{"id":212905,"date":"1998-03-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T20:31:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=212905"},"modified":"2019-03-12T20:31:19","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T20:31:19","slug":"auto-insert-212905","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-212905\/","title":{"rendered":"CSW – Forty-Second Session – Press release"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

Commission on the Status of Women
\nForty-second Session
\n7th Meeting (AM)<\/p>\n

\t<\/span>GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM, OLDER WOMEN'S ISSUES
\n\t\t\t<\/span>ADDRESSED BY STATUS OF WOMEN COMMISSION<\/p>\n

  The  need for a systematic approach to gender  mainstreaming and an active
\neducation  process  on  its  meaning  was  stressed  this  morning,  as  the
\nCommission  on the  Status of  Women  reviewed  gender mainstreaming  in the
\nUnited Nations system and emerging issues  affecting the situation of women,
\nparticularly matters relating to older women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The representative  of  the United  Kingdom,  speaking  on behalf  of  the
\nEuropean Union and associated  States, welcomed the fact that some parts  of
\nthe United  Nations system were  taking active steps to  address the problem
\nof mainstreaming and urged  others to do  likewise.  Senior managers  should
\nbe made  fully accountable for that  process, and the  necessary training in
\nthat regard arranged, where appropriate.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  On the emerging issue of older women, a representative of the American
\nAssociation  of  Retired  Persons,  also  speaking  on  behalf  of  HELP-AGE
\nInternational and  the  Older  Women's Network  Europe, said  the  life-span
\napproach to dealing with  the  problems  of  older  persons, based on gender<\/p>\n

and  age,  offered  an  innovative  policy  framework, which  permitted  the<\/p>\n

identification and targetting of specific areas for action.   The observance<\/p>\n

of the  International Year  of Older Persons in  1999 would offer  a further<\/p>\n

incentive for the  application of such a  policy  framework and  integration<\/p>\n

of gender  perspective fully in  the work  of the Commission, she added.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Statements were  also made by the  representatives of  Israel, Republic of
\nKorea, Canada,  Dominican Republic, Greece and  China.   A representative of
\nthe European Community also spoke.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Also this  morning, the Commission  Chairperson, Patricia Flor  (Germany),
\nannounced that  the following members of  the Commission  had been appointed
\nto serve on  the Working Group  on Communications  on the  Status of  Women:
\nDienebou  Kaba Camara  (Cote d'Ivoire),  Sissel Salomon  (Norway),  Krystyna
\nZurek (Poland),  and Fidel Coloma  (Chile).  A  representative of  the Asian
\nGroup of States  would be  announced at  a later  date.   The Working  Group
\nconsiders  confidential  and   non-confidential  information  sent  to   the
\nCommission.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  Commission will meet again at  3 p.m today to hold a panel discussion
\non another  critical area of concern  in the Beijing  Platform for Action  –
\nviolence against women.\n<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Commission Work Programme<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Commission on the  Status of Women met  this morning to  review gender
\nmainstreaming in the United  Nations system and to  take up emerging  issues
\naffecting the situation of women.   It has before it  three reports and  two
\nnotes  by the  Secretary-General on issues  related to the  review of gender
\nmainstreaming.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Secretary-General's report  on mainstreaming a gender perspective  and
\nother  follow-up  activities  by  organizations of the United Nations system
\n(documents E\/CN.6\/1998\/2 and  Adds.1 and 2) emphasizes efforts undertaken by
\nthe   Secretariat  to achieve that objective.  It states that the Secretary-<\/p>\n

General  conveyed agreed conclusions 1997\/2 on gender mainstreaming, adopted<\/p>\n

by the  Economic  and Social  Council,  to all  heads of departments, funds,<\/p>\n

programmes and regional commissions and to the heads of specialized agencies<\/p>\n

and international trade and financial institutions,  stressing  that  gender
\nmainstreaming  was  the  responsibility  of  all staff  and emphasizing  the<\/p>\n

accountability of senior managers for implementing those conclusions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  According to the report,  senior managers were invited to take a number of
\nsteps to  ensure  that gender  issues were  brought into  the mainstream  of
\nactivities of each senior manager's  area of responsibility;  the systematic
\nuse of  gender analysis  in the  preparation  of reports  or in  operational
\nactivities; and the  preparation of medium-term plans and programme  budgets
\nin a  manner that made gender  perspective apparent.   The Secretary-General
\nalso invited  the convenors  of the  four executive  committees to  consider
\ngender issues as  part of  their responsibilities.   The Special Adviser  on
\nGender Issues  and  the Advancement  of  Women  is cooperating  with  senior
\nmanagers as they take steps to implement gender mainstreaming.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  report  notes  that  the  responsibility  of  the  new  Department of
\nEconomic and Social Affairs  — of which the Division for the Advancement of
\nWomen is a part  — for gender  mainstreaming has been clearly  established.
\nAn account of the various conferences  and workshops on gender mainstreaming
\norganized  by  specialized  agencies   and  non-governmental   organizations
\n(NGOs), including  the second  session of  the  Administrative Committee  on
\nCoordination (ACC) Inter-Agency Committee on Women and Gender Equality,  are
\nincluded in the report.   The replies  of six governments — Azerbaijan,  El
\nSalvador, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama and  the Philippines — to  a note verbale
\non  the release  of women  and children  taken  hostage in  armed conflicts,
\nincluding those subsequently imprisoned,  are also included  in the  report,
\nas  are similar  ones received  from  four entities  of the  United  Nations
\nsystem.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Addendum 1  to the report  reviews the joint work plan of the Division for
\nthe Advancement  of  Women  and  the  Office  of  the  United  Nations  High
\nCommissioner  for Human Rights providing an assessment of its implementation
\nand  of plans for 1998.  It states that  the exchange of information between
\nthe Division and  the High Commissioner's  Office regarding the work  of the
\nhuman rights treaty bodies  serviced by them  continued on a regular  basis.<\/p>\n

The  technical cooperation  programme of the Office of the High Commissioner<\/p>\n

has prepared a project  on the integration  of  a  gender  perspective  into<\/p>\n

technical cooperation practices and procedures, currently being implemented.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Cooperation  between  the  two  on  the  work  of  treaty  bodies and  the
\npreparation of  the various  optional protocols  will be  enhanced in  1998,
\naccording to the report.   The Division, in  cooperation with the  Office of
\nthe High  Commissioner, will  continue the  targeted approach  in all  human
\nrights  activities  of  the  United Nations.    The Office  has  developed a
\ntentative programme  of  activities for  the commemoration  of the  fiftieth
\nanniversary  of  the Universal  Declaration of  Human  Rights.   One  of the
\nthemes being  considered is "Women's rights  — the  responsibility of all".
\nThe contributions of the  Division  will include close collaboration in  the<\/p>\n

organization  of  an  expert  panel,  the preparation  of a  booklet and the<\/p>\n

development of  a page  on  its  website on  how  the  Declaration might  be<\/p>\n

interpreted in  relation to  the rights of women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Addendum  2 to the report  examines the situation of Palestinian women and
\nassistance  provided by  organizations of  the  United  Nations system.   It
\nstates that their condition has not improved in  the  period  under  review.
\nConsiderable efforts were being made by the Palestinian authorities and civil<\/p>\n

society  to  improve  their  economic   and   social  conditions,  including<\/p>\n

legislative  revisions.   In the  follow-up to  the Beijing Conference,  the<\/p>\n

international community, including the  United Nations system,  has provided<\/p>\n

assistance at various levels  to implement the  recommendations contained in<\/p>\n

the Platform for Action,  the  report  states.    It adds  that  the  status<\/p>\n

and  living  conditions  of  Palestinian  women  are closely linked with the<\/p>\n

progress of the peace process.   The  report  indicates  that  women  in the<\/p>\n

occupied territories  continue to be directly affected  in injurious ways by<\/p>\n

security measures and the overall effects of occupation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Information   provided  by  the   United  Nations  system  shows  that  an
\nincreasing  number  of  programmes  and agencies  paid  attention  to gender
\naspects  in  development and  continued  to  provide support  to Palestinian
\nwomen,   in  particular  in  the  field  of   conference  follow-up,  income
\ngeneration, health, education and training.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  report  of  the  Secretary-General  on   a  mid-term  review  of  the
\nsystemwide  medium-term  plan  for  the  advancement  of  women,   1996-2001
\n(document E\/CN.6\/1998\/3) outlines efforts of United Nations system  entities
\nin  1996 and  1997  to carry  out the  plan.   The  report  was  prepared in
\nresponse to Economic and Social Council  resolution  1996\/34,  in  which  it<\/p>\n

endorsed the plan  and called for a mid-term  review to be undertaken by the<\/p>\n

Commission at its session  in 1998.  The plan  is structured  around the  12<\/p>\n

critical areas  of concern  contained in  the  Beijing Platform  for Action.<\/p>\n

It largely addresses activities targeted to women, but also included gender-<\/p>\n

responsive activities that  were planned as part of mainstreaming programmes<\/p>\n

and projects.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The information is based on a survey of 33 entities in  the United Nations
\nsystem.  Some  of the bodies  noted that most of their  activities are still
\nin the  implementation  stage.   However, despite  considerable  progress, a<\/p>\n

number of obstacles have been encountered, including lack of  data, and   of
\nmethodologies and  indicators for monitoring progress;  a lack  of tools for
\ntracking   expenditures for cross-sectoral  activities at both  headquarters
\nand field levels;  inadequate  human and financial  resources; low levels of<\/p>\n

commitment, both  politically,  in  some  countries,  and  at  the level  of<\/p>\n

management in some agencies  of the United  Nations; and cultural and  other<\/p>\n

constraints  and  delays in  the delivery of technical assistance.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The recommendations  suggest action that would  further a coordinated  and
\ncohesive approach to the  work of the United  Nations system in  relation to
\nthe  system-wide  medium-term  plan  and  the  Platform  for  Action.   They
\ninclude:   support  for   the   coordination,  collection,   packaging   and
\ndissemination  of data  disaggregated by  sex, as  well as  gender-sensitive
\nstudies,  and the development and testing of women's empowerment indicators;
\nencouraging efforts for  a workable methodology for quantifying and tracking
\nbudget  allocations made  towards achieving  gender equality;  and  ensuring
\nthat staffing policies throughout  the United Nations  system fully  reflect
\nthe needs for gender competence and gender equality.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  A report of  the Secretary-General on improvement  of the status  of women
\nin  the Secretariat  (document E\/CN.6\/1998\/8) updates  information contained
\nin his reports on  the same subject (document A\/52\/408) and the  composition
\nof  the  Secretariat  (document  A\/52\/580).   The  present  report  includes
\nstatistical data and follow-up on measures  taken to achieve gender balance,
\nand sets forth forecasts and alternative actions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The statistics  on the status of  women in the  Secretariat show slow  but
\nsteady  improvement, the report  states.  In the  overall workforce over the
\nlast year,  the  percentage  of women  at the  Professional  level on  posts
\nsubject to geographical representation has increased  from 35.5 per cent  to
\n36.8  per cent, as  of 1  January 1998.  Although  progress in achieving the
\n50\/50 goal  has  been modest,  gains  have been  made  at  a time  when  the
\nOrganization  is undergoing  significant restructuring  and downsizing,  the
\nreport  stresses,  adding  that it  was a  small  but positive  step towards<\/p>\n

reaching the  mandated targets  set by  the Assembly.   Over  the same  time
\nperiod, the  percentage of  women staff  in higherlevel  positions (D-1  and
\nabove),  where  their   representation  has  traditionally  been  low,   has
\nincreased  from 18.5  per cent in  December 1996  to 22.6  per cent  as at 1
\nJanuary 1998.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  Secretary-General's commitment  to  bringing gender  balance  to  the
\nUnited Nations  has  been  unequivocal,  as  recently  demonstrated  by  his
\nappointment  of  a  woman  as  the  first  Deputy  Secretary-General  of the
\nOrganization,  the  report  further  states.   While  the  median  (fiftieth
\npercentile) grade  of men was that  of P-4 between  December 1987 and  April
\n1997,  over the  same period the  median grade of  women was  P-3.   As of 1
\nJanuary 1998, there was one woman  Under-Secretary-General as compared to 17
\nmen, and three women Assistant Secretaries-General as compared to nine.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The report also gives  an update on measures  taken for the achievement of
\ngender  equality, including measures  for the  improvement of  the status of
\nwomen in  the  Secretariat.   It states that  training incorporating  gender
\nmainstreaming has now been completed in the Division for  the Advancement of<\/p>\n

Women.  It was intended to  expand the  training  to  other departments  and<\/p>\n

overseas offices.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

   Also   before  the  Commission   is  a   note  by  the  Secretary-General
\ntransmitting information  provided by  the United  Nations Development  Fund
\nfor Women (UNIFEM) on the  implementation  of  General  Assembly  resolution<\/p>\n

50\/166  on the Fund's role  in  eliminating violence against women (document E\/CN.6\/1998\/9).  The UNIFEM report states that it has  worked  to  implement<\/p>\n

activities towards the elimination of violence against women  through gender<\/p>\n

training  for  legal  administrative,  governmental   and   non-governmental<\/p>\n

personnel;   assistance to women's organizations  to   analyse  and   change<\/p>\n

legislation; production and dissemination of information on violence against<\/p>\n

women directed at change of social and policy attitudes towards the problem;<\/p>\n

and other innovative  strategies being piloted by  NGOs and governments.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  In 1997,  the Fund's  agenda in  the area  of violence  against women  was
\nimplemented to a large extent through the Trust  Fund in Support of  Actions
\nto Eliminate Violence against Women.   During 1997, funds were allocated to
\n36 projects selected from almost 200  proposals submitted for consideration.
\nAn  additional  19  projects,  also  approved  for  funding,  are   awaiting
\nadditional  contributions to the  Trust Fund.   Over 20 of  the projects are
\nalready being implemented,  while the rest were slated  to begin by the  end
\nof January 1998. Those projects reflect  the recommendations of the  Beijing
\nPlatform  for Action and represent  a wide range of strategies undertaken by
\nnational and regional groups to eliminate gender-based violence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The note by the  Secretariat on the high-level  plenary review in the year
\n2000  (document E\/CN.6\/1998\/10)  requests  the Commission  to  consider  the
\nreport of  the Secretary-General  presented to  the Assembly's  fifty-second
\nsession (document A\/52\/789) on the convening  of a high-level plenary review
\nin the year  2000.  The review is  expected to assess  the progress achieved
\nin  the implementation  of the  Nairobi  Forward-looking Strategies  for the
\nAdvancement of Women and  the Beijing Platform for  Action, and to  consider
\nfurther actions and initiatives.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Secretary-General's  report on older women  and support  systems:  new
\nchallenges (document  E\/CN.6\/1998\/4) provides a  substantive basis on  which
\nthe  Commission  can  discuss  the  status  of older women and make relevant
\nrecommendations.    The  discussion  on  the   issue  is  also  expected  to
\ncontribute to the ongoing preparations for the International Year  of  Older<\/p>\n

Persons (1999).  The report focuses on support  systems  for older  persons,<\/p>\n

which  include both financial support  for those who do  not earn a  regular<\/p>\n

income and psycho-social support and assistance for dependent older persons.<\/p>\n

It also gives an overview of the new challenges those  support systems face,<\/p>\n

highlights  the situation of   older  women  and  suggests  gender-sensitive<\/p>\n

policies  and  programmes  to  address  the situation.   The report proposes recommendations in the areas of research; economic  security; education  and<\/p>\n

empowerment; and the well-being of caregivers.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Statements\n<\/p>\n

  PAULINE  BARRETT (United Kingdom)  spoke on  behalf of  the European Union
\nand Bulgaria, Czech  Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,  Poland,
\nRomania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.  The<\/p>\n

Union stressed the need  for  systematic  approach to  gender  mainstreaming<\/p>\n

and  agreed  that  the process of education on  the meaning of gender  main-<\/p>\n

streaming  needed to be  pursued more actively.   It also welcomed  the fact<\/p>\n

that  some  parts  of  the  system  were  taking  active  steps  to  address<\/p>\n

the problem  and urged others to do  likewise.   Senior  managers should  be<\/p>\n

made fully accountable for that process and the necessary training arranged,<\/p>\n

where appropriate.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  Union welcomed the  progress made  since the  Beijing Conference, but
\nwas  concerned that  the gender  focal points  had,  in  some cases,  been a
\nvictim of  the financial constraints facing  the United  Nations system, and
\nthat their  role and responsibilities were  not always  fully understood and
\nsupported, she said.   The  Union was  disturbed to  learn that  significant
\nproblems remained in the area of  political and cultural obstacles,  despite
\nthe commitment  by all  governments to the  policies and  principles in  the
\nPlatform for  Action.  It would welcome a fuller analysis  on the problem in
\nfuture.   She stressed the need  for inter-agency  coordination, adding that
\nthe  executive  committees should  integrate  gender  equality  and  women's
\nempowerment goals in their work.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  ZIVIA COHEN (Israel), addressing the review of gender mainstreaming, said
\nshe welcomed the  Secretary-General's emphasis on the urgent  implementation
\nof the  plan  for  improving  the status  of  women  in the  Secretariat  by
\nappointing more women to high-level positions. However, there should be more<\/p>\n

appointments  of  women  from  countries  that  were underrepresented in the<\/p>\n

Secretariat.   In  her  country, a  law  had  been  passed  to  promote  the<\/p>\n

representation of  women  on  all  boards  and  commissions.   It was  being<\/p>\n

implemented and had  resulted in an increase in  the number of women on such<\/p>\n

bodies.  The numbers were expected to increase  gradually  until  there  was<\/p>\n

50\/50 per cent participation of men and women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She went  on to say that  the incorporation of NGOs  into the work of  the
\nUnited Nations  should be enhanced.   Non-governmental organizations  should
\nbe  considered   the  "third  power"   (to  governments  and   international
\norganizations),  and could  offer assistance  to governments  by working  on
\nprojects  in  a  less  formal way  than  governments  did.   Such  increased<\/p>\n

cooperation would ensure that, through the  NGOs,  governments  reached  the<\/p>\n

people.    By working together, they could ensure a  better understanding of<\/p>\n

the  status of women throughout  the world.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  JAE HONG YUH (Republic of  Korea) welcomed the progress  made in improving
\nthe status of women in the Secretariat.  However, the goals so far had been
\nmodest, and he wished to see more progress.   In particular, there should be
\nmore appointments  of women from countries  that were  underrepresented.  He
\nwelcomed the  appointment of  the new  High Commissioner  for Human  Rights.<\/p>\n

The format, timing and duration of the high-level plenary review in the year<\/p>\n

2000 should  be agreed  on during  the  session  so   that  the   Commission<\/p>\n

could  make recommendations to the  next  session of the Economic and Social<\/p>\n

Council, he concluded.\n<\/p>\n

  SOLEDAD  BLANCO,  Head  of  the Equal  Opportunities Unit  at the European
\nCommission, speaking  on  behalf of  the  European  Community, said  it  was
\nfirmly committed  to  gender mainstreaming,  which  had  been formalized  in
\nFebruary 1996 through the adoption of  a communication called "Integrating a
\ngender  and  equal opportunities  dimension in  all  Community policies  and
\nactivities".    Since  then,  significant  progress  had been  achieved  and
\nshortcomings identified.  She introduced to  the session the first  progress
\nreport of the European Commission on the implementation of its mainstreaming<\/p>\n

strategy at European  Community  level.  A  working  group of  mainstreaming<\/p>\n

officials had  been set  up as  a  support  structure in  the  mainstreaming<\/p>\n

process.  A  guide to  gender impact  assessment  of  Community policies and<\/p>\n

measures was now being widely used.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said the European Commission had  yesterday adopted a progress  report
\nwhich  noted  the  progress  made  since  1996  in  employment  policy,  the
\nCommunity's  internal  cohesion   policy,   external   relations,  including<\/p>\n

development cooperation,  and  women's  human  rights,  education,  training<\/p>\n

and youth policies.  Main barriers  to  further progress identified  in  the<\/p>\n

report included the lack of awareness of  gender  issues  at decision-making<\/p>\n

levels, the need for further allocation of human and budgetary  resources to<\/p>\n

that  task  and  the  lack  of gender expertise.  The report looked at steps<\/p>\n

to be taken to overcome the  barriers  and  improve  the organizational  and<\/p>\n

methodological framework  for gender  mainstreaming.  It  also  looked  at a<\/p>\n

number  of policies for specific  attention in 1998  in accordance with  the<\/p>\n

political priorities set  by the European  Commission's  work  programme for<\/p>\n

the year.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  SHEILA REGEHR (Canada) welcomed the  Secretary-General's  report  and said
\nshe was  pleased with its analysis.   For Canada, the  issue of unpaid  work
\nwas of particular interest.  Canada  supported   the   life-cycle  approach,
\nparticularly the  caregiving  relations.   It  had  taken steps  to  improve
\nchild-support systems  following divorce.   It was engaged in  helping women<\/p>\n

learn  about financial issues and financial  planning,  as they  very  often<\/p>\n

left household  planning to husbands and were unable to  handle it when they<\/p>\n

were on their own.   Canada  supported continued support for  all aspects of<\/p>\n

needs  of older women.   She  stressed  the  need  for  greater  sharing  of<\/p>\n

responsibilities between women and men.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  JULIA TAVARES  DE ALVAREZ (Dominican  Republic), addressing  the issue  of
\npopulation ageing,  she said the social,  economic and psychological  impact
\nof caregiving  would be enormous, especially  in developing  countries.  She
\nnoted that women would  make up more than half of those being cared for, and
\nthey  would likely  bear an  inordinate amount  of the  task  of caregiving.
\nGender, as well as  geography, was again likely  to colour the  picture when
\none looked  at who the caregivers for old people were likely to be — mostly
\nadult daughters and daughters-in-law.   The issue of  caregiving — from the
\npoint of view both of  the person  being  cared,  as  well as  that  of  the<\/p>\n

caregiver  —  had far-reaching  socio-psychological, as  well  as  economic<\/p>\n

implications.  It challenged the way people perceived themselves within  the<\/p>\n

nexus  of   social  relationships,   particularly  with  issues  related  to<\/p>\n

dependence and independence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  ANASTASIA   SOTIRIADOV   (Greece)  said   there  was   a  need   for  full
\nimplementation  of gender mainstreaming  in the  United Nations  system.  In
\nthat  process, it was important to  follow democratic  values and  political<\/p>\n

will to achieve the goals of mainstreaming.  Education and management issues<\/p>\n

should  be addressed in implementing mainstreaming at all levels.  Different<\/p>\n

types of  mechanisms  were  needed  to fulfil  those goals.    Relevant data<\/p>\n

collection was also essential.  A conference held in Greece  last  week  had<\/p>\n

focused  on  the mainstreaming  issue throughout  the  country.   It  was an<\/p>\n

example that decentralization of the approach to mainstreaming was important.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  SONG WENYAN (China) said  that in the economic and environmental areas  in
\nthe United  Nations system, there  should be further attention  to the issue
\nof gender mainstreaming.  The issue should also  be addressed more fully  in
\ndeveloping countries.\n<\/p>\n

  Ms. BARRETT  (United Kingdom), speaking on  behalf of  the European Union,
\nBulgaria,  Czech  Republic,  Estonia,  Hungary,  Latvia, Lithuania,  Poland,
\nRomania, Slovakia,  Slovenia, Cyprus, Iceland,  Liechtenstein and Norway  on
\nthe  status of older women,  said the report  on the  matter could have been
\nmore widely focused,  putting  its  recommendations more  in the  context of<\/p>\n

preparations for the International Year of Older Persons in 1999.  While the<\/p>\n

focus on women  as  caregivers was  important, it was only part of the wider<\/p>\n

issue of the status  of  older  women across the board, on  which the report<\/p>\n

should focus.  Older  women  must  be  seen as active and competent resource<\/p>\n

persons.  They were one pillar to forming the bridge between the generations.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  At the same time,  however, the report should have had a more  substantive
\nanalysis of  caregiving issues, she  said.  It  was based  on the assumption
\nthat  traditional  social  support  systems  were  breaking  down,  but  the
\nevidence for  that was  not fully  developed in  the report.   The  European
\nUnion,  therefore, considered  that  a  more  detailed analysis  was  needed
\nbefore the  Commission could endorse  particular recommendations for  future
\npolicy.   Research and  development should  be improved  by governments  and
\norganizations concerned  with older  people.   There was a  lack of  gender-
\nsensitive expertise and research  on support systems for  older persons.  An
\nanalysis of  pension  and  health-care  provisions  should  focus  on  wider
\nquestions of  affordability and  sustainability of pension  schemes.   Where
\ndisaggregated data  was available,  it should  be fed  effectively into  the
\npolicy-making process.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

   Discrimination against older women, including in pension schemes,  should
\nbe  eliminated,  she  said.    Special  attention  should  be  given  to the
\ndifferent needs and  problems that older men and  women had to face, so that
\nthe autonomy of older women  was ensured.  Men and women  should be involved<\/p>\n

on an equal basis when designing and implementing  those policies.   The key<\/p>\n

aim of recommendations on caregiving must be to promote an equal sharing  of
\ncaregiving   responsibilities  between   men   and  women   and   a   better
\nreconciliation of working and caregiving responsibilities. National policies<\/p>\n

in support  of caregivers needed to be based on careful analyses of specific<\/p>\n

local conditions.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  MICHAL CAFREY-YARDENI  (Israel), speaking on  emerging issues, trends  and
\nnew approaches to women's issues, said the feminist revolution  had been one
\nof the  twentieth century's  major success stories.   Women had succeeded in<\/p>\n

changing the political, economic and social structure of societies  of which<\/p>\n

they were a significant  part.  With  the first  stage of  elementary rights<\/p>\n

and recognition  behind them, women should now realize  society's commitment<\/p>\n

and achieve political, economic and social equality.  The status of  women's
\nrights was  dealt with  in Israel  in an  outstanding way  in the  country's
\npolitical  arena, and she  believed it  could serve as a  model to feminists
\nworldwide.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  A  number  of  significant  bills  were to be passed in the Knesset on the
\noccasion of  International Women's  Day, which  would be  celebrated in  the
\nKnesset on  10  March,  she  said.    Among  those bills  were  one  on  the<\/p>\n

establishment of an authority  for the equality  and advancement  of women's<\/p>\n

rights and another dealing with sexual  abuse of  women  in  the  workplace.<\/p>\n

She expressed  certainty that those steps  would bring about a revolution in<\/p>\n

the  treatment of one of Israel's most  painful  social  phenomena — sexual<\/p>\n

harassment.  Affirmative action had been implemented  in governmental boards<\/p>\n

of  directors and there  had been a rise  from 3 per cent to 30  per cent of<\/p>\n

women on  those  bodies.  The progress  was  not  achieved  easily  and  had<\/p>\n

necessitated  an appeal  to the  high court  of  justice.  Legal  procedures<\/p>\n

should  be  made   use  of  to  achieve   equal opportunity for women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  IRENE HOSKINS, of the  American Association of  Retired Persons,  speaking
\non behalf of HELP-AGE International, and  the Older Women's Network  Europe,
\nall NGOs,  said the care of  older persons was too  often viewed  as a cause
\nfor  alarm  due to  rising health  costs.   Examining  the important  gender
\ndimensions  of  both care  recipient  and  caregiver  provided an  important
\npolicy perspective.  Their  organizations  were  encouraged  to see that the<\/p>\n

Commission on the  Status of  Women  was applying such a  perspective in its<\/p>\n

ongoing  deliberations on the girl child.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  That was particularly important as the  discrimination of girls and  women
\nexperienced throughout  their lives led  to an accumulation of disadvantages
\nin their later years.  A life-span approach based  on gender and age offered
\nan  innovative policy  framework, permitting  identification  and targetting
\nspecific areas for action.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said the observance of the International Year of Older Persons in 1999<\/p>\n

would offer a further incentive for the application of such  a policy frame-<\/p>\n

work and integration of gender perspective fully in the work of the Commission.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>* *** *<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Commission on the Status of Women Forty-second Session 7th Meeting (AM) GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM, OLDER WOMEN'S ISSUES ADDRESSED BY STATUS OF WOMEN COMMISSION   The  need for a systematic approach to gender  mainstreaming and an active education  process  on  its  meaning  was  stressed  this  morning,  as  the Commission  on the  Status of  Women  reviewed  gender mainstreaming  in the United Nations system and emerging issues  affecting the situation of women, particularly matters relating […]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"country":[],"document-category":[1329],"document-source":[1809],"committee-meeting":[],"document-subject":[1841],"entity":[1729],"document-language":[6542],"class_list":["post-212905","document","type-document","status-publish","hentry","document-category-press-release","document-source-commission-on-the-status-of-women-csw","document-subject-women","entity-united-nations-system","document-language-english"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/212905","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/document"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document\/212905\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=212905"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=212905"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=212905"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}