Fourth World Conference WOM/BEI/29 on Women 12 September 1995 12th Meeting (AM) CONFERENCE CONTINUES EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ON WAYS TO PROMOTE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND PROTECT THEIR HUMAN RIGHTS Accepts Credentials of 189 States Representatives Attending Beijing Meetings The Fourth World Conference on Women, continuing its general exchange of views, heard speakers from Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific review efforts their countries are taking to promote the advancement of women and protect their human rights, drawing attention to such obstacles as poverty, underdevelopment and traditional views which hindered those efforts. First Lady Sara Nazarbaeva, of Kazakstan, stressed the role of women as peace-makers and the feminine values of warmth, kindness, tenderness and the transmission of moral values. Women and men were two parts of a single whole, and that whole meant the family, the clan, the nation and humankind. She called on the Conference to appeal to the General Assembly to establish a collective system for environmental security. In Turkmenistan, women played an important part in all spheres of life, the Deputy Chair of its Parliament, Abbad Rezaeva, said. A high percentage of women were married, the divorce rate low and birth rate high. Pregnant women in Turkmenistan are entitled to the earliest release for maternity leave of any country and were not required to return to the workplace for three years, where they retained seniority and health benefits. The problem of illiteracy had been entirely eliminated. The Minister of Women's Affairs of Western Samoa, Polotaivao Fosi, said his country's Constitution guaranteed women's human rights and their equality with men. Women held top Government decision-making posts at Cabinet level, in the judiciary and in various ministries. Women enjoyed equal access to education, and their literacy level was 97.8 per cent. (more) Conference on Women - 2 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 Haiti's Minister for the Status of Women, Lise Marie Dejean, expressed deep concern over the unprecedented poverty in her country. Shrinking budgets for social programmes had reduced women's access to resources and the labour market, who had to increase their work-rate without increasing their income. That had resulted in an undermining of democracy. Investment in women was a key element of equitable, sustainable development. Despite recent achievements, women in Gambia were still socially and economically disadvantaged in access to credit, land, appropriate technology, education and health, First Lady Tuti A.J.J. Jammeh said. In a largely agricultural country, tilled mainly by women, there still was not adequate access to land ownership and other productive resources. Gambia hoped for continued international support and invited its development partners to review their policies in order to adequately address the needs of women. In Bangladesh, both the Prime Minister and leader of the major opposition party were women, the Minister for Women and Children's Affairs, Begum Sarwari Rahman, pointed out. The Government had given top priority to primary and mass education and had prepared an action plan for women's advancement. While the formal sector of employment had failed to employ the tens of thousands of impoverished women, a large number were involved in the informal sector. Women's life expectancy has risen to 57 years and was almost equal to that of men. Statements were also made this morning by the Director of Cabinet of Women and Family Affairs of Sao Tome and Principe; a member of the National Council and of the Executive Committee of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice of Eritrea; the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Services of Sierra Leone; the representative of Lesotho; Chief of Division in the International and Regional Organizations Directorate of Madagascar's Foreign Ministry, Henriette Rababy; the Lieutenant Governor of Guam; and a representative of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. At the outset of this morning's meeting the Conference adopted the report of its Credentials Committee, by virtue of which it accepted or provisionally accepted (pending receipt in proper form) the credentials of the representatives of 189 States. 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/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 Conference Work Programme The Fourth World Conference on Women met this morning to continue its general exchange of views. The Conference will also consider the report of its Credentials Committee (A/CONF.177/14), which is composed of China, Fiji, Honduras, Namibia, Portugal, Russian Federation, Suriname, Togo and the United States. The Committee reports it has accepted the credentials of 189 States and the European Community. Of these, formal credentials were received for the representatives of the following 106 States: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Australia, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei Darussalam, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Congo, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Guyana, Haiti, Hungary, India, Iraq, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liberia, Libya, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Saint Lucia, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States and Uzbekistan. The remaining 83 States submitted information concerning their representatives by a variety of means. Their credentials were accepted on the understanding that formal credentials for them would be communicated to the Secretary-General as soon as possible. They are: Afghanistan, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Holy See, Honduras, Iceland, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakstan, Kiribati, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Mali, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Monaco, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Niue, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, South Africa, Syria, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. (more) Conference on Women - 4 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 A draft resolution submitted by Credentials Committee to the Conference asks the Conference to approve the Committee's report. Statements MARIA DO CARMO SEQUIERA BRAGANCA NETO, Director of Cabinet of Women and Family Affairs of Sao Tome and Principe: In Sao Tome and Principe, where women constitute 50.6 per cent of the population, the law states that all citizens are equal. In the economic fields there are no provisions to facilitate equality of women, but they participate in trade, agriculture and particularly in the fishing industry. The Government has created a structure to promote the integration of women in the development of the country. In education, the percentage of female students in primary and secondary levels is high but because of a high dropout rate, the proportion declines at higher education levels. Labour law establishes equal opportunity and equal access to work. The concept of equal pay for equal work is established but women's participation in the work force amounts to 30 per cent. Most women are still heads of family. They have scant representation in the political arena. Nor are they called upon to take part in decision-making regarding the interests of the country. There are few women in government. The Government is concerned about the incidence of violence which is a phenomenon often found both in rural and urban areas, involving individuals from all social areas and sometimes in alarming proportions. Women are also confronted with the negative effects of social and economic adjustment programmes. The women of Sao Tome and Principe appeal to the international community to implement the decisions and recommendations of the conference. SARWARI RAHMAN, Minister for Women and Children's Affairs of Bangladesh: In 1971, following the war of liberation, in which women and children were the worst victims, Bangladesh earnestly addressed the rehabilitation and welfare of war-affected women. Among other things, the Government has established a Women's Affairs Cell, a National Women's Organization and the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs. Bangladeshi women's involvement in the political process has increased remarkably. In Parliament, 10 per cent of the seats are reserved for women. The nation is proud to have a woman Prime Minister. The leader of the major opposition party is also a woman. To increase the participation of women in local government bodies, the city corporation and public administration, women are guaranteed a certain percentage of available positions. In Bangladesh, contrary to developed countries, males outlive females. As a result of continuing efforts to improve health services, the life expectancy of women has (more) Conference on Women - 5 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 risen to 57 years and is almost equal to that of men. The Government has given top priority to primary and mass education. A special scholarship scheme for girls has been introduced in secondary and higher education to reduce the dropout level. Current trends indicate that the traditional roles of women are changing. Rural women are becoming involved in activities outside the home and women are increasingly involved in almost all economic activities. The formal sector of employment has failed to employ the tens of thousands of impoverished women but a large number are involved in the informal sector. Various laws have been enacted to contain violence against women and the Government has prepared a national policy and plan of action for the advancement of women. ABBAN REZAEVA, Deputy Chair of the Parliament of Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan has been independent for four years now. Internal political stability, social harmony and the major economic resource potential all provide the guarantees for strengthening its independence and strengthening the State. Turkmenistan adheres to the principles of positive neutrality. There has been great support for the President's proposal to give Turkmenistan the status of a peace-making centre in Asia. Women play an important part in all spheres of life in Turkmenistan. A high percentage of women are married, and there is a low level of divorce and a high birth rate. The Parliament has developed a series of laws concerning women as mothers and as workers. Pregnant women in Turkmenistan are entitled to the earliest release for maternity leave of any country -- from the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, or earlier if they work under difficult conditions. When there are birth complications, their leave may be extended to 164 days. They need not return to the workplace for three years, where they retain seniority and health benefits. The State is establishing real opportunities for women to work in any economic branch, depending on their inclination and wishes. The problem of illiteracy has been entirely eliminated. TUTI A.J.J. JAMMEH, First Lady of Gambia: Gambia, with slightly over a million people, has taken great strides towards the advancement of women. There has been a marked improvement in the status of women at the public sector level. A six-year multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded Women in Development Project has been put into place. The present Government has appointed women to key public positions. Despite recent achievements, however, women in Gambia have a long way to go. They are still socially and economically disadvantaged in terms of access to credit, land, appropriate technology, education and health. In this largely agricultural country which is largely tilled by women, they still do not have adequate access to land ownership and other productive resources. In Gambia, cultural factors related to religious misconception and traditional beliefs; early marriage and teenage pregnancy also hinder women's social progress. (more) Conference on Women - 6 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 Gambia hopes for continued international support and cooperation of its development partners. Programmes and projects to address the constraints of women call for inputs from the entire world. The Government invites development partners to review their policies in order to adequately address the needs of women. In cooperation with non- governmental organizations and development partners, Gambia has undertaken the following commitments: the formulation of a national policy on women; review of the National Women's Council Act; review of the agricultural policy to make it gender sensitive; increased women's access to agriculture and the informal sector; continued review of health and education programmes and services for women; and action to tackle the problem of violence against women. LISE MARIE DEJEAN, Minister for the Status of Women of Haiti: Tribute must be paid to the international community and its solidarity with Haiti, which led to the return of constitutional order and democracy to Haiti. The Conference is being held not long after the return to Haiti of its first freely elected President and of the establishment of Haiti's Ministry for Women. Since 1975, International Women's Year, the world has seen many changes in all areas of activity. Though progress has been made, women are far from achieving the economic and social balance which is sought. Two thirds of the world's illiterates are women and 71 per cent of its poor are women. Women earn 30 to 40 per cent less than men. In Haiti, sentences for adultery are very much more severe for women than for men. Haitian law does not represent cohabitation, which is the situation of the vast majority of Haitian women. Sexist practices restrict women's access to education. Domestic violence affects most women, regardless of their economic and social situation. Armed conflicts force many women and children to emigrate, condemning them to the uncertain life of refugees. Haiti is deeply concerned about the unprecedented poverty affecting it. Power has been concentrated in certain groups, paralyzing efforts at the local level to promote equality between the genders. Shrinking budgets for social programmes have reduced women's access to resources and the labour market. Women have had to increase their work-rate without increasing their income. This has resulted in an undermining of democracy. Investment in women is a key element of equitable, sustainable development. SARA NAZARBAEVA, First Lady of Kazakstan: Forums such as this Conference provide an opportunity to remind States and governments of the many problems concerning women and the family, and the many violations of their rights. We, together, must change this world, making it good, just and free of bloodshed. (more) Conference on Women - 7 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 Women in Kazakstan have long believed in the need to live in peace and harmony, both at home and with their neighbours. Women and men are two parts of a single whole, and that whole means the family, the clan, the nation and humankind. If a woman, forgetting about her husband and children, devotes herself entirely to her own welfare, that indicates abnormal relations in society. Education does not only mean knowledge; it also means a level of warmth, kindness and tenderness. It also means the transmission of moral values which temper tendencies to violence. Women have to play their role as peacemakers. A children's fund in Kazakstan is involved in charitable activities. The fund is actively involved in the medical care of children. I invite those involved in charitable work for children to cooperate actively with us. The Conference should declare the need to establish a collective system for environmental security. An appeal by the Conference to the General Assembly would have an effect on the most hard-line political leaders and the most conservative forces. Women have always stood up against animosity and intolerance. Let us, today, do everything possible to stop wars and the destruction of our planet. ASKALU MENKERIOS, of the National Council and Executive Committee of Eritrean People's Front for Democracy and Justice of Eritrea, and President of the National Union of Eritrean Women: The Government is determined to adhere to all international instruments which promote women's rights as equal citizens and their advancement. The dynamics and exigencies of 30 years of war changed old values that relegated women to second-class citizenship. Women made up about 35 per cent of the liberation army, and took part in all aspects of the war including active combat. Their military prowess combined with the endeavours of the liberation front to ascertain the equality of the sexes dramatically affected traditional attitudes and values. The Government aims to enhance society's awareness of women's role in the socio-economic, political and cultural transformation of the country; uphold women's rights and change relevant inheritance laws; ensure women's participation in education, economic activities and employment; introduce labour-saving technologies to reduce the drudgery of women's work; and improve mother-child health care services. The Government has abolished child and arranged marriages; prohibited brideprice and dowry, raised the legal age for marriage to 18 years and ensured equal rights of women to initiate divorce proceedings. Every citizen has the right of access to land for housing and farming upon reaching the age of 18. Still, women in Eritrea must overcome many obstacles to ensure real equality. Large segments of society still resort to customary laws and traditions in marriage and divorce. Dangerous traditional practices such as circumcision prevail in many areas. The percentage of women attending secondary and tertiary education remain low. (more) Conference on Women - 8 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 BAILAH LEIGH, Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Services of Sierra Leone: The gross national product has shrunk over the last 10 to 15 years and the economy, infrastructure, education, health and social services have virtually collapsed. Four years ago, the Revolutionary United Front waged war on the people of Sierra Leone. The conflict has adversely affected every aspect of national life; civilians, particularly women and children, have been targeted. Over the last three years, the Government has been trying to establish peace, embark on development programmes, and address abject poverty and the battered economy, while putting into place a transitional multi-party democratic programme. In collaboration with United Nations agencies, bilateral and multilateral donors and non-governmental programmes, various action plans have been implemented in health, education, road infrastructure and other basic services. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 18-month gender mainstreaming project is underway and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) is backing a programme to promote women's participation and empowerment. An informal programme to promote literacy among girls and women is being implemented and reproductive issues are being integrated into the national family planning programmes. A women's bureau was established in 1988 and operates within the Department of Social Services. A national policy on women which was ratified in 1989, and is being reformulated to deal with current realities, particularly the need to rehabilitate women and children who have been traumatized physically, psychologically and socially. POLATAIVAO FOSI, Minister of Women's Affairs of Western Samoa: The Government has taken important steps to implement the 1985 Nairobi Forward- looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women towards the achievement of equality, peace and development. Efforts to balance the preservation of traditional cultures with development and conservation have brought about major political, economic, social and cultural changes, which have directly affected women and children. Their lives and survival have been threatened by the effects of nuclear activity in the Pacific. A Ministry of Women's Affairs was established in 1990, to give women an official voice in government decision-making and provide a focal point for coordinating women's issues and activities. The Constitution guarantees women's human rights and their equality with men. Other legislation has given practical application to the principle of freedom from discrimination. Western Samoa was the first Pacific country to ratify the Convention on All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Universal suffrage was implemented in 1991. Women hold top government decision-making posts at Cabinet level, in the judiciary and in various ministries. They are also well represented at the middle management level in all Government departments. Western Samoa recognizes that (more) Conference on Women - 9 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 women's issues also affect the family and general community, and policies and programmes to address women's issues span all Government departments. Women enjoy equal access to education, and their literacy level is 97.8 per cent compared to men's 98.6 per cent. The "Policy and Programme Development for Women of Samoa", a plan of action implemented last year, sets priorities to empower women through education and training and to expand their knowledge, skills and economic capabilities. Mrs. BASAVARAJESWARDI, representative of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC): It is imperative that men and women build on the unprecedented momentum that has been created as a build-up to the Conference, in order to usher in the new millenium. South Asia was the first region from which emerged women leaders of world stature. The majority of those living in poverty live in the South Asian region. Gender discrimination is at its worst in conditions of deprivation. The rising trend of atrocities against women and persistent discrimination against girl-children disturbs the collective consciousness of the region. The Association reaffirms the right to develop as individuals and nations. Women's dignity and equal access to means of production are critical to the process of empowerment, as is effective mainsteaming of gender concerns in macro policies and structures. Access to health education and nutrition is necessasry, as is the elimination of violence against women, and protection and development of the girl-child. National efforts in these directions must be reinforced by a favourable international environment, including access to resources, markets and technology on equitable terms. MANEO MOKHELE, of Lesotho: The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women was recently ratified. Government policies include a non-sexist approach to production and development, and a commitment to safeguard women's interests. The Government is also committed to ensuring that socio-legal practices do not impinge on women's rights or prevent the promotion of equality between men and women. About 50 per cent of the Lesotho people are poor or very poor and the majority of these are women. The Government has adopted strategies to foster labour intensive growth, especially among the rural poor, who are mainly women. It has encouraged the production of cash crops based on small scale-farm production and invested in rural infrastructure, including roads and dams, to help increase the range of cash crops and lower production and transportation costs. The small scale business sector is dominated by women and the Government is committed to removing restrictions on their ability to obtain credit. The Law Reform Commission was established to review statutes and laws which discriminate on the basis (more) Conference on Women - 10 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 of gender. Women play an important role as managers of local natural resources and the Government has implemented programmes to ensure they are actively involved in protecting the environment. These include the establishment of an industrial framework to coordinate environmental issues among ministries, non-governmental organizations and women's groups. Rural women are also being supplied with affordable technologies and educated on the application of alternative energy sources to relieve their workload and protect the environment. Girls and boys have an equal opportunity to attend school and attendance is not usually inhibited because of gender. However, career guidance is being strengthened, gender issues are being included in curriculum and girls are being encouraged to take professional courses historically dominated by males. Denise Fischer, Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Population of Madagascar: For many years, women have shown their determination to combat age-old inequalities, which continue to be a burden on them. Of the 1.3 billion people living in absolute poverty, 70 per cent are women. They receive only a small percentage of credits granted and have no security in the workplace, although they work more than men. They hold only 10 per cent of seats in parliaments and only 6 per cent of ministerial posts. Madagascar has signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The State has demonstrated a clear will to give women their rightful place in society. However, there are obstacles to women's growth in Madagascar's economy. Among them are vulnerability of mother's and children's health; insufficient schools for girls; a decrease in purchasing power; and a lack of access to the top posts -- women account for only one of 23 ministers, and eight of 138 parliamentarians. The advancement of women depends, to a large extent, on the nation's level of development. MADELEINE Z. BORDALLO, Lieutenant-Governor of Guam: Over the centuries, the Chamorro women of Guam have been the traditional custodians of the island's future. Colonist attempts to eliminate Chamorro culture by eliminating indigenous males were ignorant of the matrilineal nature of Chamorro culture. Today, attempts to eliminate the culture are more subtle, inconspicuous and subliminal. The protection of the Chamorro culture again falls on Guam's women, who are taking the lead in developing educational programmes and materials to protect, promote and preserve the Chamorro language, and identity. More of Guam's youth are motivated to learn about their heritage. Through a series of colonial changes and a world war, which devastated the island, women have suffered horrifically and triumphed. Since the Second World War, the administering Power has guaranteed limited and token "home rule" and Chamorro women have played pivotal roles in the island's political leadership. They are a powerful force in shaping internal and external politics and the economy. (more) Conference on Women - 11 - Press Release WOM/BEI/29 12th Meeting (AM) 12 September 1995 Women comprise 33 per cent of Guam's law-makers and 50 per cent of the judicial bench. Despite an internal process of governance which is limited by external forces, Guam has demonstrated it can provide for women's ascendancy to positions of equity, power and responsibility. The administering Power must respond to Guam's decade-old call for a process of self-determination that will allow the Chamorro people of Guam to decolonize their homeland, express their political status and choose their own external political relationship. * *** *