urgent need for new ideas and action to ensure that programmes are dynamic and accelate women's advancement through the United Nations. A new study by the JIU attempts to identify specific top priority issues and problems, particularly innovative approaches and effective mechanisms that will lead to concrete results. Many barriers remain within the United Nations system, including attitudes among staff toward gender. Changes are also required in the Organization's development strategy and priorities, including what share of resources is devoted to the (more) Conference on Women - 16 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 advancement of women. Some gains have been made in the number of women employed by the United Nations, but greater numbers alone will not produce a genuine and equal partnership. Women continue to be outsiders in decision-making and are concentrated in the lower ranks. Cases of sexual harassment and other forms of marginalization persist. Women tend to enjoy less job security than their male collegues. "Sadly, these issues were raised at least 10 years ago and have still to be addressed in a systematic fashion." ABDULLAH TARMUGI, Acting Minister for Community Development for Singapore: Singapore, a country without natural resources, is dependent on the efforts of its people and believes in providing equal opportunity to both sexes in all sectors. Singapore's Women's Charter provides the legal basis for equality giving women the same legal rights, duties and liabilities as men, whether married or single. It also embodies a wide range of provisions for women and the family. Singapore recognizes the importance of active participation and integration of women in development. It is working towards acceding to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against women. Education and literacy is emphasized and the literacy rate among women over 15 is 86 per cent. It has also increased budgetary allocation for the preventive aspects of reproductive health. Under the law, women cannot be discriminated against in recruitment, promotion and terms of employment. Women's position in the community has been boosted with the entrance of women into politics. There are now women in Parliament and the Cabinet. BEGUM SHAHNAZ WAZIR ALI (Pakistan): Having for the second time elected a Prime Minister, the women and men of Pakistan have reaffirmed their trust in the fullest potential of a woman to guide the destiny of a nation. The Constitution of Pakistan declares that all citizens are equal without any discrimination on the basis of sex. In just two years, the Government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto has moved to dismantle discriminatory laws against women, acceding boldly to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and for the first time appointing women as judges in the country's High Courts. Pakistan has further launched a massive programme to integrate women into the mainstream of national development. Among other measures, it has undertaken a programme for the economic empowerment of the women of Pakistan. Projects include income generation, literacy, technical know- how, vocational training, including computer literacy and secretarial skills, health care centres and hostels for working women. However, developing countries like Pakistan are often required by international financial institutions to undertake adjustments, which in the short term adversely impact upon the welfare of weaker groups, particularly poor women and children. Pakistan (more) Conference on Women - 17 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 therefore advocates that the Conference Platform for Action should provide for an increased flow of international assistance to countries undertaking such programmes. ELIZABETH DOWDESWELL, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme: Contradictions abound in today's world, where a Picasso can fetch $40 million while half a million women die every year of starvation and disease. Though much of the edifice of development today stands on the backs of women, they comprise the most vulnerable segment of society. There are no easy solutions to the problems before the Conference. "The presence of so many leading figures of the international women's movement at this truly historic and unprecedented assembly is evidence of women's resolve to win economic and social equality and of their refusal to accept poverty, disease and premature death as the natural lot of women." The environment is an overarching theme which permeates all other critical areas of concern in the draft platform. Environmental degradation destroys not only the natural world but also the social, economic and political conditions that are pre-requisites to the survival of human rights. The achievement of sustainable development is inextricably bound up with the establishment of women's equality. In most parts of the world, women are the first to notice environmental degradation and the first to suffer from it. Development policies must incorporate women's wisdom. It must be recognized that poverty has a gender bias and that empowerment is the catalyst for women's participation in decision- making. ALCINDA DE ABREU, Minister for the Coordination of Social Action of Mozambique: Women are the cornerstones of home and family, a fact which is the basic pillar of society. And the improvement of women's status depends partly on the level of development of individual countries and government policies towards women. The worsening of the worldwide poverty situation, the continued rise of unemployment rates, the adverse social costs deriving from economic restructuring, political instability and armed conflicts have been a disastrous cumulative blow to women and their aspirations for development. In addition to those phenomena, some countries have had to endure oppressive cultural values which turn women into objects for the use of society. It is therefore imperative that this Conference be recorded as a collective commitment to a vision of women-centred development, of the eradication of poverty and unemployment, and of social integration. The Conference's agenda encompasses issues of particular relevance to Mozambique, a country just emerging from 16 years of a war that has destroyed economic and social tissues. Some 60 per cent of Mozambique's 16 million inhabitants live below absolute poverty. Per capita income is $80, and one-third of the population is going through the resettlement process. The illiteracy rate is 72 per cent, with 77.6 per cent of illiterates being women. The Government is concerned to promote (more) Conference on Women - 18 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 programmes to reach the most vulnerable social layers, mainly women. It considers the emancipation of women a major goal to aim for within the framework of the country's overall economic and social development, and has created a Ministry for the Coordination of Social Action to coordinate and promote women and gender issues, among other aims. Now it is vital to translate into action the willingness to improve the lot of women expressed by so many Governments. ISMAEL KPANDJA BINGUITCHA-FARE, Minister of Employment, Labour, Administration and Social Affairs of Togo: Social peace is a sine qua non for economic development. The surest means of achieving peace and development is to ensure equal rights to all, with no discrimination, particularly not on the grounds of gender. Only equality between men and women, in a spirit of partnership and understanding, can lead to social development. The equality of men and women is enshrined in Togolese law. Any delay in the education and training of women could only result in the backwardness of a society as a whole. Poverty was more of a burden on women than on men and must be eradicated, along with other political and social barriers. The status of women and of men went together and must develop in a partnership based on consensus. Her Royal Highness MARIE RANARIDDH of Cambodia: Two decades of tragic events had deeply affected Cambodian women, who represent two thirds of the population. Social networks have been weakened by death and separation. Villages, once composed of extended family networks, have been affected by displacement and repatriation. For Cambodian women, the political changes since 1992 have ushered in a new era of opportunities. The Constitution adopted in 1993 states that men and women are equal. Women are considered a major resource in the nation's development, on an equal footing with men. A comprehensive women's code is soon to be introduced in Cambodia, in keeping with the country's international commitments. To enable Cambodian women to contribute substantively to development, women must be enabled to break the chain of poverty. All laws discriminating against women in economic activities must be eliminated. The proportion of women in programmes for sustainable development must be increased. HASSAN GOULED, First Lady of Djibouti: The objective of the Conference is to adopt a platform of action pointing out the obstacles hindering women in all areas of development. It is also to identify priority measures for fulfilment of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women by the Year 2000. The women of developing countries are still victim to inequalities. There has been progress in improved maternal and child health, suppression of genital mutilation, (more) Conference on Women - 19 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 an increase in the education of young girls. Nevertheless, further progress was needed to bring women fully into the development process. The barriers to that progress must be eradicated. CONSTANCIA MANGUEDE OBIANG NGUEMA, First Lady of Equatorial Guinea: The women of Equatorial Guinea struggle against the stains of anti-human traditions, machismo, and social attitudes opposed to human freedoms and equality with men. Such abuses as dowries, all forms of sexual harassment, physical and moral abuse in the home, low levels of education for women, and absence of economic rights and parental authority over their children should be condemned and abolished. Women should be recognized as human beings who contribute to the progress of humankind on an equal basis with men, as their companions. To achieve this goal, all the forces of the world must be mobilized. The anachronistic mentality of those forces opposed to such changes -- whether male or female -- must be rolled back. If social equality between men and women is secured, it will ensure the happiness of all humanity. The general tenor, worldwide, is that women have not achieved full social integration on a par with men. Development is a necessity if such integration is to be achieved. The Conference should give serious consideration to the relationship between development and the social integration of women. The causes of underdevelopment must be attacked at the root. This is possible if the will is there. ADRIANUS MOOY, Executive Secretary, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP): Despite significant economic gains in the ESCAP region in the past decade, the improvement in the status of women has not matched the region's economic performance. Gender disparity in participation rate, as well as in wages and earnings, persist in all countries of the region. There has been a drop in infant and maternal mortality rates and a rise in female life expectancy, while total fertility rates have continued to decline in the region since the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies of 1985. But the improvements have been unevenly distributed both among and within countries, while the increased vulnerability of women to the HIV/AIDS infection poses a new policy challenge. Similarly, while there had been significant improvement in the access of girls and women to education, problems persisted. It is increasingly recognized that women-specific programmes do not succeed unless they have been integrated into national development plans and receive institutional support at the political and community level. Most countries in Asia and the Pacific have established or strengthened national machineries for the advancement of women. However, only 20 out of 55 ESCAP geographical members and associate members have ratified the main international instrument for ensuring gender equality -- the Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, and many have (more) Conference on Women - 20 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 done so with reservations. Although many countries have provided for de jure equality for women under the law, de facto equality is usually elusive. The persistence of various forms of violence against women poses another challenge which must be addressed. In order to bridge the gaps in the ESCAP region, attention should be focussed on a number of key issues, including poverty alleviation programmes aimed at stemming the growing feminization of poverty; provision of basic social services and reproductive health programmes; promotion of legal equality and advocacy; programmes to ensure equal access to economic participation; measures to promote equality in political participation and decision-making; enhancement of women's participation in environmental and natural-resource management; and programmes to combat the increasing incidence of violence against women. Mme. CISSEMAMOUNATA, Director of the Women's Committee of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions: Only struggle pays. Therefore, we must struggle for what is possible and conceivable. We must struggle for a world in which women are free from discrimination and have equal access to quality jobs. There must be a climate of social peace to bring that about. The Confederation appeals to Governments to adopt legislation to allow women to join labour organizations of their choice. They must have the right to social security and home employment. Women must be guaranteed equal participation in the decision-making structure. We do not want a divided world, divided by racism, sexism and xenophobia. Our battle must be to build a society which does not exploit its men and women workers, or the most vulnerable and invisible. That applies, in particular, to the young and to migrant workers. The success in the Conference will be found in the follow-up to its actions. All those women without a voice, who were experiencing the consequences of fratricidal wars, were counting on the results of the Conference. The main goal of the Conference must be to allow for the complete integration of women, poverty elimination, and jobs for women in national and international development policies. Non-governmental organizations must be involved in that process. The goal of the Conference did not diverge from that of the Confederation. There must be a commitment at the Conference to change the world through equality, in a world in which men and women would decide together what the world shall be. MARGARET OGOLA, Vice-President of Family Life Counselling, a non- governmental organization: Conflict between man and women is unnecessary because women bring an equal and powerful complementarity to the common human condition. Men and women share one world. Equality must not deny anyone their rightful due. Equality would be self-defeating if it were based on injustice. Woman's health must not be torpedoed by other peoples' agendas. Africans know their health systems have deteriorated alarmingly under the weight of structural adjustment programmes and the eternal burden of foreign debt. The priorities for African women include making health (more) Conference on Women - 21 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 care systems effective, affordable and accessible; training of mid-wives and middle level health care providers, who can reach more women at a grass roots level; use of cheap and reliable natural family planning methods. There seems to be a conspiracy to keep African women in the dark regarding the many dangerous side effects of contraceptives and the experimentation and dumping of untested and harmful drugs in Africa and other developing countries is to be deplored. The irreplaceable role of parents and the family in educating and forming children's sexuality must be recognized along with a respect for African culture and traditional beliefs. Basic and secondary education must be strengthened and professional and vocational educational facilities made accessible and affordable. SHOBHANA RANADE, President, All India Women's Federation (on behalf of seven Indian non-governmental organizations): With two-thirds of the world's population dependent on agriculture, there is no mention of the draft platform of action of land reform and the need for land distribution with ownership rights (as opposed to access) to poor women. The goal of all programmes undertaken should be the total eradication of poverty, not just the alleviation of poverty. The Indian non-governmental organizations oppose the primacy given to population reduction through the control of women's fertility by the use of harmful contraceptives in programmes, often through coercive methods. There should be comprehensive legislation against domestic violence, enacted through the United Nations. The NGOs deplore the use of violence by the State or by dominant classes, including the use of rape as a weapon against women of oppressed communities. The Conference should recognize the linkages between easily recognizable pornography and increasing violence against women and appeal to the media to halt the "commodification" of the female body. While recognizing that economic interdependence is the prerequisite for women's equality, non-governmental organizations condemn the devastation caused by structural adjustment programmes in the field of employment for women. Rights of Reply SAVITRI KUNADI (India), speaking in exercise of the right of reply: In India's statement yesterday, India was compelled to respond to a baseless allegation by Pakistan, in order to set the record straight. Pakistan has again used this forum to present falsehoods , with the aim of promoting its territorial ambitions. Pakistan plays a direct role in sponsoring, aiding and abetting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of India. Pakistan is in illegal possession of a part of Indian territory, which it acquired through war. (more) Conference on Women - 22 - Press Release WOM/BEI/21 5th Meeting (PM) 6 September 1995 Pakistan employs terrorism in its proxy war against India, to pursue its territorial agenda. The present troubled situation in Jammu and Kashmir is entirely the result of Pakistan's support of terrorism. Pakistan has provided training and weapons to terrorists who employed rape and ethnic cleansing. Innocent women and children were affected. The recent kidnapping of Western terrorists and the beheading of one of them is illustrative. Pakistan aided and abetted such terrorist groups. Instead of shedding crocodile tears, Pakistan should let the people of Jammu and Kashmir live in peace. If it is genuinely concerned about the rights of women, it should begin improving the condition of its own women, repeal its own blasphemy laws, and brave international scrutiny. MASOUD KHAN (Pakistan): The leader of Pakistan's delegation had mentioned that the rights of women in Kashmir are being violated. Women have been molested and raped, dishonored, their dignity destroyed, their lives endangered. India's representative, a woman, has not felt anything for the Kashmiri women but has chosen to repeat the Indian Government's baseless allegations. It is documented that some 4,500 Kashmiri women have been molested by India's security forces. This is one of the grossest violations of women ever reported. The Conference should address the plight of the Kashmiri women. India's delegate has tried to distort the facts. India tries to cover its crimes through a distortion of facts. The recent incident of hostage- taking was masterminded by India, according to Pakistan's information. This is a fact. Report after report have indicated that women of all ages in Kashmir have been arrested and raped, under the supervision of India's security forces. Can India defend that indefensible crime? Ms. KUNADI (India): It is Pakistan which is distorting facts. Pakistan has sponsored terrorists. That reached the height of brutality in the recent beheading. Pakistan continues to use the most brutal repression of its own people. Pakistan's sponsorship of international terrorism could also be found in the attempt to blow up the World Trade Centre in New York. The most brutal of the terrorist groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been directly sustained by Pakistan, as has been documented, even by Pakistan's own media. The pro forma condemnation of hostage-taking by Pakistani leaders aims at concealing Pakistan's complicity. Mr. KHAN (Pakistan): India's delegate has spoken of terrorism and not about women, although this is a Conference on Women. India will not be successful in its efforts to denigrate Pakistan. Indians are behind the beheading in Pakistan. India does not say rape has not been committed in Kashmir by Indian security forces. India wishes to deflect attention from those crimes. * *** *