Closing statement of the Fourth World Conference on Women
by FWCW Secretary-General, Ms. Gertrude Mongella
	

Excellencies
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen

	As I rise to make my closing remarks at this most special of all
UN World Conferences, I cannot help but heave a big sigh of relief. 
Relief, not because the numerous meetings, consultations and events
associated with the Fourth World Conference on Women are officially over. 
But relief and happiness, that we have made it. 

	My dear sisters and brothers, we have made it!  We have managed to
transcend historical and cultural complexities; we have managed to
transcend socio-economic disparities and diversities; we have kept aflame
our common vision and goal of equality, development and peace.  In a
number of areas, we have significantly expanded the horizons of previous
Conferences.  Finally, we have managed to achieve our consensus document -
the Platform for Action - a task that was accomplished through the hard
work and cooperative spirit, dedication and determination of governments
and other groups represented here. 

	It is a wonderful feeling.  I am sure that we all share this
moment for which we have all diligently worked from all levels. We all
contributed our part so we can all join together to celebrate our common
achievement of today in the same spirit of solidarity which guided our
activities and actions up to, and including Beijing.  Each and every one
has contributed time, energy and vision to enable us all to arrive at this
critical turning point in the history of humanity.  I thank you all
sincerely. 

	To our hosts, the Government and people of China, no words can
adequately express my gratitude for the physical infrastructure you placed
at our disposal;  for the moral and friendly support you provided to make
us feel we are at home here; for the untiring efforts you made to secure
and protect us; and also for the many spectacular entertainment and events
arranged for participants to both the NGO Forum and the Conference.  Thank
you.  For all these, we are especially grateful to the China Organizing
Committee and the All-China Women's Federation and all the volunteers for
their dedication and commitment and for the smooth coordination of all
preparatory arrangements. 

	The 1995 NGO Forum on Women which was held from 30th August to 8
September 1995, "to bring together women and men to challenge, create and
transform global structures and processes at all levels through the
empowerment and celebration of women", brought together over 25,000 women,
men and youth to discuss in workshops, symposia and other consultations,
different aspects of concerns which touch the very lives of women.  Some
of the debates that took place generated animosity which reflects
divergent views and the difficult process of consensus- building.  For
after all, ladies and gentlemen, do we know of any conferences that did
not have these impassioned debates? 

	Ladies and Gentlemen,
	The all-inclusive celebrations of women's work which took place at
Huairou helped to cement the bonds and networking among women from all
corners of the globe.  I thank the organizers of the 1995 NGO Forum for
their drive, dedication and support. 

	To the Secretary-General, Dr. Boutros Boutros-Ghali, who has been
with us from the very beginning, I thank him for his support and for
placing his trust in me.  I thank him also for committing himself to the
follow-up actions to meet the aspirations of so many, many women - and he
has done so. 

	I also take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to
all the Secretariat of the United Nations as well as colleagues from other
UN Agencies, specialized organizations and bodies, who are too many to
enumerate here, for their unflinching support.  Had it not been for their
hard work throughout the preparatory process and certainly in Beijing, the
Conference would not have proceeded as smoothly as it has been. 

	I thank and bless the youth.  You have been with us throughout. 
It is you, with your creativity, courage, energy and vision, who will make
us move forward. 

 For as I have said before, the youth own the future and you have a right
to own the actions of Beijing.  We will, therefore, rely on you to carry
on the revolution! 

	And now, friends, we have our Platform, a platform from which we
should manage the changes expected of us.  We owe much to the able
chairmanship of Mme Chen Muhua, President of the Conference;  Dr. Patricia
Licuanan, Chairperson of the Main Committee; Obaapanyin Nana Ama Yeboaa,
Chairperson of Working Group I;  Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl,
Chairperson of Working Group II and all the others, whose efforts have
facilitated the process towards the adoption of this Platform.  We now
have in our hands, the mandates for which we have been working;  our
legitimate basis to demand change.  Our Platform which represents a global
consensus for social change cannot now be hidden away and allowed to
collect dust. 

	Friends, the Fourth World Conference on Women is concluded, but
the real work of transforming words into action is only now beginning. 
Let the spirit of organization and goal-setting which marked the
preparatory phase of this Conference become the energy to propel
implementation.  Let the diversities of women now be channelled into
making women indeed, "the greatest multipliers of prosperity" rather than
the "greatest victims of poverty". 
	
	We have taken the decisive, irreversible step forward; there is no
going back.  The strands for weaving a better world for humanity are here;
let us, therefore, act, and act now.  While I do not wish to
under-estimate the problems which would accompany the implementation of
the Platform, I believe firmly that if we all do our little bit, no matter
how small it is, we shall succeed in making even the impossible, possible. 

	For, as our Chinese hosts say, the journey of a thousand miles,
begins with one step.  The journey will, however, not be on super-highways
on which we can gear up at full speed:  it might rather take us over seas
and lakes; over hills, mountains and valleys; it will take us many years
of hard work and sacrifice to journey to the end.  We may have to rest a
little at rest-stops when the going gets tough so that we can re-fuel,
re-fresh, and re-direct ourselves.  Social justice demands that we move
on.  Not even when we stray a little away from our course can we reverse
the social revolution which has been launched. 

	Let Beijing be the first step of our thousand miles to implement
the attainment of true equality, development and peace in the world.  Let
Beijing be the Platform from which our global crusade will be carried
forward.  Let us all commit ourselves, as we have been doing all along, to
carry the spirit and hopes of Beijing to all women, men and the young in
our hamlets, villages, towns, cities in every nation of the globe. 
Disseminate the Platform on your return home to your countries and let the
message be loud and clear - ACTION NOW. 

	The eyes of the world are upon us.  The world will hold us
accountable for the implementation of the good intensions and decisions
arrived at in Beijing.  I, therefore, charge you, my dear friends and
sisters, to re-assemble in your ranks, sharpen your focus and march on. 
Let us ensure that we carry the torch which was lit in Mexico, and
rekindled in Copenhagen and Nairobi, further forward from Beijing.  We
shall surely get there! 

	Thank you for your attention and God Bless you!