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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


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                       Excerpt from Press Release.
  The written statement was not available in a scannable language at the
                time of presentation in the conference.
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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 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."