NORWAY'S NATIONAL FOLLOW-UP TO THE 
                 UNITED NATIONS' FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN

                                   May 1997, Oslo

Contents

INTRODUCTION                                                 2
A. WOMEN AND POVERTY                                         5
B. EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF WOMEN                           8
C. WOMEN AND HEALTH                                         11
D. VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN                                   15
E. WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT                                 20
F. WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY                                    24
G. WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-MAKING                       27
H. INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN    29
I. HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN                                    33
J. WOMEN AND THE MEDIA                                      38
K. WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT                                39
L. THE GIRL-CHILD                                           41


Introduction

The basic strategy for the further promotion of gender equality in Norway
is the mainstreaming of a gender perspective. This means that all
ministries are expected to integrate a gender perspective and the goal of
gender equality in policy formulation, decision-making and executive
procedures at all levels and in all policy areas. In addition, all parts of
the central administration are expected to follow up the Beijing conference
in their activities. Other actors as listed in the Platform for Action are
encouraged to take necessary action within their own mandates and levels of
authority. The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs is responsible for
coordination and accountability. A successful mainstreaming process
requires the active dissemination of information to all relevant actors.

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, as well as the report from
the preparatory conference in Vienna 1994, have been circulated to all
ministries and relevant public bodies and to more than a hundred NGOs,
including the social partners, women's organisations, financial and media
institutions. They were all invited to report on their own plans for
follow-up and to communicate concrete proposals and more general views on
national follow-up activities. All responses have been collected and
distributed back to the contributors, including the public authorities. 

It is especially important to educate ministries on the implications of the
mainstreaming process. A national strategy to follow up Beijing was
discussed by high-level representatives, including state secretaries, from
all the ministries at a conference on mainstreaming strategies in 1996. The
first reports on how the implementation of gender equality measures is
progressing in the individual ministry were produced the Spring 1997 in
connection with the preparation of a report on gender equality to the
Norwegian parliament. This report was delivered to and debated in
parliament in May.

A follow-up conference on Beijing was jointly organised in December 1995 by
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Children and Family
Affairs and the women's umbrella organisation, FOKUS. The women's
organisations and other NGOs formed the primary target group for the
conference and the objective was to transmit and exchange experiences from
the official and NGO conferences in Beijing and to discuss relevant areas
and proposals for national implementation strategies. The resulting report
was transmitted to all the ministries.

Areas which were identified for possible follow-up by the NGOs include: 
- Equality in the economic field, including a more effective use of women's
resources and potential for top-level management and entrepreneurship and
the use of satellite accounts for social and economic planning
- Human rights, including  the prevention of sexual violence, trafficking
in women and genital mutilation
- Promotion of gender equality and gender-sensitive education programmes
for male professionals in the armed forces, the police, the social and
medical services and the legal system 
- Development of the mainstreaming strategy, in particular with regard to
the systematic use of gender-impact analyses.

At the international level, Norway has given high priority to the
improvement of international instruments and other measures to improve the
promotion and protection of the human rights of women. A Nordic-Baltic
conference in the wake of Beijing was organised by the Nordic Council of
Ministers at the end of 1995. Implementation strategies on a Nordic and a
Nordic-Baltic level were discussed. As a result of the successful
cooperation between the eight Nordic and Baltic countries during the
preparation for and the follow-up to the Beijing conference, a
Nordic-Baltic conference on gender equality is scheduled for the beginning
of August 1997 in Latvia. Some 1000 women and men are expected to attend
the conference.

Efforts to promote gender equality are an integral part of Norwegian
foreign policy as a whole and in particular of development cooperation. In
1996 the Norwegian Parliament, the Storting, adopted the improvement of the
status of women and the promotion of gender equality as one of the five
primary objectives in Norwegian development cooperation. Norway is
following a two track path to integrate the gender equality perspective in
all levels of development cooperation:

1.  Mainstreaming, i.e. to integrate the gender perspective in all policies
and programmes. 
2.  Support women-targeted (and/or men-targeted) activities aimed at
levelling out gender disparities.

A Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation was
adopted in 1997 and constitutes a basis for communicating Norwegian gender
equality policies to partners in bilateral as well as multilateral
development cooperation. In the period 1997-2005, Norway will, in
accordance with the PFA, give particular focus to six priority areas:

- Women's rights: human rights and women, women and armed conflict,
violence against women, and the girl-child (pp. 210-233, pp. 24-130,
pp.276-285.)
- Women's role in decision-making processes: women in power and
decision-making, and institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women
(pp.190-195, pp.203-209.)
- Women and the economy: (pp.165-178).
- Women and education: (pp.80-88.)
- Women's health: (pp.106-111.)
- Women and natural resource and environmental management:(pp.253-258.)

Norway's role in development cooperation is to support development
processes in partner countries. The recipient country is responsible for
planning, implementing and following up development assistance activities.
Achieving gender equality is a national responsibility, as underlined in
the Beijing documents, and to make conditions for time-bound targets in
development cooperation is therefore the partner country's responsibility.
In general, the issue of promoting gender equality is a recurring element
in our dialogues with partner countries and organisations. This kind of
political commitment is necessary if efforts aimed at enhancing the status
of women and promoting gender equality are to succeed.

Getting satisfactory feedback on the impact of development cooperation on
gender equality is not always easy. A mainstreaming strategy adds to this
complexity. Norway is taking an active part in international efforts to
find satisfactory reporting mechanisms, for instance within the OECD.
According to the Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development
Cooperation, a yearly report will be produced, showing the objective of
strengthening the status of women and promoting gender equality is being
followed up in Norwegian development assistance.

This report is following the structure from the Platform for Action (PFA).

A. Women and poverty (pp.58-67) : National follow-up

A.4. Develop gender-based methodologies and conduct research to address the
feminization of poverty  

There has been little research on poverty in Norway. However, as the number
of women in remunerated employment has increased and families and
households have changed, increasing interest has been focused on
inequalities in income between women and men. The Nordic Council of
Ministers has conducted a research project on poverty in the Nordic
countries. The main questions addressed by the project are: Has the number
of people living in households whose income does not reach a specific level
changed over time? What are the identifying features of these households?
The questions are illustrated by numerous statistical surveys carried out
in Norway and other Nordic countries.

In the report from the Nordic Council mentioned above, poverty criteria are
based on relative poverty rather than absolute poverty. The poverty line is
drawn at 50 % of the median equivalent family earnings. Transfer payments
from the public sector are largely responsible for the fact that,
relatively few people, from an international point of view, suffer from
poverty in Norway.

Poverty affects women and men to more or less the same extent. Poverty
among women follows the trends for the population as a whole. However, the
report shows that the rate of poverty among women has increased during the
1980s. While the danger of becoming poor was once greater for men, it is
now about the same for both sexes. 

The rate of poverty among women and men above the age of 17 years:

                             1979         1985         1991
Men                           5,3%         3,7%         5,5%
Women                         3,3%         4,0%         4,9%
Source: Den nordiska fattigdomens utveckling och struktur, TemaNord
1996:583

According to the Gender Equality Ombud there is a trend towards the
feminization of poverty. For example, some of the poorest families in the
country are headed by single parents, mainly women, with no source of
income other than state benefits. In order to change this development the
Government will amend the benefits to single supporters. The intention is
partly to provide incentives for single supporters to seek work, education
and self-subsistence, partly to improve the transitional benefits granted
to this group of beneficiaries.

A. International follow-up

A.1. Review, adopt and maintain macroeconomic policies and development
strategies that address the needs and efforts of women in poverty
The overriding objective of Norwegian development cooperation policy is to
contribute towards improving economic, social, and political conditions in
partner countries within the framework of sustainable development. The
alleviation of poverty requires both economic and social development, and
combating poverty is therefore an underlying objective in all Norwegian
development cooperation. As a consequence of this policy, Norway focuses on
the status of women and gender equality since including the rights, needs
and contributions of women in addition to those of men is a prerequisite to
achieve these objectives. Support to basic social services is important
both from a gender perspective and as a means to reduce poverty.

Norway has contributed to policy developments in multilateral organisations
which will assist low-income countries. One example is the development
banks. From being purely finance-oriented institutions, these banks now
view the alleviation of poverty as one of their main goals. Norway
continues to participate actively in policy development in multilateral
organisations and to follow up the implementation of these policies.

In multilateral development cooperation, Norway supports necessary economic
reform programs while emphasising the gender aspects of each reform.
Economic growth in the recipient country does not automatically lead to
improved material well-being for all, and Norway promotes a policy of
equitable distribution in its dialogue with the partner countries and
multilateral organisations, especially financial institutions such as the
World Bank and IMF.

Norway takes an active part in multilateral negotiations on debt and has
supported a proposal for 90 percent debt relief put forward in the Paris
Club for the poorest countries under the HIPC-initiative. More than 3 per
cent of Norwegian development aid in 1996 was used on debt reduction.

Support to basic social services is crucial in combating poverty and Norway
has therefore a wider definition of poverty than found in the paragraphs
under "Women and poverty" in the Platform for Action. Norway adheres
closely to the 20/20 concept which was strongly promoted by Norway at the
World Summit for Social Development (WSSD) in Copenhagen in 1995. A special
focus on women and gender equality is important in the implementation of
the 20/20 initiative. Moreover, in cooperation with the Netherlands, Norway
hosted a conference on the following up of the 20/20 concept in Oslo in
April 1996. Some 40 countries and several multilateral organisations
participated at the conference. 

A.4. Develop gender-based methodologies and conduct research to address the
feminization of poverty

Norway is supporting several research initiatives involving gender impact
assessments and gender-specific poverty analyses to map the different
effects reform programs have on women and men. Gender impact assessments
are useful guidelines for social and economic reforms.


B. Education and training of women (pp. 80-88): National follow-up
B.1. Ensure equal access to education

Norwegian men and women below 40 years of age are equally well educated. In
universities and colleges today, there are more women students than men.
Influencing the occupational preferences of men and women in order to
create a less gender-segregated labour market is an ongoing challenge.  

The White Paper on Immigration and Multicultural Norway, which was
submitted to parliament on 28 February 1997, focuses on improving
educational and training opportunities for immigrant women and ensuring
equal access to the labour market. Measures that focus on cooperating with
immigrant organisations, to enhance motivation and recruitment have been
proposed.

B.2. Eradicate illiteracy among women

Programs specifically for illiterate immigrant women have been implemented
in the municipalities, as for all immigrant women who do not speak
Norwegian. 

B.3. Improve women's access to vocational training, science and technology,
and continuing education

In the 1980s there was an increasing tendency towards more non-traditional
choices of fields of study and careers among both girls and boys. Today,
statistics show that in many subjects student choices have become more
conservative. There are few women studying natural science, mathematics and
information technology. Positive measures have been taken in many technical
colleges in order to increase the proportion of women in science and
technology. 

The Government is giving special attention to reforms designed to stimulate
women's interest in the field of information-technology. Strategies
suggested to achieve this objective are:

- Putting the subject of women and information technology firmly on the
political agenda.
- Conducting and disseminating research on girls' and women's experiences
in relating to new technology during primary and secondary schooling and at
university level.
- Conducting development projects on girls' and women's experiences in
relation to information technology during primary and secondary schooling
and at university level.
- Organising conferences and networks for girls and women to encourage
interest in information technology.
- Identifying, and as far as possible removing, existing barriers to
education and training in order to promote untraditional choices.

B.4. Develop non-discriminatory education and training

A strategy for gender-sensitive teaching has been developed in a Nordic
project, and the Norwegian Ministry of Education, Research and Church
Affairs provides support for schools that are running experimental projects
in this field.

B. International follow-up
B.1. Ensure equal access to education

More emphasis is being given to the field of education in Norwegian
development aid, and the Norwegian parliament has approved an increase in
the aid budget for 1997. Education is a priority area in the Strategy for
Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation. Norwegian development
cooperation contributes towards combating the high rate of illiteracy among
women and girls and towards ensuring that girls can exercise their right to
basic education. Initiatives are being taken in bilateral as well as in 
multilateral cooperation. Important objectives of Norwegian assistance are
to protect and promote girl's right to an education and to support efforts
to get girls to complete their education.

B.3. Improve women's access to vocational training, science and technology
and continuing education

To counteract that women are being marginalized by technical development
and bureaucracy Norway promotes measures to encourage women to pursue
higher education, vocational skills and training in such fields as science
and technology. Norway gives special attention to teacher's training for
women. Female teachers serve as important role-models, ensure safety for
girls and strengthen the status of women in schools.

B.5. Allocate sufficient resources for and monitor the implementation of
educational reforms

In countries which are developing national plans for education, large scale
initiatives supported by multilateral organisations play an important role.
Norway has made considerable contributions to the World Bank and to support
UNICEFs work in this field, especially in Africa.

Norway also supports the educational sector through non-governmental
organisations. This is an effective way to create local support for the
construction of school buildings, scholarships for poor girls and the
education of female teachers, and of generating motivation and support in
general from the local communities.

C. Women and health (pp.106-111): National follow-up
C.1. Increase women's access throughout the life cycle to appropriate,
affordable and quality health care, information and related services

In its long-term programme for 1998 - 2001, the Government's overall goal
is to promote sustainable development based on the welfare society. The
welfare society is the basis of a political development that is beneficial
for women, and a well-developed health system is one of its cornerstones.
Health was one of the main topics at the NGO /Ministerial seminar arranged
in Norway after Beijing. 

In Norway health care is mainly free of charge. Equal access to health
services for all, regardless of  social background, age, sex etc. is the
ultimate objective. Health indicators are closely monitored and for the
most part the figures indicate a general improvement in public health. Life
expectancy  is 6 years longer for women than men. However, women  seem to
be more affected by serious and chronic illness than men, leading to
earlier retirement due to disability.

The Government and the Storting have decided upon four main areas for
priority regarding the general health. One of these prioritised areas is
"Diffuse illnesses", which mainly affect women. A research program on
"Chronic pain syndromes" has been initiated by the Norwegian Research
Council. A large project focusing on prevention and rehabilitation, is in
its initial phase. The project has a women's health perspective and will
mainly concern employees in the health sector and the nursing/care sector,
in both which a large percentage of the employees are women.

A recent legal change, permits the sterilisation of women outside
hospitals. Amendments to the Sterilisation Act were adopted by the Storting
on 29 May 1997. This will allow for equal access to sterilisation for women
and men. Previously, this treatment was only available outside hospitals to
men.

C.2. Strengthen preventive programmes that promote women's health
The Beijing conference has promoted the integration of a gender perspective
in general health information, statistics and services. A gender-sensitive
approach when designing preventive health policies can be further
developed. A decision will soon be taken regarding a strategy for a
national gender-sensitive health policy, focusing on the differences in the
needs of women and men.   

New programmes for the early detection of breast cancer are being
implemented on a trial  basis.

Media campaigns and information and educational programmes on sexuality and
reproduction are directed towards women as well as men. 
 
C. 3. Undertake gender-sensitive initiatives that address sexually
transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health issues

According to the Government's Plan of Action to combat HIV/AIDS
(1996-2000), research on women's health will stress the particular
situation of women affected by HIV/AIDS.

C.4 Promote research and disseminate information on women's health

In 1997 the Ministry of Health will decide upon a strategy for improving
women's health, including a strategy for expanding research activities. The
Government recognises that certain diseases and health problems can only be
understood by viewing them in the context of social, cultural and economic
disparities between men and women as well as biological differences. A
gender perspective will be incorporated in all research programmes funded
by the Ministry of Health. 

Funds have been allocated to establish a documentation and information unit
in the Norwegian Board of Health to network on information on women's
health. The purpose is to secure an appropriate service, of the same
quality for women and men.  

C. International follow-up
C.1. Increase women's access throughout the lifecycle to appropriate,
affordable and quality health care, information and related services

The provision of high quality primary health care services, including
reproductive health care, is a priority area in Norwegian development
cooperation. At the same time, particular attention is given to the
specific needs of women with regard to their reproductive and sexual
health.

Norway focuses in particular on following up the objectives resulting from
the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo
in 1994 and supporting women's right to have control over their
reproductive lives. This is being followed up in multilateral negotiations
as well as in bilateral and multilateral development cooperation.

C.2. Strengthen preventive programs that promote women's health

An important objective of Norwegian health aid in general is to strengthen
preventive measures that promote women's health. Multilateral organisations
are key actors in this context, and  several women's health programs and
projects are supported by Norway through international and multilateral
organisations such as the IPPF, WHO, UNFPA and UNICEF.

Norway takes account of women's knowledge about health and health promotion
and is, for instance, disseminating information on the health benefits of
breastfeeding.

C.3. Undertake gender-sensitive initiatives that address sexually
transmittable diseases, HIV / AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health
issues

The HIV / AIDS pandemic is increasingly affecting women and infants, and
the fight against the disease is therefore highly relevant to women's
health. Norway has given priority to the prevention of HIV / AIDS and other
sexually transmitted diseases, and is a substantial contributor to the
UNAIDS program. Through local NGOs and Norwegian NGOs working in partner
countries, Norway supports a wide variety of HIV / AIDS preventive
activities. Among these are: a) broad-based  community development projects
which focus on the needs and concerns of women and children, b) HIV / AIDS
awareness education, c) training women in high risk groups, for instance
female prostitutes, in income-generating skills to prevent them from
reverting to prostitution.

C.5. Increase resources and monitor follow up for women's health

Social issues within development cooperation have been given higher
priority in the 1997 budget. Budgetary allocations for the health sector
are therefore increasing.  Health is also one of the five priority areas in
Norway's Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation.

D. Violence against women (pp.124-130): National follow-up
D.1. Take integrated measures to prevent and eliminate violence against
women

Developing measures for the prevention of violence against women and
providing services, shelter and support for survivors of sexualised or
gender-related violence is a high priority area. The Government wishes to
work at improving the services provided for the victims of these forms of
violence, as well as to ensure access to these services for women all over
the country. The Government will therefore continue to provide financial
support to services that provide shelter for women who are victims of
gender-based violence.

The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs holds a two-day seminar each
year to provide an opportunity for professional workers, researchers in the
field and shelter workers to meet and update their knowledge on the subject
of violence against women. The Government also provides financial support
to centres that provide help to survivors of incest. As of today, there are
55 crisis telephones and shelters for battered women  and 14 support
centres for victims of incest in the country. The number of shelters for
battered women has remained relatively stable in recent years, while there
has been an increase in the number of new support centres for victims of
incest. 

A considerable number of children live with their mothers at shelters for
battered women. These children have often been exposed to violence and/or
sexual abuse themselves or have seen their mothers being beaten or sexually
abused. Special consideration is being given to the situation of these
children and a pilot project has been initiated in order to throw light on
their specific needs.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the numbers of immigrant
women seeking help at crisis centres or shelters for battered women. The
Government is aware of the extremely vulnerable situation of these women
and their children. Seminars have been held for shelter workers and health
and social workers on the situation of these women and on how the support
services can be specially sensitive to their needs. A film on this theme is
being financed by some of the ministries and the aim is to use the film as
a means of disseminating information to the support services on the
situation and needs of these women.

A recent Government-supported university research project on women with
disabilities has uncovered sexual abuse of women in this group. These women
are particularly vulnerable since the perpetrators are often persons on
whom they are dependent. The prevalence of this kind of violence against
women is unknown. The Government will give high priority to measures such
as prevention and victim support.

New legislation has been passed to protect battered and sexually-abused
women from their abuser. By means of an amendment to the Criminal Procedure
Act (§222a), a person can be prohibited from entering a specific area,
following, visiting or otherwise contacting another person. This can be
done if there is reason to believe that the person who is to be subject to
the prohibition would commit an offence against, pursue or otherwise
disturb the peace of the other person. The amendment came into force on 1
January 1995. 

Alarms will be supplied to women who have been violently treated or
threatened by their ex-husbands or ex-common law husbands. The alarms give
immediate access to the police in an emergency. 

Reception centres for victims of rape that are especially accessible and
sensitive to the needs of these victims have been established as part of
the emergency medical services in a number or towns.

While providing protection and support to victims of gender-related
violence is extremely important, it is equally important to focus on the
perpetrators in order to find out what can be done to stop their violent
behaviour. The Government provides financial support for treatment centres
which offer therapy and counselling for violent men.

D.2. Study the causes and consequences of violence against women and the
effectiveness of preventive measures


The Government also provides support for research into the causes and
consequences of gender-related violence. In addition to the support given
to the national research programs, a Government-funded Competence Centre
was established in 1996. The Centre is to be evaluated after a four-year
project period, and its mandate is to chart and disseminate knowledge about
violence, and raise levels of expertise in this field among care-worker and
other professionals.

D.3 Eliminate trafficking in women and assist victims of violence due to
prostitution and trafficking

The Norwegian Government has contributed to debates and discussions in a
number of international fora on the issue of trafficking in women and on
the importance of developing appropriate policies and measures. The
Government is involved in various initiatives to combat this problem and
the issue will be given higher priority in the future. As a follow up to
the parliamentary debate on gender equality (spring 1997), the Norwegian
parliament decided to ask the Government to implement measures to reduce
trafficking in women.

D. International follow-up
D.1. Take integrated measures to prevent and eliminate violence against
women

The prevention of violence against women is a priority area in Norway's
Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation. In
cooperation with partner countries, Norway supports measures, including
changes in legislation, to prevent and eliminate violence against women and
girls, whether occurring in public or private life.

Within the context of multilateral cooperation, Norway will continue to
support the development of enhanced international legal protection of women
who have been subjected to violence. Norway is supporting national efforts
to implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women, and urges countries that have submitted
reservations to the convention to withdraw them. Furthermore, Norway has
ratified the relevant human rights instruments mentioned in §124 e.

Norway fully supports the work of the UN to combat violence against women.
We welcomed the establishment of a Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence Against Women in 1993. Norway supported the appointment of a
Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against
women, and has also supported the renewal of her mandate through our
co-sponsorship of the Commission's resolution on the Elimination of
Violence Against Women.

Refugee women and women in situations of armed conflict are particularly
vulnerable to violence. Norway fully acknowledges the special needs of
women in humanitarian aid and emergency relief and supports specific NGO
activities in this field.

In the effort to prevent and eliminate violence against women, Norway is
increasingly focusing on the role of men. Information campaigns and
educational programs have been organised for this purpose.

D.3. Eliminate trafficking in women and assist victims of violence due to
prostitution and trafficking

Norway ratified the international conventions on trafficking in persons and
on slavery in 1952. It is important to combat trafficking in women and
girls by means of international regulations and this form of violence
against women is therefore given priority in Norway's multilateral
diplomacy.


E. Women and armed conflict (pp.142-149): National follow-up
E.1. Increase the participation of women in conflict resolution at
decision-making levels and protect women living in situations of armed and
other conflicts or under foreign occupation

In 1993, the Ministry of Defence approved a strategic plan for gender
equality in the Norwegian Armed Forces. The strategic plan covers all areas
of the defence sector. In addition to the Ministry, this sector consists of
the Headquarters of Defence with subordinate departments and other
institutions under the Ministry. The plan encompasses both military and
civilian employees.

The strategic plan for gender equality in the Norwegian Armed Forces
focuses on the following four main areas:
- Competence/training programmes
- Marketing/information
- Family policy
- Equal opportunities in all spheres of life

The strategic plan is intended as a means of achieving total gender
equality for the benefit of all personnel in the Norwegian Armed Forces.
The expression "total gender equality" means that the Armed Forces affords
equal opportunities and equal rights to men and women.

Headquarters Defence Command Norway will produce annual status reports
related to the strategic plan. These reports, which are to be available in
the Ministry of Defence before 1 February each year, will give an account
of efforts initiated and results achieved over the past year.

Action plan for recruiting women to the Armed Forces

In 1995 the Ministry of Defence launched an action plan for recruiting
women to the Norwegian Armed Forces. This plan involves a number of
measures designed to increase the supply of women to the Norwegian Armed
Forces. The main objective of the action plan is as follows: 

- The total proportion of female officers and enlisted women is to be
increased to 7% within the year 2005. Efforts to include women in initial
military service will be intensified.

The action plan is more or less based on the same structure as the
strategic plan, in the sense that it describes a number of efforts that are
to be initiated over a period of time, such as the following:
- The armed forces will be given a higher profile, especially in the media
and in schools, and campaigns will focus on women as a specific target
group.
Information and recruiting material directed at women as a particular
target group will be produced.
- Equal rights will be an integrated part of all matters in the armed
forces.
- Equal rights and family policy will be actively promoted to encourage
officers to want a life-long career in the armed forces.
- In the course of 1997 a trial project on equality will be carried out in
a selected district in southern Norway and a corresponding district in
northern Norway.

The Ministry of Defence believes that these plans are important
contributions towards achieving gender equality in the Norwegian Armed
Forces.

E.2. Reduce excessive military expenditures and control the availability of
armaments

Anti-personnel landmines within our own defence forces have been destroyed.

E. International follow-up
E.1. Increase the participation of women in conflict resolution at
decision-making levels and protect women living in situations of armed and
other conflicts or under foreign occupation


Women's constructive role in the efforts to secure and maintain peace and
prevent violent conflict needs to be highlighted and documented. In the
context of development cooperation, Norway seeks to increase awareness of
and expertise on the role of women in conflicts, not only as victims but
also as contributors to conflict resolution. In 1996 Norway supported an
expert group meeting entitled "Political Decision-Making and Conflict
Resolution: The Impact of Gender Differences", organised by the United
Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the International Peace
Research Institute in Oslo (PRIO) in cooperation with INSTRAW and UNESCO.

It is important to ensure that women play a greater part in high-level
international conflict resolution and peace-keeping efforts. In 1996, a
woman was appointed to a new post as Ambassador and Special Adviser for
Peacekeeping and Conflict Prevention at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In situations of armed conflict women often suffer violations of their
human rights, and it is important to bring those responsible to justice.
Norway therefore fully supports the establishment of ad hoc tribunals to
prosecute violations of international humanitarian law in former Yugoslavia
and in Rwanda. Norway participates actively in the work to promote the
early establishment of a permanent international criminal court. It is
vital to ensure that a gender perspective is integrated in the development
of ad hoc tribunals.

E.2. Reduce excessive military expenditures and control the availability of
armaments

Norway supports international efforts to prohibit anti-personnel landmines,
and will host a diplomatic conference on this topic in September 1997.

E.5. Provide protection, assistance and training to refugee women, other
displaced women in need of international protection and internally
displaced women

Armed conflict severely affects women and children, who constitute the
majority of refugees. Norway continues to provide extensive emergency
relief and humanitarian aid and  seeks particularly to contribute to
activities that protect and assist displaced and refugee women.

Norway has ratified all the international instruments mentioned in §144 a
which are relative to the protection of women and children in armed
conflicts.

F. Women and the economy (pp. 165-180): National follow-up
F.2. Facilitate women's access to resources, employment, markets and trade

The Sami Development Fund is a fund to promote cultural, social and
economic measures in Sami settlement areas. The fund also has an important
role as a measure for promoting equality. In 1995 Sami women received 20
per cent of the total appropriation.

Another important measure to enhance the material basis of Sami culture and
society is funding for the combined livelihood. The object is to develop
new sources of income and employment on the basis of traditional and new
economic activities in the Sami settlement areas. In 1995 46 per cent of
the total appropriation was awarded to Sami women. 

F.5. Eliminate occupational segregation and all forms of employment
discrimination

Wage discrimination is a subject of great concern. Women earn about 14 per
cent less than men, either simply because they are women, and their work is
not valued as highly as men's work, or because they are employed at a
workplace or in an occupation dominated by women. Different strategies have
been drawn up by the Government and the social partners, such as:
- amendments to the Gender Equality Act, designed to improve efficiency in
resolving equal pay disputes
- tools to measure the value of specific jobs
- measures to encourage women to undergo further training and pursue a more
active working life
- schemes to promote non-traditional career choices as a means to eliminate
occupational segregation
- raising the status of female-dominated professions through the collective
bargaining system
- wage equality campaigns

F.6. Promote harmonization of work and family responsibilities for women
and for men

The Marriage Act (1991) stipulates that both spouses have an obligation to
contribute toward the financial support of the family and that unpaid work
in the home and income from paid employment are equally valuable
contributions towards such support. 

The strain on families with small children and the fact that care and work
in the home are not shared equally between men and women has provided the
motivation for family policy reforms in the 1990s: 
- The period of paid parental leave has gradually been extended, and in
1993 was set at 42 weeks with full pay or 52 weeks on an 80 per cent wage.
Four weeks are reserved for the father. If the father chooses not to make
use of his four weeks, the weeks must be forfeited.
- A "time-account" scheme allows parents to take portions of their paid
leave in combination with part-time work. The parents have the opportunity
of working shorter hours without a reduction in income until the child is
two-three years old. 
- Parents have the right to unpaid leave for up to 2 years.
- Each parent with a sick child under the age of 12 has the right to leave
of absence with full pay for 10 days per year. Parents with more than 2
children are entitled to 15 days each.
- It is the Government's goal that all families who so wish shall be
offered a nursery school place for their children by the year 2000. Today,
the coverage for children 1 to 5 years old is about 44 per cent, and it is
expected that a coverage of around 70 per cent will meet the demand for
nursery schools. The parents are responsible for 30 per cent of the costs
of the nursery school place themselves.

The White Paper on Immigration and Multicultural Norway, which was
submitted to the parliament on 28 February 1997, points out the necessity
of information for immigrants on Norwegian family policy and gender
equality.

F. International follow-up
F.2. Facilitate women's equal access to resources, employment, markets and
trade

Norway emphasises measures to ensure that women can take part in economic
and social development on an equal footing with men. This is highlighted in
our Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation. The
following measures have been implemented to strengthen the participation of
women in economic activity :

Norway promotes gender-sensitive policies and measures in multilateral
trade negotiations and seeks to promote the incorporation of the gender
perspective into international trade cooperation so that improvements in
international economic conditions will also benefit women.

To follow up measures designed to give women the same opportunities for
obtaining loans and credit as men and promote and strengthen small
businesses and enterprises established by women, Norway supports projects
like the Grameen Bank Model and Women's World Banking. Models such as these
enable women to benefit from economic support as well as the social
networks and teaching processes which are a characteristic feature. Support
to women entrepreneurs and women's access to loans and credit also have
high priority in Norway's multilateral development cooperation activities.
Norway has for a number of years provided such support through the World
Bank, the Inter-America Development Bank and the Asian Development Bank.
Norway became a member of CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest)
in 1995.

Since women are often responsible for food production it is vital to
promote women's concerns and experiences in our support for the
agricultural sector. This objective is incorporated into our efforts to
support more productive, differentiated agricultural systems. Norway has
financed studies to show how reforms in the agricultural sector cannot
succeed without the integration of a gender perspective.

In both multilateral and bilateral cooperation, Norway supports initiatives
directed at increasing women's employment rate. Norway has for instance
contributed to the establishment of an employment and counselling office
for women seeking work in Warsaw, Poland. This institution is today a model
for similar establishments in Central and Eastern Europe, such as Lithuania
and Estonia.

G. Women in power and decision-making (pp.190-195): National follow-up
G.1. Take measures to ensure women's equal access to and full participation
in power structures and decision-making

Quotas have proved the most effective means of achieving a more equal
balance of women and men in political bodies. Four of the six major
Norwegian parties apply a gender quota system in nominations for elections
and in the composition of committees at all levels. The goal of 40 per cent
women in parliament and the Government, as well as in county councils, has
been achieved. At the municipal level, the current proportion of women
representatives is approximately 33 per cent. 

The Gender Equality Act and the Local Government Act prescribe a 40 per
cent representation of both sexes on all public boards, councils and
committees. 

During the election period of 1993-1997 the Sami Assembly has had 12 female
representatives of a total of 39 representatives. In connection with the
election to the Sami Assembly in  September 1997 a campaign has been
launched to increase the number of women representatives.

G.2. Increase women's capacity to participate in decision-making and
leadership

Issues such as women's right to training and opportunities for promotion
are agreed on in the negotiations between the social partners. Various
programmes for recruiting more women to positions of leadership have been
initiated by the central and local social partners, in the public as well
as in the private sector.

The Ministry of National Planning and Coordination has initiated a project
called "Women, Quality and Competence" to contribute to an increase in the
number of women in executive positions in public administration.

G. International follow-up
G.1. Take measures to ensure women's equal access to and full participation
in power structures and decision-making

The inclusion of women as equal participators at all levels of
decision-making, both in the planning and the implementation of aid and
development projects, is being given special attention in Norwegian
development cooperation. Women's equal participation in decision-making is
essential to a successful mainstreaming process, and to the empowerment of
women. Without gender equality in decision-making, full democracy cannot be
achieved.

Norway continues to support national machineries for the advancement of
women and the promotion of gender issues in partner countries. Norway is
often requested to share its own experiences in this field.

Norway works actively to promote gender equality within the UN system and
other multilateral organisations, to increase the number of women in
decision-making positions and adapt policies to facilitate working
conditions for women. In March 1996, Norway suggested an amendment to the
UN-charter, Article 101 on staff recruitment, to include a requirement for
gender balance.

Information about the electoral process which is specifically directed at
women is an important part of our support for electoral campaigns in
developing countries.

H. Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women (pp. 203-209):
National follow-up
H.1. Create or strengthen national machineries and other governmental
bodies

The Gender Equality Council is currently undergoing reorganisation. As of
1. August 1997, the reorganised Council will take the form of a resource
centre for gender equality.

Together with the Ministry of Children and Family Affairs and the Gender
Equality Ombud, the Gender Equality Council today constitutes the
governmental machinery for gender equality. The Council's role has changed
during the 25 years that the Council has existed. From being mainly an
advisory body for public authorities, politicians and organisations at a
time when gender equality went unrecognised in these areas, the Council has
successfully developed into a body that specialises in promoting public
awareness of gender inequality and in changing the attitudes of specific
target groups, such as the municipal authorities, the media, trade and
industry and of the public at large.

The change of focus in the Council's work has been fruitful, and the
reorganisation is intended to promote further development in the same
direction. The resource centre will function as a meeting-place for
organisations and others involved in work on gender equality issues and as
a source of information. It will also actively disseminate knowledge by
arranging conferences and seminars, publishing books and pamphlets, using
modern information technology, etc.

Amendments to the Gender Equality Act:

The Gender Equality Act entered into force in 1979. The Act applies to all
areas of society and is enforced by the office of the Gender Equality Ombud
and the Gender Equality Appeals Board.

The Act was last amended in 1995. One of the amendments allows for modest
forms of positive action in favour of men, another introduced a reversed
burden of proof in cases on wage discrimination and discrimination in
connection with recruitment and promotions.

The Act is currently undergoing revision, the aim being to increase its
impact in questions of equal pay and other issues relating to the labour
market. There are also plans for an overall revision of the Act as it bears
the marks of being drafted and adopted at a time when gender equality was a
less observed and a more delicate matter than  it is today. The Gender
Equality Ombud finds that although the law is still an important tool in
gender equality work, the law needs to be strengthened to be an efficient
tool in the battle against more complicated and subtle forms of
discrimination. 

H.2. Integrate gender perspectives in legislation, public policies,
programmes and projects

The mainstreaming strategy involves incorporating a gender perspective into
all levels of public administration. The Government is working towards
implementing the mainstreaming strategy at both governmental and municipal
levels. 

In May 1997 the Government presented a report to the Storting on the
achievements made so far, the current status of gender equality in Norway
and its plans for the future. The plan is to present a similar report at
each parliamentary period (every four years). The intention is to
strengthen the promotion of gender equality in the ministries, among
politicians and in the public at large.

A handbook on gender equality in the municipalities was published and
distributed in 1996 and several copies were sent to each municipality.
Bi-annual conferences on the subject are arranged by the Ministry of
Children and Family Affairs and the Gender Equality Council, for municipal 
gender equality councils and advisers. 

H.3. Generate and disseminate gender-disaggregated data and information for
planning and evaluation

Gender-disaggregated statistics and gender-related research are fundamental
conditions for purposeful gender equality work. Gender-disaggregated
statistics are prepared by the Central Bureau of Statistics and frequently
used by the public authorities, for example in the yearly survey on income
progress in Norway. The Gender Equality Council annually publishes and
distributes a free folder containing gender-specific extracts of the latest
statistics.

The Research Council of Norway, which is financed and administered by the
Government, promotes basic and applied research in all fields. The Council
is responsible for promoting gender equality in research and integrating a
gender perspective in all areas of research.

The Government finances several gender-relevant research programmes. The
programme "Gender in transition: Institutions, norms, identities" will run
from 1996 to 2000 and has a budget of approximately NOK 25 million. Other
programmes and projects related to gender quotas, violence and crisis
centres, women's careers and health concerns are also currently in
progress.

H. International follow-up
H.1. Create or strengthen national machineries and other governmental
bodies

Norway has supported national machineries for the advancement of women for
several years and assists partner countries in competence-building and in
the development of gender policies and programs designed to integrate a
women and gender perspective into national policy and development planning.

Norway also supports international institutional mechanisms for the
advancement of women, such as UNIFEM.

H.2. Integrate gender perspectives in legislation, public policies,
programs and projects

Norway is following a two-track path to promote equal rights and
opportunities for women and men in development cooperation. One is the
mainstreaming strategy, the other is providing support for specific
projects targeted at women designed to level out gender-based differences
in opportunity. The budget allocation for the women-targeted projects was
increased in 1996.


I. Human rights of women (pp. 230-233): National follow-up
I.1. Promote and protect the human rights of women, through the full
implementation of all human rights instruments, especially the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The full and equal enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms
by women and girls is a priority for the Norwegian Government and it is
essential for the advancement of women.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women was signed on 17 July 1980 and ratified on 21 May 1981. The
Convention is fully implemented in various Norwegian laws (de jure
equality). The Norwegian Government works actively to promote and protect
these rights (de facto equality) based on an awareness of the gap that
often arises between the existence of formal rights and their effective
enjoyment. 

The Norwegian parliament has adopted a law which prohibits any form of
genital mutilation and the Government will work to disseminate information
on this.

Section 4 of the Immigration Act states that the law shall be practised
within the framework of international agreements to which Norway is a
party. Section 37 of the Immigration Regulation stipulates that a women
cohabitee who has been abused in the relationship is entitled to a
residence permit if the cohabitation comes to an end.

The Norwegian Government has submitted four periodical reports to the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and is
at present drafting the fifth national report, which will be submitted on
schedule in 1998. Norway is an active member of the UN Working group which
is drawing up a draft optional protocol to the CEDAW-convention.

I.2. Ensure equality and non-discrimination under the law and in practice

In the Government's view, an essential step towards de facto equality is to
change the traditional roles of both women and men. The Government's goal
is to give both boys and girls positive male and female role-models. In
this connection, the Gender Equality Act was amended in 1995 to allow for a
modest form of positive action in favour of men applying for places at
educational institutions and men applying for employment in jobs related to
childcare, such as work in day-care centres, primary and lower secondary
schools and child welfare-institutions. Detailed regulations on the
enforcement of this amendment are at present under preparation.

The Gender Equality Act does not apply to internal affairs within religious
communities. The relatively low number of female ministers in the Church of
Norway has given rise to a debate on the question of whether the Act should
apply to the State church. This issue will be reviewed in 1997. However,
the proportion of female priests and women representatives on different
councils and committees within the State church is increasing. 

According to an amendment to the Marriage Act of June 1994, any marriage
that has been contracted under coercion, may be nullified if the victim of
coercion applies for the marriage to be declared null and void. This is a
codification of earlier unwritten practice and is of particular importance
for young girls of foreign nationality who are forced into marriages by
their families.

A provision in the new Day Care Institutions Act, which came into force in
1995, requires applicants for work in day care institutions to present a
police certificate of good conduct. Persons convicted of child sexual abuse
can therefore no longer be employed in day care institutions. Similar
provisions relating to other institutions and agencies dealing with
children, such as schools are now being considered by several ministries.

I.3 Achieve legal literacy

The Government has published various information about gender equality,
parent's rights, marriage and divorce legislation etc. The CEDAW Convention
has been translated into Norwegian and published by the Gender Equality
Council. The Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women has
also now been translated into Norwegian and will be published and
distributed this year.

The Ministry of Children and Family Affairs has had a fruitful relationship
with NGOs over the years and provides financial support each year for their
national and international work. The Minister is currently planning to
establish an advirory committee which will include representatives from
central women's and men's NGOs. 

Each year, women NGOs are invited to attend meetings in the UN Commission
on the Status of Women (CSW). Funding is provided to cover these expenses
and to cover participation in other international fora, such as the United
Nations General Assembly and United Nations conferences and summits.

I. International follow-up
I.1. Promote and protect the human rights of women, through the full
implementation of all human rights instruments, especially the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women

The Beijing Platform for Action calls for the mainstreaming of women's
human rights into the general human rights' machinery and Norway fully
supports this objective. Norway is a co-sponsor of the resolution adopted
by the Commission on Human Rights' on integrating the rights of women into
the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations. This resolution supports
the process of making women's rights an integral part of every agenda item
(thematic issues, country specific issues, etc.) of the Commission on Human
Rights.

The UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against
Women is an important human rights instrument. Norway ratified the
Convention without any reservations in 1981 and seeks to encourage the
implementation of the Convention in development cooperation activities.
Although most of the UN member states have ratified the Convention, many of
these states submitted broad reservations. Norway urges all countries to
withdraw their reservations and fully support the convention.

Norway is participating actively in the work being undertaken in the
Commission on the Status of Women to prepare a draft of an optional
protocol to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women. The suggested complaints procedure in the
protocol would be a very valuable instrument in the enforcement of the
rights of women enumerated in the Convention.

Norway follows the guidelines for reporting on the implementation of the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.

I.2. Ensure equality and non-discrimination under the law and in practice
Securing women's rights de jure and de facto is a priority area in Norway's
Strategy for Women and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation.

The human rights of women has been part of our development cooperation
policy for a long time, and has mainly been aimed at enhancing partner
countries' own capacity in this field. Women's law is an autonomous legal
discipline at the University of Oslo, and the university's Department of
Women's Law has supported the establishment of a regional Diploma course in
Women's Law at the University of Harare.

Norwegian financial support for human rights initiatives is often allocated
to non-governmental human rights organisations.


J. Women and the media (pp. 239-245): National follow-up
J.2. Promote a balanced and non-stereotyped portrayal of women in the media

In 1996 the Government supported a large conference on "Gender in the
Media" in Oslo. The conference was arranged by the Gender Equality Council,
the Norwegian Research Council, the Secretariat for Women and Research of
the Research Council of Norway, the State College in Oslo, the University
of Oslo and the National Broadcasting Cooperation (NRK). The conference
gave a gender perspective on important aspects of the media and to
encourage an increase in research on the theme. A wide range of subjects
were covered by the conference. Among these were : 
Gender stereotypes in the media.
How women and men influence different aspects of the media.
The development of the media in a gender perspective. 
How to integrate a gender perspective into the media.

The conference received extensive publicity and made an important
contribution towards increasing the awareness of gender stereotypes in the
media.

K. Women and the environment (pp. 253-258): National follow-up
K.1. Involve women actively in environmental decision-making at all levels

The number of women active at all levels of politics has increased markedly
over the last three decades. The provision in the Gender Equality Act 
requiring 40 per cent representation of both sexes in all public committees
has resulted in an increase in the percentage of women. Public planning has
traditionally been male-dominated, but the women's perspective has
gradually been given more weight in planning documents. The use of
bottom-up models in planning is now more accepted. 

The Ministry of Environment is founding a regional college course entitled
"Planning and Democracy - a Woman's Perspective on Social Planning". The
main purpose is to put gender concerns on the agenda in existing social
planning and create an alternative by giving the students an understanding
of how women's values and needs can be integrated in planning. The course
will be run on a part-time basis at the Northern Feminist University. 

K. International follow-up
K.1. Involve women actively in environmental decision-making at all levels

Women and the environment is a priority area in Norway's Strategy for Women
and Gender Equality in Development Cooperation. Women play a vital role in
the management of natural resources and the environment in many developing
countries and the implementation of measures to promote women's
participation in the planning and implementation of national and
international environmental strategies is a priority both in multilateral
diplomacy and in bilateral development cooperation. Norway has provided
financial support for the second circumpolar conference "Northern Women
Northern Lives 1997", arranged by the Northern Feminist University and the
University of Tromsų. The main theme of the conference is "female
strategies for nature and local communities in the north", and one of the
objectives is to increase the participation and strengthen the impact of
local and indigenous women in environmental decision-making.

K.2. Integrate gender concerns and perspectives in polices and programs for
sustainable development

In order to enhance women's control over the resources they manage, Norway
contributes to projects and programs that give women access to training,
technology and credit linked to new production methods and that seek to
preserve and utilise women's local and traditional knowledge of nature, the
environment, nutrition and health.

A new Strategy for Environmental Assistance was adopted in 1997. A gender
perspective, poverty orientation and local participation are integral
elements of this strategy.

L. The Girl-Child (pp.274-285): National follow-up
L.1. Eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl-child

The Convention on the Rights of the Child was signed on 26 January 1990 and
ratified by Norway on 8 January 1991. The first report to the UN Committee
on the Rights of the Child was submitted by Norway in summer 1993. The next
report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is due in February
1998, and is now being drafted.

L.4 Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development
and training

The Government's goal is to achieve full nursery school coverage by the
next century. It is expected that around 70 per cent coverage will meet the
demand for nursery schools. Most children in Norway attend nurseries until
they start school at the age of six. Girls have the same access to nursery
facilities as boys. 

In 1996, only seven per cent of the staff in nursery schools were men. The
Government has initiated a plan of action to recruit more men to this
field. Campaigns and general information has been developed, including a
film designed to motivate men to choose nursery schools as a workplace.
Several seminars have been arranged, and networks have been established
among male pre-school teachers.

In order to break the traditional gender-division in education, the
Government has, in collaboration with the social parties, initiated a
project to take concrete action to motivate girls and boys to make
non-traditional choices. The project will be finalised in 2001. 

As part of a plan of action entitled "Information Technology in Norwegian
Education 1996-1999", several steps have been taken to encourage girls
interest in information technology among girls.

As part of the general "quality-check" on educational material, all
school-books shall expand to be equally accessible to girls and boys.

L.5 Eliminate discrimination against girls in health and nutrition

An increasing proportion (5-10 %) of Norwegian girls (and some boys) suffer
from anorexia or bulimia. As part of a plan of action for psychological
health, the Norwegian Government has initiated comprehensive courses and
the training of school and health personnel on this subject. By October
1997, a resource centre for anorexia and bulimia will open in Tromsų. A
working group  has been appointed to suggest forms of preventive action,
and a seminar for experts in this field will be held in June 1997.

L.7 Eradicate violence against the girl child

Over the last few years in Norway, considerable attention has been focused
on the problem of incest and sexual abuse. Several research programs have
been conducted, and 14 centres have been established around the country to
give assistance to victims of sexual abuse. One of the major hospitals in
Oslo has opened a special department for sexually-abused children. The
Government is working on a Norwegian follow-up of the international plan of
action on the commercial sexual abuse of children, adopted in Stockholm in
1996.

In connection with the first World Congress Against Sexual Exploitation of
Children held in Stockholm at the end of August 1996, the Norwegian
Ombudsman for Children and Save the Children Norway initiated a project
with the aim of  identifying paedophilia networks and the systems, methods,
codes and routes of communication used by criminals involved in the sexual
exploitation of children. 

Intensive investigation undertaken by professional computer hackers has
revealed organised trade in child pornography on the internet, where
special sites contain information on trips and meetings. The project has
established an e-mail address, children@risk.sn.no, that has been announced
in newspapers around the world.  The project receives tips and ideas daily
on where to find sites linked to child pornography and paedophilia
activities, and suggestions on how best to combat and/or prevent such
activities. 

Information on the contents of  web-sites are handed over to local police
authorities and Interpol, while information related to strategies, ideas,
policy-making etc., are synthesised and reported back to relevant partners
within the field. The Ombudsman is working on an application called
NetGuard, which is intended to be a filter for the use of parents and
schools to prevent children from gaining access to undesirable or harmful
web-sites.

L. International follow-up
L.1. Eliminate all forms of discrimination against the girl-child

Norway supports the Convention on the Rights of the Child and urges
countries that have not signed or ratified the Convention to do so without
reservation.

L.3. Promote and protect the rights of the girl-child and increase
awareness of her needs and potential

Norway supports efforts aimed at informing the girl-child of her rights and
generating awareness about the situation of girls in local communities, and
among policy makers and administrators at all levels. Priority areas are
equal educational opportunities for girls and boys and equal access to
health services.

L.4 Eliminate discrimination against girls in education, skills development
and training

Norway is particularly concerned to see that girls can exercise their right
to basic education. It is also important to encourage girls to complete
their education and continue towards vocational training or higher
education. Initiatives are being taken in bilateral as well as in
multilateral development cooperation. An important objective in Norwegian
development assistance is to support activities that will play a catalytic
role so that the national authorities in partner countries will give
priority to girls education. (For more information about girls and
education in Norwegian development cooperation, see Chapter B.
"International follow up", page 10.)

L.6. Eliminate the economic exploitation of child labour and protect young
girls at work

The right of the child is a vital concern in multilateral cooperation.
Norway, in collaboration with UNICEF and ILO, will host a conference in
October 1997 on the issue of child labour. The main objective is to
identify national and international strategies for the elimination of child
labour and the rehabilitation of child workers.



    	

Date last updated: 08 May 2000 by DESA/DAW
Copyright © 1999 United Nations