CSW – Forty-Eighth Session/Palestinian women – Press release (excerpts)

ROLE OF MEN, BOYS IN ACHIEVING GENDER EQUALITY, WOMEN’S ROLE IN CONFLICT

PREVENTION THEMES FOR WOMEN’S COMMISSION, AS TWO-WEEK SESSION OPENS

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Background

The Commission on the Status of Women met this morning to begin its forty-eighth session.  The two-week session will focus on the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality, as well as women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution and in post-conflict peace-building.

Before the Commission is its provisional agenda and organization of work (document E/CN.6/2004/1).  In addition, it had before it the following documents.

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The Secretary-General’s report on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (document E/CN.6/2004/4) covers the period from September 2002 to September 2003.  It reviews the effects of continued movement restrictions and closures, the construction of settlements, outposts and a separation wall, as well as the unfolding socio-economic crisis, on the situation of women.  The report provides an overview of the assistance, education and training, health, the human rights of women, and the media and advocacy. 

The report states that the living conditions of Palestinian women have drastically declined.  As the international community seeks ways to end the conflict, it is important that gender perspectives are highlighted and that women are fully involved in the conflict resolution and peace-building initiatives.  It is essential that United Nations entities continue to operate in the occupied Palestinian territory and the refugee camps.  As the conflict exacerbates existing hardships and creates new difficulties, continued assistance to Palestinian women should be provided.

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*     Press Release WOM/1435 dated 5 February should have been WOM/1434.