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n.d.
Briefmg Note on Beijing +5 (5 pages)
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P5
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Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Melanne Verveer (Beijing & Trafficking)
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Beijing +5 [folder 2]. [2]
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Women 2000: Beijing +5
Special Session of the UN General Assembly
·United Nations, New. York
June S-9, 2000
A special session of the United Nations General Assembly will mark the five-year·
anniversaiy of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.· This meeting is part of.
the United Nation's 25 year effort in advancing the status of women and girls. Since 1975, four
UN world conferences on women have taken place: Mexico City (1975), Copenhagen ( 1980),
Nairobi (1985), and Beijing (1995).
·
At the 1995 meeting, a Platfonn for Action set out specific objectives and actions for
governments. the international community, non-government organizations (NGOs), and the
private sector to take in order to remove obstacles and improve the status of women throughout
the world. In June 2000, the 189 member states that agreed to the 1995 Platform for Action will
report at the UN on the progress made in each oftheir countries. The session will focus on
positive practices and goals achieved as well as obstacles that remain.
In addition, the special session attendees. governments and NGOs, will recommit
themselves to the goals of the Platfonn for Action and make new commitments in new areas that
present challenges to the advancement of women and girls today and in future generations to
come.
International Success: Significant progress in advancing the status of women and girls
internationally has been made as a resuJt of the meeting in Beijing in 1995. A blueprint for action
was developed at that me~rting which. since then has helped women advance in four key arenaS:
economic, politictd, social, legal and lntlfUln rights.
·
Economic: While poverty and lack of basic health care and education still plagues populations,
many women have made economic progress. The vehicles for this progress vary from country to
country. Changes in iand ownership laws in Nigeria and Rwanda now allow women to inherit
land. In Ecuador, the micro enterprise programs expand women's access to formal financial
services. In Bangladesh. employment opportunities for women are stronger due to the growth of
the export garment industry and women organizing themselves in labor unions. In Switzerland, a
new law was passed in 1996 that prohibits gender-based discrimination and provides equal pay for
equal work.
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Political: With the momentum of Beijing and vigorous actions o.f governments and NGOs
.
worldwide, more women have been elected and appointed to office. Following elections in 1999
in South Africa, women make up 38 percent of the South African Parliament. In I 997, Brazil
passed a law requiring all political parties to have women as at least 25 percent of their
candidates. In Yemett, the Prime Minister mandates that all ministries must promote at least one·
women to the director general level. More women have been given the right to vote, such as those
in Qatar. NGOs have been fonned by women on every continent; they are linked together to
make certain women worldwide have the chance to participate. Women's groups in Kuwait are
lobbying the country's parliament to allow women to vote and run for office in the parliamentary
elections of 2003.
Social: The opportunities for improved health and education of women and girls throughout the
world ltave increased since 1995. The health of women and newborn cruldren has been aided with
the distribution of Vitamin A in Nepal. In numerous counties, including Russia,· women's health
education centers have been opened. Female gerutal mutilation practices have been banned in
countries, including Senegal, the Ivory Coast and Egypt. With the help of international aid
programs, more women in Benin, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Morocco and Uganda have access to
higher education. Distance learning programs have enabled women and girls in Mongolia, China, .
India an Pakistan and Haiti to complete basic education courses.
Legal and Human Rights: The rights of women have improved on the legal and human rights
fronts. Rape is now recognized as a crime by international war crime tribunals. The Rwanda
Tribunal filed its first indictment for rape and sexual abuse in 1997. Trafficking ofwomen has
received heightened attention. Some countries like Croatia have criminalized the practice; the
European Union, Israel, and the Ukraine are just a few of the countries that have acknowledged
the problem and are committed to stop trafficking. Twenty South Asian countries have created a
plan to combat trafficking in their countries. The US is helping with P.ublic awareness programs
to warn girls at risk of the methods of traffickers and to train police and immigration officials on
how to apprehend traffickers. Several African countries, inCluding Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, and
Cote d'Ivoire, have passed laws criminalizing female genital mutilation. Mexico, Dominican
Republic, Columbia, Bol.ivia, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Panama are among the countries that have
passed new and tougher laws to combat violence against women.
The U.S. Government's Pro1ress: In 1995, as head ofU.S. Government delegation to the UN
women's conference, then-UN Ambassador Madeleine Albright announced seven commitments to
advance the lives of women and girls by the US government in a wide range of areas. At the June
2000 meeting, as chair of the President's interagency Council on Women, now-Secretary of State
Albright will announce significant progress in six ofthe seven areas:
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Creating a more family friendly workplace- Throughout this Administration, President Clinton
has sought to provide families with the tools they need to meet their responsibilities at home an on
the job. With the signing of the Family and Medical Leave Act, workers are now provided an
unpaid, job·protected leave. The Administration continues to fight for expansions to the law.
Funding for after-school programs, child care assistance, and Head Start have helped workers
provide needed services for their children and families. A proposed new tax credit ~auld ease the
burden on families struggling with long-term care needs.
Promoting women's economic security: This Administration has worked hard to promote the
economic security of women. The Paycheck Fairness Act which wquld combat unfair pay
practices against women is a high priority for this Administration. Expanded business
opportunities and increased access to .the microcredit have enabl'ed thousands of America women
to start their own small business. Women own nearly 40 percent of all firms in the US and the
number of women-owned businesses has grown by 103 percent since 1987. President Clinton's
work to strengthen Social Security is critical because oqhe number of older women who depend
·
on Social Security for survival.
Prevent violence against women: Implementation of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act,
which bolstered local law enforcement, prosecution, and victims services to better address crime
against wome.n, has been a high priority for the Administration. Funding for domestic violence
shelters has quadrupled and it is now a federal crime to cross state lines with the intent to injure or
harass another person. A national wide 24;.hour Domestic Violence Hotline provides crisis
intervention, counseling, and referrals to those iri need.
Expand health initiatives for women: New initiatives on breast and cervical cancer,
comprehensive efforts to reduce smoking among children and youth, lengthening the hospital stay
following childbirth, and increased efforts in preventive practices (i.e., mammograms) are a few of
the measures enacted by this Administration to improve the health of American women. Funding
for domestic family. planning services has increased dramatically and progress has been made in
reducing unwa.nted pregnancies and preventing unnecessary abortions. President Clinton has
expanded safe and effective family planning services to women, defeated proposals that would
restrict access by minors to Title X family planning services, reversed the gage rule, and vetoed a
bill banning certain late-:term abortions without an appropriate exception to protect the life and
health of women.
Advance tbe participation of women in political and economic decision making:
The number of women appointed and elected to office has increased. (Need elected officials and ·
. cabinet numbers here) Internationally, Secretary of State Albright and First Lady Hillary Rodham
· Clinton, with the support.ofthe US Agency for International Development, the Peace Corps and
other agencies, have headed the ps commitment to promoting the needs of women and girls.
Vital Voices Global Democracy Initiative is just one of the venues where the effort to integrate
issues affecting women into American foreign policy takes place.
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Implementing the Beijing Platronn For Action: The President's Interagency Council for
Women. headed first by Health and Human Services Secretary OoMa Shalala and now by
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, with Firs( Lady HiUary Rodham Clinton as honorary chair,
has coordinated the implementation ofthe Platform For Action throughout the agencies of the
. U.S. government. In concert with NOOs, the Council regularly reaches out to women
nationwide to get their expertise and input into the decision making practices of the government.
Ratify The Convention ~n the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination again Women
. (CEDAW): Among the unfinished business is the ratification ofCEDAW. A total of 165
· countries has ratified this important treaty on women's human rights. President Carter signed the
treaty in 1979. but the U.S. Senate has yet to ratifY it. The US is one of a handful o f counties
including Sudan, Somalia, and Afghanistan that have not made the treaty law in their countries.
President Clinton and Secretary Albright continue to make ratification a top human rights priority.
New Commitments;
Since the historic gathering in Beijing where tens of thousands ofwpmen from government,
NGOs, and the private sector came together to devise a blueprint for advancing the status of
women, much progress has been made. However, the Platform for Action needs to be fully
implemented. Progress to date has not been enough. Poverty at home and abroad continues to
impede the progress of women and girls. Despite economic prosperity and record employment
rates in the US, many women have been left behind. Extreme poverty and hunger still ravages
women and children in the developing world. All parts of the globe must enjoy economic
prosperity in order for all women and girls to truly achieve the status they deserve. These
concerns are not taken lightly by the US nor should they be ignored by the UN special session.
In order to t-:uly enhan.ceJhe status oftoday's women and girls and, as importantly, the status of
women and giils in the generations to. come, we must recognize the need .to address several new
priorities: enhancing economic opportunities for US women, AJD.fVI:IJV, globali;:,ation, and
trafficking of ~men and children. ·
Enhancing economic opportunities for US women: Much pride can be taken in the work that
has been done since Beijing to provide more economic security for women in the U.S. However,
women remain left behind in many economic opportunities. Equal pay legislation, an increase in
the minimum wage, additional child care assistance, and expanded family leave practices will
enhance these opportunities and create a more level playing field for women in the workforce.
The US Government is committed to pursuing these measures to ensure greater economic
o·pportunity for women.
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HIV/AIDS: The human toll of AIDS is staggering. Over 33 mil,ion people worldwide are now
living with HIV/AIDS and AIDS related deaths hit a record 2.6 million last year. Since Beijing,
the plight ofHIV/AIDS has intensified, particularly for women and their families. Ninety-five
percent of all cases are in the developing world and the highest rates of new infections are often
· among young women who will soon be mothers, If women are to have a chance to gain equality,
the fight against HIV/AIDS must be engaged and it must be won. The US Government has and .
will continue to lead the way in governments, NGOs and the private sector joining together to
attack this·ragingdisease which threatens women arid girls around the globe.
Globalization: The rapid globalization ofthe economy, along with the rapidly expanding·
development of communications and information technology that facilitates it, is an issue that has
·emerged increasingly since the Beijing conference. While it has quickly created many
opportunities in the developing worJd. its benefits have not necessarily been universal nor that
they universally benefited women. The promise of a new global economy should engage women
as equal partners in the public and private sectors.
At the UN Special Session, the US will address these issues and set out steps that should be taken
to increase the participation of women in business and trade, and ensure that women receive
adequate training, networking opportunities, and social safety nets in the workforce. Some
specific tools to achieve these goals include establishing training program for women, encouraging
gender-focused research, developing literacy and .educational programs for women, and providing
grants and loans to women for the· establishment of businesses and social programs in developing
countries. Women should benefit from the opportunities globalization offers; the change it brings
must not adversely affect women or tum back advances.
,.
J
.· Renewed action to prevent trafficking in women and children: Trafficking in women and
children is one of the most serious human right violations facing the intem~tional community
today. It is also a growing organized criminal activity. It is estimated that globally some 700,000
persons are trafficked each year; 50,000 victims into the United States. Under the leadership of
President Clinton, the First Lady, Secretary Albright, and Attorney General Janet Reno, the US
Government has stepped forward to take aggressive action to combat trafficking in the areas of
prevention. protection of victims, and prosecution of traffickers. A number of other countries and
international organizations have joined forces with the U.S. to combat trafficking. The Clinton
Administration is working with Congress on legislation to institutionalize their strong response.
· But much more remains to be done .. We need to continue to address this growing program. The
U.S. will continue .to sound the alarm, working with other governments and NGOs to stand up for
victims and punish the traffickers.
#####
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from Albright on Women 2000: Beijing +5
Page 1 of2
.
Message for Women 1000: Beijing Plus Five
By Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
I am vety pleased to be able to speak to you, even if only through the miracle of technology, to tbank. you for
attending this regional meeting, and for your contribution_ to our shared goal of advancing the status of
women and girls in America and around the world.
The movement for women's rights has been one of the great success stories of the twentieth centtJIY, and will
do much to shape the 21st. For .our movement is still young, still blossoming, still spreading the good news of
equality and empowerment And it is far more than an American movement The cause of women's rights has
long since gone global
·
In recent years, I haVe bad the privilege of seeing this first-hand as women evel)'Where are inspiring,
working, teaching and counseling each other and holding each other up. The First Lady and I saw it all come
together in 1995 at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Its Platform for Action is
__.
')
rhaps the most significant affinnation ever made of the importance worldwide of economic, political and
social oppo
·
For the past three years, I have had the honor of serving as chair of the President's Interagency Council on
Women, with a mandate direct from the White House to implement the Platform for Action in the United
States. This bas been an extraordinarily exciting part of my job.
And working with women and men throughout our government, and in full partnership with .
"
nongovenunental organizations, we have made enormous progress. Jfyou go down the list, from curbing
violence against women to fighting breast cancer, from mentoring the y'ou:ng to spurring institutional change,
the Council has pushed and America's women and their families have benefited.
For.the United States, helping women to advance is the right thing to do, and the smart thing-- at home and
around the world.
Overseas, we are supporting women's full participation in economic and politic3.11ife through our Vital
Voices Global DemQC1'3&Y initiative. We are fighting the tmfficking of Women and girls- which is nothing
less than. a. 20th:.CCntury version of slavery.
And we are seeing others take action as well. For instance, the Government of Yemen has waived tuition fees
for young girls, so that their families Will send them to school. The Government of Turkey has pa.Ssed a law
making spousal abuse a crime. And the women of Nigeria, after struggling for 39 years, Jnlve won the nght
for women· to. inherit property from their husbands.
·
·
Now we are engaged in a series of regional outreach meetings, such as this· one, to prepare for the fifth
anniversary of the Beijing Conference.
.-·~---
On behalf of the President'~> Council and. the First Lady, I thank you for your hard work, energy and
commitment. I salute your efforts on behalf of women in America. And I wish you the best in all your future
endeavors.
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~003
.
Message from First Lady on Womeil2000: Beijing +5 ·
Page 1 of2
Message for Women lOOO: Beijing Plus Five
By The .First Lady of tbe U.S. Hillary Clinton
I am delighted to jom so many of you who ate committed to empowering women around the world to fulfill
our greatest potentiiU. It was a great privilege for me to represent our country the United Nations Fourth
World Co~ on Women in Beijjng. And I can hardly believe that the fifth anniversary of that inspiring
meeting is already around the comer. I Will always remember the excitement and possibility of those days
at
when women of all races, religions, and etbnicities from all comers of the .world came together to stand up
·
for all that we have in common.
Speaking as one voice we called upon the world's leaders to reco'gruze that the world's progress depended on
the economic, social and politi~ progress of all women. That is indeed as I said "women's rights are buinan
rights and human rights are women's rights." But the Beijing conference was about more than uplifting
rhetoric; it was about action.
·
The delegates to the conference committed ourselves to implementing a Platfonn for Action that tackled
many of the challenges facing women around the world: acoess to education and bealtbcare; jobs and credi~
the chance to eqjoy the same basic legal, political and human rights as men_ It is the strongest action
statement promoting women's rights ever made in the histol}' of our world.
When we returned to America, we formed the President's Interagency Council on Women under the
leadership first of Secretary Shalala, and since 1997, of Secretary Albright. We wanted to put the ideas of the
Beijing conference .into action. As the council's Hononuy Chair, I am proud of all the achievements compiled
in our report "America's Commitment."
From promoting miero credit to helping women open sinaJl businesses and lift their fiunllies out of poverty, to
preventing domestic violence tE> combating trafficking in women and children, I am especially proud of our
Vital Voices DemoCracv Initiative, which supports women around the world as they speak out·and take
leading roles iri the economic and political lives of our nations.
·
But we all know that there is mucb more to do when it comes to fulfilling the spirit and the goals of the
Beijing conference. So long as any woman around the world is barred, whether by law or tradition, ignorance
or intimidation,. from contribUting her talen1s to society, or from malting her voice heard at the ballot box; so
long as any woman must cower in her own home fearful of domestic violence; so long as any girl is denied
the opportunity to go to school or to seek healthcate; so long as any family is tra~ in a cycle of poverty,
then we cannot rest
The continued progress of women in the 21st centuiy requires the vision and voices of concerned citizens just
like you and me. We arc counting on all of you to help us prepare for the fifth anniversary of the Beijing
conference. I encourage you to woik together to identify new solutions to the challenges facing women and to
give more publicity and wider awa~eness of those solutions that are working.
I thank you for your energy and commitment in supporting women and families in this country and around
·
the world. God speed as we move forward in our mission.
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Americals Commitment
The United Nations
Women's Conference
Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Five
The President's Interagency Council on Women
July 27, 1999
OBJECTIVE
To celebrate the fifth anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women by highlighting
progress made in implementing the 1995 Platform.for Action adopted in Beijing; and to begin the first
year of the new millennium with a reaffirmation and recommitment to policies that advance the lives of
women and girls.
BACKGROUND
In 1995, 189 countries signe-d the Platform for Action at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women.
The platform calls for economic opportunity and security for women; for quality education and health
care; for full participation of women politically and economically; for equality; and for the promotion of
the human rights.ofwomen. It is one ofthe strongest policy statements promoting women's advancement
ever made by the international community.
THE ROLE OF THE PRESIDENT'S INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON-WOMEN
-
.
President Clinton established the President's Interagency Council on Women to coordinate the
implementation of the U.S. commitment to follow up on the Platformfor Action. First Lady Hillary
· Rod ham Clinton serves as Honorary Chair of the Council, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
serves as Chair, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala as Immediate Past Chair.
The members of the Council are high level representatives from executive branch agencies who work
within the U.S. government. The Council holds quarterly open public briefings and discussions to
·
continue a strong partnership with non-governmental organizations.
The Council leads U.S. government prepar~tion for U.S. participation in Women 2000: the Special
Session of the United Nations in June 2000 which will mark 5 years since Beijing.
•
The Council will publish a five-year review of U.S. government programs, policies, and
initiatives that promote the.advancement of women. The 2000 edition of this publication, entitled
America's Commitment, will highlight current effortS and projected policies and programs
measured against the goals of the Platform for Ac(ion. Copies of Americci's Commitment_will be
available for dist_ribution in time for the Women 200ti Special Session.
·
•
The Council is also coordinating various outreach events across the United States to celebrate the
progress made since the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. These regional events will be
organized in partnership with non-governmental organizations, colleges and universities, and
regional community organizations, and will offer opportunities to share best practices,
achievements and lessons learned.
FACTSHEET
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UN SPECIAL SESSION FOR WOMEN 2000: CELEBRATING BEIJING PLUS FIVE
In June 2000, the UN Special Session of the General Assembly will provide an international forum to
celebrate.the achievements made since the. historic 1995 conference and to reaffirm the worldwide
commitment to the Platform for Action.
UPCOMING EVENTS .
International
•
October 26-29, 1999- Bangkok, Thailand: UN Regional PrepCom for ESCAP [Economic and
Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific] Review of Regional Progress towards implementation of
the Platform for Action.
•
November 22-27, 1999- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: UN Regional PrepCom for ECA [Economic
Commission for Africa] Review. of Regional Progress towards implementation of the Platform for
Action. (USG is only .observer)
·
·
•
December 15-18, 1999 -.Beirut, Lebanon: UN Regional PrepCom for 9SCWA [Economic and
Social Commission for West Asia] Review of Regional Progress towards implementation of the
Platform/or Action. (USG is only observer)
·
•
January 2000 (TBD)- Geneva, Switzerland: UN Regional PrepCom for ECE [Economic
Commission for Europe] Review of Regional Progress towards implementqlion of the Platform/or
Action. (Expert level meeting)
•
January/February 1000 (TBD)- Lima, Peru: UN Regional PrepCom for the Economic
Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean [ECLAC].
•
•
March 6-23,2000- New York City, New York: UN Commission on the Status of Women-·~.
. PrepCom for Beijing Plus Five.
JuneS- 9, 2000 ·New York City, New York: UN Special Session of the General Assembly for
Beijing Plus Five: "Wom,en 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the 2 1"1 Century."
CONTACT INFORMATION
Theresa Loar, Director .
Lidia Soto-Harmon, Deputy Director
The President's Interagency Council on Women.
U.S. Oe'partment of State
220 I C. Street, NW, Room 6936
Washington, DC 20520
· Telephone: (202) 647-622.7
Fax: (202) 647-5337
E-Mail: picw@.worltlnef.tlft.net
Website: http://secretary .state.gov/picw/index.html
Ann F. Lewis, Chair of the Women 2000 Working Group
·
The White House
Ground Floor, West Wing
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW ·
Washington, DC 20502
Telephone: (202) 456-2644
Fax: (202) 456-~215
FACT s·H E E T
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America's Commitment
The United Nations
Women's Conference·
Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Five
The President's Interagency Council on Women
"Women's rights are human rights, and human rights are women's rights. "
-·First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton
"As we approach the new century, we know that we cannot build the kind offuture we want without the
contribution of women. Women will only be able to contribute to our full potential if we have equal access,
equal rights, equal protection and a fair chance at the levers of economic and political power. Advancing
lhe status of women is the right thing to do; and,frankly, it is the smart thing to do."
--Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright
•
The 1995 United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing was an historic event, with
189 countries adopting the Pla~formfor Action. The Platform calls for economic opportunity and
security for women; quality education and health care; full politiCal and economic participation of
women; equality; and the promotion of human rights for women. It is one ofthe strongest policy ·
statements promoting women's advancement ever made by the international community.
•
Since the 1995 Conference, the United States government has worked with government agencies, and in
partnership with non-governmental organizations, to adopt policies and initiate actions resulting in·
significant progress in these areas. We are proud of all that has been achieved, and we look forward to
celebrating these accomplishments and recommitting to further action at Women 2000, the UN Special
Session in June, 2000 which will mark' the fifth anniversary of the Beijing meeting.
•
The President's Interagency Council on Women is the lead in preparing for Women 2000 and in
documenting U.S. government efforts in a publication entitled America's Commitment. The 2000
edition of this publication will be a comprehensive, five-year review which includes federal government
programs, policies and initiatives that advance the status of women and girls, catalogued according to
the 12 areas of criHcal concern highlighted in the P,latformfor Action.
•
In addition to America's Commitment, the Council is coordinating public outreach sessions, which will
be held in five or more locations around t~e United States. These.events will be organized in
partnership with non-governmental organizations, colleges and universities, and regional community
organizations, and will offer opportunities to share best practices, achievements and lessons learned.
•
International progress will be celebrated at Women 2000, the June, 2000 United Nations Special Session
at which the 189 countries that signed the Platform for Action will be able to report on the progress
made in each oftheir countries on advancing the status of women llnd girls. The United States
government looks forward to taking part in this important meeting to reaffirm its commitment, share the
progress that has been made, and encourage further action in the next millennium.
TA.LKING POINTS
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America's Commitment
-
The United Nations
Women's Conference
Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Five
The President's Interagency Council on Women
U.S. Government Goals
UN Special Session of the General Assembly
June 5-:9, · 2000
·
For the UN Special Session, the U.S. Government'~ Goals Ar:e To:
•
Celebrate achievements in the United States and around the world in following up on the Platform for
Action adopted at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women.
• . Affirm the importance ofNGOs in developing and implementing recommendations of the Platform for
Action and in working in partnerships with government to build civil society.
•
Develop with other member-states a short visionary declaration to be signed by all member-states
reaffirming a commitment to the Platform for Action;
•
Thus, begin the new millennium with international affirmation that women's rights are human rights,
stressing the importance of policies affecting the advancement of women. and girls.
To Achieve These Goals, the U.S. Government Will:
•
Request the highest levels of participation for all delegations including the United States, and
encourage all delegations .to include participation of non-governmental organizations, including youth.
•
Request active participation in a national reyiew process of all heads of delegations so that each
member-state comes prepared to make concrete commitments on behalf of their governments for the
advancement of women in their country.
•
Encourage member-states to Pl'!-rticipate fully in worldwide Regional PrepComm meetings, and to
encourage full NGO participation.
In the United States, the U.S. Government Will:
•
Conduct and publish a five-year review of all U.S. government actions and achievements implementing
the Platform for Action. This publication, entitled America's Commitment: 2000 Edition, will~ ready
·
by March 2000.
•
Encourage NGOs to participate in domestic regional outreach meetings which will provide information
to be considered as part of the U.S. review as examples of actions, achievements and lessons learned.
•
Work on an intemationat teleconference which will enable women in the United States and around the
world to participate in this historic meeting.
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14Joos
. Be.ijing Plus Five Conference: 12 CritiCal Areas of Concern
Page I of2
America's Commitment
_.. The· United· Nations
~ ·Women's Conference
.Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Five
Women 2000: Beijing Plus Fiv~
12 Critical Areas of Concern
Poverty
.
Develop macroeconomics mechanisms to improve access to economic resources.
·
Education and Traiaing
·Ensure equaJ access to educ::al:ion and promote life-long education and training for girls .and
women.
Health
Increase women's life-long access to affordable, appropriate, and quality health care and to
infonnation dealing with m.atemaJ mortality, sexually transniitted diseases, IDV/AJI)S, and
sexUal and reproductive health.
Violenu ·
.
.
.
·
·
···
Adopt and implement legislation to .end violence against women, ratil}r the UN Convention
on the Elimination of all Fonns of Discrimination against Women, and encourage ·
' international cooperation to dismantle trafficking in women.
Armed Conflict
Increase participation of women in conflict resolution at decision-making levels; condemn
ethnic cleansing and rape as a consequence of w.u and a violation of human rights:
Economy
Promote women's economic rights and independence, including access to employment and
ap~priate working conditions· and control o.ver economic resources.
·
Decisionmaking
Ensure women's equal access to and full participation in public sector power structures;
increase women's capacity to participate in decision-making and leadership positions. .
Institutional Mechanisms
Create and strengthen national bureaucracies to ensure that the advancement of women is
vested in the highest-possible level of government.
Human Rights
Promote human rights of women by fully implementing all human rights instruments,.
especially the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms ofDiscrimination against
·women.
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141009
Beijing Plus Five Conference: 12 Critical Areas of Concern
Media
.
Page2 of2
. .
.
Promote a balanced and non-stereotyped po11Iayal of women in the media.
·Environment
Integrate genckr concernS and.perSpectives iD policies and programs for sustainable
. developuient
·
·
The Giri..Child
Eliminate discrimination against the girl·child: enforce rights to succession~ eliminate
female genital mutilation, son preferenee,and.economic exploitati9n of child labor; and
strengthen the role of.tbe .fiunily in improving the status of the girl-child. ·
(End of Document)
· J?eijing Plus Five Home Ppge I Cowcil Home Page· I Department of State
This is an oflicial U.S. Government source fur information on the www.
Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
.
-
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Beijing Plus Five Conference: Fact Sheet 7/14/99
~010
Page 1 of2
·America's Commitment
_... The United Nations
·~ Women's Conference
Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Five
Women 2000: Beijing }llus Five
.President's Interagency Council on Women Outreach
Strategy
The President's Interagency Council on Women plan tO celebrate the fifth anniveiSaJy of the
· UN Fourth World Conference on Women by highlighting progress made in implementing ·
the 1995 Platform for Action adopted in Beijing; and to begin the first year of the new
millennium with a reaffirmation and reeoJIUni.tment to policies tbat advance the lives of
women and girls.
In 1995, 189 countries signed the Platform for Action at the UN Fourth World Conference
on Women. The platform calls for ecOnomic opportunity and security for women, quality
full participation of women politically and economically,
education and health
equality, and the promotion of the human rights of women. It is one of the strongest policy
statements promoting women's advancement ever made by the international community.
care:
THE ROLE OF' THE
PRESIDENT'S INTERAGENCY COUNCIL ON WOMEN
President Clinton established the President's Interagency Council on Women to coordinate
the implementation of .the U.S. commitment to follow up on the Platform for ActioiL First
Lady HiJ.1a.nr Rndbam Clinton selveS as Honorary Chair of the Council, Secretary of State
Madeleine K.. Albright seiVes as Chair, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna
~ as Immediate Past Chair. The members of the Council are high-level representatives
from executive branch agencies wbo work within the U.S. Government. The Council holds
quarterly open public briefings and discussions to continue a strong partnership with nongovernmental organizations.
The Council leads U.S. Government preparation for U.S. participation in Women 2000: the
Special Session of the United Nations in June 2000 which will maik: 5 years since Beijing.
• The Co\mcil will publish a 5-year review of U.S. Government programs, policies,
and initiatives that promote the adVancement of women: The 2000 edition of this
publication, entitled America's Commitment, Will highlight current efforts and
projected policies and programs measured against the goals of the Platform for
Action. Copies ofAmerica's Commitment will be available for distribution in time
for the Women 2000 Special Session.
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141011
Beijing Plus Five Conference: Fact Sheet 7/14/99
Page 2 of2
• The Council is also coordinating various outreach events across the United States to
celebrate the progress made since the UN Fourth World Conference on Women.
These regional events will be organized in pannership with non-governmental
organizations~ oolleges and universities~ and regional oommunity organizations, and
· will offer opportunities to share beSt practices, achievements, and lessons learned.
UN SPECIAL SESSION JOB WOMEN 1000: CltLEBRATING BEUING PLUS FIVE
In JIUle 2000, the Special Session of the UN General Assembly will provide an international
forum to celebrate the achievements made since the historic 1995 oouference and to reaffirm
the worldwide oommitment to the Platform for Action.
Jor additional information, eontaet: .
Theresa Loar, Director
Lidia Soto-Hannon, Deputy Director
The President's Interagency Council on Women
U.S.DepanxnentofStrte
2201 C. Street, NW, Room 6936
Washington, DC 20520
Telephone: (202) 647-6227
Fax: (202) 647-5337
E·Mail: picw@worldnet.attnet
An:h F. Lewis, Chair of the Working Group
The White House
Ground Floor, West Wing
1600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington. DC 20502
Telephone: (202) 456-2644
Fax: (202) 456-2215
(End ofDocumenl)
1999·2000 Timeline I f3e&jing Plus Five Home Page I
Council Home Page I Deparlment of State
·
This is an official U.S. Government source for information on the WWW.
Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
http:/fsecretary .state. gov/www/picwlbeijing/
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Beijing Plus Five Outreach Events
~012
Page 1 of 1
America's Commitment- Tbe United Nations Women's Conference
Text Version
BeiJng Plut Five Public Oiltntaah Eventa
The Flelldent'l lnfelllgenc:y councl on lr\bmen.
Beijing Plus Five Home P§8e I Council Home Page I Department of State
This is an official U.S. Government soun:;e for information on the WWW.
Inclusion of non--U.S. Government links does not imply endorsement of contents.
http://secreta:ry. state. gov/www/picw/
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America's Commitment
.The United Nations
Women's Conference
·women 2000 • Beijing Plus Fiye
The President's Interagency .council on Women
Impact of the Beijing Platform for Action
International Progress
The Beijing Platform for Action from the United Nations Fourth World on Women has
been a roadmap.for governments and NGOs to improve the lives of women and girls
aroWld the world. Citizens from the private sector, governments and NGOs returped from.
the Beijing conference inspired and determined to make changes in their communities
and their countries. In some cases, governments took the lead in making progress, in·
other cases governments were responding to NGO concerns. Major strides have been
made in the past five years towards fulfilling the promises made in Beijing. Illustrations
and examples of this progress are listed below.
Economic Status of Women
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
South Africa has changed the national system of land distribution from a household to
an individual basis, thereby increasing women's ability to own land and be
economically self-sufficient.
. After 39 years of struggle, Nigerian women are now allowed to inherit property from
their husbands.
In January 2000, a law was passed giving women in Rwanda the right to inherit
property·
.
In Brunei, women can now apply for government housing and land in their own
names;
In Ecuador, micro-enterprise programs have benefited approximately 18,000 women
and their families. These activities are run through village banking programs and
have expanded women's access to formal financial services
Some l 00,000 rural Nep~ese women now have access to savings and credit services
and training in business skills.
In Jamaica, approximately 3,700 women fanners increased their productivity and
production levels by 50-200 percent.by using new'technologies suitable to their crops
and rugged terrain, thereby creating economic benefits for themselves and their
families.
In Bangladesh, a first class action suit regarding the loss of eight women gannent
workers in a factory fire will set a legal precedent for the need of governments and
private industry to be held accoWttable for health and safety of workers.
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., .
Education and Training
_
• ·In Mongolia, the LfwPeople's Democratic Re(mblic-, Chip.a, India, Pakistan, and
Haiti, women and girls now.beriefit from distance educat~on programs which. allow
youth and ac}ults to complete their basic 'education using radio and cassette·
·
instruction.
• · Through a variety of international aid :programs, external barriers to women and girl's
education. are increasingly being alleViated by' providing day care centers, .covered
markets, s<:hool cafeterias~· health services and .educational supplies.
• · Due to a ntnnber of international aid programs, women in Benin, Guatemala, Guinea;
Haiti, Mali, Morocco and Uganda now have greater access to higher education,
thereby increasing'theii capacity to earn income.
• Female. students in primary school in over 800 communities in rural Ethiopia have
received grants under the community-school grant-program allowing for greater ·
access to ~ducation
·
·
.·
• In Uttar Prades_h; India, and Mali, teacher-training prognuns have been created to help
increase girls'• primary schooi attendance; retention an:d completion.' .
.
• · The Government of Yemen has waived tuition fees for young girls, maki~g it easfer.
·
·
·for families to send them school.
to
Access to Healthcare
• A number of countries, like' Senegal,' the Ivory c·oast and Egypt, have legally banned
•
•
•
•
female genital mutilation practices. The Senegalese Parliament, for example, has
.. recently approved a law instituting prison terms of up to five years fot ban violators.
Due to conceqed efforts by NGOs, the National Assembly oflvory Coastpassed laws
forbidding premature and forced marriage and sexual harassment in addition to ·
: banning female genital mutilation~
'
·In Uganda, Kenya, Mozambique, Taniania ·and Ghana, married women now have
greater access to contraceptives for: family planning. Contraceptive sales in these
countries has doubled from 1996-1997.
In Russia, twenty-fou,r regional. women's health education centers haye been openec;I
nation-wide to facilitate health care for women. Nearlx 250,000 women have
..
.
. participated in safe motherhood training.
Aid programs in Nepal have provided over 40,000. female community health
volunteers training in family planning, contraception methods and distributed Vitamin
·A tabl~ts, saving the lives of an estimated 25,9.,00 children.
Violence Prevention·
• . A number of countries have passed new ~d tougher laws to combat violence against.
a
•
·•
women. Governments are increasingly willirig to treat. Vi()lence as national issu~
requiring serious government action.
New violence against women prevention programs and legal aid centersin Sri Lanka
and Bulgaria have been created.
. . ··
In February 2000, Barigladesh's Parliament passed a new law imposing stricter
penalties against abuse towards women.-
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•
•
•
•
•
•
~015
PICW
The Government ofTurkey has passed a law making spousal abuse a crime.
In El Salvador, 350 prosecutors, forensic medical practitioners, justices ofthe peace
· and police officers have been trained on the implementation of new laws protecting
women.
The Government of Croatia has criminalized trafficking of women and marital rape in
·
its 1998 Penal Code.
The Brazilian Government has committed $1 0 million for shelters for battered
women and is working with NGOs and local governments on this issue.
In Ukraine, national public awareness campaigns.against trafficking and violence
against women have utilized the mediaextensively: A television docu-drama,
telephone services, legal services, and job training centers have all been successful in
promoting awareness of these issues.
In Ecuador, approximately 114,000 women and their families have received prompt
attention to their grievances along with legal, psychological, medical, and social work
services through the recently created Government ofEquador legal offices. New·
legislation has been passed to combat domestic violence, and some 7,300 judges and
teachers have received sensitivity training regarding this issue.
Advancing Women's Political Participation
•
•
,
•
•
•
Following the 1999 June election, women in South Africa now make up 38 percent of
the South African Cabinet. ·
In 1997, the Peruvian Congress approved new legislation requiring that women make
up at least 25 percent ofthe party lists for Peru's town councils and Congress. The
participation of women. in local government tripled from 8 percent to 24 percent
nation-wide.
InMay 1999, the Emir ofKuwait declared that women should be allowed to vote and
run for office in the Parliamentary elections scheduled for 2003. While the Kuwaiti
Parliament has rejected this measure; the Emir and Kuwaiti women's groups will
continue to push for women's political rights.
Due to recent legislation in India, women must constitute 30% of the representatives
elected to local governing bodies.
In Argentina, the minimum percentage of female candidates that political parties put
forward to the Lower House of Congress must be 30 percent. This regulation has
resulted in a Congress which is 25% female.
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141016
Americals Commitment
The United Nations
Women 5 Conference
1
Women 2000 • Beijing Plus Fiv.e
The President's .Interagency Council on Women
U.S. PROGRESS TOWARD THE GOALS OF THE 1995 UN FOURTH WORLD
CONFERENCE ON WOMEN:
IMPLEMENTING THE BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION
Since the I995·UN Fourth World Conference on Women, the United States government bas
actively implemented policies and programs, to implement the Beijing Platform For Action within
the federal government. President Clinton established the President's Interagency Council on
Women to ensure the implementation of the Platform For Action. The Council consists of highlevel representatives from federal agencies working within the government to develop policies and
progTam.s for the advancement of women and girls. First Lady Hillary Ro~ Clinton serves as
Honorary Chair of the Council, Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright serves as chair, and
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Sbalala serves as Immediate PaSt Chair. The
CoWicil has actively been involved in promoting the Platform For Action thfough interagency
efforts, working groups, and partnership with non-govetrimental organizations.
·SUPPORTING WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE
•
The U.S. government committed to create a more family-friendly workplace for women and
the~r families. The Working Women Count! Honor Roll, launched by the Department of
Labor Women's Bureau in 1995, addresses concerns voiced by the more than 250,000 working
women across the country who responded to the national Working Women Count! Survey.
' 'The women called for change in
areas of pay and benefits, balancing work a:nd family, and
respect and opportunity on the job.
the
PROMOTING ACCESS TO FINANCIAL CREDIT FOR WGMEN
• Women in increasmg numbers are starting new businesses and own nearly 40 percent of all
•
businesses in the United States. Since FY 1992, loans guaranteed by the Small Business ·
Ac:irpinistration (SBA) to women have tripled in number and increased in dollar value by 164
percent. In FY 1998, the SBA backed an unprecedented 1l,084loans worth $1.82 billion to
women entrepreneurs.
The Treasury Department, through the Conununity Development Financial Institutions (CDFI)
Fund, aims to strengthen the expertise and the financial and organizational capacity ofCDFis
to address the needs of the communities they serve. In 1998, the Fund awarded a total of$47
million to 112 institutions through its CDFI Program. The FwuJ promotes sound lending
practices and brings wider public attention to the important role and success of microenterprise
development, especially in enhancing economic opportunities among wonien.
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'
i\
PREVENTING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
• The U.S. government has committed to a comprehensive national effort to fight domestic and
other forms of violence against women by eombining tough new federal laws with assistance to
law enforcement., victim assistance, prosecution, and crime prevention. The Office on Violence
Against Women at the Department of Justice has implemented the Violence Against Women
Act which was signed into law by President Clinton in late 1994. The Clinton Administration
declared October as Domestic Violence Awareness month and programs have been held around
the country.· The President signed an Executive Memorandum directing aU federal agencies to
train their employees about domestic violence and to inform them of resources that are
available. Community grants from the Department of Justice are helping change responses to
violence against women. The nationwide 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline (1..:800-799SAFE) provides immediate crisis intervention, counseling, and referrals for those in need.
• The President' Interagency Council on Women coordinates, with other government agencies, the global
fight against trafficking ofwomen and children. In his 1998 Presidential Directive on Steps to Combat
Violence Against Women and Trafficking in Women and Girls, the first presidential directive ever
issued on the subject, President Clinton called trafficking in women and girls a "fundamental human
rights violation." The Adm:inistration is committed to taking decisive action toward combating the
trafficking of human beings, in a global effort. To that end, the United States has adopted a threetiered strategy of prevention, protection, and prosecution. Efforts include partnerships with NGOs,
bilater'!l initiatives, information campaigns, training for international law enforcement, and' programs to
develop economic opportunities for women.
EXPANDING HEALTH INITIATIVES FOR WOMEN
• The U.S. government is committed to addressing women's health issues, recognizing the
additional issues faced by women oflow income and from ethnic and racial minorities.
Programs implemented in order to meet commitments to the Platform For Action include: a
comprehensive plan to reduce smoking among children and adolescents by 50 percent; the
inauguration ofthe National Women's Health Clearinghouse; new initiatives on breast and
cervical cancer, studies on the connection between poverty and women's health, and the ·
inclusion of women in clinical trials. A public policy agenda on AIDS/HIV aimed specifically
at women, adolescents, and children has also been developed.
PROMOTING WOMEN'S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION AND ECONOMIC
DECISION-MAKING
• The Vital Voices Global Democracy Initiative ·supports Secretary of State Madeleine·
Albright's mandate to integrate issues affecting women into the mainstream of American
foreign policy. Vital Voices is an ongoing global initiative and a public-private partnership
which highlights and supports the critical role that.women play iri developing full participatory
democracies, increasing economic prosperity, and strengthening political systems. Vital Voices
is implemented through the aCtive support and leadership of the First Lady to give citizens the.
skills, tools, and resources they need to empower themselves, their countries, and their
communities. Regional Vital. Voices initiatives have been launched in Central and Eastern
Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, Russia, the Baltic States and Northern Ireland. Vital
Voices Roundtables have bee:n convened in Italy, Iceland, Turkey, and Washington, D.C.
~017
�e
~,..;
ri
r-(
"~~~~1~~~%~~
:;'
..
;~'·:;
,,'
..:··.:'-.
August 10, 2000
Melanne Verveer
Chief of Staff to the First Lady
Office of the First Lady
OEOB
Rm 100
Washington, DC20500
Dear Ms. Verveer:
On behalf of US Women Connect (USWC), we would like to thank you for your leadership on the
President's InterAgency Council for Women and for promoting implementation of the Beijing
Platform for Action in this country. Our network is dedicated to advancing follow-up to the Beijing
Conference with US women and girls and, as part of our efforts, we are pleased to send you reports
from our online working groups on three critical areas of concern of the Platform. We also have
included an article from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette you may not have seen, which recognizes the
effectiveness and accomplishments of the CounciL
The enclosed reports on Economic Security and Justice, Women in Power and Decision-Making and
'Girls Speak Up' successfully reflect the concerns that women and girls around the country have
regarding action that needs to be taken to fully implement the Beijing Platform for Action. Each report
includes a list of intended goals, the scope of the discussion, obstacles, barriers and challenges and
future directions and strategies for action. It is the hope of USWC that these reports will be a tool for
discussion and advocacy with our non-governmental and governmental partners at all levels. The
reports are being sent to leaders in government and of national women's organizations and will be
posted on the USWC web site: www.uswc.org. They will also feed into the USWC state and local
report card and storytelling campaigns that are currently being plan:iled for the year 2000/2002.
Again, we would like to acknowledge and express our gratitude for your committed action toward
women's empowerment and gender equality.
Sincerely,
~~~/~...~~
Suzanne Kindervatter
Chair, US Women Connect
Alexandra Spieldoch
Board Mew,be~, US Women Connect
Online Discussion Coordinator
"
�"
'
US WOMEN CONNECT
'BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP ON
WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-MAKING
AUGUST, 2000
Working Group Moderator --Judith R. Saidel, Ph.D.,
US Women Connect
P.O. Box 33847
Washington, DC 20036
uswc@uswc.org
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP ON
WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-:-MAKING
In the sprinQ of 2000, US Women Connect (USWC) sponsored an online working group
for women to discuss progress that has been made since the UN Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing, China in 1995. Over the course of about 5 weeks,
with a launch date of May 15\ more than 60 participants from different generations and.
of different backgrounds, discussed teplc5'o{power structures·, decision-making and
'\ir-' l ~ '\
.
obstacles faced by women ..
'¥' ·
- Q~
O:.
The specific goals in mind ~:
•
To assess _progress=int.the
participation in
•
To share strategtc~~ltl'lt:ll
To identify obstacles:-ba
•
To connect cmgoing work
context of the Beijing +5
of Pf~}>ting women's equal
0
During these on-line discussions, the pa
encountered, in addition to brainstorm
women's movement in the
addressed the challenges they have
of action. The result is a set of
recommendations for achieving gender
at all governmental decision making
levels, to target states where gender
not been achieved, to create new
formats and informed mentorship opportunities, and to work toward creation of
alternative structures and processes of power.
l
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +
5 ONLINE WORKING GR(OUP
ON WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION-MAKING
August, 2000
INTRODUCTION
In spring 2000, US Women Connect launched an online working group on women
in power and decision-making to discuss progress that has been made since the
UN Fourth World Conference on
n Beijing, China in 1995. Throughout
ur~
discuss the following topics:
the five weeks, the participants
•
•
•
•
•
Women's equal
Women's partici
governmental
Women's capacity
Key social,
to and oarticil)ati,on"'i
·~
Strategies that hav~ en
succeeded or faile
and-id~cision-making
de~isien-making at all
'~"'~,
leadership
equal access
Goals:
•
To assess progress in the U.
participation in governmental u...,,,,.,,.'"
G.2. in the Platform for Action)
•
To identify obstacles, barriers, and challenges and ways to overcome them
•
To connect ongoing work and strengthen the national women's movement in
the context of the Beijing +5 process
of promoting women's equal
(Strategic Objectives G.1. and
Scope:
•
In operation for about 5 weeks (May 1 - June 4, 2000).
•
More than 60 individuals registered for the Working Group.
•
More than 65 messages were posted by women from 10 states plus the
District of Columbia.. Regional representation was especially strong with
participants from the Far-West, Southwest, Midwest, South, Mid-Atlantic and
the Northeast.
�•
Participants identified themselves as in different generations and of different
racial/ethnic backgrounds.
•
Most women who posted messages were activists; a few were universitybased.
Results:
Obstacles, Barriers, Challenges:
•
Women's NGOs and gender-based bgroups within parent organizations
may seem to have achieved ae<~s:s,to
bodies and other
national and
and co-optation ofthese
groups undercut their
substantive
contributions to de<:isl,dril;;JTIStKmtQ
•
Women's gr~ups a
collaborations,
levels, and
~ttiefr' l::mc)uat.l'liir
coalitions,
g«?vernmental
IIIJ,Y.,I;::);:)UI:;;:),
nor'l'n.o
'::)I
, •
Younger women poht1ca
opportunities, especially aro
develop political space ..,.,,.,.,....,,..,.,
articulate alternative
•
For many women, the tension
change within inherited structu
visions of how systems of 1"\1"\ll'tll"''!:l
resolved between pushing for
lroc;esl;es of power and creating new
mg could be organized.
'~s
women we must take responsibility
every aspect of creating the society
we want to live in. That means being involved politically not just in so-called
'women s issues, "but taking responsibility and being politically involved in every
aspect of life - trade, foreign policy, defense policy, eccmomics, city planning,
agriculture, etc. All of these are women s issues because they affect women as
citizens just as much as they affect men."
Future Directions and Strategies for Action
1. CONTINUE BUILDING TOWARD ACHIEVING GENDER BALANCE,
REAFFIRMED BY THE PLATFORM FOR ACTION TO HAVE WOMEN IN 30%
OF ALL POSITIONS AT ALL GOVERNMENTAL DECISION-MAKING LEVELS.
2
�Strategies
• Create coalitions of women's groups specifically taq:!Jeted to increasing
women's political partiCipation at every level.
•
Develop inclusive teams for the purpose of moving women into powerful
decision-making positions. Support women in these positions; hold them
accountable; brief them continuously on substantive issues.
•
Replicate the national model of women-run campaign funds to support women
candidates at the local and state levels.
•
Put pressure on the media and on women in office to achieve more press
coverage of women leaders' actions.
•
Get out the vote (GOTV).
•
Involve, educate, an d tra1n more
activism.
.
~~
•
Push political
candidates.
~~
x,N Co
.
1n
.
-~l·t··
po 1)caI process and po l.t.- I
11ca
"''1"'
partie~ a
CIJ
the ·fJ1d;fboys 'put there
One of the participants~te,
.J
money, patronage and
we have to do the same
to elect strong women
ron1enfi'CeitnCI1CIB!tes toJ.clec~JSIC>n making and
powerful positions. The
of any women s party,
power seeking, etc. is troth ~"~Q'~~tii~
reconciliation between
women of different social, ethnic
'
2. TARGET STATES WHERE GEN
ACHIEVED IN ELECTED OR
't
HAS NOT BEEN
DECISI.ON-MAKING POSITIONS.
Strategies
• Direct financial support to women in targeted states through women-centered,
women-driven campaign fund-raising.
•
Push more states to pass rules requiring gender balance in appointments.
•
Develop a nonpartisan Women in Power scorecard that measures, monitors,
and publicizes track records of political jurisdictions for their Women in Power
scores.
•
If national organizations take the lead, keep local community involvement a
priority.
I
3
�•
'We need to support women candidates. It is critical to understand what's at
stake in upcoming elections... we have to work harder at making the connections
between politics and the women's vote. "
3. CREATE NEW FORMAL AND INFORMAL MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
FOR YOUNGER WOMEN AND "DISCONNECTED" w:OMEN.
Strategies
• Harness the power of women teaching and encouraging one another through
women's circles and other models.
•
Provide environments in which women can learn about their own authentic
leadership and changes over time in that leadership.
. 1\.J .r--,
'1n this day and age, constantly(u ~- aing sRjf!2'
very important, even if it
just by going to the localli~[JL'~an
· a'~~e1t~sttJdv 'program. The more
it concerns
we know, the more we pass qn to our
environmental issues, ot-/iJs(
·:
"Another crucial issue is [to]
women among the
incomes) [to
alleviation programs ,.,r,•.,,.,,,~vF"~,. .
making processes addressing ua ..:.tl.i<lll
[Too often] policies are
the input of those who are
4. WORK TOWARD CREATION OF
PROCESSES OF POWER.
Strategy
party structures, new educational
• Through new "theatres of leadershi
programs, and new electronic technologies, create opportunities for women
and those who share their goals to envision new ways of how political
institutions, structures, and processes might be organized.
Submitted by: Judith R. Saidel, Ph.D., Working Group Moderator
Executive Director
Center for Women in Government*
University at Albany, SUNY
* Organizational names are listed for identification purposes only.
4
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORK~NG GROUP
"GIRLS SPEAK UPI"
AUGUST, 2000
Working Group Moderator-- Alison Pflepsen,
US Women Connect
P.O. Box 33847
Washington,. DC 20036
1
uswc@uswc.org
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP "GIRLS SPEAK UP!"
In the spring of 2000, US Women Connect (USWC) sponsored "Girls Speak Up!," an
online working group for girls to discuss progress that has been made the UN Fourth
World Conference on Women in Beijing since. China in 19.95. Launched on April 22"d,
running through May 27th, twenty five girls under the age of 18 were given the
opportunity to discuss leadership, self-esteem, school and careers, health and wellness,
violence, research about girls and girls' rights.
The specific goals in mind were:~,J ~
o
To assess progress in
•
and rights five years~r
To identify obstacles'at@ ,..,.,..,..r.,
•
To identify
•
To identify future acti~QS a
0
~dvancing girls participation
To connect girls' vdicts
..
·a.rc1nt:-a.
o· ..A omen in Beijing
'""'"""'''"'',~·•Q:;Irn,;•n
During these on-line discussions,
phasized that the working group
was "a much needed opportunity for girls
explicitly states ways that girls and
result is a set of ideas about how far the
goals of the Beijing Platform For Action at
improvements in girls' lives. The
and the U.S. have come in realizing the
national level with recommendations to
improve programs on health, education, media, and mentori_ng.
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING + 5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP •GIRLS SPEAK UP!'
August, 2000
INTRODUCTION
In spring 2000, US Women Connect (USWC) launched Girls Speak Up, an online
working group for girls to discuss progress that has been made since the UN
Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, China, in 1995. Throughout the
five weeks, girls were encouraged to discuss the following topics:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Leadership
Self-esteem
School and careers
Health and wellness~.
·
Violence
.
Research about girls
Girls' rights
Goals:
•
To assess progress in the
and rights five years
•
T a identify lessons learned
•
To connect girls' voices from around the country to strengthen the national
women's movement in the context of the Beijing review process.
girls participation
''"'"''""'" in Beijing.
"'"'!3'n"'tr'n
Scope:
•
The Girls Speak Up listserv was in operation for five weeks. It was launched
April22 and ran through May 27, 2000. Participation was limited to girls
through age 18.
•
Twenty five girls registered for the Working Group.
•
The result of this working group is a set of ideas about how far the public and
the U.S. government have come in realizing the goals of the Platform for
Action at the national level.
�Although the results cannot be interpreted as a comprehensive survey of girls'
experiences, they do serve to enlighten us about a number of U.S. girls'
concerns. The girls' words suggest ways in which both girls and adults can work
to meet girls' needs and improve their lives. Finally, as one girl explained, the
working group was a much-needed opportunity for girls to talk about their lives in
their own words:
"Thank you so much for doing what you are doing. I'm tired of girls being all
pathetic and helpless because they are girls. We have to dress in tight things, talk
about boys and wear makeup to be 'popular,' and it's getting old. It's time
something happened to make us girls known! Thank you!"
(
OBSTACLES TO
Throughout the working gr:cfl!IP~convE3rs•atiC::!fl,
obstacles they believe h
·
barriers include:.
•
•
•
•
,
.....
"'
'
g~rls r~PIJ.~edly identified common
. -.
Inadequate formal a~d,
and women's histo}y~ ..t
Lack of reliable and com
Persistent and wid~ead ·ettai~.::iir.lt
abilities;
Insufficient public ~\11/.~rf'l•nf'>•
.as sexual assault
\.111-:r-""'"'·'*\.
hignlights)
The girls' conversation clearly ,·1"1•on,·•-r•..::.·
improve girls' lives. Their SU(JOE~strom;~,
<•
-
maiJt,y and respect. These
·~£
in which girls and adults can
Girls and women's issues must be ntegrated into all aspects of school
curricula. Both schools and families must do a better job of
incorporating women and girls into formal and informal education~
Discussion highlight:
When girls were asked if they learn about girls' and women's lives at
school, most girls answered negatively. One girl explained, '1 really cant
think of one woman or girl that we actually learned about. "In contrast,
another girl detailed the support and comprehensive education she
receives at an all-girls' high school: '1 am fortunate enough to learn from a
faculty that believes as strongly as I do that we need to learn more about
women and their place in history. Every class that I take is required by the
school to touch on different things that women have done in this field.... "
2
�•:• Adults must take an active role in mentoring girls and encouraging their
opinions. They must also be active participants·in creating an
environment that validates girls' ideas and teaches girls and boys about
girls' needs.
Discussion highlight:
Mentors play an important role in one 17-year-old girl's life. She told the
group, ~s far as mentors go, I think I have been very lucky. I have several
adults in my life with whom I can discuss personal issues .... Personally, I
have been treated with a lot of respect for the most part. "
inent, both at community, national
•:• Girls' issues must become
and girls must be more
and international levels.
21
aware and informed abo_utlilss·ueli ..8tr•car'll'llnn
Discussion highlig. :
One girl specificallyanoted
1,;/Ul:·l.:iu,
aboutgirlsJ~su~'
awareness aga(nst, .
more awareness! the
down by a lot. "~;:J
+:• Health education must
Jes,for. . mcJr-ea:seo awareness
"''.o..,,,.'/H,,..,., more international
if there was
, etc. would go
ress girls' specific
lth information and
needs. Girls also m
services.
Discussion highlight:
Many girls noted the lack of
about h,ealth issues particular to
biggest issues for girls are issues
girls. sa;d one girl, "I think
such as STDs and their period,
In school, we don t learn very much
about it until we know about it already, or it has happened to you already,
and we should be better informed ahead of time. 'J She further explained
that secrecy surrounding girls' health issues makes many girls think their
bodies. are "gross": "Society has made girls think that getting their period is
gross and disgusting, and most girls are 'afraid' to get it until it happens.
This makes it hard to talk to your friends because they think it's nasty."
•>
Girls want and need the opportunity to take an active role in issues and
programs affecting girls and women. Community organizations,
especially, can play a role in meeting girls' needs.
·
Discussion highlight:
Girls gave specific examples of activism they have participated in. "In my
youth group," one girl explained, "we learned about battered women and
3
�then made signs with phone numbers to hang in bathrooms in nearby
buildings. n Another contributed: '1 went to a special thing that the YMCA
put out called Girls Night Out, where we learned some self-defense moves
and how to generally protect yourself. That made me feel more confident
about being able to protect myself, and I think it is a good program.
FUTURE ACTIONS/DIRECTIONS
The Girls Speak Up working group outlined specific steps educators, parents and
others can take to better meet girls' needs. Such actions include:
•
•
•
•
•
Schools must incorporate girls' and women's lives and history into curricula.
Adults must serve as role models
One example is by not participating
in violence but instead by
against it.
Schools and community
· literature and programs
on girls' and women's
The media and others ,
stereotypes about girls
..,~,.,,.. .... s of girls' lives.
and women and crea~inclu
Girls and adults sho1lte·
gjr.l~l,issues and become
L--active in their
CLOSING
Girls want and need the su ........,..,.,.""'"
can validate girls' ovr\on.onr•o
become strong women. Girls
to ask them about their e:.vr\e:.r•.on,...o~
comprehensive programs and policies
gaps in girls' education and meet
girls will achieve their full potential.
.teachers. Such adults
•o1~~fi~~~~~~-e! and help them
::.u
and we must continue
It is imperative that more
shed, with girls' input, to fill the
By doing so, we will ensure that
Submitted by: Alison Pflepsen, Working Group Moderator
Northwestern University Graduate
Peace Corps Volunteer- Mali
Board Member, US Women Connect
* Organizational names are listed for identification purposes only.
/
4
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORKIN:G GROUP ON
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND JUSTICE
AUGUST, 2000
Working Group Moderator ~- Carol Barton,
US Women Connect
P.O. Box 33847
Washington, DC 20036
uswc@uswc.org
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING +5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP ON
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY AND JUSTICE
I
In the Spring of 2000, US Women Connect set up an online connection for women to
discuss topics of women's poverty, economic security and justice. Launched on May
1st. the 70+ participants {representing a dive!pe cross section of race and class) focused
their attention on women's poverty
rn1i~~rbpa:€_"
Q
~\-
economic security.
" elfaire reform" on women's
.~
. ·'-..
Th ere were spec1'fi1c goaIs ~In d
t·~lb ' dd ressed :
q~a
•
wo..men's poverty and economic
Impact of national and
security
fJJ
•
Self-employment
•
Women's economic rights
•
The global economy and
inl':t'ho>rn
participants focused on women's
s economic security, critiquing the
current welfare reform and welfar..,._•cr•-'"""'T.~
current public assistance programs were
Action.
Recomrl)endations for changing
in response to the Beijing Platform for
�US WOMEN CONNECT
BEIJING + 5 ONLINE WORKING GROUP ON .
WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY AN.D JUSTICE
August, 2000
INTRODUCTION
In May 2000 US Women Connect sponsored a moderated on-line working group
on the themes of women's poverty, women's economic: security and economic
justice, to assess progress made in the US since the UN Fourth World
Conference on Women in Beijing (1995), address obstacles, and suggest future
C"r)
action.
During the five weeks, partic.ioants \A#o.rol..~nr•nura~~jj,·io.address four themes that
relate to the Poverty and
Bejji
Platform for Action, as
well as the Women's
·
U.S. NGOs, outlining
specific ways of im
ng
U.S. We also made
reference to economic and
Declaration of
Human Rights.
C/)
:-)
The themes are listed below:
•
•
•
•
Impact of national
economic security
Self-employment as a
Women's economic rights in the
The global economy and u ........... o..,
women's poverty and
Goals:
•
To discuss how well we have done in the U.S. at the federal, state and local
levels in advancing women's economic rights over the past five years.
•
To identify obstacles to progress
•
To learn what creative ways women's and community organizations have
advanced women's economic rights.
•
To identify future actions to address U.S. women's poverty
•
To connect women's voices and ongoing work to strengthen the national
women's movement in the context of the Beijing review process.
�Scope:
•
The Economic Security and Economic Justice list-serve was in operation for
five weeks, from May 1 through June 9.
•
More than 70 individuals registered for the working group.
•
Some 20 messages were posted by women from 9 states representing a
broad geographic spread. These included California, Illinois, Missouri,
Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Washington, DC.
•
The group represented race and class diversity. It involved women who have
received public assistance, some who have administered public assistance,
I service providers and/or welfare
and some who work as non-P.r0~
~yl ~ \._
rights activists.
.soda
Results:
0
·1-r
.
~t
.
.
pnr:naey d"tscusston was on
~en's economic
Because of the intf~rest"'f:)f>'lr,anrif'
women's poverty and t
security.
\
worki,~roup
'
...
"'
~
The result of the
welfare-to-work policies and a
public assistance programs
security, as part of the
While the results are not a com
they do reflect important views of
advocates. They draw on surveys
expressed appreciation forthe
compare notes, and raise frustration a
of ci!Jrrent welfare reform and
meirtaatior1s for changing current
and provides for real
ng Platform for Action.
of U.S. women's experiences,
vn.::lll'"lt:~nf"'lnn poverty and their
women. Several participants
participatE;!, to share their situations,
at curre'nt trends.
OBSTACLES TO PROGRESS
The most significant and recurring themes were:
•!• The sequence of domestic abuse leading to divorce, leading to poverty
and sometimes homelessness for women of all classes and races.
•:• The current dominant values that: blame poor women for their poverty;
mistrust or demonize women on public assistance; and glorify individual
efforts over community needs.
+:• The role race, class, age, disability, rural/urban realities and citizenship
status play in exacerbating situations that lead to poverty or prevent
women from getting out of poverty.
<• The concern that not only have welfare-to-work programs failed to provide
economic security for poor women, they have in many cases left women
worse off both financially and in terms of their self-esteem. · Many welfare
2
�recipients are pressured into low-wage and contingent work which is highly
precarious.
Said one organizations recently released report on welfare reform cited on the
listseN, 'Welfare reform contradicts the spirit and intent of the historic Beijing
Platform for Action by driving women into deeper poverty rather than assisting
them to a path of economic security. '' Added another report; '~s a result of the
new welfare measures, the average income of women-headed families has been
reduced by 35%. n
Specific concerns raised in the discussion include:
Causes of Women's Poverty
•
•
•
•
•
f\ ·
The growing gap betw~m the
in this "boom, economy,
and a new "war on(~poor., JYiafJ¥~Pl'r'nc:!;a ll:k~:aw~rv, welfare are not
on welfare.
getting or keepin~t5s,
The desperate ~~~ for.
fact that some
women pay up to 75%
The links ho1r\All:lior:~,•l1nmo:C!;1
and poverty, and the
need for more smmers
The links oe1We!e.li'li!C:Us>abii!J~
benefits
The links between ,,.,.,..rr•c
to pursue deadbeat
just .turned 50, and not
I had left :the job market at his
as a long-term temp with no
1111,,.,,,..~,:1111
Commented one participant, '1 am
entitled to any benefits from my
insistence, and when I returned I
benefits. "
'1/ive in Utah where we have 2. 7% unemployment. There are enough jobs for
everyone to have three, which is what it takes to be able to afford housing,
transportation, food, child care and debt payments. n
Limited Social· Services and Wages
•
•
•
The lack of services for the working poor, including low cost housing,
childcare and healthcare. Some women are wmking 2 or 3 jobs to get the
equivalent of a living wage. Benefits are often d!3creased dollar for dollar
for any income women make. Women need the government benefits on
top of meager wages.
·
The nation's unwillingness to invest in women arnd children in a preventive
way leads to costlier interventions later. The lac.k of nutrition and
education for children may contribute to crime ar1d prison costs later.
The growth of the prison system is linked to lack of investment in poor
communities and the racist nature of drug policy and prosecutions.
3
�•
Race, class and gender inequities in the transportation system (investment
of federal and state dollars) means roads are prioritized over public
transportation systems. Poor women have difficulty accessing
transportation for work, childcare and other daily needs.
"Texas is now pushing women with small children into the workforce. My
personal opinion is that we as a society would be better off paying her to stay
home and mother than sending her to two minimum wage jobs (what it would take
to support her family) while her children are watched in less than safe supervision
and then when they are older, running the streets without a parent
availab/e ...Uitimately, we as a nation are oing to reap what we sow. "
Administration of Ma.na.1n,.c:
•
•
•
•
•
•
~·
('7
women's self-worth and
The way benefits
suited and verbally
self-sufficiency.
attacked.
The system onieAEliSeE~s
with something," and
intrudes jn ,At,.,,l'\"'.,.n'c.
constant monitoring
low real level of
of poor women
fraud.
Job training progr ms
minimum wage jobs. \J\/t'\rno:::.n~n·a!c/1&3..11\'l~~
opportunities on their
There is some lnnlf'!:!Tinr:
related contracts to
The establishment of state block
in some cases gives the states
incentives to save budget
r allocate elsewhere) by cutting the
· closed que to lost paperwork.
welfare rolls. Many women's
A new study released in Illinois
6 found that many states are
denying the working poor ben
which they are legally entitled. States
and localities are making it hard for eligible people to get benefits and
misinforming the working poor about what help is available to them.
''By attacking the applicants on a personal basis, insulting them and devaluing
their self-worth, welfare agencies make it considerably more difficult for these
women. Many are abuse survivors and it becomes harder for them to gain the
self-esteem necessary to make it in the workforce. "
FUTURE ACTIONS TO ADDRESS US WOMEN'S POVERTY
There was a call for policies that restore and strengthen the social safety net for
women and children and funding programs that support women on the path to
economic self-sufficiency. Recommendations for action include:
/
4
�Government, media and civil society
•
•
•
•
Focus on values, including compassion and a sense of the common good
over shortsightedness and greed.
Support unions to improve wages, benefits and quality of work overall.
Work to organize immigrant women.
Address the wage gap between women and men.
Federal, state and local government
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide greater support for low-income housing, day care and shelters
Raise the minimum wage; offer benefits to the working poor to equal a
living wage
Deliver services without +... ,.,'!!,,... .• ,.;
<fv"~~si,.,. ht and mistrust of
' - ~(
.
beneficiaries
Provide universal nO!:IIT~n··
for by all to benefit all
Supply a publicly
equally. _
r~'f.fO!I-time, living-wage
Support job d
jobs with benefi,tsr;
qOce, to gain equitable
Provide legal s41fP-~
financial settleni~Qts.
-~
For welfare recipients,
degrees.
Ensure that all the
entitled to (including
nts.
Restore food stamp eligibility
nts through procedures such as
Stop the criminalization of
mandatory fingerprinting.
,
...
organizations, poor people's
Non-Profit organizations, comm
movements
•
•
•
•
Build political pressure by the people affected. A new network, the
National Campaign for Jobs and Income Support, is aiming to do just that.
Begin to prepare now for the federal reauthorization of welfare legislation
in 2002.
Affirm and campaign for the economic human rights of poor people
Provide opportunities for women to support each other and gain self-worth
Submitted by:
Carol Barton, Working Group Moderator
Alt-WID, NY*
*Organizational names are listed for identification purposes only.
5
�+
·-
Government efforts have helped a lot,
women's groups say
Friday; June 09, 2000
By Torsten Ove, Post-Gazette Staff Writer
With the Pittsburgh office of the FBI investigating "pass-through" schemes in which
contractors skirt set-aside goals for minority- and women-owned companies, it's apparent
that government programs to help women advance won't always work as designed.
But the local investigation notwithstanding, women today })ave access to opportunities in
the United States they've never had before -- in part beca.use of efforts by government,
women's groups say.
The Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 concluded that all countries
had to do more to establish "national machineries" to help women.
Five years later, the grades for the United States are in, and they aren't bad.
In advance of this week's United Nation's conference in New York, US Women Connect,
an umbrella organization that developed after the 1995 Beijing gathering, did give the
country some lousy marks in several categories, including an "F" for "women and
poverty" and a "C-" for "women and health."
But "institutional mechanisms," which represent the effort to include the needs of women
in policy decisions throughout government, got a "B."
That decent grade is partly due to the President's Interagency Council for Women, which
President Clinton created on the eve of the Beijing conference. The idea, said Suzanne
Kindervatter, chairwoman of US Women Connect, is to promote and monitor the "full
integration of the gender perspective" into policy-making. She said the council has
largely been a success.
"They have done a very effective job in mainstreaming gender into other federal
agencies," she said, "from Defense to Labor to Justice, where they have had a very
sizable anti-violence campaign."
But experts on women's issues say U.S. performance could be improved, especially in the
areas of equal pay, health care for women moving from work to welfare and quality child
care for working women.
"Sure, there's been progress, and there's a long way to go," said Lisa D. Brush, a
professor of sociology and women's studies at the University of Pittsburgh whose
research focuses on welfare reform. "Lots .of nations are doing a really good job helping
�men and women balance work and family obligations. But the United States was one of
the last countries to pass a parental leave act [in 1992]. And it's unpaid. Most European
nations have paid parental leave. We are still lagging behind most of the European
nations in this respect"
In fact, 146 nations have laws for paid parental leave, and many have subsidized childcare programs for working parents.
To be sure, much of the world is becoming more female-friendly.
The Beijing conference identified the creation of national offices for helping women
advance as one of 12 areas of concern. Around the globe, hundreds of agencies and
commissions have been set up to address women's issues, according to a report from the
UN. secretary general.
India, for example, has drafted a national policy on "empowerment of women," which
outlines responses to sex discrimination. Ghana placed an office responsible for
promoting equality between men and women at the highe~t level of government, under
the office of the president In Iran, the head of the women's equality office is a member of
the Cabinet, making sure that women's issues are included in budget decisions.
According to the UN. report, three quarters of all nations have established some form of
national office to include women's concerns in shaping policy and doling out money.
At home, the interagency council is an example of Clinton's focus on women's issues. He
has been lauded by women's groups for doing more than any president in history to
promote women to senior positions in the cabinet and administration.
a
In 1994, for example, his administration established senior coordinator for international
women's issues at the Department of State, and also created the position of deputy
assistant secretary for women's health in the Office of the Under Secretary of State for
Global Affairs.
As of 1999, 27 percent of top positions requiring Senate confirmation were filled by
women; 34 percent of presidential appointments to boards and commissions were
women; and 40 percent of senior executive service positions were held by women.
When he started the interagency council in 1995, Clinton said his aim was to make sure
"all the good ideas" generated at the Beijing conference "actually get implemented when
we get back home."
Some have been and some haven't While the council, chaired by Hillary Rodham
Clinton, has been praised for its efforts in promoting a female perspective within
government, it has also been criticized for not emphasizing that perspective enough in
legislation or budgets. In addition, there is no statutory basis for continuing the council
beyond the 2000 presidential election.
�I
,,...
Still, the council has helped start dozens of programs and "working groups" for women
and gii-ls.
A~ongthem:
•
Women and the Global Economy, which works to ensure that policy on global
economic issues gives consideration to its impact on women.
•
Women and Prisons, which seeks to improve conditions for incarcerated women.
•
Rural Women, which tries to improve the status of women in rural parts of the
country.
•
Trafficking in Women and Girls, which works to coordinate U.S. efforts to
combat the exploitation and selling of women and girls.
•
Microenterprise Development, which coordinates federal efforts supporting small
business.
•
Vital Voices: Women in Democracy, which focuses resources on getting women
involved in politics and the economy of their countries. Hillary Clinton has
spoken at the four Vital Voices conferences in Vienna, Belfast, Montevideo and
Reykjavik.
•
Empowering Disabled Women and Girls, which addresses employment and
leadership development by running training sessions in the United States and
abroad.
The nation has taken a strong stance in creating programs to combat violence against
women, especially since the passage of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994. In
addition to the federal rape shield law, every state has removed the marital rape
exemption. In addition, most cities and counties have women's shelters to offer battered
women and their children a safe haven from batterers.
But the country is falling down in other areas, some experts say. For one thing, leadership
is still largely the domain of men. Women remain underrepresented in positions of power
in state government and in corporate America.
And Congress is dominated by men.
"That's an area where if we had more women in those positions, more women's issues
would be addressed," said Linda Bums, director of the sociology department at Carlow
College.
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One of the main concerns of women in the United States is health care, particularly for
poor women who are struggling to raise children while hoMing down a job.
Unlike welfare states such as Sweden and France, where medical needs are paid for by
the government and taxes are accordingly high, health coverage in the United States is
.market-driven.
In the 1920s, Brush said, the_ United States was among the world leaders in protecting
maternal health. Since then, she said, the nation has fallen behind many other countries.
Of course, the appointment of committees goes only so far in solving real-world
problems, and even the passage of laws doesn't always mean the gap between men and
women will close.
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Draft Quest.ions and Answers
Beijing+ 5: Women 2000
05/30/00
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1. What is Beijing +5: Women 2000? Why is there a special session ofthe United Nations?
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"Beijing+5," formally ,called, "Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the
Twenty-First Century," marks the five-year ariniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on
Women in Beijing (1995). The Beijing meeti.ng was the fourth in series of meetings organized by
the United Nations to advance the status of women. The other meetings were: Mexico City
(1975), Copenhagen (1980), and Nairobi (1985). In Beijing, a Platform for Action was agreed to
which set a course of action for the advancement of women and girls. At the June special
session, each of the 189 member states will give a progress report on their government's work,
share information and successful practices, and recommit to overc~ming remaining obstacles for
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achievement.
2. Who is participating in the June meeting?
Official delegations from 189 member states will attend the UN special session. These
delegations include government officials. and representatives from non-government
organizations. (NGOs). In addition, iepresen'tatiyes fmm hundreds ofNGOs will attend
workshops and setninars in conjunction.with the ,UN special session .
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3. What will the end result of the June meeti.~g be?
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Governments, NGOs, and the private 'sectcir will assess that pmgress made in advancing women,
recommit themselves to the goals set in Beijing five years ago, set action steps to be taken to
fully implement the Platform for Action, raise new challenges and resolve to overcome obstacles
in order to advance the status of w,qDJen and girls today and in the future.
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4. Why are these meetings important?
For 25 years, the United Nations has,conven~d meetings to discuss the status of women and girls
internationally. These meetings, and'in parti<,:!Jlar Beijing, have giveri governments, NGOs and
others, blueprints for achievement. These conferences demonstrate that coming together to
invest in the human rights of women ~nd the full pot~J1tial of women is essential to the future of
families and communities. Progress .on th~se issues can be made; it is essential to build on thaf
pmgress in order to achieve in the future·L:Thisis 6r.itl~al for the women and girls of today and
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future generations to come.
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�5. What is the role of the U.S. Gove111ment?ds,this a priority?
The official delegation made up of high level representative of government and NGOs recognize
the importance of the advancing the statu.s . of women ~nd children. The delegation will take pai·t
in all UN and many NGO activities during :the week Of June 5. The US government has
demonstrated its belief that the status bfworq~tl and girls is a high priority. Under the leadership
of President Clinton, the US government has.led the way in enhancing women's lives by
promoting human rights, proyiding family friendly workplaces, ensuring the economic security
of women, preventing violence against women, increasing the political participation of women
in elected and appointed offices, and expanding health initiatives for women .
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6. What is the role of Secretary Albright? Secretary Shalala? Mrs. Clinton? Ambassador
Holbrooke?
Secretary Albright, Secretary Shalala,•. an.~ First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton all played
prominent roles as members of the US d6I~ga:iion 'in Beijing five years ago. All three women
have worked to implement the Platform for Action. Secretary Albright serves as chair of the US
Delegation and as Chair of the Presid~nt;s'Idt~r?g;eney Council on Women, which is responsible
for the implementation of the Beijing'+ s'..P.l~tfo.~m'for.~Action among federal agencies.
Secretary Shalala is a co-chair of the US a·eJegatioh,a~d served as past chair of the President's
Council. Mrs. Clinton serves as honorary ch~ir of the Council. Through her work as First Lady,
Mrs. Clinton has traveled domestically'arii:l.aoroad to promote and encourage the goals of the
Beijing Platform. Ambass~dor. Holb~ook:~' is a co-chair of the US Delegation and, as the US
representative to the UN, has been working on preparations for the June meeting.·
7. What is the role ofthe Congress .in. this effort?
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Members of Congress attended the B~ijing conference in 1995 as part of the official delegation.
Since then, many members of Congress have played key roles in helping to draft and pass vital
legislation that has helped achieve the goals ~et out by the Platform for Action. Members of
Congress have expressed an interest·.if1·attending.the UN meeting and related activities in June.
8. Will there be another meeting in aqother five years? What do you hope will be accomplished .
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While no world conference is planned, the UN'~ill fu~e another review of progress in five
years. The UN General Ass~mbly has alreadr~dopted a declaration with strong US support. It
reaffirms the commitments:of 1'89 membe'r·s1~tes to work for full equality and empowerment for
women and girls. Virtually'ati countries have established a Plan of Action for their government
to redress inequalities and discrimination in health, education, law, and other indicators of
women's lives. NGO groups continue to advocate for governmental action and hold their
governments responsible. Ovet the!'next few years, the UN Commission on the Status of Women
(the US is one ofthe.45 members) will continue to press for action and share strategies ror
successful implementation in each oflhe member countries.
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9. Do you expect opposition from the·pr()-likforce~;'\Vithin the international community?
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We recognize that the concept of health acros:s jhe lifespan including reproductive rights raises
issues of concern for some.delegates.,, We resp.ect the views and sincerity of all involved.
However, the vast majority'-ofUN ri}embe·~ states involved in the Beijing+5 process, an the
citizens they represent, rem~in steadfast in their support for reproductive rights of all women
around the world.
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The Beijing Platform for ACl~~n, adopted by consensus the 189 member states,
recognizes that "good heal'th is essential to leading a productive and fulfilling life" as well
as "the right of all women to ~bntrol all aspects of their health, in particular their own
fertility, is basic to their emp9werment."
Reproductive rights, as defined in the Platform, are inextricably linked to this basic right.
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They "embrace certain hum~ rightstand f'rest on the recognition of the basic right of all
couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing
of their children and to have tbe information and means to do so," as well as the "right to
attain the highest standard ofsexpa,l. ~!.ld:,repp)guctive health" and the "right to make
decisions concerning reproduction~fre<;: ofdisciimination, coercion and violence."
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10. Some opponents have 'a.tt,acked·this.cS)nfe'rence as anti-family. How do you respond to this
charge? What is the conference position on parental rights?
This conference recognizes the critical role of the family in society; it reaffirms the important
role of the mother in the family. "-Wom.~!lP.lay a critical role in the family. The family is the
basic unit of society and as such shou'fd. be str~ngth~ned ... The social significance of maternity,
motherhood and the role of parents _1rr the family and. the upbringing of children should be
acknowledged."' The Platform for Action seeks to advance the role of the mother by addressing
women's health, ensuring women's economi~ security, preventing violence against women. The
platform seeks to invest in women ~hil<lfecognizihg their many different roles in today's world.
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11. What is the conference position
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on p'arerital ~ights?
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Both the Beijing Platform for Action and'tk6;Beijih~. ~5 negotiations stress the balance agreed to
in other international fora between the right, .auties and responsibilities of parents and the rights
of young people consistent' :With the~t evol'v_irtg·capacities. The US strongly supports the
involvement of young women in the de:Sigh and implementation of programs that affect their
lives, together with the active support and guidance of their parents, families, and communities.
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12. Trafficking· of women a_nd girls~h'as been a major issues on the international front. What is
the U.S. position? Will this conference take a position on this issue?
Trafficking of women and giils is an increasingly alarming issue. The US opposes trafficking in
all forms. In partnership with other' gbvernments, NGOs and international organizations, the US
has led an aggressive three-step strategy against trafficking: prevention, prosecution of
traffickers, and protection of the vi<;:tlms. The US has reached out to governments around the
world to aid in the fight against traffi:cking. The US government has also promoted public
awareness programs and has trained poli9e. alid. im,migrations officials on how to apprehend
traffickers. In early June, the US will' participate in a meeting in Vienna to discuss the UN
Protocol to combat trafficking, which,thy, _US. helped develop. This is an area that the US believes
the conference should reaffirm its res8t-v~.!O SOffi~~t.t}].is problem.
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13. How do you respond to tl)e charges mad~ recently about globablization? Will this
.conference address concer~~ 'raised at.WTO abd. World Bank meetings?
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The Special Session will involve discussions of globalization and its positive and negative
impact and potential impact on women. (The UN however does not give directions to the WTO
or the World Bank.) In the past fixe_y~ar~ since the Fourth World Conference on Women, the
Commission on the Status of Womeri:at the UN has identified globalization as an emerging issue
that has incre~sed in importance sih'cethe 1995-conference. Around the world women have been
organizing and forming coalitions and networks around these issues. h can be. expected that the
Special Session will recommend that,governments and other players take steps to prepare women
to participate in and benefit from globalizati6h, to:ineasure differential impacts of globalization
on men and women, and to minimize any potential negative impacts such as the strengthening
and/or establishment of"social safety~net'; mechanisms. The US has taken the lead in promoting
women's participation in the global econom,.y'~ith efforts to increase participation of women in
decision-making and policy development;- enhance ~omen's capacities through education and
training, improve the work/business environt?le.nt for women, and promote respect for core labor
standards.
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14. Will this conference take a position on human rights in Afghanistan? What is US
Government position?
The US has led the international·c.o~'irtunity .in support of the women and girls of Afghanistan
who are living under the very restrict}_ve regime of the Tali ban, the extremist militia group that
now occupies most of the country ..Theserestrictions include preventing some girls from
attending school, restricting women's"movern.ents, and limiting women's access to health care for
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themselves and their family.
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From meetings at the White Hpuse.:~ith Afghan women refugees to funding education and health
· care programs for Afghan wo~e~
gifls in refugee camps along the Afghan border, President
Clinton and the US government have','demonstrated their determination that the Afghan women
and girls will not be forgotten. The lJS has made it clear that it will not recognize any
government unless it is broad-based, ·multi -ethnic and recognizes universal standards of human
rights, including the rights of wome~·~~nd ·gi.P)'~ .. Resolutions in support of Afghan women and
girls have been passed by previous meetings of the UN Commission on the Status of Women.
The plight of Afghan women and girls .will be an important issue discussed by governments ai1d
NGOs at the UN meeting in June.
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15. Gender equality is a goal of this conference. How can gender equality be obtained when
many developing co_untries are.struggiing with~xtreme poverty?
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In most countries, poverty h'as the face of women and children. Alleviating poverty requires the
education and empowerment of women to fully contribute to their families and society.
Programs to educate girls and to encourage micro enterprise are proven strategies for lessening
poverty. In countries torn by civil strife, the leadership of women in civil society and through
community economic developmen(fu!/k~y to peace.
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16. Will this conference take a positiQn the st~tus of the Holy See in the UN?
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No, this issue is not on the agenda forth~ conference .. The US supports the observer status of the
Vatican. We see no reason to change it. ,. ,..
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17. Why hasn't the United States ratifi'ecPthe CEDAW?
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The Clinton Administration fully supports th,J:~ important treaty on human rights. It was signed
by President Carter in 1979 but has yefto .be:ratified by the Senate. Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and
Afghanistan are among the. countries who' have not ratified this treaty. The Clinton
Administration believes that for a country to promote human rights as a critical part of its foreign
policy and holds itself as an example of the enjoyment of human rights at home, ratification is
the right thing to do. It would ~lso Jlrpvide the US leverage in its foreign relations and enable it
to participate in the treaty's neporting:~ahd:·ffionitoring committee at the UN. President Clinton
and Secretary Albright continue to hl~ke ratification a top human rights priority.
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18. What progress has been made
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pastS years since Beijing?
While many challenges and obstacle§:'stilLexj$t, there has been progress made on the
international front in the economic, social, political and human rights/legal arenas. Through the
work of Secretary Albright and others, the'advancemeht ofwomen and girls has been integrated
into the mainstream of US foreign policy:l .,_Fpreign ai<:l.programs and the Vital Voices Global
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Democracy Initiative have been supporting. women .all around the world. At home, the US.
government focused its eriergy on many of tJ:..~)ssues that were spelled out in the Beijing
platform- family friendly workplace practjces·,,,expanding women's health initiatives, preventing
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violence against women, increasingthe,opportunity for women's political participation, and
securing American women's financial security. ·
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19. What is the position of the faitH! yotnmuni!)'?
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While a few groups have chosen·to misinterpret the work of the women's conferences by
distorting-words and actions, the Pl~tform for Actio~ honors the family by recognizing the
. importance of women and seeking tq_ ei1n~c~ th~ lives of all women, including mothers. That is
why women representing a wide range o:f'.faith:'groups'from Lutheran to Anglican (Ecumenical
Women 2000+) to Catholic (Church Wom~n United) to Jewish (International Council of Jewish
Women) to Muslim (Women Living ljnder MH~Hrn.~~w) have participated in the Beijing+5
activities and support the Platform for Actio~. ·u~;rO'fficials have met with groups at home and
aboard and are inspired by their work within'w.e 'faith community.
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20. Some have charged that the platfqnn a,dopted in Beijing unde~mines the family by promoting
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homosexual rights. Is this th1e1
The Beijing Platform for Action, as has numerous other UN consensus documents, recognizes
that "the family is the basic unit o,f.society and as such should be strengthened", that "in different
cultural , political and social systems·f:v'aiious· forms of the family exist', and that "the right
capabilities and responsibilities of family members must be respected." In this regard, the
Platform is well-balanced documen;t that recognizes the fundamental role of families and their
individual members in society.
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21. Is it true that some delegations ~~e trying to undermine family values by promoting sexual
.rights at Beijing+5?
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The Platform recognizes that "the humarLtig~ts:qf»:~men include their right to have control over
and decide freely and responsibly on matters·related to their sexuality ... free of coercion,
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discrimination and violence.':· .We belie~~ the,.definition of sexual rights is consistent with this
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22. HIV/AIDS is a growing concern;sinceBeijing. What has the US done about AIDS,
particuhrrly in Africa?
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The human toll of AIDS is staggering:
50 million people "o/Qrldwide ha:ve . b,e'~n.infected with the HIV virus .
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33.6 million are now living w'i'th HIV/AIDS .
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The annual AIDS-related fatalities hit a record 2.6 million last year.
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95 percent are in the developing world .
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AIDS is now the leadipg ca_tise of death in Africa; fourth in the world .
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In at least five African Cotmt;i·~~' over 20 pe~cent of adults are HIV -positive .
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The highest rate of new infections·are often among young women who will soon be
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On January 9 ofthis year, for thefirs'ttlrii6' i~:liistory, the UN Security Council held a meetingon
the issue of AIDS in Africa. Recognizing that AIDS is a threat that knows no borders, the
Security Council held this historic seisioii'to.discuss;ways to combat the disease through any
means necessary. It will be a priority· iss~ e. fpr' th~·.C}:.g meeting in Okinawa, Japan in July of this
.year.
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The US Government and all.coricernecrcountties should do more. The US Government response
is focused on three fronts: leadership, resources, and prevention. We are now engaged in an
interagency process to identify and refine a series of new initiatives and partnerships to deal wit
the critical issues of prevention, treatment and care. American support for international AIDS
initiatives for FY 2000 totaled,$2~~.r.nillion four times as much as the next largest donor. The
FY200 1 budget request includes ~n.additional $100 million increase. The US Government will
use its position as. the world's leadinifdonor to leverage similar commitments from other
governments. Prevention and education at the ground level are key. A more rigorous effort to
find a cure is why President Clinton has proposed a tax credit as an incentive to the
pharmaceutical industry to do more ':lrd .to :quj,ckly ~evelop vaccines .
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23. Why does the US continue tosuppQrt_saqctions against Iraq that have a very negative impact
on the health and well-being of.Iraqi women and children?
The UN Security Council-mandated sanctions on Iraq do not limit the import of food and
medicine. The US was the original..sponsor of the Oil-for-Food program by which Iraq is able to
sell oil to meet the needs ofits. pop}tlati'on,,; It has expanded from being a program which
delivered only food and medicine to. a.· program that covers sectors of humanitarian importance
such as water, sanitation, electricity; ~d oil production. Unfortunately, the Iraqi regime has
consistently and cynically manipulated civilhm suffering in order to obtain the lifting of the
sanctions without compliance with Securjty Council resoh.itions requiring Iraq to rid itself of
weapons of mass destruction and submit to a credible weapons inspections process.
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That said, the Oil-For-Food program works, despit~)~.~qi regime manipulation. The great
majority of goods requested - about 90 perce'p_t .;.fire· approved. Notably, there is a growing gap in
conditions in the north of Iraq and the rest of the country. In the north, where the UN manages
oil-for-food distribution, malmgrition)s well;QP the way to being eradicated, medicines
are reaching recipients, vacdnation programs··are enormously successful, and school enrollments
are up. In the rest oflraq, Baghdad stubbornly refuses to implement supplementary feeding
programs recommended for years by the UN to combat malnutrition; Iraqis with chronic diseases
have only sporadic access to .needed medication; and vaccinations in some sectors are woefully
lacking.
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Draft Questions and Answers ·
Beijing+ 5: Women 2000
05/23/00
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1. What is Beijing +5: Women 2000? Why is there a.::~pecial session of the United Nations?
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"Beijing+5," formally called, "Women.2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace
for the Twenty-First Century," marks'the five-·year anniversary of the UN Fourth World
Conference on Women iri Beijing (1995)':'fh.e Beijing meeting was the fourth in series
of meetings organized by t_he. Unitec:J Natiqns to advance the status of women. The
other meetings were: Mexico City-(1975), Copenhagen (1980), and Nairobi (1985). In
Beijing, a Platform for Action was agreed to which set a course of action for the
advancement of women and girls. At the June special session, each of the 189
member states will give a progress report on their government's work, share information
and succe,ssful practices, and-recor:n.m~tto overcoming remaining obstacles for
achievement.
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2. Who is participating in the Junemeeting?
Official delegations from 189 member states 'will attertd the .UN special session. These
delegations include government officials and representatives from non-government
organizations. (NGOs). In addition, representativesJrom hundreds ofNGOs wiil attend
workshops and seminars in conjunction .with.thet-w:N'; special session.
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3. What will the end result of the June
be? '
Governments, NGOs, and th'e priv~ie·sectof will assess that progress made in advancing women,
recommit themselves to the 'goals s~t in Beijing five years ago, set action steps to be taken to
fully implement the Platform for Action, raise new challenges and resolve to overcome obstacles
in order to advance the status of WOJ:nen and girls today and in the future.
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4. Why are these meetings important?
For 25 years, the United Nations ha~ convened meetings to discuss the status of women and girls.
internationally. These meetings, and in parti~ula,r Beijing, have given governments, NGOs and
others, blueprints for achievement. Thes~;corife're·As:~s>\emonstrate that coming together to
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invest in the human rights of women and·the full potenii'al of women is essential to the future of
families and communities. Progress O'ri these ,~ss.l.les.~an b~ made; it is essential to build on that
progress in order to achieve in the fut~re~;c/l~i~·'i~'.s~hiWal for the women and girls of.today and
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future generations to come.
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5. What is the role of the U.S. Govemirierit? ·Is thi~ (priority?
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The official delegation made up of high l'evel'represeritative of govenunent and NGOs recognize
the importance ofthe advancing the.statusof'wO.rl)eri~nd children. The delegation will take part
in all UN and many NGO activities during'the,,~week,of June 5. The US government has
demonstrated its belief that the status ofwoni~~ and girls is a high priority. Under the leadership
of President Clinton, the US gover~·ent-has'led the way in enhancing women's lives by
promoting human rights, providing family· friendly workplaces, ensuring the economic security
of women, preventing violence against women, increasing the political participation of women
in elected and appointed offices, and expanding health initiatives for women.
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6. What is the role of Secretary Albright? SecretaryShalala? Mrs. Clinton? Ambassador
Holbrooke?
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Secretary Albright, Secretary Shalala,:and.Fi'r?tLadyHillary Rodham Clinton all played
prominent roles as members of the
delegat'i~~ 'i~ B:~ijing five years ago. All three· women
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have worked to implement the Platfo~~ for Action_. . §1~Cretary Albright serves as chair of the US
Delegation and as Chair of the President.',~Jq.ter~g~n~y.Council on Women, which is responsible
for the implementation of the Beijing _+.5:'Pl~1f~t~:{q5:1Action among federal agencies.
Secretary Shalala is a co-chair of the lJS deleg';l~ion·'and served as past chair of the President's
Council. Mrs. Clinton serv,e~ as.honorary,~h~~~,ofthe Council. Through her work as First Lady,
Mrs. Clinton has traveled domestically 'and ·abroad to promote and encourage the goals of the
Beijing Platform. Ambassad~r-Holbrooke is a co-chair of the US Delegation and, as the US
representative to the uN, has been working on the UN preparations for the June meeting.
Us
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7. What is the role of the Congress··in this effort?
Members of Congress attended the Beijing conference in 1995 as part of the official delegation.
Since then, many members of Congress have·playedikey roles in helping to draft and pass vital
legislation that has helped achieve th~ go,';lls ~.et out;J~y,Jhe Platform for Action. Members of
Congress will be in attendance at the'UN...meetirig'~nd:irelated activities in June.
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8. Will there be another meeting in artoth~r five years":'?.• What do you hope will be accomplished
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While no world conference is planned, the lffi,J" :_will make another review of progress in five
years. The UN General As~enibly ha~ ai~ead)i: adopted a declaration with strong US support. It
reaffirms the commitments ·of 189 member states to work for· full equality and empowerment for
women and girls. Virtually all countries have established a Plan of Action for their government
to redress inequalities and discrimination in health, education, law, and other indicators of
women's lives. NGO groups con~in).le to advocate for governmental actioq and hold their
governments responsible. Over th~ ri~xt few years, the UN Commission on the Status of Women
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9. Do you expect opposition from the.pro~Yife·forc'es.. within the international community?
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We recognize that the conqept ofhe_alth_ asr,<;>s.s,the lifespan including reproductive rights raises
issues of concern for some q~legates.' ·we respect the views and sincerity of all involved.
However, the vast majority of UN member states involved in the Beijing+5 process, an the
citizens Jhey represent, remain steadfast in their support for reproductive rights of all women
around the world.
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The Beijing Platform for Actiori, adopted by consensus the 189 member states,
*
recognize's that "good health is essentiaHo leading a productive and fulfilling life" as well
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as "the right of all women to control allaspects of their health, in particular their own
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fertility, is basic to their empc'.~ermetit.;; . , _• .
Reproductive rights, as defined·in;thlPiatfdrrfil are inextricably linked to this basic right.
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They "embrace certain huma~- rights" a~d "re~t·oh the recognition of the basic right of all
couples and individuals to decidefree'ly and·r.i's.ponsibly the number, spacing and timing
of their children and to have the.infor.miitihn\~d means to do so," as well as the "right to
attain the highest standard ofsexu~L~nd;reproductive health" and the "right to make
decisions concerning reproduction free,0f discrimination, coercion and violence."
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charge? What is the conference position on pa~ental rights?
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This conference recognizes the critidil.tole·;of. family in society; it reaffirms the important
.the
role of the mother in the family. "Women play a critical role in the family. The family is the
basic unit of society and as such should be strengthened ... The social significance of maternity,
motherhood and the role of parents iri:the family and the upbringing of children should be
acknowledged." The Platform for A9tioR' se~l<.s..to~adV,ance the role of the mother with such
things as family friendly workplace p~actices, ensuring-women's economic security, preventing
violence against women. The platfmrp: seeks to inve~±jjri women while recognizing their many
different roles in today's society.
11. What is the conference position on par:e~tC\1 rights?
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Both the Beijirig Platform for,Actim_:t and\the Beijing +5 negotiations stress the balance agreed to
in other international fora between the right, duties and responsibilities of parents and the rights
of young people consistent with their evolving capacities. The US strongly supports the
involvement of young women in the design and implementation of programs that affect their
lives, together with the active-·supp~~~ClP-4.~gui_qance of their parents, families, and communities.
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12. Trafficking of women and girls has been a maJor issues on the international front. What is
·the U.S. position? Will this conference take a position on this issue?
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Trafficking of women and girls isan:iiicreasingly alarming issue. The US opposes trafficking in
all forms. In partnership with other governments, NGOs and international organizations, the US
has led an aggressive three-step strategy against trafficking: prevention, prosecution of
traffickers, and protection of the victims. The US has reached out to governments around the
world to aid in the fight against traffi¢king;,, Th~
gqvernment has also promoted public
awareness programs and has trained police and immigrations officials ·on how to apprehend
traffickers. In early June, the US will.yarticipate in a,p."eeting in Vienna to discu~s the UN
Protocol to combat trafficking, whichtpe l!~:·helpedA<;?velop. This is an area that the US believes
the conference should reaffirm its resolve to. comb~t this problem.
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13. How do you respond tc>..t~e charge~.ma'de recently about globablization? Will this
. conference address concerns raised at WTO and World Bank meetings?
The Special Session will involve discussions of globalization and its positive and negative
impact and potential .impact on women ... (The UN however does not give directions to the WTO
or the World Bank.) In the past five y'ears"sirice the Fourth World Conference on Women, the
Commission on the Status of Women at the uNhas'_identifiecl globalization as an emerging issue
that has increased in importance sirid~the 1995 conference. Around the world women have been
organizing and forming coalitions and netwdr.k·~·ar,oung these issues. It can be expected that the
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Special Session will recommend thargoveriuiYents' imdother players take steps to prepare women
to participate in and benefit from globali~?ttion, to rrie#Jre differential impacts of globalization
on men and women,. and to minimize;hnypotential m~gative impacts such as the strengthening
and/or establishment of"social safety riet'~:.rriech~rtiscls. The US has taken the lead in promoting
women's participation in the global econo~y with~ff6rts to increase participation of women in
decision-making and policy development, enhance women's capacities through education and
training, improve the work/lmsiness.epv~rpnriient for women, and promote respect for core labor
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Government position?
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The US has led the inte~national com~unity in supp9rt of the women and girls of Afghanistan
who are living under the very restrictive regiqie,oftYi:e Taliban, the extremist militia group that
now controls most of the country. T~_ese res~tittiqp;{ i.nclude preventing girls from attending
school, forbidding women to leave tli¢ir·homes unl'es~%.<;:conwanied by a male relative and
restricting women's access to health car~ ~or themselv~s',and their family.
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From meetings at the White House w.lth Afghan worpen refugees to funding education and health
care programs for Afghan women an<;l girls in·~efugee camps along the Afghan border, President
Clinton and the US government have .demonstra.te9 ;their determination that the Afghan women
and girls will not be forgotten. The Q_S. has ~q~~ :it: cl~~r. that no faction in Afghanistan will be
recognized as the new government unless it recognizes . universal standards of human rights,
including the rights of women and girls. :~Resolutions . i~ support of Afghan women 1md girls have
.
been passed by previous meetings ofthe.lJN Commi·s~ion on the Status of Women. The plight
of Afghan women and girls will be an in;portanfis$ti~'.discussed by governments and NGOs at
the UN meeting in June.
·
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15. Gender equality is a goa'l9fthis conference. Ho"Y can gender equality be obtained when
many developing countries are struggling with. extreme poverty?
In most countries, poverty has the face of women and children. Alleviating poverty requires the
education and empowerment ofwomento.fully contribute to their families and society.
Programs to educate girls and to en~~·u~~g6 rriic~o eg~erprise are proven strategies for lessening
poverty. In countries torn by civil strife, the le~dersllip of women in civil society and through
community economic developmen{~t~ key tctP.~ac~t
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16. Will this conference take a positibn 'tfie ~tatus,i~ff~e:Roly See in the UN?
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No; this issue is not on the agendafo(th~:~on.fe~~l1c.~;,;'~!he US supports the observer status ofthe
Vatican. We see no reason to change'it.. ·"·· .·. ..... : · ~,
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The Clinton Administration fully s~pport~ :this important treaty on human rights. It was signed
by President Carter in 1979 but has yet to be ratified by the Senate. Iran, Sudan, Somalia, and
Afghanistan are among the countries who have not ratified this treaty. The Clinton
Administration believes that f9r a ,cQu,ptry to promote human rights as a critical part of its foreign
policy and holds itself as an ej(arrip'ie'.of the enjoyment of human rights at home, ratification is
the right thing to do. It would also p~pvide the -l.JS l~verage in its foreign relations and enable it
to participate in the treaty's reportin:g;and mopitorin·g committee at the UN. President Clinton
and Secretary Albright continue to rri~ke rati;fic~tiorii.a top human rights priority.
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in,~he past 5 years.since Beijing?
While many challenges and obstacles. still exist,.there··has been progress made on the
international front in the economic, social;•political and human rights/legal arenas. Through the
work of Secretary Albright and others, the aqvancenient of women and girls has become of a
focus of US foreign policy. Our foreign aid programs and the Vital Voices Global Democracy
Initiative have been successf~l in integrating issues affecting women into American policies
abroad. At home, the US government focused its energy on many of the issues that were spelled
out in the Beijing platform- family friendly workplace practices, expanding women's health
initiatives, preventing violence aga~nst women, increasing the opportunity for women's political
participation, and securing Ameri¢~r·~omen's financial security.
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While a few groups have chosen to rtiisinterp~et the .WQ* ofth.e women's conferences by
twisting and distorting words and actions, the Platform' for Action honors the family by
recognizing the importance of women an,d ,se~k~ngi,~·t1nhance the lives of all women, including
mothers. That is why women representing .'kwiq~.fange of faith groups from International
Council of Jewish Women to Episcopal Chur<?h to Church Women United, an ecumenical
movement of Protestant, Roman Catholic and other Christian women, to the International
Institute oflslamic Thought,' have part.icipated in the Beijing-t-5 activities and support the
Platform for Action. US offi.cials have ~et with groups at home and aboard and are inspired by
their work within the faith community.
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20. Some have charged that t~e platfprrp, a~opted in Beijing undermines the family by promoting
homosexual rights. Is this true? · · ·· ,; '
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that "the family is the basic unit of society rul'd a~'stich should be strengthened", that "in different
cultural, political and social systems,: vahous forms o(the family exist', and that "the right
capabilities and responsibilities of family members m4sf. be respected." In this regard, the
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individual members in society.
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and decide freely and responsibly on.,matters\telatt:dto their sexuality ... free of coercion,
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particularly in Africa?
On January 9 of this year,for the first time in history, the UN Security Council held a meeting on
the issue of AIDS in Africa. Recogh!zing that AIDS is a threat that knows no borders, the
Security Council held this historic session to discuss· ways to combat the disease through any
means necessary. American support for inteq:].!ltion~J AIDS initiatives was doubled, bringing the
US contribution to $360million.
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23. Why does the US continue to support sanctions aga~nst Iraq that have a very negative impact
on the health and well-being oflraqi w9men.and children?
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The UN Security Council-mandated S<:trictions on Iraq,do not limit the import offood and
medicine .. The US was the original.sponsorofthe Oil-for-Food program by'which Iraq is able to
sell oil to meet the needs of its _populati_on: It has expanded from being a program which
delivered only food and medicine to· a.P,rogram that covers sectors of humanitarian
importance
.
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such as water, sanitation, electricity, and oil production. Unfortunately, the Iraqi regime
has consistently and cynically manipulated civilian suffering in order to obtain the lifting
of the sanctions without compli.anc._e with Security Council resolutions requiring Iraq to
rid itself of weapons of mass destru'Chi6n and submit to a credible weapons inspections
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process.
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That said, the Oil-For-Food progr~m wor:,~s~ ~-e$pite Iraqi reginie manipulation. The
great majority of goods requeste~L- abouL!;}O_.perpent -are approved. Notably, there is a
growing gap in conditions in the north of Iraq ahd~the rest of the country. In the north,
where the UN manages oil-for-food distribution, malnutrition is well on the way to being
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eradicated, medicines
are reaching recipients, vaccination programs!are enormously successful, and school
enrollments are up. In the rest of Iraq, Baghdad'stubborn.ly refuses to implement
supplementary feeding programs recomfr1ended for years by the UN to combat
malnutrition; Iraqis with chronic diseas.es·have only sporadic access to needed
medication; and vaccinations in some 'sectors are woefully
lacking.
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WOMEN~®®®
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UNITED NATIONS
PHOTOCOPY
�Development :md Hum:ul Rights Section
Department of Public Information
United Nations, Room S-1 040
New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel.: (212) 963-3771, 963-li42
f;tx: (212) 963-1186
E-mail: vasic@un.org
~·.,--·....---
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�Dhision for the Advancement of Women
Department of Economlc and Social Affair~
United Nallons, Room DC2-1215
New York, NY 10017, USA
Fa.x: (212) 963-346:'1
E-mail: claw@un.org
PHOTOCOPY
PRESERVATION
�Published by the United Nations Department of Public Information
DPI/203;-99-93163-May 1999-27M
Printed on Recycled Paper
(i)
PHOTOCOPY
pRESERVATION
�I
'
1
Activities by the Department of Public· Information to Promote the
Special Session of the General Assembly for the
Five-Year Review of the Fourth World Conference on Women
(New York, 5-9 June 2000)
There are two months remaining until the observance of International Women's
Day on 8 March, five months until the· GA special session. As there is not much time,
DPI's activities will focus on major global media outreach in order to promote the special
sessiOn.
DPI has developed a global strategy to ,-nake the special session of the General
Assembly known and to highlight the issue of women's advancement and gender equality
and the work of the United Nations in this fieid, including the Platform for Action. DPI's
multi-media information campaign is being undertaken in close coordination with the
Division for the Advancement of Women, DESA, and DPI's global network of United
Nations Information Centres and Services. The information programme will comprise
information products for dissemination in various formats (print, film, radio and
television), as well as other promotional activities.
1. Media outreach activities
The Department has compiled a target list of select media interested in women's
issues. In order to raise awareness during the pre-session period (February-June 2000),
the Department will carry out a number of activities, including:
*
The remaining session of the Commission· on the Status of Women acting
as Preparatory Committee for the GA special session (at its forty-fourth
session from 28 February-17 March 2000) will be targeted for special
activities to generate media ·interest. These will include briefings for
selected journalists, facsimile transmission of the special press releases to
selected media and holding of press conferences; ·
*
Publicity for the regional preparatory meetings in.2000: ECE, 19-21 January
in Geneva, ECLAC, 8-10 February in Lima; to be carried by the relevant
regional UN information centres and services;
*
Preparation of special press releases on issues which the special session will
address;
�2
*
Preparation of information materials for dissemination in local languages to
national press by information centres and services;
*
The Department will work with key print periodicals to produce special
supplements highlighting progress after Beijing, which should appear
immediately prior to or during the session. DPI has contacted, and will be
following up with a number of editors, including from: The Nation,
Newsweek, Teen Voices, Village Voice, Life Magazine, George, Time,
Talk, Vogue, Seventeen, Earth Times, Woman's Day, Impacto Latin News,
Latina Magazine, Mademoiselle, Mirabella, Ms. Magazine, The New Yorker,
Ebony, Elle and Vital. Editors of other international print periodicals will
also be contacted;
*
Editors of major print dailies will be encouraged to assign feature stories on
what has been done since Beijing, including an examination of progress at
the international, regional and local levels. DPI has contacted a number of
editors of dailies in the United States, including The Atlanta Journal, the
.- Baltimore Sun, Boston Globe, Chicago Sun, Chicago Tribune, The Christian
Science Monitor, the Daily News, Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press,
Houston Chronicle, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, New York Post, The
New York Times, Newsday, Philadelphia Enquirer, The Sacramento Bee,
San Francisco Chronicle, ·San Francisco Examiner, Seattle Times, USA
Today, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and The Washington
Times. DPI also plans to contact major print dailies in other countries; and
*
Identification and targeting of journalists interested in women's issues: the
leading gender specialists in the press, in the United States and in other
countries. A comprehensive media list has been created by DPI for the
special session.
2. Information products and publications
Among the materials issued:
*
An identifiable design format for the GA special session using the dove logo
and the phrase "Women 2000", for use on all public information print and
.
.
visual materials published as part of the programme.
*
An initial factsheet on the special session, to be updated periodically.
�3
Among the materials under preparation:
*
* .
A press kit on the global situation ofwomen, the maj9r obstacles to their
advancement, the United Nations work for women and the preparatory
activities for the GA special session. It will be aimed at a select list of
media organizations worldwide and selected NGOs. The kit will contain
press releases (3), a series of feature articles (3) (on topics to be decided in
collaboration with DAW), 12 two-page fact sheets on the critical areas of
concern, and background notes ( 5) on issues before the special session (on
topics to be decided in collaboration with DAW) .. The kit .will be available,
. in English, French and Spanish, by the end of ApriL · -· · · ·
A brochure on the four global women's conferences and what they have
accomplished and obstacles encountered, as well as on the aims and
objectives of the GA special session. The brochure is being finalized and
will be issued in time for the Cpmmission on the Status of Women (28
February-17 March).
*
A multi-colour poster for the special session.
*
A follow-up publication on the outcome of the GA special session.
*
Within the Women radio series, mention is made of the GA special session
in most of the programmes. on women. UN Radio · covers the issues
addressed by the Beijing Conference and will continue to cover the issues
to be discussed by the special session. UN Radio will conduct interviews
with Angela King and other UN officials, in the six official languages and
selected other languages, on the issues before the GA special session. DPI
in collaboration with DAW will identify speakers for the other five
languages.
*
Preparation of two news magazine items by UN-TV, 3-4 minutes each,
which will be ready two months before the special session. The topics have
not yet been decided. In addition, one 30-minute talk show, with relevant
guest speakers, will be produced before the special session. To date, UNTV has contined to produce segments on women in development as part of
the UN in Action series, for use on the Cable News Network (CNN) weekly
programme World Report, which is seen in 90 countries. The Department
will distribute these items in Arabic, English, French, Russian and Spanish
to additional broadcasters worldwide.
�4
* .
A TV spot, as part ofthe "UN works for you" campaign, on "Women 2000:
The UN works for women".
*
One or more half-hour programmes in the television series W odd Chronicle
to include interviews with leading personalities concerned with the United
Nations work for women, including Angela King and the Chairperson of the
Commission on the Status of Women acting as PrepCom for the GA special
session, Rose Odera (Namibia). The interviews will be conducted in
February/March and in April.
' .
*
The Department will set up an issue-oriented exhibit on the UN work- for
the advancement of women, as well as banners, which will be displayed at
the GA special session at Headquarters. DPI will coordinate all the exhibits
which are being planned, including the Women's Art Exhibit which
UN-IFEM is launching in the lobby of the visitors' entrance during the
month of June. The exhibit will demonstrate women's progress worldwide
in ac}lieving equality through a display of women's art from around the
world. UNIFEM will be seeking crafts, products from artisans, as well as
contributions from painters, sculptors, and other types of artists. Potential
partners include the Oxygen Television Network and the International
Women's Museum.
3. Special events at Headquarters
The Department will organize several special events on women's issues in 2000 in
conjunction with the GA special session.
1.
International Women's Day 8 March 2000. Three inter-agency meetings
have been held so far: 1 in November and 2 in December 1999.
·Participating agencies included DAW, DPI, UNIFEM, · UNDP, UNFPA,
UNICEF, and the Group on Equal Rights for Women in the UN. The
special event will be held on the morning of 8 March, from 10:00 a.m. to
.1 p.m. It will be a collaborative inter-agency project, and include UNIFEM,
DAW, DPI, UNICEF and other agencies and organizations. Among the
ideas that were generated at all three meetings:
The obje·ctives of the special event:
To bring high-profile attention to the Beijing + 5 process;
�5
To call for ideas and innovations about what lies ahead, and
to use the opportunity to intetject a future orientation into the
GA special session; and
To highlight some key and emerging issues to policy-makers.
The theme for the Day:
The inter-agency event should be a celebration.ofpeace and
should focus on women transforming peace and convey the
message of the diversity of women's leadership role in peace.
·
The following themes were suggested:
*
"From Conflict to Peace"
*
"Women's Leadership for Peace"
*
"Women Making Peace"
*
nwomen's Role in Peace Building"
*
In addition, "Unity with Diversity" was suggested as a
possible sub-theme for the event.
The format:
The event will consist of a panel discussion with a talk-show
format. A panel consisting of prominent women (politicians,
UN women leaders, women who have experienced war) who
have made a difference in peace would be selected. Three
· hosts (one from the North, one from the South and one male
host) would guide the discussions. The Group on Equal
Rights for Women in the Secretariat would hold its luncheon
following the inter-agency event.
Target audience:
Member States, delegations, international donor organizations,
the UN system, NGOs and media.
�-------,-------- -------·------------
6
Panelists and hosts:
A short list includes: Angela King, Louise Frechette, Mary
Robinson, Queen Noor, Susan Sarandon, Gro Harlem
Brundtland, Peter Jennings, Christiane Amanpour, .Oprah
Winfrey, Katie Couric, Tom Brokaw, Vigdis Finnbogadottir,
Maria Shriver, Charlie Rose, Meredith Rivera, and a popular
Indian woman talk-show host (name not yet known).
It would be appreciated if guidance regarding the Day be given·on 11 January by
Ms. King. The theme of this year's International Women's Day should best be conveyed
worldwide through UN information centres and services.
2.
A special seminar on how the Beijing Women's Conference/Platform for
Action has influenced the way the media looks at, portrays and presents
women (Gallagher report prepared for UNIFEM), in April 2000.
3.
Special briefings for journalists just before the special session, the first a .
week before the event (on Wednesday, 31 May and on Sunday, 4 June).
4. Special website on the GA special session
The Department's outreach through electronic media is multi-faceted.· It distributes
press releases and other material through a number of electronic networks. All of DPI's
information materials on women's issues are distributed electronically through the
Division for the Advancement of Women, Department of Economic and Social Affairs,
which places the information on the World Wide Web under its home page
(http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw).
Live webcasts are organized by the Department ofPublic Information's Information
Technology Section for many of the larger events at Headquarters. The Department is
creating a website on the GA special session on the DPI Home Page on the Internet which
would contain links to other sites, including WomenWatch.
5. Launch of special publications on women's issues
Publicity to launch of a number of publications has been or will be carried out for:
(a) The Role of Women in Development, by the Division for the Advancement of Women
�/.
7
(in October 1999); (b) The World's Women, by the UN Statistical Office, at the end of
May 2000; (c) an inter-agency publication of selected good practices in implementing the
Beijing Platform for Action, which is bejng developed by the Inter-Agency Committee on
Women and Gender Equality in time for the GA special session. DPI will also collaborate
with other organizations issueing special publications prior to the special session, including
the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the Organization of the Fra:ncophonie.
6. Activities of United Nations information centres
Field offices will play an important role in the media ~trategy for the GA special
session. United Nations information centres and other field offices are crucial for
generating interest among the media,· both for the dissemination of materials received, as
well a~. for their production in local languages. Among other efforts to generate awareness
of the upcoming GA special session, they are expected to organize activities around
International Women's Day on s· March 2000.
�----------
---------------,-------------------
8
Annex. Overview of activities in 1999
In its advocacy and promotion activities for the advancement of women, the
Department of Public Information continued, in 1999, its ongoing multimedia
. communications strategy to support the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action,
both at Headquarters and in the field by its network of UN information centres and
services in over 70 countries. Activities included media outreach, press coverage, print
products, special events, radio and television programmes, Internet activities, electronic
transmissions, collaboration with non-governmental organizations, Public Services, lectures
and seminars, and media training forjournalists, among others.
During 1999, a main focus of the Department was the coverage and promotion of
the work of two intergovernmental bodies, the Commission on the Status of Women and
the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The
Department widely disseminated the optional protocol to the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, adopted by the Commission
on the Status of Women at its forty-third session, through all UN information centres and
services. In collaboration with the Division for the Advancement of Women, DPI
produced and widely disseminated an information kit for the twentieth anniversary of the
adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against'
Women, which was observed on the opening day of the twenty-first session of CEDAW
at Headquarters.
Virtually all UNICs and UNISs carried out various activities on women's issues in
1999, including the organization of press conferences; dissemination of information
materials to the media, NGOs and academic institutions; organization of local screenings
of the Global Videoconference for the Campaign on Violence Against Women; production
of feature articles, backgrounders and press releases; organization of roundtables, panel
discussions and seminars; organization of radio and television· interviews; and local
translation and publication of information materials.
1999 observance of International Women's Day
The Department and its field offices collaborated extensively in the organization
and promotion of the Global Video-Conference for the Campaign on Violence Against
Women "A World Free of Violence Against Women", an inter-agency special event on
International Women's Day 1999 spearheaded by UNIFEM. Also in conjunction with the
observance of the Day, a panel discussion was organized by the DPI-NGO Section, in
cooperation with NGO partners on the subject of "Women's Right to Health and
Development". UN Television produced a World Chronicle programme featuring Noeleen
~
�9
Heyzer, UNIFEM Director, which focused on the Global Campaign on Violence against
Women. The UN Radio programme "Women" produded a number of programmes on this
topic, for example: "Violence against women: Still searching for ways to curb it".
There were also a number of awareness raising activities carried out by the
Department's field offices highlighting the theme of International Women's Day 1999.
The UN Information Centre in Buenos Aires, Argentina, organized a video contest and
poster contest on the theme "Violence against women". Other activities included a march
organized by the UNinfonnation Centre in Maseru, Lesotho, under the theme "Stop rape
and abuse in Lesotho"; and the screening of a film on the trafficking of women abroad
by the UN Information Centre in Baku, Azerbaijan. The.UN. Information Centre in Port
of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago helped to publicize the UNIFEM publication Breaking the
·
Silence.
ERD,DHRS
06/01/00
�.-----~~-----~
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Clinton Library
DOCUMENT NO.
AND TYPE
001. paper
DATE
SUBJECTffiTLE
n.d.
Briefmg Note on Beijing +5 (5 pages)
RESTRICTION
P5
COLLECTION:
Clinton Presidential Records
First Lady's Office
Melanne Verveer (Be~jing & Trafficking)
ONBox Number: 20362
FOLDER TITLE:
Beijing +5 [folder 2] [2]
2006-0 198-F
wr767
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PI
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RR. Document will be reviewed upon request.
�12
ll'c'lc•'m"'' ':h..: llllt:JII\t:' .• :1<.: ,:,::\:;:,·, .• :· .:i: L·:w::J \.ltiO!h r.:g10nal
cummissions and other'int~rgo\~rnm.:nt:i·l ,,r~:u-cit.ul<l!h in ·,'INhlfl of the preparations ior
the special session:
13.
R.:uerutes that participatiLHl in the ;pec1,li session 5hou!J be at a high political
level:
1-l. /n1·it.:s ,\1ember States to include representati\ es of national machineries for
the advancement of\\Omen m rhe1r delegations to the preparawry committee and the special
session:
15. Reiterates the decision that non-governmental organizations in consultative
status with the Economic and Social Council. as well as the non-governmental organizations
that were accredited to the Founh World Conference on Women, may participate in the
. special session without creating a precedent for future sessions of the General Assembly;
16. Encourages Member Stares to include relevant actors of civil society, especially
non-governmental organizations and representatives of women's organizations, in their
national preparatory processes as well as in their delegations to the preparatory committee
and the special session:
17. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the General Assembly at its
fifty-fifth session a report on the special session:
18. Decides to include in the provisional agenda of its fifty-tifth session ari item
. entitled "Implementation ofthe outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women and
of the special session of the General Assembly entitled ·Women 2000: gender equality,
development· and peace for the twenty-first century ....
/'
'til/~ 2
~ ·.· t:-t/!J..(~' F'
Draft resolution II
.)") 1 ' · ·
Preparations for the special session of the General Assembly entitled
·'t
"Women 2000: gender equality, development and peace for the
·
twenty-first century"
The General Assembly.
Recalling its resolutions 52 l 00 of 12 December 1997. 5.2.231 of 4 June 1998 and
53/120 of9 December 1998 and Economic and Social Council resolutions 1996/6 of22 July
·
1996 and 1999150 of 29 July 1999.
Taking note of the reports of the Secretary-General on the initiation of the
comprehensive review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for
Action. 0 and on the framework for further actions and initiatives that might be considered
during the special session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: gender equality,
development and peace for the twenty-first century··.·
Taking note with appreciation of the report of the Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women on progress in the implementation of the Platform for Action
by the States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against
Women, 8
·
6 E'C~ 611999/PC,J.
£,0,; 6i)QQ9ipCI~
8 E!C:-.: 6:t999iPC-I. ann~'
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:o·lJI)\I.'rtl!ll<::~h !hJt il,l\1.' nut :'-'t Jvl\1.' )\)
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national action plans m~J report:; on ihe impkmentJtlon of the: Platform for Act ton· c)ith.:
Fourth World Conference on Women. and underlines the importance of ln\Oiving rele\ant
actors of civil society. especially non-governmental organiz;Hions.
2.
/m·ites \!ember States. in preparing implementation plans and reports and
responding to the questionnaire of the Secrerar~ -General.''' to report on good practice>.
positive actions. lessons learned. the use of qualitative and quantitative indicators tor
measuring progress. and. wherever possible. on key challenges remaining in the critical areas
of concern of the Pla"tform for Action and obstacles encountered;
3.
Encourages all the regional commissions and other intergovernmental regional
organizations to ca~ry out activities in support of the preparations for the special session
ofthe General Assembly entitled .. Women :WOO: gender equality. development and peace
for the twenty-first century ... mter aha. through holding preparatory meetings to ensure a
region~! perspective on implementation and on further actions and initiatives. as well as
on a vision for gender equality. development and peace in the twenty-first century. and to
make their reports available in 2000 to the Commission on the Status of Women acting as
.preparatory committee:
4.
Encourages all entities of the United Nations system. including the programmes.
funds and specialized agencies. and the Committee on the Elimination of Dis!=rimination
against Women. to be involved actively in preparatory activities and to participate at the
highest level in the special session. including through presentations on best practices.
obstacles encountered and a vision for the future to accelerate implementation of the
Platform for Action and to address new and emerging trends;
5.
Decides that the special session shall have a plenary and an ad hoc committee
ofthe whole:
6.
Reaffirms that the special session will be undertaken on the basis of and with
full respect for the Platform for Action and that there will be no renegotiation of the existing
agreements contained therein:
7.
Decides that the provisional agenda shall include the following items:
(a) Review and appraisal of progress made in the implememation of the iwelve
critical areas of concern in the Platform for Action:
(b) Further actions and initiatives for overcoming obstacles to the implementation
of the Platform for Action:
8.
Requests the Secretary-General to prepare. in time for the next session of the
preparatory commirtee in 2000. comprehensive reports on progress made in the
implementation of the Platform for Action nationally, regionally and internationally. taking ·
into account all relevant information and inputs available to the United Nations system on
the following:
.
J
.
(a) A review and appraisal of the implementation of the Platform for Action based
on, inter alia, national action plans, reports of the States parties to the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination against Women under article 18 of the Convention, replies
of Member States to the questionnaire of the Secretary-General, 10 statements made by
delegations at relevant forums of the United Nations. reports of regional commissions and
9
Reportofthe Fuurth ll'orldCon(erf!'nce un Women. Beijmg .1-15 Sep1ember /995 tl:n11ed Nations
anne.~ 11
publicalion .. Sales ~o E.96!V 131. .:hap l. resolution I.
10 See A/54t:~64. para 49
6
�ot:1..::r entities of the Lnit~J \ations system anJ fo!Jo,\·Up
conferences:
t•l
recent ~loball'niteJ \ations
(b) Good practices. positive actions. lessons l~arncJ, e\amples of the use of ;my
qualitative and quantitative indic<:Itors for measuring progress. successful strategies and
promising initiatives for the implementation of the Platform for Action;
(c)
Obstacles encountered and mat.;gies for overcoming them;
(d) Further actions and initiatives. within the overall goals of gender equality,
. development and peace. to accelerate implementation of the rwelve critical areas of concern
of the Platform for Action beyond 2000, recognizing the need for analytical tools and
strategies for implementation. taking into account inputs, as well as comments of Member
States on the report of the Secretary·General on further actions and initiatives. and. in this
regard. invites Member States to provide inputs and comments thereon:
9.
Also requests the Secretary-General to make available all necessary
documentation in a timely manner for the special session. keeping in mind General Assembly
resolutions 52/231 of 4 June 1998 and 53il20 of9 December 1996;
·
I 0. Encourages the United Nations system to continue to hold discussions with
relevant actors of civil society, especially non-governmental organizations. in the exchange
of views for the review and appraisal process on the implementation of the Platform for
Action. incl ud in g. wherever a vai lab le. the use of electronic networking:
I I. · L'rges Member States and observers to ensure their representation at the special
session at a high political level:
·
11. Confirms that the special session will be open to the panicipation of all States
Members of the United Nations. members of the specialized agencies and observers. in
accordance with the established practice ofthe General Assembly; 11
13. Calls for the panicipation of associate members of the regional commissions
in the special session, subject to the rules of procedure of the General Assembly, and in the
preparatory process thereof, in the same capacity of observer that applied to their
pa:fiicipation in the Founh World Conference on Women;
14. Encourages Member States to include relevant actors of civil society. especially
non-governmental organizations and representatives of women· s organizations, in their
national preparatory processes as well as in their delegations to the preparatory commiqee
and t~e special session:
15. Emphasizes the important role of non-governmental organizations in
implementing the Platform for Action and the need for their active invol-vement. in the
preparations for the special session as well as the need to ensure appropriate arrangements
for their contributions to the special session;
16. Decides that non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the
Economic and Social Council. as well as the non-governmental organizations that were
accredited to the Fourth World Conference on Women. may participate in the special session
without creating a precedent for fl!ture sessions of the General Assembly; 11
I 7. Also decides to defer consideration of all the modalities for participation of non··
governmental organizations in the special session until the next session of the preparatory
committee;
II s~~ r~solutlon 5~.
100, para ~(I
1
�lnl'ltt:s 'the Bur~au of th.: (,\nJnlb>l<.'n ,)n th.: :-:.tJt:.h of v.:omt:n. acting, a,;
preparatory committee>. to con> en.: informal Opt·n-enJeJ ..:l11blllt:.ttlc1n:i. JS appropriate. to
consider preparations for the spec i.il session:
18.
19. Recommends that the major portion of th.: thre.: w.:eks schdukd for the fortyfourth session of the Commission on the Status M. Women in :\larch 2000 be allocated to
the Commission acting as preparatory committee tor the special session.
8
�,,
'*~~
-
Check against Delivery
54th Session of the General Assembly
Plenary·
Agenda item 110:
Implementation of the outcome of the
Fourth World Conference on Women;
Report of the· Third Committee
Explanation of vote of the European Union
tvls. Soili Kangaskorpi
Representative of Finland
on behalf ofthe European Union
New York, 17th December 1999
�"'
\
REPORT OF THE THIRD C0:\1\liTTEE · AGE:\DA ITE\1 110.
Explanation of Vote afte.r the adoption of resolution I and II
Mr President.
I have the honour, on behalf of the European Union. to explain our position.in connection
with the adoption of the draft resolution I Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on
Women and full implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action
and resolution II Preparations for the special session of the General Assembly entitled
"Women 2000: gender equality. development and peace for the twenty-first century ..
contained in the report of the Third Committee on the agenda item I lO, document
· A/54/599. The Central and Eastern European countries associated with the European
Union, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania,
Slovakia and Slovenia, and the associated countries Cyprus and Malta as well as the
EFT A country member of the EEA, Iceland, align themselves with this explanation of
vote.
The EU would like to share our views regarding the arrangements for the participation of
non-governmental organisations in the Beijing+5 Special Session. The EU has joined the
conse.nsus in adopting the resolutions and can support their content. While paragraph 16
of resolution II and corresponding paragraph 15 of resolution I remain valid, further
discussion, in the light of new developments concerning the NGO participation in the
follow-up processes, is required.
Since the adoption of the draft resolution II in March this year new experience has been
gained and new developments have taken place. Agreement was reached regarding the
arrangements for NGO accreditation and participation in the ICPD+5 Special Session in
June and.later in August for the Copenhagen+) Special Session. In the light of these
recent developments, we feel that it is important that women's organisations are treated
on an equal basis with NGOs who are participating in other. similar follow-up processes.
The EU discussed the issue of NGO participation informally during the negotiation
process in the Third Committee of the General Assembly but decided not to pursue the
issue as it is a matter to be addressed by the Preparatory Committee. During the
Beijing+5 informal consultations a couple. of weeks ago, the NGO participation was
discussed and the EU raised also the question of accreditation of those NGOs who are not
covered by the existing arrangements.
Since the Beijing Conference in 1995 new non-governmental organisations have. emerged
which was a result of the momentum created by the Conference itself. Among these
organisations, there are a number of small, national NGOs who are unable to participate
in the work of the United Nations on a regular basis. For these NGOs the process of
applying for the ECOSOC consultative status, to participate in this particular Special
Session only, would not be reasonable, and. indeed, would not be meaningful from the
practical point of view, especially taking into account the workload faced by the
�Committ~c ~.m
\on-G(_)\ crnmcnt:.d OrgamLatltllh
r~\
\\ iJ~n
th~
accr-:Jitati(_)n t(\r ''thcr
\GOs than those ''ith ECOSOC consult:lti\c :;tatus t)r those who p:micipatcd in the
Beijing· Conference would pro\·ide the interested \GOs or women· s groups "ith a
possibility to attend this particular Special Session.
Only a short while ago consensus was reached among delegations on the arrangements
for NGO participation in the context of ICPD+S Conference and Copenhagen+)
Preparatory Process, including addressing the participation of NGOs who did not attend
those Conferences or who do not have the ECOSOC consultative status. We believe that
these arrangements would provide us with a good basis for our discussions. As regards
the arrangements concerning the participation of the NGOs in the Plenary, a proposal was
made by the African group in the informal consultations of the Preparatory Committee
which we welcomed.
We hope that a final agreement on all the arrangements for the NGO participation in the
Beijing+5 Special Session \vould be reached before we enter the substantive negotiations
in the Preparatory Committee in March 2000. After aiL NGOs, in particular women's
organisations play a vital role in the implementation of Beijing Platform for Action and
continue to be an indispensable force for gender equality. Therefore, their wide
attendance at the Special Session is essential.
Thank you. Mr. President.
�Commission of the Status of Women, and the Commission acting as preparato~·
committee for the special session of the General Assembly .. Women 2000: gender
51
equality, development and peace in the 21 century", 5 to 9 June 2000
28 February to 17 March 2000
Panel discussions
Note by the Secretariat
Two panel discussions will be held during the 441h session of the CSW, and the PrepCom,
respectively. These are:
Panell, 1 March 2000, am
Emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting women or equality
between women and men
Pane12, 6 March 2000, am and.pm
Outlook on gender equality, development and peace beyond the year 2000 ·
The bureau decided that the two panels should compliment each other, with the
first panel focussing on new challenges, and the second panel focussing on the way
forward. Consequently, the first panel should reflect on relevant issues that need· to be
addressed in view of the full implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.
Building upon the first panel's identification of emerging issues and challenges, the
· second panel would take a forward-looking approach so as to assist the PrepCom in
gathering material for further strategies for implementation of the Beijing Platform for
Action.
Emerging issues would be addressed within the context of globalization in terms
of its social; political, economic and cultural implications for gender relations. The
~econd e_anel, should in particular focus on strategies for addressing emerging trends and
ISSUeS.
Both panels will be organized in accordance with the established practice of the
Commission on the Status ofWomen, as set out in the Commission's agreed conclusions
· 1996/1. Accordingly, the experts selected for the panels should be chosen from the fields
of study addressed, taking into account equitable geographical and gender distribution
and the involvement of non-governmental organizations. They should include experts
suggested from governments, civil society, the U.N. system and those appointed by the
Secretary-General. The selection of experts, the composition of the panels, and the
allocation of time to dialogues should be decided inter-sessionally by the Bureau of the
Commission, taking into consideration the proposals of the United Nations Secretariat.
The Secretariat should prepare a list of candidates for the panels based on suggestions
·
from States and civil society.
.
Governments will be invited to nominate, no later than 10 January, experts to
serve on the panels. When submitting candidates~ Governments should specify whether
the expert is proposed for Panel I or Panel 2, and which specific topic or issue the expert
would address. An announcement to that effect will be placed in the Journal of the UN.
The proposals of Government, together with proposals from non-governmental
organizations and from the Secretariat, will be submitted to both Bureaux for decision. A
decision on panelists should be made no later than 14 January in order to allow sufficient
'
•
•
1
•
I
~
1.
l •
•
�I I Octob~r 1994
Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), 44th session
Commission on the Status of Women acting as preparatory committee for the Secial
Session of the General Assembly (PrepCom)
28 February to 17 March 2000
PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF WORK
Note by tbe Secretariat
General
I.
The CSW and the PrepCom will meet from 28 February to 17 March 2000. According to
para. 19 of the draft resolution submitted to the GA for adoption on ''Preparations for the special
session of the General Assembly ... " (contained in E/1999/60), the General Assembly would
recommend that ''the major share of the three-week forty-fourth session of the CSW in March
2000 be allocated to the Commission acting as preparatory committee".
2.
The attention of Members of the CSW is drawn to the fact that a new Bureau will need to
be elected at the tirst meeting of the CSW, to serve for a two-year term (i.e. the 44th and 45th.
sessions of the CSW). It will be the new Bureau's responsibility to provide continuity between
the last stages of the preparatory process, the Special Session, and the CS W' s work after the
Special Session.
Allocation oftime between CSW and PrepCom
3.
In accordance with the draft resolution before the GA, and taking into consideration the
regular work~fthe CSW to be implemented at the 44th session, it is proposed that four days (28
February to 2 March) be allocated to the 44th session of the CSW, and that II days (3 - 17
March) be allocated to the PrepCom. The proposed allocation of time, together with the
allocation of tasks between the CSW and the PrepCom attempts to ensure both an optimal
division of time and labour between the two bodies. as well as to achieve a coherent work flow
between thetwo bodies so that the PrepCom can build on the work accomplished by the CSW.
Items before the CSW
4.
In accordance with its multi-year work programme (ECOSOC resolution 1996/6) and its
provisional agenda (E/CN.6/1999/L.l2), the CSW will consider: follow-up to the FWCW (item
3); comprehensive review and appraisal of the implementation of the Platform for Action (item
4); follow-up to ECOSOC resolutions and decisions (item 5); and communications concerning
the status of women (item 6). The CSW also will be expected to take action on its draft
provisional agenda for its 45.th session (item 7).
Working group on communications
5.
With regard to item 6, attention is drawn to the fact that the CSW will be expected to
consider the report of the working group on communications before the closure of its session.
Consideration of the report of the working group is proposed to take place in a closed meeting of
�·(
the CSW in the morning of 2 \tarch. The \\'orking. group consists of ti\·e members. one from
each regional group. In order to enable the working group to ·complete its work for consideration
bv the CSW on 2 March. regional groups are urged to undertake early consultations so that the
fi.ve members of the working group can be appointed at the first meeting of the CSW for the
working group to be.gin its work.
General debate
6.
During recent sessions, the CSW allocated time for a·general debate at the beginning of
the session, recommended a focus for the general debate, and set aside time for NGO
interventions. Accordingly, it is proposed that a general debate be scheduled for the first two
days of the CSW. with a focus on items 3 and 4 of the CSW's provisional agenda. In addition. it
is proposed that time be set aside in the morning of 29 February for NGO interventions.
7.
Under item 3, which has three sub-items, the CSW will have before itseveral reports of
the Secretary-GeneraL One report will provide the regular update on measures taken and
progress achieved in the follow-up to the FWCW and in mainstrearning a gender perspective
within the UN system (the "rolling report''). This will include the joint work-plan between the
DA Wand the OHCHR. and reports requested under specific mandates, such as on Palestinian
women. The report of the SG on the implementation of the system-wide medium-term plan will
be before the CSW under item 3, as will be a report of the SG on the status of women in the
Secretariat.
8."
While the CSW's agenda includes an item 4·on comprehensive review and appraisal, it is
suggested that this work be largely incorporatedinto the workofthe PrepCom under item 2,
starting on Friday, 3 March. A general debate in the CSW with a focus on review and appraisal,
together with follow-up to the FWCW, would make it possible to reduce the time allocated for a
general deba~ during the PrepCom. A factual summary of the general debate, to be prepared by
the Secretariat, following last year's practice (see E/1999/60, Chapter II, para.6), would be made
available to the PrepCom.
Panel presentations and discussion
9.
It is proposed that two panel presentations take place during the three. -w~ek time period
<;>fthe CSW and the PrepCom. A first panel would take place during CSW, namely on I March.
The title proposed for this panel is ;.Emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues
affecting the situation of women or equality between women Cllld men" ("Emerging issues").
This proposal is based on the CSW's standing item 3(b).: It wohld provide an opportunity to
reflect on obstacles and relevant issues that need to be addressed within the Platform's vision of ·
women's empowerment and gender equality. It would build onwork currently under way in the .
DA W, and in particular a workshop that is being planned for early November on '~Future actions.·
and initiatives" which will also identify emerging issues arid trends that require attention. The
panel would also be an opportunity to draw from the work of, and guidance provided by, other
intergovernmental bodies in recent years, most notably the ECOSOC's work on integrated
Conference follow-up.
I 0.
A second panel, proposed to take place on Monday, 6 March during the PrepCom, ~ould
�'I •
then fo~:us OA an --Outlook un gender <..'ljUality. Jen~lopm.:m anJ pea.;.: beynnJ the yl:.'ar ~!.HHJ"
T~gether with the discussion o~ emerging trends. this panel \\OulJ assist the PrepCom in
gathering additional material on further actions and initiatives for the preparation of the ··LHilluuk
beyond the year :woo··. as called for in GA resolution 52/231 (op.l I ). Both panels would be
prepared in accordance with the methods ofwork ofthe CSW tCSW agreed conclusions 1996il).
Holding the panels early would enable the PrepCom to gather a maximum on information. ideas
and suggestions for possible retlection in informal negotiations.
Introduction of proposals under various items of.CSW
II.
Introduction of proposals should be scheduled for the afternoon of I March, to adhere to
the 24-hour rule bet\veen introduction of proposals and action. The cs w \VOuld need to consider
in particular its draft provisional agenda and documentation for its 45th session in 200 I.
Closure of session of CS W
I2.
Action on proposals. followed by adoption of the report and closure of the 44th session of
the CS Ware scheduled for Thursday. 2 March in the afternoon.
lntormals
I3.
Following two meetings allocated tor a general debate in the PrepCom (3 March), and
two meetings for a panel presentation and discussion (6 March), the remainder of the session of
the PrepCom would be allocated tor informals to negotiate and finalize any text(s) which the
PrepCom wishes to submit to the Special Session.
Closure of the Session of the PrepCom
14.
The third session of the PrepCom will close on 17 March~ with the adoption of any
proposals, and of the report.
c:lmydocslcsw44no!
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Proposed Organization of work of the 44'h Session of the Commission on the Status of Women.
and the Coin mission on the Status of Women acting as the preparatory committee for the Special Session
28 February - 17 March 2000
I I
Wednesday,
1 March 2000
Monday,
28 February 2000
a.m.
p.m.
Tuesday,
29 f'ebruary 2000
Opening of session;
Election of officers;
Adoption of agenda
and organization of
work:
Appointment. of
members of working
group on
communications;
General debate Items J
and 4
General debate Items 3
and 4;
NGO interventions
Panei presentation:
General deb~te Items . l
and 4
General debate Items 3
'
and 4
Introduction of
proposals under Items
3, 4, 5, and 7 followed
by informals
··Emerging Issues ..
Thursday,
2 March 2000
Closed meeting of
CSW to consider the
report of the
working group on
communications
Action on proposals;
Adoption of report;
Closure of session
Friday,
3 March 20011
Opening of session:
Adoption of agenda and
organizational matters:
Introductory statements:
General debate on Item 2
Continuation
or gcr11.:r;d ~kh;t~,·
..-'
�PropQsed Orga'nization of work of the 44th Session of the Commission on the Status of Womc~
and the Commission on the Status of Women acting as the preparatory committee for the Special Session
28 ~e1bruary ~ 17 March 2000
Monday,
6 March 2000
a.m.
Panel discussion: ''Outlook on
gender equality, development
und peace. beyond the :yeur
Tuesday,
7 March 2000
Informals
Wednesday,
8 March 2000
In formals
Thursday,
9 March 1999
Friday,
tO March 2000
Informals
In formals
In formals
In formals
2000~~'
(International
Women's Day)
'
p.m.
Panel discussion continued:
dialogue
In formals
In formals
't::---
":-/:-
�~···-
Proposed Organization of work of the 44th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women
and the Commission on the Status of Women acting as the Preparatory committee for the Special Session
28 Ft!\Jruary - 17 March 2000
-
Monday,.
13 March 2000
a.m.
c
Tuesday,
14 March 2000
Wednesday,
15 March 2000
In formals
Informals
informals
In formals
In formals
Thursday,
16 March 2000
In formals
Official hoi iday
ldh al Adha
Friday,
17 March 2000
Adoption of proposals
Adoption of report~
Closure of session
-·····-··--
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. UnitedN.
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Office of the Director
DIVISION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN
DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
2 UN Plaza, DC-2·1250, New York, NY 10017 USA
Telephone 212·963·9750 ·Fax 212-963-3463
.
E-mail: daw@un.org
Internet location: http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw .
·,·
.I~formal consultations held by the Bureau of the Commission on the ·st~tus of
.women acting as the preparatory committee for the speciat se~sion of·.
the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: gender equality,
development and peace for the twenty-first century"
on 23-24, 29 November- 2-3 December, 1999
I.
The chair brought 3 issues to the attention of delegates for consultation:
1. The draft political declaration;
2. Proposed structure for the outcome document;
3. Modalities for NGO participation of the special session.
Political Declaration: consensus was reached on all but three paragraphs (3, 4 and 5ter) which
remain with brackets (attachment 1).
Outcome document: an agreement was reached on the structure of the outcome document which
would have 4 sections:
A. Introduction
B. Achievements and obstacles in the implementation ofthe Beijing Platform for Action
G: New challenges (and trends) affecting the full implementation of the Beijing Platfom1 for
Action
D. Actions and initiatives to overcome obstacles and to achieve the full and
accelerated
implementation ofthe Beijing Platform.for Action
Delegations made inputs for each section (attachment II) and it was agreed that section B or.
achievements/obstacles would be structured according to the 12 critical areas of concern. The
Bureau· and the Secretariat were given the mandate to prepare a draft outcome document
reflecting the views expressed during the debate.
· Modalit~es: ofNGO participation: The Secretariat provided a non-paper on modalities ofNGO
participation which provided background infonnation on the subject. There wa.S overwhelming
·'·:consensus that.NGOs should participate in and co~tribute to the Special Session·. Diffe~ences
· ·of opinion on modalities of participation were expressed. A proposal w~s introduced by
·Namibia on behalf of the African group which served .as the basis of the debates.' Other
suggestions were also made. The summary of the debates is attached (attachment III).
II.
The Secretariat provided two documents:
(i)
(ii)
Report of the Workshop on Beijing+S- Future actions and initiatives.
Draft report on preliminary findings of achievements and obstacles k
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.. ;. ,.,....· ·.:, ;_.", .. ·....... DRAFT POLITICAL DECLARATION
,.
· ··
.
· · ~~iji~g+S ~Women 2000:
_Ge~der ·_equality, - development and. p·eace . for the twenty-first .·,.. . .
century
..·
.
.
.
.
·;.
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:
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.
.
We, the Governments participating in the Special Session of the General Assembly,
_1.
Reaffirm our commitment to the goals and objectives contained in the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action adopted in ·1995 at the Fourth World Conference on
Women and the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the
year 2000 as the culmination of the United Nations Decade for Women, 1976 to 1985 .
..
2.
Reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of the twelve (12) critical areas of
concern in the Beijing Platform for Action which are: women and poverty; education and the
training oLwomen;-women and health; violence against women; women and anned conflict;
·.women and the economy; women in power and decision making; institutional mechanisms for
t~e advancement of women; human rights of women; women and the media; w~:m1en and the
environment; and the girl child; and call for the implementation of the Agreed. ConCiusions and
resolutions on the follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women adopted by the
Commission on the Status of Women since the thirty-ninth session of the Commission on the
Status of Women;
3. .: Recognize that we have primary responsibility for the full implementation of the
Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action and all the relevant commitments for the advancement of women, and
in this connection, call for continued international cooperation [G77 & China insert: including
the fulfillment of internationally agreed targets for financial assistance.] [Australia, with
addition by Holy See: , including through [Norway: enhanced] development cooperation
and the fulfilment ofcommitments [US: made to ODA].]
. · [Australia Alternative 1: including through enhanced d~velopm~nt CQoper~tion and by
·:_-.striving to:achieve the fulfilmentofinternational targe~, where ~greed, as·soonas
·. :..:.··:·. possi}Jle] [Ai.Istralia-Alternative.2: including by striving (o a~hieve t_h~_internatiohally
agreed . target for ODA as soon-as possi~le.].
·
·
· · .... , ..-.
[G77&China: including striving for the fulfilment of the agreed target of 0. 7% of the
gross. national product of developed countdes for overall Qffici~l. development assistance as
.:. soon as possible, as well as increasing the share of funding for act!vities design~d to
imvlement the Platform for Action.]
· ·
·
·
··
4.
Welcome progress made towar,ds gender equality [US insert: including extensive
ratification of the· Convention on the Elimination of AIH Forms of Discrimination against
Women] [Holy See: and recognition of the equal rights and inherent human dignity of
�\v~~en ·a~c(m,eri ~pd other purposes and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United
:Nations/ io th't{Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other in~erriational hurpan .
· .. rights· instrtiirtlniS;~in;parJic!Jl~( th~ :Conve~tion op .th~. E~imination ofAII Forms of .
·. Discrimination_agains()YoirJe.n]t,~d in ~hisJega.r,dr~~knowledge the efforts at all level~ of
. ,~1:,~~Yf.f~~P~t,t?~-~~~~~€~ ·~~tf~~s~~ystem! .i~t~f~()ief.~ental, ot~?r .i~ter,~at.ig~~~ and regional
· .orgamzations and urge contmued. efforts. for the full Implementation of the QeiJ mg Platform for .
·
·
·
·
. Action.
'..-.
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Recognize the role and contribution of civil society in particular non-:governmental
organizations and women's organizations, in the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and
·Platform for Action and encourage their partiCipation in further implementation and assessment
processes.
5.
5bis: Emphasize that men must involve themselves and take joint responsibility with women
for the promotion of gender equality.
·
· 5ier: Reaffirrnthe ·importance of mainstreaming a gender perspective irfthe process of
.. implementation:'of the outcome· of other major UN conferences JEU insert: and the need for
·-• integrated and:'toordinated foUow-up.] [EU proposes"to move 5 ter to become 7bisl
-~_::~':·~· ~.''" ·~··.
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· We; the. Governments; at the beginning of the new millennium:
,w,.,jL'
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6.
Reaffirm our commitment to overcome obstacles encountered in the-implementation of
the Beijing Platform for Action and the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies and to strengthen
and safeguard a national and international enabling environment and to this end, pledge to
···'·undertake further action to ensure its full and accelerated implementation~ including through
the promotion and ·protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms, mainstreaming a
:···gender perspective'frito all poliCies and programmes, and promoting women's full participation
. ' and empo'werrheilt and enhanced international cooperation for the full implementation of the
.,,. ''Beijing Platform for"· Action.
·. ·
. . . · · ·,
· .. · .
. :t:7_t~l:.1.Jt~:iAg'r~e to~regularly assess further itnplementati~~-o; the Beijin~: ~~:t;ofin ~~; . .~~~ion
' . ~ . -~itli~a.l:view:i6 o~inging'·together all parties· involved ·in. the year 2005 to a.Sse~~·progress and.
:.: '~ta~ldei-~116w~ iiiiti~tives;: as appropriate, ten years aftefthe adoption ·of th~ .Belj iJ1g: Platform for
. Action and twentyyears after the adoption ofthe·Nairobi·Forward"Looking·_~trategies. ;.
· ~--~- · . .· · :. -~~:":-, i~~<f ~~:~,:.,\~~..f7··~~' ;, . . :~~. ~. .
· . . .~. · ·:'~' ::~ ~Jc:* .;;~rr:.; .~~\a,;J1:::~·Jii;i~.liH~:~ f.:: ;4:;7:•6' .:,.: . ·
···,¥~~~8~1t~tF-~:1>1e<lge'·i<i·,~~sure~tlie reaiization oi societies ln \Vhi2h b'O:iti \V6ifie.n::~nd:ine~ \Vork:·· ·
~bg~the{ towards'~\vorld where every individual can' ehjoy: equality, .:dev~ibp;rient and peace in
the twenty-first century.
·
·~.:~e · .
:::-.·:,:
. ·, , · · ·
3 December 1999 (1:45PM)
C:\MYDOCU- 1\POLDEC 14. WPD
�• ' ..~· '' .
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Structure of the. second outcome document of the Special Session on Beijing + 5
' ..
(2 December 1999)
· ·
Section A.
lntrod'uction
.
.
.
..
Reference to PfA, Agreed Conclusions ofCSW, the Political Declaration, and to changing
environment in which PfA is being implemented
Section B.
Achievements and obstacles in the implementation of the Beijing Platfomt for Action
To follow the 12 critical areas of concern of the Platform for Action, summary of trends in
achievements and obstacles would draw from the SG's report
Section C.
New challenges affecting the full implementation of the Beijing Platfomt for Action.
Some suggestions were:
• the effect on women of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, especially in Africa;
• ageing and its effect on women;
• feminization of poverty, and the new emphasis given to it in recent years; .
• globalization and its effects on women;
·
• role of women in peace building; -building and -making; and in re-establishing peace;
• trafficking in women;
• political participation ofwomen;
. • government/NGO partnerships;
• role of men in gender equality;
• women and health - women-specific health concerns, health research and gender;
• advantages of infomtation technology on women;
• population- movements.
Section D.
Actions and initiatives to overcome obstacles and to achieve the full and accelerated
implementation ofthe Beijing Platform for Action
Some suggestions were:
• women's full enjoyment of human rights;
• women's participation at all levels;
• use of dual strategy, both gender mainstreaming and women-specific/targeted action;
. • financial crisis and its impact on women.
.
\
· • role of men;
; • exchange of information on best practices and Jesson.s learned;
. • tum rights into practice;
·
• build capacity for women's empowemtent and gender equality;
'" :. • ensuring accountability for gender equality;
· • participation and partnerships;
· ·
·..• ensuring gender equality in a changing world;
• lack of resources;
• impact of globalization;
• inequitable world economic order;
• absence of durable peace;
�.. .__·.
*socio-cultural obstacles while respecting and taking due account of cultural di\c;>rsity:
* mobilization of resources:
· · ~ ·: •-=capacitY building: ·
·. · ·• ·cooperation ~nd ·partnership: .
. ·-~bridge gap in the levd of implementation of the PfA in developing and developed·
" : - ~ , . ..
·.
.
· ·• ·
. ·
.
. <:~~.~ou:nrri~s; :·:
-~ pro!TIOte"'<! culture of peace: ·
.
~-s.tr~ngth,~n ~oJth-So~th co~peration:
·.
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Su~mary of Debate on the Modalities of NGO Participatioil at the Special Session
·
·
(3 December 1999).
.
African Group's
Pr~posal
as introduced by Namibia
1.. In recognition of their important role in implementing the Beijing Platform for; Action, non.. · , governmental organizations should be invited to make statements to the Plenary.
2. Non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council
as well as those which were accredited to the Fourth World Conference on Women may make
statements in the debate in the Plenary of the special session.
3. Non-governmental organizations, selected by participating non-governmental themselves,
will be invited to address the Plenary, ensuring that the all five regional groups of the United
Nations are represented.
4. The Office of the President of the General Assembly should be given clear instructions as to
the participation of non-governmental organizations in the Plenary. (Original wording which·
was the basis of the initial discussions- depending on time available, the President of the
General Assembly determines when and how many non-governmental organizations should
address the Plenary)
Amendments to the African Proposal
5. China proposed to add the following sentence to Para 2:not including those NGOs whose
application forconsultative status with ECOSOChas been rejected or withdrawn by the NGO
Committee.
6. ...China proposed to insert in Para 3 a \VOrd "equally" after" ... the United Nations are" and
before "represented".
7. EU proposed to replace the last part of Para 3 with the following:
Ensuring an equitable geographical balance. includingregional perspectives. and diversity of
. NGOs.
8. EU- add to the original wording of para. 4 ofthe African Group's proposal: ..... throughout
the meetings of the Special Session with a view to facilitating as wide a participation of
NGOs as possible.
9. Cuba propose.d to add to Para 4 the following sentenses as contained in A/AC.253/L.I3:
hi this regard,the President of the General Assembly is requested to present the list of
selected non-governmental organizations to the Member! States in a timely !llanner for
· }·· · approval. The President of the General Assembly is also requested to ensure that such
· selection is made on an equal and transparent basis, taking into account the geographical
representation and diversity of non-governmental organizations. . ·
Some delegations felt that A/AC.253/L.I3 was part of a package together with
AIAC.253/L. 12 and that if L. 13 was to be considered, then i~ should be considered in its
entirety.
10. Senegal and China proposed to replace Para 2 with the following:
NGOs holding consultative status with ECOSOC and those which were accredited to the
Fourth World Conference on Women will select one representative to be their spokesperson
in the plenary, taking into consideration the subject area, geo~raphy and time allocated.
�Other Issues
-'
.......
·. ;;;:;·.~5~i>c;;":.;.A;~~c: ,:;: :·:.~.-..
·. .
..
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.
Plenaiy · ,::· :.;;c> , .
.
.. . .
. .
. "t Typeso'rNGOs'addressing the Plenary:.:.. should non-ECOSOCNGOs be ad~ressing the
,
..: Ple.n~!YT' .. • .· · . .
·
.· .
.· .
·. ·
I 3.. Selec~ion process~ who will be selecting the ~peakers? NGOs themselves,. GA President,
DESANGO S.ecti()n; or Member States?·
.· . · · · .. ·
. : ..
,., 14.:1~ respon.s'e·:iqjfproposition from EU, discussion on the issue o'f NGO accreditation was
deferred to a later date. The Chair undertook to raise the matter in the Bureau before opening
,· up a. debate with delegations.
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United Nations
•
Distr.: Limited
I I March 1999
Economic and Social
Council
Original: J~ngl ish ..
..
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Commission on the Status of Women
Forty-third session
1-12 March 1999
./
Agenda item 7
Provisional agenda for the forty-fourth session of the Commission
Draft provisional agenda and documenta~.on .
.. ..
·~
Note by the Secretariat
I.
Election of officers.
2.
Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
3.
Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women:
(a)
Review ofmainstreaming in organizations ofthe United Nations system;
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Documentation
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· · ,· · . . . _'... : ~.,:- . ~.-:; <· .· :·:;~;i.~. ·;~~,:~.:-)t;L~~-;~~~?\:.. ·..
.. Report of the Secretary-General on measures taken alld Pl'f'gt'es~ acht~yed -·~~.c.,'t!''l·..,~··"j:.~,./'<:f>·i·':~ •'')c':"\•;•r_•~r·,- )~?,·_ ,._
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up: to, the Fourth World Conference on Wolllen and in iriainsfi~arjlirig >~.'gen4er t)!0i·;:;:.: .:•:
•pers!lectivewithin the United Nations system ·.
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Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of
· plan ·for the advancement of women. 1996-200 I •
99-06770 (E)
*9906770*
110399
\
1
the system-wide medium:h~rm
·
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[/C\ .611 'W)IL12
Emerging issues. trends and new approaches to issues affecting the situation of:·:;. ·
women or equality between· women_ and men;
·
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(b)
.
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Documentation
.
'
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Report contammg additional .material_ on further actions and initiatives for the, • ·.;
preparation of the outlook beyond the year 2000 (General Assembly resolution '52/23.1.: ;~. ·
para. II)
.
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. ··~·· . '(c) ... lmplementation of strategic objectives and action fn the critical areas of concern. .
4.
Comprehensive revi~w and appraisal of the implementation of the Platfonn for Action.
:.-'
Documentation
Report on the implementation of the Platfonn for Action of the Fourth World
Conference on Women, on the basis of national reports, taking into account the Nairobi
Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (Economic and Social
Council resolution 1996/6, sect. Ill, para. 5 (t))
Comparative report on how different categories of projects and p~ogramme~ of u~it;~·:
Nations organizations ar~ including women's interests and gender mainstreaming issue's
and on resources allocated in this regard (General Assembly resolution 52/231, para. "(4)
5.
Follow-up to Economic and Social Council resolutions a~d.detisio~~;>'t
6.- Communications concerning the status of women.
Documentation
Lists of confidential and non-confidential communications concerning the status of
women
7.
Provisional agenda for the forty-fifth session of the Commission.
8.
Adoption o_fthe report of the Commission on its forty-fourth session.
. , r)~:·
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United :.-:ations
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' _ · ·
Distr.: Limited
18 March ·1999
.
Original: English
Commission on the Status of Women acting as the preparatory
committee for the special session of the General Assembly
entitled "\Vomen 2000: gender equality, development and
peace for the twenty-first century"
Second session
15-19 March 1999
Agenda item 3
Provisional agenda for the third session of the Commission
acting as the preparatory committee for the special session
of the General Assembly
Draft provisional agenda and documentation
. Note by the Secretariat
I.·
Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters.
2.
Preparations for the special session of the General Assembly entitled "Women :2000:
gender equality. development and peace for the twenty-first century".
Documentation
Report on the implementation of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World
Conference on \\'omen. on the basis of national reports, taking into account the
Nairobi For"·ard-looking Strategies for the Ad\'ancement of Women (Economic and
Social Council resolution 1996'6. s.:ct. Ill. para. 5 (t))
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Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
First Lady's Work on Children’s Issues and Women’s Rights
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
White House Office of Records Management (WHORM)
Caligraphy Office
Chief of Staff
Domestic Policy Council
First Lady’s Office
Management & Administration
Millennium Council
Public Liaison
Special Envoy for the Americas
Women’s Initiative and Outreach
Date
A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource
1995-2000
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
<a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/items/show/36054" target="_blank">Collection Finding Aid</a>
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0198-F Segment 4
Description
An account of the resource
<p>This collection contains records regarding conferences and events attended and hosted by the First Lady, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The key events in this collection consist of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, Vital Voices, Beijing +5, and the Early Childhood Development Conference. The records include background materials in preparation for each of these conferences.</p>
<p>This collection contains records from the following offices: White House Office of Records Management, Calligraphy Office, Chief of Staff, Domestic Policy Council, First Lady's Office, Speechwriting, Management & Administration, Millennium Council, Public Liason, Special Envoy for the Americas, and Women’s Initiative and Outreach. The collection includes records created by: Ann Lewis, Harold Ickes, Cheryl Mills, Linda Cooper, Ann Bartley, Lisa Caputo, Lissa Muscatine, Marsha Berry, Eric Massey, Nicole Rabner, Shirley Sagawa, Christine Macy, June Shih, Laura Schiller, Melanne Verveer, Alexis Herman, Ruby Moy, and Doris Matsui.</p>
<p>This collection was was made available through a <a href="http://clinton.presidentiallibraries.us/freedom-of-information-act-requests">Freedom of Information Act</a> request.</p>
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Office of Records Managment
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
11/14/2014
Extent
The size or duration of the resource.
301 folders in 30 boxes
Text
A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text.
Original Format
The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data
Paper
Dublin Core
The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/.
Title
A name given to the resource
Beijing +5 [Folder 2] [2]
Is Part Of
A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included.
Box 14
<a href="http://clintonlibrary.gov/assets/Documents/Finding-Aids/2006/2006-0198-F-4.pdf">Collection Finding Aid</a>
<a href="http://catalog.archives.gov/id/2068127">National Archives Catalog Description</a>
Creator
An entity primarily responsible for making the resource
First Lady’s Office
Identifier
An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context
2006-0198-F Segment 4
Provenance
A statement of any changes in ownership and custody of the resource since its creation that are significant for its authenticity, integrity, and interpretation. The statement may include a description of any changes successive custodians made to the resource.
Clinton Presidential Records: White House Staff and Office Files
Format
The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource
Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
An entity responsible for making the resource available
Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
The material or physical carrier of the resource.
Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
Date of creation of the resource.
11/14/2014
Source
A related resource from which the described resource is derived
42-t-20060198f4-014-006
1766805