STATEMENT

BY

H.E. DR ERNEST PETRIC

AMBASSADOR

PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE OF SLOVENIA

TO THE UNITED NATIONS

AND

HEAD OF DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA TO THE

TWENTY-THIRD SPECIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

"WOMEN 2000: GENDER EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE

FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY"

NEW YORK, 9 JUNE 2000

PERMANENT MISSION OF SLOVENIA TO THE UNITED NATIONS

Mr. President,

it is an honour and pleasure for me to address this distinguished forum on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia. Slovenia has also associated itself with the statement delivered by the distinguished Minister for Equality of Portugal who spoke on behalf of the European Union on the first day of the Special Session. This gathering provides us with a valuable opportunity to take stock of the progress made so far in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action which is the strongest commitment to promotion of women's empowerment ever made by the international community. It also obliges us to identify obstacles encountered in the post-Beijing process of making gender equality a reality.

Mr. President,

five years ago Slovenia joined other countries in Beijing in agreeing that ))the implementation of the Platform for Action requires commitment from Governments and the international community. By making this commitment we recognized the need to take priority action for the empowerment and advancement of women. We believe that we can look with some pride at the achievements made so far.

Slovenia has reviewed all relevant laws and integrated several special equality provisions to most important parts of new legislation which is being prepared in accordance with Slovenia's aspiration to become a member of the European Union. New legal provisions guaranteeing human rights without discrimination on the basis of sex were accompanied by introduction of measures to alert women to their rights. Women's Policy Office, operating as a professional service of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia since 1992, has also been developing enforcement mechanisms to ensure equality between women and men. These enforcement mechanisms will be introduced in a near future by a special act on equal opportunities.

Slovenia attaches great importance to capacity building for the empowerment of women and gender equality. A governmental intersectoral group was set up which is responsible to create the mainstreaming policy plan and to prepare a >>mission statement« which will be issued by the Government, stating its intent to mainstream gender equality into all policies and programmes. Several actions to reconcile professional and family life of women have also been formulated and proposed to respective ministries for their consideration and application.

Strong actions have been put in place in Slovenia since the Fourth World Conference on Women to confront various forms of violence against women and girls, to raise awareness on reproductive health and to secure equal opportunities of women and men in the labour market. Particular attention is given to the rights arising from labour relations and possibilities of complaint in case of violation of these rights. All of these actions were measured by qualitative and quantitative benchmarking regime.

Great majority of these acitivites were implemented jointly with non-governmental organizations and other partners. Engaging civil society and creating deeper partnership with women's organizations and other relevant actors has been one of the crucial and indispensable elements in translating into practice the political commitments and international obligations undertaken regarding advancement of women and gender equality.

Mr. President,

perhaps the most important part of the review processes like this one is to recognize also the failures and shortcomings. Despite the fact that progress has undoubtedly been achieved in some areas and that the advancement of women is now firmly on our agenda, stereotypes and prejudices regarding the role of women and men in a society persist. There are still too many problems facing women worldwide that call for our stronger action and commitment.

For Slovenia, women's participation in politics remains one of the most visible obstacles on the road we still have to travel. Slovenia is among the countries with still too low representation of women at all levels of political decision-making bodies, although the problem has been addressed several times before and after the Beijing Conference. Political decisions and institutions matter. And women's participation and active involvement in all issues, in every sphere of human activity, matters. Women's perspectives have to be acknowledged and accorded the weight they deserve. Women's experience need to be utilised. Women's wisdom and talents have not yet been fully recognized and given the appropriate significance and impact. Without this, the goals of equality, peace and development can not be achieved. Fortunately; there are many good examples to be followed of countries which successfuly broke the pattern of under-representation of women, utilizing a variety of measures to ensure better power sharing. The United Nations lead the way with an unprecedented number of women at senior and policy-making positions.

Mr. President,

the Beijing Platform for Action reaffirmed that women's rights are human rights. The most important international instrument for ensuring human rights and equality for women is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. The principle of equality has to be complied with. Remedies on national as well as internationl level need to be available to women who have suffered discrimination. Adoption of the Optional protocol to the CEDAW Convention was a historic step in this direction. Slovenia signed the Optional Protocol when it was first opened for signature last year on Human Rights Day and we are in the process of its ratification.

Mr. President,

this special session is but a continuation of a journey that started long before the First World Conference on Women was held in Mexico in 1975. It led us through Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing to the treshold of a new millennium. Our goals remain the same: Equality, Development and Peace. Let us use this opportunity to chart our course towards the future and bring home and to the women of the world meaningful outcome, strong messages and concrete results.

Thank you, Mr. President.