{"id":213188,"date":"1998-03-06T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-03-12T20:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/?p=213188"},"modified":"2019-03-12T20:34:25","modified_gmt":"2019-03-12T20:34:25","slug":"auto-insert-213188","status":"publish","type":"document","link":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/document\/auto-insert-213188\/","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
\n9th Meeting (AM)<\/p>\n

\t<\/span>COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN CONTINUES TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTATION
\n\t\t<\/span>    OF BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION AT NATIONAL LEVEL<\/p>\n

  The Commission on the  Status of Women this  morning heard about  progress
\nmade  in the  implementation  of the  Beijing  Platform for  Action  at  the
\nnational  level,  as  it  resumed  consideration  of  the implementation  of
\nstrategic objectives and action in the critical areas of concern.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Speakers drew attention to action that had  been taken in their  countries
\nin  the  areas   of  legislative  reform,  education,  health,   employment,
\nawarenessraising campaigns,  as  well as  in  the  creation of  an  enabling
\nenvironment for the advancement of women.   They outlined initiatives  aimed
\nat eliminating gender-based discrimination against women and the girl  child
\nand  to ensure women's  greater participation  in the  social, political and
\neconomic mainstream.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Many delegates  informed that national plans  had been  developed with the
\nparticipation of all  sectors of society.   The representative of  Sri Lanka
\nsaid  preparation  of  her  country's  national   plan  had  relied  on  the
\nparticipation   of   government  officials,   non-government  organizations,
\nprivate  sector representatives  and  donors  who  were  active  on  women's
\nissues.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The development of national  machinery had also been high on the agenda of
\nmany member  States, the Commission was  told, and included  the creation of
\nministries  with  responsibility  for women  and  children's  issues.    The
\nrepresentative of  Lithuania said the  country's recent equal  opportunities
\nlaw would establish an ombudsman for women's issues.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  A  number of speakers  continued to  express grave  concern about violence
\nagainst women.  The representative of Pakistan  said that it was regrettable
\nthat  on the  brink of the new millennium, various forms of violence against
\nwomen  and girls persisted in many parts of the world.   There was an urgent
\nneed  to develop comprehensive  approaches, taking  into account  social and
\ncultural norms in each society in order to address the problem on a priority<\/p>\n

basis.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Statements  were also  made  by  the  representatives of  Cuba,  Malaysia,
\nRussian Federation, Iraq,  Paraguay, Morocco, Argentina, Ethiopia,  Lebanon,
\nJordan,  Uganda, India,  Algeria, Mali,  Austria, Nigeria  and El  Salvador.
\nThe  observer for Palestine also  spoke.  The  representative of China spoke
\non a point of order. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Representatives of  the  Economic  Commission  for Africa  (ECA)  and  the
\nEconomic and Social Commission for  Western Asia (ESCWA) also  spoke, as did
\nrepresentatives  of   the  Inter-Parliamentary  Union  (IPU),  International
\nCouncil of Women, and the NGO Caucus on Women and Armed Conflict.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Commission  will meet again  at 3 p.m.  today to  conclude its general<\/p>\n

discussion on implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.<\/p>\n

  Commission Work Programme<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  Commission on the Status of  Women met this morning to   continue its
\ngeneral  discussion on  follow-up to  the  1995  Fourth World  Conference on
\nWomen, including implementation  of strategic objectives  and action  on the
\ncritical areas  of  concern  in  the  Beijing  Platform for  Action.    (For
\nbackground information  on the  session, see  Press Release  WOM\/1029 of  27
\nFebruary.)<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Commission  has before it two  reports of the Secretary-General on the
\nthematic  issues  before  the  session  and  on  national  action  plans and
\nstrategies from 85 Member States for  implementing the Beijing Platform  for
\nAction, as  well as a joint  report of the  Division for  the Advancement of
\nWomen of  the Department of Economic  and Social Affairs  and the Office  of
\nthe United  Nations  High Commissioner  for  Human  Rights on  women's  real
\nenjoyment of  their human rights, in  particular those  relating to economic
\nresources.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Secretary-General's  analytical report on  the thematic issues  before
\nthe  Commission   (document  E\/CN.6\/1998\/5)  provides  recommendations   and
\nconclusions of  expert group meetings convened  during 1997  by the Division
\nfor the  Advancement of  Women on  three of  the critical  areas of  concern
\nbeing examined up by the Commission during this session — "women and  armed
\nconflict", "human rights of  women" and "the girl  child".  The  report also
\nprovides some proposals on the theme of violence against women. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Secretary-General's  report on  national action  plans and  strategies
\nfrom  85  Member  States  implementing  the  Beijing   Platform  for  Action
\n(document E\/CN.6\/1998\/6)  provides a  regional breakdown  of countries  that
\nhad  prepared such plans.  It  shows that 29  per cent of Member States from
\nAfrica have submitted  plans, as well as 41  per cent of  the countries from
\nAsia and  the Pacific, 38  per cent from  Eastern Europe, 41  per cent  from
\nLatin America and the  Caribbean and 66 per  cent from Western  European and
\nOther States.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The joint report  of the Division  for the  Advancement of  Women and  the
\nOffice  of the  High Commissioner on  women's real enjoyment  of their human
\nrights,  in  particular  those  relating  to  economic  resources  (document
\nE\/CN.6\/1998\/11),  also provides  recommendations and  conclusions of  expert
\ngroup meetings convened during 1997 by the  Division for the Advancement  of
\nWomen on  three of  the critical  areas  of concern  being taken  up by  the
\nCommission.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Also  before  the  Commission  are  reports  of the  Secretary-General  on
\nmainstreaming  a  gender  perspective  and  other  follow-up  activities  by
\norganizations of  the United  Nations system  (document E\/CN.6\/1998\/2);  the
\njoint work plan of the Division for the Advancement of  Women and the Office
\nof  the   United  Nations  High  Commissioner  for  Human  Rights  (document
\nE\/CN.6\/1998\/2\/Add.1);  the  situation of  Palestinian  women  and assistance
\nprovided  by   organizations  of   the  United   Nations  system   (document
\nE\/CN.6\/1998\/2\/Add.2); a mid-term review of the system-wide medium-term  plan
\nfor  the  advancement of  women, 1996-2001  (document E\/CN.6\/1998\/3);  and a
\nreport on improvement  of the status of  women in the Secretariat  (document
\nE\/CN.6\/1998\/8).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The  Commission  also  has  before  it  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
\n50\/166 on  the  Fund's role in eliminating violence against women  (document
\nE\/CN.6\/1998\/9).    (For  background on  those  reports,  see  Press  Release
\nWOM\/1038 of 5 March).<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Statements<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  W. HETTIARACHCHI  (Sri Lanka) said that  since the  Beijing Conference the
\nMinistry of  Women's Affairs in Sri  Lanka had prepared  a National Plan  of
\nAction  for Women.   The  plan sought  to  identify  problems and  issues in
\nseveral areas of critical concern to  Sri Lanka, including violence  against
\nwomen,  women and  armed  conflict, political  participation  and  decision-
\nmaking, health,  education and  training, economic  activities and  poverty.
\nIt  was  the country's  first attempt  to  formulate an  integrated plan  of
\naction targeted to mainstream women as participants and beneficiaries.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Preparation   of  the  national   plan  relied  on  the  participation  of
\ngovernment   officials,   non-governmental  organizations,   private  sector
\nrepresentatives and  donors who  were active  on women's  issues, she  said.
\nThe  Ministry  of  Women's  Affairs  had  established  focal  points  in all
\nMinistries   that   could  provide   linkage   and   catalyze   the   plan's
\nimplementation  and monitoring.   With  the  support  of United  Nations and
\nfunding agencies,  the Ministry  was able  to initiate  many programmes  and
\nheighten greater awareness of gender issues.   However, that process  needed
\nto  be accelerated in  order to  have a  strong impact on  the problems that
\nfaced women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  FAIZA KEFI, of the Inter-Parliamentary  Union (IPU), said her organization
\nwas continuing  to follow up on the recommendations of  the Beijing Platform
\nfor  Action.    It   was  the  duty  of  parliamentarians  to  approve   the
\nimplementation  of  the  Platform for  Action and  appropriate  resources to
\nensure that  the commitment  to the  advancement of  women was expressed  in
\nnational legislation.   The IPU would open  a liaison office  in New York to
\nimprove  its  communications   with  international  organizations   and  its
\ncontribution to the work  being done in  the United Nations in the  interest
\nof its Members.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Elaborating on recent achievements of  the Union, she said  it had adopted
\na universal declaration on democracy between men  and women to promote  such
\na  democratic  approach  in carrying  out public  affairs;  promoted women's
\nparticipation  in public life;  published a  number of  documents on women's
\nparticipation;  and set  up an  Internet  site  on women's  participation in
\nparliaments around the world.  In  addition, the organization had  developed
\na  bibliography on  literature  on  women  in  parliament.   At  its  annual
\nsessions, the Union debated  the issues in the Platform for Action and  such
\nsubjects as women and armed conflict.   The subject of women in the informal
\nsector would be taken up at a forthcoming session.  The Union would  provide
\nsupport  to  the  relevant  United  Nations  organizations  as  part  of its
\ncontribution to the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  YOLANDA FERRER (Cuba) said the issues of the advancement of women and  the
\nimplementation  of  the   Beijing  Platform  for  Action  were  of   seminal
\nimportance.   The Commission  was responsible  for treating  those issues in
\ndepth in the interest  of women's progress.  The interrelated nature of  all
\nhuman rights,  including the right to  development, must be  stressed.  Cuba
\njoined with those who engaged  in the fight  for all human rights.   Despite
\nthe end of the cold  war, resources were still being  allocated to arms  and
\nnuclear   weapons.   Those resources should be  targeted at improving social
\nand economic aspects of  life, including health care.  It was also important
\nto   address  problems   such  as   prostitution  and   child   pornography,
\ndiscrimination  against girls and  the obstacles  to their  development.  If
\nthe  international  community did  not implement  the  Beijing Platform  for
\nAction, there would be no progress for women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The international blockade against Cuba was  detrimental to the people  of
\nCuba  and the  advancement of  Cuban women,  she said.   It  ran  counter to
\ninternational law and the  United Nations Charter and  was intended to  have
\nnegative  impact on  the independence  of  the Cuban  people.   Despite  the
\nblockade,  however, the well-being  of the Cuban people  had been a priority
\nof  the Government  of Cuba,  including emphasis  on giving women  the place
\nthey deserved in society.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  MUNAWAR SAEED  BHATTI (Pakistan) said that it was regrettable  that on the
\nbrink of  the new millennium,  various forms of  violence against women  and
\ngirls persisted in many parts of the world.  That problem was  intrinsically
\nlinked with women's lower social and economic status  in the family as  well
\nas in  the community.   There  was an  urgent need to  develop comprehensive
\napproaches, taking  into account social and  cultural norms  in each society
\nin order to address the problem on a priority basis. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Recent events had  shown that violence against women had become more stark
\nand profound  in situations  of armed  conflict and  foreign occupation,  he
\nsaid.  What had happened  in Bosnia and  Herzegovina and in the Great  Lakes
\nregion  of Africa  were  still  fresh memories.    In his  own  region,  the
\ndisputed state  of Jammu  and Kashmir —  where people  were struggling  for
\ntheir right to self-determination — women  and girls had been  persistently
\nsubjected to  "gross state-sponsored  violence" by  Indian security  forces.
\nSexual violence and systematic  rape had been used as a strategy of war.  In
\nmany instances, women were  raped in the presence  of male family members to
\npunish and humiliate the Kashmiri people.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  He  said  that  the  Government of  Pakistan  had undertaken  a  number of
\ninitiatives aimed at  eliminating gender-based discrimination  against women
\nand  the  girl child  and to  ensure  women's  greater participation  in the
\nsocial,  political and  economic mainstream.   Those  included  a nationwide
\nmedia  campaign,  a  review of  school  curriculums,  the  harmonization  of
\nlegislative,  judicial   and  administrative   government  structures,   the
\nestablishment of a human  rights cell to  assist women victims of  violence,
\nthe  establishment of  free legal  aid  centres  and women  police stations.
\nWith a long way to  go in achieving the full empowerment and integration  of
\nwomen  and  the  girl  child  in   the  national  mainstream,  Pakistan  was
\ndetermined to continue efforts towards that goal.    <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  SOMAIA  BARGHOUTI, observer  for Palestine,  said that  since  the Beijing
\nConference,  little had  been achieved  towards  the advancement  of  women,
\nparticularly  in the  areas of  literacy, equal  pay and  the  prevention of
\nviolence  against  women.    The  Beijing  Platform  for  Action  should  be
\ntransformed into  a meaningful document.  That required the formulation of a
\nconcrete  mechanism, as well  as resources  to promote  implementation.  The
\nadvancement of  women  and their  full  integration  could not  be  realized
\nwithout peace, freedom and democracy.   Those prerequisites were most urgent
\nfor  Palestinian women    whose daily  lives  had been  affected  and  whose
\nadvancement  had been impeded by Israeli occupation.  The number of refugees
\nand displaced children had increased, and Palestinian women had  experienced
\nan overall decline in the economic, health and education spheres.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Despite those impediments,  Palestinian women were seriously pursuing  the
\ncreation of an enabling environment for their advancement, she said.   Their
\nmission  was  to  ensure  that Palestinian  policies  and  legislation  were
\ngender-sensitive and  took into  account  the needs  of both  men and women.
\nEspecially  given the  deterioration of  the  peace process,  resulting from
\nIsraeli  actions  in  the  occupied  territories,   it  was  time  for   the
\ninternational  community, especially  the  United Nations,  to  continue  to
\nsupport and increase its assistance to Palestinian women in their struggle.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  PNINA HERZOG,  International Council  of Women,  said that  the status  of
\nwomen was intertwined  with the perceptions of  them in the  environments in
\nwhich  they  lived.    Too  often   violence  against  them  maintained  and
\nreinforced  their subordination.   Therefore,  that phenomenon  could not be
\ndealt with in isolation, but should be looked  at in a holistic,  integrated<\/p>\n

way,  taking into consideration  all the  factors that  shaped their status.
\nViolence in general and violence against women had become a pandemic in  all
\ncountries and in  all societies.   Much had been done by  the United Nations
\nto bring the situation to the attention of the international community,  and
\nhundreds   of  organizations   worldwide   had  spearheaded   a   range   of
\ninitiatives  —   including  safe  houses  and  shelters,  and  other  local
\ncommunity  measures.  While those  were very important  answers, it was very
\ndifficult to cure violence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Each  year  thousands of  women  were  tricked,  forced  and coerced  into
\nslavery and  prostitution,  she said.   Tens  of millions  of children  were
\nforced to  work in  sex markets,  where they  faced treacherous  conditions.
\nWhat  had been done  so far was not sufficient.   More drastic and effective
\noutcome-based  measures must  be taken  by governments  under strict  United
\nNations  surveillance.  For  example, trafficking  in women  should be dealt
\nwith as  a criminal  offence —  not just  in a  few countries,  but in  all
\ncountries.  The United Nations should take the lead in breaking the  pattern
\nof trafficking  and in  penalizing offenders,  and Member  States should  be
\nrequired to prove to  the United Nations  that they had established laws  to
\nprevent trafficking. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Moreover, the  Commission  and  non-governmental organizations  must  give
\npriority  to the  prevention of  violence  against  women and  children, she
\nsaid. Efforts must begin at a very early  age — in kindergartens,  vocation
\nschools,  community centres and  the workplaces  — at  all levels  of civil
\nsociety.  The young must be involved in programmes for the young,  beginning
\nwith  the  smallest  unit of  society,  the  family.    The  media played  a
\ntremendous role in influencing attitudes, including  negative ones.  In that
\nregard,  the Commission might wish  to further study  the effect of violence
\nin the media and on  the Internet on young people.   She called on  all non-
\ngovernmental organizations  to join the  International Council  of Women  in
\nits fight  to combat trafficking  in women, and  urged governments to  enact
\nlaws that would classify such activities as criminal offences.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  SHARIFAH ZARAH  SYED AHMAD  (Malaysia) highlighted  progress  made in  her
\ncountry  in  its  efforts  to  integrate   women  into  the  mainstream   of
\ndevelopment. A national plan  of action on the advancement of women had been
\napproved  by the    country's  cabinet in  1996.   It  was  a  comprehensive
\ndocument  that included  programmes  and strategies  that  strengthened  the
\nnational  machinery, established  mechanisms  for the  enforcement  of  laws
\nagainst   domestic   violence,   public   education   efforts   and   gender
\nsensitization  training.   The national  machinery  had  been upgraded  to a
\nfull-fledged department.  There had been  considerable progress on the issue
\nof domestic  violence against women.   It was now dealt  with as a  criminal
\noffence  with appropriate  penalties.   Law enforcement  personnel had  been
\nurged to pursue more effective measures to address violence against women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  There had been increased inter-agency  action, including among  the police
\nand the health  agencies, for hospitals to be  used as a more neutral  place
\nto treat  victims  of  violence, she  said.   Malaysia  had pursued  special
\ntraining for investigators in dealing with rape victims.   A new act adopted
\nensured the rights of  women to inheritance.   Islamic laws were also  being
\nreviewed in  accordance with  the principles  of social  justice and  gender
\nequity.  Malaysia's   earlier  reservations   to  the   Convention  on   the
\nElimination   of  All  Forms   of  Discrimination  against  Women  had  been
\nwithdrawn.   The Government  was  in the  process of  preparing its  initial
\nreport to the Committee on the  Elimination of Discrimination against Women.
\nThe Malaysian  Government would ensure  that the human  rights of  women and
\ngirls were promoted.   On the girl  child, she said  the problem  of missing
\nchildren  and adolescents and their  abuse had been seriously addressed.  On
\nwomen  and armed  conflict, she  said all  governments had an  obligation to<\/p>\n

deal with  conflict and  war and  promote the  pursuit of  peace.   Malaysia
\nsupported peace initiatives worldwide, as peace  was a prerequisite for  the
\nadvancement of women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  GALINA GULKO  (Russian Federation) said the  Platform for  Action had been<\/p>\n

well received in  her country.   Based on  it, the Russian Federation  had a
\nnational  plan  of action  that  laid  the  basis for  government  action to
\nimplement the  provisions of the Constitution  and the  Beijing Platform for
\nAction to  promote equality  of men  and women.   The plan  complemented the
\naction of the state  agencies to achieve the objectives of the Platform  for
\nAction.   In addition, the  Government had adopted  a number  of measures to
\npromote economic  improvements for  women.    At the  same time,  there  was
\nconcern in her country for developments  that negatively affected women  and
\nchildren  such  as  the  high  mortality   rate,  the  decrease  in  women's
\nemployment and incidents of harsh treatment of women in the family.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The national plan was  being implemented at the  local and federal levels,
\nshe said.   Action was also being taken to ensure equality of rights for men
\nand women, on which legislation would be developed  in parliament.  Equality
\nof  opportunity  was  being  promoted  for  women  and  men  in  employment.
\nProgrammes for  the training and retraining  of unemployed  women were being
\nimplemented.   A legislative  draft was  being prepared  on violence against
\nwomen in the family, and centres were being  established for the support  of
\nvictims of violence. She elaborated on progress  of women in attaining  high
\noffice in the  Russian Federation.   She announced that  a conference  would
\nsoon be  held in  her country  on improving  the situation  of women  there,
\nwhich would  also address the implementation of the national plan of action,
\nadding that  her country  faced the  problem of  insufficient funds for  the
\nimplementation of the plan of action.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  MOHAMMED  A.M. AL-HUMAIMIDI (Iraq)  said the  national action  plan to the
\nyear  2000  on improving  the status  of Iraqi  women was  being implemented
\nbased on the  principles of the Iraqi  Constitution and the Islamic Shariah,
\nIraqi  traditions and international law.   Women in  Iraq occupied very high
\nposts and the number  of women in educational  and other social  sectors had
\nincreased in past  decades.  Women  had taken every  opportunity to  improve
\ntheir situation  and had  enjoyed maternity and  child care  leave.   Health
\nservices and maternal and child care were provided  even in the most  remote
\nareas of the country.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The embargo  in force  on Iraq  had negative  impacts on  the country  and
\nparticularly on  women and  children, he  said.   It had undermined  all the
\nearlier achievements.  The economic situation  had deteriorated.  Women  had
\ngiven  up  their  jobs  to  devote their  energies  to  providing for  their
\nfamilies' basic  needs.  There  was a  lack of commodities,  including basic
\ngoods.   Many  women  were  now anaemic  and  their rate  of  mortality  had
\nincreased, including  that  of pregnant  women.    Women and  children  were
\nmalnourished.  Infant mortality  had increased to a high number as  compared
\nwith figures  in the  late 1980s.   Diseases  had increased  and caused  the
\ndeath of young children.  The death rate had increased by 25 per  cent  from<\/p>\n

the  late 1980s.   Those  developments ran counter to all  the international<\/p>\n

efforts  to  improve  the social and economic environment.  He called for an<\/p>\n

end to the embargo against his country.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  AUDRA MIKALAUSKAITE (Lithuania)  said that she associated herself with the
\nstatement  made by the United Kingdom  on behalf of the European Union.  The
\nFourth World  Conference on  Women had  united  Lithuania's women,  inspired
\nthem to work,  and  motivated the  founding of  more women  non-governmental<\/p>\n

organizations (NGOs).  In  addition, the Government had ratified  the action<\/p>\n

plan for  the  advancement  of  women  in  Lithuania,  and  a  law  on equal<\/p>\n

opportunities was under consideration  in the Parliament.  The establishment<\/p>\n

of an ombudsman was included in the proposed equal opportunities law.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

   Owing  to the  socio-economic transition  in  Lithuania  and the  lack of
\nlegal  remedies, more  and  more  young  girls and  women  were forced  into
\nprostitution, she said.  Trafficking in women and  girls for the purpose  of
\nsexual exploitation in the  region of central and eastern  Europe was acute.<\/p>\n

In order to reduce that negative phenomenon, the Government had introduced a<\/p>\n

new article of the Penal Code dealing with crimes related  to  prostitution.<\/p>\n

Strict  prosecution measures  were  applied for the  perpetrators of  sexual<\/p>\n

abuse of children.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Although the legal system had historically  focused on penalties for  such
\ncrimes, new trends  were emerging that  shifted the focus to  the prevention
\nof crime and the introduction of  probation,  she  said.   For  example, the
\nLithuanian  Crime   Prevention  Centre  was  founded   in  1997  to   assist
\ngovernmental structures.  Combating violence required complex measures  that<\/p>\n

included   the establishment of crisis centres for abused women.   There was<\/p>\n

also an urgent need to further overhaul policies  to include the enforcement<\/p>\n

of social  and legal reforms,  more  shelters  for battered women, and  more<\/p>\n

protective  laws and education.  The  transition  to  a  market  economy  in<\/p>\n

Lithuania impacted upon the protection  of  the  human  rights   of   women.<\/p>\n

Government   institutions,  international organizations and women themselves<\/p>\n

could help  close  the  remaining gap between the legal and actual status of<\/p>\n

women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  CRISTINA  MUNOZ (Paraguay)  said that  since  she  had last  addressed the
\nCommission, Paraguay had continued to progress  towards updating a number of
\nactivities towards  elevating  the status  of  women.   The  first  national
\nseminar on women had  achieved consensus on the strategies to be  developed,
\nhad identified  the actors with decision-making  power and  given them parts
\nto  play in keeping  with their  role in society.   Monitoring and assessing
\nthe follow-up  of the  Beijing Platform  for Action  at every  level of  the
\ncountry was under way.  In addition, a  national plan for women had evolved,
\nin part as a result of the coordinated work of NGOs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She  said  that  the  present  implementation  of  the  plan  consisted in
\nconsulting the actors in different State  institutions and civil society, in
\norder to  realize the  Government's wish  to materialize  the principles  of
\nequality enshrined  in the Constitution.   Also undertaken  was the creation
\nof a research centre  for women's studies as an additional independent  unit
\nto provide scientific gender analysis.   An effective strategy to  eliminate
\nall forms of violence against women and create  new awareness to the problem
\nwas  on  the  Government's  agenda.     Efforts  were  being  made   towards
\nlegislative   reform,   training   and  awareness-raising   in   the  public
\nadministration and  at the decision-making  levels.  An  inter-institutional
\napproach made it possible  to facilitate the collection of data which  would
\nclassify different forms making it possible to prevent and punish it. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Tremendous efforts  had also  been made  in the  last three  years by  the
\nGovernment in  the legal  field to  incorporate the  principles of  equality
\ninto its laws, she said.  It  was also making tremendous efforts to overcome
\npoverty, particularly  women's impoverishment, through  training and  access
\nto  resources.    To  support working  women,  an infant  centre  for female
\ngovernment employees  was being  established.   Paraguay also supported  the
\ndrafting  of an optional  protocol to the  Convention on  the Elimination of
\nAll  Forms  of Discrimination  against  Women, and  would  like  to  see its
\nadoption.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  AHMED SNOUSSI  (Morocco)  said that  his  country  sought to  publish  and
\ndisseminate  the   Women's  Anti-Discrimination   Convention  in   languages
\naccessible  to all its  citizen to  enlighten women  about their  rights and
\ntheir access to the  courts.  Morocco's strategy to combat violence  against
\nwomen  and  girl  children  included  a  broad  ranging  campaign  to  raise
\nawareness  of the  damaging effects  of violence.   There was  an exhaustive
\nstudy of the problem under way, and a data bank had been established.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  He  said that human  rights education  had improved,  and women's economic
\nand  social  condition,  as  well  as  their  health  protection,  was being
\naddressed. The  goal was to  reduce the maternal  mortality by  30 per cent,<\/p>\n

and, in that regard,  no-risk maternity and  family planning had been  given
\npriority  in a programme aimed at  the year 2005.  The  programme targeted a
\n70  per cent  school attendance  of rural  girls by  the year 2005,  and the
\nreduction of female illiteracy in rural areas by  50 per cent.  Morocco  had
\nalso embarked  on a national strategy  to educate adults  in order to  renew
\nliteracy programmes  for women, organize study cycles for employed children,
\nand establish  rules to combat the poor treatment of the  girl child.  Among
\nthe strategy's   recommendations was  the creation  of a  higher council  of
\nwomen to be  composed of all ministerial departments, female  organizations,
\ntrade unions and NGOs.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  TERESA   SOLA  (Argentina)   said  a   recent   law  had   encouraged  the
\nparticipation  of women  in Parliament.  As  a result, today 27  per cent of
\nlegislators  in the Lower  House of  Parliament were  women.   Argentina had
\nworked  actively in international  forums to  address the  issues related to
\nthe advancement  of women,  had adopted  national legislation,  and promoted
\npositive measures to guarantee the empowerment  of women and the  protection
\nof children. A law  had been adopted on  the prevention of  family violence,
\nand a special police corps  and special courts had been  formed to deal with
\nsuch violence.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Other  areas in  which Argentina  had  made  progress in  implementing the
\nPlatform for Action included  the inclusion of  women studies in school  and
\nuniversity curricula; specialized  training for justice and law  enforcement
\npersonnel;  massive  sensitization  of  the  public  on  gender issues;  the
\nupdating of  relevant gender data as  a basis for  policy; and the  improved
\ntreatment  of  victims.   Argentina had  acceded  to the  Convention on  the
\nRights  of  the  Child,  had taken  action  to prevent  the  exploitation of
\nchildren, and  had developed  a programme  to provide  treatment for  abused
\nchildren and adolescents. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  There  was  need  for   a  gender  perspective  in  the  statute  of   the
\ninternational  criminal court  and in  international humanitarian  law,  she
\nsaid.  Women   must  become  more   effective  participants  in   preventive
\ndiplomacy. Argentine women had participated in  the country's contingents in
\nUnited Nations  peacekeeping operations.  She called for  the completion  of
\nthe optional protocol to  the Convention on the  Elimination of All Forms of
\nDiscrimination  against Women.   The progress  made so far  in promoting the
\nadvancement of women must be increased in the interest of all women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  HANNAH TIAGHA, of the Africa Centre for  Women of the Economic  Commission
\nfor Africa (ECA), highlighted some of  her Commission's achievements in  the
\nlast 12 months.  She  said the Africa Centre for  Women was the  focal point
\nfor programmes  for women.   Its work  included increasing awareness  of the
\nneed for systematic  allocation of national resources for implementation  of
\nthe  Platform   for  Action,   and  reinforcing   national  mechanisms   and
\nmachineries responsible for monitoring the Platform  for Action.  The Centre
\nwas  represented on  the cabinet  of  the Commission's  Executive Secretary.
\nIts highest post had been elevated to the level of D-1 and its  Professional
\nstaff doubled to a total of nine.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Part of the process of implementation of  the African and Beijing Platform
\nfor Action  had been the  convening of  five technical  meetings to  monitor
\nimplementation of national action  plans, she said.   The first was  held in
\nNovember  1997 in Dakar;  subsequent subregional  meetings would  be held in
\nother countries in Africa in May, July and October this year as  preparatory
\nwork to  the regional  mid-decade review  in 1999.   The ECA  had taken  the
\nissue of gender mainstreaming very seriously by  requiring every substantive
\ndivision to integrate gender concerns in its work programmes.  Gender  focal
\npoints  had been  appointed in  every division and  in the  five subregional
\ncentres of the Commission.  A special event had been planned on the occasion<\/p>\n

of  ECA's fortieth anniversary  this  year  to further draw the attention of
\ndecisionmakers at the  highest level to issues related to women and economic<\/p>\n

development.\n<\/p>\n

  FATIMA SBAITY KASSEM,  of the  Economic  and Social Commission for Western<\/p>\n

Asia (ESCWA),  elaborated on the implementation  of the  Platform for Action
\nin  that region.  A conference  had been held to prepare  a unified platform
\nfor action on women's  issues for west Asia.   Numerous training  programmes
\nhad been conducted and a gender  disaggregated database was being  developed
\non women  in the  region.  The  database had been  a successful  experience.
\nSymposia had been held on  women in  business and an expert  meeting of NGOs<\/p>\n

had been  held  recently.  Action  had been  taken on  gender mainstreaming.<\/p>\n

However,  the Commission faced the  major obstacle of insufficient financial<\/p>\n

resources to fulfilling its mandate to promote gender issues and programmes.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  TADELECH  HAILEMICHAEL  (Ethiopia) said  that  with  the launching  of the
\nNational  Policy  on  Women  in  1993   and  the  promulgation  of  the  new
\nConstitution  in 1995,  Ethiopia had  declared  its  firm commitment  to the
\nequitable socioeconomic development of women.   The women's policy aimed  to
\ninstitutionalize  the political,  economic  and  social rights  of women  by
\ncreating appropriate  structures in government  offices and institutions  so
\nthat  public policies  and  interventions were  gender-sensitive  and  could
\nensure equitable development for all Ethiopians.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She  said  Ethiopia believed  that  the  constitutional guarantee  and the
\nprevalence  of gender-sensitive  policies and  strategies were preconditions
\nfor creating a system for the advancement of women in a sustainable  manner.
\nSince  the  Beijing  Conference,  the  major   task  had  been  to   enforce
\nconstitutional rights  and implementation  of strategies.   In  that regard,
\nmeasures had  been  taken  to  identify  discriminatory  provisions  of  the
\nEthiopian civil and criminal laws.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Ethiopia's efforts to improve the status of women would be enhanced if  it
\nwas  assisted technically,  she said.    Ethiopia, therefore,  requested the
\nUnited  Nations funds  and  programmes, as  well as  its  agencies,  and the
\ninternational  community  to increase  their  assistance  in  financial  and
\ntechnical terms.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  FAHDI KARAM (Lebanon) said that his  country's plan of action consisted of
\na number of legislative elements that included plans  to eliminate all texts
\nincompatible  with the  Women's Anti-Discrimination  Convention.   Regarding
\nthe participation of women in decision-making,  the Government had plans  to
\nincrease  their numbers to  30 per cent by the  year 2000.  Concerning their
\neconomic situation, there were plans  to promote the training of rural women
\nand support their  participation in economic activities.   On the  status of
\nwomen,  there  were plans  to  provide women  with  all  social  and pension
\nbenefits. The  rights of  women to education  involved the  revision of  the
\nteaching programme and the establishment of  special training programmes and
\nliteracy classes for adults.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  He highlighted reforms  that followed the study  of laws and legal  reform
\nestablished for  the implementation of the  Convention.   A married Lebanese
\nwoman  could now  engage autonomously  in  commercial activity  without  the
\napproval of  her husband.   In addition, the  relevant codes  that had ended
\nthe rights of  women who married foreigners  had been revised,  and campaign
\nwas under way to expand women's  participation in municipal elections, which
\nwere scheduled for next May.\n<\/p>\n

  SAMER A. NABER (Jordan)  said  substantial  progress had been achieved  in
\nimproving  the status  of Jordanian  women,  particularly  in the  fields of
\neducation  and health.    Gender  differences  were rapidly  diminishing  in
\nwomen's  education  and  access was  almost  universal  with  primary school
\nenrolment rates for girls higher than those for boys.  Women comprised  45.1
\nper  cent  of university  students and  60 per  cent at  community colleges.
\nDifferences in the  literacy rates of women and men were steadily declining.<\/p>\n

Government health services for women  had resulted in an increase in women's
\nlife expectancy to  70 years  and a  decrease in  maternal mortality  rates.
\nHowever, there was  a need to  focus on reproductive  health programmes  and
\napproaches to improve access to better health services for women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said the Jordanian National Committee  for Women was planning  various
\nprogrammes that  would emphasize the notion  that "women's  rights are human
\nrights".  It  had also reviewed 10 national laws in order to stress equality
\nbetween the sexes enshrined in the constitution and the national charter.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Jordan reiterated  its condemnation  of all forms of  violence perpetrated
\nagainst  women  during  armed  conflict  and   its  support  for  Arab   and
\nPalestinian  women in their  endeavour to  achieve a  just and comprehensive
\npeace in the Middle  East, she said.   The  concerns of Jordan's women  were
\nbeing actively  pursued by a dynamic  and fast-growing  women's movement and
\nthrough  cooperation among the National Committee, government organizations,
\nNGOs and various women's groups.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  GERARD NAMIREMBE  BITAMAZIRE (Uganda) said  that through the  Constitution
\nand other legislation, Uganda had put in place deliberate policies to  raise
\nthe  status of  women  and  foster their  emancipation from  socio-economic,
\npolitical and  cultural  bondage.   A  decentralized  democracy was  now  in
\nplace.  That constituted  one of  the  strategies to  empower women  and the
\ngrass-roots communities, in general, to plan  and design feasible courses of
\naction in  addressing critical and daily issues of concern.   Since Beijing,
\nthe  Government  of  Uganda  had  continued  to  play  a  positive  role  in
\nrecognition of the disadvantaged position of women. <\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said that of  grave concern to her delegation was the issue of the law
\nand punishment for those  who raped and defiled  innocent children.   Female
\nvictims of  sexual assault  and rape  faced risks  from a  myriad of  health
\nconsequences,  including  AIDS  and  other  sexually  transmitted  diseases.
\nApart from the brutality and trauma  experienced by victims, there  remained
\npsychological damage  for life.    It  was Uganda's  hope that  the  current
\nsession  of  the  Commission  could   issue  a  powerful   condemnation  and
\nappropriate  recommendations to address and prevent the  defilement and rape
\nof girl children.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  KHANDO CHATZAZANG, NGO Caucus on Women  and Armed  Conflict, said that the<\/p>\n

situation of foreign occupation and armed conflict was  often  characterized<\/p>\n

by unequal  power relationships.  The Beijing Platform for Action emphasized<\/p>\n

the promotion of non-violent conflict resolution and reaffirmed the right to<\/p>\n

the self-determination of all peoples.  As the  case of Tibet had demonstra-<\/p>\n

ted,  long-standing  conflict and human rights violations  did not disappear<\/p>\n

in the absence of international action.  The Tibetan people had engaged in a<\/p>\n

campaign  of non-violent action to further their aspirations for fundamental<\/p>\n

freedoms  and  human rights.  If such campaigns did not engender the support<\/p>\n

of the world community, that would send a  clear message  to all people that<\/p>\n

only violence would focus world attention on existing conflicts.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Speaking on a  point of order, the representative  of China said that  she
\nbelieved  that the  topic of  today's discussion  was the  follow-up of  the
\nBeijing  Conference.  The current speech was in violation of the sovereignty
\nof countries, and should be stopped.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Committee Chairperson said that the non-governmental organization  had
\nreferred to the Beijing Platform and to the specific situation of women  and
\narmed conflict.   She could continue her  statement, but should contain  her
\nfocus on the topic on today's agenda — which was the situation of women.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Continuing, Ms.  CHATZAZANG said that the  Asian caucus  region would urge
\nthe  United Nations and  Member States  to encourage  governments engaged in
\nforeign occupation  and armed conflicts  to negotiate peaceful  resolutions,
\nand  open territories  without undue  restriction.    She urged  the General
\nAssembly  to  investigate contested  issues  of  self-determination, appoint
\nspecial envoys to promote the peaceful  settlement of conflict, and initiate
\nreferendums to ascertain the wishes of people seeking self-determination.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  On another  point of order,  the representative of  China said that  Tibet
\nwas an integral part  of China, and it  was, therefore, very  regrettable to<\/p>\n

hear a  speech at the Commission  by an NGO aimed  at the  division of China
\nand the attack of a sovereign country.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  The Committee Chairperson said China was out of order, and could  exercise
\nits right of reply at the end of the meeting.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  ASHA  DAS (India)  said her  country would  like to  associate itself with
\nIndonesia's statement on behalf of the "Group  of 77" developing country and
\nChina.   India  was taking  a  rights-based  approach to  women's  concerns.
\nApart  from  governmental efforts,  the  main  institutional  mechanisms  to
\nguarantee  and ensure  women's rights  were  the  courts, with  their strong
\ntradition  of  public   interest  litigation,  the  National  Human   Rights
\nCommission, the National Commission  for Women, and  the Standing  Committee
\non the Empowerment of Women set  up in March 1997.   India was preparing its
\nreport on implementation of  the Convention on the Elimination of All  Forms
\nof Discrimination  against Women  and  participating in  current efforts  to
\nconclude  the  optional protocol  providing  for  an  individual  complaints
\nmechanism.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Apart from social  attitudes, poverty and  underdevelopment were among the
\nprimary  challenges  to the  human  rights  of women  in  India,  she  said.
\nPoverty  had  to  be  addressed  through  national   efforts,  supported  by
\ninternational  cooperation.   Women's  education,  vocational  training  and
\nself-employment initiatives,  often with active  participation by NGOs,  and
\nmicro-credit  facilities,  had  been  strengthened.    There  was a  growing
\nrecognition of the need to ensure that women acquired effective rights  over
\nland  and usufructuary  rights over  other  common  properties.   Given that
\naccess to land  was still the  major source of livelihood,  ensuring women's
\nrights to land would be a major step in empowering them.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said violence against  women needed to be  addressed as a violation of
\nwomen's right to a  secure and dignified life.  The National Commission  for
\nWomen had  attracted public attention  to atrocities against women.   It had
\ninitiated an  innovative alternative  system  of "family  courts" to  settle
\nfamily  disputes such as  maintenance, separation  and guardianship.   Anti-
\ndowry  police  cells  had  been  set  up  and   the  Dowry  Prohibition  Act
\nstrengthened.   The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)
\nhad  been a  pioneer in  recognizing the special  circumstances of  the girl
\nchild, declaring the 1990s as the SAARC Decade of the Girl Child.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  DALILA SAMAH  (Algeria) said that  Algeria's Constitution enshrined  equal
\nrights  for men  and women.   However, women  were now the  focus of concern
\nwith public  authorities intent  on promoting  strengthening the  family and
\nprotecting the  situation of women, who  had preserved  the country's values
\nthroughout the ages.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Algerian women accounted for 45 to 48 per cent of the population  enrolled
\nin school  at the primary,  middle, upper and  university levels, she  said.
\nThe illiteracy  rate had been  reduced from more  than 80 per  cent in  past
\nyears to less than 40 per cent in 1997.  In addition, the number of women in<\/p>\n

the  medical  and  pharmaceutical fields  was  at an all time high.  As full<\/p>\n

members of society,  Algerian women  were  involved  in the  campaign for  a<\/p>\n

pluralist  democracy.  Their presence in education, in the medical field and<\/p>\n

elected  government  bodies  were  a  supreme illustration  of the advancing<\/p>\n

struggle.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She expressed great surprise over the fact that  a country which continued
\nto  order terrorism  was pointing  to  massacres committed  in a  number  of
\ncountries before attempting to eliminate its  own practice.  Such  terrorism
\nwas a  hideous  beast  which  needed  to  be  fought without ambiguity.  The<\/p>\n

convoluted speeches  and  the  absence of  condemnation could  only serve to<\/p>\n

encourage  pursuit of that  form of  destruction  and death.  Algerian women<\/p>\n

paid a heavy price  because of their religion, which had been a religion  of<\/p>\n

tolerance, love and peace.  Those  terrorist groups were  trying to  take an<\/p>\n

entire  population  hostage.   Algerian  women  and  the  rest  of  Algerian<\/p>\n

society were determined to eliminate that alien phenomenon.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Ms.  TRAORE  (Mali) said  her country  had  developed a  national plan  of
\naction after a thorough analysis  of the situation of women in Mali.  Action
\nhad been  taken to implement the Beijing Platform for Action  in a number of
\nareas, including a review of the education  system, with particular focus on
\nthe girl child in the system; and the  organization of national seminars for
\ngroups  such as  political leaders,  journalists and  television  personnel.
\nImportant progress  had  been made  to sensitize  groups on  issues such  as
\nparental duties and inheritance.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She said  the number of women  in the Parliament  had increased in  recent
\nyears, as well as  the number of female  ministers — both  developments had
\nshown  the political  will to ensure  such participation of  women in public
\nlife.  Other  areas  addressed  included  women  in  the  health  sector, in
\neducation, in  employment, and the practice  of genital  mutilation of young
\ngirls.  The number of  girls in school had increased considerably in Mali in
\nrecent years.   A ministry for women  and children had  been created.   Mali
\nwas  actively    implementing  the  Platform  for  Action.    However,  more
\nresources were needed to ensure more effective implementation.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  MARIA JONAS  (Austria) welcomed recent high-level appointments of women in
\nthe United Nations Secretariat.   Real equality between  men and women was a
\nbasic democratic condition and an imperative for social justice.  Women  had
\nbeen  forced to fight for their rights in a world of  male norms, and it was
\nimportant  that they did  more than  just catch  up.   There was need  for a
\nconsistent implementation of  the principles  of gender mainstreaming.   The
\nState had to provide the necessary environment for gender parity.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  She elaborated on legislative achievements in her country, such as in  the
\narea of the promotion of women in the civil service.  She  stressed the duty
\nof men  to share in the responsibilities of the home to remove the idea that
\nsuch responsibilities were  the  exclusive  domain of women.  In its role as<\/p>\n

President of the European Union in the  latter half  of 1998, Austria  would<\/p>\n

jointly  chair an informal council of ministers on questions of equal oppor-<\/p>\n

tunity and employment to re-emphasize the principle of gender mainstreaming.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  RAHILA HADEA  CUDJOE (Nigeria) said  the action  taken in  her country  to
\nimplement the Beijing Platform for Action had had outstanding results.   The
\nfamily support  programme and other action  taken had  catapulted women into
\nthe  mainstream of  life  in Nigeria.    Nigerian  women  had been  able  to
\npenetrate "glass  ceilings".   Women holding  high  office had  been in  the
\nforefront of the  implementation of the Beijing Platform  for Action.  As  a
\nresult, women  were now being projected  into the  mainstream of development
\nin  Nigeria.  Such  progress could only have  been achieved through federal,
\nState and international might.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  As  a follow-up to  Beijing, the Platform  for Action  had been translated
\ninto local  languages in Nigeria and circulated widely.   Concrete steps had
\nbeen  taken to  integrate women  into  development  programmes at  the local
\nlevels. Much of the  progress made in  the family support programme and  the
\nrecent progress of  women in Nigeria could be  attributed to the First  Lady
\nof Nigeria. Even women at the grass-root level  were being brought into  the
\nlimelight at  all levels  of government  — local,  State and federal.   The
\nnational machinery,  the active participation of  ministries and the  United
\nNations Development  Programme (UNDP) contributed  to the Nigerian report on
\nthe country's implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  CARLOS ENRIQUE  GARCIA GONZALES (El Salvador)  said he  shared the opinion
\nexpressed by the representative  of Indonesia as Chairman of the Group of 77
\nand  China regarding critical  areas of  concern emanating  from the Beijing
\nConference.   Women had achieved considerable progress by winning a new area<\/p>\n

for themselves and advancing the recognition of their human rights.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  He said  that the population  of women in  El Salvador  were divided among
\nthe  rural and urban areas.   As a rule, they tended to marry early and have
\nmany children.   They were also the sole  heads of one third of  Salvadorian
\nhouseholds and routinely suffered the negative impact of the masculine lack
\nof responsibility in the  home and with respect to parenting.  Education and
\nhealth benefits were  seriously limited despite women's increasing  presence
\nin  the workplace and the national economy.   While many discriminatory laws
\nhad been overcome in  the last few years  during a legislative review, women
\nstill suffered the lack of implementation of those laws.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

  Concerning the  four critical areas of  concern, particularly  the area of
\nviolence  against  women,  El  Salvador  had  complied  with  the   proposed
\nstrategic objective, he said.  What remained to  be done was the negotiation
\nwith   the  National   Council   of  Advertising   Agencies   to   eliminate
\nadvertisements that  were  discriminatory to  women.    The Government  also
\nintended to reinforce the educational curricula  and training methods.   The
\nGovernment  was committed  to overcoming  the obstacles and  complying fully
\nwith the strategic  objectives in order to elevate  women's status in a  way
\nthat would  enable  them to  fully  participate  in El  Salvador's  national
\ndevelopment on an equal basis with men.<\/p>\n

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

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

Commission on the Status of Women Forty-second Session 9th Meeting (AM) COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN CONTINUES TO CONSIDER IMPLEMENTATION     OF BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION AT NATIONAL LEVEL   The Commission on the  Status of Women this  morning heard about  progress made  in the  implementation  of the  Beijing  Platform for  Action  at  the national  level,  as  it  resumed  consideration  of  the implementation  of strategic objectives and action in the critical areas of concern.   Speakers drew […]<\/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-213188","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\/213188","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\/213188\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"country","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/country?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"document-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-category?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"document-source","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-source?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"committee-meeting","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/committee-meeting?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"document-subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-subject?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"entity","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/entity?post=213188"},{"taxonomy":"document-language","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.un.org\/unispal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/document-language?post=213188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}