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U.N. WORLD
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CONFEREN~..~~:}H~·····'")
U.N. DECADE FOR
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Copenhagen, Denmark, July 14-30, 1980
REPORT
OF
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF ADVISERS TO THE
U.S. DELEGATION
SUBMITrED TO THE
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
w
DECEMBER 1980
Printed for the use ·of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
7()-555 0
WASHINGTON : 1980
�______________
________________
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f! QII Dlo
I
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
CLEMENT 1. ZABLOCKI, W!soons!n, Chairman
L. H. FOUNTAIN, North Carolina
WILLIAMS. BROOMFIELD, Michigan
DANTE D. FASCELL, Florida
EDWARD J. DERWINSKI, Illinois
BENJAMIN S. ROSENTHAL, New York
PAUL FINDLEY, Illinol3
LEE H. HAMILTON, Indian.&
JOHN H. BUCHANAN, JR., Alabama
!,ESTER L. WOLFF, New York
LARRY WINN, JR., Kansas
JONATHAN D. DINOIIAM, New York
BENJAMIN A. OILMAN, New York
GUS YATRON, Pennsylvania
TENNYSON GUYER, Ohio
CARD ISS COLLINS, Illinois
ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, Calllomla
STEPHEN 1. SOLARZ, New York
WILLIAM F. GOODLING, Pennsylvania
DON DONKEH,.We.shington
JOEL PRITCHARD, Washington
0 E H R Y E. ST UDDS, Massachusetts
MILLICENT FENWICK, New Jersey
ANDY IRELAND, Florida
DAN QUAYLE, Indiana
DONALD 1. PEASE, Ohio
DAN MICA, Florida
MICHAEL D. BARNES, Maryland
WILLIAM H. 0 RAY III, Pennsylvania
TONY P. IIALL, ObJo
IIOWA RD WOLPE, Michigan
DAVID R. DOWEN, Mississippi
BERKLEY BEDELL, Iowa
OEOHOE W. CROCKETT, JR., Michigan
JoliN J. DRAI>Y, Jr., C/iltf of Staff
MARGARET OOO!>IU.N, Staff Con4u/tanl
MARGARET E. GALEY, Staff Con1ultant
JANEA!o L. MANN, Minarlty Staff Con1ultant
SIIARON' M. WILLCOX, Slalf Aulllanl
(II)
7
G-3'1'
Wj9.
FOREWORD
HousE oF REPRESENTATIVEs,
CoMMITTEE oN FoREIGN AFFAIRs,
Washington, D.C.
This report has been submitted to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs by the congressional staff advisers to the U.S. delegation to
the U.N. World Conference of the U.N. Decade for Women, held
·
in Copenhagen, Denmark, July 14-30, 1980.
The views expressed in the rep01·t do not necessarily reflect the
views of the membership of the Committee on Foreign· Affairs. It
is hoped that the report will prove useful to the Congress and the
public.
CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI, Chairman.
(ml
S I - &o t J_ ·) 6
�t~
-
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL AND INTRODUCTION
Hon. CLEMENT J. ZABLOCKI,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House of Representative:
Washington, D.C.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: From July 14 to 30, 1980, we served u
congressional staff advisers to the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Worl·
Conference of the U.N. Decade for Women in Copenhagen, Denmar):
The Conference was attended by representatives of 144 government,;
various U.N. Specialized Agencies and Programs, mn,ny mternutiom.
nongovernmental organizations, and several national libero.tio;
organizations. Its purpose was to review the progress made an•
obstacles encountered by governments and international organization
in n,chieving the goals of the U.N. Decade for Women, 1976-85
during the first 5 ·years of that decade and to develop plo.ns iUll
strategies for improving the situation of women worldwide durin1
the remainder of the decade.
Media coverage and subsequent discussion of the Copenho.ger
. Conference have tended to focus on the politicizution of the Conferenc1
and on the three provisions of the 287 -paragraph program of actior
concerning the unresolved Middle East situation which required th1
United States to vote against the program. The Conference did
however, produce many positive results: The documents prepared b:y
governments and U.N. agencies and programs, substantial portion;
·of the program of action, and many useful resolutions. The Conferenc1 ·
also provided an opportunity for women and men to meet and shan
common concerns about the rights and welfare of women worldwide.
Fifty-one nations signed· the Convention on the Elimination of Dis·
.crimination Against Women in Copenhagen. Since the Conferenc<
has concluded, 32 additional nations have signed the convention
and 7 have ratified it. All of these achievements have furthered the
understanding and implementation of the objectives of the U.N.
Deco.de for Women: Equality, development, and peace.
This report discusses Conference preparations, proceedings, aml
results as well as the role of the U.S. delegation from the perspective
of the con~ressional staff advisers. The appendixes con tam relevnn l
U.S. and '4.N. documents.
It is our hope that the report will provide the committee and the
Congress an accurate assessment of the Conference and U.S. po.rticipation in it, and that it will be useful to the Members in their
oversight of U.S. participation in international conferences generally
and in considering the Impact of the Conference on .the women of
the United States and the world.
MARGARET E. GALEY,
Staff Consultant.
MARGARET GooDMAN,
_Sta;,tJ Cons1lltant..
�CONTENTS
Page
Foreword. _______ ---- ________________________ ------______________
Letter of tran!<mittal and .introduction_ ----------------------------I. Summary and recommendations ___ • ________ ---- ____________ -• __
Preparation for possible 1985 conference •.. ----~------------U.S. conference preparations and organization •. ------------II. Organization and outcome of the U.N. World Conference of the U.N.
Decade for Women:
·
Conference preparations. ______________________ .. __________
Global preparations. __________________ -----~---- ___ - _.
Regional preparations _______ ----________________ __ _ _
National government activities. ___ •. ___________________
Preconference consultations ••. ________ . _______ .:.________
Conference proceedings.__ __ ---- ________________ ---- __ •• __
Plenary sessions •.• ---- __________ ·__ -------- __ ~---____ _
Conference committees .• _~--- ________________ •• ________
Committee L------------------------------------Committee II------------------------- ---- ---Committee of the Whole_______________________ __
Conference results:
Politics, politicization, and major issues__________________
Other conference decisions-----------------------------III. U.S. delega.tion __________ ~·-------------------------------U.S. conference preparations .. "·-------------------------Delegation organization and performance at Copenhagen. ___ ._.
U.S. initiatives at the Conference •. __ .---- _________________ •
IV. NGO Forum ... ----------------------------------~---- ----
HI
v.
l
1
2
4
4
5
·5
6
6
6
7
7
7
8
8
11
13
13
15
17
20
APPENDIXES
I. Membern of the U.S. delegation to the U.S. World Conference of the
U.N. Dec.a.de for Women, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 1980•... __
II. Convention on the Elimination of. all Forms of Discrimina-tion. ____ _
III. Resolutions sponsored by the U.S. delegation: 1 _
Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages (accepted) ------~~--------------------------------------Elderly women and economic gecurity (accepted). ____________ _
Battered- women and violence in the family (accepted) ________ _
The !'<ituation of women refugees and displaced women the world
over (accepted) __ _. ______________ -- __ ------ ____ -- __ -----Coordination of issues relating to the status of women within the
Un\ted Nations system (accepted) .. ---------------------International drinking water RUpply and sanita.tion decade
W~~~~P!~~ dt<;~rl'i,;i~~-tl~~-b~s~-;{~~-r;c·e- (~ithdr;;~)= == ==
-
Women in agriculture and rum! areas (accepted) ------------Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons
(accepted) ------------------------------------------ -
23
25
38
40
41
42
44
45
46
47
48
'The complete text. ot all resolutions accepted by the Conference, as well ns tbe text of
the Pro!!rarn of Action, can he found In the report ot the Conference to the General Assemblr
nt Its 35th session. doc. A/CONF. 94/35.
(V 11)
�vrn
IV. Congressional documentation:
H. Res. 748, relating to the United Nations Mid-Decade Conference for Women .. ----------------------------------8. Res. 473 deploring the politicization of the Mid-Decade
.. '.'/omen'd Conference and urging the· United States delegation
to oppose any politically· motivated resolutions at the
Conference. __ ---- ____ ---- __ ---- _______________________ _
Communications between members of the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State Edmunq Muskic regarding the Conference._ •• __ ---- __ ---------- _______________ _
Communications between Senator Daniel Patriclj: Moynihan and
Act1ng Secretary of State Warren Christopher regarding the
Conference.••• __ ••• -_.-- __ ---- __ •. __ • __________________ _
V: Official country statements:
Opening st,atcmcnt of the U.S. delegation _________ ---------U .K explanation of vote on the program of action .. ___ _ __ .. __
Canadian explanation of vote on the progran1 of action___ ___ .
N c\v Zealand explanation of vote on the program of action_ ..•
Page
50
52
55
58
5!)
05
()8
72
I. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The U.N. World Conference on the U.N. Decade for Women has been
nn important milestone in the international women's movement.
Preparations for the Conference which were facilitated by the U.N.
General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council, its Regional
Commissions, the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women n.nd the
Conference Preparatory Committee in turn stimulated governments,
U.N. Specialized Agencies, various U.N. programs and many nongovernmental orgamzations to report on their activities for women.
The Conference Secretariat prepared a wealth of documentation and
provided Conference services on a very limited budget. The Conference itself assessed and reviewed progress and obstacles encount.ered
by women in the areas of health, education, and employment; it
facilitn.ted the development of women's networks; furthered the identification of problems and issues common to women worldwide; and it
expanded the concepts of the goals of the U.N. Decade for Women,
equn.lity, development and peace, beyond those defined in Mexico
City and despite the unfortunate politicizn.tion of the Conference's
final hours.
PREPARATION FOR PossiBLE
1985
CoNFERENCE
With respect. to the future and, in particular, the preparations for a
possible Conference in 1985, several conclusions and recommendations
are to be ronde.
(1) The preparatory work assigned to the 23-:-member Preparn.tory
Committee was dupJicated by the 1980 session of the U.N. Commission
on the Status of Women which hn.d been authorized to review the
Conference preparations. The 1980 Commission had to manage its
own agenda as· well as to discuss Conference prElparations. In the
future, preparations should be assigned to one global U.N. body-either
the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women or a preparatory committee. Sin~e the Commission has the capability in terms of its members' expertise and Secretariat services to undertake necessary prepn.rn.tions for such a Conference, it could be designated as the Preparatory
Committee for the Conference. However, if a Preparatory Committee
is· created siiVilar to the one established for the ConPnhagen Conference, a.n effort should be made to insure that its agenda is coordinated
with that of ihe U.N. Commission on the Status of Women.
(2) The Conference operated on a very limited budget in contrast
to other U.N.-sponsored Conferences such n.s U.N .. Conference on
Science and Technology for Development and the Third U.N. Conference on the Law of the Sen.. The U.N. GenerulAssemblyshould provide
adequate funding for a 1985 Conference, including approprin.t10ns for
nddi tional staff ns well as consultn.nts.
(1}
�2
(3) U.N. agencie~ .and programs should review th~ Conference
resolutions und provisiOns <!f the World Program of Act1on to determine how best they can be Implemented. . · .
(4) It shoul4 be no.ted that pul,>lic dem<?nstrations of partisan
activity by the mternntwnal secretanat staff, mstances of which were
noted at Copenhagen, u.re not in k?epin~ with the letter or spirit of
article 100 of the U.N. Charter. This artiCle states that:
* • • in the performance of their duties, the Secretary-(feneral and the staff
shall not seek or receive instructions from any government or from any other
authority external to the Organization; * * * and that they shall refrain from
any action which might reflect on their position as international officers responsible only to the Organization * * * . Each member of the United Nations under-.
takes to respect the exclusively international character of the responsibilities of
the Secretary-General and the staff and not to seek to influence them in the
discharge of their responsibilities.
Necessary efforts to uphold this article should be taken.
U.S.
CoNFERENCE PREPARATIONS AND ORGANIZATION
With respect to the U.S. Conference preparations, the selection and
performunce of th? U.S. delegation, and U.S. initiatives at the Conference, the followmg recommendatiOns are made: ·
(1) The Senate should consider and promptly ratify the Convention
on the Elimination. of Discrimination Against Women 'in the 97th
Congress .....
. (2) The U.S. Government should continue to support the substnnt.inl number of provisions in the Program of Action fqr the second
. hnlf of t.he U.N. Decnde for Women which are in it.s interest, emphasizing thn t it.s vote ngninst the program reflects its objections to only 3 of
t.hc 287 parngrn.phs of the Program .of Action. Similarly, the United
Slntes should continue to support the implementation of the resolutions
\\'hich it supported at the Copenhagen Conference in order to promote
t-he gonls of the U.N. Decade for Women.
(3) The executive brunch should .consider ways of implementing
those provisions of the Progrnm of Action and resolutions thnt are in
t.he U.S. interest, including the upgrading and better coordination of
existing programs in vnrious executive agencies and improverl liaison
with concerned private organizations. Within the Department of State,
for example, consideration could be given to the establishment of a
position of Special Adviser for Women's Affairs within the Office of the
Secretary or Deputy Secreta!?' of State. Such an office could monitor
the role of women in the Foreign Service. and review issues concerning
women in hilaternl foreign relations, as well as work closely with the
Office of Internat.ional Women's Programs in the Bureau of Internat.ional Organization Affairs.
·
(4) A review and evaluation of the manner in which the United
States organizes its del~gations to international conferences should be
undertaken. Such on evnluaticn should take into consideration the
following fnctors:
(a) The selection of participants-the criteria by which delegations, including ch11irpersons, representatives, and advisers are
selected for particular conferences, the extent to which selection
criteria are applied and the way in which these criteria may
contribute to the strength of a delegation;
3
(b) Pre-Conference preparations-whether and to what exten
delegates are briefed on substantive issues of U.S. foreign polic:
as well as on the political process and procedures of the internn
tional conferences; whether budgetary resources are sufficient t•
cover the briefing costs for the delegation;
(c) Delegu tion organization-how are delegations to internntionn
conferences organized? How have well-managed delegations organize<
so as to mnke use of the skills and expertise of members;
(d). The chain of command between the Department of Stat.•
and the delegation;
·
(e) The relation between the organization and performnnce o
the delegation and outcome of the Conference..
(5) The Department of State should have primary responsibility fo;
the management of U.S. participation in international conference;o
including leadership of delegations, selection of delegates and overnl
policy coordination.
.
·
(6) Future U.S. delegations should:
(a) Be selected at least 2 months rrior to the Conference;
(b) Be briefed on the substantive 1ssue.s ofthe Conference, thei1
relation to U.S. foreign policy interests, the U.N. Conferenc(·
process and procedure and their responsibilities as delegates.
whether representatives or advisers;
(c) Be organized so as to make appropriate use of the skill::
and expertise of members and to mstire the communicatiom
within the delegation;
(d) Be briefed on U.S. domestic political issues which may piny
a part in the delegation's objectives, initiatives, and strategies .
(7) U.S. delegations to future conferences should continue t.hc
strategy of presenting positive initiatives for Conference consideration
rather than emphasizing primarily damage limitation positions. Sucb
initiatives should be formulated in advance of the Conference nnd
potential allies should be consulted.
.
·
(8) Women's organizations and other public affairs groups should
consider sponsoring short-terrn courses of study on U.N. Conference
process and procedures in conjunction with U.N .-issue arens, such m
energy, oceans, environment, trade and development, arms controL
disarmament, o~ human rights that they may be examining.
�5
II. ORGANIZATION AND OUTCOME OF THE U.N. WORLD
CONFERENCE OF THE U.N. DECADE, FOR WOMEN
(COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE)
CoNFERENCE PREPARATIONS
Global; regional, and national governmental organizations participated in the preparations for the 1980 Conference. Their activities
are described in the following paragraphs.
GLOBAL PREPARATIONS
In 1975, the General Assembly decided to sponsor a World Conference on Women in 1980 upon the recommendation of the Mexico
City Conference. In 1976, the Economic and Social Council called on
its subsidiary body, the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women to
discuss preparations for the Conference. The Commission, in turn,
created an ad hoc committee to consider substantive and organizational arrangements for the Conference, including the need for n program of action to ~uide governments and other organizations in
promoting the situatiOn of women during the second half of the U.N.
Decade, 1980-85.
Subsequently; the General Assembly in 1977 endorsed a recommendaLion of the Ad H9c Committee on. Restructuring the Economic and
Social Sectors of the United Nations that gave the Economic ancl
Social Council direct responsibility for Conference preparations
"without prejudice to arrangements already agreed upon for Conferences currently under preparation." In spite of concerns of some
membet·s of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women regarding
the capability of the 53-member, predominately mole Council to
undertake necessary prepnrntions, at its 1978 session, the Commission
did request the Council to create a Preparatory Committee of 25 U.N.
member states while bearing in mind the expertise of the Commission
on the Status of Women. In 1978, the Commission also recommended
a provisional agenda for the Conference to the Preparatory Committee
that included: A review nnd evaluation of progress made in achieving
the goals of the U.N. Decade for Women; the program of action for the
second part of the U.N. Decade, 1980-85; and the question of the
situation of women under apartheid. It further recommended that the
subthemes of the Conference should be employment, education and
health, that the U.N. Secretary General collect materials from member
states on these Rubjects and analyze them for the Conference; that
regional commissions convene seminars and meetings on thesubthemes
and report to the Conference, nnd that the Specialized Agencies also
report to the Conference on progress achieved in areas related to their
(4)
scope. These actions were confirmed by the U.N. General Assembl}
at 1ts 1978 session in Resolutions 33/185 and 33/189.
·
In January 1979, U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim !lp·
pointed Lucille Muir (Jamaica) to be Secretary General of the Conference. Dr. Mair and her staff supervised Conference preparatiom
from U.N. headquarters inN ew York, prepared Conference document~
· nnd staffed meet-ings of the Preparatory Committee and regional
commissions and, subsequently, the sessions of the Conference Itself.
The 23-member Preparatory Committee held three meetings: the
first in Vienna, Austria, from February 25 to March 5, 1979; and the
second and third in New York at U.N. headquarters from August 27 to
September 8, 1979, and from April7 to 18, 1980, respectively, to discuss
revisions to the draft Pro~rnm of Action for. the second part of the
U.N. Decade for Women, mcluding new strategies and approaches to
achieving the goals of the Decade. Between the second and third
sessions of the Preparatory Committee, the 1979 session of the General
Assembly approved several resolutions on the World Conference.
One resolution added two items to the Conference agenda: the effects
of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women in and outside the occupied
territories and women refugees. Reports on each item were to be submitted to the Third Preparatory Committee in April 1980. At the
Third Preparatory Committee, .members adopted various reports
including those submitted by the Economic Commission for West Asia
on Palestinian Women and by the Office of the High Commissioner
for Refugees on Refugee Women. Meanwhile, the Commission on
the Status of Women at its 28th session in Vienna in February 1980
reviewed Conference preparations as had been requested by the
General Assembly.
REGIONAL PREPARATIONS
EA.ch of the five U.N. Regional Economic Commissions sponsored n
regionnl conference to review and evaluate progress in their respective
regions on implementing the gonls of the U.N. Decade for Women with
pnrticular reference to the Conference subthemes.
The U.N. Re_gional Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) met in
Paris, France, July 9 to 12, 1979; the Regional Economic Commission
for Lntin America (ECLA) met in Caracas, Venezuela, from August
12 to 16, 1979; the Regional Economic Commission for West Asin
(ECW A) in Damascus, Syria, from October 6 to 9, 1979; the Regional ·
Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) met in Lusaka, Zambia, from
October 3 to 7, 1979; and the Regional Economic Commission for
South Asia and the Pacific (ECSAP) in New Delhi, India, from
November$ to 9, 1979. Each regional commission prepared and submitted A. report to the Conference on new measures and strategies to
advance thEt situation of women in their respective areas.
NATIONAL GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES
Besides these global and regional preparatory activities, all governments were invited to participate in the Conference and to report on
measures they had taken to advnnce the situation of women m their
own societies. 93 governments prepared and submitted reports on
such topics as education, employment, health, political participation
�6
of women, and nationnllegislation and machinery for improving the
status of women. Ba.'>ed on theRe reports, the U.N. Secretariat prepnred
comparative surveys on these topics for the Conference. National
governments also submitted their national reports to the Conference as
part of their official documentation.
·
·
PRECONFERENCE CONSULTATIOJs
On July 13, representatives of governments asJembled at the Bella
Cent.er in Copenhngim to discuss the recommendations of the U.N.
Genernl Assembly and.the Preparatory Committee on organizational
mntters such ns election of officers of the Conference, the proposed
rules of procedure, the appointment of members to the Credentials
Committee, the provisional agenda, the organization of the Conference's work and the assignment of agenda items to committees.
The pre-conference agreed to adopt the recommendations of the
Prepn.ratory Committee on these matters except for the proposed
orgnnization of work. Because several U.N. member states raised
the issue of the need to discuss part I of the draft program of action.
concerning the "Historical Background" and "Conceptual Framework," the pre-conference agreed to. create a Committee· of the
Whole to d!Oibate part I in addition to Committees I and II already
mandated to deal with the review of national and international
issues, parts II and III, of the Program of Action.
CoNFERENCE PRoCEEDINGs
The Conference met in Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Bella Conference Center from July 14 to 30, 1980. In response to th~ invitation
of the Secretary General of the Conference, representat1ves of 145
governments, 4 liberation movements, 29. U.N. Specialized Agencies
and Programs and over 130 internati.onal nongovernmental organizations garticipated.
· The Conference officially opened on Monday afternoon, July 14.
Helvi Sipila, Assistant Director General of the U.N. Center for Social
Development and Humanitarian Affairs, and Lucille Mair, Secretary
General of the Conference, opened. the plenary. Lise Ostegaard,
Minister of Culture of Denmark, was elected by acclamat10n as
President of the Conference. U.N. Secretary General Kurt Waldheim, .
the Queen qf Denmark, and the Danish Foreign Minister also. welcomed
delegations. The · representn.tive from Zimbabwe was officially
seated for the first time· in a U.N. meeting at this Conference. A group
of Nordic women presented Secretary General Waldbeim with a
ttpetition for peace" signed by over 5,000 Nordic women.
... ....
,.
·
PLENARY SESSIONS
· From July 15 to 29, representatives of more than 75 governments
nddressed the plenary on progress and obstacles to improving the
situation of women m their societies since the Mexico City Conference in 1975. Highlights of the plenary included major addresses
by Sarah Weddington, Special Assistant to President Carter and
cohead of the U.S. delegatiOn; Mrs. Anwar Sadat of Egypt; Ms. Hava
7
Hareli, Israel's representative; Mrs. Imelda Mnrcos of the
pines and by representatives of the Soviet Union, Bolivia, Fran
West Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, New ZenJnnd, r.
numerous African, Latin American, and Asian states. The p.
protested the appearances of Mrs. Sadat and Ms. Hareli by lead.
an Arab walk out of the plenary hall.
Representatives of the U.N. Specialized Agencies and ProgrnJ
including ILO, FAO, UNDP, UNICEF, the U.N. High Commissim
for Refugees as well as non- U.N. organizations such as the Europ1
commumties and about a dozen international nongovernmen
organizations made statements in the plenary. These stateme;
along with nntional reports of participatmg governments constib
an important record of the·progress and obstacles to the advancem(
of women in societies throughout the world.
·
The plenary recessed after accredited representatives gave th
statements and reconvened for the last 3 days of the Conference
consider and adopt the World Program of Action and to appn
resolutions forwarded by the Conference committees.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEES
Parallel to meetings of the plenary, the three Committees of
Conference met to discuss their respective agendas.
Committee I.-This Committee convened to consider the effectf
apartheid on women in Southern Africa; progress and obstncles at i
national level to achieving the 14 minimum targets of the 1975 Wo.
Plan of Action; part II of the Program of Action dealing with n
national targets and strategies for the second half of the U.N. Decn
for Women and the social and economic needs of the Palestini
womei]., inside and outside the occupied territories. The Commit!
held 21 meetings and devoted major discussions to amendments
part II of the Program of Action. It also debated and adopted
number of draft resolutions on a range of common concerns such
elderly women and economic securtty; disabled women;
women o.nd family violence; migrant women; women in ngricultt
and rural areas; family planning; review and ·evaluntion of progr•
in implementing the World Plan of Action at the nntional lev
wonien and discrimination based on. race; special measures _for you
women; equality in education and training of women; women in ct
ditions of extreme poverty; and the Convention on the Eliminati
of Discrimination Against Women.
Committee 11.-This Committee considered special measures
assistanGe to women under apartheid in Southern Africa; regionnl o
global activities of the U.N. system aimed at achieving the. goals
the Decade; part III of the Program of Action for the second half
the Decade, mcluding regional and international strategies as well
women refugees; and special measures of assistance to Pnlestini
women in and outside the occupied territories.
Committee II held 20 meetings and de.voted principal attention
debatin..,. and adopting amendments to part III of the Program
Action for the second half of the U.N. Decade, the most controvers
being paragraph 24'1 on assistance to Palestinian women. It nl
�8
9
adopted numerous ~esolutions o~ such subjects as women refugees;
assistance to Snhruwi women; nsststan~e to Lebanese women; women's
pnrt.icipation in strengthening pence; legislation to prevent family
nbandonment; the situation of women in Chile; women in the U.N;
internntionnl drinking water supply and sanitation decade; the Internntionnl Hesenrch nnd Training Institute for the Advn.ncement of
Women; strengthening machinery for integrating 't'omen in development; exploitn.tion of prostitution; women under apartheid; implementing the goals of the U.N. Decade for Women wit!hm the framework
of the New Internat.ionn.l Economic Order; and the U.N. Voluntary
Fnnd fot· the Decade.
Committee of the Whole.- The Committee of the Whole,· whose
m:mdate as established by the Conference on July 14 was to debate
pnrt. I of t.hc Program of Action, the historical background and conceptual frnmework, met 21 times mainly in closed session. Its delibem tions involved the more controversml issues of the Conference:
debnt.e on the issues of Zionism, the New International Economic
Order, nnd on considerntions of feminist philosophy and sexism as
t.hey relate· t" the objectives of the U.N. Decade for Women.
jects were eventually adopted by consensus at the Conference and
reflected the extent of awareness among women throughout the world
of the range of their common problems.
·
Politics as usual is .one thing. But politicization, the deliberate
introduction of intense conflict~generating issues, rhetorical polemics,
and/or tactics is 1mother~ The potential for politicization is inherent in
the nature of the United Nations. In this respect, the Copenhagen
Conference was politicized by the inclusion of issues relating to the
unresolved Middle East situation.
The politicization of this Conference grew out of the 1979 General
Assembly's decision to add the item of Palestinian women to the
Conference agenda and to authorize the preparation of reports on
the subject. Subsequently, the Third Preparatory Committee meeting
in April 1980 considered two papers prepared by the U.N. Regional
Commission for West Mrica (ECWA), one concerned with the social
and economic needs of Palestinian women and the other with special
measures to improve the situation of Palestinian women. After considerable debate over. the accuracy and validity of the description of
Palestinian women, the Committee adopted the papers as official
Conference documents and recommended that they be submitted to
the Conference.
In response to this development, Members of Congress expressed
their grave concern that the Conference would become politicized.
Senator Daniel Pnt.rick Moynihan wrote to Deputy Secretary of
State Warren Christopher, expressing his concern and requested
the Department to insure the adequate preparation of the delegation.
Fifteen Members of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs wrote a
similar letter to Secretary of State Edmund Muskie. Subsequently,
concurrent resolutions int.roduced in both Chambers. of Congress
culled on the U.S. delegation, inter alia, to vote against any amendments or resolutions that would have the effect. of politicizing the
Conference. 1
The world political context in which the Conference took place also
increased the potential for its politicization. The Western Europeans
arrived in Copenhagen 6 weeks after their governments httd agreed
to language in the Venice summit communique that supported the
self-determination of the Palestinian people, a position that departed
from that of the United States. During the Conference in Copenhagen,
the U.N. General Assembly convened the highly politicized Emergency Session on Palestine in New York. The General Assembly also
had planned its 11th Special Session on Global Ecor:::~:..J.ic Negotiations
for August 1980 to discuss the International Development Strategy
and proposals for a new international economic order. The Islamic
Conference met in Baghdad just prior to the Copenhagen Conference.
And during the spring and summer, the Camp David negotiations
had faltered despite U.S. efforts to put them back on the track. By
midsummer, the United States, Israel, and Egypt had become more
isolated from majority world opinion on a Mtddle East settlement.
Given these tensions and conflicts in the world political arena, and
the fact that representatives of governments at U.N. Conferences and
meetings articulate official positions that reflect those conflicts, the
CoNFERENCE RESULTS
POLITICS, POLITICIZATION 1 AND MAJOR ISSUES AT THE CONFERENCE
Jnternntional women's issues are political issues. Whether the
question is providing assistance to women in developing countries,
promoting the gonls of the U.N. Decade for Women within the framewor-k of n: new international economic order, ameliorating the c.onditions of battered women unci domestic violence, limiting the exploitnt.ion of prostit,ution, or identifying measures to assist women refugees,
11 United N :ttions Conference devoted to such issues will inevitably
mirrot· tensions nnd conflicts among nation-states in the world political
nrcnn.. Official participants in such conferences represent nation-states.
The U.N. l\·1id-Decude Conference for Women was not unlike other
intcrnnt.ionnl conferences, where delegates often disagree on the nature
of an issue, its relative importance or the preferred manner of resolving
it.
Some women seck to redefh1e traditional interests of nation-states
such ns security, equality, p~nv~r, w~alt~, develop~er:tt, justice, ~nd
pence to accommodate what 1s, m the1r v1ew, the fem1mst perspective.
Not nil women seek this objective, and the feminist views held by some
do not necessarily coincide with the views of others. Thus, the fact
thnt nn int!:'rnntionnl conference is devoted to women's issues or
feminism docs not imply that a common set of views will be shared by
the delegntes.
Politics ns usunl is the stnndnrd stock in trade of U.N. Conferences.
Politics, in t.his sense, chnrncterized Conference Committee debates on
the vnst mnjority of amendments to the World Program of Action as
well ns the majority of draft resolutions, including those on refugee
women, on disappeared women, on women o.nd agricultural development, on battered women, migrn.nt women, the d1sn.bled, the elderly,
and on women in the U.N. system, and on family plnnning. Many, but
not all. of the amendments and :12 of the 48 resolutions on these sub-
'See nppcn<llx IV !or copies of correspondenr~ nnd resolutions.
�10
politicizntion of the Conference. was probabl.Y inevitable. At Copenhagen, the .debates on draft Progr~tp .of ~ct10n paragraphs 2, 5, nnd
244 in pnrt~culnr reflected such poht1ctzat10n.
.
.
Negotiatwns on amendments to part I of the Program of Act10n m
tho Committee of the Whole resulted in consensus on all but two
highly co~ tested parn:graphs .. Pa~agraph 2 c_ontained r~ft;rences to the
Mexico C1ty declaration, whtch 1tself contamed thd ongmal reference
to Zionism o.s a form of racism. Paragraph 2 also, noted the recommendations of the Conference of the Non-Aligned Countries in
Bnghdad, which ronde negative references to the Camp David negotiations. Pamgraph 5 stated that equality of participation in developing
friendly relations o.mong states would contribute to the struggle to
eliminate Zionism, racism, imperialism, colonialism, apartheid, foreign
occupation, and domination. The Committee of the Whole did not reo.ch consensus on paragraphs 2 and 5, notwithstanding the efforts of .
the "Friends of the President" and these paragraphs were forwarded
to the Conference plenary for decision. The majority of representatives,
including the Group of 77, supported the text of paragraph 2 and the
Conference adopted it on a rollcall vote. In a rollcall vote on pararaph
5, 69 nations voted in favor, 24 ngainst (the United States, lsrae , and
.
the Western Europeans), and 25 abstained.
The third parngraph in the Program of Action unacceptable to the
United States, pnrngraph· 244, stated that assistance to Palestinian
women should be provided through the U.N. nnd the Specialized
Agencies in cooperation and consultation with the Palestinian Liberation Orgonizat10n, the representative of the Pnlestininn people.
Following rigorous debate on the paragraph in Committee II of the
Conference, where it had been introduced by India on behalf of the
Group of 77, the Committee adopted it 85-4 with 22 abstentions.
Subsequently, the Conference adopted it in a separate vote: 76 in
f1tvor, 4 agninst (United States, Israel, Canada, and Australia), with 24
nbstentions.
Becnuse paragraphs 2, 5, and 244 were contrary to basic tenets of
U.S. foreign policy, the United States was required to vote against
fino! npprovnl of the entire 287-paragraph Program of Action and was
jolncd in t-his action by Canada, Australia, and Isrnel. The program
for t.hc ::;econd hnlf of _the Decade was adopted bv a vote of 94 (most
of t-he Group of 77 plus Japan) in favor, 4 against, and 22 a bsten~ions
(mninly Western European delegations).
Clearly, ·-:~;;;se votes reflected the intense conflict between the Group
of 77 nnd t.he Soviet-Arab bloc on the one hand arid the Western
not.ions on the other. However, the votes also indicated the isolation
of the United .States and Israel from their Western allies on the
Middle East situation. While the Europeans voted "with the United
Stntes nnd Isrnel in opposing the reference to Zionism in parngraph 5,
they abst~i~ed on the vote on paragraph 244 which ~all.ed for assis~an?e
to Pnles~mwn. women thrOUfS~ the p.N. !lnd Spe·cl~hz~rl Agen~tes m
cooperatwn wtth the Pnlestmwn L1berat10n Orgamzat10n, ana they·
nlso abstained on the final vote on the Program of Action.
SevernT delegations expressed outrage at the "diversion" of the
C~nference from its mmn purpose-to· discuss the inequality tJ:at
ex1sts between men nnd women and to develop a Program of Actwn
to overcome it. In Conada's view, the Conference failed to discuss
11
(women's) concerns "in anything approaching a meaningful fashion."
Rather, the Canadian delegate went on, "we have heard speakers who
prefer the comfortable ring of global political platitudes to the_ unfamiliar and perhaps threatening terrain of sexual inequality; we have
been treated to a litany of catch phrases and rhetoric used to obscure a
realistic examination of the plight of women."
A further indication that the Conference was diverted from its
major purpose was the fact that only one paragraph in the Program
of Action focused on feminism. ProEosed by New Zealand ri.nd Australia in the Committee of the Whole, it was debated at length and
eventually adopted by consensus. However, despite efforts to amend
the program to include a paragraph on "sexism," insufficient support
from Third World states, including India whose representative inquired: "What is sexism?'', relegated that concept to the status of n
footnote.
.
Politicization rather than politics as usual thus dominated the final
days of the Conference.
OTHER CONFERENCE DECISIONS
The Conference reviewed and assessed the progress made and obstacles encountered in improving the situation of women since the
197 5 Mexico City Conference. It also revised and adopted a Program
of Action for the second half of the Decade and 48 resolutions on n
range of common concerns of women worldwide. _
Apart from the three paragraphs opposed by the Uni~ed States in
the Program of Action, and a few other Euragrnphs on which the
United States expressed reservations the aocument contains many
useful guidelines for national, regionnl, and global governmental and
nongovernmental organizations to promote the situation of women
during the second half of the U.N. Decade, 1980-85. The resolutions
approved by the Conference also demonstrate the increasing scope of
common problems that women share and the wide consensus on the
need to find solutions to. those problems. The resolutions explain more
fully the meaning of equality, peace, nnd development. Resolutions
on family planning, the situation of the disabled women of all ngcs, of
elderly women, migrant women, special measures to assist young
women and to prevent abandonment of families, as well as to provide
for refu~ee women contribute to extending the concept of equality.
ResolutiOns on battered women and family violence, on the situation
of women in Chile, on exploitation of the prostitution of others, on the
situation in Bolivia, among others, enhance the meaning of peace.
RecommenButions on drought control in the Sahel, integrated approaches tot health and welfare of women, the international drinking
water supp1y and sanitation decade, women in extreme poverty,
women and nutritional self-sufficiency, women in agriculture and rurn\
arens, employment, education, and health all add to tho concept of
integrating women into development. .
·
The Copehogen recommendations _also have implications for U.N.
ngencies nod programs. They enhance the international visibility
the U.N. Commission on the Stntus of Women, the Internntionnl Rcsenrch and Trnining Institute for the Advnncement of ·women, the
U.N. Voluntnry Fund and the Specinlized Agencies in promoting Lhc
�12
st.atus of women, including increasing the employment of women in
in tcm a ti on al secretariats.
One of the roost significant achievements of the Conference was the
~ianing of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination
Against Women. Adopted by the General Assembly on December 18,
1979, after almost 10 years of preparation, the Convention is the first
comr.re!1en~ive treatY. .on womel)'S ~ig~ts .. It ~efirles the scope of sex
discrimmoJ.wn, proh1b1ts such d!scrimmatJOn m nV spheres, sets forth
responsibilities of state pnrties to undertake constitutional and
leg1slative measures to combat it, provides for equality of treatment
o(women in political, civil, economic, social, and cultural areas, and
calls for the establishment of international machinery to implement the
provisions of the Convention after it comes into force, that is, :30 days
after the 20th state has ratified it.
·
The United States was one of the 51 states that signed the Convention in the ceremony nt Copenhagen. At this writing, 83 states have
signed the Convention and 7 have ratified it.
.
·
In order for the United States to bring it into force, the Convention
must be ratified in accordance with article II, section 2 of the U.S.
Constitution which authorizes the President to mnke trenties by and
\\'iLh the consent of the Senate. On October 28, 1980, President Curter
announced his intention to send the Convention to the Senate on
November 12, 1980, for ratification.
In nddition to these Conference results, the millions of pages of
Conference dom1mentn.tion-background papers, national reports,
reports of the U.N. Specialized Agencies (ILO, UNESCO, WHO, FAO)
various U.N. progrnms (UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA) as well as of
non-U.N. governmental organizations-constitute n highly significant
benchmark on the status of women worldwide that may be expected
to provide a basis for further research on women's issues as well as
future policy initiatives and guidelines.
III. U.S. DELEGATION
The U.S. delegation, composed of 51 delegates, was the largest :
the Copenhagen Conference. This number, however, was not mord
nately larger than that from other countries. Other delegations rang<
in size from Italy's 42 delegates, Denmark's 39, 30 each from J apn
and Mexico, 25 from the U.S.S.R. and from China, to many countrit
with 5 or fewer delegates.
The U.S. delegation was cochaired by Sarah Weddington, assistm
to the President, and the Hon. Donald McHenry, U.S. Ambassador l
the United Nations, and included Representatives Barbara Mikulsl
am! Mary Rose Oakar, three congresswnal staff, 20 high-level womc
from vanous Federal agencies, representatives of 7 nation~tl women
orgtmizations and of State and local governments, n.s well as a l~tbo
union official. Four Foreign Service officers accompanied the delegatio
and served as political advisers. The U.S. Embassy in Copenhnge,
oJso provided nssistance to the delegation. 1
·
U.S.
CoNFERENcE PREPARATIONs
Coordination of preparations for U.S. participation on the U.N
Mid-Decade Conference for Women was the formal responsibility of ;
Secretariat, established for that purpose in November 1979 by th~
Under Secretary for Management of the Department of State. Th•
Secretariat was staffed by a Director, Vivian Derryck, and a Deput:assisted by 13 specialists' and 4 supfort staff loaned by various Federu
agencies. In addition, the Office o International Women's Program:
in the Bureau of International Organizations of the Department o'.
State, which since 1973 has had resl?onsibility for U.S. participation in
the United Nations and its agenCies for women's programs and f01
U.S. representation at meetings of the U.N. Commission on the Statw
of Women, had an active role representing the United States al
various U.N. preparatory meetings. The Office of Women's AfT airs af
the White House was also closely mvolved in monitoring the planning
and organization of U.S. regional preparatory meetmgs and the
selection of the delegates.
The Secretariat was responsible for organizing the selection of the
U.S. delegn.tion, preparing U;S. Conference papers and positions on
·Conference issues, publicizing the Mid-Decade Conference throughout
the UnitecP States, organizing briefin~ for the delegation, and providing support staff to the delegatwn during the Conference in
Cophenhagen.
The Secretariat staff developed criteria to select the delegation from
!t list of more than 500 candidates nominated by individuals and
groups from across the country, and submitted a list of 75 names
to the White House. Although the initial goal had been to select a
1
The complete delegation list Is Included as appendix I.
(13)
�14
24-mem ber dele~ntion, the list of delegates released by the White
House on June 12, just n month before the Conference opened, was
more than double thntsize.
A substantial portion of the Secretariat's efforts was directed toward
publicizing the Conference in the United States. It organized and mann.ged a national outreach 'program within the United States which
consisted of 8 regional conferences (5 cospontored with private
organizations), and a national conference held in Washington, D.C.
on June 11 and 12, 1980. Nearly 4,000 persons b.ttended these conferences. The purpose of this outreac~ progr~m was to provide a large
number of U.S. women the opportumty to dtscuss arid assess progress
and obstacles in meeting the goals of the Plan of Action which had
been adopted at Mexico City in 1975, to propose strategies to improve
the status of women during the second half of the U.N. Decade for
Women, and to stimulate interest in the .Conference throughout the
United States. The Secretariat' prepared and published a summary
of the U.S. meetings which, however, was not available to the U.S.
delegation until after its arrival in Copenhagen.
The Secretariat coordinated the preparation by appropriate Federal
agencies of country papers on the major subthemes of the Conference:
Women's education, employment and health, as well as other background papers on various Conference issues. These country papers
provide significant benchmnrks against which the U.S. Government
n.nd interested orgunizations cnn meusure U.S. progress toward meeting the ~onJs of the U.N. Decade for Women and formed the basis of
the offictnl U.S. nationnl report to the U.N. Mid-Decade Conference.
These papers also contributed to the Secretariat's preparation of
comparnttve surveys of the status of women in heulth, education, and
employment throughout the world which in turn were submitted us
officinl Conference documentation.
The organization of the outreach pJ'ogram and prepamtion of the
U.S. papers, the national report and U.S. position papers were essential to overall U.S. participation in the U.N. Decade for Women and
the Conference. These activities, however, seemed to have little
direct relation to the actual orientation and briefing of the U.S.
delegation in preparation for their responsibilities for the Conference.
With re,;pect to the orientation and preparation of the 51-member
delegation, the Secretariat organized three briefings. The fir8t briefing
wns held on June 12 for 1 hour prior to the second day of the
Washington National Meeting on the Mid-Decode Conferen·ce for
Women. At that briefing, the Secretariat provided members of the
delegation that were present with copies of country papers and available Conference documentation. At the second briefing on June 21,
State Department officials discussed the results of the U.N. re~ional
meetings, U.N. processes and procedures and some of the logistical
aspects of the Conference (hotel reservations, .transportation, mail
delivery, etc.) During a final briefing on July 11, the afternoon preceding the departure of most of the delegation ·for Copenhagen,
officials of Federal agencies discussed the major conclusions of their
respective country papers on health, education, and employment, and
State Department officials discussed major U.S. foreign policy positions on critical Conference issues. In cooperation with the White
House, the U.S. Secretariat arranged for the delegation to visit the
16
White House for an official photograph and the announcement of t
President's decision that the United States would sign the Conve
. tion on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
The three Department of State briefings-the most importn
specific Conference preparations for the delegnti-::n-were more th:
the usual number of briefings provided by the Department of State f
public delegations to international conferences. However, not :
members of the delegation were able to attend· all Of the briefinf
Although many delegation members located in the Washington ar
attended two or three briefings, those who lived outside the W ashin
ton area were ·unable for financial or other reasons to attend all
them. Notably, the Department of State's budget for internation
conferences does not provide for reimbursing members of delegatio
for their expenses to and from Washington to participate in tl
briefings.
Alt.hough many members of the delegation were politically sophi
ticated, many had never attenderl a U.N. or other Internatwn
Conference and felt that their individual participation and cont1
butions could have been more effective hnd they been better informr
on such matters as U.N. Conference processes and procedures.
One or more intensive briefings, perhaps in fl. weekend notre:
situation, sponsored by the Department of State and other !Lppr·
priate ngencies for all members of the dele~ation might provide
the future an opportunity for more in-deptn discussion and undc
st!Lnding of the international political dynamics of such a Conferenc
Conference process and procedure, and responsibilities of the ii
dividual members of the delegation. Such briefings, with an oppo
tunity for role-playing of conference-related scenarios, would facilita
an understandmg of the important role of U.S. delegations to sm
conferences as well as individual member tasks, and could promo1
improved political understanding. In addition, national women
organizations and other public affairs groups might usefully develo
short-term courses or progrnms on U.N. Conference process an
procedures in conjunction with particular U.N. issues that they ron
be currently studying.
·
·
A serious omission from U.S. Conference prep!Lration was the lac
of advance preparation of draft statements and amendments to tb
draft Program of Action. For example, draft amendments to tt
Program of Action as well as U.S. resolutions could have been prepare
and considered more thoroughly in W ashin"'ton, where useful ref e.
ences and resources would huve been nvriilab1e, than they were und(
severe t.irve constraints in Copenhagen. Likewise, advance prepn.ratio
of draft statements for plenary and Conference committees woul
have facijitn.ted the work of the delegation and reduced the cab:
traffic between Washington and Copenhagen.
DELEGATION
ORGANIZATION
AND
.PERFORMANCE
AT
CorENHAOE
Various efforts were made to organize and manage the· delegatio
nnd U.S. activity in the Conference. First, regular delegation meetin~'
were held every morning to review briefly the status of Conferen('
activities nnd to provide an opportunity to discuss upcoming issue:
Second, certain members of the delegn,tion were assigned responsibilit.
�17
16
for following the work of the plenary and each of the three Conference
Committees and other members were assigned to assist them. Third,
interested members were asked to contact representatives of delegations from p~rtictilar regional .areas, although ~pacific restrictions
ngninst contnctmg some tlelegatwns were also g1Ven. Fourth, two
delegation members were assigned to provide li(tison with nongovernmental organizations and other members organized afternoon
press conferences at the Conference center. Fifth, some delegates
were nsked to manage particular tasks, e.g., taking notes on the
Conference plenary and committee meetings, drafting amendments
resolutions and or statements for U.S. Representatives to give
in each Committee of the Conference. The four Foreign Service
officers who accompanied the delegation assumed responsibility
for drnfting cn.bles to tho Department of State in Washington.
Despite these efforts, several problems developed. First, a number
of members of the delegation were unclear as to their actual function
within the delegation and how that function fit into the larger scheme
of clelcgntion organization. Second, the confusion over who was responsible for whnt was compounded by the overriding sense of urgency to
produce amendments, resolutions, stntements, and positions under
severe time constraints as well ns by the size of the delegation and the
1mfamiliarity of many dele~ates with U.N. Conference procedure and
process. Thu·d, the expertise of a number of delegates was not fully
utilized. Understandably, many women politically sophisticated on
domestic affn.irs felt that they should have been g1ven some or more
responsibility for formulating nnd implementing U.S. foreign policy
initiatives in the Conference. At the same time, those with foreign
policy expertise were not adequately utilized.
It 1s possible that better delegation planning, leadership, and coordination could have resulted in greater success for U.S. positions and in
the adoptiou of less strident langunge in the Program of Action.
Mnny problems of the delegation's organization were due to the
fnct t.hat the lendership of the delegation was not as effect.ive ns it
could have been. Ambassador McHenry attended only 2 days of
the Conference. Presidential Assistant Weddington, who was the active
head of the delegation, had limited experience in foreign policy and
internationnl conferences nnd appeared to be more interested in domesreaction thnn in the impact of the delegation on the outcome of
the Conference. ~n addition, communication on some key issues and
positions between the leadership and other members of the delegation
wns limited and a clenr chnin of command was frequently lucking. For
exnmple, some delegates assigned to make c~mtuct with other deleg.ations were not nlwuys clearly advised about U.S. negotinting positJons on cert.nin issues nnd wen~ unclear about channels through which
the.Y could report on contacts they made. Some delegates who were
assigned to tnke notes on the debates on Committee sessions were not
requested to submit their notes to the delegation leadership. And,
delegates assigned to prepare amendments to the draft Program of
Action were not aware of a "U.S. strategy to load the agenda with
many noncontroversial amendments," as the post-Conference Deportment of Stnte briefing indicated.
Notwithstanding these nnd other rroblems, it was significant that
most, if not nll of the members o the delegation pn1·ticipated in
numerous ad hoc meetings as well as in delegation meetings to draft
amendments to the World Program of Actwn and to prepare and
discuss resolutions that the Umted States wanted to in1tiate or cosponsor. In the latter regard, the delesation invited NGO's to contribute to preparing resolutions. In add1tion, ad hoc groups formed to
prepare statements for representatives to give in plenary and Committee meetings.
A major delegation activity which appeared to be the most successful and best organized was liaison with the nonsovernmentul
organization representatives who were participating m the· NGO
Forum or attending the official conference us accredited observers.
Members of the official delegation attended forum sessions and conducted regular evening briefings to advise N GO representatives of
developments in. the official conference.
U.S.
...
INITIATIVES AT THE CONFERENCE
Although there has been much criticism of the outcome of the MidDecade Conference and of the ability of the U.S. delegation to affect
that outcome, the results of initiatives by the United States were
substantially positive.
Actions at the Copenhagen Conference marked a departure from
the traditional U.S. role in United Nations fora. In too many international, and particularly U.N. Conferences, the U.S. role has been
primarily one of damage limitation-reaction to what other nations
or groups have proposed and efforts to reduce the deleterious effects
of ~u.ch propo~a~s: 1\lthough some defensive actions were nece.ssary-,
pos1t1ve U.S. m1tiat1ves were ·the rule rather than the exceptiOn m
the U.S. strategy at Copenhagen. Five of the six resolutions introduced by the United States were adopted as were numerous U.S.
amendments to. the Program of Action. Many developing nntions
demonstrated a willingness to cosponsor these initiatives.
The record of success of these initiatives reflects a mutuality of
concern between the United States and many developing nations in
contrast to the often accentuated differences between the United
States and the developing world. These successes should encourage
future U.S. delegations to undertake positive initiatives which cn,n
serve the dual purpose of addressing critical worlri problems and
enhancing the image of the United States.
Perhaps the major resolution introduced by the United St.ntes and
ndopted by the Conference was one dealing with women refugees .
Prior to the Conference, little attention had been given to the fnct
that the majority of the world's refugees-an estimated 70 percentare women and children and that their special needs had not been
adequately r:onsidered. Because of the U.S. record of len,dership in
assisting refugees, both financially and in resettlement, the delegation
was in a strong position to initiate such a proposal.
The United Stn tes addressed this problem of refugee women in a
resolution and in a series of amendments to the Progrnm of Action thnt
strengthened guidelines for U.N. members in dealing with refugee
women and children. Both efforts focused necessary worldwide
attention on the long-term international problem of refugees.
!
�18
The U.S.-sponsored resolution on women. refugees called on all
rintions. to share the burd~n of ~efugee. assistance, to promo~e t.he
protect1<'m of women and children m partiCular, and to brmg to rustiCe
those who abuse refugees. The resolution also urged the U.N. High
Commissioner for Refugees (UNHOR) and other concerned organizations to support the implementation of the UNHCR's mandate
and to estabhsh programs on health, education, employment, nutrition, and family planning ~well as resettlement and family reunifica·
tion to meet the needs of d1splaced and refugee worhen.
A second U.S. initiative focused on the desperate need in many
parts of the world for safe drinking water supplies and improved
sanitation. This resolution encouraged U.N. member states and
international organizations to promote the aims of the U;N. Decade on
Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, urged them to commit funds
to these aims ond called on them to. promote full participation of
'women in the planning, implementation, and application of technology
for water supply projects, and urged the U.N. Development Program
us coord1nntor of the U.N. Water Decade to review the extent to which
women participate in such water supply projects. This resolution,
adopted by consensus with numerous cosponsors, was commended us
n model conference approach to specific Issues of concern to women.
A third U.S. initiative focused on the problem of battered women
and fnmily violence. The U.S.-sponsored resolution requested the
Secretary General of the United Nations and relevant U.N. ugencies
to prepare a study on the extent and types of physicrtl, sexual, and
other forms of abuse in families and institutions and on the availability and t~se of resources for addressing the problem. It also requested
that this study be submitted to the 29th session of the U_.N Commission
on the St.rrtus of Women and urged governments to establish family
courts staffed with exyerts on family violence and to adopt measures
to protect victims o such violence. The resolution was adopted
.
..
unrmimously.
Another major U.S. initiative was a resolution on women nnd
discrimination bnsed'on race. The U.S. delegation as well rrs numerous
nongovernmental organizations unanimously supported the introduction of a resolution that recognized the dual burden of discrimination based on race nnd sex. The U.S. resolution culled on the United
N ntions nnd its Specirrlized Agencies to tuke positive steps to overcome
t~is dual bmden nnd urged U.N. member states. to give special constdcrn.tion to eliminntin~ such discrimination in their development
progrnms rrnd other activities. Unfortunately-although perhaps not
surpri~ingly-other states nmended the resolution to include lrrngunge
offensiVe lo the United States, such as the references to Zionism and
t.he Declrrmtion of Mexico. The Unit-ed States, therefore, withdrew
the resolu.tion, which ~vns subsequently reintroduced .by Angola with
the offensive langunge mcluded. A U.S. propo~al to stnke the language
. wns then dcfented by only t";o votes. Thts unusually close vote
d?m~ns.trnt~d the. existence of widespread concern for the issue of
dtscrlmmutwn ugamst women based on race, o. concern which appeared
to transcend immedio.te political pressures of the Conference. The
Angolrrn resolution was eventunlly adopted with 78 in favor, 3 opposed
(the Federal Republic of Germany, the UK, and the United States),
nnd ~9 ubst.entions. The United States was obliged to vote aguinst
19
udoption of the resolution because of the references which hrrd been
added which were contrary to U.S. foreign policy interests. Nevertheless, the fact of U.S. willingness to introduce the resolution, the first
time the United States has introduced a resolution on race at a U.N.
Conference, and the verystrong support for the U.S. position gave the
U.S. delegution cause to.claim 11 moral victory.
.
The U.S. delegation worked with t.he represent11tive of 11 number
of other. states on other initiatives. For instance, the delegrrtion worked
closely with Egypt and Barbados on a resolution concerning women
in ngriculture and rural are11s. The resolution, which w.11s adopted by
consensus, called on governments to give special attention to the needs
of rural women, including their education, their involvement in rural
development projects, and· their equal access to lund.
.
·
The United States also consulted with Australia und several Western European countries on a resolution on the coordination of \vomen's
issues within the United Nations system. This resolution recognized
the need· to strengthen the capacity of the U.N. system to coordinate
rrnd address women's issues adequo.tely and called upon the Secreto.ry
General and the heads of the Specialized Agencies to consider the
implications of the Program of Action on their agencies and to report
to the 35th General Assembly on what arrangements should be mrrde
to coordinate, monitor, and evaluate the program.
·
Besides these initiatives, the United States proposed a number of
amendments to parts I, II, and III of the draft Progro.m of Actwn.
These amendments served a dual purpose: First, they reflected the
interest of the United States in helping to moderate more strident
amendments to the program and, second, they strengthened provisions
of the program which the delegation believed deserved greater
emphasis.
·
In this regard, U.S. amendments to the program regarding women
refu~ees, equul educational opportunities, enforcement of laws promotmg und guaranteeing equal rights, and the full participation of
women in ull efforts to promote and maintain peace are to be noted:
This record of success was achieved despite, rather· than because of,
preplanning on the part of the delegation or the administro.tion.
Although one important pre-Conference initio.tive was President
Carter's decision. to sign the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, only two of the other U.S. initiativesthe resolution on women refugees and on wnter·supply-were considered prior to the delegation's departure for Copenhagen. Because
delegation members had no opportunity to discuss beforehand
possible amendments and/or resolutions to be initiated at the Conference, thd drnfting of amendments and resolutions had to be done at
the Conferynce in Copenhagen under severe time constraints. Notwithstanding these limitations, the. record of the adoption by the
Conference of U.S. amendments and resolutions wns fuvorn.ble, except
for three provisions relatint;; to the situation in the Middle East that
hnve been discussed earlier m this report. The final Progmm of Action
in general reflected more fully U.S. policies and priorities than the
draft progmm that ho.d been submitted to the Conference.
�21
IV. NGO FORUM
I
Becnuse women's nongovernmental organizations hnve traclitionnlly been active on international issues and \Jecause of the precedent of the Mexico City Tribune in 1975, the Conference of NonGovernmental Organizations nt U.N. Headquarters in New York
decided in 1979 to convene n nongovernmentnl forum durin~ the
official Conference of Governments m Copenhagen to provide mterest.ed N GO's and individuals an opportumty to discuss issues of common interest. Organized by a 32 member volunteer planning committee under the leadership of Elizabeth Palmer, the forum met from
,July 14 to 24 at the Amager Center, a branch campus of the University
of Copenhagen near the Bella Center. Over 8,000 participnnts from
128 countries attended the forum.
The Planning Committee raised $470,000 from 11 governments
(including tho United Stntes), 1 foundation, 3 compnnies nnd several
individun.Js to finance the NGO forum. A grnnt from the Agency
for International Development to the International YWCA, the
Oversens Education Fund of the League of Women Voters, and the
National Council of Negro Women enabled those organizations to
support the participation of women from developing countries
the NGO forum.
The forum sponsored over 150 workshops and panel discussions a
day on n wide variety of subjects related to the Conference themes of
equality, development, and peace, on issues such as racism, sexism, .
women's access to credit and employment, organization of family
planning programs, npproprinte technology, specinl problems of elderly
women, fnmily violence, women's studies, women in science and the
arts, and trade union orgnnizntion and membership. It nlso provided
daily briefings for interested participants on Conference nctivities.
The N G 0 Forum Press Office published n daily newspnper, Forum
80, nnd distributed it nt the forum as well as the Conference. Becnuse
of its limited budget, the forum could only afford simultaneous
t.ranslntion for 2 of the 600 meeting rooms. Most of the sessions
were conducted in English with translation into other languages provided by volunteers. The Forum newspaper, also published in English,
cnrried some nrticles in French and Spanish.
The forum exemplified the benefits thnt cnn be nchieved by volunteers operating on n limited budget. Through its workshops and pnnels,
t.hc forum offered nn opportumty for greater in-depth consideration
of specific women's issues thnn the official Conference. Not surprisingly,
in some of its sessions, forum pnrticipnnts confronted each other with
some of the same politicnl issues that the Conference denlt with. For
instnnce, representntives and supporters of the PLO attempted to
dominntc several sessions on the situation on the Middle East nnd a
number of pnrt.icipnnts orgnnized n demonstrntion ngninst the militnry
(20)
coup in Bolivin. Yet, the workshops, briefings, and informal corri•
discussions significantly contributed to building and extend
women's networks on a full range of women's concerns.
Mnny forum participants from the United States attended the regt<
U.S. delegation NGO briefings on the Conference and were encourn1
to submit proposals for U.S.-sponsored resolutions. In spite of
hectic, confused atmosphere that frequently surrounded the Conferen
there appeared to be general satisfnction with communication betw•
the officinl U.S. delegation and U.S. forum particifants. The gren
frustration, in fact may, have been that schedules o many memben
the official deleg-ation were too full to permit them to attend the fort
sessions in which they had particular interests, rather than tl
forum participants felt excluded from the official Conference.
�23
22
natrd with any new world devrlopment stmtcgy tha! .... ay be formul:ttt><l. Tlw EconoJnic and Social Cotmcil should review tlw findings of
:L systen~atie evaluation with tl1e aim of makin~, wlwncver nreessary,
appmpriatc modifieations of the Plan's goals and rceomnJendatinns.
Tlw Plan a:lso suggested thnt tt·ends and policies ,·elating to women
and rclevnnt to t.he Plan of Action should be umlcrtaken continuous! y
as a specializ.ed activity of the United Nnt.ions. At tlw regional lev<'l,
thn Plan suggests that rc-~ional commissions should hnvf\ responsihi I it.v for monitoring pmgress towards ~renter aml more elfecti ve
pa1·tieipnt.ion of women in all nspcds of development nfforts. Nationally, Governments should umlc~rt-a.ke their own rc~ular review and
appr·aisal of pmgt·css mndc in ac·hieving the Plan's goals and report to
t.he Economic and Social Council.
MASS COMJIIUNI\.ATION l\fEniA
Thr. Pian states thnt the med in r.ou ld rxHcisc a si~n i ficn nt i nflucnce
in Jwlping to rcmovf\ pr·ejucliccs nnd_ sf<'J'COtJ:P~'S, :H'('I'l<~raling the
arc<~ptancr of worntm's llf\W nnd cxpan<Ir.n~ roles 111 soc1dy nml prmnotin.r their intf\grat.ion into t.hr. development proct~ss ns equal pnl'ltWJ~.
pt•esPnt, j(. says, the media ft~l!d to t·ein force tTftd ition:i'l alt. it tides,
ofl<'ll portrnyin~ an image of ~vomcn that is degrn1ling: and hnmilintj11.,, nnd fail to reflect. the chnn~ing role of tlw sex<'s. The nH'dia mny
nl;;;l lmv<\ h:mnful effects in imposin~ nlicn cultures upon diffrr·cnt
soCirties. Those in control of the media should be lll'g<~d to pm_jed
:1 morc dynnmie ima~e of women (ns wpJI ns of men) aJHl to take into
account the diversity of women's J'Oit>s nnd their· nctnnl and potrntial
contribution to soc.icty, !lC(~ordin[~ to the Plan. 1t ur~es that a gn'.atc1·
number of women b<>. appointed to mcdin. _mnnn~emcnt and dccisionmakin" positions and to such positions u.s columnists, r<>portHs and
produ~~rs, nnd that t.hey enconl'!lgc t.he critical review, within the
nmdia, of the image of women pt·ojccted •
.,
.
:\ r
INTERNATIONAl, AND REGIONAL ACTION
lnte?'t~ational m.ea.~m·e8.-The Plan states that the Uitited Nations
should prodaim the decade 1075-1985 as the United Nations Deeadr
for \Vorne.n and l>ewlopmcnt. to insure that nationalnnd intrrnat.ional
:wtion will he sustained throughout. thnt pC\I·iod. Orgnni7.ations of the
United Nat ions should rvnluatc what has hccn done to i!llprovc the
slatus of women and cnhnncc t.ht>.ir eontribntion to dcvelop111rnt and
identify the measnr<'s needed to implemcnt.the Plan. The Plan calls
for the full involvement of women in policy-mal<in~ at the intemat.ional hwel ns well ns the national level. Oovemmenls nrc asked to
insum that women arc (!qnit.ably represented nnJong the principal dcle~ntes at international meetings including those d<>aling with politi<'al
and leg~tl f!llestions, economic ancl social development., disa rmnmcnt,
pl:uining, administmtion nnd finance, science nnd technology, environment and population. Secretariats of intemational orgnni7.ations
shonlcl act to insure an N]llitnble balance between men and wonw11 staff
members before thf\ end of the Second Development. Decnde of 19RO.
Hrrtimwl action.-The Unit.ed Nntions re~10nal commissions nn~
asked to stimulate interest in the Plan nnd pt·ovide nntional Oovc.rnnwnis nnd non-govr.rnmentnl orgnnizations with th<' t.echnienl and
in fm·mul imml sn pport thf\y need to dGvclop stratr.gies to fu rthcr the
Plan's ob_iectives in t.hc vnrions re~ions. The r<•gionnl d<~,·elopment.
hnnks, sub-J·pgional bnnl{s nnd hilatm·n:l funding agencies should he
:tslwcl to g:i~(\ high prior·it.y in tlwir dev<;lopmrnt nid to projects thnt.
llldmlc tlw mtegmt ion of wollJCJJ into the devPlopment. dl'ort. and the
ach ievcment. of B<IUality.
REVIEW AND APPRAISAL
To gau~c its impnct., the Plnn calls for n comprehensive nnd thorough review and nppntisal of progress made in meeting its ~oals, to
h(•. undt~r·tal<en nt mgul:u· intr1·vals by the UnitNl Nations syst(~Jll. That
exercise, says the Plan, should be pait of the proceunr<>s foi· measurin~
pm~rcss mndt\ in t.he Second Development. Decade und closely coordi-
I
�APPENDIX I
MEMBERS OF THE U.S. DELEGATION TO THE U.N. WoRLD CoNFERENCE
OF THE U.N. DECADE FOR WOMEN, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK,
JULY, 1980
UNITED STATES DELEGATION
CQ-HEADS 01" DELEGATION
Hon. Dona•ld F. McHenry, Ambassndor, Permanent U.S. Representative to the
U.N.
.
Hon. Sarah Weddington, Assistant to the President.
REPRESENT ATIVEB
Vivian Lowery Derryck, Director, U.S. Secretariat for the World Conference of
the U.N. Decade for Women, Department of State.
·
Arvonne Fraser, Coordinator, Women in Development, Agency for International
Development.
Alexis Herman, Director, Women's Bureau, Department of Labor.
Koryne Horbal, U.S. Commissioner to the U.N. Commission on the Stntos of
Women.
·
Sarah Power, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Internntlon·nl Organization
Affairs, Department of State.
SPECIAL AMBASSADORIAL ADVISER
Hon. Warren D. Mansbel, Ambassador to-Denmark.
CONGRESSIONAL .,_DVISERS
Hon. Barbara Mikulski, U.S. House of Representatives.
Hon. Mary Rose Oakar, U.S. House of Representatives.
CONGRESSIONAL 8TAF1" ADVISERS
Maura Corrigan, Assistant to Representative Oaknr.
Margaret E. Galey, Staff Consultant, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House
of Representatives.
Margaret Goodman, Staff Consultant, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S. House
of Representatives.
Ann Lewis, Assistnnt to Representative Mikulski.
.Jnnenn L. Mann, Minority StntT Consultant, Committee on Foreign Affairs, U.S.
House of Represen ta t1 ves.
ADVISERS
Virginia Alfan, Special Assistant for Women's Studies, Dean of the Graduate
School of.,Arts and Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.
Ingrid Fnbtfe Haner, Clerk-Typist. Depart.uient of Social and Health Services.
Friday Harbor, Washington.
l\Jary Bitterman', Director, Voice of America, U.S. International Communication
Agency.
Barbara Blum, Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection Agency.
Kathy Cade, Special Assistant to Ms. Carter.
Blandina Cnrdenes-Ramirez, Member-Designate, U.S. Commission on Civil
Rights.
·
David Cardwell, U.S. Mission to the U.N.
(23)
�25
24
Liz Carpenter, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Department of Education.
Margaret Carpenter, Office of Coordinator for J«!fu~ree Affairs, Department of
State .
.Judy Carter, Writer.
Marjorie Bell Chambers, President's Advisory Committee on Women.
Nicholas .W. Danforth, Education and Training Specialist, Westinghouse Health
Systems.
Susan Kunltoml Embrey, Chairperson, I..<ls Angeles Cfty Commission on the
Status of Women.
Si><ter Isollna Ferre, Social Worker, Puerto Rico.
Eunire Fiorito, Special Assistant to the Commissioner, 1l«!habilitatlon Services
Administration, Department of HeaUb aud Human Services.
Barbara Good, Director, International \Vomen's Programs, Department of State.
·Mary A. Grefe, President, American Asso-ciation of University Women.
Ahigall Havens, Assistant to Ms. Weddington.
Dorothy Height, President, National Council of Negro Women.
Barbara Herz, Senior Adviser for Human Resources. International Development
Cooperation Agency.
Ruth .T. Hinerfeld, President, League of Women Voters.
Arthur H. Hughes, Counselor of Embassy, American Embassy, Copenhagen.
Perdita Huston, Regional Director, Peace Corps.
llfary King, Deputy Director, ACTION.
.John Krien!ller, U.S. Mission to UNESCO, Paris.
< )!leRRil Komer. International Vice-President, United Auto Workers.
Esther R Landa. Immediate Past President, National Council of .Jewish Women.
l..illian Levy, Press Officer, U.S. Secretariat for the World Conference of the U.N.
Decade for Women.
l\Inry W. K Nntnni, President, North American Indian Women's As.<;ociation.
Be:: Peterson, .T onrnnlist.
Phillips. Political Officer, U.S. Secretariat for the World Conference of the
~.Decade for 'Vomen.
Vel Phillips, Secretary of State, Wisconsin.
Maureen Rafferty, Health Education Associates, Pnbllc Health Center No. 5,
California.
Lyndn Johnson Robb, Chairperson, President's Advisory Committee on Women.
Deidre Rynn, Public Affnir.s COUJ1Selor, American Embassy, Copenhagen.
Snnn ·shtnsel, Department of Justice.
Homa St<'wnrt, Director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Health
Human Ser\'lces.
'
Csann<l Tolh, Bureau of International Organization Affairs, Department of State.
Aune B. Turpenu, Co-Chairperson, Continuing Committee of the National
"'omen·~ Conference.
Maureen Whalen, Deputy Director, U.S. Secretariat for the World Conference
of t.he !7.:\'. Decade for Women.
APPENDIX II
UoNvr~NTION ox THE ELnnNATION Ot' ALL FoRMS OF DJscnnuNATIO~
AGAINST \VoMEN
'The Gtatf)'s Parties to the present
Conv~nt~~_Q,
tloti.nr: that the ChArtE-r of the United 1\iat-ions reaffirms faith in fundamentHl
hurtan rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equul rir.;hts
of men and women,
.
Notinr. thn.t. t.he tJniv~rsal Declnrlltion of Humnn Rir,hts affirms thr:
or t,h;;-Tnndmirt!lihility of rtiscriminntion nnd proclaims that all humnn
.
born l'rt'e o.nd equal in dignit.V and rights and thnt
is· ~ntitled to all t.he
rights and free-dons set forth therein~ withm't
of any kind includine; ·
distinction baser! on sex,
NotinP- t.hat State~ Parties to the Internfltional .:ovP.Mtnt on Hur,;an ~ip:hts
hnve the nhli~ation to secure the equnl ri~?hts of men and "'*cmen to en,Joy all
economi~, social, cultural, eiv'il A.nd poli.tica.l rir:hts,
ConsiderinR the international convent,ions concluded under the auspices of
the U~-~ns and the specialized nett"ncies promoting equality or rights of
men Anct 'l.lomen,
.~~~~~~the resolution~,
thC'
m:::n and 'WGnCn,
declnrations anr1 ·rccommenrlationn adopted by
nnd the specialized agencies pro!Tlotin!S. equa1ity or rip;hts of
Concerned~ hovever, that despite these variOIJ!:di:;crininntion nK:uinst uomen continues to exist
instrum~:-nts
?xten!"'.ive
Rccallintt thnt discrimination a.{!~inst vomen vlolates the principle:; of
e(]W\lily of rie;ht;; nnd rrspeet for human dip;nity, is an obst;_tcle to U1f.:
pnrt.icipa.t.ion of vomcn, on er"!unl terms vith men, in the political, social, economic
n.nd cultur~l life cf their countri~?s\ hampers the ~rovth of the _prosperitY of
and 'the family~ and makes wor·e difficult the full devcloprn~nt of
ities or vomen in the· service or their countries and of humlinity,
Concerned th:,t in situntions. of roverty vomcn have the Lt:ast' acccns to food 1
hcnlt.h, cduc1~tion. traininr. and opportunities for employment and ·<?ther needs,
Convinced that the estA.blishmcnt or the new international economic order based
on !J'ltl"i ty ,;;:;r-J us tiee "'i 11 coritr ibute s i e:ni ri cuntly_ to"arCs the promotion of
equality between men and vomen,
·
�26
that the eradic~tion of apartheid, of all forms of racism. racial
, coloninlism, neo-colonialism, a~.cression) foreilln occupation and
dominntion Rnd interference in t.he internal affairs of States is essential to the
full cn.joymcnt of the rights of men and uomen,
27
~~~~!~c~
Affirminp,: that the strengtheninc of international peace and security,
rclnxnt.ion of international tension, mutual co-operation amonR all States
irre~p~ctive of their social end economic systems, 8eneral fnd complete disarmament
nnd in pnrticular nucleAr disarmament under strict and effective internationnl
control, the affirmA.tion of the principles of JusticC', ertuality and mutual benefit
in relations arrong countries, and the realization of the riltht of peoples under
nli(lln nnd colonial dominntion and foreign occupation to self-determination end
independence ns vell as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity
\/ill promote social proF;ress and development and as a consequence will contribute to
the Pltainment of full equality betveen men and vomen,
Article 2
Gtnte~ Pttrti~s conderr.n discrimination anal.n~t '. omc-r' in all its forns
a,c:rcc tu
pursuel by 1111 npproprint.e mean~ and without delay, a colicv of r:lirdno.tin{'.
tlir.crirninati'?n nr..ainst women nnd, to this en1, undertake:
1
{a} To embody the principle of the eouality or men nnd women i.n thti
notional Constitutions or other appropri::tte le~,isl.:J.tion if not y~t incorf!Ornted
therein. anrJ to ensure, throu,rrh lAY anrl other appr6pri3.tP.< means, the oractical
rcttl i z.ation of this principl~:
(b) To adopt apnropri~te legislative ond other measures, includin(T :;ancvions
Hhcre nppropriatP., prohibitin'! all discrimination a.Rainst women;
{c) To est!iblish lec;o.l protection of the riahts of >Jonen on nn Cf)unl lwsi!:i
men nnd to ensure throueh '~ompetent national tribunols and other
institutions the effective pr?tcction of HoMen aq.ainst any act of
Hi Lh
Convinced that the full anti complete develottnent of a country, the 'Jel fnre of
the wcirl<IU."rld-thP. cause of !)eace reo"uire the maximurt participation of women on equal
terms with men in all fields,
·
·
BearinR in mind the ~rent contribution of women to .the velfare of the family
iind to the development ·Of society t so far not fully recognized, the social
sir.ni ficanc'e of maternity and the role of both pnrents in the family and in the
upbrinp.intt of children) and aware that the role of women in procreation should not
he a hasis for discrimination but that the upbringing of children reouires e. sharint)
·of responsibility bctvecn m~ri ant'\ vomen and society as a whole,
Aware thnt A. chan~e in the traditional role of men as vell as the role of
IJOm~nTnSocicty and in the family is needed to achieve full equality between men
o.nd 'mn<:'n,
Oetermincd to imnlcmcnt the principles set forth in the Declaration on the
T:'liminntion of.niscriminA.t:ion 6':':~inst WoT'I\en and, for that purJX)se. to adopt the
measureG ref!Uired for the elimination Of SUCh discrimination in all its forms and
mani f('r.tA.tiom;,
Have. ar.rced on the follovi ng:
PART I
Article 1
(ti) To refrain from enrasinp in any 11ct or practice of discrimination nf)uinst
vomen and to ensure that public authorities and institutions sho.ll act in
conformitv Hith this oblil!ation·.
(e) To tal•e all a.ptlropriate measures to elil"'i.nate discrimination a,-;uinst
""omen by any person) orr:anization or enterprise:
(f) To take all appropriate measures~ inclwHr.r; legisla~ion, to mo~if'y or
abolish existine: lo.ws, reeulAtions, customs and practices vhich constitute
discrimination a~ainst ~-1omen·.
(r.) To reoeal all nettional penal t;>rovisions Yhich constitnte di3c:rioint:tion
a,>ja ins t vomen.
Article 3
States Parties shell take in all fields, in particular in the poli tical 1
socinl, economic and cultural fields) all A.ppropriate measures, inclutiinp,
h:r,islation, to ensure the full development and advancement of women~ for the
purpose of t~uarnnteeinc; them the exercise o.nd enjoyment of human rir.hts and
rundamentnl freedoms on a basis of equality with men.
.,
•v
Article 4
For the. !1Urt:Qses of the present -Convention, the term !)discrimination aF,ainst
Homen~ shAll mean any distinction,. exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex
1.,1hich hns t..he P.'ffect or purpose of impairin~ or nullifyinr the- rccop,r.ition,
mf:nt
exercise by H·omen, irrespective of their marital status, on n basis or
it.~r or nen and HOfTl.en, of humnn rif{hts and func:t.amental freedoms in the
politic~l, r~conomic, sociaL, culturalt civil or o.ny other field.
.,r
1.
Adoption by States Parties of temporary special measures aimed at
acceleratinc, de racto equality bet>Jeen rnen and women shall not be considered
rliscriminA.tio~ined in this Convention, but shall in no way entail, as a
coM;coucnce, the maintenance of unequal or ser:>arate standards:- these measures shall
be di~continued Nhcn the obJectives of equality of rJp!'_X)rtunity and treatment have
been achieved.
�29
28
2.
/\do pt. ion by States Parties of special measures, includin~ those mc11sures
cunto.incd .in t-he present Convention, aimtd at protectinr mnternity, shall not be
cons idcrt'rt discriminn toiy,
·
Article /!,
States· Parties shall taJte .llll a~propril'.te mC'nsures to ensure to vomcn on eawtl
· tt:'rrr.s ""ith men and 1 without A.ny rHscrimination, the upportunity t.o represent t.hf!ir
Governments ut the intcrnn.tionnl level a.nd to pnrt.icipnte in the w0rk of
international organizations.
Article 5
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures:
Article 9
I
(a.) To modify the social and ~ul turnl patterns of conduct of men and vomen,
. . . ith u vie.., to achieving the elimination of prejudices ant:! customary and all other
practices uhich are based ·on the {deO. of the inferiority or the superiority of
cit.her of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and YOmen·.
{b) To ensure t.hat family education includes a proper understandinR of
maternity as a social function and the recognition of the common responsibility of
:nen and women in the upbrinttinp. and deVelopment of their children,, it beine ·
unrlerstood thtLt the interest of the children is the prinDrdia.l consideration in all
cases.
1.
States Parties shall p,rant . . . omen cqunl rights \.Ji th men to a.cqui re, change
or retain their nationality. They ·shall ensure ·in particular that neither marrio.F:;e
to an ~lien nor change of nationality by the husband durin~ marriaee ~hall
uut.omaticnlly chan~e the n:1tionality of the "rife, render her stateless or force upon
hC'r the nntionnlity of the husba~d.
2.
States rarti~s shall r.rant Yemen eo.ual rir,hts 'w'ith men \olith :-cspect Lo the
nationaJ ity of the~ir children.
PAH'l' II I
Articl~
Article 10
States f'o.rties shall take all a!lpropriate measures, incl~dinv. le~islation, to
~uppri?SS n11 forms of trflffic in vomen nnd exploitation of prostitution of vomen·.
PART II
Article 7
(a) 'fo vote in all elections and public referenda and to be eligible for
election to all publicly elected bodies~
{bl
ut. :1ll
'I'o flRrticipat~ in the roriTlulation of government policy anrl the
lev~?ls
(c)
th~reof
and to hold public orrice and perform nll public functions
of ttovernment·
To p:trticip0te in
non-:-~ovcrnmental o:t:"~anizations an~.
conc-:-rncct wit.h the public and political life
or
Pnrties.shall take all appropriate meaoures to eliminate dincriminntion
nr.;uin.:.t vomen in order to ensur(l to them equal rir:hts Hith men in the field or
educntion and in pnrt.iculer to em;ure, on a basis o(" equality of men and women:
(n.) The sa"'le corlditions for career ond vocational guidance) for access to
studies nnd for thP. achievem~nt of diplom:ts in educational ~stab) isr.ment.s or nll
in rural as vell as in urban nreas· this eo.uality shall be ensured in
pre-school; generall technical, professional and higher technical education~ ns
vell as in all types of vocational trE".ininr.~
cntc~;or:ics
Stutes Parties shall taJ~:e ell appropriate measures ·to eliminate discrimination
neninst vomen in.the ',POlitical and public life of the country and, in particular.
:.ludl ensure, on equal terms with men, the riflht:
impll.':rr.cntntion
S~ates
the country,
associn.tions
(b) Access lo the sa~e curricula, the same examinations? tenchin~ staff Yith
qualifications of the s~c standard ann school premises and enuipment of th~ same
nual i t;r.
{c) The elimination of any 5tereotyperl concept of the role:~ of men and Homen
at all levels ann in all form~ of education by encouraginF, coeducation nnd other
type::; of educntlon '"hich will help to achieve this aim nnd. in particular, by the
revision qC. textboolts nnd school pro~rammes and the adaptation of teaching methods·
l·, .;
(d)
r;:runts
"'ii:
The !>arne opportunities to benefit from scholarships and other study
~
The same opportunities for access to pror.rarr~es of continuinr, education}
including adult and functional literacy pro~rammes., particularly those aimed at
reducine;l at the earliest possible time, any p,.ap in education existing betve£.·n rne~
and women·
(e)
�31
30
( r)
pr 01 ;rsrnmes
'l'h1.· r"C'duct.ion of rcmnle- student drop-out rRtes and the organization of
r~,r
c;irls and vomen vho have left school prematurely:.
( ) The same opportunities to participate actively in sports and physical
6
education·
(h) Access to speci fie educational information to help to ensure the health
anfi wc-11-beinJ.". of farr.ilies, including information and advice on l'amily planning.
Article 11
(c) To encourage the provts 1on of ·the neceos:1.ry supportine social services to
enable parents to combine family oblieations vith uorl<. responsibilities and
participation in public life, in particular throut;h prorooting the establishment and
development of a network of child-care facilities.
(d) To provide special protection to women during pregnancy in types of vork
proved to be harmful to them,
3.
Protective legislation relating to matters covered in this article shall
be revieved periodically in the lie;ht of scientific and technological knovledge and
shall be revised, repealed or extended as necessary.~
1.
Stutes Parties shall taiof.e all appropriate measures to eliminate
di$crimina.tion ae;ainst wmen in the field of employment in order to ensure, on a
ba.sis of equality of men and women, the same rights, in particular:
(a)
The rip.ht to vork as an inalienable right of all human bein~s:
(h) The rie;ht to the same employment opportunities, including the application
elf the snf'llr. criteria for selection in matters of employment;
(c) 111(~ right t.o free choice of profession and employment, the ri¢lt to
promotion, ,)oh r.tecurity and a.ll benefits and conditions of service and the right
t.o receive vocational trainina and retrainine, includirig apprenticeships, advanced
vocnt.ional training and recurr.~nt tra.ininr.·
{d) 11lc rip.ht to equal remuneration, including benefits, and to equal
trC'nt.mcnt in respect of vorK of equal value, as vell·e.s equality of treatment in the
evaluation of th~ quality of '..rork;
(c) The right to social security, particulA-rly in cases of retirement,
un("mployment; sickness, invalidity and old a~e and other incapacitY to work, as ,.,.ell
no the r ir,ht to paid leave:
(f) The ri rht to protection of h~a.l th and to safety in vorldng conditions,
indudi nn the snfee.ua.rdinc; of the function of reProduction.
2.
In order to prevent discrimin:~.tion against women on the p.rounds of
mn.rriar.e or maternity and to ensur'e their effective rip)lt to vork, States Parties
sha l1 take appropriate measures:
(a)
To prohihit, subject to the imposition of sanctions, dismissal on the
erounQs of preennncy or of maternity leave and discrimination in dismissals on the
basis of marital status;
(b) '!'o introduce maternity leave i·lith pay or with comparable soci.<tl benefits
·..ri thout los5 of former emolovment, seniority or social allowances~
Article 12
1.
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate
discrimination against vomen in the field of health care in order to ensure, on a
basis of equality of men and vomen, access to health care servicest including those
related to family planning.
2.
Notvithstandinc the provisions of paragraph 1 above, States Parties shall
ensure to women appropriate services in connexion ~ith pregnancy, confinement and
the post-natal period> granting free services ~here- necessary, as vell as adequate
nutrition during pregnancy and lactation.
Article
l3
States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination
against vomen in other areas of economic and social 'life in order to ensure} on a
basis of equality of men and vor:nen, the same rir.JltS, in particular:
4
'
(al. . The right to family benefits:
(b)
The right to banlt loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit;
(c) The right to participFtte in recreational activities, sports and in all
aspects of cultural life.
Article lb
1.
States Parties shall take into .account the particular problems faced by
rural vomen and the significant roles vhich they play in the economic survival of
their families, including their vork in the non-monetized sectors of the economy,
and shall take all appropriate measures to ensure the application of the provisions
of th,is Convention to vomen in rural areas.
�.....
:~
33
32
Article 16
StoLe~ Parties shall t.akc all appropriate measur<?s to eliminate
~,\J:;L'ri"''in:ttion A.J?,nin5t WOmen in rural areas in order to LHSure,
11 baSiS of
("nnal i tv of men a.n1 vomcn, t.h1tt they participate in and benefit from rural
rl~vf'lr.or~<:nt. anrl} in p~rticulnr, shall ensure to such women the right:
on
of development
(n) 'T'<' participnte in the elaboration and
pl:uminr. ot nll levels·
(h)
1.
States 'Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ;;:olirninate
discrimination ar.ainst vomen in ~11 matters relatin.~ to
and family
relations and·in particular shall ensure, on a basis of
of men anrl women:
(a)
Tfl hnve·a-:ce:;s to adequate health care facilities,
(b) The same rieht freely to choose a spouse and to enter into marriaee only
Hi th their free and full consent
information,
t'UlmGcllinr;.unrl ~~:rvicer. in family planninr;;
(c) The snme rights and responsibilities during marriace and at its
dissolution:
To benefit rlirectl.v from Socinl security progrfil'!U'!'IeS;
.,c}
(<I) 'T'o obtain all types of tre.ininp, and education, formal and non-formal,
includin(t thnt relating to functionnl literacy, as well as the benefit of all
ex tens ion serv :ices, inter alia, in order to increase their technical
prnriciCI1CY'·
{d) The same riehts and responsibilities as parents~ irrespective of their
marital status, in matters relating to their children. In all cases the interests
of the children shall be paramount:
l~0mrnun i t,y anr1
·r"
(" l
:H•,·, ::::
t~c·('lnomi
to
(e) The same rights to'decide freely and :resr~nsibly on the numb~r and
spacinc or their children ana to have access to the·information~ education and
rr:cnns to enable them to P.X:ercise th!'se rights;
p,roups and co-operatives in order to obtain equnl
throur:h employment or self-employment;
c
The same riGht to f'nter into merria,ae.:
Tn pnrticipate in nll community activities:
{r}
(!•.)
(h)
(r} The so.:me rights and responsibilities Hith regard to guardianship,
trusteeship and adoption of children, or similar institutions where these
concepts exist in national le~islation. In all cases the interPst of the children
shn.ll be paramount:
~ardshlp,
'l'o have nr:cr.-s~
To en,)(}y adcflUI':!.te livinG conditions, particularly in relation to housinr.;,
to acricultural credit and loans, marketine facilities,
'lPpt·cpriAt.c l.echnolocy an·o equal treatment in "lnnd and aerarian. reform as Yell a~
1n ! :\!hi rt•f:•'t. Ll f'mcnt. ~1chemcs ·
:.nni tat ion.
t~l ~ctrici
ty and vater sunply,
tran~port
(p;}
The same personal ri~hts as husband and wife, incl',jding the right to
choose a family na!ne, a nrofession and an occu·pation~
and communications.
(h) The same riahts for both spo'uses in respect of the
ncqulsition, management) administrationt enjoyment and disposition
\4hether free of charge or for a. valuable: consideration.
PMlT IV
Article 15
't.
2.
The betrothal and the
all necessary action, including
n~c for mnrriage and to make the
compulsory.
:'·t:1tcs Partif":'5 shn11 ft.Ccord to Women equality vith men before the ln ......
Stntes Partie!{ sholl accord to ~romen, in civil matters, a le(lal capacity
id-c·ntie:n) l:t' that of men nn~ the s:nmc opportunities to' ~xercise that capnci ty.
·:;~":; ::i'1;-1ll in r.'"lrticular give vomP.n equal rL~hts to conclude contracts and to
·:i ;:t•;t !•rnf•Ct't;t and treat. t.hem erlltallv in all stac:en of procedure in courts nnd
·.r i hl,!t~•l ::
of a child shall have no lep,nl effect anrj
shall be taken to specifY a minimum
re~istration of marriages in nn official reGistry
PART V
Art ide l7
Pnrt.i0s nc,rce t•w.t all contract. and all other private instruments
:1~1·: :·i1td •:it.h a l0r;nl e-ffect o,;h:ich is directed at restrictinP, the lee,Rl cnpacit.y
·;f ·.:r·~.cn ~~~'!1l h~ dce!flcd null nnd void.
·
:::;d.f'3
:·t:tf.i.-:;
t.•:· L!l•· !
:'t
r·:1rtj~s
r.ht~ll
n.'J n tint~ t.o the
·k,rd-cilc.
1.
For the purpose of considerine the pro,;ress made in the implementation of
the preGent Convention, there Ghall be established a Committee on the Eliminntion
of D:i scrimination
t.romcn (herei nnfter referred to as the Commit tee)
eonsis~inP., at the
of entry into force of the Conventiont of iJ nn1,
after its ratification or accession by the thirty-fifth State Party, or
nccorc'l to men and uomen th~ same r:if,hts with rer.;nrd
of. persons and the freedom to choose their
tr.ov~ml;'nt
..
�35
34
Article 18
2] exp~rts of hirh moral standin" and comnPten('e in the fiE>ld covered by the
c..·mvention. The experts shall be elected by States Parties from amonp: their
nnt.ionnls and shall serve in their personal capacity, consir1eration being f',ivcn to
cqui tablP. ~eoeraphical distribution and to the represento.tion of the di ffcrcnt forms
of civilization n.s vell as the principal legal systems.
1.
States Parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-GenerAl of the
United !'lations, ror consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative,
judicial .. administrative or other measures vhich they have adopted to nive effect
to the provisions of the Convention and on the procress made in this respect:
2.
The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list
of persons nominated by States Parties. Each State Party may nom.idtte one person
from fittOn!);. its ovn nntionals4
(a)
Within one year after the entry into force for the State concerned;
(h) Thereafter at least every four years and further whenever the Cort'l.l'nittee
so requests .
J,
The initial election shall be held six months after the date of the entry
into force of the present Convention. At least three months before the date of
ell.ch election the Sccretery-General of the United tfations shall address f\ letter to
the States Parties ·inviting them tO submit their nominn.tions vi thin tvo months.
1'he SP.'cretnry-Genernl shall prepare n li~t in alphabetical order of nll person~
t.hus nominnted, indicating the Sto.tes Parties vhich have nominated them~ Rnd sh;;t.ll
subrnit it to the States Parties.
2.
Reports may indicate factors and difficulties affecting the degree or
rul rilmcnt of obligations unt1er the preeent Convention.
Article 12
·it~
l.
The Committee shall adopt
2.
L.
Elections of the members or the Committee shall be held at a meetinr: of
States Parties convened by the Secretary-General at United Nations Headqun.rter3.
At that meetin~. for uhich tvo thirds of the States Parties shall constitute a
quorum, tbe pE'rsons elected to the Corr.mi ttee shall be those nominees who obtain the
lf'rP;est number of votes and an absolute ma,jority of the vot •·<:; of the
rerresentntives. of Stntes Parties present and voting.
own rules of procedure.
The Committee shall elect its officers for a term of tvo years.
Article 20
1.
The Committee shall normally meet for a period of not more than tvo veeks
annually in order to consi~er the relX'rts submitted in accordance vith article 18
of the present COnvention.
5.
The members of the Committee shc.ll be elected for a term of four years.
HoYevcr, the terms of nine or the mef1'1bers elected at the first election shall
expire at the end of t;..>o years~ immediately after the first election the names of
these nine members shall be chosen by lot by the Chairman of the CoNni t tee.
2.
The meetinRs of the Committee shall normally be held at United !lations
HeA.dquarters or at any other eon•Jenient place as determined by the Committee.
6.
The election of the five additional me11>bers of the Committee shell be
held in accordance uith the provis~ons of pe.ra.~trapha 2-. 3 and h of the present
n.rticle folloYinr the thirty-fifth ratification or accession. The terms of t\o/0 of
t.he additional members elected on this occasion shall expire at the end of tvo
years~ t.he names of these tvo members having been chosen by lot by the Chnirman of
the Corr:rni ttee.
Article 21
1.
The Committee shall t throup;h the Economic and Social Council) report
annually to the General 1\ssef!'lbly on its activities and may make sugacstions and
generR.l recommendations based on the examination of reports and information received
from the States Parties. Such su~r;estions and ~eneral recommendations shall be
included in the report of the Committee tocether uith comments., if any, from
Stntes Parties.
·
1.
for the filling of casual vacancies, the State Pai'ty vhose expert ha$
ceased to function a.s e. me-mber of the Committee shall appoint another expert from
~rr.onr; its nationals) sUbJect to the approval of the Committee~
e. 'l"he members of the Committee shall, vith th'e a!)proval or the General
!\ssemblyl receive emoluments from United NA.tions resources on such terms and
conditions as the General /\~sembly tr'lay decide, ha.vinp, regard to the importance of
the Col"''l!\ittee:s res~nsibilities.
2.
The Secretary-General shall transmit the reports of the Committee to the
Commission on the Status of Homen for its information.
9.
The Secreta.ry·~General of the United ffa.tions shall provide the necessary
staff nnrt facilities for the effective performance of th~ functions of the
Cornmi tlec under the present Convention.
.,
�36
37
Artie le 22,
~pcc-inlizcd
a":cncies shnll he entitled to be represented at the consi<'erntion
of the implcrr.'='nt.ntion of such provisions of the present Convention as fall within
the score of thuir activities~ The CoPVnittee may invite the specialized agencies.
tu sulnni t rerorts on Lhe implementation of the Convention in areas falling vi thin
th,; s.e0pc of their uctivities.
PART VI
Article 23
tlot.hint~ in this Convention shall affect any prov1s1ons that. nre more conducive
to t.hC' l\Chicvem~nt of equnlity bet"rcen men and vomen vhich may be contain~rl
(n)
in t.he leeislation of a
Article
2~
Stat~s
Parti(.>s undertal•e to art.opt a.ll necessary measures nt the national level
nimcd nt nchicvinr. thC' full realization or the rights recoenizcd in the present
fonventinn.
Article 25
The General Assembly of the United f1ations ::>hnll rieci.dl:!' upon the stt"p:;,
be ttl ken in respect of such a requ~s t.
Articl!LL(
1.
The present Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth dny nftcr
the date of deposit Vit.h the Secretary-General of the United ~lations of the
t1·renLieth instrWTient of ratification or accession.
2.
For each State rati('yinr. the present Convention or acceding to :it o.fter
the deposit of the tventi~th instrument of ratification or accession, the Conventivn
shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the deposit. of its o.,.n
instrument or rnti ficntion or tiCCcssion.
Article 28
l.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall receive and circulate
to all States the text of reservations made by States· at the time of ratification
or access ion-.
2.
A reservation incompatible ""ith the object and purpose of the present
Convention shnll not be permitted.
3Reserva.tions may be vithdravn at any time by notification to this effect
addressed to the Secretary.,.<ieneral of the United Nations ~Jho shall then inform nll
States thereof. Such notification shall taJce effect on the date on vhich it is
rC'cei ved.
'I'h<:- present Convention shnll be open for signature by all Stntes.
?.
The Gccretary· .. General of the United Nations is designated' as the
der.onitar;v of the nresent Convention.
·
·
3.
'I1h:? present· Convention is subject to ratification.
Instruments of
ratification shall be deposited ""ith the Secretary General of the Unite<: Nnt:ions.
h.
The present Convention shall be open to accession by all States.
1\.ccession shall be effected .bY the deposit of an instrulnf!nt of accession vith the
Scr:reto.ry-Cenernl o_f the United fl'ations.
Article 26
l.
r nny. to
Party; or.
(h) in any other international convention, treaty or ae,reement in force for
Uu1 t Stn. tc.
1.
2.
i
A rer;,uest for tl')e revision of the present Convention may be made at any
!-)tate l'o.rt.v by means of a noti fica."tion in t1ritinr. addreSsed to the
of t.ht.' United No.tions.
Article 29
1.
Any dispute between tvo or more States Parties concerning the
interpretation or application of the present Convention vhich is not settled by
neeotiation shall, at the request of one- of them, be submitted to nrbi trntion. If
1-1ith:in six mc.Hiths from the date of the request for arbitration the pnrties are
unable to aeree on the organization of the arbitration, any one of those po.rties
refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice by requ~st in conformi tJ
the Statute of the Court.
2.
Each State Party may at the timn of signature or ratification of this
Convention or accession thereto declare that it does not consider itself bound by
pnraeraph l of this article.
The other States Parties shall not be bound by
paru~:;rnph 1 of this article vith respect to any State Party vhich ho..s made such a
reservation.
f'lny ~t:tte r·arty uhich has mn.rle a l escrvation in nccordance ""ith
2 of this nrticle May at any time uithdra,.,. that reservation by
not.l.rication to the !:Jecretnry-Ceneral or the United Uations.
),
i•·,r-"~rtnr,h
Article :lO
The present Convention, the Arabic, Olinese, r:.:n~lish, French, Russian and
.Spnni:;h text.5 of uhit·h arc equnlly authentic, shtlll be deposited vith the
~ccn::t.nry-GenPrfl of the ·UnitCd Htttions.
H! HITNE~S \!HEREOf the underslcned, duly authorized, have sicned the present
Convention.
I
�39
38
2.
Reauests Governments, the United Nations anct other concerned United
Nations or~ani~ons, in order to ensure the imolernentation of the Plnn or Action
for the Interr ationeJ. Year of Disabled Persons (s.-e document A/31•/158), to Rive
special atten ion to disabled vomen in order to promote.their full participation,
and integrati ~ in all riel~s or normal life and to provide them vith recreativ~nl
activities;
APPENDIX III
RESOLUTIONS SPONSORED BY THE
u.s.
DEI,EOATION
1
lD2P1:2YJnll the _s_iJ..t!!~}on_C?~Ui~!(t~.l-~£~~-~.f......!.!}_..!~
3.
Re< •sts that pro[lr8J'lm,.S of all Member States of the United !lations for
the Internati .~Year of Disabled P.-rsons !!'houl~. <-X"Olicitly tal<e into consideration
the special n• eds or disabled vornen of all a~es for oedical. social and vocational
rehabilitation vith the object of:
R<'cnll.inl' Econo"'ic end Social Council resolution 1921 (LVIII) of 6 llay 1975,
~·<:>'l.uc-;l(Of_:·p·r=-;!'TI.Ir.r.,c5 for prcventlnr. disability and rt"habilitatinf. di~ablPrl persons.
GP~ernl Assemhly TE'!Iolution JhLT (XXX) of 9 December 1975,
D~clRration
(a) Assurin~ the preVention of disability throueh education, particularly of
parents so as to avoid disabl~ment caused by genetic. concenital and accidental
factors;
on the Ri&hts of Oisabled Persons,
(b')
Rcc"lllinr. resolution 13 of thco Horld Conference of the Intrrnational 'Women's
fenr h;ln-~~l1exico from 19 June to 2 July 1975 entitled "Socinl security and
r~::,ily SC'curity for vornen, includin~ the elderly a.nd the handicaoped",
~ecn) 1 i:1~ r.cnenll AssemblY resolution 31/123 of 16 December 1976, nroclnimint;
!.h'~' y~ar- 191'fl·~International Year of Disabled Persons",
Rcca!_l_i.!:!E_ the Declaration on Social PrOAress Md Develooment approve>d by the
~cn0rnl Aonc·mbly irl :-its resolution 25~~ (XXIV}, especially its article 1~ (d) •
RecalliM r.eneral-'Assembly resolution 3~/l5L of 17 O..cel'lber 1979 entitled
1
inc~uding
Providi'ne eeneral. vocational and health education for disabled vomen,
adequate assistance, care and P,uidance·
(c) Enlarging the scale of vocational skills and traininR facilities in
order to enable disabled vomen to perform Jobs requirin~ qualifications, includin~
non-traditional Jobs;
(d) Providing conveniently situated training and employiDent facilities,
vherever possible, .in the oroximity or the family's home, in order that parents
may more easily arrange for the training of disabled ·children and that disabled
~o~en with family responsibilities can participate in such pror,rammes and
activities;
' 1ntt:'f:;u;t~(Q,~;;f Year or Disabled Persons", vitO the theme "full participation and
-cqun1ity 11
,
Recall i M the Commission on the Status of Homen resolution 2 (XXVIII) of
h ~lar;:-h-mo-;-conveyine concern over tht' situation of disallled vomen to the Vlorld
Confen•nt(' of the United Nations Decade for Women held· in Copenh&P,":n J
Notinrt vi t.h appreciation the activities of Governments, United ?lations
ore;ani zations J the specialized agencies, and non-governmental orp:anizations in
connexion vith the International Year of Disabled Persons.
Brnrin~
in mind the imoortance or co-ordinated activitie~ at the intern~tional,
rec;io~&l ·an·ct··natiOrial level~ for the our~ose or pro~rarnmes for disabled persons
to prevent disability and for rehabilitation,
Reco~nizin~
that, vhile disable~ Yomen and men have the same right to enjoy a
dC>ceOt life., includin~ general and vocational training and employment, disabled
women or all ap,es encounter particular difficulties in developinr. their individual
abilities nnd sKills to the maximUJ'Il, in becoming as self-reliant as possible and
in participatinr. fully in social
(e) Providing technical and financial support and social services to assist
disabled persons in their domestic responsi"bilities and to enable disabled mothers
to bring up their children;
{f) Acknc.wh•dri~s. the soecinl needs of vorr.cn vho hAVC' disabled childr~n or
provide full-time care for disabled relatives for appropriate support servicest
including rel~ef progr.ammes;
(g) EncouraRing special attention to the particular problems of disabled
vomen of all aees in study and research Projects designed to facilitate their
practical participation in daily life as Yell as in traininp, P~~ )n the labour
market;
(h) Facilitating the immip,rntion and· car.- of disabled refuRees and disabled
displaced persons;
(i) Encouraging end supporting research on a~proprlate technolo~ical aids
needed by disabled vomen· ~th the aim of making thes~ aids available at lo~ cost;
~E!_e.!:J.!!!LJ.!l ~'!lind that certain countries, at their present stage of development,
can devote only limited efforts to this end,
1.
A~oeals to all vomen and men of the vorld to support and contribute to
the success-or-the International Year of Disabled Persons 1981 and the
implementation of the Plan of Action for the Year;
1
The complete texts of nll resolutions accepted by the Conference, aR well
Pro~:ram o! Action, can he found In the report of the Conference to
Assembly at Its thlrty-fl!th session, document A/CON~'.94/35.
or the
the text
Genernl
•
�40
L.
Rcnuests the specialitcd ap,encies
1
41
in particular the World Health
Or~:::~ni zatiOrl~· the United Nationn Educational, Scienti fie and Cul tur.al Orr:ani 7-ation •
th,:- Tnt'?rnntionnl Labour Orennisation. the United Nations Industrial Deve)O!)rncnt
Ol·<~ni?.~~.:ion. the High Commissioner for Refugees and other United Na-tions bodies
o.nd prop,ratn.mcs concern"?d to take into consideration, in their acti viti cs and
ram:!!!C'S. the needs or disabled ...,omen of all attes and the necessity to improve
r situation throu~h preventive and rehabilitative measures, and to co-ordinate
th('ir activities in this area;
lln1 for
that. in implementing the Programme of Action foT the Second
Nations 'Decode for Homen:
RecallinR the conclusions of the study prepared for the Secretariat concerninr.
vomen-and international conferences "(A/CONF .i;lb/19 and Corr .1 and 2) that vere
discussed at this Conference,
1
5.
~elcomes the efforts of non-governn:entel orp:ani z.atio~s, particularly
those orgnn i 7.ntions of disabled persons themsel VC"S and their fernil i tes, and asks
for public and financial assistance·
6.
Recallin~ General Assembly resolution 34/153 of 17 December 1919 callin~ for
a llorY<i-A"SS"<i\bly on the Elderly in 1902 and the request that the Secretary-Generul
and relevant a~encies coll~ct data on the elderly,
Equality, Developn'lcnt and Peace,
the- needs of disabled vomcn or all aP;cs should be taken fully into account
inteTnationnlly, regionally and nationally;
7.
nequcst.s the Advisory Committf?'e for the International Year of Disabled
Persons in-~~ftinr; the long-term \/orld Programme or Action related to the Year.
to take into nccount the special needs of disabled vom~n of all ages.
The !·1orld Conference of the United Nations Decade for l\l'omen·:
pt;ovelopnent and Peace,
Eauality.
RccognizinR that in many soCieties, because of longer life expectancy,
('ldcrly vomen are a fast grovinR seppncnt·or national populations.
1.
Reouests States Hembers of the United Nations to ensure that women ere
included in the planning process for and are appointed as members of their
delee;ations to the Horld Assem:.ly on the Elderly in 1982;
2.
Requests Member States and the Secretary-General of the United Nations
to pay, in proceedina,s or the said \.Iorld Assel"'bly, special attention to the
·problems thnt elderly vomen race in their societies;
3.
Requests the Secretary-General, in collectins data on the situation orthe aging ~d for in General Assembly resolution 34/153 to incorporate
specifically, data on elderly ~omen;·
4.
Further requests the Secretary-General; in co~Operation vith the relevnnt
international agencies, to prepare a comparative st~dy on the availability of
social and economic security for elderly vornen and their need for a minimum
standard of social security;
5.
Reouests that these data should be submitted to Member States
partidpatinp; in the llorld Conference of the United Nations Decade for \Iemen, to the
World Assembly on the Elderly, to"the Commission on the Status or Women at its
tventy..:ninth session" vith a vie~ to recommending necessary action related to the
plight of elderly vomen throughout the world.
Conslderinp. that in many States Members of the United Nations this phenomenon
hns not been deAlt vith c~~prehensively.
TaldnR into account the value and vorth of the elderly populations. of the
~orld-Ond concerned by reports of neglect and d~nial of basic econorn~c security
for tht;o ex-panding elderly population of the vorld. includin;:t. vomen,
Recallinp. the spirit of resolution 13, 11 Social security and· family security
for vcmen', includin(l the elderly IUld handicapped, that vas adopted by the Horld
Conrerence of the International \.iomen •s Year in Mexico City in 1975.
Battered vomen and violence in the fandly
The Horld Conference of the United Nations Decade for Hotnen:
Development and Peace,
Eouality,
Recallinp paragraph 131 of the ~~rld Plan of Actioc for the Implementation
of the ObJectives of the International Women's Year in section F concerning the
family in modern society,
~onsiderinR that violence in the home and in the family as ~ell as in
institutious, and in particular physical, sexual and other forms of abuse of
vomen, children and the elderly constitutes an intolerable offence to the dirnity
of human beings as vell u a grave problem for the ptlysical and mental health of
the f8lllily as vell ao. ror society,
ReCor.nizing that do~estic violence is a complex problem for, which the cauSes
•ary, but whose contributinp. factors include geographic or social isolation,
financial difficulties, irregular employment, alcohol or drug abuse and lov
.. 1 ~lt-esteem,
�42
43
~rco~nizinr. that long-held attitudes that diminish the value of vomen have
rcsult;d:fn-;irtual immunity from pros~cution of persons who commit aCts of violence
Beerin~ in !Tlind that displaced and refugee voroen suffer tr.ore radical
:in roi"eS~stBtu:-s-th"'..n rerucee ~ren.
cha;:[.~!S
ncninsl tncmbers of their families and ar.ainst vornen in the care of institutions,
B~lievin~ also that improved co~munication amonP. and vithin Mcmb~r States of
tht" Uni tPdN.itions has dre\l'l'l increasing attention to this serious problem 1
Avare that battering
or
family members tnust be recoRni~edlas a problem of
serio~cial ~onsequences that perpetuates itself from one p.eneration to the
r.ecalline the special require~ents of voMen refut.ees, es~ecially precnRnt
and lacta.tin~ \.. 0!':1Cn VOr:en vith S::all Children Bnd VO.r.'len C.~ heads Of fa~}lies B...r"Jd:
households,
1
1
Deeply cancer~!! that e;.:isting assistance' to !'efue;ees and displaced persons
does not adequately address the special needs or refugee vo~en and children)
next~
Avare of the effects of separation or death on refugee
·r~ilies,
especially
1.
!~the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in co-op~rAtion
vith all the relevant or~anizations or the United Nations system, to prenare a
study on the extent and types or ohysical, sexual and other forms of abuse in
families and institutions and on existinp, resources available for dealinp, vith
refue~-e~oen en1 children.
ttril"' problem;
Recollin<: the principles of the Convention a:nd Protocol flelAtinp to the Statuo
of Refueee~a~d mindful or the need to apply them to refugees vherever they find
the~selves) vithout discrimination as to sex, race, age, relipion or country of
oriB,in,
2.
Recommends that the Secretary-General of the United Nations should submit
this study-"t~entv-ninth session of the Commission ori the Status or '~-1omen
for consideration of anoropriate further action;
3.
~r'ther u.r~es Ht?mber States to consider, vhere appropriate, estAblishing
family courts, stuffed vherever oossible vith personnel. ineludinp. women, trained
in law ~nd in various other relevant disciplines~ as well as those with snecial
expertise nnd experience:
b.
UrflOS Member States to ado.ot measures to protect the victims or family
violence a;d i() implement programmes whose aims are to prevent such Rhuse as vell
as to provide centres for the treatment. shelter·. and counsellinp. of victims of
violence and sexual assault and to provide other services such as alcohol and druR
nhu~r rchabi 1 i tat ion, housi n;;!, employment, child cnre, and health care-.
~e situation of vo~cn refugees and displaced ·women the vorld over
The Uorld Conference of the United r!ations Decade for l,lomen:
pcvcl~ n.nd l'~~<;~-~
~lotinP.
Eouali ty,
the report of the United !lations High Comi ssioner for Refup.ees
(A(COiiF'.94/2b),
~~'cgniz.3 that th~ problems of refugees and displaced persons affect every
continent ood·pJace special burdens on developing countriesj
!.::!~
chi l drtm,
th.1t the substantial t'lajority of refugees in most areas are _vomen t\tld
Shock~
by reports or physical abuse of refueee vomen and eirls,
1.
Ur~es all States to recognize their responsibilities and to share the
burden or refugee assistance, vhether in providine first asylum, perman~nt
resettlP.~ent opportunities or tinan~ial support;
2.
Strongly urges all States to co-operate with the United Nations Hieh
Commdssioner for Refugees in order to assure full implementation of his mandate to
protect women and children in particular, and fUrthe~ strongly urges Stst~s
receivinr- refugees to protect their vell-being and legal riGhts under internAtional
lav and nationAl lesislation;
·
3.
~ronfllY ur~es Governments to brine to justice those who abuse refugee
vomen and children, and to take every possible step to prevent such ~buses·
~Urges the Office or the United Nations Hieh Commissioner for Refugees,
in co-~peration vith other concerned United Nations agencies and international
and non-gover~ental organi~ations, to establish the programmes necessary for
dealing vith the special needs of displaced and refugee vo~en, especially in the
areas of health, education and employment;
5.
Recommends that the Office of the UNHCR, in collaboration vith other
>rgani<ations 1<ithin the United Nations system, should establish special health and
nutritional programmes, partieularly.for pregnant and lactatinr. vomen;
6.
~!l! that family planning information and methods should be availahlP
on a voluntary and nationally acceptabl~ basis to both refupee ~en and women;
!
)
7.
the Office of the UNHCR to "ork vith host-country Governments to
;encourage
participation or vornen in the administration of refugee humanitariAn
.assistance programmes, including distribution of food and other supplies in
\first asylum countries and in the design and manaee~ent of vocational training and
·~ri~ntation procrammes in first-asylum and resettlement countries·
�--
44
6,
45
Urr.es the Offic'e of the ~ll!CR, in eo-operation with other United tlations
nnd non-co~ental agencies and the States concerne~. to develop and implement
proer~~es of resettlement and family reunificntion, including s,ecial programmes
for reunitin~ unaecomp.'\.nied children with their t'amilies;"
International lll"inkin~ \later Suooly and Sanitation necade
The \{orld Conference of the United Nations Decade for \lomen:
Develobment and Peace,
9.
Calls upon the orsani•~tions of the United Nations system, and the
UNHCR in oarticular, to cive hieh ''riority in their public inlt'>rmation activities
Eouali ty,
Considering that the United Nations Decade ror Women vas proclaimed in order
to dra11 attention to the problems faced by women in their daily lives,
to the need to 8ddress the special reqHirements of displaced and refugee women
and children the vorld over;
10, Reco,..,en~.s that the Office of the UJIHCR should increase the number of
vomen at all levels of its staff, and establish ~ hi~h-level position for a
co-ordinAtor for women•s progrAW~cs. !n addition to ensurinp. that reru~ee
oror;ra.mmes mC'et the needs of displaced a.nd refugee vomen and children. this Office
should co-orrlinate the collection and nnalysis of nata and cor.duct case studies
Realiting tbat vomen or the vorld may spend as much as one third of their
vork day locating end transporting vater for drinking, agriculture, rood production
and preparation and family hygiene,
ConoiderinP. that the maJority of people of the vorld have severly limited
access to a.-'.equate safe drinking va.ter,
on won en refugees~ ·
Deeoly concerned tha~ insufficient vater and unsafe drinking vater and the
lack of sanitation facilities contribute to a high rate of disease and mortality
particularly among vomen and children,
Co-ordin~tion or issues relating to the status
of 'WOmen vithin the United tlations system
The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Ho!!len:
Recosniting that to achieve the health and nutrition goals of the United
Nations DPcade for ~om~n it is ~ssential to mpet such basic needs as ad~quate
daily safe vat~r supply,
EQuality,
Development and Peace.
ConsiderinG the need to strenethen the capacity of United Nations bodies to
promote the status of v('cen, P•-rticularly for the United Nations Decade for Women
and the Proe;ramme of Action for the second half of the Decade in· implementation of
thv World Plan of Action,
·
~o~niting the rQlea or the Commission OD the Status or Women, and also the
Centre for Social Development and P.umAnitarian Affairs. the International Rese~rch
and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the Voluntary Fund for the
United !lations Decade for women,
!liJ
to
or
lnte~r.J.l ~art or the
C:::alls on the Sef'rct.1.ry-General and Heads of sper:.i.nli,.,ed u~encies and
severally arvi \lithin the AUr.Jinistrntive t:oru,ittec on C'o-ordin.:.t.ion
to cor:r;idcr the 'iranlications f'or orcanizntions within the United Unt.ions systE>n
of the Pro{tTHPlmc. of Action adopted at the 19P.O Conferenco2 o( the IJnilc~ :;:-t.io;d;
Decc.tlc for H.1rr.en: .Ettunl i ty, Develorvncnt and Pence enc1 ret"!U~f;ts the Secret.nr.vGcr"Jero.l to report to the thirty-fifth .session of tht- t;eneral As!i.r.r.~hl~· on vhat
arrantemcnt~ should be made to implement the Pro~rei:'I!,Ie and to en-:ure effi ci·N~t
co-ordin::ttion, monitorinc. and evo.luntion of irn~lcn~ntation. ·
o:rcaniz~o;s
U_rll!L'!. that !·!ember Stat<'s co"""it funds and programme d<."velopMPnt efforts
and to co-ordinate the progremme vith other related s~ctors
to mak~ it more errectiv~;
th~s~ obj~ctiv~a
d~v~loprn~nt
3.
Calls on l1Ptnbt"r States and Unit~d Nations ap;,Pncies, includine
sp~cielited-~e;c:fpa, to prornot~ full participation of' vomPn in planning,
impl•~entation and application or technolo~ for vater supply proJ~cts;
considernt.ion of all issues. polici~s and prot;rOft:mes in ell sphC>rct. or Uni~c-1
Nntions activit;·,
Recor•nb·.in~ the need ror e. neu approach to the co-ordination of the diverseefforts of 1111 these 'r,encies E'nd t:1e United fiat ions borl:ies anrl: f'or a reu:·derinr,:
priori t.l ~£; ui thin current budr.etary allocations in ordlll!'r to f'urt;'~r e~~ort.s to
raitJ€' th(: stntus o . . vor.~Pn.
1.
St,_r:_on~ly encour~u !1~mber States of the United llations and.
int~rnationel orr.snizations, includinr. specieliz~d BR~nci~s as vell as
non. govflrnrnPntal org~niiations. to promote- the objectiv-:-s of the Unite-d ~!ations
Df>cndE" on Drinldne ~!ater Supply and 5anitation:
·
2.
EMph~siLinP. the importance of the roles o( the specialized necccics and
ore,ani z.nt"ions and the regional commissions and other United Nations bodies in
implementinG the ProerPn•l!le of Action for the Second !lalf of the United 'lc.tim;s
Decnde for Women,
that the conccrnc of' vomen should he
Considerin~ th~t success in ~stablishing and maintaining ~•ter supply
activP community participation of vonen
in desip,ninP.~ Pstablishing. maintaininr. and utilizine such suppli~s
systPmS~an bP ~romot~d by ~ncouragine
or
h.
~~that the Unit~d nations D~vE>lOpl"lPnt PrO(!Tftr\r\P., as
co·ordinator for th" United Nations D,.cade on Drinkine l!ater f'upply and
~anitation. should reviev in its annual report the progress in implementing the
~oal
of this resolution ineludin& in particular the •xtent of community
part cip~tion by vom~n and th~ir involv~~~nt in desicnine, naintPnanc~ and
util ~ation of vater supply;
.5.
Ur~ th~
llorld llt'slth Organization to support fully the proflrammes
suhmitttd by.countri~s o~ drinkin~ vat~r supply and sanitation syst~ms.
�46
47
~!omen and dis.crir.1irution based on race
Homen in 8£r i cuJ. ture and rural areas
The Horld Conference of the United Nations Decade for \/omen:
DevP.lopment and Peace,
The Horld Conference of lhr? United Nations Dcc.1dc for ~:n:nen:
tmd P~acc£,
1
Equality, Develcpm"nt
':1i_!l~ of the particul:w needs of the majority of the world's female population·,
1.1ho suff0r discr·imination ba::;ed both,on r·ace anct on sex,
the significnnce for 1.101n0.n of the Convention on the Elimination of
All F'orms or Rncial Discrimination I
~E.IY
dic.turbect by the fact that, bcciiuse of this discrimination, \.JOm<:>n suffer
dJ.o.pr•oportiomtcly ft•om poverty, i lli teraey 1 unemployment nml poor health,
~?.'!.1 edging
to
that discr·imination due
race as a fund.amental cause of the
GUbj\lf~iltion or· women mer· its siOGill;u~ con~id~rationt
that the stre'Js on family members b
vf mcial discrimination and '}"-X dbcrimin!lt.ion
.Con~~ .to
compounded by· lt1c dual forces
Eounlity,
Recallins re•olution 21 of the 11orld Conference of the International liomen 's
Year 1975 and General Assembly resolution 3523 (XXX) of 15 December 1975,
Understanding the need for ruro.l and peas8.!lt women to pa.rticipat• in th<>
development process and the importance of addressing the specific n<>eds of the rural
vorld and particularly rural vomen,
RecoAnizin~ that rural vomen throughout the vorld must be ensured access to
vater, to health services, to education, to employment, to transportation and to
lend on terms of equality vi th rural men and vi th urban people,
R~call;n~ also General Asse~bly resolution 31/175 of 21 December 1976 on
~ffective mobili~atioo of vomcn in development, in vhich the Assembly urged Member
States inter alia to .ensure that vomen have equal access in agriculture to
·
co-operotivPs and credit and loan syst~ms, as vell as equal opportunities to
participate in policy-making in the economic field, and.in commerce and trade in tht-
ndvanced efforts of industry,
1
note that the fundru:rcntal issue of discrimination due to J'ace imd
l b impn<:L on <'COnOinic development 1 pcac" and equality was not. adcqu'ltely uddr·cssc:c
in t.h•; Hor·jo! Pl~n of Action a<lol'ted in Hcxico C.it)' in 197~·.
L · Scl!~~:".<:>!:! the United Nntions and its specialized ae;cncics to tilke
po:1i Live step:;
over·corr:.:! the dual bur•der; of discrih>i nation bac;ed t•oth on
to
I\1CC '"'" on ncx in all thci.l' pr·ogJ'am'lles in developed and in developing
countr·ie!.> ~
2. · .9_:!l_:r ut:'?!2 .;;'11 !·Imber .St.nt.<'s to r:;l.ve speci:tl consider;> lion to the
clirnination·or
ba:,;cd on race as ~<ell
iiS
on sex in dcvclop.-n.~nt
JW'or;r;;r.cnr.-:; :lnd.. in ull .::'lct.ivit.ic:; that pra110te women's soci;;.l, economic and
polit.k;,l inter,t·ation,
Wid rurn.l tk:vc)._oprr.~:nt~
pM•Ucul~wly
in
nrea;~
of heolth, e:r.>lloyclcnt,
cdu·~ation
Extreoely concerned that the review and appraisal .ot t.he ec?nowic and social
situaticn of rural women contained io the report or the Secretar1at (A/CO~F.94/28)
rev~els that little or no positive improvements have taken place since the first half
of the Decade,
I
Aware that. althouch in many countri~s women srov. process and market food,
rural-;o;en lack production and manacement skills and access to information and
irelated support services,
1.
Urf',es GovernmPnts. United Nations organizations and other funding
organizati~o give special attention to the nc~d~ and.priorities of rural
as determined by rural vomen themselves;
2.
vom<"o
Recommend• that all development processes and activi::,v should··give due
r~gard to community orientation with the aim or making it possible for rural wom~n
to remain in their ovn communiti~s. thus minimizing the flow of migration from rural
to urban areas in countries vhere this is n~cessary;
J,
Requests Governments to ensure that rural vomen:
(a) Are provided vith education, technology and training suitable to their
needs, as identified by them in order to improve ~mploymcnt opportunities in rural
areas;
(b) Have access to credit and financing mechanisms on a basis of equality vith
men, and flexibility in the institutions vhieh·deliver credit services to rural
YOm~n;
(c) Are encouraged and assisted to attain key leadership roles in rural
communities and organizations;
(d) Ar~ encouraged and adequately trained to participate actively in
co-operatives and other organitations concerned vith marketingt
(e)
Hav~ free access to participate in rural industrialiLation programmes;
�48
49
h.
Further reouests Governments to have trained professionals, rurallyoriented and specially concerned vith education, b~alth and employment, available in
Notin.:t that the Co!!llll.ission on the Status of lvomen, at its tventy-eighth session,
reminded the Secretary-General that a rep;,rt on the subject should be submitted
'"':i thout delay,
·
rural areas;
5 •. UrRes Gov~roments to give priority to research and action pr.ogrammes for
landless rural vomen and their families;
Deplorin~ the scant inter~st shovn by Governments and international
organizations in this serious problem,
.
6.
Also reouests governmental ·and non-governmental oraanizations to encourag~
and support the cultural, economic and technical co-op~ratiob betveen rural vomen in
developed a.nd
developin~
BelievinP. that it vould be· d~sirable to improve the procedures and expand the
activities of organs in the United Nations system, the Commission on the Sta.tll.!t of
Women, the Cotnl'lli t tee on Crime PrevP.ntion· and CcntrOl and the Horkine: Group on
Slavery of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of
coUntries and an::ong developing couotries.;
I
.
1.
~rural women throu~hout tbe world to become avare of their richts
ln order that th;y ean exercise and benefit from them;
~.
mnss media:-t.O"""'r~a cnor~ realjsti.c picture of rural livine) its problems and
possibilities;
9.
Ur'!:es the United Nations and orgAnizations in the United Nations system,
in particul~he Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations a.nd the
IntPrnational Labour Organisation. to:
·
(a)
Assist Governments to train '-'Omen at the para··profesSiona.l level in basic
agricultural techniques as field workers so that they can travel and exch.ange
appropriate technology as vell as. rPmain in their O"-"'n environment and bt"come direct
Jinks
~!inori ties or the Coll!lllission on Human Rights, which could help to prevent forced
prostitution, suppress ·its exploitation e..nd facilitiate the rehabilitation of its
victims,
Also callS on rural communities to endeavour, in collaboration vith the
~f
communication vi.th rurtil voroen in their fields and
homes~
{b) Revie" their funding policies and priorities, especially •.lith r~spect to
HCt.ion proe,rrunmes for vomen, and in the next five years devote more fUJ'\ds to the
unstintinc
d~veloprnent
of rural and agricultural
vom~n;
(c) Seek to employ many more highly qualified and skilled "omen in agriculture
from ~11 parts of the vorld at t~~ policy-making level vithin United Nations
F~B~ncics.
)
1.
2.
Ur~es the Govern~ents ot States Members to reCOGnite that vomen and
children are not a collll!lOdity and that every woman and <>very child has the ri;;ht to
legal prott""ction aeains.t abductiOn, rape and prostitution;
3.
Furth~r reminds Governments that women and children prostitutes have the
ri~ht to leRal prot~ction acainst maltreatment which they may be subjected to for the
sole reason of their being prostitutes~
~.
Reminds the United Natfons • non.-goverru:oental organiz.ations in consulto.tive
and all international organizations that they should ~ake concerted efforts
to ensure- the success of the caropRiBn against this scourge;
s~atus
5.
Invites the Sixth United Nations Congre~s on the Prevention of Crime and
the Ticatment of Offenders to make concrete recommendations in regard to the
relationship bet...,Pen development. prostitution and exploitation and traffic in
persons;
6.
£OJlSiderin~ that
e~il,
traffic in vomen and children forced into prostitution remains
Considerin~
o-r
that women and children (cirls and boys) arP still Pll too often
physical abuse and sexual exploitation constitut"inc virtual slavery,,
!otin~ that the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and
of the Exploitation of the Prostitution or Others vas approved by the Oenerol
Assembly in resolution 311 (IV) of 2 December 19~9,
Not in[} that the .World Con"ference of the InternLtional \-1omen 's Year in Y.exico in
11
.:1 resolution on :'Prevention of the exploitation of vor.~.en and girls
requestinG the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in co-operation with other
a~encil"fi, to undf"rttJke a ~orld-vide survey of prostitution and the maltn~atn:ent
involved in it,
1915 ndo['t.ed
Considerinn also that, ~althouch section II (Specific areas for national action),
subs~ction
I (Other social questions), of the >lorld Plan of Action for the
Implementation of' the ObJectives of the International t!omen•s Year ref'ers to this
mntter in three different places, 'the measures .o.nd decisions tek(n in this connexion
hnvc not yet had the desirP.d effect,
Recommends that the Secretary-General of the United Nations should invite
thp Governments of Statt-s 11embers to take action ac,B.inst international net.,..orks of
trnffickers and procurers;
,
a continuinG
victims
~Governments .to take appropriate measures :with a viev to ratifyinG
the Convention for the Suppression of.tbe Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation
of the Prostitution of Others and to submit to the Secretary-General the information
specified in article 2_1 or that Conv.-ntion;
the
1.
R~quests the Secretary-General to submit to
Corr~ission on the Status or Women and to the n~xt
the t"enty-ninth session of
session of the General
A$Scrnbly of the United Nations the requestPd report on prostitution throughout the
"'orld, its causes and the social and economic. con?itions ~hich encourage it.
�50
51
APPENDIX IV
Whereas the agenda of the Conference also includes items on
women refugees, the effect of apartheid on women, and the
CoNGRESSIONAL DocullrENTATION
situation of Palestinian women in the occupied territories;
Whereas a document drafted by the Economic Commission for
96TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
West Asia on the subject of Palestinian women for discus-
H RES 748
e
sion in relation to agenda items on the same subject threat-
e
Relating to the United Nations Mid-Decade Conference for Women.
ens to detract from the positive results that could emerge in
)
achieving the principal aims of the Conference and of the
United Nations Decade for Women; and
'Whereas United States foreign policy interests are best served
by the positive results of constructive resolutions that could
IN THE HOUSE OF REP.RESENTATfVES
emerge from the Conference including a reaffirmation of the
JULY 24, 1980
· Mr. ZABLOCKI (for himself, Mr. RosENTHAL, Mr. BrNOHAM, Mr. SOLARZ, Mr.
HoNKER, Mr. PEASE, Mr. MICA, Mr. BARNES, Mr. GRAY, Mr. HALL of
Ohio, Mr. BROOMFIELD, Mr. DERWINBKI, Mr. BUCHANAN, Mr. WINN, Mr.
OILMAN, Mr. OOODLINO, Mr. PRITCHARD, Mrs. FENWICK, Mr. MAOUIRF:,
and Mrs. ScnROF.DER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs
World Plan ·of Action for the Integration of· Women in
societies throughout the world: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Repre-
sentatives that(1) the United States delegation to the Copenha-
gen Conference on the United Nations Decade for
RESOLUTION
Women should support appropriate resolutions on the
Relating to the United Nations Mid-Decade Conference for
principal agenda items relating to health, education,
Women.
and employment;
Whereas the World Conference of the United Nations Decade
(2) the United States delegation should oppose
for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, is currently
any resolutions or amendments introduced at the Co-
meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark;
Whereas the principal aims of the Conference are to review and
evaluate the progress made and obstacles faced by women
.
'
penhagen Conference on issues which do not directly
'
'
relate to the goals of the Conference, such as the sepa-
in member states of the United Nations in improving their
rate issue of Palestinian women, and should work ac-
access to health, educational opportunities, and employment;
tiv.ely with other delegations to ensure that they voice
similar opposition; and
(3) the United States delegation should report to
�52
96TH CONGRESS
2D SESSION
s RES
•
53
Calendar No. 914
•
473
countered in attaining the objectives of the United Nations
Decade for Women"; and
Whe.reas a separate item was in.cluded in the agenda of
Conference on "The Effects of Israeli Occupation on Pales~
Deploring the politicization of the Mid-Decade Women's ponference and urging
the United States delegation to oppose any politically motivated resolutions
at the Conference.
tinian Women Inside and Outside the Occupied Territories"
despite United States opposition and despite the existence of
the more general item of "Women as Refugees" on the
agenda; and
Whereas
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
JuNE 24 (legislative day, JUNE 12), 1980
Mr .•JAVITS (Cor himself, Mr. STONE, Mr. ~ARBANES, Mr. HAYAKAWA,
MoYNIHAN, Mr. BAYH, Mr. DuRENBERGER, Mr. HEINZ, Mr. LEVIN,
RmoLE, Mr. BosCHW!TZ, Mr. DOLE, Mr. CRANSTON, Mr. PF.LL, and
llnAJJ!.EY) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
Committee on Foreign Relations
adocument drafted by the Arab States and the Pales-
tine Liberation Organization and adopted as official documentation for the Conference, "The Social and Economic
Mr.
Mr.
~lr.
the
Conditions of Palestinian Women Inside and Outside the
Occupied Territories", presents a biased a-.: count of the
conditions of Palestinian .women_ by arguing that the ArabIsraeli conflict is responsible for the problems faced · by
JuNE 25 (legislative day, JUNE 12), 1980
Reported by Mr. CHURCH with an amendment
[Omit the part struck through]
Palestinian women; and
Whereas the addition of this document and separate agenda item
in the proceedings of the Mid-Decade Conference ·is an
obvious attempt to inject a highly politicized discussion irito
RESOLUTION
Deploring the politicization of the Mid-Decade Women's Conference and urging the United States delegation to oppose any
politically motivated resolutions at .the Conference.
Whereas a United Nations Mid-Decade Conference for Women
has been scheduled for July 14-30, 1980, in Copenhagen to
review and evaluate "the progress made and obstacles en-
an apolitical meeting; tlftd.
Where&s
~
~
ei
fXI't
irrelev&fl~,
poli~ie&lly
moti·nxted
~
ffi:tl:;Y
thre&teflS ·to dclmet. ffflm ~ positive ~ ~
~ ffi &ehieviR!! ~ obieetives ei ~ Decade:
Now, therefore,· be it
Resolved, That it is the sens~ of the Senate that(1) the inclusion of a separate agenda item on
•Palestinian women
and the acceptance of a sixty-six-
page document relating to that item present an unfortunate intrusion of political issues into a conference devoted directly to questions of health, education, and
�54
55
employment for women throughout the world and ns
C!rmtgr~ss of ~e ~[nfub ~hrl~s
such is deplored by the Senate; and
(fummtifut
nu
Jror~ifln ~ffu:U-s
~{O'Ull.t nf ~pn.icu>dfuts
(2) the United States delegat\on to the Confer-
}!l'a~n,
ence should be instructed to oppose 1any resolutions or
!'.<IL.
2!15U
May 29, 1980
amendments introduced at the Copenhagen Conference
on issues which do not relate directly to the goals of
the Conference, such as the separate issue of Palestin-
j
The Ronorable Edmund S. Muskie
Secretary of State
Department of State
Washington, D.C. 20520
Dear Mr. Secretary:
ian women, and should actively work with other delegations to ensure that they voice similar opposition.
We are writing to express to you our deep concern over the agenda
of the United Nations Mid-Decade Conference on Women, to be conu<>"1ed in
Copenhagen from July 14 to July 30, 1980. It is likely that the Conference
will be politicized as a result of possible action on agenda item number
ten, entitled, "The Effects of Israeli Occupation on Palestinian Women
Inside and Outside the Occupied Territories."
The agenda item on Palestinian women has been documented, as required
by U.N. procedures, in a report prepared by the U.N. Economic Commission
for Western Asia -- a body which excludes Israel.
This sixty-six page
report. in our view, grossly misrepresents the socio-economic conditions
of Palestinians and distorts the political context in wh'ich Palestinian women
live. Furthermore, we believe that a lengthy discussion of this report in
Copenhagen would not contribute in any constructive fashion to the enhance-
ment of the status of Palestinian vomen.
We witnessed five years ago the ~ay in which _the adoption of a resolution
equating Zionism with racism and condemning the State of Israel by the U.N.
Conference on International Women's Year in Mexico City resulted in bitterness
and divisiveness.
Those attempting to focus attention on the status of
Palestinian women undoubtedly are seeking the adoption of a similar resolution
at the Copenhagen Conference.
The politicization of international conferences does not serve U.S.
interests, nor does it serve the interests of the majority of states participating. In the case of the upcoming Mid-Decade·Conference, such politicization
~ould only \!f!d'l','M!."!"~Rn!lbe promotion of the rights of women worldwide.
�57
56
Therefore, ~e urge you to instruct the U.S. delegation to the U.N.
Kid-Decade Conference on Women to oppose amendments or resolutions whose
motivation ls strictly political and that do not relate directly to the
substance of the Conference.
'
/
DCPAilTMENT
or
STATE
..,.,..~"'"''··uc··. n.c. :\·:.:'\t
JULY
·i~20
With best vishes,
Sincerely
~ours,
Dear Mr. Chairman:
~-: -:--...~\0
,,
~~~~;,..:...~ \.::-;t~t-t.,.:,/:..,.
Secretary Muskie asked me to reply on his behalf to
your letter of May 2B on the Palestinian Women's item on
the agenda of the United Nations Mid-Decade Conference for
Women.
I am sending a copy of my reply to each of the Nembers of Congress who joined you in signing the letter.
I
share your concern completely about the effect the Palestinian Women's item could have on the Copenhagen Conference.
As you may know, the United States vigorously opposed adding
this item to the agenda. We also opposed making the United
Nations Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECWA) report
an official Conference document •
Clement J. Zablocki
I
'
I'
!t
I (
I (
•
/
(
~·
:
·1)ante B. Fascell
04 C:.~"iS~·
Charles C. Diggs, Jr.
..__
1 can assure you that a major goal of the United States
delegation to the Copenhagen Conference will be to keep the
focus of.the Confer~nce on issues of larger concern to ~omen.
The delegation will be instructed to work with other delegations to oppose resolutions which are critical of Israel.
They will be instructed in particular to oppose any resolution that is unfairly critical of Israel based on the objectionable language and analyses in the ECWA document.
Hi~i~u ~~ir;:a~
.,.Don Bonker
d:t:L& ...d~
RiclMt>ID: Barnes
~;~
.
Mindful of the effort 'to equate Zionism with racism
at the 1975 Mexico City Conference and the bitterness and
divisiveness that this generated, the State Department
recently instructed a number of our Missions abroad·to
explain our position to their host Governments and to seek
their support in opposing the politicization of the World
Conference,
As the Conference approaches, we will continue
consulting with other countries on how we might best achieve
this goal,
Sincerely,
~~
J. Brian Atwood
Assistant Secretary for
Congressional Relations
The Honorable
Clement J. Zablocki,
Chairman,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives.
"'J
c.
�58
59
t::h:PuT"Mt:'Jt#'T or sun.
D.C.~
W4.thfngf01l.
M4f1 JT. 1110,
APPENDIX V
'Ron. Oun:z;L P. UOTHm.&Jifo
V.$. StNZt•
Dt:.t• Pu: Tballk you tor tntonn!fli' me of
JOUZ CODC'Cf".Q •bou\ \be Pa.luttn1A.%11 Womtn
luue at tho UN Contutnt'A for Womec. t.n
Copcn.hACtL· 1 &.bare c.ompltt..el:r 10ur •'~""'
that tb• Conle:rtnee •hould d~Ll. With Wuu
ot Ttta.l h:npot1J.nee t.o women n.t.ber t.hLD
I
On·tciAL CouNTRY STATElllENTS
0P!::-!INO STATEMENT OF THE
:=~~uttn~;<):~:~:n~e~~ oiu~~~!:. 1
U.S.
DELEGATION
De•/
T'bJ.t 11 tbe prtm•r:r co&l of \bt' su.t.e
,utment Mt4 ODt thd t &.tQ &urt 1rtU b;O
tuur llbiU'ed bf U:u• o .a. ddtgat1o11 to tht
Oo~Zl.bt.CI!Zl
non.
ll4J I. Uto.
w
casu:
Bom.t
II•• ·J1UU't •ro. W'bJJe
• --.,; w 'I;I<Utod Su.teo !i!Pbo.cs&dor to tho
onltod )(atlon.. I l:a.a4 U:l;• op~q \0
~~== ~~ldth~ ~~x'i: ~·~.~: ::.
tM COt~fertnOit· &od. l.b• ON" COm.mt.·
noo oD tbe St.attu or Women., ..,.,. an4 ..,..
ruod"ameotal t.nd pre&&1J:t1. All toe> prwd.tct•
ablf, bo•enr. tbt Medco Cltf' <»ntennc:.
dettrton~ Jato • forum tor t.ht polHtcal
I
iubln'l of ltrul. n muted, fOU mer neAJJ,
tbt Orw1 d'or\ to Jdenuty ZJon.tam with
"'<:Um lA u tn~m&tlonaJ a;a!).!ereoct.
1\ DOW &pptart tbat tb.l.l tpllodt IDI.f b4
repu.t.td: abort!;!" &t tht .tu.11 NJd .. Dfe&de
conterrac. In Copenh&f4tll. PN1.1CU1a.t1)"
ronb<tdb:lr an ce~uon. of the ProT111ootJ
,t.;:end• adopwd •t a nee at UN pnp&T&\AI'f.,
meet.tnt.ta Nt• York. 'Wblcb pt:l'\.Nn to the
"'e!f•ct of IMwU oeeupaUoa.•• on PaJeatUUaa
womra in tbe oe.c:uptt-4 ana.a.
Thtt elfort. ca.n eome u no aurptUt to ua.
Tb• prKUJ'Ior of thta •rea4a 1~m wu a r.,.
port rt:ltucd Jut hbru..,.,. bf tbt OnJt.ed
N•tlotU anttUed ··&octal Nl4 Ecoooauc ooa. ..
dU.Jon. or hlt:sttnla.n Women J'Q.Otde Ul:d
Outside tbf O<:euphxS Temc.on-.'" 'Ibe "'"
p¢r1 wu lD turn tbt produ-et ot aaotber
ptepar&C.Ot7 tnteUUJ held. ln Syr1t. lift De"
eembcr. Tet I ha.t tba.t, wit.h .U th1.l wvt1~
rtauJ.u u.cpnpUC<4 tor the oon.ter•
.. .-.
~.nc
toea.
It would bot .. tembto 101M We't'e tht JuJr
mHUl:if to be dttlette<t from \ht ~tal U..
NN btfOTI lt bf the rltw.ll.n.IC t.N,aui"C. Upo'O.
¢UT d.en:u:>~u.ue Allr. Ian.el.
It la m:r bop• that proper actJom w111 b4
t.O:•tl i.Q t.b.e rematitln1 •nQ both t.o tore•
rta.ll Ult OI'!CUM'"4tOC. ot cuth a.n.•b'll.M ot. thU
tmportt.nt OnJte<S Nation• forum and i4 p,. ..
P•,.
Qtlr 0'11'1:11 4eJ~rattoa. to cOUnter etfeo ..
tJl't!J tbH4t lbd Otb4tf LCUOill whleb J::J:!,AJ
bt tlk~n to 1$&1.11 ll.rut.
BIJ::teertl7.
D.tllll':L PA1"'1.lCX. llOTM"tlt.Uf.
For all oor
wul
obftfY•· Brrth.t.Dd ~· Ul1toldl:ae Of a ~!>
tnt bu1. tlmltu ..:.et~.t at th• Wortd COil..
to"
gathered here in this great City:
tlnS.a.l:1 Women ln&14t and Outatde- t.bo Oe·
eupttcl Ttn1C.Or1u~" wu &ddtd. t.c the OoP"tl•
ht.e•n *C«CUS• e.l the 34th Se.ulo~ Of the UN·
Oc:neral Astoem'bl7 lut Deumbtr. Tbt 'OJJ.'
~ the a.l.o.l'UDC out ot Pal"Ut11an
Yemen tor ap.e<:tal ecn.ai<Urttlon when I\
~ · propoteod:. at the &ooon4 J"repan.C.Ol'}'
Oc.u:nmltt.M 1A Au(Uft ot la..rt rear. and: a.ta.!.D
..u.vr CD1ST0'1"11:D..
.Acril'l# $a:tdtu7 o( Stot.r. fl.!l• .O~t
O/ Statf'. Wuhfl'lgfoa_ b.tJ.'
J:)Ua
"1.adama President, Oistirquished Delegates, arrl Concerned 1-.l:rnen who have
Cor:U'crtcce.
"l"bt PalHUn.l&n lt.em~ o~ellll1 dH!~U~,
-rh• meett ot tna.eU ()eeupaUon o:o. hJt.t•
1\em, bo-..nt• ....., 110 1n tuor~ :a oppoMd'
(Un.tl a.a4 ~~ O'.S.). wtt.h 20 abstenttou.
At tho Tl>l:rd ,.,..p.,..loi'J Oomml....., In
Nt.._ York bcl4 lD e&.rlJ April of 1080. tt wu
d*C'lde4 to t.Ut up t.b• hle'ttlnla.n tuue .,...,
the eopt:nlllacen ContenDct In two oommlt ..
d..tKuaJon
11\J.St -,for ..::men around the world.· How right that we meet in
.t.o
camtry ..tlich has made
c0a::un.lt1.et wtU rnte• prorru.a n:w:1• dW'tnl'
a•• ru.ra co an tbt t.uue. betore
\ho · pNt.
.n4 tht
Con!et'enee~
~nd
join in this Conference "'ith the
'!b! next t'.-o week:.s are rurs, all of ours, to make of them ..nat we can -
)bNot \lotS.Siom ot taeh malo oommlttee. OM
tho
to
arrorq rren ard ..::men.
We l.f'I'Utd that prob!ama of Palt'Ctul!a.a
·=~e~e:.tf~~t:~aJ!r ~!!: !.~t~!::!·
The ,.ot.a a\ the Oenen.l Au.e.mbJr on t.ll•
tor
it is an honor
remarkable delegates who have done so muc:h in their Nation's quest for equality
csutlJ:Ir the debl.t.· tn the oeneral A.utrnblr.
~ t.u4 lJm.U. tho t1mt
~legation,
~ess
~nmar!t
what· we
-
a
its tradition, and ..ttere equality, justice, arrl
dignity are ::he CC111'0n heritage of all.
tx'Hl::tJ:n!ttH
wtu·eon.~lder otw pt"'fT&~::M •n4 ~ ror
t'be ltCCU.d h&.lt ot the l:)e.c.ade. Tbt tb.J"eo&
poUttcaJJr aeutun
t~u•
on
Utt
artn<!._.
Madame President, your election to the Presidency of the Conference is a reco;ni-
h1art:1111u Womea.. WorMn &.D4 Aput.held,
t.n4 Womtll u
Ret~
bot ~tn.n
eqUAl
ti.IJw: ttl the two Oomm.Jtw" a..a4 Y11l not be
d\U'l.o.c 1.b• j>l•J:lUT •.UOna. t~;c:.tpi ·:
4~
u r.otutJc:mt nlatlnc
to
\hem mar N
~e4 hr the l'n'pvatof1 Con!ueoe ... •
Ooatut.l)Of doe-uau~at.. Our obJ.e:t1ooa a.o4
\hOM ot 0\U' &Wet ,.,.._ bowne:r. ~t4
'ferb&t.UQ 1n t.h• Pnpt.n.l.of1 tomm.Jtt.H "- ·
pott. Tb• ro'P74 d.Ocume.nl 11: DOW ~in~
rtu4l"' W1tl31.o '\b.• at&tA ~'""'-=en' a.a4 a.n :
...... , ... AU i&l>:IJ:Ic po!nta w1ll bo pro"""" 1
toourdtl-tl<>~n~Co~&···.·c.l " .... -~I
Lft w:n..
-..un:
}"D'Q
a.p.lJ::t. t.hAt Out COt.l tt
a:anWa. \b.e N..um.a.a. luut at. Oopre.o ..
hac• and to CIIC'UftW:·r a.ur u.a.t&lf' ·a1UdUD
or 11:r1.e1 ~ UM eon.t.....noa. 'l'bt u.s. d-elee•Uc.tt.. •hk:la wtU M IIU1tl0tu:~oed tA tbe Dert
r ........u, ...w 1>o kllT tnrtructod to do· ou
!& CIJ1 do to ILdUn• tb-.. ~
-·· .
81.Qoe:rt:1T, • · . · .
., •. ' . .
..
~UU::lf C1nl:rroPJID*
•
,
. . "''Ung Eecref4'f'J~ ~ ·.
lock fotward
to
'r/e
word.rq with you.
Just five years a::;o in Mexico City, the world learned that -..onen would no longer
accept beirq excluded frcm the decisions W'!ich affect their lives.
then, ti.rrY! and again, we have seen wanen dem:::>nstrate the will
to
Since
direct the
forces of change.
This is the roossage we hear of the United States.
this is the message we
brin;~
you fran the
peq:.le
It is their hope that the delegates l!'eeting here "'ill
focus upon the prti:.lems, aspirations, ard <pals that unite wanen th~hout
·to
WI ill r<pnto. ., - .· ·. •• ..
tion of 'J"')ur special diplcrnatic talents, and of your country's achie,·ement.s.
41-- :
kted. \OWU'd t.ht tDd. of t.ht 0or.l'41111nct. WI '
hope tl:U.t &aend.a. tor the Oonier.nu WUl OOU•
talA tbl d•bet4 0'0. t.bt PaJNtlnJt.D lu\M to ,
t.ha' St. WUl not domlu.t. tht Con!ft'Utet.
At \he 1'h1.r4 Pn:p..,...l.al7 Oomm.Jtt.tt1 tbo
v.a. 4•JI'ft.t1oQ 1.110 o..n:ru 1 app<:IMd usta., t.h•
"POrt. on ""8oco.al •D4 r.oonc:u:DJo OoadJUoa..
of ~ettb::Uaa. Women Inl14• u:d Ollt.a.ldt
t.he OOcQpied Twftt.ortM,.. prep&NII4 br t.ht
r.coaaa:uo Ootn:.a:UaLcn:t tot' Wen Al.l.a. u thl
ba.tll far cSac\UI1.ilr t.h• PaJtnuuaa. l.&lut at.
Q)pea.hJ.t~tl. DNptW. 0\U'. lltroa.J Oppotlt10Q..
lD. wb!cb wali.N 1004 IU'pP'Qr\ ti"'JD out Wee:"""
en:a. ~pe.m ..Ult.t -.ad Iapan. Auat:ftlU,.
&ad Nnr Zealab.d,. th• .EC'WA repor1 wu ap-
·
the ..orld.
Recognizin;~
our diversity, we ertPJ.asize our unity.
Let our delibera-
tions be an example of goodwill to all ..no seek to irrprOile the lives of wanen,
1
rren, and children -everywher!! •
'
�61
60
The rrany efforts now underway to deal
without the necessary supp:lrt services.
~*
~n
care here to evaluate the progress of
accordance with the world plan of action.
in our respective countries in
with these problems owe :nuch to the public concern and persistence of ...:men.
We are here to rededicate ourselves
The Conference in Mexico also made a difference.
to canplete the unfinished agenda of our ti.ltes in the firm belief
~at
to advance
It was a catalyst pushing us
on.
the cause of ....anen' s 'rights is to advance the eause of .human fights.
Here in Cq;:enhagen
'ole
will further that cause if
~o~e
'
ard rur canpassion to study and explore what we and our countries can do to
crot>at the age-old enenti.es of humankind -
Wotldng WO!>en present a special challenge:
60 percent of all wcmen between 18
use our energies, our wisdan,
and 64 years
a~;e
enployed, and it is estimated that by 1999 this figure will
rise to as percent.
It will be our task to better prepare them for employment
poverty, illiteracy, disease.
and confront the endemic problens of occupational segregation and low wages.
'!he5e problems are the special lot of
~n
because for eentudes wcmen and
their cnildren have been the principal victims of inequities, q>pression, and
conflict.
'lheit" plight and their prcgress is the
princiP<U; issue before us -
It
is the task of those '-'O:llen who are taking their place arrong the leadet"Ship of
unions and OOrp:lt"ations to assure that the laws which forced discrimination in
. enplayrrent are. fully observed.
the overriding econcrnic issue: the overriding political fssue:. and the oven:iding
Our Governnent has been striving to strengthen the role of wcnen in public life.
.
.
social issue.
~~n
But since Mexico we know that things will rx:>t Change Unless we, the ..:men of the
world, have the wli.l to cnange things.
Since Mexico we know that the prejudice
enshrined in our minds
bY
But since Mexico, too,
we know we must try.
past millenia cannot be abolished in a single decade.
~le
know al!!O that oo am:>unt of
have been appointed to the cabinet and to key positions in Goverment
Agencies.
'Ihe Voice of America is now the Voice of a lbnan -
in our delegation.
I, myself, a product of the w.::mm's m::JVe!OOnt, am honored to
be part of an J\dministr;ation whiCh. has named 38 of our 44 wcmen Federal Judges.
We
are witnessing an ini::rease in the nunter of 1.10ren elected to public office
slcganeering and finding of sca~ts can change the fact that one of the toOt
at the State and F'ederal levels.
causes of our present predicament is the continuing domination of wanan by wan.
both merreers of the National House of Representatives.
The solution lies in the full and active involvement of ...:men in all affairs of
life.
and she is here
'1\.0 of these ..:men leadet"S are with us here,
Our entire delegation is
proof that ·increasing nurrbers of w::rren have attained distinction in our Nation,
.We ac-e far fran ct'C'oolding the halls of
since the Mexico City eoriference -
~r
in Washington but the fact is that
our nl.lll'bet"S have increased and out" collec-
hbnen in our Nation in recent years have expcsed to the public many issues and
tive voice is stronger.
.,rot>lems pre:'icusly ignored -
1\nd it is heal:d •
dcmestic violence, rape, :unnecessary use of drugs,
unnecessary surgery, occupational hazal:ds suet\ as dan;;erous exposure to chemicals,
In educatl.on, American
ard the ~rental stress caused by dual responsibilities in the hctre and ....orl<place
~t
~n
have made significant prcgress since we last met.
wamn no.< complete 12 years of schooling, and rooghly half of ooHege and
�nwwww~·~---------------------
..
62
63
university enrollmants are waren.
We are deeply concerned about the special problems of wamn in Southern Africa
'1\Xlay, there has been a trenendous increase in the ni..I!TI:>er of wonen who study to
be lawyers, doctors, engineers, ard business leaders.
The do<::urrentation prepared by the Secretariat on this item leaves no doubt about
Largely because of efforts of our wcmen's rrovement, FederaJ, legislation has been
passed making it illegal to discriminate against wamn in the educational system.
These laws affect <dnission of students, hiring an:! prarotion
who must live ard attempt to raise their families under apartheid.
of te,.c:hers ard
administrators, and the apportionnent of funds ard facilities between male and
female students.
the plight of the non-...tlite wc:men in South Africa ard Namibia •. Their sufferings
stretch the limits of human tolerance, for not only does apartheid separate the
races, it separates families, and places a particular bl.ro:!en on wcmen.
examine ITI!asures to ease those burdens.
And, Maiar.le President,
Enforcen-ent of these laws is not perfect, but our new Department of Education,
headed by a distinguished wonan, and our voluntary wc:men' s Ot:ganizations are
actively m:mitoring progress ard insisting upon full a:rnpliance with the laws.
They are 1o0rking, for example, to eliminate gender-role stereotypes fran textbooks,
~
are especially concerned by the plight of ref1.)9ee
waren who suffer the multiple pressures of h<:rrelessness, discrimination, and
despair.
Madame President, if these are troubled titres, ·they must not s"ay us fran our
determination that the "oeca.de for ibmn" be a titre for progress and ac:hieveT"ent.
ror our part, Secretary of State Edmund Muskie has, therefore, reaffirned that
and to de!Tonstrate that girls ard wcmen are active participants of society.
1-b:en's stu:ly courses have been added to the curricula of many universities.
"A· key objective of United States foreign policy is to advance '-"Jrldwide the
status ard condition of wcmen. •
Mada!TI! President,
we
know that our progress at hare is inextricably linked to
the advancement of wamn everywhere.
It is truer today than ever before.
We will
Since
to
re~Min
The United States is oonscious of its obligation
an important participant in the econcmic progress of the developing
countries, particularly as it affects wanen.
Mexico in 1975, our quest for equality has been hampered by the wrenchings of a
world in which tradition, as well as m:xlernization, often subject wcrnen to ·new
degrees of vulnerability.
We have seen the process of develcprent place additional
burdens on women ard create stress within the family structure; '-'e have seen
revolutions relegating wc:men to passive roles,
of millions of familites fran their lands la~o~lessness
of states.
And we have witnessed the flight
forced into Statelessness by the
In this era of diminishing
resa.~rces
ard growing scarcity, wc:men will bring new
vi tali cy to the process of econcm.ic ard social clevelcprent.
It is their right. to do so, and it is our responsibility here at the conference
to see that these rights are horored.
The United States Delegation o:::mnits
itself to '-"JrX with you in the days to care to pursue this goal.
Just as we
have contri.l::>uted to the voluntary fund for the United Nations Decade for ?Onen,
we will also support prop::eals for a third oonference for \o/CII'en, to be held in
1985 to assess further progress.
The u.s. delegafion o:::mnits itself to '-"Jrk with you in the days to o:me to pursue
this goal just as we have contributed to the voluntary fund for the UN Decade
for Wcrnen, we wU 1 also support prq;osals for a third Conference for W:xnen. to be
held in 1985 to assess further progress.
�64
65
I think the state:rents of the Cuban representatiw an:! the Syrian representative
yesterday abc<Jt the U.S. were objectionable an:! UI'!Wli=.ted.
p3rticularly offensive because of the urgent objective whid\ brirqs 011er 140
nations to this city.
~e
ll.S.
EXPLANATION
m·
VOTE ON THE PROGRAM OF A~ION
But they were
""'='rK of this conference is so inp::l'f-Mt to the ad\ieve-
remember how our delegation felt as we left Washington for
Copenhagen.
We were excited; we were eager; we were looking
rrent of J'ustice fur half the ""'='rld's p::pulation that we must not petmit it to be
.
I
forward to.joining you here.
jecpardized by the rash p:>lemics ·unrelated to our put'[XlSe here.
and labor experts came to discuss the substantive areas of
Because diversion
Our educators, health specialists
fran this purp:>se is diversion fran the econanic C9p:>rtunity to consider crucial
health, education and employment -- the subthemes of this
Lmproverrents in the often ignored needs of women.
Conference as determined by the Preparatory Committee,
h'e are ccnvinced that the remairder of this Decade for W::men must prepare the
rural womeq our disabled and our displaced homemakers came to
next century of peace, a century that ensures full equality alTOn::! all people;
address creatively the special problems they face.
But the path to peace lies t.'"lrough mtJtual tolet"ance an:! through the seard\ for
aid and refugee experts came to advise on those important
permanent and canprehensive solutions,
aspects
It holds tt""Ue for the N:>rth ard the
5:luth, for- the East an:! the West, in all corners of the globe, in Southeast
l>.sia, as well as in the Middle t:ast,
cease the hl.llT'an ccnflicts.
'lb. erd the sufferings of women,
'therefore, it
~ld
we ITl.lSt
contribute greatly to the
success of this conference if we dem::>nstrate our unity to the ""'='rld -. the unity
of """"en; and cur will -
t.'"le will of ...:men in seekirq peaceful solutions to
of the agenda here.
Our
Our foreign
Our delegation came to Copenhagen
to discuss the complex and painful problems of over half of
the world's population.
We came here determined to contribute
to a Program of Action that would speak directly to women
wherever they are in the
wo~ld
by developing appropriate
national, regional and international guidelines to improve the
international problems.
conditions of the world's majority.
Aut :..e must do rrore than demand peace;
rrust build peace -
seek peace; pray for peace.
We ourselves
step by patient step.
And, in spirit, our
delegation carried the gbodwill and hope for thP '•uture of
millions of American women, hundreds of organizations and diverse
There is a song in my Country, Madame President, whid\ begins this way:
constituencies across the United States •
."Let there be peace on earth,
Ard let it begin with rre ••• •
Sadly, our mutual efforts
accomplishments.
Our conference will be an even greater success if we translate that noble sentiment
into action to
her-e, no,.,, in Copenhagen.
seacefully and with principle; and to respect honest differ-ences of Q9inion.
'•
earth -
fallen far below their potential
Those efforts have been subverted by_ those
with a different agenda,
The focus on women here was pushed
In our deliber-ations, let us derronstr-ate
the wor-ld our will to act in a spirit of compromise; to achieve agr-eements
"Let there be !X!ace on
hav~
and let it begin with all of us. •
aside and became a victim of those who choose instead to focus
�•
66
67
on the political polemics of the Middle East situation.
We are
Copenhagen than in Mexico City in
1~75.
Seventy-five countries
denied a consensus not by questions of how to help women in
(sixty-eight of them represented by women) signed the Convention
developing ::.:<!as, not by questions of what education women need,
for Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women.
not by questions of how to support women who arerdiscriminated
Networks among women have been strengthened here among the 2,000
against on the basis of race and sex, not by any 1question
government representatives participating in this Conference and
uniquely pertaining to women or issues viewed from a woman's
among the 8,000 women attending the Forum.
perspective.
published by nations, the UN, its specialized agencies and other
We are denied a consensus by those who want to
focus a statement against zionism, by
those who want to
advance their special interests in the Middle East -- knowing
full well that a Special Session of the United Nations General
The documentation
participating programs, as well as numerous non-governmental
organizations, is extremely valuable.
And we are pleased that
such initiatives as those on the disabled, the elderly, on
Assembly is already working on the highly complicated and
refugees, and on women in the UN system have achieved wide
difficult
consensus.
~roblem
involved.
They have not compromised as they
claim; they have denied women whatever their race, religion,
or national origin a unique opportunity to contribute solutions
to their own issues in their own way.
And the intemperate
and abhorent attacks against Israel and the Camp David process
are completely false and regrettable.
We recognize the difficulties of this Conference, buj: we are
disappointed that the collective will of women here at this
Mid-D·ecade Co[1ference of the UN Decade for Women has not been
sufficiently strong to overcome the forces operating here and
to refocus this Conference on the issues and problems we came
to discuss.
This disappointment does not negate the contribution that the
Decade and this Conference has made to the cause of women.
More women are serving on their countries• delegations in
Nevertheless, we return to our country with heavy hearts because
women have been denied the time they deserved on the world's
center stage and have been denied the opportunity to accomplish
all that they hoped to achieve.
However, we will also return
to our country with undaunted determination to continue to work
for the cause of women.
We return to pursue ratification of the Convention that the u.s.
delegation signed here.
We will pursue ways to implement a
number of important initiatives taken here.
We will go home to
find ways, working within the government and with the women of
our country, to apply our maximum collective influence and
strength toward our mutual goal:
equality, development, and peace.
�68
CANAiliAN
69
[•~xPLANATTON OF VOTE ON THE PBOORAM OF ACTION
of delegations which seem to overlook the importance of the specific concerns
of women.
Hy delegation has voted no on paragraph 183a as 1o1e d ld on paragraph 5.
This diversion began in the first-days of the conference with a series
lt is, therefore. with considerable disappointment that my deJegation
h:~s
of·nmendmenta proposed by the delegation of India.
While they contained a
been placed in a position where ve have no alternative but to yote against
number of useful ideas relating to womeri snd development which we were prepared
the programme of action.
to negotiate _in good faith. these amendm.ents also contained certain political
references, notably paragraph 5 calling for the elimination of •ioniam, which
My
delegntion came to Copenhagen to contribute to a programme of action
thai: would advance the social, economic and political position of
women~
were known to be totally u~acceptable to us, as well as to a good many other
We
came to declare our support for a programme o£ action to eradicate the universal
delegactons.
From the day these amendments were circulated. the overwhelming
focus .of debate has been on these diversions.
Given the ludicrous spectacle
imhAlance of power that exists between women and men.
ve have witnessed tonight, 'it is no wonder that women here because of the.ir
Prior to this conference. vomen in Canada had high expectations and cons!tiL•rablc
optiml~m
th.1t the United Nations would
agr~e
to a programme of action
commitment to ending women's inequality have become disheartened by this conference's
foJltirc to dlscuss their concerns in nnyt1\lng approaching a meaningful fashion.
th.1t spoke to issues commOn 'to women" around the world.
My delegation vas quite prepared to deal seriously with the question
We
c~me
to this conference convinced that a world programme of action
could result in substantial changes in legislation, ~_ol!cies and programs
Of Palestinian vomen.
But ve were fundamentally disappointed that,, rat~er
than draw on the expertise of UNRWA. to which Canada is a major contributor,
or explore in a seriOus fashion inequalities between Palestinians, men and
ttwt would indeed lend tO recognition of 'Nomen's contribution and an end to
women, we were limited to discussion of the political frameYork of the Middle-
vicl:imization.
th~ir
East question, a subject more properly and capably discussed at the just concluded
special session of the Ceneral Assembly.
The fund<lmcnta t purpose of chis conference was to .address the in<"quit les
thnt exist bctwt~t.·n women and men, in all natlons, and_ to propo~c a program
act inn tn
Pvt~rcorue
them.
tn the meantime only a fraction of debating time at this conference has
tnud1t.>cl tlw key pol it leal questions that con~..: e-rn women! the re-structuring
To put tlw m;~ttL'r simply aOd plt~in1y~ Madnm President, this conrerence
h.'ls hr!~n divt•rt<'d frnm its fund.'lmcntal puq)Ofie by a relatively small number
4,
I.
�•
70
71
of family responsibilities so that men do their fair share; equal renumeration
for work of equal value; an equal share -from economic development and in all
deCision-making, to name a few.
The implementation of these ·clauses of the
progrnm of action would amount to an overturning of the old orde11n all nations.
of women.
tn all, the reaulta of the conference have been discouraging to
those women who believe in the necessity and propriety of prompt and effective
international· action.
These results fully merit the negative vote which my
delegation will give to signal ito strong disapproval of the mockery and farce
this conference has made of serious proposals to end women 1 s inequality.
My delegation supports major portions of the programme of action, in
particular, those dealing with national machineries and the sub-themes
heal r:h, education~ and employment.
practical mea.sures. euch as the etnployment of women in the U.N. system and
the integration of the concerns of women in U.N. policies_ end programmes.
We will incorporate these ideas in our own national plan of action and will
continue to support the international measures in our future participation
ln V. N. meetings.
We also support a number of sections designed to meet the aspirations
of developing countries for a more equitable global economic order in which
women would occupy a position of equality with men.
These undertakings will
help guide Canada's developmental efforts in a way that responde directly
to the concerns of women.
But the Canadian delegation cannot concur in the adoption of blatantly
b1a9ed political references, nor can we sanction ;the diversion of the conference
from its main. objectives •. We have heard speakers who prefer the confortable
ring of global political platitudes to the unfamiliar end perhaps threatening
terrain. of sexual inequality.
Our faith in wo~en remsina unshakeable.
The progranlme contains s number of useful
We have been treated to a litany of catch-
phrases and rhetoric used to obscur a realistic examination of the plight
Our future is clearly in our own hands.
�72
:'\EW %U!.ANil l<)XPLANATIO!'I OF VOTE ON THE PROORAM
m·
ACTION
we have already explained our rejection of one paracjraph of the
Proqramme of Action:
if
we had not had to cast that vote1 we should have.
been. able to support the Programme as a whole; indeed we believe
ij
contains
much which is of value for women in New Zealand and all over the world.
However. we have
sorn~
comments which will make dearer the context ln which
we have seen ourselves obliged to abstain on the entire
docwncnt~
This Conference on Women has significantly addressed the following
points:
-- In the negotiations for peace, equality and development, humanity
is denying itself the intelli9ence, the experience, the
sensitivi~y
and visiM
members in de.cis~on-making, ne~oti:Stion, planning and practical
of half its
action.
F.concmic orgMiZation by itself is not responsible for Wanen • s
subordinate position in development; it interacts with a supportive ideology
of sexual bias, -that is sexism, to create an adverse environment for all people.
rurthermore
1
while the
econorr~ic
orqanization of society may cha,nge, every woman
everY"'hcre m\Jst confront the problem of wanM as both mother and worker,
reproducer and producer.
It is not good enough for progressive groups to ignore women's
particular needs and subordination by saying that the "genei-al n struggle for
change wi 11 take care of
w~n 's
opPression.
There are fallacies associated with grouping wcrnen with the poor
-without recognizing their special vulnerabili.ty as women.
oppression is a multiple one; of
This burden
Of
woman and poor-- or wcrnan and black,
or womiln and homeless.
Wcnten do share elements of a universal oppression and dependency.
It had. been our hope that this Conference would have dedicated itself
to the elimination of all exploitative, dependent relationships,
p~rticularly
that between men and wOmen'.
lt is our deepest regCet that this has not been the case~
0
ClOl 82
.
,.
I
.A
�.J
94th Congress}
1st Session
COMMITTEE PRINT
(')
<:. \
"
,r
I
WORLD CONFERENCE OF
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S
i.
r
r
I
.,.
,· .
, ...
YEAR~
COMMITTEE ON. GOVERNMENT .OPERATIONS
UNITED ST~TES SENATE
/sy
.1
Senator
j
"
TO THE
.,
'
::>'-''
C
- ~.
REPORT
.1
J
'''\
_..__
CHARLES
H.
PERcY,
-.~·IV
Illlnois
United States Congressional Adviser to the World
Conference of the· International Women's Year
l
I
w
I
l
SEPTEMBER 8, 1975
...... ,
)
Printed for the use of the Committee on Government Operations
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
57-{)78 0
WASHINGTON : 1975
�•
~\Q i12,h
I ~'1
p+l
CONTENTS
Pnge
COMMITTEE ON GOVERN!IIENT OPERATIONS
ABRAHAM RIBICOFF, Connecticut, Chairman
JOHN L. McCLELLAN, Arkans!l.S
HENRY M. JACKSON, Wnshlngton
EDJI! UND S. MtlSKIE, Maine
LEE METCALF, Montan_n
JAMES B, ALLEN, Alabama
LAWTON CIJILES, Florida
SAM NUNN, O~orgln
.TOliN GLENN, Ohio
RICHARD
CHARLES H. PERCY, Illinois
JACOB K. JAVITS, Nc,w York
WILLIAM V. ROTH, JR., Delnwa.re
BILL BROCK, Tennessee
LOWELL r. WEIGKER, iR., Connecticut
A. WEOMAN, Chit/ Counu! and Staff Director
PAUL llOFF, Cottll!~l
PAUl. L. LEVF.NTIIAL, Coun!cl
EJ.t E. NOBLEMAN, Cottn!el
DAVID R. SCIIAF.FF-Il, Coun,1cl
MATTHEW ScnNEIDF.R, Cov:nul
Jom; B. CII1LDERS, Chirf Counul to the Minorlly
BRIAN CONROY, Sptcial Coun.!rl to the Minority
MARtl.YN A. HARRIS, Chief Clerk
EL17.A!lETI1 A. PREAST, A&•i.\'lant Chief Clerk
HAROLD C. ANDERSON, Staff Editor
(II)
Letter of TransmittaL. . . • • _. _____ . _______ . _.....
__ . c
Introduction _____________ •
---- -------------- ..
-----The Official Conference .••.• -------- -------------Conference agenda ..... ___________________ .. _____ _
.. ___ _
Work of the Conference .• -----------------------The World Plan of Action • ---------------------ReFolutions •. ___ ...... _· _..
Declnmtion of Mexico..... ----- ---------------The Tribune .... -------------- -------------------- ..
Proposed amendments to World Plan of Action_._ •
U.S. delegation pnrtieipo.tion ___________________ _
Open Forum on Developmental Assistuncc _________ .•
. --------Pcrsonn.l Obscrvn.tions: Problems and Acnicvcmcnt.« .. _
Mn.king the Wcrld Plan n Reality:
Appendixes:
(A) Members of U.S. delcgution ____________________ . --------(B) Summary of World Plnn of Action____________
-------- _
(C) Text of rcsolution!l ndoptcd by Conference ____ ... ____ .... ____ . __
(D) Summary of Declnrn.tion of. Mexico_ .... __ .. _. __ ._. _. .. .. _
-. _
(E) Extract from Tribune amendments to World Plnn _____ -----(F) Statement by Senutor Percy ut open forum __ ._ ... _
.. __ ........ ..
(G) Stutement by Enid Kirton of Trinidad nt open forum _________ _
(H) Recommendo.tions of Congres~ionnl Symposium on 1 \V Y .. _. _.. _..
(1) U.N. documents rclntcd to the IWY Conference....
------(IIIJ
v
I
:I
a
:3
4
4
f\
7
7
8
!1
ll
4
17
1.~
24
n:1
04
Gfi
67
GD
72
�LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
u.s.
SENATI:,
Washington, D.C., September 8, 1.?75.
Hon. AnnAHAJI:[
RmiCOFF,
Chairrnan, Committee on Government Operations,
U.S. Senate, Wa.~hington, D.C.
DEAR Mn. CtL\lR11£AN: As a congressional adviser to the '''orld Conference of the International \Vomen's Year, I submit to yon and
Committee the following report on the Conference, inclnding my comments and observations.
It was an honor to serve as a congressional adviser to t.he Conference.
Been us<'. of my service on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, nnd
as a member of the U.S. delegation to the 20th session of the United
Nations General Assembly, I have had the opportunity to work in
every wny I could to help improve and strengthen thr. role of women ·
in eeonomic development. The Conference proviclrd nn PxeellPnt.
chance to further this effort. As a member of the Governmrnt Operations Committee I appreciate the role the Committee can play in
nssm·ing that the U.S. Government promotes equality for all men nnd
womcn:The Committee also has a role in assuring that the Fnited
States, in its relationships with the United Nations and other internnt.ional organizations, assists in improving the status of wonwn
worldwide. Finally, as a member of the U.S. Commission on tlw
Observance of Intrmntional Women's Year, I realized tlw importnnec
of U.S. Government implementation of the proposals passed
Conference.
It is my hope that the following I'Pf?ort will serve. both as a factual
resource and a guide to action. The report describes mnjor activities
and proceedings of the Confemnce, with emphasis on the elTol'ls of the
U.S. Delegation. It also includes guidelines and resolutions passed by
the Conference. In addition, I have suggested ways in \Vhich the U.S.
Government, and Congress in particular, cnn implement the 'Vorld
Plan of Action adopted by the Conference. Because of its on~rsight
responsibilities in the operation of Government. activities, the Government. Operations Committee can play a major role in this effort.. I havr.
outlined somn suggestions for Government Operations activities in the
RPcomrnendations for Action section (page 14).
·
Two Govm·nA,ent Opr.mtions Committee stnff mnmbet'S, one from
thn majority, Marilyn Harris, and one ft·om the minority~ Hannah
:\lcCornack, part.ieipntcd in most of the Confr.rence procecdin1-.rs and
served t lw enti rc U.S. delegation. I nppreciate yonr wi l1 i n:.;ness lo
make it possible for them to help t·ept·escmt the Committee aml the.
Senate. I was also assisted by Julia n!och of the Senate Nntrition
Committee.
(V)
�VI
I wonld like to thank nnd compliment Pat Hntar, c.haiqwrson of
the U.S. delegation to the Conference; Dan Parker of AID; .T ewe!
LnJontnnt and .Jill Ruckelshaus, official U.S. delegates to the Conference: and ot.her delegation members and advisers. The delegation was
clcdicntecl to full participation in the Conference, a.nd the en-t.ire group
deserves praise. I extend thanks to Ambassador ,John .T ova, U.S: Ambnssnclor t.o Mexico, and State Department staff for providing assistance to me and the staff members who accompanied me.
CHI\RLES
H.
PERCY.
INTRODUCTION
The 'Vorld Conference of the International Women's Year wns a
first in many respects. It was the first United Nations conferencr.
devoted specifically to women, the first U.N. conference where a
majority of t.he delegates were women, and the first major forum held
for women hom throughout the world for consideration of common
problems and aspirations.
International 'Vomen's Year was proclaimed by the U.N. General
1\ssembly in 1972 at the suggestion of t.hc U.N. Commission on t.he
Status of Women. The year is being marked by intensified action by
the U.N. and its member nations to promote equality among men and
women, to insure full integration of women m social and ceon01nie
clcwelopment, to underline the impo1tance of women's increasin.u: cont.ribution to cooperation among States and to recognize "·ornen~s role
in pursuing world peace.
.
Upon t.he recommrndation of the U.N. Economic aryd Social Con neiL
the 'Vorld Conferrnce on International 'Vomen's Year was calkcl as
a focal point for nVY activities. The purpose of the ·conferr.Jice was
to deYe]op an action program for implementation of t.he nVY goals
of equalit:y, development and peace, to bring together participants.
from nations with diverse cultura.l tmditions and economic svstems.
and to encourage awareness of the need to eliminate cliscrim'lnnfiOJi
against women.
·
The World Conference was prceeoed in 1974 and 1971) by three
regional meetings sponsored by the U.N. Eeonomic Commissions for
Asia and the Far East, and Africa and Latin America. Hrcomnwndations for national and regional action made at these mretings '"ere
useful in development of the 'Vorld Plan of Action adopted in Mexico
City.
.
.
The Conference was held in Mexir.o City from .Tnne lfl to .Tnly 2, V
Hli:). Helvi Sipila, the highest ranking woman at. tlw TT.N., was
Ser.rntnry-Gr.ncral of thr. Confrrenrr. An rst.imated 7,000, prrsons,
three-quarters of whom were women, at.tenclccl the Conf(\rrncn's oflicial
and unofficial activities.
The orgnnization and act.ivities of the official Tribune for nongovernmr.ntal_ orgn.n 1
iznJions as well. as the wor_l~ of the offieinl Conf~r~1~rr
are desc.nhed 111 sr.parnte sect1ons of t.lns report. Other ncf'.Jntlt'S
inclndecl a p1·ectmfP.rcnce .Tonrnalists' Eneonnter, organized for r,o
jonrnnlists by thr. Cr.nt.re for Economic. nml Soc.ial Tnformntion
(CF:SI) of thr U.N. Office of Pnhlie Information. The I•~nc01intrr \l'ns
open to all LoOO journalists accJ·ec1iterl by the Confr.renc!' and was
clm·otecl t.o discussion of the goals of nvy as well as lllC'dia attiturlrs
t.01mro nVY.
Tmmr.cliately following the Confrrcnre, CESI 'joined with the' U.N.
Erlne:it.ionn.L Sr.ientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in
sponsoring a mrc1ia workshop to c~xpancl on the results of the
Encounter.
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Another preconference event was the Seminar on 'Vomcn and
Development, orrranized by the American Assoc.iation for the
Advancement of Science in conjunction with the U.N. Inst.itnte for
Training and Research and the U.N. Development P1·ogramme. The
Seminar developed guidelines for national and international action
programs for the greater integration of women in the development
process.
THE OFFICIAL CoNFERENCE .
~·
The official U.N. Conference was held at the Conference CcntJ·c of
the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Tlateloco. Each participating nation was a11owed three official delegates and as many alU:lr- ·
nates and advisers as it wished. At final. couht, 1,300 delegares
representing 133 nations, 7 intergovernmental organizations, 21 U.N.
bodies and specialized agencies, 8 liberation movements, and 114 nongovernmental organizations with consultative status with the U.N.
Economic and Social Council participated,
Tho U.S. Delegation, which numbered 43 and included 10 Congressional advisers, was one of the largest. It was a group .that n~fiPct.cd a
wide range of ·professional experience and expertise.
CONFERENCE AGENDA
The official Conference considered the following topics for discussion and action:
Policies and programs to implement t}le objectives and goa Is of
IWY.
The role of women in building internationnl peace and eliminating racial discrimination.
.
Current trends and changes in the status and ro1es of WOI)lCil
and men and major obstacles to· be overcome to achieve equal
rights, opportunities and responsibilities.
.
Tho inte~ration of women· in the development process as equal
partners with men.
.
.
.
Adoption of a World Plan of Action to carry out the objectives
of IWY during the next decade. ·
WORK OF THE CONFERENCE
The work of the Conference was divided among two main committees and the Conference Plenary.
The First Committee was charged .with proposing amendments to
the 'Vorld Plan of Action, a draft. of which had been preparw1 by the
U.N. Secretariat and revised at 1l. Consultative Committee meeting of
20 nations held laH :March at the U.N. The Second·Committee debated
the Conference tOj>ics of current trends nnd changes in thr. status and
roles of men and women and the .jntegration of women in the development p1·occss. Conference topics dealing with the effect of existing policies and programs on the goals of nVY and the role of women in
lmilding international pence and eliminating racism were considered
in Plenary as p:ut of the g(meral debate.
The First Committee was faced with considering 894 amendments
submitted by official delegations to the '~rorld Plan of Action. This did
not, include ()!) amendments proposed by an ad hoc group from the
Tribune. The Second Committee had nearly as many measures hrforr.
it as the Fir·st Committee.
�4
A great deal of time was spent in plenary and both committees on
purely political matters not related to the official Confet·<'nce agendn.
The main topic of discussion was implementation of the Declai·ation
nnd Programme of Action on the I<~stablishment of a New Economic
Order and the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States
adopted by the U.N. General Assembly last year. Not until the final
hotii'S of the Conference were the \Vorld Plan of Action amendments
and resolutions recommended by the committees considered in plenary.
Because of time constraints, the First Committee proposed amendments to only the introduction and first chapter of the \Vorld Plan of
Action and recommended that the remaining five chapters be adopted
as originally prepared by the U.N. Secretariat. This was done by consensus of the delegates.
THE WORLD PLAN OF ACTION
The World. Plan of Action provides a set of guidelines and timefor action to improve the status of women tht·oughont the \Yorld.
Its pm·pose is to stimulate uational and international action to help
solve the problems of underdevelopment and existing socioeconomic
structures that place women in an inferior position. It nlso calls npon
gorermncnts to establish short, medium and long-rangn deadlines for
its impl('.mentation. Although the \Vorld Plan would have benefited
from additional amendments, it provides a guide and impetus to action
to impl'Ove the status of women on national, regional and intemational
levels.
The U.S. delegation worked to str·engthen the \Vot'ld Plan, and was
succcssfnl in pressing the concept of equal pay for work of equal
Unfortunately, the United States was nnsuccessfnl in adding "sexism"
to the official U.N. list of for·ms of oppression. Time constraints precluded the eonsideration of several other U.S. sponsored nm(~11dmcnts
to the plnn, including r·ecognition of pregnancy ns a tempomry dis·
ability for job-r·elated purposes, pr·ovision of temporary o1· permanent.
allowances for disabled spmtS('S and fot· spouses who lose opp01tnnities
for cd11cation ot· employment because of homcnw king.J·csponsibilit ies,
<;ollection of data on women to establish thcit· position in soeiet,v
tive. to men and a statement. in all U.N. assistance plans and program!'!
of their affect on women as participants and beneficiaries.
A summary of the \Vor·ld Plan of Action as adopted by the CoPfercnce is in appendix B.
·
RESOLUTIONS
Th(>. Conference also ado~tcd !Ui l'('Solntimts and n dC'cision t.o ovcrcomn mnjot· obstacles to the aehievement of equal1·ights for women and
t.o strengthen vat·ions actions to be taken by nntionnl govrrnrnents nnd
intcmational bodies as ontliued in the 'Yodd Plan of Action.
U.S. delegation in it.iatcd or cosponsored yi'j t h ot lrN· gon !'llmcnts
the following seven t'N;olntions adoptN1 by the Confet·cnce:
lnt.eg1'ation of 1Vom{'n in tf1e Der~lopmr~11t Pror.r.8.~ as Equal
Pa.1•tnm't:l lV·ith Men.-The r·csolnt.ion calls on tlw United Nations
Dcvrlopment. System, inclml ing speC'ialized ngenc.i('s and ol her·
inh~mationnt t!~chnical atHl linan<;inl :1ssishuiee programs and
agencies, to give· special nttent ion to pmgmms that
5
'~\Omen
into the deveJopmC'nt. process. It, l'eCO!lllllCIHIS t}ll\ llSC' nf
impact statements, review and nppraisal systcrns nml n·s~~areh
pfforts to lTIC'aSltl'(', progl'C'SS an<J ('.vaJnate progr:llll inqm!'! Oil
\\'Oilll'll. It. also ralls for· c'qnal employment. ·oppor1nnil iPs for
women in decisionmnking positions that govern planning and irnpJerncntat.ion of development assistance programs.
·
Edu.('at.ion. and 1'min~:n,q.-This resolution affirms the right of
individual to basic education and advocates fr·ec and cornprimat·y and secondary education as far as rC>somccs permit. It t·ecommends the elimination of sex bins from nil nspeets of
eel neat ion, i nclmli11g educational materials, tcache r· training, eou nsci ing, and school administmtiotl and suggests the use of medirt
and technology to expand edueationn1 opportunities. It. also calls
on governments, the U.N. and nongovernmental organizations to
support programs that enhance educational opport.unitir.s for
women.
Situation of ·women in tho Employ of the United Nations
mul SpN:io.lized Age1ir.ics..:.......This mensnrc calls on the U.N., iis
specialized agencies and subsidiary bodies to set. an cxainple to
member· StntPs in the hiring and promotion of women.
.
W rn1wn.'.~ Oontribnt.ion to lV m·lcl PM.c('. through Prn·ticipation
in I nte1·nn.tirmn.l Oo·nfe1'rmr:e.~.- Thr. resolution urges govenuuents
of lllC'Illb('t' States to increase substantially the mimb(~t· of women
dclcgatrs to all U.N. mr<'tings, c~specially meetings of the main
committees of the Oeneml Asscmblv.
·
Poplllation J>artir.i1)atioi1. (Self-li<:lp) .-This I'('Solut IOil asks
nwmber Stafes to sponsor voluntary social promotion program:-;,
such as !'iclf-lwlp groups, cooper·atives, \\'Omen's'groups and other
organizations at all socioeconomic levels to improve the status of
women all(] th('ir fnmilies.
lntm'nat.ioual Rr.sta1Y:lt amd Tmining /n.~titnte joT tho Prmno·
lion of lVomen,-The resolution establishes the Jnstitutc under
tim anspie<'s of the United Nations, with voluntary eontributions,
to finanr('. r·escat·ch and tmining programs to incrense enrning pol for.wormm and encourage thdr pmsnit of leadership.
Family Planning and the Full !ntegmtion of lV omen. in DeveloJmwu.t.-This mcitsm·c ut·gcs implemcntati<,m of the 'Vodcl
Popnlation Plan of Action and calls on govemrnents to provide
women and childn~n with access to health sc1·vices. It ah:;o calls for
women's ac('css to f\(lvice about tim number and spacing of
nnd for information on parenthood fm· yonng people. It. recommends that ~YomC>n be inchHlNl pmportionately "'ith men at
ln·els 011 boards nncl polirymnking bodies concemed with sociocconomie clchlopment and population planning.
This t·<'rord of initiatin~ and contribution to seven major Conf('rence
l'CSolutiort.c; shmYS the scope of the u.s. dclegntion's ro)(', Two of tlw
scw.n resolutions initiated m·cosponsored by the U.S. (lclegation d('n\t
the intPgratiorf of women in development. Eight
hy thr ('onfei'C'nce focnscd on the snnw issue. I was particularly
thnt this i::;s1w received such strong intemntional snppmt.
lanv of t lH' Conf<'rt'nee r('solntions directed thP. U.N. not to lnnnch
fmt li<'l' d(•n>lopment. pi'Ojcrts withont. evaluating t.hC'.ir impact. on
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women. This shows world recognition of women's role in economic
development.
·
As a member of the U.S. Delegation to the 2!Jth session of the U.N.
General Assembly, I urged the U.N. to live up to its Charter by taking
inimcdiatc action to eliminate discrimination in the hiring and promotion of women, especially for key policy positions. Three of the resolutions adopted by the Conference, two of \\'hieh were initiatl~d by the
U.S. delegation, addressed this pt·oblem. The resolutions called on the
U.N. and its member states to provide women a gr·eater role in international diplomacy and directed the U.N. in particular to set an example in its own personnel policies.
Full texts of the resolutions and the decision as adopted by the
Conferetice are in appendix C.
DECLARATION OF MEXICO
By a vote of 89 to 3, 1 with 18 abstentions, the Conference adopted
the ''Declaration of l\Iexico.~' The declaration, \\·hich was drafted by
the· "Group of 77" Third \Yodd nations, states the nePrl to advance
women's rights, linking these goals with economic and political objectives. Regrettably, a negat.ive t·eference to Zionism and a call for
implementation of the Charter of Economic Hights and Duties of
States precluded U.S. suppot't of the Declaration. A summary of the
Declaration of Mexico is in appendix D.
'The Unite<! Stat~"· Isrncl, nn<l Denmark voted
hn<i lnlcndc<l to ab,lnln.
n~;alnst.
Dcnmnrk
lnt~r
stnt"d thnt It
TnE TmnuNE
The lWY Tribnne, which met concurrently \\'ith the \Vorld ConfC'.rence of 1\VY, was an unofficial forum organized by nongon.l'llmental
organizations in consultative status with the U.N. Economic and
Social Council. It was attendcrl by representatives of U.N. affiliated
nongoYernmental organizations, other national and international
groups rept'es0.ilting a variety of women's interests and a large.munbet· of individuals, many of whom were from Mexico and the United
States. Over the t\\'o-week period, approximately 6,000 men and
\\'Omen participated in activities at the Tribune.
The Tribune activities consisted of panel discussions, speeches by
experts in various fields and general discussion. Along with the themes
of the \Vorld Conference, the Tribune considered numerous issues and
topics sneh as "\'7 omen Act·oss Cultures," "Law and the St.a t.ns of
\Vomen," "Population." "\Vomen in Public Life," and "Ch:ut,Q"ing Pitttems of the Family." Organizers of the Tt·ibune stressed that. the
forum took no political positions. Partieipants issued statemeitls as
i ndi vi duals or gron ps hut not in the name of the Tri bnne.
Tribune participants published a daily ne\\'spaper as a vehicle for
COilll1111nieation, but the distance bet\Veen the Tribune and Con fprencl'
meeting places, as well as the Tribune~s format, made it: diflicnlt for
Tribune pat·t.icipants to make an impact on the delib<'rations of
Confer<\nce delegates. Frustrated by the lack of comnHmication with
the Conference, Tribune participants formed "speakout" sessions to
communicate among themselves. These sessions were as varied ns the
interests of the 5:000 participants.
·
TRIBUNE Ali1END111ENT TO WORLD PLAN
'·
A core of Tribune activists formed a steering committee of 15 women
to consider revisions of the World Plan of Action. After several da vs
of intensi,·e \York, the committee drafted changC's for the \\'oriel PJ:in.
The faet that these suggested changes were discussed n nd endorsed by
a merting of 2.000 Tribune participants attests to the le,·el of agree1nent at. the Conference on matters of concern to women worldwide.
~!any of the Tribune's anlC'ndments were concerned ,(·ith strengthening the \Vorld l~lan ~s review and a ppraisa 1 mechanisms. The changes
call forcn'ation of a F.N. Office for \Vomen~s Concerns to be stnffed
by at least t\\'o-•hinls women and headed by a. woman Under Seeretnry General. Tlw office would review and mo1iitor the implementation
of the \Vorld Plan, inYesti,Q"nte complaints of civil rights violations
agninst \\'Oill<'n, analyze and report 011 the impact. of vnrions U.N.
programs on wonwn and issue anmtnl public reports.
Tribune amendments also condemnerl hiring and promotion policies
at the U.N. "·here no woman heads an agency or set·ves as a. deputy t.o
the head of an agency, and where only 1G percent of the professional
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�8
staff are women. The revisions demand an equal proportion of men
and women serving in policymnking positions in the U.N. system, and
call for a woman Secretary General in 1977.
In addition, the revisions called for changes in every sedion of t.he
·world Plan including provisions for equnl access for women to training and employment programs, freedom for women to joinnnions and
the abolition of all forms of discrimination in union or~an i:.mtions~
availability of family services such as day care, freedom of women to
control their own bodies, the right of women in developing countries
to plan and decide on U.N. development programs in those co11ntries,
and the placing of greater value on women's work in the home.
Acting on these changes, a group which called itself the Voice of
United Women of the Tribune met with Helvi Sipila, the SecretaryGeneral of the Conference, to present the revisions and to request 10
· minutes of Plenary session time to pn~sent the revisions to the Conference delegates.
Ms. Sipila a.,.,OTeed to study the group's reque."lt and respond to the
Tribune the following day. In her response, Ms. Sipila complimented
Tribune participants for their efforts, especially the t·evisior;s to the
World Plan. She declined the request for Plenary session time,
explaining that the Conference Management Committee could not set
a precedent by granting floor time to a group not accredited to
Conference. Instead, she s~ggested that Tribune pnrticipants urge
their own gmr~>rnments to Implement the w·orld Plan of Action as
approved by the Conference.
U.S. DELF.AMTION ACT[VITIF,S
The U.S. delegation mn.dc three official n.ppeai·n.nces at. t.he Tribune.
Tho first, n. forum on development assistance which I chaired, will
be discussed in the next. section. The ~cond was a delegation briefing
at. which Pn.t Hutar, .Jewel Lafontant, ,Joan Goodin and An:onnc
Fraser discnssed U.S. Delegation activities. The presentations \\'et·e
well received, particularly because Pat Hutar announced that the U.S.
Em~nss~ woulq print the rr:ribune revisions of the ·worlq Plan of
Actwn m Enghsh and Spnmsh, and that the U.S. Dcle_,gatwn would
support the Tribune's re.quest to present its snp:gestcd changes in the
·world Pln.n to thfl Conference. The third activity was an appearance
by Congresswoman Bella Ab7.ug, a U.S. congressional adviser,
delivered a forceful and provocative statement on "Women Power in
tho Future''.
OJ>r·:N FonuM ON
DEvF.LOPI'£F:NTAL AssiSTANCJ·:
Dnririg my stay in Mexico City,! chaired an open fornm on Dr.vr.lopmcntal Assistance at the Tribune. As author of two provisions of the
Foreign Assistance Act which reqttire U.S. agencies and U.S. J'Cprescntat i \'es to international ot·gani7.ation to integmt.c women into bilnteral and multilateral development assistance progrnms, I wns
that t.hc nvy Conference offered an opportunity to hear first.
from Third 'Vor·ld women on how bestto implement. this
The fonun was designed as an oppottunity for Third lVorlct women
to present their views and to foster an exchange of ideas hetwer.n
Third 'Vorld women, nongovernmental organi7.atious and reprcsentafrom donor countries in the hope that futnre development.
ance programs would integrate women into the economies of thci r
countries.
ists and fornm participants confirmed that women nnd tllCH'
roles have been neglected in development. plannin~. 'J'oo
development has unde1·mined the trnditiona 1 econom ie roles
of women in developing counti-ics. :Moreover, development nssiRtancr.
has not reached or benefited enough women who arP nsnn lly t Jw
poorest citi7.cns.
.
Panel ist.s emphasi7.ed the nrgent need to assist womr.n who live nml
work in t·nrnl nreas. 1J.N. sources indicniP. that. ow•.t· a billion wnnl<'ll.
o1· the nmjority of the world's fernnle population, wol'lz Ion~ llotm~
evrt·y da_v 'of tim yrnr. Their typical day .includes work in the fidds~
care of livestock~ eollection of firewood, enrryin~· wah'.!', pn:par:ll ion
of men Is and enrc of eh i ldren. These women need devd opnwnl. a:zsist.ane('- pro~rams to ense their daily bnrdcn and to provide nppronriate
technology and training to help them inc1·ense tlwir pmdnet.ivi . .
Panelists nlso agreed that. ill!terney among women poses sta~g<:nnp:
to tlw ititcgmtion of women into the devnlopnwnt.
Aeconling to U.N. statistics, nhoilt :)00 million of tlw world':z two
)illion wmtwn are illiterate. One. ont. of e.very t.hrcc·wotnen on•r 1:)
ycnTsof ngr. cnnnot. ren<l or write. In 1970, wotllen madr, np fiO
of tlw woHd's illiterates, nnd n.s t.he world population
hel\,·ecn t hn nnm her of i11 iterate women and iII i t.cmtc men wil
even wider. Because basic literacy ~kills nrc a key to tnlimn:.r programs, developrhental assistance must. givr. literacy trainin~
women high pr·iqrity.
Forum participants, however, noted thn.t Jiterncy training alone
wonld be an exercise in futility. Unless development nssistance nlso
helps ntrnl.women overcome their heavy wol'idoads, poor henltk malnutrition and constant pregnancies, physien.l exhnnst.ion wil.l rob these
women of the interest and energy needed to improve themsclvrs
aequ i r·e basic sld lls.
.
Althoup:h somr. Fornm partidpantR disagreed, cit.ing the elitist
nature of international nongovernmental orgnni7.ations, the pnnelists
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�10
proposed that donor countries consider funding development assistance programs through nongovernmental organizations. A nnmber
of panelists charged that under the l"\xist.ing system development
assistance money often does not. reach the people. Nongovernmental
orrrnni;wtions, the panelists argued, are closer to the people and have
n better understanding of thetr needs. Ms. Enid Kit'ton, a panelist,
presented the Forum a model for development assistance funding
throt1gh nongovernmental organizations.
.
The Open Forum was cosponsored by the League of \:V omen Voters,
U.N.-U.S.A., the World ·watch Institute, \Vomcn's Int.cmational Network, and the \Vomen Food and Population Program. Assi:;;tance
was provided by five outstanding women repre:;;enting major international women's organizations: Irene de Lipkowski, Pre:;;ident, International Alliance of \Vomen; Beryl Nashar, P1·esident, International Federation of Business and Professional \Vomen; Elizabeth
May, President, International Federation of Unive1·sity \Vomen; Olive
L. Farquharson, President, As.sociated Country \Vomen of the \Vorld;
and Irmgard Bohm, Board member, International Council of \Vomen.
Panel members were Sylvia Francisca B. Bolanos, Filipina International Labor Organization, rural development expert. in Ghana; Lee
Ynn-Sook, Korean telev.ision personality; Diane Opondo, field reprc·
::;cntative for the Economic Community Association of Africa; and
Enid Kirton, women's organization activist from Trinidad.
Fnll texts of my opening remarks before the Forum and Ms. lOrton's development assistance model are in appendixes F and G.
'··
· Pr::nso~AT, Onsr:HVATIO~s: Pnom,m1rs ANn AcntEVE:i\rEXTR
The \Vorlcl Conference of the International \Vomen 1s Year was a.
major step toward at-tainment of equality for women. ]Is most. irnportant achievcrnrnt was adoption of the \Vorld Plan of Adion 1 n.
10-ycar pro):.!;t·am to improve the statu:;; of women: It givPs national
governments gnid('.lincs to help increase women's r:artieipation in t lw
economic, social, polit.ical and cult.ura l life of then· conn ttirs.
The nongovermnentrll Tribune also was a. :;;ucccss. It achieved unity
despite seemingly impossible national, political and ideological cliffcrences. Trib11ne participants suggested revisions to the 'Yorld 1'1an
of Action, thus pmducing a blueprint for improving the stalus of
womrn thro11ghont. the world.
achievements nrc especially imprcs:;;ive because of t.he odds
nst :;;uccess.•Just as women arc less equal than men in e\·cr.v eollnof the \Yorld, the International \Vomen's Year Confercncn was
less cqtwl than other international conferences.
From the brginning~ nei•her the United Nations nor its member
nations took lntemational \¥omen's Year 'seriously. The U.N. hudg-e.ted *2;JRJlOO for the~ 1\VY Confcrcncn 'vhen the \Yorhl Population
Conference spent ljm.5 million, relegating the 1\VY Conference to
de.pendence on voluntary contributions. As late .as Octo bet·, 1!)74, the
conference site was c:hanged from Bogota, Colombia, to Mexico Ciity,
Mexico. Then, the conference date was moved up suddenly.
In Mexico City, the lack of funding and the last mmutc sitn and
datn ehanges brought. reported administrative and technical prohlPms.
Space wa~ short and physical :;;upport facilities were inndequat<\,
distn.n<'e bet.ween t.hc Conference and Tribune sites ma<ln commnnication and t.ranst)ortation difficult. Documentation and translation set·vices were insuflicient.
Unlike othe1· international conferences, women delegates at the
1\VY Confe>rencc were in the major·ity, outnumbering males four to
one. For the· fi1·st. time in the history of international confcrenccR,
women Rcrvecl on almost every delegation and headed ·n. majority of
the delegations. Having been generally excluded from the forums
of intemational diplomacy, women dcle>.gates in Mexico City wodmd
against. t.he dual handicaps of inexperience and lack of confidence.
.Mneh time>. ancl cf1ort. were spent in learning the rules and procedures
of intcrnationa•lll)Cetings.
·
·
The I\VY Conference re>.fle.cted womon's lade of power in society.
At the conference inaugural session, three men spoke fir-st, followed
b.Y Helvi Sipila. A man, Attorney Ge.ncra.l Pedro Ojeda Panlladn.,
Head of Mexico's Delegation, became President of the Conference
because U.N. pmtocol stipulates that. the head of the host country
rlclcg:ation preRides. Despite the attendance of women officials, legislators, judges and, even, a \Yoman head of state, the women \yho received tho most press nttentjon at t.hc Conference were wrves of
(11)
�13
12
prominent men. In pointing this out,however, I do not mean to detr·act from their own competence or contribution.
. ·
\Vomen had little control over the first intergovernmental conference ever held to focus on their concerns. As members of delegations,
they were bound by the instructions of their governments, many of
whrch had not assigned high enough priority to women's issues.
7
\\ omen delega.tes generally had no problem agreeing atnong themselves that the conference should focus on closing the social, economic
and political gnp between men and women, and not between developed
and developing countries.
·
Government instructions, however, politicized the conference folJo,Ying the pattern established ·by t.he 197~ U.N. Conference on Hnrnan Emrironment. Since 1972, Thir·d World nations have used inter·national forums to press the theme that world pr·oblems, whether they
concern the environment, population, food or women, are symptomatic
of economic exploitation and political injustice. Third Wol"ld nations
r.lnim that such problems can only be resolved by changing existing
economic and political relations between countries and cstablislring a
new world e.conomic order.
The question of a world redistribution of wen.lt.h emergrd ns n
dominant theme at the I\VY Conference. Third \Vorld nations nrg-ned
a J'eordering of economic structures to corr·ect tlH5 imbalances
between rich and poor countries must. precede the struggk fot· \vomon's
equality. Otherwise, they said equality would mean little mom thnn
sbn red disadvantage. .
·
\Vcstern industrialized nations, including thCI United. States, contended that women cannot wait for· economic development to bi·ing
equality because equality does not necessarily follow pmsperity. There
is C\'idence t.hat women have not always btmefited from the dc,·elopment. process and, indeed, their ·position in relation to men hns at
time;.; dr>tcriorated af>a result. Although the ndvanccnH.'nt. of the status
of women is linked to improving the lot of all mankind. the two processes must go together and women. must. participate with riwn as
partners in both proeesscs.
The I\VY Conference and Tribune provided an opportunity for
Third \Vorlcl nations, assisted by countries aligned with the Soviet,
Union, to ehar·ge \Vrstern countries with alleged crimes and unresolved
obligations. Many nations and ethnic groups made ehar·ges ngainst
the Unit~?d States for imperialism, colonialism, nco-colonialism and
r!lcism. Representatives of a group r.alled tlw FedPmtion of Puerto
Hican \Vorricn accused the Uriitcd States of practicin,g genocide because. thCI H.R. sponsorecl·- a. family planning program in Puerto
Hico. Panama, incited bv a Congressional proposnl which would for·bid
the usc of St.atr Department funds for Panama Cnnal negot int.ions.
charged the United States with violating Panamanian sovereignty.
Other nations, groups and individuals called the Fnited States the
warmong'er itnd arms dealer of the world. The CIA was vilifiPd as the
main perpetrator of U.S. intuvcntionist policies. AID was alleged to
be nn arm of the CIA. U.S. multi-national cor·porations wrr·r attacked
for nllc.ged economie exploihtt.ion and oppression. The U.S. delegation
was charged with being- unrcpt·esentative of minority intet'eRts. For
some~ this wns the usual divet·sion from t.he principal pm·pose of internn.tio.nal meetings to beat..familiar propagandn. drnms.
Some ('.lemcmtR of t.he news media did not take the eonfcTr.twe anv
more seriously than manv in the U.N. or itR member nat.inns. lt. O\'l~I:
phyed disputes and faiicd to understand that the
,·ided a vit.al forum for the pursuit of equality for wonw.n. Wit
fully understanding ·the Conference, some jonrnnlists could not.
acc11ratdy report its accomplishments or the achievements of:
ti·ying eimumstanccs; others did better.
·
\Vomen at the Conference nnd Tribune were. united in thPir desire
for a strong \Vorld Plan of Aetion. This unity of purpose kept irrr.levant politi~a.l consi<lerations out of the ·world Plan of Action, allowin,g it to be p.doptcd by consemms. Contl'Ovcrsial political issH(~s were
rcle~atcd to tho Declaration of Mexico, which was ndoptell nfter
consiclcmble dissension.
The most stl'iking example of the politieization of the Con ferenC.I\
was thr inappropnate reference to Zionism and its equation with
forms of opprt'ssion in the text of the De<:laration of l\Iexico. To colldenm Z:ionisml linking it with apartheid, colonialism, imperialism :111d
other forms of oppression in a document produced by a confet·encc
hehl to omsidcr the status of women seemed to manv llnr·easonnble.
:Such ncf.ion only S?rv.cd to reenfor·ce the stereotype
Ute U.N. as l1
"t.ymnny of the lllrtJOl'lty."
'
Although the United States and Israel were a minr·n·ity of two on
the Deelamt ion of Mexico vote, t.he United States was not
:tt. tlw I\VY Conference. In fact the United States was the foremost
delegation to communicate \Vith nongovernmental organ i7.ations
work with the Tribune. The U.S. delegation also t.ook anti-American
attacks in st.t·idCI and considered some as constructive clmlle.nges. The
United States has a. credible record on women's rights. The tJ.S.
gat-ion stood by thnt record nnd helped strengthen Confcr·ence. netions
in the interest of improving the status of \Vomen throughout the
world. This cffm1. was illustrated in t.he delegation's strong participation in drafting Conference re..'lolntions.
\Vornen c.an be proud of their first intergovernmenta!l conference.
meet.ing of women from developed and developing countries
helped edncat.e ench group nbout the fnndament.al concerns and prior·ities of the other. It made women more a. ware of their eommon goals
and made g-overnments more conscious of issues of concern to women.
The ·world Plan of Action clearly articulates women's pr·oblems and
goals on a worldwide scale and provides a stimulus for future action.
The Conference also set a target date to hold a second women's conference in 1980, ensuring that efforts made in l!H!>, Int~rnational
\Vomen's Year-. will not.
forgotten.
· ·
·
The intangjble achievements of t.he Conference should also he noted.
The Confcrenel\ was an opportunity for.women to meet, find reasstll'. nn~r. in ench other's experiences and gnin new ehallcnges in each other's
ideas. The Conference. tonghe.ned and matured the international
women's movement. \Vonum.at the Conference begnn t.he process of
building' the info1·t11al associations and networks so important in the
exercise of influence -and power.
of
be
�15
MAKING 'l'HE WORLD PLAN
A
REALITY: RECOJ\I1\fENDA'l'IONS
FOR AcTION
The World Conference on International Women's Year achieved
considemble success, but the recommendn.tions contained in the World
Plan of Action and Ref:iolutions adopted by the Conference will never
be realized without n conr.erted and dcclicnt.cd follow-up effort.
The World Plan of Action adopted by the Conference provides
guidelines 11nd recommendations for action on the int.ernn.tionnl,
regional nnd nntionnl levels. I am honeful that the U.S. Commission
on t.he Observanee of International Women's Yenr will
menclntions for governmentn.l and nongovernmenh:tl action in its finn!
to t.he President.. Also, the Congressional Symposium on Jnt.erWomcn's Year which was held prior to the Worlrl Conference,
provided speeific recommenrln.tions for Congressional action. A list
of S~rmposium recommendations is contained in appendix (I-I).
Following are suggestions which I believe Congress, nncl the Govern. ment Operations Committee in particular, should consider ns responses
to these proposals.
·
Government Struct?tre8.:._The World Plnn of Action emphnsizes the
import.!mce of effective and snfficiently-finnnccd govcrnmcn t. st.ruct.ures
for implementation of its gon.ls and recommends the creation of commi:'lsiom; and burcnus for this purpose.
U.S. Government is not lacking in such organiz11tions. Eight
Fedcra.l 11gencies n.re charged specifically with enforcing Federal
antidiscrimination· laws. Other agencies have ant.idiscrimin11t,ion
provisions in their nuthorizing legislation and many lmve prescribed
complaint procedures. In n.ddition, there arc ten mnjor Federal
organizations with resen.rch, advisory n.nd informn.tionn.l functions
relo.ting to women, nne\ many smaller groups, both formal and informal,
similn.r fnnctions. These effort.c;; however, have not been espceffective in improving the status of women.
Government Opern.tions Committee, with its broad oversight
i urisdiction, can play a major role in establishing an effective government framews~!~. In nny oversight effort, the following questions
should be addressed n.nd answered:
Arc the exil;ting progr!\ms carrying oiJt their mnmlate?
Can existing programs be better organized .to eliminn.te waste
and duplication and produce maximum efficiency?
Is effectiveness suffering from a lack of funds or enforcement
authority?
·
Should there be a single agency to coordinate intragovernmentnl
eff01:ts on behalf of women, including a clearinghouse for informatmn on women?
How effectively is the Fedeml Government utilizing the
ex.;pertis~ ~f nongovernmental organizations and private indiVldunls m 1ts women's programs?
(14)
The World Plan also recommends that governments ndopt
own strategies and timetables £or implementation of the Pln.n.
is no single government agency equipped to undertake this tftsk. Nor
is there a government agency equipped to assess and review U.S.
progress regarding the goals of the Plan. Suggestions have bcl:'n mn,de
for a special commission, a cabinet-level department, and/or n series
of official conferences to promote a.nd monitol' the U.S. implcmcntat.ion
for the World Pl!tn of Action. The existing and proposed organizations should be reviewed so that an effective mechn.nism can be
established as soon as possible.
U.S. Relations with International OrganizatioM-The World
of Action and the resolutions adopted by the Conference cn.\1 for
increased participation of women m international affairs. Like t.he
Congressional Symposium on International Women's Year, the
Conference concluded that women have been virtually excluded from
every aspect of the foreign policy area. Internn.tional orgn.nizn,tions,
including the United .Nations, are major offenders in denying women
equn.l opportunities in this field. ·
In response to this problem, I sponsored an amendment to the
Foreign Assistance Act of 1974 that requires all U.S. representat.ives
t.o international organizations to integrate women into the implemcntat.ion of assistance programs M well 11.c.; professional positions in those
organizations. Conclusions from both tlie Conference and the ,Symposium indicate that the role of women in foreign policy ought to be
reviewed by appropriate Congressional Committees.
Congressional activity on ·this issue has centered in the Foreign
Relations Committee. The Government Operations Committee mn.y
want to examine it from the perspective of how our relations .~vith
international org11nizations can be geared to improve the status of
women throughout the world. An examination of the causes and consequences of exclusion of women by international orgftnizn.t.ions would
be useful in determining what steps cn.n be taken to subst.anLially
increase women's nctive role in society.
Other Areas for Congressional Action.-Many of the specific recommendations for national n.ction contnined in both the World Pln.n of
Action and the report of the Congressional Symposium require Congressiono.l action for implementation. These . recommendations fall
within t.he jurisdietion of several Committees. Some remedial men.sures
are n.lren.dy under consideration.
Education.-The importn.nce of equal cducationn.l opportunity to
equal right.s and opportunities for women cannot be overstn.ted. The
United States hns made significant progress in this area, but
remains to be accomplished.
·
Federal agendes must have the funds and authority to effectively
enforce exisJing aantidisclimination statutes, particularly 'fitle IX of
the Elementary and Secondn,ry Education Act. Sufficient funds should
be provided for research and development efforts under existing programs designed to combat sex discrimination in education. Existing
education statutes should be 11mended to assure that fedemlly-funded
educat.ion and educational materials nrc free from sex role stcreot.ypes.
Employment and Career Opportunities.-Eqtiality in education rtlone
is not sufficient to gunrn.ntee equal n.ccess to employment and c11recr
opportunities.
�16
As wit.h education, existing antidiscrimination statutes must be
effectively enforced. A special program should be estahlishccl to assist
femole-owned business through loans or loan guarantees, technical
information and government contract opportunities. The effectiveness
of recently-enacted legislation prohibiting discrimination in the
granting of credit on the basis of sex or marital sLatus should be
closely monitored. The Fcdernl Government should provide or
encouruge the provision of aids to women and men who hnve
work and family duties such as flexible work hours, pn,rt-time employment opportunities, quality child-cn,re, and maternity protection.
Health and Nutrition.-Although the United States lms greater
resources in this area than any other nat.ion, it lags behind many
count.ries in maternal and child health. Many people, p!trticuln,rly
women and children, still do not have an adequate or nutritions diet.
Adequnte health care, particularly maternn.l n.nd child care, should
be physically and financially accessible to. all. The Federal Government
should expnnd it.<; nutrition educat.ion progrnm:; n,ncl should assure
t.hn,t n,ll those who n,re eligible for food stamps ore n,ble to noolv for nnd
receive them.
APPENDIX A
STATES Dr~rJr:GATION .To Tim UNITED NATIONS 'VonLo CoNFERF:K<:E OF TltE INTERNATIONAL \Vo11l:EN's YEAH, l\h;x100 CtT1" 1
Uxrnm
,Ju:l'a: 19-.Tut/l" 2, 11>75
UNITED
STATI~S
DELEGATION
fleleqates
Patricia Huta!', United States Representative on the Commission on
the Status of 'Vomen of the l•:conomic and Social Counci·l of t.he
United Nations (Head of the Delegation).
.Te\\"cl LafontanL Deputy Solicitor General, Department of .Just.ice.
Dnnicl Parker, Administrator, Agency for International Devcloplllcnt
(Co-Head of Delegation .Tunc 19-21).
,Jill E. Huckelshaus, Pr·csiding Officet·, National Commission on the
Observance of I ntemational vVomen 's Y cat·.
Alteniate Delegates
Virginia H. Allan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public AITnirs,
Department of State.
.
L. Armstmng, Member, National Commission on the Observance of lntemational 'Vomen's Year.
Huth Cluscn, President, League of "romen Voters of t.hc
States.
·
Arvonne S. Fraser, Former President, ':Vomen's Equity Action I..<:nguc.
Joan G·oodin, Assistnnt Director, International AITairs Departln<>nt.,
Brotherhood of Hailway, Airline, and Steamship Clerks, Freight
Handlers, Express and Station Employees, American Federation
of Lnbot·-Congress of Industrial Organizations.
Rita E. Hauser, Member, United States Advisory Commission on
International Educational and Cultural Affairs .
•Johnston, United States Delegate to and Vice Chnirmo.n of the
Inter-Amrriean Commission of 'Yomen .
.Joseph .J .•Jova, Ambassador Extraordill!H')' and Plenipotentiary
United States Embassy,l\!cxico City.
Patricia H. Lindh, Special Assistant to the President for 'Yomen~
The White House.
Carmen R. Mayq1i. Director, ':Vomcn's Bureau, Department of Labor.
V.irginia. Trotter, Assistant. Sect·ctary for Educntion, Department. of
Health, Edtkation and 'Vclfare.
Barbara .1\L 'Vhitc. Ambassador, Altemate United Statr.s Representative for Special Political Affairs, United States Mission to the
United Nntions.
Oon,_rJ1'essional Ad11i8ers
Hon. Birch Bn,·h, United States Senate.
Hon. Chn.rlcs lL Percy, United States Srnate.
• ·
lion. Bella;;:;, Abzng: United ;;)tntcs House of Rr.pr<:'sentntives.
Hon. Mnr·gnrct M. Hccldcr, United States House of Representatives.
(17)
�19
18
Advisers
H.nth E. Bacon,. Director, United States Center for International
Women's Year, '~rashington, D.C.
rr!uriel .M. Hem1nn, Pennsylvania.
Hnnison lV. Burgess, But·ean of International Organization AfTairs,
. D(~pn rtment of Stn te (Secreta r·y of Delegation).
Emily Carssow, Assistant. Profcsso\' of Law, University of Georgin.
Cnt herine S. East., Deputy Com·dinator,Secrctal'iat. for I ntenHttionn l
·women's Year, Department of State.
Gilda Bojorquez Gjnrich, :Member, .Nntional Commission on the Observance of International Women's Year.
Mnrv M. Haselton, Bnrearr ·of Oceans and Ititemational Environ'mental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State.·
Carl ,J. Hemmer, Hnrean of Pop.ulntion and Hmnmlitnrian Assistance,
Agency for International Development.
Shirley n. Hendsch, Bureau of Intemational Ot·gnni:wtion Affairs,
Department. of State.
.
Marion N. ,Ja vits. Pnblic Affn irs Consnltant, New York.
Karen Keesling, Dit·ector, Office of ·women's ProgTams, The 'Vhite
Honse.
·
.
.John W'. Kimhnll, Bmeau of International Ot·gnnizntion AfTnit·s,
Department of State.
.
Nim H. Long, Coordinator for 'Vomen in Dc,·clopm<'nL Agency for
International Development.
:.fildred K. J\Inrcy, Coordinator for Intcrnationnl W'omen's Year, De. partment of State.
·
:\forng M. Simchak, Office of Lnbor Affairs, Agency for International
DC\·elopment.. .
.
Sally \Vemer. Bmcan of Interna.t.ional Orgnnization Affairs, Dcpnrtment. of State.
Guy A. Wiggins, United States Mission to the UniiNl Nations.
Spetiial Delegati.on From U.S. House of RP.presentath!e8
Hon. Lindy Bogg-P-, U.S. House of Reprrsentatives.
Hon. Mat·joric S. Holt, U.S. Honse of Hl"pt·esentatives.
Hon. ]\lnrtha E. Keys. U.S. House of Representntives.
Hnn. Pntsy T.Mink~ U.S. Honse of Representatives.
J-Ion. Patt·icin Schroecler, U.S. Honse of Hep1·esr.ntnt.ives.
Hon. Lconor K. Sn'llivnn~ U.S. House of Representat.ives.
·-...
APPENDIX
B
Sul\UfAnY oF 'Voim) PI,AN OF AcTION
! nt1·od~wtion
Notes that despite the ndoption of varion::; l.J.N. instrnments prorlaiming thnt. the full and complete devc1optMnt of a. conntry. the
welfare of the wol"!d and the cmtse of pence rcqnit·e the mnxim11m participation of women n,; well ns men in all fields, prog-ress in tt·anslating
these pr·inciples· into prnctica·l J'enlity is proving- slow and uneven.
'Vhile there nrc siQ:nificant differencrs ill the stnhts of \mnwn in different countries :1nd re,...ions of tho wol'lcl, basic similarities unite
·women to fight diffcr·enc(:;; wherevct·thr.y exist.
States that Governments should ensure for both women nnt1 men
eqnnlity before the In\\', cqnnlit.y of nducntional opportunit.ies,equ:dit.y
in conclitions of employment, including J'emunerntion and adt~quat.e
social secnrit.y, the right to employment on equnl conditions regardless of marital status, and maternity pmtection.
Notes individuals nnd couples have the right to detet·mine tlw munbei' ·and spncing of their children and the vital illlporlam:<~ of
chilcl-rare cC'nters in pr·on10ting eqnnlit.y between men and 'Yotnen.
States that it is the nim of the Plan 'to ensm·e that. the original and
multidimensional contribution of \\'omen is not overlookNl in exist.ing
concepts for developrnent action 1wogrnms and an impron~d wnrl(l
economic equilibrium.
Natimwl Ar.tt'on
States that. thr Plan is intended to provide gnidelines for national
aetion ovet· the 10-.vear period fr-om lfl7!\ to 1!18!\ ns pat·t of a Sll:'.tninc~d.
long-term efTort. to achieve the objectives of International \VomPn~s
Year. Hecornnwnds that go,•et·tmwnts decide on their own nntionnl
slrategiPs, identify their· own targets n.tH.l pt·iOI'itics within tlw l'lan.
nnd establish short, medium and long-t.erm targets to intplcnwnt fl\(~
Plan. Hecomm<•nds the estnhlishnwnt of intenlisciplinat·y nnd rnnltisedoral lllnchinery within gover·nment. such as national conunissions,
wonH~n's bureaus and other bodies, with ndequnte stan· and hndgd. as
rfTeetive tmnsitional nle11SIIl'es for an·elnrntin;.r t.he nchil\\'Pil!Pili. of
(•qual opportunity for women and their· full integ-ration in national
life.
Statrs that. h,v the enfl of the first !\-year period, the n<\hievPnlrnl of
the following should beseC'n as a minimum:
A.marked increase in liternc:v of women;
Extension of vocationa·l training in bnsic skills, inclmling
modern fnrtlling methods;
Pnrity of em·olhmmt at. the primary level of education;
Increased employment oppot'tnnities for women; ·
Establishment nnd inerense of int.mstmctm·nl services
in nmd areas and others:
Enactment of lqrislation on equal political participntion with
men. ef{nnl employment oppot'tnnities nnd remJtnerations, and on
equality in legal cnpneity and tire Pxer·cisc thereof:
gne(;nragPmPnt of iitct·ensed participation of women in i he
formulation of net ion-policies nt n II levels;
.
Ina<:'nsed provision for comprehensive mensurcs for lwa It It,
edneation nt)d sPrvice!'\, sanitation, nnt.t·ition, family cducntion,
fnm il v planning and other we lfn re scr·vices;
Provision for parity in the exncise of civil, social ·and polit.iml
l'ig-hts s11ch as those pertnining to matTiag-e, c-itizenship
r.ommercP:
HrroQ:n it ion of the C<'onom ic vn lne of women's work in t h<>. homr,
in doniestic food pl'Odnction and ma!'lwting- rind in
adil'itirs not trnclitionallv t·emullrrntecl:
To dil·ect fonnnl. non:forrnnl and life-long edncntion towards
the re-eYalnat.ion of men nnd wonwn in m·d<:'t' to rns1n·e their fnll
n•:rl iznl ion a!'i ind i vi(lna Is in t lw fa 111 i ly n ncl in socict.y;
�20
The promotion of women's organizations as an interim measure
within workers organizations and educational, economic and professional institutions;
The development of m~dern rnral technology, cott:-1;ge industry,
pre-school day centers, ttme and energy-savtng devices so as to
help reduce the heavy workload of women, particularly those living in rural sectors and for the urban poor, and thus facilitate the
full participation of women in community, national and internationo:l affairs;
The establishment of an interdisciplinary and inultisectoral machinery within each Government for accelerating .the achievement, of equal opportunities for women and their fnll integration
in national life.
SPECJF!C AREAS .FOR NATIONAL ACTION
lnterna.tiono.l co-operation and the strengthenlnq of international
peace.-Recommends that women be given every encouragement to
participate actively in intergovernmental and nongovernmental organiMtions having as their aim t.he strengtlmning of intcrnationri'l
sccnrit.y a.nd peace, thnt. the exchange of visits betwee.n women of
fferent conntrics to study common p1·oblr.ms be promoted, and that
the. U.N. proclaim aspecial day to be devoted to intemat.ional pence..
Political participatimi._;_Notes that women, who numcricnlly const.itnte ha.Jf the population of tl1e world, still occnpy a small percentage
of leadership position:-; in t.he varions brnnchrs 'of govPrnmcnt. To
correct. the stt.uat.ion, Govemments are 11 rgcd t.o establish goa 1:-;, st rategics nnd t.ime-tahlcs for increasing within the 107!1-R!i drcadr. the
munhet· of \\'om1~n in elective and appointive pnblic offices nnd pnl>lie
functions at nll levels. It suggests that special rfforts to achie\'e thesr
objectives conld include t.he issuan('e of specinl govm·n11:,'.ntnl instrnefor nchieving an equitable represent.at.ion of women in public
offices and the undertaking of special activities for the rc'cntit.ment,
nomination and promotion of women especia,Jly to fill imp01'tant positions, until equitable t·epresentation of the sexes is achi(wNl.
lfducation a.nd T1·a.i11.inq.-Notes that illiterncy and lack of edn<eation and training in basic skills a1·e some of the ca11srs of the vir.ions
circle of nnder-developmr.nt, low productivity rmd poor conditions of
henlth and ,.,..clfare. The Plan 'nrges Govm·nmcnts to provide. efjnal
opportunities for bot.h sexes nt alr·lcvf.ls of education and training
within the context of a life-long edncntion, vocat.ionnl and gnidnnce
programs free of sex role stereotyping, and r·esea1·ch nct.ivit.ies to
idm1~ify discriminatory pract.ices in edncat.ion nnd training to ensnr-c
.
cdnca.tiona.l eqnality.
f:7n,ploym.ent rrnd relrded economic role.~.-Suggests that Govern·
ments formulnte policies nnd action programs exprrssly dii'C'dcd towaYds e.(jll!llity Of opportnnit.y nnd trPat.mcnt. for women workers and
the gnamutec of their right to NJUa 1 pay for eqna 1 work. Govrr·nments shonld also cstnhlish speci fie target dater-; fm· a<'hieving a sn hstantial increase in the number of women employed in skilkcl
trehnical work~ and make' special efforts to increase the nmnber of
women in management. a.nd policv-mnking in commerce. indnstr·v.
and trnde. Protective legislation itpplicable to women onlv should
21
he t·eviewcd in light of scientific and technologic-al knowl1·d.!!P and
revised, repealed or extruded to a 11 wot·kers as neCI'f'Sa ry. Tl w l'la n
notes the importance of access to creel it, ndcfjtl!lte training, ami a::;:;i::;tance in marketing to extending the range of women's cconom ic roles
and Pw need fo1· mnlt.ilateral appt·oaches such as flexiblr working
hours, pa1t-time rmployment, child-care facilit.ics and child-earn
lra\·n systems to facilitate the combination of family nml work
rr.sponsihil it.ies.
!leo.l.th n.nd nntrition.-Urges t.hc development of such educational
pro~rams that would help overcome prejudices, taboos and superstitions whic.h prevent women from 1ising existing hea:lth facilities.
In addition, programs should be fm·mulatcd for Hie reduction of infant~ child and maternal mortality by means· of improved nutrition,
sanitation, matet·nal and child health care and mntemal education.
The Family in modern 8ociefy.-St.ates t.hat the fnndions and roles
traditionally allot.ed to each sex within thr. family should hn rontinHall.\' re-examined and reassessed in t.he light of changing eoncli1 ions if women are to enjoy cqnnl rights, oppot·t.nnit.ies and rrsponsihilitir.s ii1 society. Legislation 1·elating to marriage shonlcl ii)Sill'l'~
among other things. Pfjllalrights for hnth sexes to fn'e <'lioire of spousr
nnd to e.ntrt· into marriage only with t.hcir free and fn11 c.onsPnt. Ollicia.J rq~istrat.ion of maniages should be made compulsory. and such
practicrs as child marriages a.nd inlw.rib\nce of widows should hl'
abolished. As t.o unmarried mothers, t.he Plan recornmPJHh that t
bP. g1·nnted full-fledged statns M parents and t.hat childrrn born out o
"·ecllock have the same rights and oblign.t.ions as those horn in WP.dlo(':k.
Popnlntion.-Enclorses the J'eeomnwndnt.ions of the lD74 \Vorld
Population Plan of Action and stipulat.cs that whih'. States have n.
sovereign riprht. to clrtermine the.ir own popnlat.ion policirs, indiviclunls
and r.onplrs should ha.vc aceess, through n.n institnt.ionalized system, t.o
th0 infonnat.im1 and means that will ennblc them to detrrminP. frrcly
and responsibly the number and spacing of t.heir children. The Plan
recommends thnt all legal, social or financial nbstncles to the dissrmi·
nation of fnmily phmning knowledge, means and services should be
nbolished.
flmMing o.nrl rr>.lated frrdlitie.~.-Notes t:he import.nnce of the house~
re.ln.trd fncilitiesnnd its neighb01·hood to improvement in the 'lives
of women and urges that. the needs of women be tn'lmn into ncconnt.
in t.he plnnning and design of such st.mctures.
Otlwr Rocinl QuMtion.~.-NotC's the import!mcc of social services
to the devC'lopment process and the special needs of migrant. women
and rloerly \voroen.
R'fi~EARCH, DATA C:OLLECTJON AND ANALYSIS
Pointing ont. thnt a. mnjor diffieulty in assessing the pconomic contrilmtion of women is the lack, or inr.ompletenrss, of datn nnd inclica.tors to nwnsut·e t.hei r sitnat.ion as it. affects the proeess of
ment. and vir.e vr.rsa. the ·Plan snggest.s thnt a scientific nnd rrl
datn base be est.nblished and suitable economic and social indiea.t.o1-s
mgently be developed to correr.t t.he situntion. The United Nation;:;
should prepare, in coopern.tion with interested speciali~ed ngcneies, an
inventor,y of social and economic indicators relevant to the nnalysis
of the status of women as soon as possible and not. later than 1980.
�22
1\IASS COMMUNICATION MRDIA
The Plan states that the media could exercise a significant. inflncnce
in helping to remoYe prejudices and ste1·eot~prs, :1ccclentting the
~ccr.ptnncc of women's new and expanding roles m socJct.y nnd promoti1w their integration into t.he development process as eqtml pari net"S.
At present,' it says, the media tend to reinfor·ee traditiona'l attitndes~
often pm·trnying an image of wom<>n that is dc.grading and hnmiliat~nd fail to refl'cct. the r:hnnging role of the sex<>s. The media may
also luwc. harmful cffect,c; in imposing alien cnlt.nres upon differerit
societies. Those in control of the media should be urged to project
n more dynamic image of women (as well ns of men) and to take into
account the divet"Sity of women's roles and their actual and potential
cont.rihution to society, according to the Plan. It urges that a greater
nnmber of women be appointed to media management and decisionmakin,. positions and to such positions as columnists, reporters and
produ;el"S, and that they encourage the critical review, within the
media, of the image of women projected .
. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL ACTION
l11ternatiomu mea.wres.-The Plan st.ates that the United Nations
should proclaim the decade 1975-1985 as the United Nations Decnde
for "'omen and Development to insnre t.hat national and international
action will be sustained throughout that period. Orgnnizations of the
United Nations should evaluate what has been done to improve tlw
status of \VOJnen and enhance the-ir contribution to development and
identify the measures needed to implement. the Pla,n. The Plan calls
for the full involvement of women in policy-making at. the intemat.ion~J level as well as the national level. Governments are nsked to
immr·e t.hnt. women are equitably represented among the principal delegates atintemat.ional meetings including those dealin~r with politienl
and legal questions, economic and social development, disarmament,
planning, administration and finance, science and technology~ environment and ·population. Secretariats of international organizations
shonld·act to insnre an equitable balance between men and women staff
members before the end of the Second Development. Decnde of 19RO.
Regional aotion.-The United Nations regional commissions are
asked t.o stimulnte interest i11 the Plan and provide national Governments and non-governmental organizat.ions with the t.echnicnl and
informationnl support they need to develop strategies to further th~:"
Plnn's objecth:es in t.he v:~rious regions. The regional development
banks, sub-reg-tonal banks and bilaterall funding agencies should be
asked to give high priority in their dev(';lopment. aid to projects that.
include tliCI integration of 'women into the d('.velopmcnt effot:t. and the
achievement of equality.
REVIEW AND APPRAISAL
To gauge its impact, the Plan calls for a comprehensive nnd thorough review n11d appraisal of progress made in meeting its goals, to
be. undertaken at regular intervals by the UnitNl Nations system. That.
exercise, says the Plitn, should be part of the procedm·rs for measurin~
progress made in the Second Development Dccnde and closely coord1-
23
nated wit.h nny new world development stt~atcgy thnt. may ht'\ formulaterl. The Economic and Social Council should '•·eview the findings of
11 systematic evaluation with the aim of making, whenever· necessary,
appropriate modifications of the Plan's g-oals rmd recommendnt ions.
The Plnn also sug11ested t.hnt trends and polieics relating to wonH:n
and rclevnnt to the Plan of Action should be undertaken continuously
as a specinlized activity of the United Nations. At t.he regionnllevrl,
the Plan suggests thnt regional commissions should hav('. responsibility for monitoring progress townnls greater nnd more effective
participation of women in all aspects of development efforts. Nationally, Governments should undertnke their own regular review and
nppraisnl of progress made in aehieving the Phi.n's goa.ls nnd report to
the Economic and Social Council.
·
�25
~the complexity of the usual procedures with respect to assistance and
international co-operation,
1.
Reco-ndo the_simplifioe.U.PA. of the .. procedur<! governing aeeistance to
projects designed to pro100te the complete integration of w<>men into the procean of
development, and the implementation of euch projects under the effective reapcnaibility
of national experts 1
APPENDIX C
UT.
L
all
RESOLUriO!IS AND DECISION ADOP!'ED BY TilE CONFERENCE
Rese&.rch and training for the &.dvancement of VOtnen in Africa
The liorld Conference of the International Women's year,
Considering the increasingly important role of African women in .the pclltical,
econoa>ic, social Md cultural affairs of their countries,
2.
Requests tho Govemmente concerned to talrn
appropriate measures to
entrust the direction of ouch project& to the fullest pcooible oxtent to 110men hnoins
the. r9~uisite colllJjetenb•'l
}.
Recommonde to the Eoonolllie and Social Council that it :request the
Seeretar.r-Ceneral and the United lil\tione epeeie.lhed AgE!I'ICiee to draw up an adequate
plan of aeoietance with respect to this matter, taking into aceount the n<)edo and
priori ties of countries;
3·· The status of wmen·in South Atricn, !!ambia Md Southern Rhodesia
Considering the need to establish o.ll the conditions required for education,
training and the elimination of illiteracy in order to ensure more effective p~~.rticip!l.t!on
The World Conference of the Inte;mational Wo!llen' o Year,
of African vomen,
Considering the precarious situation of the great majority of women in Airi c&.
and the consequent need for vigorous '!"d comprehensive action,
Considering the obJectives of the ·l'llti-African Women's
the acceleration of the advancement of African women,
Organi~ation
relating to
·
Considering the decision or the PM-Airican Women's OrRanization to establish
a training centre at the OrS:anization*s headquarterS,
l. lielcomes the decision of the ECA Conference of African Ministers at
Nairobi t~ish an African Training and Research Centre for liomen
(resolution 269(X!l}, 28 Februar.r 1975};
2.
~the
decision of the PM-Airican Women's Organization to establish
also a traf.ning centre f'or the advancement of wanen;
3. Recommends close collaboration to further the aims and obJectives or these
tvo A1 ric an centres;
Refe:rriM to the Charter of the United ll'atione Md the Universal Declaration
of HWMil Rights,
BeariM in ll!ind the nu•nuous reievMt General Aeeembly and Security Council
re&Clutione condelllning the pcliey· of ap!rtheid in South Africa and Southern Rhodesia,
Md the illegal occup~~.tion of Ne.Jllibia,
Bearing in mind General Asaelllbly resolution ~919 (XXVII) instituting a decade
for action to colllbe.t racism, apartheid a.nd racial discrimination, &.s vall ae
General Aeoelllbly ftMlution 3151 (XXVII!),
.
.
Aroused to the highest indignation by the pclicy of &p!rtheid in South Africa,
Namibia and Southern Rhodesia, whose ·essence is the denial of tho most elementary
rights of peoples to freedom and dignity and the degradation of the hUman person,
and 1<hich, with particular regard to the status of 110men, is manifested in:
(a) The frequent eompuleor.r separation of women and children from the father
of the family and their almost total ilii!OObiliMtion in reservations,
(b)
The impcosibillty or·havil\,g··aeoeeii lo ·adequate· medical care, even "'ithin
-
4, Calls upon ,all Governments and upcn non-governmental organiutions concerned
to contribute to the developnent of these centres for the benefit of African women;
the context of .maternal Md child welfare·>
5. Ce.lls upon United Rations specialU:ed agencies to give all assistance and
advisory services to the developnent of these centres for the benefit of A.l'rican women.
still
2.
International co-operation under projects designed to
achieve the objectives of the World Plan of Action
The liorld Conference of the International Wanen' a Year,
RecalliM General Assembly resolution 3010 (XXVII} of 18 December 1972,
Bearing in mind the 'f'rogre.ms of Concerted International Action for the
AdvMce.ment of lianen (1970),
Recalling the I~tern&tional D~~lopnent Strategy for the Second. United Nations
Develo[Jilent Decade (1970),
Bearing in mind Economic and Social Ccunoil resolution 1850 (LVI) of 16 May 1974
este.blishing the Fund for the Internation&l Women's Year,
Te.king note of the desire expressed by
beyond the end of the Year,
lll!IJ'l:f
(24)
delegations to extend the Fund
(c)
¥to men
"""t
The difficulty of access to the
degree, to vocational tra.ini.n;l: 1
great~r
ele..,ntary edU:cation and, to a
The consequent absence of choice with Ngard to employment, vhich restricts
menial occupations,
lli!:Jl that ~~ is a criD>3 against hume.ni ty and a criar of genocide, whose
primacy victims are women, and thaf its eradication is a matter of concern to all
humanity,
.
�:w
27
CravelY dietuxted by the constant disregard by South Africa of the appeals
made by the intern.-.tional coll:llUJli ~:t contained in the, res..,lutione, decisions .:nd
rcco""""ndatione o! the General AnanOlbly, the Security Council and the
International Court of Justie" (21 June 1971), and ita refusal to put an end to the
practice of apar<;hei<!, whi~h ~o:>stilutee a threat to internaHonal peace and security,
(e) hovidiz16 1\Ul l!ll.pport and ueietanee, momll;r and lll8te:1'"18.ll:r, to the
l"''ples·t.ha-t.a..rot Ti<rtJ..ms-.of a{!rlheid.and r&ei&l diBerilni.ne.tion and to the liberntlcn
roovemente;
Firmly convinced ~hl>,t ~~ and racial dherirnination in all their fome and
IIlll.nifeotationo con~titut•. the '~<>tal denial of the purpose• and rrinciples of th..
Charter r>f the United 'iaticna and tn~ objectives of the World Conference of the
(e) Eromrine; the :release of political prisoners in S<>uth Africa Md of.. those
.-ubj ected to reetri rtiona for their opposition to !!Pfrlheid 1
lnternationa.l Women•o Year,
Takin,g int~ aocm;nt Ccncr-.1 A:oSP.mbly resolution 2919 (xxvni of 15 November 1972 1
on :he Lecade_ ,fo,r ,Action to Curoba t Racism, Apartheid and Racial Disedmina.tion,
Vigor>:>uel:y concemne the rninori ty--r~gimes of ,South Africa, Nlllllibia e.nd
Southern Rhodesia f<>r th<d.r obstinate policy of oppression and contempt for the
effo:r~o of the United Na·•i->ns <:.nd tile patieriee of the international community;
L
2.
Supports the opp::-esSE'd peo?les o {'South Africa, Namibia a.nd Zimbabwe in
their struggle for ttie to t•l eradication _of apartheid;
3.
Urgee the vomen ot the entire. world to become aware of the role they
can and must play in enabling the vomen of those areas to recover their huma.n-<lignity;.
4.
Further urges all Governments to apply political, econol!lic, social and
mili tar;y sanctions (not to sell or eive -amaments or technical military assistance
cr help of a ai:ttilar mili tar;y chn:racter) vi ~h the aitn of isolating the minority
antl racist regimes;
5.
Notes with s .. tiafaction the efforts of. the United Nations a.nd the
SP"cie.l CommittE'e 'lgainst Aparth~id to prorote concerted international action to
eliminate· the aeourge of ago.r~heid and racial discrimination;
6.
Invites the Seeretar;r'-Ceneral of. the United Nations an·d all the
United Nations epeciali:ted agencies to ini t:ta te atudiee on the effects of apartheid
on th" status of women and to pre•ent n re-port to the Special Committee against
Apartheid and to the Commisnio.l en tha Statue of liomen;
(d)
Ceeea.tion of em.lgration to South Al'riea 1
{r) hoviding ..,n.l and mterial .-upport to the \l.ational llb<!rntion move!ll(lnts
and victims or· ap!!:l1iheid .and racial diec:ri.mi.nation.
4. Role of the United lfati~n• s;reto:n in il?)?lementi¥ the \lor-lrl Plan of Action
The liorld Conterenee of the btte:rne.tional liomen•e Yee.r,.
Convinced ot the urgent necesait;r of implementine; vithout dela::r the
World Plan of Action tor the Implementation of the Objectives of the International
Wom.,n•s Year at the Mtional, regione.l and. internationa.l levels,
RecomhinB th&t the United Nations s:yatem or organlt.atione h&e a eignUicant
role to pla,y in neeisting Ccvernmente to implement the World Plan of Action and
•ffect th" neeeeee.ry changes to iliiP'rove the vorld condition or vomen and increaee
their participation in the develop!M!nt process,
Recognizing turther th&t the implementation of tbe World Plan of Action vill
require additiona.l staff and financial n~sourcee at the na.tional, regional and
international levels,
1. !!!a!! Ccvernm1mts to allocate sufficient staff, particularl:r vomen
staff 1 and funds in their national plana for implementing. the liorld Plan or Action
and in particular, the minimum targets to be a.chleved by 1980 in the fields of
education and vocational trainif16, literacy, hea.ltt and nutrition and essential
supportive eoei&l eel"''ieee and other meatru.ree vhleh will imprcve the llv ine;
conditione and quali t:r of lite tor women, "'rticula.rl;r ru.m1 and poor urban
woment
7• Calle upon S:.uth Africa to teminate immediately its illegal occupation
of 1famibia;
2. !!m!!. all organlZ&tione ·in the'United Ratione B)'stem to provide wb!l.tever
additional etatr, ~icularl;r women starr, and financial resources are necesaar;r
to implement the Plan effeeth-el71
8.
Urges all States, United llt·tione orga.n.iutiolle, and intereovernmental
and non-gov<.rnmental orr,aniMtitoht to oupport the people• of the southern part of
Africa by adopting rneaeurec, such as:
3.
Recommends ..
the Eeonolllie and Soeial Council that i t requeet the
Secretl!.l7'"General of the. United Rations to toke th<r~ neceeae.ry etcpsr
(!\) Implementing United Nations re~olutione bearing on the elimina.tion of
racism. apartheid, racial diseril!lination and the liberation or peoples under colonial
domination and alien aubjuga tion 1
(a) To provide, vithln the tri!.I!>!!VOrk of the :regional economic commioeions
the staff and oth•r resources neeeeear;y for the developn>ent or :regional programmes
to implement the Plan ot Action and to improve the condition or vomenr
('>) :<:neuring the immediate temination of all measures and policies, as vell
"" military, political, economic and other activities, which enable racist regimes in
southern Africa to continue t.he repression of the African people;
"··..
io
�28
29
(b) To strength~n the Secretariat unit at United Nations Headq;,rtere
responsible for -iorpl~menting t;:o Plan appropriat~ly ond to expand its scope in order·
to enable it to oupf,6rt· C!Ore effect! Vlily existing programmes and develop new one•,
nc~ing in co-<>peration with aH orRanizations of the Unit~d Nations ayatem;
4.
Reco!I\IDI'!nde
~o
(d)· Establish priorities in medical research and in the trainine of health
personnel for the prevention a.nd cure of health problema of wancn, so that the
present confused and inadequate state of knowledge relating to health problcm.s
experienced by women can be rectified.
the Economic and Social ·Council the continuing operation
6.
of the Commiec:ion ori the .3tat:uo o! Women or eome other representative body vi thin the
otrJcture of the Uni tP.d :lati~r.s, d.esigned spP.cifically to deal sol P-ly with problems
n:lat~.ng to tLe statu!! of worr:~n, :;c.( nc to enmu-e the· implementation Of ongoiTIB
projecta designed tc carry cut tl,c programmes set fo:-th in the World Plan of Action
A.nd to p"rQvide an inte:nntionr..l fr.n1.rr. for th'! interchAng~ of views and the fonii'\l.lation
of intenta.tionally ucccpt:lllJ.rJ prii\Cl.plAe p~rtoi~ng to the status of women.
The World Conference of the International Wanen'a Year,
Referring to General Assembly resolution 3010 (XXVII) of 1B December 1972,
5. Women and health
Recalling the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nntl ons
Developrnent Decade (1970),
~e World Conference of the lnternational. \{omen' c YP-ar,
Bearing in mind the Declaration on the Elilni nation of Discrimination "';ai nst
Women (1967),
Recalling that the international community has proclaimed that the full and
complete development of a country, the welfare of the wodd and the cause of peace
require the maxiii!Ul!l participation of vomen as vell as men in all fielda,
Bearing in mind also the many resolutions of the CCI!II!IiSsion on the
Status of Women,
Recognizing that the full participation of women in social, political and
economic life is inhibited to a large degree by the {nabili ty of many women to enjoy
good health,
Noting the importance of the role of women in the establishment of the
New International Econanic Order as envisaged in the Declaration and the
Prograzrane of Action adopted by the General Assembly at its sixth special session,
of which the Charter of Econanic Rights and Duties of States constitutes an
·
. effective. instrument,
Recognizina that there A.re shortages of medical and paramedical peraonnel
services, and ll\}"'ths, prejudices and taboos which prevent a !'Ull understanding
of the particular health problP.mt:; of women,
~nd
Conaidering that Coverncenta ahould recognize the
womer, of all ae:ee JU11 in all situationS, including the
children, few or none, tho"e paat childbearing age and
of individual• and couples to decide freely the number
Noting the limited exterit of pe.rti cipe.tion of wanen in international meetings
of major political and economic importanC'e, such as the sixth sPcr.ia.l session of.
the United Nations on raw materials and development,
particular health need a of
needs of women with many
those before, Md the right
and ~pacing of their chi~dren.
1. Requests all Governments to ensure the pe.rtici pat ion of women in the
seventh special session of the General Assembly devoted to developrnent and
intei:"rlational economi,c co-operation;
~
· ·
Considering that Governments ohould be aware of the particular forms of violence
a.nj cru"'l ty, b~th phy5ical ~d mental, that are P:~tuated againat women,
Recormncnds
t~t
Covcrn:nents,
e~e,rcizine: th~ir
2. Recanmends that the delegations of countries to the various committees
of the General Assembly and the various bodies of the United Nations should be
comprised of men and wc:rnen vithout discrimination;
oovereign powers, should:
(a) Give high priority to anrl eneure adequa. te inv~etmenta in community
health programmes, mobile ~ita and the education and informing of women of their
baeic health rights;
3. Requests all Governments to take measures to ensure the full participation
of women in decision-making at all levels in their countries;
(b) lnt.,;duce effective meaoures for the prevention of all forms of
di:Jcrimination and cruelty agains~. the well-being of women, which prevent them from
;>articipating actively in the. political, economic and social development of their
cocmu.ni ty and which violate their human rights;
(c) Ex~rciRe l!onstant vigilance and· provide A.dequate aid and assistance where
sufferina results fror:l the lack of understanding of ineti tutiona, in particular
in health, lllllternal and chilu care and family planning aervicee;
4. Further requests the Secretary-General to do everything possible to
briog about the actual promotion of women on a broader scale to posts of the hiGhest
reaponsibility Vi thin the United Nations eystam,- taking into account the principle
of equitable geographical distribution;
•.
·,
-.....
Pl!.rticipe.tion of wanen in the aeventh special session of tho
United Nations General Aseembl,y and in other meetings of the
various bodies of the United Nations
5. Recanmende the inclusion in the agenda of the General Assembly, whenever
appropriate, of an item relating to the statue of women;
6. Recamnends to the Econanic and Social Council that it urge the
Secretary-General of the United Nations to take all necessary measure• for the
implementation of the present resolution. ·
�30
1.
Prevention of the exploitation of women and girls
The World Conference of the International Women's Year,
the
Considering that prostitution is one of the most grievous offenc-es a.gairl.st
dignity of wcrnen,
Reaffirming 1ts support for the Convention for. the Suppression of the Traffic in
~rsons and of the Explo! tat ion of the Prost! tut!on of Others, adopted by the
United Nations General Assembly in 1949,
Recogni~ing that in the ~situation, the practice. of prostitution and
exploitation of women and young girls is still prevalent in many countries, as a
result of socio-economic conditions,
Concerned with the injustice and suffering imposed especially on women who
are forced into prostitution,
·
1. Urges Governments of countries where the practice of prostitution and
explo! tat ion of women and young girls still exists, in their efforts to abolish
prostitution, to take energetic .action to put an end to forced pros!tution and the
traffic in wanen, both of which are forms of exploitation;
2. Further urges those Governments to s.dopt measures to avert the forced
recruitment of wanen and young girls into prostitution, not conf!nin~ themselves
to repressive measures but e.doptine also measures to promote the rehabilitation of
prostitutes;
3. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in co-operation with
the specialized agencies concerned, to explore the possibility of undertaking a
-world .. wide survey of houses of prostitution where torture is practised, in C'onfonni ty
~ith <:eneral Assembly resolution 3218 (lCXIX),
8.
The si tuat!on of vcmen in the employ of the
Un! ted Nations o.nd spec!ali~ed agencies
The World Conference of the International Wanen's Year,
Recognizing that several elements of the United Nations system have in the last
several years studies the whole range of problems affecting the si tuat!on ·or wanen
throughout the Un! ted Nations and 1ts specialized agencies,
Noting that the study "The situation of vanen in the United Nations", issued
by UNITAR in 1973, is a compilation of data which conf!ms the widely ltnovn fact
that, in canpa.rison to men, the conditions under which women enter the service
of the United Nations, work in it, achieve promotion and enjoy· its benefits are by
no means as equitable as the Charter of the Un! ted Nations requires,
Noting that the Secretary-General of the United Nations has set up a Standing
Canml ttee on the Employment of Wanen in the Secretariat, which reports to the
Joint Advisory Ccmm!ttee on Personnel, to assist in eliminating discriminatory
measures against women employees of the United Nations e.nd to increase the
recruitment of qualified women,
"·
31
Recalli!ll! that .the !!L!!2£ Group on Equal Rights for Women prepared a draft
plan of action coneerning·long•term 'j!t>ale, ·and· preeerrted··a petition to the
Secretary-Genemr on 1 Maroh 1975 making specific 111J88estions for prom tina equal! ty
of treatment of vomen employees of the United· Nations,·
1.
Reoommends that the United Nations, its speciali!&ed 48encies ·and all
its subsidiary bodies recognize their responsibilities to est an example to
Memb<r States in e>_>loyment and personnel }..-actices and to gi ce priority attention,
in the ohorteat poosible time, to Lbe recommendations of the StandiJ18 Committee
of the Joint Advisory CominJ.ttee and to. th~ petition of .the.~ Group on Equal
Rights for llomen1
·
·
2.
Recommends that efforts be made to bridge· the gap in the recruitment of
staff, including women, in the Secretariat of the Oni ted Nations between tha
over-represented •.nd u;1dl"r-rcrr:cented countries, in accordatlce' >~ith tho principle
of equitable geographical dietribution contained iri t.he Charter of the United Nations.
9. Froteotion of o::>ternal and child health
The "'orld Conference of the International Women's Year,
a
Considering that urbani~tion is
rapid process, particularly in the developing
countriee, and that it has major effects on the health of the family in general
and on maternal health in particular,
Beins aware ot the fact tM.t large migrant popuiations in the urban areae of
.these countriee live under eubstandard housing conditions, which have adverse
effects on their health,
ConsideriM that f~ur fifths of the world's population still live in rural
areas and that efforts must be made to lover the migration mte from rural to, ·
urban areas inasmuch ae the rural population ie an extremely important source of
labour for 48ricultuml and food production and at the same time constitutes a
speci fie eocio-cul tu:m-1. lif<> .style,.. -....... .. .
·
RecogniziM that the high rate of illegal abortions performed by non-qualified
persono ie a seri.ou~ mateiTlS.~ health probler in several develo9ine countries,·
particularly in the case of migrant women 11 ving under substandard housing cond.i tiona,
Bearing in mind that the general ma tarnal and child death rate ic rum1
areas of developing countries is even higher than that of urban areas,
Noting that one ·or the world's most alarming problems consists of malnutrition
and nutritional deficiencies, which are much mrs acute among the deet! tute
inhabitants of both urban areas and semi-urban and rural are-as,
Reaffirming that all these problems affecting meternal and child health are
intimately related to the socio-economic factors which determine conditione in
the countries where they prevAil and that the measures to be taken must be
congruent with national values and goals and with accepted international principles,
�32
l.
33
Urges Member Statee1
10,
to attaeh pe.rticular impOrtance to special urban, semi-urban and ru.ml
Aoceee of vomen to fi.nanoi.e.l A8!!ietanc<f
The World Conl'erenoe of the International Yomen'a Tear,
p~e for provid,in8 adequate health eervicee to the population!
!J'o g'ive special attention to' the development of prlme.:cy health aervices
in which the collll!Uilit:y identifies and rt!CO,gn.izee its own needa and ta.lme pe.rt
in the eetabliahmen~ of priorftiee and in t:,., development of he.e.lth-related aeti'fitiee
at the prlma:cy level.
This eystem should be supported by a national netvork of
rore complex specialized services to c·are for .the entire population, vith particular
emphasis on the health of vomen throughout their life cycle I and by services for
tbe care of vomen e.nd children, incluttil'll! nutrition programmes and prog:I'I1lllmee for
protection against environmental. hazards and for health education;
Rec<?l!'!!izine the ttiffioul ties enoountered b:y women in III!LrQ' oountrlee of thj! wrld
in .HC'Uring crod.it and loans for A<>tivi ties Wich enha.noe their produotive cape.:.itiee,
.and thue, the oontribution of their full ahara to the deYelopmant of their familiae
md-ool!lll!llrlitiee and to ·their oonl!equent full int~tion into development,
(c) To provide famil,r education and training plane in those countries in
which these problea>.e are serious e.nd' vhieh offer family planning programmes within
the broader context of complete maternal and child health care 1
R&ealli!)K C..neral Assembly resolutions· ~010 (XXVII) of 18 Decembor 1972 e.nd 3275 (rux
of 10 December 1974, in whioh the Assembly proclaimed that International Women's Year,
1975 ehould be d<rVoted to intensified efforts to ensure the full integration of vomen
in the total development effort,
~ the epecial need for vomen of low-income ETOUPI! in l'llr&l and urban 1U·eas
for low-interest loans, which enable them both to establish orettit and to attain a firm
and viable economic base,
(d) To seek and pro~te the allocation of additional resources for such policies
e.nd programmes 1
.. (e)
Recommends that Governments in the countries concerned•
To pro~te mat~rnal .and child-care· and day-care services for vorldng vomen1
(a) Establish mechanisms to facilitlite the extension of crettit
needs of vomen of lov-inoome j!'roupe in ru.ral and urban areas;
To promte ~., over-all approach to health care as determined by the
of each country in all the curricula of teaehil'll! and training ineti tutione
the field of health, and, vithin this conte>;t, develop specific trel.rling
programmee related to maternal and child health;
Facilitate also'the acoeea of vomen in low-income
linancial institutional
j!TOUPB
to meet the epeeial
to existing
(c) Enco~e and co..;,end the. initiatives taken e.nd being taken by non-eovat'lltll<l'l'ltai
and 'folunta:cy women's organizationa'·to establish their ovn financial inatHutions a.nd
banks.
.
2.
the Secreta:cy-Oeneral, in co-ordination with .relevant. epeciali zed
agenciee,
carry out, within the fremewrk or exiotil'll! programmes, further
reoea.rch for the improvement of IM.ternal and child health, includil'll! nutrition.
11.
Renamh on oopulation &.nd the intesn.tion of vomen in develo,.,ent
The 'llorld Conference of the International Women 1e Year,
Rooopnizing that 110111ft!l 1S opport\mitiee to realize thair full pOtential ae "'""bere
of society are tempered b.r ·the qualJ..ty e.nd tb.e t:I.'OIIIlds of economic and socilll do•elopmen t,
i.noludil'll! their ovn contribution to it,
'
~
'
R&eol!'!l.iZi!)K further that eeonomie and social development oannot be planned vi th
any measure of euee<~es vi th<:'ut due r.onsidera tion to the de!IIO@T8.phic Caotore of mortality,
i.nte:rnal and international lltigration and population rt!distribution, fertility and the
eex-~e compositiqn of the population,
\
Aware thAt unleee counteracted by deliberate policies to facilitate the int~tion
and vell-beine of ¥omen, development efforts may exacerbate rather than alleviate their
pres<mt unl'avourable ~ondi tion,
Rooornidng tbat, in viev of the divenity of economic, social, cultural and
demographic conditione amone the developing countries, exieting knovled<!e is vaetl,y
insufficient ae a beaie for such policies,
�34
33
~with appreciation the recommendations relative to women and development
contained in the World Population Plan of Action (E/5585, -paras.42-45), in
· .
resolution Y:Y on "Populo.tion research" of the World Population Conference, 1974 (E/5585)
o.nd in Economic and Social Council Naolution 1942 ·(LVIII) on "Population, the status
of wmsn and the ints&s.tion of women in development",
Rec&llilyr further that the Economic and Soei&l Council in its resolution 1849 (LVI}
of 16 May 1974 llpproved a ·programme of measures and activities for intensified action
for the In tenia tional Women's Yea!' and in lts resolution 1850 (LVI) established. a
voluntary fund to supplement the resourose available to implement the programme for
the Inte:rna tional Women' e Year,
Emphasizing that the need for population-orionted research upon vhioh to base
policies relative t~ women and development n:tende to all fields of demo~phy,
StreseiM that one of the moat effective ways of oontributine to the advanc..,enl
of women ie to ensure that exiating projects and technical assistance programmee shall
take fully into account the interests of both women and men,
1.
Recommends that the Economic and Social Council promote and oaiT7 out research
on:
{a) The impact of popuiation trends upon women'e<rolee in the famil7 and in
society;
(b) The relationships betwe.in the roles and statue of women and their
opportunitiee ror e.otive participation in development under varying demo~phio and
development conditione;
Convinced of the ~ent necessity for special reaoUroas to implement without
delay tho World Plan of Action at the national, ree-ional and inten>ationsl levels,
!!2i!nE. the report of the Group of Experts on the Structure of the United. Nationo
System established under General Assembly resolution 3343 (XXIX) and in particular the
recommendation to set up a· Development Authority which would administer many of the
funds now in existence o.e well ae future funds to be established,
(c) The-impact of international m~tion, inten>al m~tion and seasonal
mign.tion of men upon the quality of family life and the condition of women in particular
e.nd the implication, for women and the family, of national la"" regulo.ting migratory
oovamente of women and their families;
Aware that some countries, partieulo.rly the least developed ones, have inadequate
resources-for carrying out programmea and projects for ~men,
2. Reco11111ende fu:tther. that the Economic and Social Council promote and C"'T7 out
research on:
(a) The economic, eocial and dem~phio benefits the. t may be derived from the
integn.tion of women in development;
Taking into account the need for sustained effort in the & ttainment of equeli ty
for women and for their int"€'T"tion in the development effort and in the queat for
peace,
(b) Waye .in which the urban process innueneee women's roles, conditione. of life
e.nd opportunities for participation in development and vice Vei'!la;
1. Recommende to the General Assembly that it declares 1975-1985 a Decade for
·Women and Development;
(e) The interrelationship between levels of education, types of marital atatue
and union status and the participation of women in economic activities ·outside the
home, patterne of reproduction, and the cultural, biological and other related faetoi'!l
affecting them;
·
2," ~ Governments to make every effort to implement their national plane of
action and in particular their minimum targets to be achieved by 1980;
(d) Relationship of child-bearing to maternal morbidit7 and mortality, and to
infe.nt and early childhood mortality; and the impact of these and other morts.li ty pa_tterne
U?On COndi tiona O{ .vomenJ
3. Requests that the reaponeible functional commitsione, the specialized agencies
in addition to undertaking the recommended research, s.nalyee and study research on these
questions undertaken by f!'OVarnmental and inter@'overnmental bodies and pational research
ina titutee; report to the General Assembly the over-all progress in the accumulation of
knowledee in those spheres; and make the reeul te available to Governments for their· uee
in policy formulation taking due account of national sovereignty and needs.
12.
Special resources for the integration of women in development
The llorld Conference of the Internetione.l Women's Yea.:,
Recalling that the General Assembly in its reeoluti'on 3010 (XXVll) cf
18 December 1972 proclaimed the year 1975 as the International Women's Year, with
equality, develo~Dent and peace ae f!'en,eral objectivee,
-....
RecogniziM the necessity for continUing financial support for these ~es,
3. Urges all OI'!ranizetione in the United Nations syetem to prQVide tha additional
resources needed to aesiet in implementing national plane of action effectively;
4. ~all' Governments, in particular those of the developed countries, and
non"i!'overn.mental OI'!ranizations to o.llocate to the United Nations additional resources
expressly intended· for the integration and participation of women in development,
particularly for projec te for women in rural areas and the lowest-income groupe,
including those for the elimination of illiteracy, thua furthering the aims of the
World Plan of Action;
5. ~ that priority be giYan to the needs of the least developed and
geopaphically disadvantaged countries when making allocations from such s.ddi tionel
reeourcee1
6. ~ ihe Secretary-General, in consultation with the specialized agencies
and other relovant United Nations organizations, including the re@'ions.l commissions of
the United Ns. tiona, the United lis. tiona Developm~nt Progrs.mn.e and the United Na tiona
Fund for Population Activitiea, to present a report to the General Assembly at its
thirtieth session, which, taki~:; into account the existing Voluntary Fund for
�37
36
International \/omen's Year, will advise on the wy in. which additional funds,
contributed for the express purpose of the integration of vomen in development, eould
best be oe.na.l.J..zed..and administered throutrh appropriate United Nation• bod.iee.
13.
Social Security and fa.mily ""curity for vomen, includiryr
the elderly and the handicapped
The World Conference of the International WoQen'e Year,
Coneiderin,cr that in many countries vomen are at a dieadvanta,!e as r"'!'arde the
benefits provided by eocial benefits, especially those relati"€ to social security,
and that it is esaential that vomen ehould share· equall,y in eocial gains,
Bearing in mind that all women contribute to economic and social development
through their work,
Recogniziryr that society ohould int"'!'Tate and provide security for elderly vomen,
as "ell as for physically and economicall,y handicapped Women,
Coneidering that the establishment and strengthening of institutions and legal
otandards to provide security to vomen, including women who are elderly or handicapJl"d
or livill!!' in poor circumstances, ehould have high priority,
Taking into account the International Labour ~zation'e Maternity PrOtection
Convention of 1919 (No. 3), the Social Security (MinimUm Standards) Convention of 1952
(No. 102), the Maternity Protection (Agriculture) Recommendation of 1921 (No. 12) and
the Maternity Protection Recommendation of 1952 (No. 95),
1. Recommends that GovernmP.nts · s~ould provide benefits for vomen in order to
protect them ~>gainst risks which may diminish or affect their physical cape.oi ty and
consequently affect their families;
2.
~Governments to recognize. maternity and parenthood as a social !'unction;
3. Recommends that Governments should take all necessary measures ·to eneure
paid leave to all worki"€ mothers duri"€ pregnancy and delivery and provide job security
for mothern for a minimum of one year after deliver:y, and that maternity benefits shall
be a charge on social security and that both employers and vorkers shall be asked to
contribute, whether or not the employers employ vomen;
4. Recommends that Governments should ensure free medical care to ail· citizens
"hose <>conomic circumstances require it a:>d provide special services to mothers during
preenancy and deliver:y and to newborn infants and children up to the ~>gs of five years;
5. Urges Governments to promote thA eetablislu!lent, where appropriate, of day-care,
educe tional, recreation and social centres as· a. means of furthering the int"'!'Ta tion into
society of women, their dependent children and vomen who are elderly or handicapped or
l i v 111€ in poverty;
'·.
6. Recommende that Member States, the competent bodiee· of the United !Ia tione and
the ep9ol.Alized·'4!'"ntl.illo ehnuld .carry aut, within the r....-vorl< of their exietill!!'
progTOIIIII!eo, special otudiee on the oituation or vomen, in pe.rtioul&r the ~ or
hAndJ.oapped 1 a.nd, in pe.rtioular, on the 1110ot &Pl'ropriate means of protectinlr them from
the risks .associAted vith their condition and on the 1110ot effective meaeuree for
achievill!!' their ~eiilteeratiOn l..n~ socially .a~ti.v~.· .lifof:~' ... - · · ·· ·
1. Urges Goverrmente to p~vide eocial and rchabili tation eervioee for peyaice.lly,
mentall,y or eoonomioe.ll,y handicapped vomen nr
Bjes. .. •.. ·-·
...
·,.n
14.
Reeee.roh for the formulation of poliotea oonoeirdn.cr
the integration of vomen in the deve~nt prooeee
The World Conference of the International Women's Year,
Eecalling General Aseembl,y resolution 2761 (XXV), calling forb programme of
concentrated international action for tha advancement of vomen, in order to achieve certAin
objectives and targete in the Second United Nations Development Decade,
Mindful of the growln6 international avaroneee that developm<mt is not limitod to
. .ooonotnl.c. grOwth but is a complex eocial profri"'BB towards well-being .and equity,··
Conec~ of the fact that development reeearoh hae been focused al!I!Oet
exclusively on the eoonomio and teohnoloe;y aepaota of development,
.......
-- -··
Coneoiou.e aleo of the fact that vomen 1.e activitiee have received ineufficient
nttention in lievelopment reoearoh,
!l2.ll.M therefore the lack of both. qu11.11t1tat1ve !lnd qualitative data on the poeition
of 1.-o:Jen and their role in different ari>e.e of ac.tivity, vhioh data are· n&eded .. for the
fomulation or adequate policies to promote the integ!'!ltion of voman in the total
development prcce,ee, in developed ae vell as in develop!~ countriee,
1. Regueete the Seoretar:y~eral of the United Nations, in cloee consultation
with the appropriate agenoieo·and inetitutione within the United Nations eyetem, to
entablieh a ayilte~~>-vide United,Natione research progra:cme on the position· ·!lnd· rol& of
•.-ocsn: in development in order .to obtain.qu&ntitative and qualitative do.ta needed for the
fo=ulo.tion "f polioJ.eo to pro1110te the full J.nt<gration of vom~n in development in the
various r"@'ione. of the vorld 1
2.
(tl)
!L~~ the Seoretar,r.:.General or the United lia tiona therefore •.
To teport .on the. ..ime'oing T..ae&roh Vl.thii> the United !latione sy~tem, b;ib o.t
the r..gional· !lnd the national level, on the role and the position of vomen in development;
(b) To report to the.Eeonomio and Social Council at ito sixtieth a~aion on the
I·C:fB :ond means in .....hloh the.propooed research pro~e OM be ol"!;DJiized.!!Jld. fin&nOBd
.,gL.in the ins.ti tutional fremevork of the United Nations 1
·(o}" To provicl.a, within the exist~ United !lations organa; for the d.ieaemination·
of information on the status of reaoaroh ·on the ·position and role of vomsn in development.
�3H
38
15.
;. Requests the Executi'te Director ot the Oni ted Nations Fund Cor Population
Activities and the Administrator of the United Natione Fund for International Women's
Year to co-ordinate their a.ctivi ties to ensure the optimum utilization of e:dst1nft resourc<"s
F!lm11Y planning and the full integ;ation .or -women in development
'nle World Conference of the International Women's Year,
Conside~in« that the full integration or women in development oannot be achieved
without improvement in health, .education and train1nft for employment,
Reco,!!'!lizi!'Jil the necessity, in the process or integrat1nft vomen in development,
of providirlj!' women with the information and means to enable them to detemine the
number end spaoirlj!' or their children,
!!2:!.!!1£ that the rindines or the Speciil.l RapJX>rteur
Statue of Women and Family Plo.nnJ.nl)', as endore<'d by the
Women a.nd the Eeonomio and Social Council, stressed the
·promotion of rami}J' pla.nnirlj!' and eocial welfare· and the
context, inter alia, or natioN!.l development,
on the Interrelationship of the.
Commiseion.on the Sta.tus of
intemlationehip het""en the
role and statua of WO'II!fJll in the
AV8re that women in IM.l1:f parte of the vorld are d~dir>£ aoceas to ·advice on
ramJ.~th services and the spacine of' their children and that lack or access to
ouch services has caused hardship Md stifferina to women Md their families and has @'iven
rise to subatSJ'ltial social cost, inoludine the adverse effect i t has on the health of'
the voflW! and her child,
Considering that the expeneion of the ·activities ot the organizations of the
United Nations family in the form of projects that benefit women and venturee designed
to ramody the si tu&ticn or dieadvant.!lf'ed groups would benefit women all over the world,
OXJ>eciall:f those in the poorest countries,
Endcrsi!!£ the viev that JX>pulation is but one taotor in .the development process
a.nd must therefore be considered equally vi th other economic, eooial and environmental
fMtors,
1. Calls on Governments, the speoialitled .aeenoies and the 0%'8'1l"ize.tions vi thin
the Oni ted Nations ayetem to implement the World Population Plan of Action!
Cape on Governments consistent with their national JX>licy as far
Aa
JX>ssible:
(a) To pr:ovide adequatA f('loili ties for fot'IIIAl and non-to...,..l education for women
Md girls, especially those in rural ar<>as, to ens.ure thAt full adv'!-"taee shall be
taken of f'amily health services 1
(b) To make available to nurein« mothers and their children the necessary health
services within easy reach, coupled with programmee of eduoation in maternal health
Md. ohild veltare as an. integral pert of health proe-rammes1
(c) To Mire available to e.ll persona the necessar.r· information and advice e.nd
edequa te faoili ties and ·services vi thin eas:y reach to enable women who eo desire to
decide on the n\lmber and spao1nft of their children, and, furthemo:re, to p:repare yoUrlj!'
people for reoJX>nsible parenthood;
(d) To include WOI!len on all boards and JX>lioy......UC:ine- bodies at all levele in
rolation to the numbers of men, eepeciall:y in socio-economic development plans and
population JX>licies 1
'
16,
.f?pular partieiP!'tion
The World Conference of the International Women's Year,
~~that no vorld plan ot action can encompass. or deal with all the needs
of all the women in the wi-ld, and that no national CovPmmtmt withD•.1t the oonsoious
participation of ita oitbens can do ell that needs to be done to achieve equality
e.mong women and men t
Reco!m.biM aleo that the importance or .the over-all development process, the
statue and role of women, and JX>pulation tactora """ explicitly X'<IOOl!'!\hed by the
seminars held in the regions of Africa and ot Asia and the Pacific on the subjeot of the
intel1'"f1!.t1on or vomen in development with special :r:eterence to _pOpulation factors,
2.
4. Requests the Secretacy-General to inti ~e the Commission on the Status of
Women and the Population Commission to consider measures to achieve the fuller
intee-ration ot womet in the develoPH!lt process and to submit suoh reoommendatione for
consideration by the Economic and Social Council at ita sixty-second seaeion.
Bearine in mind that full equality amona individuals can be achieved only through
equal opJX>rtunities and other measures for aoeese to eduoation, economic activity,
political participation SJ'ld perticipetion in all rorms of culture,
Consid&rins that 'ltoluntary vorl< performed by national /!TOups is demonstmti~
the benefi te of this mechanism for strenethen.l.ne' local values and for the develo!>llent
of the community,
Convinced that women themselves must Ol'O!:anize together in groups to help
themselves achieve the goals ot eqUAlity, deTelopment and peace,
FUrther r<10oenizi!!H that when individuals gather toe-ether in f!TOUPS 1 they gain
confidence and a sense of their own dignity and personal worth,
experien~e,
~~~ that deYelopment requiree solidarity and that in that effort women and
men must have equal opJX>rtunitiee and duties of participation,
1.
l!.!!J1.2mmendo to Member States that they SJX>nsor voluntary eooial promotion
SuCh-aS Self-help @"TOUPBr eo-operatiVBSt women 10 @TOUJ>B and Other
or!!'a.nhatio:1e at all sooio-eoonomio le•ele as an intejJ"ral part of general local
self-help popular projects or programmes aimed at national, economic and social
pro~ee,
dov~lopmGnt;
2. Recommends that the voluntary social movement should be compoeed of' nationals
nn<l pormanent reeidenta of th" oountriee in question and should reaJX>nd to the eoclnl
co:>oci~nce of the respective oountriee1 ·
). Recognizes that the partioipation of women in voluntary services euoh as
self-help gToupe and oo-operative women's @TOups must have ae the basio· objective the
initial incorporation ot such vomen in rt'Oductive and eooially useful activities
in order to .improve the li Vin8 oonditiOnll Of Yemen and those or their families e.nd
communities and turther ensure their effective and non-diaerimi.rultocy int"€'t'ation
in the d.,..elopment prooeae.
�41
40
17, The !amih
The World Confe:ri!nee
ot
the !nt!ll"!!!!tionel liO!!!!!!)'e Year,
~ tbet the family is the primary and ~dements.l nucleus of society end
fulfils its mission in en organized eolllii!Unity,
.
.
.
B2srin« in mind the t i t is the fundi!m.mtal institution of neturd origin,
diatin@\1iahed b;y its character U 8 COIIIII!'Unity Of unity, lOY& and li!e 1 Vhich f<rnns
its members in their individuslity and serves as the first school of socisl
relatione,
Convinced th&t the participo.tion of itanen as Bj!ents of n&tional and inter~ation•l
econe>llic, socl&l &nd politic&! ch&nge is fundillllent&l in the sense th&t the wcmM hos
a specific role to play, Md decl.e.ring that the recognition of this participation is
not a gratuitous concession on the part of the intern&tion&l cct~Uuni t:; but e.n act of
awed to vanen by virtue of their v&luel>le contribution to the devdo;:rnent of
throughout history,
~that &!though women constitute h&li' the popullltion, their situation in the
greater part of the vorld is that of the exploited in relation to th&t of men and
th&t this inequality 18 founded both on unJust econcmic &nd soci&l orders &nd on
cultur&l v&lues constituting beh&viour patterns which continue to under-estimate the
role of vanen in spite of econanic 1 soci&l and technological adv&nces,
Reelidng that tbs femll;r should be the piece in vhich tbe cul turel heritegn
of the poet is trsnll!llitted and reneved in the interests of stta.l.n.ing the ideals of
eq1.>slity and freedom, peace ~nd international juatioe,
Convinced th&t inter ali& coloni&lim, racism, ap:~~rthe!d, &lien
rac!&l discrimin&tion, &cquisition of land by force &nd the armaments race
the actl ve p&rtici potion of women &a Yell &s of men in &ll fields of endeavour,
Recomizi,ng that i t eni!Uree the full protection of those of its members vho are
in the process of "fon:nstion", ch.ildrsn snd young people, end makes itself
responsible for giving preferential attention to the elderly, in recognition of their
contrib'!tiona end grperience, both present end pest,
Recognizing th&t impeding the economic, soci&l &nd polit!c&l pe.rticipetton of
women is contr&ry to th<: instt'lllllents of the United Ratfons concerning human rights,
Noting that man end w0!118n form tvo espects of the same Yital easence end,
united, make human life possible,
1.
.!li.ru. States to treat the famll.r· as an object of speoiel protection &nd to
recogni~e its rights vith respect to ita formation and its defence, eetebliehing the
legal equal! ty of the spouses!
2.
RQxommenslq thet States should @\18rt1ntee the freedom of indiddusls snd
COIIplee freely to decide the ntnnber snd spacing of their children within the context
Of the Mtional SOVereignty Of .each COuntry and' of the interrelationship between that
Mtional sovereignty snd soeiel and economio fsctors1
3. ~ to States that urbanization policies should be aimed at cresting
en atmosphere conducive to the etrengthening of family tiee end that community
services should be eimesl at the different generations in the family nucleus, thus
helpiilg to create true family communities!
4.
El!rnresee.e tbe hope that Ststes will recognize the family !'" one of the most
important nuclei of society in the conYiction thet the members of the family,
considered individually, csnnot develop_full,y i f their natural eonte:rt, the femily,
is lost sight of 1
5·
Reco!llllends that the family should be encounged to ploy sn actiYe role by
the granting to it of the right of direct participation in the work of bodies
coneerned vi th education end social services.
18.
·The llorld Con£er!!nce
Political end social participation
of tbe
International Women• e
Yur,
Recognizing the increasingly important role of women in building more juet
national societies, and in the struggle for fundamental notional righte ond eelf·detsrminstion of peoples and against vore of eggreseion, in establishing e new
internstionel economic order snd in strenirthening peace end security end dieemement,
Convinced &lso th&t it 1a necessary to undertake fu-ree.ching transfonnations
in the socio-economic &nd politic&l-cultur&l structures the.t prevent the rev&luatlon
of VCII!en and their active &nd mass politic&!, econOI!Iic &nd soci&l p&rticipstlon,
Considering the.t governments and national, regional and international
org&nizations must take continuing, decisive and effective action in this connexlon,
1. Requests that goverrll!lents should consider the rights of '"'men "'" an
eminently pol! tic&l one requiring urgent and concrete solutions;
2. Jl'llrther requests governments, vhere approprie.te, to undertake structural
reforms in the economic, sod&l, politic&l &nd cultur&l f'ields that vill rnake it
possible to combine econallic develop;nent with soci&l tr&nsformat!on &nd will create
conditions for the free person&! and soci&l develo;:rnent or· women and their full and
mass psrticipstion u equ&l partners vith men in the process of natlon&l transfomat\on,
thus generating the integrated develo;:rnent of society as o. whole;
3.
Recommends to governments where appropri&te:
(a) That they should establish ne.tlone.l commissions and, where such c""""issions
exist, empower them to serve as ombudsm&n, institutions or ""'chMisms at the
highest politic&i level where appropriate &nd in a manner to be determined by
governments in order to ensure the act! ve participation of women In structural
reforms and the achievement of economic and social developnent and ! nternational
peace;
(b) That such nation&l canmlssions, iMtltutlons or mechanisms should also
pranote policies and str&tegiee designed to bring about institutional che.nges and
changes In values and attitudes in both men and wocnen in order to achieve the
equality, integration &nd mass pe.rtictp&tion·of the le.tt'er In all economic, soclo.l,
political and cultural Institutions· of society as vell as at &ll the decislon-mal<ing
levels of the State;
(c) ·That the commieeiona, institutions or high-level n~tional mech&nisms to be
established or strengthened should report periodically, through appropriate ch&nnels,
or at least once a yeu, reg&rding the natlon&l progress made ln respect to women's
participation in &ll aspects of social activity, to the United Nations when they deem
�43
42
this to be helpful to tl:Je United Nations e:ystem, 1111d in order that the Or83niution
!l'laY duly evaluate the progress made tovards achieving ·the equality of vomen at the
netioru>l end inte:rnationsl levels.
19,
liO!!lSn end communicatioll medie
The llorld C\?nferenee or thi> Interne tionel \loman
I' Yeor.
Recalling Ec~,.nomic end Social Council resolution 1852 (LVI) of 16 &y 1974 on
tho implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Diecriminetion •83inot
llomen, end of related inotrumente,
RaceJling. resolutions 1· (JCXIV) of the Comiseion on. the Statue of Women and
1862 (LVI of the Economic and Social Council,
Considering the importance of the mesa commtmicetion media (r&dio, televiaion,
cinema, the press, ma83zinea, pamphlets etc.) in determining the attitudes end
values of tho community and in offecting social changes,
Aware that the mass communication media influence veys of thinking end the
for!l'lation of opinion and can contribute to the adoption of nev attitudes re83rding
the rolae of men and vomen in society,
Reco!l!)izJ.ng that in many instances the meso eommunicatim media tend to
reinforce and present a a,reotyped 1 degrading end l.nmlo:rel image of vomen, particularly
in connaxion with the merketin8' of coneumer eoode,
Aware of the ability of the mass co111111unicetion media to aupport the proceoa <>f
effecting et:ructu:rel changes in society by promoting the incorporation snd
participation blf women in that process,
.
l. . Condemns the deereding exploitation of vomen aa e ee:. e:ymbol and instrument
of dconomic interests by certain media of social communicstion 1
2.
~ governments end responsible Orf!!lnhatione, ae appropriate, to
promote end encourage, in the l!l8ea communication media of their countries, the
projection of • dignified end positive im· '!" or ..,men, dive.~ing them or their role
as vehicles for publicity end se· targets for the sale of consumer goode, vi th e
viev to bringin8' about chengea in the attitudes end we:~s of thinking of both men and
vomen that will be conducive to securing the equality and integrity of women end their
full participAtion in society;
).
Invitee governments .to urge ell m'!'die of cQ!lllll'.micetion, toking into
account freedom of expression, to ·adopt their progremmae to el\SUT<! both to women
and to men education in econO!!Iic, ·profaeeional end eult"?"el opheree;
~.
L,!..kewhe requests those in charge or the mees communication media to ceeee
projecting end gradually eliminate eommerei8lized 1 tastelese end etareotypad ime!l"'•
of wmen, particularly in pornographic publications, the usa or such images in
depicting sexual crimea end crimea of Yiolence, and the dissemination or any
materiel tendin8' to create prejudices end negative r.otti tudes vi th ree-ard to the
chen83a neeaeeo:ey for the revaluation of the role of women end to transmit an image
of cens' and womena' roles that is ee Yllried •• possible!
,,
5.
Cella for the critical and creative participation of women in all eyetc.me
of msse coamunication, et the progretmning, production, distribution, reception and
consumer leveleJ
6.
Regueeh that interMtiona! governmental and non-governmental ore-anhetions,
particularly tbosa in charge of the· educational aspects of the vorl< of the
communications media, ahould or83ni2.e aeminsre, meeting& end other t:Yl>ee of events
in order to propag.; te the revalued· image o~ women in the maar. communications med is;
1.
Request§ the Secrete:ey-Gene:rel to present a report on this Rituation to the
Commission on the Statue o.f llomen at ita next session.
20.
Integration of vomen in tbe process of political, economic, social and
cultural 4!!velopment ae egual pertne;:s with men
The llqrld Confwenee of the. !ntern!!.iLO!lal llomtn'a Year,·
Recognhing thet the full and equal participation of WOUien end men in ell fields
of activity is an ineopereble part of the political, economic end social development
of each countey since women represent more then half of the world population,
Recognh.ing furthn that although women have historically been rele83 t~d to
marginal positions aa re83rda recognition and the e:.ercise or women's right., the
need for e new interns tional economic order and the internal structural changes are
conducive to women•e political, economic, social end cultural integration as equal·
partnere with m.en,
Avera of the fact that the politicel factor still plays en important role in the
integration of women in some parts of the world and that its solution in linked with
tho change of cconomio, political and eocisl structures, which ahould eliminate all
rome of discrimination end eorploitation,
Aware ot the need !or nev relations between States baaed on full equality emong
Statee, respect for in1ependence end national sovereignty, non-interference in the
affaire of States end promotion or the right of peoplee to develop freely in
accordance with their own will and sepiretione and. to create conditione which will
enable vomen to "'"rcise tbeir right to contribute to the pe:-menent improvement of
interriationel co-operation, peace end security in the world,
Resffi:ming the ins.lienebie right of eve:ey State to full end permanent sovereignty
over ita nsturel resources, its vealth end all its economic activities, and ite full
freedom to choose i te OYn ectn.omio end eocial eyetem.
Starting fl'Olll the feet that the full sovereignty of eve:ey count:ey over its own
natural resources end freedom to choose its own economic end eocial oyet..,, the
broadest poaeible eo-operation, full, ef!ic~ent and equal participation of all
countriee in the eettlement of world economic problems, end primaril,y the eetebliahment
»f the new international economic order ere in the intereete of the entire wrld
comtllUnity,
Realizing the necessity .for full, effective and. equal participation b,y
developing countries in the settlement of world economic problems and in all phaaea
of decision-making on intorMtional monete:ey questions,
�44
Convinced of the need to invest maximum efforts for accelerating economic and
oocia~ent, primarily that of the developing countries, as one of the
· essential pro-cendi tiona for closing the gap between the developed and the developinf?
countries, for liqUidating colonialism, neo-colonialism, foreien occupation and all
forma of subjugation of peoples, apartheid and racial ·diacrimirultion end for. securing
the inalienable right of peoples 'to self-determination,
Recalling that the Charter of the United Nations procliama raepect for tho basic
freedoms of all and f?r human righta without distinction of sex, race, language or
religion,
·
Bearing in mind General Aeaambly resolution 3010 (xmr) proclaiming 1975 as
International Women' a Year and setting as one of ita eoals the complete integration
of women in over-ell efforta towards development,
Considering that discriminatory practices ere a threat to human dignity. and that
to renounce•the independence of their thought,
enjoyment of their civil and political rights, cultivation of their ovn peraonalitie•
•nd aptitudes end their freedom or· choice,
it ia impossible for ..,men today
Considering further that discrimination against vomen vith regard to equality
of rights, responsibility •nd opportunity, end their limited degree of ·pertiaiplrt:icn
in political, economic and social life are but two aapecta of the SBme reality,
Bearing in mind the importance of extending parental reeponaibili ty to both
parents equally for the upbringing, education, support and cere of th~ir children,
1.
Considers that one of the primary tasks of States and intert1Btional
·organiMtions in their endeavour to makfl the vorld involvement of vomen in the socioeconomic apherea meaningful is to eliminate economic inequality, discrimination end
crploitation, eeg.:resaive vera, colonialism, neo-coloni~liem; recism end apartheid,
vhich .contradict the purposes end principles of the Clitirter of the Unitod NationaJ
2.
Invites all States to intensify their efforts st co-operation for the
eotablishment. of nev relations between States and the rapid sboli tion of underdevelopment and· of the gap between the de'!eloped end the. developing countries eo that
vomen may be able to join their menfolk o:, an equal basis 1r. those efforts ci>nduci ve
to a better and more just "World;
3. BOlievea that in order to fulfil the objectives of equality, development
end peace it ia .. imperative to remove from relations among States all forms of
exploitation, including that conducted by transnational: corporations, ao that people
of every country, especially the developin@' countries, can fully exercise their
sovereignty over. natural resources and take ell necessary measures~ sue~ as
nationaliMtion, for the benefit of accelerated economic and social development J
4.
Stresoea the f•ct that the establis\lment of the nov interns tional economic
order - aa defined in the Declaration and the Programme of !ction adopted by the
·
General Assembly in ita resolutions 3201 (S-Vl) end 3202 (S-VI), of which the Charter
of Economic Ri@hts and Duties of 'States constitutes a fundamental element baaed
inter olio on sovereien equality, commori and mutuel interest end co-operation among
all States, irrespective of their economic and social systems - is a prerequisite of
-the industrialization or the developing countries, the modernization of their
agricultural production and the general economic and social development of ell States,
which leeds to the improvement of the rolo end the status of vomanJ
.,
45
s.
Makes en appeal to all States, particularly to nuclear-weapon Powero, for
determined end urgent general end complete diaennamcnt, above all nuclear disarmament,
through the application of concrete and effective measures which will enoure dccid~d
progress towards a vorld without arms end ware, a world of peace end understanding
among nations, leadi..ne' to the release of the huge human and material reeottrcee mP.ect
for the production of means of destruction to be utilized for the welfare of peo;>le
and civili:r.ation, thus implementing one of the m<iat ardent wishes of women and men
all over the vorl64
6.
Requests States which have not yet done so to enact or revise their laws
in order to 8\IBrantee the full equality of the rights of vomen with those of men,
and to eliminate all legal provisions vhich in one form or another diacriminate
against women end restrict their participation in the process of political, economic,
sociel and cultural development J
...
1.
Considers that, since the essence of efforts to promote the aocial poai tion
or-vomen and their complete integration in development sees beyond the problem or
legal equality and ia an integral part of over-ell economic and social development,
deeper etruct1.1r81 transformation of society end changes in the preeent international
economic relations are required, so as to create conditions that vould make it
possible for aver,yone to develop ell one'e intellectual end physical capacities end
to participate actively in the democratic constitution end implementation of all
decisions and measures of socio-economic developmentJ
8.
Encourages such social end economic development as vould secure the
participation of women as equal partners.vith men in ell fi.elda of work, equal sccees
to all working poata,equal psy for vork of equal value end equal poeeibilitiea for
education end vocational training, end co-ordinate the legislation on the protection
of women s t vork vith the need for vomen to vork end be highly productive producers
and managers of all political,. economic end social affairs end develop the branches
of eociel services to make domestic duties easier for women end menJ
9.
DTava !!l!eOiel attention to the importance of .creating economic, social
and cult1.1r8l conditione for the improvement of the position of millions of rurnl
women eo that they may. become modern agricul tursl producers J
10.
Resolves to request eovarnmenta to edopt the neceec,er,y measures end
strengthen th~ir special progremmea for ethnic groups in order to integrate them
into tbe nev aociety J
ll.
~ the developing countries to place more ,..phasia on intermedlilta
technology that is· not only labour-intensive but aurplue-ssvingJ and uri!"B the
developed ·countries to make available technological knov-hov end edv•nced technology
under fair and equitable 6ondi tiona in order to improve agricultural production;
12.
~ governments and the appropriate epecialized agencies of the
United Nations to teke steps tovarda providing greeter attention to the education,
tre ining, vork opportunities end integration in the proceae of development of
handicapped people, especially handicapped vomen, end. to undertake public information
progral!lllea, by mesrie of ell mess communication media, regarding. the capacities end
limitations of handicapped persona in tema cO<npatible vith human dignity J
13.
Requests eovernments, international and eovernmentel organizations to adopt
the necessary measures to enable vomen end u.en to participate sa equal partners in
deciaion-makingJ
·
�47
46
14·
~the specielhed &8"neiea or tbe llnited Nations to provide
soeistenee, at the request of governments, for tbe attainment or the objectivee
proposed herein. end for improYing. the lhes or indi~ous wman1
i
15·
~ the SeeretsX,.-General or the llnited !lations to atu<\7 the most
adequate end appropriate means for providing eeeietance to vomen end men in their
triple role in the femily, 8B 9 productiYe labOur force and sctiYe &8"nta or OhSI\8">
end as joint participants in the destiny of their coi!Dlnltlitiea, and to report to
the competent organs of the llnited. Nations.
n.
Condition
or
vomen in :rnral areae
The World Conterenoe of tl:le International Yomen' e Year,
Beering in mind that in order to be achieYed,the objectiYaa or the Internetional
\/omen' o Year- equality, development end peace - should be attained in en integ;-al"
and simul teneoue vsy,
Recalling General ~eaembly ~esolution 2626 (XXV), on tbe International
~opment Strategy for the Second llnited !lations Development Decade, so far u
human development is concerned,
Recalling Economic end Social Council resolution 1707 (Llll) on agrarian rerorm,
Recalling resolution I (Populati~n end .the statue of women), resolution II
(The rural family) and resolution Ill (Rural populations) adopted ey the llorld
Population Conference held at Bucharest in August. 1974,
Recalling pertiaularl, resolution II (Priorities ror agricultural end rural
development), .resolution V (Policies and programea to improve nutdtion), and
resolution VIII (Women and rood) adopted by the llorld Food Conference held in Rome
in l!oYember 1974,
Ooneiderin!t that rural women in the deuloping world account for a substAntial
ahara of rood production,
·
. ~ tbet wmen ever,yvhere l!"nerelly play the main role in procuring and
preparing food for family consumption end in all aspects of family lite, but that
these roles have hitherto had ineufficient acknovled8"111ent in many eountriee,
Aware that rural self-reliance and poPular mobilization ere essential it
moponnion of agriculture and J.mpronment or ita productivi t;y are to take pl&ce
(lff~cti 'Vely,
,
Stressing the aevere problems or rural unemployment, under-employment, "and
mie&lloeetion or human resources, both oYer-all and as th!Q' effect women,
llitb the deep conviction that the struggle aeainat"under-deYelopment is tbe
primary responsibility of ell peoples, that i t is indiepeneable that the principles
contained in the Charter of Economic Rights end Duties or Stetae be transformed into
concrete action that will make poeeible productive and pescefUl ooaxiotenee and social
welfare she red with juatioe and equity,
1.
.9!ll!!..2!l j!<)'YO:mlllen tal
(e) To identif';y needs end to tonaulate end implement, vith greeter financial
end policy support, rurel deYelopmsnt programmes, particularly those which benefit
women liYing in situations of rural poverty and or diasdV!Uit:..ga relative to menr
(b) To carry out the statistical end inf01'!118tion vorl< neceeear:r to identify
end evaluate the participation or vomen in productiYe lite end to meas\U"e the
results or programmes for the·betterment or rural liter
(c) To """""' legal parity and eoonomic rie!ita or vomen in the peasant family
as en eesential part of any rural development programme;
2,
~ that further research ohould be undertaken with regard to the
most effective design Of IO'St'l!!la of rural non-formal education, needed to
women in rural areas vith the neceeseey lind additional ekillo relevant to
eooial and economic roles;
3,
proposals for rural developl!ent sa a total integrated proceoe
·im'olving
m.enr cases fundamental structural chsnees in socio-economic .
institutions, including orgonizationa of co-operative workers and B1!18ll lsndovnern,
in national employment polici011, education, health and veltare services, pricing,
marketing end credit facilities, the strengthening or popular end elected
participation in decision-making, vith a view to reallocation or resources to
disedventeged groups living in rural areas;
4•
Requegta international end .bilateral al!"nciee to re•iew tho criteria
which they use tor financial, technical and" other eaaietence for rural development
and to support· the efforts or developing countries in the field or agricultural
productivity, agro-beaed industries and intagreted rural developmant, with due
attention to the interests or rural vomen end girla.
�. 48
22.
49
Women and development
The world Coit!erence of· the International ·wollllln's ·yeiu-,
Coneiderin& that ertre""' jioverty constitutes an obetacle to the "enjoyment of
ba.sic h\llllan ri"'te,
Conl!ider!M tl:at in l!l8l\Y I'9giona cit tl,o vorld poeeibiliHes of personal
de•elopl!<lnt are denied to human beings bec<>use of tl.lelr, exth""" deprivation,
Recognizing that the most underprivilef!9d am:>ng VOI!len have the saJile needs ae all
. other human beings and have a riBht to similar dignity and respect,.
AI! inning that' the h~ col!llliuni ty must not neglect the immense potsntililitieA
and values "hich even the most deprived vomen possess but cannot de't'Slop becauoo of
their situation,
· ·
Rec<:>gnizing that vo!!ien in inoet countries capable of assisting other• shoUld
exercise solidarity by urgin8 their respective Governments to support actions irii tiated
in developing countriAo and dea.igned to improve the
tuation,
1.
Regueett that the Int.matiol>al Labour. Orge.nieatlon, in ooneul tation as
appropriAte vith the United !lations Statistical ComJ.eeion, the UnUed Nations Institute
for Train.inB and Research, the United .Ratione Univereity. and. the United l!atione
Reeearch Institute for Social Development, to proceed ilmlediataly to study all nominal
'04-t.>gories vithin the i:nternatiol>al Standard Claeeificatlon of OecupatioM .that imply
that a job oan only boo done by either a female or a male, vith the ail!!, accol'd.in6 to
the outcome of the study, of redefining and, vhere neoeeeary,relabelling, the relevant
current olo.ssificetione;
·
2.
Also requeete that the United llationa Statie.tlcal Collllzieeion and the
International Labour OrsanJ.eation, in consultation vith the Collllzission on the Status
of Women, pro~ide a raeouroe """ice to assist Covernl!M!>nta in the conduct of national
ceneuaee to include proper claesifioation ot the a:tual functions of voman who are
currently dilfimd 8S !lOt economically aotive;
3.
Sugmete that these """ categories ahould include oa.rJ.ns for dependimte,.
housework, all forma· of domeetio production, family vorkers, end voluntary eocial -worl<
that haa eoeial a:nd/or economic value.
·
ei
24. Education and training
/
Recogn,izing that it is juet that vomen vho, on the occasion of the International
.lo'ot:J<m'a Year affirm the principle of equality, aesuae their duty to be in solidarity.
vi th those who do not enjoy the. material and. epirl tual . e<><>d i.nllerent in human dignity,
1.
Makes 8:n urgent appeal to all W"Omen and all Jnen to give priorit.f in theh
intenete to those women who, "ith their fl!ll!liliee, li..., under an intolerable yoke
of poverty!
2.
Urme women to be co-W"Orkere with the moet underprivileged ,in their daily
needs, in their struggle for change, in their integration in development and in their
participation in the fight for peace;
3·
Recollll!'ends that vomen aeeum0 a special role in urging Coverrnmnts and
non-governmental organizations to co-operate in _the establishment of etructuns. that
will enable individuals and groupe_- including the voluntar.t :o.-ganizations - justly
and vith regard for human dignity, to vork ~o overcome the cacteee of poverty, of
groat economic disparity, and of those condi.tiona reRul ting f"'m po~erty that
. threaten ths dignity Of WOJ!len, m!ln and childmn.
23.
Revision 1111d expansion of the International
Standard Claesificntions·or Occupations
The \lorld Conference of the International Women's Year,
Bearing in mi"d the lack of factual information o.bout the role of vomen and their
social and econom~c contribution to society(
Realb.ing the difficulties of achieving strict comp..:X.abilit;y of data both within
countries and betwen countries,
Recogn,idng the need for more comprehensive information on vhich policies can be
based Md by -which changg can be measured,
·,,
The World Conferen·ce of the International Women's Year,
Convinced that the expaneion of education is eeeential in order to meet the
inore•eing intenei ty of challenges to the welfare. and a-ren the e:tiatence of hwnan.i ty,
to reduce the gape between eocio-<>conomic groupe and to el:lminate prejudiC<l against
wo~n,
Con-rineed also that the advantal!"s of eduoation should by right be equally
available .to all people, regardless of sex, age, race, religion or ethnic origj.n,
Further convinced that education should be a life-long activity that rein.forceo
the personal and vocational de~elopment of the individual,
Recognizins that historical and ou1 tural perepecti vee regarding the role of
women at all levels of education have too often been obstacles to the run
r.artici pa tion of vomn in aocie ty,
Further recognizing that ool,y if a woman ia given equality of educational
opportunity can aha make 111\d axeroiee a frea choice aa to vhat her role in eociety
will be,
A-wa.re that equalit;r of educational opJ!<)rt~ity enables a voman to enhance her
oconornio statue and to enrich the contribution that ehe can make to the quality of·
her <nm life and that of her fanlily,
, ·
1.
Affirms:
.(e) That fundamental education, includfn8 functional litaracy, basic skills,
ecience and technology, and civic education should be provided !'or all as soon as
poesible 1
�;jQ
(b)
to p..ople
J..i.mito of
to.'eaSUl'l'-
That, ae far ae resources,P"I'IIli t all eduee.tl.ona.l progr"""'ea shOULd be froe
of ell a.;!"B a.nd that pr1ma:r'y and e&corulAr;:r edlJ.ee.t.iDn should, vithin. the
each eountr,y's resources, be eompulsor,y and free as soon as possible so aa
equ.aLopportuniti&e for girls and boys;
51
3. .·Urgge that structures &nd etrategiu be e..,fved and implemented to theoo
enda on a massive scalet
4.
Cells upon non-eove:rnmental organizations to assist Cove~nts in such
prog:r~a;
(e) That vemen should be given equal acceae to forme.l and non-forme.l education&l
opportunities, including technical education;
(d) That educa.tion&l progriiJl!lllDe should be relevant to the needo and resources of
particular individuals, communi ties, cul turee and countriee;
(e)
That life-long education should be accessible to voroon iLnd EMn of all agee;
(f)' That co...,ducation ohould be provided at all·levels in order that girls and
boys ma:t have access to identical curTicula and resources at ever,y level eo that they
ma:t be able to fonn a more realistic. picture of each other;
(g)
5·
Requests the United Natioi:I.G e;ystem, in particular the United Nations Child.rlln' a
Fund, the Internation&l Labour OreanJ.eation, the United Nations E.'.ucationP.l, Scientific
a.nd CUltural Organiution, the World Beal th OreanJ.zation and the Food and Agriculture
Orgsn.!zation of the United Ratione, as well a.s other·internation&l a.;!"nciea, to asaist
Governments, at their request, in the plann.l.r\e end implementation:x>.!' such progral1llll('e; ·
6.
Further requests the See1'9tar,y-General to give priority, in the allocation
of finance a from the Fund for In~rnation&l Women 1 a Year, to 11 teracy and education
programmes for wmen.
25.
That ell curricUlii.''should tie' free or ee:x bias, and should include a critical
·
·
Malyaia of se:x-role stereotyping;
2.
(b)
The 'llorld Conference of the International \/omen 1 s Year,
Recommends to Covet'nlll!inte:
(a) The.t genuine reforms should be carried out in ell education&l systems,
.:..,ginning with early childhood education, so that girls and boys vill consider each
other aa equals;
That training for teaching, couneeiling and administration should be vi thout
sex biAS or discriminator,y attitudes and. should heigh~n teachers' ai.'B.I'Snaes of the
full re.ngc of abilities in both sexes;
(c) That· aJ; all levels of teaching and administration men Md VQmen should be
given equel opp0rtuni ties;
(d) That all forme of mass communication a.nd technology should be used to expand
the educational opportunities tor women as ""'11 as men;
(e)
That ell teaching media Md materials should be free of ae:x bias and should
(f)
That all ilkilla and human reeourcea of the community should be identified,
be direc~d t.owa:rde changing diacriminator,y attitudes;
and that full use should be made of these skills Md resources in the education&l
procese, with particular emphasis upon the contribution of 'IIOmen;
That training and promotion centres for women ahould bo established, tn the
form of community or co-operative enterjirieee, in rural and urban areas where the need
ie greatest;
(h) That there should be continuing economic and social reeearch and eveluation
of education progratnme6 aa they affect girls and 'IIOmen and as the.Y bring about changes
in attitudes and roles for vomen and 1101n;
Equalit;y betve&n men and volll!!n and elimination
of discrimination asainst wmen
Noting that discrimination against >10men h!ll!JPers the f'u.ll utilization of their
vast potentialities in the service of oociet.r and is incompatible with human dignity
and the principles of r<~spect forhhuman rights,
~men
Recognizing the necees'ity for prompt realization of full equality bctwen
in political, economic, social and other apheree,
100n
a.~d
Noting the groving awareness 1:>)' Governments of the need to uee fully human
resources to promote social progress,
Recalling General Aseembl.r resolutions }010 (XXVII) and }275 (XXIX) ann
emphasizing the importance of implementlng fundamental socio-economic changes in order
to achieve eubetantial improvement in the eituation of ,.,.,.n,
1.
~ to all Governments that have not .ret done so to undertake the
neceeaary measures for the speediest ratification of the relevant conventions and other
in3trumente elaborated b,Y the United Rations, the Internation&l Labour Orgal)ieation,
the United Nations Education.al., Scientific and Cultural Organization and other
Uni~d Nations bodies;
2.
Requests all Governments to give full effoot to the principles set out in
tho Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women1
3·
Considers i t necttssar,y to speed up the elaborati'"n and finalization by· the
United Nations of ·the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against ·llomen,
which ehould enuure in pre.ctic~ the full equality betwen men and W!ll{'n in all ficldn,
includi"l! participation in political activities, general and vocation&l education,
employment, equal pa_y, health services, social security Md family, civil and legal
relational
4.
~'elcmJ»e the progress alread,y made by 'the Commission on the Statue of Women
in drafting such a convention,
�.5:3
52
2.
Invites the Secretar,y~neral to appoint, vith due eonaideration. to the
principle of equitable eeographical distribution, a grotip of experts to assist hio.
in the ·eetebliahment of this ineti tute and to drav up· its tenne of reference 1
5.
Notes that Govern100nte of States Members of the United Nations have been
invited to~nt on the draft texts contained in the report of the Workin8 Group
of the Commission on the Stetua of Woinen (E/CH. 6/574), submitted to the Commieeion
at its twenty-fifth session;
3.
Requests the Secretary-Ceneral to submit " report, on the basis of the
recol!lllendations of the group of "xperts, to the Economic ahd Social Council at its
.sixtieth session.
6.
Calle upon the Economic and Social Council to request the Commission on the
Statue of \/omen at its tventy-euth session to prepare, in the light of those comments,
a draft for submission to the Council and to the General Aeseubly;
21.
Msasuree•for the integration of vomen in development
1.
Orgas that high priority should be given in.l976 by ·all concerned to the
preparation and adoption of' the Convention.
26.
The World Conference of the Inten'l!ltional Women's Year,
'
'.
Recalling that General!seembly. resolution 2626. (.XXV) of .24 .October 1970 set
forth the International DeVelopment Strategy for th" Second Uni'ted Nations Development
Decade, ..tach included 8.1110118 He objectives the full integration of women in t.he total
development effort,
International Research and Training Ineti tute
for the Premo tion of Women
The llorld Conference of the Inten'l!ltional Women';, Year,
Recalling General Assembly resolution 3010 {XXVII) of 18 December 1972 1 in vhich
the Assembly proclaimed 1975 as the International Women' B rear to be devoted to
intensified action to en8Ul'S the full integration of. vomen in the total development
effort,
Recalling also that in reSolutions 3010 (XXVII) of 18 December 1972 .and
3275 (XXIX) of 10 December 1974 the General Assembly proclaimed that International
\/omen's rear 1975 should be devoted to intensified action, inter alia, to ensure the
full integration of vomn in th<i total development effort,
. Taking
called upon
programmes,
integration
activities,
Recalling further that the General Assembly, in ita resolution 3342 (XXIX), .called
upon the United Nations system to provide increased aeaistance to hboee ·programme a,
projects and activities ·that would enco\ll"889 and promote the further integration of
women into national, regional· and interregional economic deVelopment activities; and
recommended to all organizations concerned vlii:Iin the United Nations aystem to revie~
their vorl< and personnel programmes in order to asseas their impact on the further
participation of women in development,
into account General AeBP.mbly resolution 3342 (xXIX), in vhich the Assembly
the United Nationa system to provide increased assistance to those
projects and activities that vould encourage and promote the further
of vomen into national, regional and interregional economic development
Noting that the inadequacy of research, data and information is an impediment
to the formulation of development strategies and· programmes for furthering the
advancement of women,
~ that in its resolution XII the United Nations World Population Conference·
requested United Nations organs and the specialized aeencies to give special
consideration to the impact of development efforts and programmes on the improveoont
of the status of women, especiall7 in connexion'vith the reviev and appraisal of the
Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade and in the deliberations
of the General Assembly at ita special session in 1975 1 •
Deeply conscious of the need to provide training opportunities to enhance the
c rre c ti ve pa.rticipa tion of women,
1.
Decides to recommend the establishment, under the auspices of the
United Nations, of an International Trainir.,~ and Research Ins+itute for the ProfDOtion
of W'omen, financed through voluntary contributions, which in collaboration 'ofith ·
appropriate national, regional and interregional economic and social research
institutes and the specialized agencies of the United Nations, would:
Noting also that in its resolutions II, V and VIII, the United Nations World Food
Conference urged priority consideration of ·vomen in every staee of the design,
planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes and projects,
(a) Undertake research and the collection and dissemination of information as
the basis for the formulation of programmes and policies for the effective
participation of women;
{b) Assist in the deai;i:n of research for the monitoring of changes in the
situation or·women and the impact oti their lives of economic, socie.l. and technological
changes;
{c) Develop, adapt and p:::-ovida training programmes for women, in particular those
of the developing countries, which would enable them to wu.ler~k6 national research,
to assu..me leadership roles within thF!Iir own Fmdoqt.i~,:~~ An" to im:reaAe their earning
possibilities; ·
·
'·.
Noting further that the Governing Council of· the United Nations Development
Programme at its nineteenth session requested that the integration of· V011!9n in
development should be a continuing consiJeration in the formulation, design and
implementation of the projects and programmes of the United Nations Development
Programme,
·
.
Bearin~ in mind that the Economic and Social Council, in its resolution 1942
(LVIII) of
Ha.y 1975, requested United lfations bodies to pay particular attention to
the evolving status of vomen, keeping in mind the mutual interaction among population
factors, social and econcmic development and the status of women, and called for
monitoring of the ~grass of short-term and lofl8"-term programmes,
�54
Bearing in mind &l.so thllt the recent resolutions &nd !lotions of tlni ted Nations
specialized agencies e.re designed to further the integration of vomen in develol'\lent,
l. RecOI!lll!ends that all org&ns of the United Nations develOI'\lent system,
specialized agencies, and other internation&l. technical and fin&ncial assistance
progranmes' and agencies:
(a) 01 ve sustained attention to those initiati vas that integrate w<J!len in the
dovelo{l'tlent process;
(b) Incorporate in the! r develop~~ent plans, prc:igr- and secto.r Me.lyBes, and
programne documents ·an impact statement of hav such proposed progrM~~~es vlll affect
vomen as participants and beneficiaries, in consultation vith the United Nations
Commisoion on the St'atus of ll010en;
(c) Establish o. review and appraia&l. system a.nd undertske to serve in the design,
implementation Md evaluo.tion of progrl!lmmea and to use social and econ010ic indicators
as " means of measuring progress in the integration of vomen in the develop~~ent
process;
(d) Ensure that v010en ehe.ll participate on·an equitable basis wii>h men on all
levels of decision-illsking that govern the planning a.nd implementation of these
programmes, keeping in mind the principle of geographical distribution;
2. Invites the Governments of all States Members of the United Nations and
private organizations engaged in develop~~ent progrommes to .adopt the above
recO!Ill:lendations in their programming processes,
28.
Women's participation· in promoting vorld peace
and international co-operation
The World Conference of the International Women's Year
Reaffirming its conviction in the objectives of the United Nations as deda.red
in its Charter,
Believing !innly as Member States in the pr010otion and maintenance of peace, &nd
the strengthening of friendly relations and co-operation among States as a necessary
condl tion for the promotion of human rights,
Acknowledging that an essential condition for the maintenance and strengthening
of international co-operation and peace io the promotion and protection of human
r!.ehts,
55
Rec&l.liM that the General Aseembl.7 1n ita resolution 3010 (nvn) of
18 December 1972 recognizee the importance ot vomen'a increaeing contribution to tr..
de .... lopment ot international peaoo and co-operation,
Recallin& further that to purtiW!I reeolution 3010 (XXVII), a programne of measures
and activities for inteneified action for the tnternational Women's Tear vtt.e &pproV!!d
by the E(Jonomio and Sociel Council in ita resolution 1649 (LVI) ot 16 Ma.y 1974,
Convinced that these progre.mD~~a at peace eftorto b.r vomn rust be supplement<!d by
..,,., posi ti"" and concrete steps,
· l,
!!!!!t!
Go..,.rnmenta in a concerted. e rtort to:
(a) · Enoouraee more vomn to etufl¥ for a diplometic -eareer and eliminate all
ba.rriera to tbAu admission and advancemnt in the diploci.atio. service or their
countries ae CCH!QUal vith ..,n;
(b) ·Provide more oppo.rtunities for vomen to join !L!Id advance in the int<!mational
civil a.,rvice or international or regional organizations ·and e.geneiee;
(c) Provide women vith equal opPortunities as men to repreoent their countries
in all international forums vhare the iseues or international peace and co-operation are
diecuesed and in particular in the ..,etfn8e ot the organhatione of the Unit..d Nations
and !ill conferences on disarmament and ·international peace. and other regional bodies;
(d) Allow and encouraee 1110re vomen to participate 1n foreign policy
decieion-msking agencies of the national governmental
(e) Organize, at gr&ssroete level, such activities ·as reading groupe, information
services and similar other proJecte, .to ,tluniliarize as aoaey men and women ae possible in
the concepts ot international P.>ace and eo-operation, oul tural understanding,
oelf-relianee, self-determination and other eonoepte recognized in Unit..d Nations
resolutions, t<> enable them to translate these concepts in all levels of society;
(f) Provide vomen vith more opportunities to be better· avare of political issues
and concepts, and be better equipped to resolV.. political problems through exchanl!" of
vomen leadere, ,enco\U'!I.gl!... nt of a rre .. now· of information, and in the purSUAnce or
unlv..reit:y or eolle!l" courses in goo:ernl!len~· and international studiee1
(g) Implement a qstet11 of eontinuous education whereby the individual'•
perspectives and attitudes to euch Yeluee as understanding all nations and peopleo,
racial equality, international peace and oo-operation vhich all m..n ..nd """"'n are called
upon to instil in their chilctro.n, be turth.,r otrengthened by the teacher• and educators;
Recogni~ipg the efforta o£ vomen as individuals and in groupe tovards the
promotion of friendly relations among nations, international co.-operation and the
attainment of international peace,
(h) Utilize to the fullest the ..,dia channels to oontinue tl-<! educational process
of goodVul and understanding among all peoples;
Encouraging more active. participation b:y·vomen in intergovernmental and
non-governmental orgMizations vorlting for the strengthening o£ international peace
Md co-operation,
(i) Request the United Nations to proclaim the .Uiu ted !lations lla,y of 24 October
also as a special da,y devoted to international peace, to be celebrated nationally end
in t<!rn.a tionall:y 1
2.
Urms non-e:overnment&l. organizations to engags.acti...,l:y in mobilizing public
. opinion for the cause of a juet peace in accordance with th~ principles ll.lld ""solutions
o£ the United Nations.
I
�5()
29.
The World Conference of the Intemationa.l WOO>en • s Year
Rel!l!firmi!!l!j the determination expressed in the Charter of the United Rations to
eave succeeding generations from the scourge of var,
Recalling that the United Nations Organization reaff1:rins in its Charter faith In
fundemental human rights, in the dignity and vorth of the human person, in the equal
rights of men and vomen and of nations,
Recalling that the flemes of va.r in the vorld have inflicted great pain,
espeeie.J.ly on women and children,
Te.lt!ng into account that millions of vomen &.re still meeting vith untold
sufferings and the violations of human dignity ,resulting frOO> different fonns and
manifestations of colonial! sm, foreign domination, apartheid and racial di srrimination,
Reaffinning that the universal strengthening of vorld peace and the expe.nslon of
the co-operation among States will advance the economic, soCial and cultural·
devclorment of the <'Ountries and serve the improvement of the situation of w011en,
Proceeding from the fact that the central subjeet of the International Women's
Year reads "Equality - Develo!JIIent - Peace",
Te.lting into account that the programme of the Internationa.l Women's Year
adopted in resolution 1849 (LVI) of the Economic and Social Council, envisages efforts
in order to promote internationo.l detente, the strengthening of world peace and the
expansion of the co-operation emong States, pe.rticulsrl.y, the struggle against
colonialism, neo-colonialism, foreign domination and subjugation, against apartheid
and racial diScrimination and the implementation of the rights of the people to
sell-determination and the protection of vomen Md children in armed confli<ts as well
as in the struggle for national independence and self-determination.
Appreciating that the General Aoaembl.y of the United !lations in fts
resolution 3276 (XXIX) endorsed the broadest involvement of vomen in the stn:>ggle for
the strengthen! ng of international peace and the elimination of racism and racia.l
discrimination and, moreover, decided to consider wider a special agenda item at its
thirtieth seoaion the role of vomen in the struggle against colonialism, racism and
racial discrimination and for the strengthening of international peace and
co-operation emong states.
Taking into account that the Charter of Econanic !'light• and Duties of States
confirms the obligation of all States to promote the implementation of general and
complete disarmament a.nd to use the funds saved for economic a.nd social developnent and
provide part of them for the needs of the developing countries 1
Noting vith satisfaction the positive changes vhich took place during the last
years 1n the international situation concerning the deepening of. the proceso of
detente and the strengthening of international peace, pa.rti cularly, regarding the
elimination of the d~~.ngerous sources of vsr in Viet-RMI and the organi•ation of the
All-Europe!W Conference on Security and Co-operation,
57
~aid!ll! th11 mve concern· th.o.t in some regions of the world colonialism,
.~ and racism :yet e:dat and fore.Lgn·territories &%'1!1 still occupied "hich
·representa a ver.r serious infringement of the principles ot the·Charter of the
United llationo and of htUIIO.n rishte of' both men and vomen, and· of the people's risbt to
self -determination,
·
·
1. Reaffirms that the strengthening of international peace 4nd security,
ee>-operation among all States irrespecthe rt their social and eoonomic eyate.., bo..sed
on the principle ot peaceful coexistence, the elimination of the uatiges of
colonialism, nee>-colonialiam, apartheid, raeiem, alien domination and foreign
occupetion ar., indispena.,ble prerequisites for the al!l!egu.ardi"'! of the !'undamental
human rights
both men and vomen;
·
or·
2, Cl!.lls UPOn all GoYen'lmt>J'Its, intergovernmentAl am nor>-governm<!ntal
organizations, vo~~>en 1 a Or{!anh.atione and women's groups to intsn.eif:r their forceo in
order to stre711lthen peace, to expe.nd and deepen the process of dHente and to
implement ita irreversible character, to eliminate completely and definitely all
forma of colonialism, to put an end to tho policy and practice of apertheid and
racism, and ~o foreign domination and aggression;
}. Hol:ls the viev that the promotion ot the objectiYee of the United Nations
should· find .. better expression in the activities of the national and international
"omen's organ1zationa 1 especially in respect of the mnintenance of international
peace, the developnent of friendly relations Ulo"'! countries. bS.aed on respect fer tbe
sovereign equality of States and non-interference in internal l!l!fa.ira, the termirla..t.i1:m
of the arms ra~e, the elimination of the vestiges of colonialism, apartheid, racism
and foreign domination;
4. Urges dl Government!! to take effective measures to"ardo bringing about·
genara.l and complete disarmament!
5. ExpreeMs it8 ~olidarity with and ita assietancs for women "ho contribu to
to"ardn the atru.,Jgle or thE- peoples for their national liberation and underlin<a the
fact that the· "ider and the more determined· and active the participation of "omen is
going ahead, the sooner the hour of victory vill come about for the fighti"'! peoples!
6. Requests ~he Economic and Social Council to invite th" Secretary-General of
the United !lations that the Tventy-ahth session· of the tJnJ ted !lations ~ornmisaion on
the Statue of Women prepares and considers a comprehensive report on the participation
of vomen in the otre"'!theni"'! or vorld peace and the elimination of ape.rtheid, racism,
racial di~crimination, colonialism, tonign domination and annexation of territories
fore. and the realization of the right of peopleo to aelf-deteT'!llination, end
mi ts this report at the fortheoming session of the Ceneral Assembly of the
United !lation.e.
30. The QUestion or the Panamanian terri tory called
the
rce.nal Zoneu
.
The World Confennce of the Ir.te>:T!!'ti9.'lQ,l Women• s Year,
Considering .that the continued existence of colonial eituations, racism, racial
discrimination, and domination and aliep occupation constitute a threat to
international Pflaee and that vomen are· fighting together vith men throughout the world
to eliminate them,
'•.
'
�5B
.!!Q.tl!l& that in the ~an territory called the "Ca.ll&l Zone" there exists a
co'.onl.Al situation which perpetuate.~. ronns _or",_rfl.ciem, racial dia<:Timination and
1omiMtion and alien occupation, and that in the atr~J&gle to eliminate it Panrunanian
. ...... ·,;:~.
......:, . ..•:-·.
"omen are pla:·'~.:;"" outetandine P.,.rt;...
Noti!lj! that thia colonial situation results in an unequal distribution of the
benefits or every kind reaul ting from the operation of the Canal and a form of
.·: ~oion against l'!t.nama, since that country hae not authorized the \'&ta]>lishment in
its territory of· United States military base A,
Jleool!!li!.!!:Ja that Pa.ll&ma 1 s geographical situation is lts princiPol natural
resource and that the exercise of its soverdgnty' over the l'hole of ita territory
oen not be deferred,
..·, ·
Noti!lj! that the colonial Ai tuation in the eo-called "'':anal Zone" a!fects men
and women and the people as a "hole and that the continued existence of that
situation is an obstacle to Panama'• full developm~nt, ·
1.
E:rpresees the view that the neg<'tiation• betveen the United States and l'!t.nama on
a ne" Cannl treaty must eliminate the colonial situation, racism, rac~al discrimination,
. and domination and o.ocupation without the consent of the authority which is sovereign
in the territory,· in conformity )!i tb the principles of international· law gove>;ning "
relatione between States,
· ·
·
·
2.
Expresses· its conviction· that the current negotiations must eliminate.once and
for all the causes of conflict and; in particular, must envisage l'!iiiama'ii ...effecti~e
jurisdiction in the eo-called "Canal Zone" and control of.-the Ca.ll&l by PaM.ma in
exercise of ita complete sovereignty and as an instrument of its full development.
31. Women's contribution to world peact through
participation in international cgnferencee
The \lorld .«o.n£~~.r1Ce ..9( ..the ·International Vomen's Year,·
Notill& that lees than 10 per _cent of the delegations to Aeeaions of th·a·
G!:!'nc.1:al Ase~mbly and to moet United Nations conferences are women,
Notillll that lest· than 5 per cent of -the representatives '", women,
59
32. Palestinian and Arab women
The llorld Conference of International \lomen'e Year,
\
I
Mindful of the objectives and goals of International Women's Year,
Rea!tlrmi!ll! the funda:>ental principles and ·purposes of the ·United Nations Cl:ar-t<!r,
in particular the maintenance of international peace and world security, the
.development of friendly relatione among nations,
Deepl:r concerned about tha J>r""ailing. conditions - political, social, d~phic
and economic - of tbe Palestinian people and in particular, the conditione under "hich
the Palestinian w~ lives, and recognizing the close relationship bet,een euch
conditione and the question of Palestine,
Realfirmins the futility of 8peBking about equality of humM beinge at e. time
when millions of humM beings are BUffering under the yoke of colonialism,
ConsideriM that international co-operation and peace requires national
independence. and, liberation, the elimination of colonialism, neo-colonialism, fascism,
t!Oni.t!l:l, apa:rtheid and foreign oceupe.tion, alien domination and racial discrimination
in all its forme and also the respect of humM rights,
Deeply concerned that no just solution to the problem of Palestine has yet been
achieved and recogniz.l..ng that the problem of Palestine and the situs tion in the
Middle Ellet continue to endaneer international peace and world security,
E:rpressing ite grave concern that the Palestinian woman and people have been
pl'e\'ented from enjoying their inalienable righte, and in particular their r~ht to
return to their homee and property from which they havP. been displaced and uprooted,
.~he right to self-detennination and the right to national independence and sovereignty,
Recognizing tru.:t mass uprooting from the homeland obstructs the participation
and integration of woman in the efforts of progreS3,
Affirmillll the r~ht of the Palestinian woman t"> develop a strong and more
effective impetus to peace and the development of friendly relations runong nations,
l!otiM also that the achievement of the goals of Internationa.l \lomen 1 e Year
requires that more women should t-old positions of policy and deeHion-tre.king iri their·
o...n Governments in order to make a greater contribution towards irtternational peue,
Recallillll C..nerel Assembly resolution 3236 (X::UX) or 22 November 1974 and
reeolution 3281 (XXIX) of 12 Decembar 1974 adopting the Charter of Economic Righte
and Duties of Statea,
1. Recommends that in the current year r.,ve!'Tlmt::lh of Member States should seek
to increase substantially the number of women in their delegations to meetif'llis held
under United Nations auspices 1 particularly the Seventh Special Session of the
United !lations Ceneral Ao.embly and the thirtieth regular session of the
General Assembly,
Re£&lling tha final resolutions and declarations of the regional aemirwra held
in Mogadishu, Kinshasa and Caracas,
2. FUrther ·recommends that Governments of M•mber States should not only
maintair. this increase in the representation of women but should seek to imJ?l'<lVe
upon it in subsequent years 1
3. further rec.ommends that the G<lvel'1'll!lents of Member States should not Limit
the representation of "'omen to the Third ('otimdttee of the United Nations
·
General Assembly but should appoint women t,. se:r'lr<> on all Main Commi t-teee of the
General Assembly.
.,_
~to ell women of the world to-p,o,laim their solidarity and support to
the Palestinian women and people in their drive to put an end to flagrant violations
of fundamental human r~hte committed by Israel in the occupied territories,
Appeals to all vomen !n the world to take thP. necesear,r meaaul'ee to secure the
N!leaee or thousands of persone,fighters for the cause ~f self-determination,
11 be ration and independence, held arbitrarily in the prisons of the forces of
occupation,
·
�61
~0
~
to all States &1ld internationaJ or-ganizatione to extend aeoiotance - ID()ra.l
.ane .. llll>tcrial - to tho_ PalestiniAn. and Arab voma.n and people in their st~gle "8e.iMt
zionism, forei.gn ?ccupa.Uon and alien dom.!.nation, fo,.ign "887"Siiion, and help them
restore their inalienable righto in Palestine, and in particular the right to· retum
to their holl!ee &1ld property from which they have been displaced and uprooted, the
rLght to self-determination and the right to national in3ependenee.and sovereignty in
accordance ~tith the Un;L ted." !lations Charter.
·
Requests the United Nations Organization, ite organs and specialized "8enciee
as well ae all national, regional and international w~men 1 a organizntiona to extend
their help - oora.l eno material - tc the !T.lestinian woman and ita organization and
institutes.
33, Aid to the Viet-Namese people
The \l~rld Conference of he Intel'TlOticnal ~/omen's Year,
Notil18 that the theme of International \/omen's Year pr<lclaimed by
G<?neral Assembly resolution 3010 (XXVII) of 18 December 1972 is "Eq~it;r. 1 _ Development
and Peace",
Recalling Economic and Social-Council resolution 1944 (LVIII) on assistance to
the countries of Indo-China,
Appreciating the role o£ Viet-Namese women in the et~gle for national _,
liberation, thus contribtiting to the movement for the liberation of peoples and the
emancipetion of vomen throughout the vo:i'ld,
Profoundly shocked at the horrible consequences or the ~tar ror the national
econotey of Viet-Nam and particularly at the sufferings of Viet-Namese women and
children,
1. ~ to the women and the peoples or the world to do everything possible,
view a view to preserving the right of peoples and of women to live in peace,
independence, freedom and equality, to. prevent the occurrence in the world of another
I'Ar like that of Viet-NI!.Ill;
·
2. ~ tho peoples and the Govern;nent~ ·;;r the world. and national and_
International organiU~tions to· continue their aid to Viet-Nam ao aa to. heal the
wound a of wa:r and reconstruct the country and requests the United !lations to continue
its aaaieta.nce to the Viet-Namese people through the funds of existing international
agencies.
34.
The eituetion of women in Chile
The World Conference of the International Women'~ Year,
Recalling the Universal Declamtion of !Iuman Rights, of 10 December 194S, the
International Covenent on Civil and Political Righte and the International Covenant on
Economic, Social end Cultural Rights of 16 Decemoor 1966, all of which raise the
fundamental human· :r4;hto to the category of principlPa adopted by international law,
'··
Cgnsidering that a number or intergo•ernmental and non-goTernmental organizations
that have vieited Chile either for lrumll.rlitari&n or investigation purpoaee 1 have
reported the a;ystemtia 1'iol&tion or all baeic ln.u!Bn guara.nteee regarding liberty and
the fundamental economic an1 oooial rights 1 that according to theeo ""porto thio
aituatio~ still preYe.ila up to this date,
Taking into aoooynt that General Aseembl;y resolution 3219 (XXIX) of
84 vall && reeolutiorll! b;y other
United !lations bodies, exprel!S their cone<arn that constant fiagr&nt •iolation of b<>aic
human rights and fundAmental freedo11111 in Chile continue to be reported,
6 November 1974, supported b;y 91 l'll!.tions,
~concerned a'bont the reports or degradin8.and humiliating oonditioM
upon women prisoners; && vell ae the groving tendency to extend the repression to the
families of lhoee vho are being persecuted to force their submission,
1, .l1!:s!.t the Seo:re~neral of the lln1 ted llatione to take 1 i media t~ly and
effectively, all neeeeear;r.""'a!lllr!le £or.-the implementation of General Aeeembly
resolution 3219 (XXIX) 1
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2. ~that the Chiiean wthorltieoi' im~diaiel;T abet&iifrrom an;y political
e:xe:cutione, to:r;ture, persecution, oppression and· the denial or liberty e.nd jobs
whldh oontinue to be reported, u theee practices eonstihlte !lagr&nt violations of
human rights vhich are the heritaae or civilization!
3;· Demende the illlllll!diate releaee or all poll tical prieonere and ea:Peoielly
YOmen and children and other releti•ee held ee hoetegee1
4. E'!:pl:yeeee the !!ish that the.~ Yorlting Group of the United llationa
Commission on liuman Rights in ita inTeetigation and report on the eihlation in Chile
pay special attention to the situation or women and children!
5. ~the C.nera.l Aeeembl7, il:t accordance with i te resolution 3219 (XXIX),
to po.;y apeeial attention to the ei tuAt!on of women and children in Chile at ita
thirtieth eeeaion.
35· kwesaion or tbank.e
The World Conference
ot
-the International Vo...,n'e Year,
Reeognitd.M the importance o£ international a.cti111 tiee vi thin the lln1 ted NR tiona
Qetem directed tova"rde the recognition of' equalit;y between men &1ld women, the run
integration o£ vomell in the total deYelopoient process, and the involireoent of WOD>en
in etrengthening'interna.tional peace,
.
Cominced that the Yorld Con!.,Nnce or the Inte:r:natlonal Yomen•a Yea:r, ~thich
took place at Me:xico Cit;y from 19 June to 2 July 1975, rsprenenta a aigniticant
contribtition to the ..rrorta or.. the international _cl)mmunl.t;r to !lnd approprio.te means
or ensuring equalit;r for women, of integrating women 1n the development process nnd of
involving ~tomen in strengthening international peace,
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~He deep appreciation to the Preeider>t or the Rep.tblie or Me:rioo,
Iu.i• Ecbeverr!a Alve.re,., and to the Gove.,.,.,nt and the· people of Mexico for
..,Jdll!! posoi ble the holdi.ng of the conl'erence at Medco Cit;y and tor their gene roue
hospitolit:r and valuable contribution to the succeeet'Ul completion of the vork of thle
historic Conference.
Reoollmlendation for the conveninl! or· a s~oond vorld conference in l'iieO
Tbe Conferenoo decided to reeollll!lend tha·• the General Aaeea,·ol:y of the
!Jn1ted !lations at its thirtieth seosion should consider the convenin,g ot another world
00 n.('erence on \lomen in 1990.
APPENDIX D
SuMMARY OF THE DEcLARATION OF MExrco
Economic Development and the Need for rz New Economic Order.The Declaration states that women's inequality is linked to underdevelopment and that underdevelopment can only be changed by !L
new economic orde~. It calls for the establishment nnd implementation
of n new international economic order as specified in the U.N. Dccl~tra
tion and Program of Action. It states that the integration of women in
development must be part of over-all social and economic growth.
.
World Peace.-The Declaration states that women should dedicate
themselves to working for world. peace, disarmament, and against
violations of human rights such as imprisonment, and torture. It
states that women should rulso work for the right to self-determination,
territorial integrity, and noninterference in the· domestic affairs of
states. It also states that "1Vomen a$ well as men together
eliminate colonialism, neo-colonialism, imperialism, foreign domination and occupation, zionism, apartheid, racial discrimination, t.he
acquisition of land by force and the requisition of such acquisition,
since such practices inflict incalculable suffering on women, men and
children." It notes that women must participate equally with men in
the dccision-mnking processes which help to promote peace at all
levels.
lVomen'slssucs in Particu.Za.r.-The Declaration calls upon govcrnmcnt.s and national nongovernmental organizations to provide fureducation and training for women towards ne.w occupations and
new roles consistent with their needs for self-fulfillment in national
development. It. emphasizes the importance of employment rights,
child care, more equitable sharing of housework, protection ·against.
forced marriages and abuses of physical integrity. The Declaration
for emphasis on modernizmg agriculture in nnderde\•clopcd
emmtries to alleviate the heavy worldond of women. It also notes the
impo1tancc of the media in sha.ping the image of won'len.
The Declaration affirms women's right to decide whether or not
to have children as weH as to determine their number and spacing and
to have the infprmati_on, education and means to do so. It calls upon
women to join together to end rape, prostitution, physical. assault,
mental cruelty,l child marriage, forced .marriage, and marriage as a
commercial trnnsaction.
Af!irma.tion of Ob_jccti1.1C8 of /ntm'11.ational Women'.~ Yea-1·.-Thc
Declaration <'Hds with an affirmation of the Conference's faith in the
ohjcd.ives of Intcrnntionn.l 1Vomen's Ycn.r, its commitment to t.he·
achievement of such objectives, and n. strong recommendation to governnJCnts and the entit-c United Nations system to dedicate t.hemselvcs
to the cren.t.ion of a just society where women, men and children can
live in dignity, freedom, justice and prosperity.
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APPENDIX.E
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ExTRACT oF SuaoEsTEn REVISIONs TO Tim UNITED NATTONfi 'Vom,n
PLAN oF AcTION FOR INTimNATIONAI~ WoMEN's YEAH Pm:fiENTED
nY \VoMEN OF THE TmnuNE
(This) document rcprcscnt(s t suggcfitcd changes to t.hc IWY \Vorld
Plan of Action prepared by open and representative committees of·
women of many nations. These changes we1·c prp"c:;ented, nmcndcJ, and
approved at an open Plcna11' Session <>f the International 'Vomcn's
Year Tribune in Mexico City, Mexico, ,June 25, 1975.
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Frustrated by the lack of communication betwe,en the IWY T1·ibunc
and the official U.N. Conference on HVY, women arc demmiding that
their voice be heard in Tlatelolco.
A delegation of 15 women, representing over a dozen nations, who
arc attending the Tribune, will call on Helvi Sipila, Secretary-Gcncml
of the HVY Conference, at 10:15 a.m., Thursday, June 26 to prese,nt
changes to the proposed U.N. World Plan of Action.
·
The proposed changes are the result of an extraordinary meeting
of 2,000 women at the Tribune held on ,June 2Gth, t.hc first. mect.irig
organized by the women themselves to act on the proposed 'Vorlcl
Plan of Action about to be adopted by the U.N.
The a<Treed upon changes proposed include the right of a ,,·oman to
control her own body, her right to health· for her own sake and a
demand for more funds to eliminate discrimination. Also the right of
\\'Omen from developing countries to plan and decide on U.N. development programs in their countries.
.
A strong implementation section, missing in the present 'plan, demands a. new U.N. Office for 'Vomr.n's Conc<~rns ·at. t hr: lJn<krSecret.ary level. This Oflicc would be headed by a woman colllmittetl
to women's rights and its staff would be two-thirds women.
'Vomen of the Tribune, acting in solidarity as a committee of the
whole, endorse the 'Vorld Plan of Action in principle. However, the
document as it stands does not sufficiently reflect the views nor meet
the urgent needs of women of the world. * * *
The Office for ·women's Concerns would review and monitor the
\Vorld Plan of Action, issue annual public reports and investigntc
complaints of violations of hnman rights against women. It would
also analyze and report on the impact on women of the various lT.N.
development progrnms.
'··.
The United 'Vomen of the Tribune also supported U.N. employees
in their clcmnncl that the U.N. cease discrimination in its rccrniting,
hiring and promotion pmctices, which has resulted in only 21.7 percent women on the Secretariat staff.
SUPPLE]I[ENTARY ACTIONS
Section I
The women of the Tribune of International \Vomen's Year wish
to support the resolutions of UNEEQ-The United Nations Employees for Equnl Opportunity, demanding that an equal prop01tion
of women and men serve in policymaking positions in the United
Nat ions system.
. We also wish to support their condemnation of present recruitment,
hiring, promotion and appointmcri.t policies in the United Nations
system. The responsibility for these inadequate policies rests equally ·
on the United Nations administration and on individual member
states. These policies have led to a serious underrcpresentation of
women at a.Jl professional levels especially the highest ones, and on
exploitation of the predominantly female General Service staff.
We join in UNEEQ's criticism of the Standing Committee on the
Employment of vVomen in the Secretariat established March 1975,
which so far has completely failed to be effective.
\V c endorse the suggestiOn of UNEEQ that a woman be nomill!tted
and elected as Secretary General of the United Nations in the term
beginning 1977.
Section II
The women of the Tribune of the International \Vomcn's Year
hereby pledge themselves when they return to their respective conntries to work for· the implementation of the \Vorld Plan of Action.
We hereby recognize that the World Plan of Action is merely a first
step consisting essentially of good intentions. We accept our responsibility to press our governments to provide the funding without. whieh
the plan cannot be effectively implemented.
.
·
· 'Vc eommit onrselvefi, furthermore, to lobby for the full and erpw 1
participation of women on onr own nation's delegations, both to tlw
Gcnem.l Assembly of the United Nations and to all committees arid
agcnei'es of the United Nations system.
'Vc will make concerted efforts to propose qualified women candidates not. only for delegation posts, but for all professionnl st.aiT posi.
tionfi in the United Nations system..
FHrthermorc, we will closely monitor the way 011r govcmments
prrsent.ly nnd in the futnre gmnt. money inte1'11at.ionn lly. '.Yr. will prrssure lh<~m not to give money to project~<; which work against the promotion of world peace and which discriminate against women.
"Tomen of the world will continue to work for Disnrmnrnrnt. and
will press the U.N. ~Oth General Assembly to set the date for :t World
Disa1mament Conference.
Section III
The women of the International 'Vomen'fi Year Tribune applaud
the initiation of the· International 'Vomen's Year pr·ogram and thr
establishment of both the United Nations Conference on the International 'Vomrn's Year and the Tribune Conference, but. we deplore thr
serious nnclcdnnding of the International 'Vomcn's Y(~:tr an<l of hoth
eonfrrrnces. iVe note in sorr·O\v that the work of the Tribune has been
constanHy injpcdecl by lnck of communication facilit.irs for participants and that many w.omen of the wol'ld arc absent because of inability to meet the travel costs to Mexico City.
'Ve have taken seriously our obligation to listen to ench other and
to propose courses of action to thr. United Nations. Communication
between us and the United Nationfi conference should have been easY
ancl hns. in faet, heen difficult..
·
'Ve demnncl that the future commitment of the United Nntions and
its memhc1· stntes to International 'Vomen'fi Year nncl the concerns
of women include adequate funding and planning to serve the need~
of women.
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Section IV
Recognizing that the subject of Women nnd Religion iloes not
appear !n thc)~lan o.f A~tior', women of the Tribune protest. diserimiMt.ion m rehgwus mstltntwns and support women's full and free
pnrticipation in nll aspects of religious life.
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APPENDIX G
A Moom, Fon Am Fno11r DF.vr:I.OPEn CouNTRIEs TO DEVELOI'tNn Com,·THIES T11nonoll
NoN-GovF:HNl\IF.NTAL OnGANIZA'l'IONs, BY ENID
KrnTON oF TmNmAn, TonAoo
CHANNELS
I
APPENDIX F
Orr~XJ~G REMARKS BY SENATOR CJ.L\RLES H. PEneY, PnESENTr:n AT
Ort~N F'onuM ON DEVELOPMENT AssisTANCE, .TuNJ<; 2;), 197.r:>
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I am pleased to be here this afternoon, and I thank yon fol' coming.
It is not often .that ~ Uni~ecl State.c; Senator has the opportunity to
have a g-roup d1scnsswn w1th so many knowledgeable womc>n from so
many different backgrounds and countries at a single meeting. I am
here' to listen and learn from all of vou.
As a concernecl ind1vidnal and ns a government representative, I
to !x;t.ter nnderstanrl the direction that development assistance .
must take to integrat~ the needs, aspirations, and priorities of women
and thus, enhance economic growth world-wide.
.
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·we know that women suffer pervnsive diserimination, openly or
subtly. in everv country in the world. vVe. know that women do not.
fulfifl 'their sclf-potenti'al in the majority of cases. We know that this
combination of discrimination and low level of self-realization ariwng
women has retarded development.
.
In turn, development ·assistance has adversely affected 'vomen in
many developing countries. It has further widened the income gap
between the richest and the poorest in those countries.
Development assistance affects women in donor countries as well.
De::;pitc nat.ionnl bonml:trics and lanf_,'1lltge baniers~ women shat·p. common problems. In all societies,· traditional or industrial, women are
cxclnded from the power structure and have little, if any, input into
policy formation or program implementation.
What can be. done? It is ecrtain that much should be done. nut where
do we start, what arc the pl'iorities ~ How can the donor countries and
internntional organizations who are committed help resolve the prohlems that inhibit womcn~s contribution to the improved quality of life
. .
for all people.
"What we are dealing with trnnscends the limits of so-called "women's
issues". The integration of "'omen in development is a direction. an
affirmative action which toucnes on the over-all question of intcrnaeconomieand political stability.
The world stands on the verge of profound change. The political fnlnl'e, economic system, and social norms of every country a.re being
contested. How well the world responds to the challenge will depend
on all citizens-male and fcmalc-{)f every connt1·y having a just share.
of both the benefits and t·esponsibilities of economic growth.
The IWY Tribune is trying to establish that \VOmcn and nongovernmental organizn.tions n.s a whole contribute to development, pcacP. :wd
ereat.ion o·f a better human society. But developed countries will be
reluctant to channel more aid to nongovernmental ot·ganizations, if
there is not a corporate body of nongovernmental organizations.
In every developing country there should be a National Union of
nongovernmental organizations composed of representatives from each
organization. There should be liatson between this body and the
ministry of Planning nnd Development, the ministry of Commnn
Development and Social Security and the National Commission for
\Vomcn's Affairs. In this way nongovernmental organizations wonld
he aware of plans made by their governments and can make a moec
meaningful contribution to society.
Requests for aid should be made either· by individual ot·ganizat ions
through the National Union or by tho National Union itseH.
t·equests should be sent to Non-Govemmental Organization Officcs·at
U.N. Cr.nh·r,c; in the respective co.untl'ics. The officet·s rmpl_oyecl
these offices are expect-ed to engage m field work nmong orgamzationsl
so that they wonld be in a position to make valid con1ments on these
applications which are forwarded for appraisal.
KINDS
Aid t.o both governments and nongovernment-a I organ i zat.ions
take the following forms:
(a) Finance (gifts, loans) ;
(b) Food and Clothing;
(c) Medicrul supplies nncl personnel;
(d) Tochnicnl advice;
(e) Equipment and Machinery;
.
(/) Sponsorship of field tours of projects in developed ot· developing countries; and
(g) Sponsorship of scholarships.
In order to facilitate the processing of the applications for aid, requests may be c.lassified as follows:
(a) Health lfnd Rehabilitation;
(b) Charity or Social \Yelfare;
(c) Educatilm, Training, Civic Consciousness; and
(d) Art and Craft.
Tho nongovemmental organiz.ations would a•lso welcome help in the
estnblishment of talent pools in each developing conntry. These pools
would register talents and the outstanding individuals, org1mizations
or institutions that offer these talents. At every pool there would be
information on a domestic as well as a foreign tnlcnt market.
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The UN officc.and the National Union ofNon-Governm<'ntal Organizn,tions would be responsible for disseminating this information
thmugh libraries, educational institutions, village councils and the
media. These talent pools would make people awat·e of their deficiencies and serve as incentives to future development.
Jt, is better that the Talent Pools be handled at the nongovernmental
level because government dep:11tments arc usually bogged down with
red tape and very often much valuable informat.ion docs not flow to
the masses. 'Vith this procedure, ordinary citizens won ld get to know
the kind of aid that is available to them.
ACCOUNTABILITY
'When organizations have received aid, they should be required to
give a written account of the use of snch aid to the National Union
of Non-Governmental Organizations. A copy of this statement should
be issued to the U.N. Office for Non-Governmental Organizations.
The N a tiona 1 Union should also be made to account pnblicly every
year for the use of aid. Copies of these reports should be sent to relevant Government departments.
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National Union of Non-Governmental Organizations bcca US!\ I hey
would ndd a new dimension to tiJe gcnemlly accepted idea of the role
of Non-GO\·ernmental Organizations. In many eount.ries, Tmdc
Unions n1·e regarded mer-ely as n. group of strikers and lighters. If
Unions at·c given aid in t.he form of scholarships, lielcl tours
and technical advice and more dialogue occurs between Trade Unions
and other Non-Gover·nmental Organizations, a new awn l'l'IH'SS n mong
d(wcloping eount.ries would emerge. 'Ve Heed more women in vnl vemcnt
in Trnde Unions. Our aim is not to overthrow the male power strnctnJ·e, but to infiltrate it.
Finally, may I add t.hat the very existence of so many Non-Gonmimc.ntal Organizations in developing countries is an indication of the
dedication nnd the competence of the peop.lc in such soci(:tics. The
dcnloped countries should therefore have no reservations in giving
aiel to them through the United Nations. After all, we am the primary
producers who generate employment industry and the profits that
!1CCI'11e to developed nations.
Very relevant to the idea of eqnality for women is a mort:\ rf]uitablc
distribution of the wealth of the world.
APPENDIX H
CONCJ,USTONS
Aid to Non-Governmental Organizations, as outlined, will not. conflict with aid to governments, because governments will undertake large
projects t.o serve the national interest. Non-Governmental Organizations will undertake small ·projects to serve the national interest, and
community interests.
·
On the question of food· and clothing, it mnst be pointecl out that
day care centers and baby sitting· agencies are sorely needed in dnveloping conntrics, but operation costs are too great and Govct·nmcnt
grnnts are inadcqnate. Much food is dumped in developed cn11nh·ics
each year in order to maintain market prices. If some of this food is
sent to welfnrc organi?.ations-cven on a qnmtcrly basis-this would
be a great hc·lp.
This kind of n id would not n pst:\t domestic prices hrennse the people
who at·ebcing helped haw. }ow purchnsing powrr in nny ense. Hie<' is
our stnple in the Caribbean, but: we. have no obj<•etion to fcrding ou1·
children potatoefl if it means that more months at;c to be fed.
Regarding :-;cholarships, the plan shonld be extcndccl to Non-Governmentnl Organizations because Governmrnt Scholn1·ships al'C limited
to the nmnber of posts which Government can fill. Some Non-Govemmentnl Organizations \\';auld ·like to obtain trnining for their clnployccs hut find it, difficult to bear the entire cost.
No cnre hns IJPcll taken to single out \\'Otnen's orgnnizations bccansP
it is nxpccte<l that the U.X. will continue to promote the interl'sts
of women. Morl'over,-trne development cannot tnke plnce m'1!Pss hoth
men and \\·omen work together as cqnal p:n-tners. These proposals
nre nwdc in the intcr·pst. of both lll<'ll nn<l wonH'll.
It will be m•cPs.-:ary, howe.vel\Jo stipnlate whkh Non-Govct'lllnPntnl
Orgnniznt.ions will rcccivP aid and which will not. T1·ade Union>; nn>.
;;on-Oovernmentnl Ot·gnnizations and tlwy ·may S('l' lh<>msPln's ns
· ha\·ing n right to this aid. They should not lw cxclmlcd from the
(•
CoNonERStoXAL SYMPOSIUM ox INTF:rtNATtONM. 'Vo:~n:x:s YEAHRECO:.'\U>IEXnATIO:'\S ron THE 'Vonr,t) CoNFE!lEXCI': OF Ti.n:
Ac:Tto:-<
nvY
SU:IUfARY Ol" SYliiPOSTUJ\f Rt:GOJ\fl\fENDATTONi=i FOR IWY CONFERE:'\CE
AGENI>A ITEMS
!.
Ob}ectit~e.~
amd GoaJ.s of International Women's Year: P1'tJ8ent
Policie.s and ProgramA'I
1. Although U.S. women have made significnnt advances townl'd
-ht~'e equality, they nrc still virtually exclncled from drcision nnd
making positions in all walks of life. In shol't, U.S. \Yomrn
not. found access to the country's established power struc!tti'C. If
U.S. women nrc to achieve equal l'ights, oppor·tnnities and responsibilities with men. they must learn the exercise of power nnd gain
accrss to and participation in the inner· eircles of the cotmtt·is power
stntctu rc.
2. Although the U.S. is the \vcalthiest nation in the world, it i!'l not
free from poverty. As in othct• countries, women and children are the
mo:;t helpless victims of poverty, compt·ising the overwhclmin? mnjm·it.y of the p.S. welfare population. The plight. of om women and
chilclren on wclfnrc needs serions consideration. \Vclfnrc laws need
itnprovcnwnt "o that. eve1·y U.S. citizen can he a!'lSH!'!'.d an ndrrpwte
income, a cliQ'nificcl lifP, and some choice of lifestyle.
?.. The U.S. has nchievrd an excellent record in (•naetinu nnti-srx
disc1·iminntion laws; Howcv<'r·. th<'se lnws have grncrnll,,: b<>rn inv Hpplicd. Stt·ong l'nforeemcnt. has been lacking. :M:m·(•on•r,
anti·S('X discrimination laws in themselves a1·e not enonuh. Tn
tion to sfmng enforcement, posit.ivc llleHSlli'I'S to rPdr~'SS pa:::.t diserintinafion :u·p. also twedcd. Some s11ggest.ions to strengthen t~nforcc-
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ment responsibilities must b(} assured ndeqyn.tt>, fnnding and staff shpport; the qnnlificntions of individuals noinmatcd to di1·eet enforcement
arrcncies must be carefully scrntinizccl to nssnm theit· commitment to
sft·on<r enforcement of the laws.
4. 'fl1c U.S. has been uniq.ue in the extent to which it. has used •lnws
to provide eqnnl opportumty. However, there is still room for imp ron~ment: ·
.
Federal employees nrc currently denied the same •·ight to equal
employment opportunity now guaranteed t.o employees of private
industry. This situation needs to be corrected;
Adequate child care services nrc generally lacking in the United
States. Legislation to provide such services is needed. Also, child
care expenses ought to be recognized as n business deduction under
the U.S. tax code.
The inequities in the Social Security system, based on traditional notions of dependency-men are heads of households and
women are wives and dependents-need to be removed.
ll. lm.~ol1wment of Women in Strengthening Inte1'rwJ.ional Peace and
Eliminating Racism amd Racial Discrimination
1. 'Vomen have achieved less than token rerresentntion in the foreign policy atcn. ':Vmncn's perspectives, experiences, and vnlnes have,
therefore, not. been adequately represented C'ither in U.S. foreign policy or in international affairs. In the diplorriatic arena, women should
h~~e the opi?or~unit.y to dcmons~ratc t~c positive qualities of flcxihiht.y, pract1cnhty nncl compnsswn wlnch nrc so necessary to the
achievement of world pence and development.
2. Governments and institutions should make formal commitments
to hire and appoint more women to decision making positions in hoth
national and intemntionnl foreign policy forums. This should mean
more women in ambassadorial ranl{s. on delegation:=~ to international
orgnniz.nt.ions nnd on delegations to intcmnt-ional eonferencl.'s of :1!1
kinds und at all levels. Specific rathet· than general goals should be ·
established for this purpose.
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I!!. Current T?·cnds a1-,d Olw.nge8 in th,_ Statu.~ and Rolf'-R of 1-V omen
a.nrl !Jfen. nnd iJ! n.im• Obstrr.r.lc8 to be 01:r•ycomr. in tlU' A r.bie1·emcnt of Equal. Right.~, Opporhwitic.~ and Rc.~pon.~ibilit.ic8
1. The U.S. has effectiv'cly overcome. by nnd large. legn.l barril.'rs to
equal rights. opportunities nnd responsibilit.h•s for wm_nen. Attit.ndina l prcjnrliccs, however, persist. perpetuating- sex- role. stereotyping
which •limits women to traditional rolrs. Research. the mass media and
public education mnst be harnessed to h<'lp expand the t1·nditional
societal view of women so that- women and men mig-ht hoth enjoy open
options to pmsne and fulfill their trne potential and worth.
2: To dispel m~·ths and stcJ·eotyp<'s. data on wom<m's r<'al contributions to the conntrv's social. cnltnml and economic fabric 1wrd to he.
compiled. 1\'fon! fH'Ctir:1tc statistics on tl1e hil'ina and promotion of
~romen in all employment. sedors nt·r nrl.'d<'d as hns<'linPs for measnrmg the pt·ogJ·e~s of reform t'fforts. :\fnss medin and public erlncation
mnst. hr. scnsiti?.Pd to projl.'ct accurate imag<'s of U.S. women.
:1. "~omen shonl1l ha\'C rqnnl access to trnining- and post-srrondnr~·
educatwn to prrpare them for non-tmclitionnl positiolls. Tn addition.
expanded flnanr:i:1l aid programs should be made aYailn.blc for this
purpose.
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4. 'Vomen are not only entering politics nt nll levels of government
andmnning fot· elective office in inc1·casing numbers, hut they nrc a:lso
using their llC\\' political power· to achieve greater social und legal
eqnality. There is 110 question, however, that the wielding of political
powet· continues to be dominated by men and that policy decisions nrc
strongly influenced by the perceptions and misperceptions of decision
mn kers.
'Vomen must build n strong coalition in snpport of othe1· women to
fi):!:ht discrimination, to define rights and responsibilities and to pursue opport.nnities. As consumers, women should seck to patronize
women profcssimmls. As voters, women shmlld learn to enco11rng-e and
suppm't. women seeking office. Throu,!!h political education pro,!!rnms,
local political activism, and participation in party politics, \\'omen
should advance the 1·ole of women in politics. In addition, women
~honld two pose and lobby fm· legislation which perm its grentet· participation by women in elective or appointive public ollice.
!J. To nssure U.S. women and men basic cqun•lit.y of t·ights and responsibilities, the Equal Rights Amendment nmst. be rntiHed. St.rcnumts efforts should oo made to achieve ratification in the required number of States.
IV. Tho Integration of lV ornen in tlw Drwdopmcnt ProeMs n8 Equal
Partnr1'8 With A!en
1. In recognition of the fact that U.S. bilateral aid programs can
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have nn adverse impact on women in recipient conntrws. the PPt'<'.Y
. \ nwndnwnt to the Forei,!!n Assistance Act was eiHtderl to 'integrate
\\'omrn into all U.S. bilatP.t'lll aid progt·ams, both in recipient countri<·s and in the aid-g1·nnting nl!encirs themselves. As ou1· foreign assistance t·psom·ces decline, the mandate of the PC'l'<'Y AmendnH•llt mnst.
continue nonetheless to be carried ont. One way to nssm·e continued
implementation mil!ht be to engngc to the mnxim11lll the (('chnical
skills of p1·ofessiona 1 women in the dcsign 1 staffing, and field work for
development prog1·nms.
2. To nssunl that. women nt·e fnlly integrated in all development. pmgmms. the Percy Am<'ndment was extended to cover U.R. pn rticipation
in multilatrral nirl progmms as well. This second amendment JlC'cds
follow-np action to achie,·e implementation.
V. 1Vodd Plan of Ar.tion
1. The propos('<l 'Vol'ld Plnn of Action is n w~ak document. Its most..
ob\·ious Wl.'akncss is its concl.'ption o£ women pl'inuu·ily in terms of
tlwir hrt'eding fnnction. 'Vpmrn al-e not I'Pcognizcd ns fnll persons ot·
imli\·idnnls in th1•i•· own l'ight. ~{oreover, the Plan casts women in
sceondary roles n~ passivl.' t•eccivers. If the Plnn is to be of nny use. it
must. IH•. t·peast. so thnt. women an•. tt·PntNlnot only as mothei's and passive receivc1·s hnt also as fnll persons and aC-tivists.
2. The Plan also f!lils to identify the essential ingredient. in impl'Ovin,!! the status of women-po\\'dr. If women nrc to achieve eqnal
it.Y. ri,!!hts and t'PsponsibilitiC's with men. they must. have
!,!'I'PntPr :H'('rss to Pxisting pm\'<'1' stl'llcilll'PS which inclmlr. hnt nt'f' not
1i Ill itwl to. ex('<'llt i vp. posit ions in government. hnsinl.'ss. industry, In hor
and polities. Individual \\'Oilll.'ll pmfPssionnls mnst he nggi'C'ssivcly
nomin:ttrd and supported fo1· stwrifir positions in nntional gmrem. nwnts in donwsti(· and forei,!!ll policy making positions. part-icularly
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as ambassadors, members of delegations to foreign countries and executives of agencies which deal with international policies and programs.
3. The Plan should be a basis for the women of the world to acknowledrre that the condition of womankind is universal, that women share
a ~ammon plight and common goals despite natiomll frontiers, language barriers, and cultural differences .. Thus, the Conference and
t.he Plan should concentrate on the real 1ssnes of concern to women
and avoid diversions to extraneous political issues.
4. The Plan should urge implementation of the World Population
Plan of Action and of the resolutions adopted at the World Population
Conference. The economic and social .development outlined in those
documents is critical to the progress and well-being of nations. Ii1 accordance with the World Population Plan of Action, women must
seek to aid their national governments in developing population policies. Economic and social development cannot be achieved unless
women participate actively in the population policy development and
implementation.
5. \Vomen cannot wait for development to resolve their problems.
On the national and local levels, women must take adva,ntage of the
liberalizing effects of economic development to press fm: reform in the
areas of women's rights and roles in society. In addition, women must.
work to reform labor laws to reflect the changing role of women in
society and specifically must seek professiona.J service careers in health
and education to remove discrimination in those service:> ·and enhance
their quality and availability.
6. Governments should commit themselves to the implementation
of the Plan of Action. In addition, go.vernments shonld ·encourage
non-governmental and international agencies to snpport IIVY-gcn. crated programs and procure adequate funding for such progmms.
An effective review and appraisal system must be built into the Plan
of Action to en~=mre the implementation of the Plan's recommendations. In addition, the Plan of Action must be systematically disseminated to individual governments and specific institutions. where actual
implementation must take place.
APPENDIX I
:7.~~. DocUMENTS RELATED TO THE
IWY
CoNFERENCE
Provisional Agenda of the Conference ( E/CONF.66/1).
Provisional Rules of Procedur~ (E/CONF.66/2).
World Plan of Action (E/CONF,66/5).
Current Trends and Changes In the Status and Roles of Women and Men
(E/CONF.6G/3 and AdeLl).
Women and Dev,elopment ( E/CONJ<'.66/1).
Contribution of Women to International Co-operation and the Strengthening of
International Pence (E/CONF.G6/3/Add.2).
Women In African Development. (E/CONF.6G/BP/8).
Women in Latin American Development (E/CONF.GG/BP/8/Add.l ).
Asian Regional Commltntion and Seminar on the Integration of Woml'n In Development with Special Reference to Population Factors (ST/ESA/SER.B/fi/
Adcl.l).
African Regional Commltation and Seminar on the Integration of WomPn in
De\·elopment with Special Reference to. Population Factors (E/OONF.6G/
BP/3).
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Interregional Seminar on National Machinery to Accelerate the Integration of
Women in Development and to Eliminate Discrimination on Grounds of Sex
( I<~/CONJ<'.6G/BP/1).
Women and Development: The UNICEP Perspective (E/CONF.6G/BP /15).
Role of Women In Rural Development (E/CONF. 66/BP/11).
Consultant Paper on Integration of Women in Development ( E/CONF.G6/BP/5).
Education for Equality (E/CONF.66/Bl'/13).
Health of Women (E/CONF.66/BP/11).
Contrillntion of Food Aid to the Improvement of Women's Status ( E/CONF.GG/
Bl'/12).
Consultant. Paper on Implications of Scientific nnd Technological Developments
for the 8itnntion of Women (E/CONI<'.66/BI'/7).
ECOSOC Report of the Conference ( E/CONJ<'.66/34).
U.N. documents nre availaule through: Public Enquiries Unit, GA-57, United
Nations, New York, 10017.
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July 15-26, 1985
REPORT
OF
CONGRESSIONAL STAFF ADVISORS
TO THE NAIROBI CONFERENCE
TO THE
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
"
JANUARY 1986
Printed for the use of the Committee on Foreign Affairs
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.U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
55-756 0
WASHINGTON : 1986
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FOREWORD
HousE oF REPRESENTATivEs,
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS,
Washington, DC, December 6, 19<.
This report has been submitted to the Committee on Foreigr
fairs by Margaret E. Galey, committee staff consultant, and Be
dette Paolo, Subcommittee on Human Rights and International
ganizations staff consultant, who served as congressional staff 1
sors to the U.S. Delegation to the U.N. Conference to Review
Appraise the U.N. Decade for Women that took place July 15-~
Nairobi, Kenya.
The findings in the report do not necessarily reflect the viev..
the membership of the Committee on Foreign Affairs. It is ho
however, that the report 'will prove useful to the Congress and
public.
DANTE B. FASCELL,
Chairma
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS
DANTE B. FASCELL, Florida, Chairman
WILLIAM S. BROOMFIELD. Michigan
LEE H. HAMILTON, Indiana
BENJAMIN A. GILMAN, New York
GUS YATRON; Pennsylvania
ROBERT J. LAGOMARSINO, California
STEPHEN J. SOLARZ, New York
JIM LEACH, Iowa
DON BONKER, Washingron
TOBY ROTH, Wisconsin
GERRY E. STUDDS, Masaachusetts
OLYMPIA J. SNOWE. Maine
DAN MICA, Florida
HENRY J. HYDE, Illinois
MICHAEL D. BARNES, Maryland
GERALD B.H. SOLOMON, New York
HOWARD WOLPE, Michigan
DOUG BEREUTER, Nebraska
GEO. W. CROCKETT, JR., Michigan
MARK D. SILJANDER, Michigan
SAM GEJDENSON, Connecticut
ED ZSCHAU, California
MERVYN M. DYMALLY, California
ROBERT K. DORNAN, California
TOM LANTOS, California
CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH, New Jersey
PETER H. KOSTMA YER, Pennsylvania
CONNIE MACK, Florida
ROBERT G. TORRICELLI, New Jersey
MICHAEL DEWINE, Florida
LAWRENCE J. SMITH, Florida
DAN BURTON, Indiana
HOWARD L. BERMAN, California
JOHN McCAIN, Arizona
HARRY REID, Nevada
MEL LEVINE, California
EDWARD F. FEIGHAN, Ohio
TED WEISS, New York
GARY L. ACKERMAN, New ·York
BUDDY MAcKAY, Florida
MORRIS K. UDALL, Arizona
ROBERT GARCIA, New York
JoHN J. BRADY, Jr., Chief of Staff
MARGARET E. GAI.Jn', Staff Con.sultan.t
BF.RNADETn: PAOLO, Staff Coru~ultant, Subcommittee on. Human. Rights and International
Organ.izatioru~
BERNADETTE JENKINS, Staff
(III)
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LETI'ER OF TRANSMITI'AL
">
HousE OF REPRESENTATIVEs,
CoMMITTEE ON FoREIGN AFFAIRs,
Washington, DC, December 6, 1!
....
Hon. DANTE B. F ASCELL,
Chairman, Committee on Foreign Affairs,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: From July 14 through 26, 1985, we s1
as congressional staff advisors to th~ U.S. delegation to the
Conference To Review and Appraise the U.N. Decade for W1
that took place in Nairobi, Kenya. This was the third U.N.·:
sored Conference on Women in the last 10 years and its ov
purpose was to commemorate the end of the U.N. Decadt
Women, 1976-85. The Conference, its preparations, proceed
major issues, and outcomes are discussed in this report as an
activities of the U.S. delegation.
It is often said that no one reads committee reports. How'
based on our experience with the U.S. delegation prior to
during the Nairobi Conference, we have reason to believe
members of the U.S. delegation had not only read the 1980 n
of the congressional staff advisors to the U.S. delegation to
U.N. Conference of the Mid-Decade, but had followed a numb•
the recommendations made in it. We therefore hope that
report will be of use to the Congress, members of the Committe
Foreign Affairs, and the public in general as well as to worr
groups that will now seek to implement the guidelines adopte
the Conference.
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Sincerely,
MARGARET E. GALEY,
Staff Consultw
BERNADETTE. PAOLO,
Subcommittee Staff Consultant,
Subcommittee on Human Rights
and International Organization
IV)
�CONTENTS
··,
Foreword ..................................................................... ;..................................................... .
Letter of transmittal ...................................................................................................... .
Summary and recommendations ................................................................................. .
Conference preparations ................................................................................................ .
*!~~~~i·::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::;::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
National .................................................................................................................... .
Preconference consultations .................................................................................. .
Conference proceedings, issues, and outcome ............................................................ .
U.S. delegation .................................................................................................................. .
U.S. Conference preparations ................................................. ;............................. .
Delegation organization and performance
U.S. initiatives at the Conference ........................................................................ .
Forum 1985....................................................................................................................... .
Post-Nairobi ................................................................................ :.................................... .
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Appendixes:
- 1. List of the U.S. delegation to the Nairobi Conference ................................ ..
2. President's Report to Congress on the Kassebaum Amendment.. ............. .
3. Resolutions proposed by the U.S. delegation:
Domestic violence ....................:.............................................................. :........ .
~~:=~ ~~31:~~~;;:::::::::::::::::::::::::~:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Women and development ............................................................ :.................. .
Human rights ................._
.................................................................. ,........... :.. ..
4. Official U.S. report and statements ...................................... :......................... ..
5. Conference documents:
The State of the World's Women .........:............, ......................................... ..
Forward Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the
Year 2000 .................... :..... :.......................... :................ ;, ............................... .
6. U.N. General Assembly Final Resolution ...... :................ :............................. ..
(VII)
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SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS
SUMMARY
1. The U.N. Conference to Review and Appraise the Achie'
ments of the U.N. Decade for Women was held in Nairobi, Keny
July 15-26, 1985. Over 2,000 delegates representing 159 gover
ments, 37 international organizations, .and"16 international nongo
· ernmental organizations attended the official government confe
ence. The Nairobi Conference's symbolic goal was to commemora
the end of the U.N. Decade for· Women. Its twin substantive pu
poses were: (1) To review and appraise progress made over the U.J
Decade and (2) to adopt by consensus the Forward-Looking Stra1
gies for the Advancement of Women to the .Year 2000. The Confe
ence achieved both objectives despite expectations that it wou
fail. In addition, the Conference had before it more than 100 dra
resolutions which, because of lack of time, were appended to tl
Report of the Conference to the United Nations Secretary Gener:
for consideration by the 40th U.N. General Assembly.
2. In contrast to previous U.N. women's conferences, the 3
member U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, the only UJ
body responsible for the range of women's issues, was designated 1
be the preparatory committee for the Nairobi Conference. Despi1
its inability to promote agreement on the rules of procedure, pa
ticularly the decisionmaking rule to be used at the Conference, tr
Commission was the appropriate U.N. forum to undertake .Confe
ence preparations. It successfully sponsored preparations for th
Conference at national, regional, and global levels which resulted i
massive documentation that assessed and reviewed the situation<
women in countries and in international organizations during th
decade. This provides an important benchmark on the worldwid
status of women as of 1985. In preparing for simiJM future confe1
ences, the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women should b
designated as the preparatory committee.
It successfully sponsored preparations for the Conference at m
tiona!, regional, and global levels which resulted in massive doct
mentation that assessed and reviewed the situation of women iJ
countries and in international organizations during the decadf
This provides an impo~t benchmark on the status of women a
of 1985.
3. The Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement o
Women {FLS), adopted ·by consensus, consists of an 'introductor:
section and· five major parts: (I) Equality, (II) development, (Ill
peace, (IV) areas of special concern for women, and (V) regiona
and international cooperation to advance women. The paragraph:
in the FLS are recommendatory, not binding, on national govern
ments, international organizations, women's groups, and individua
women. To implement the FLS, governments, international org-ani
�2
zations, and women's groups must take the initiative in studying
the document to determine which recommendations they may want
to implement.
4. The parallel unofficial conference, Forum '85, attracted an unexpected 14,000 men and women July 8-22, at the Nairobi University campus. An NGO Planning Committee hefded by Dame Nita
Barrow, sponsored over 1,198 workshops, a peace tent, and a program on tech and tools.
1
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5. The preparations for the U.S. delegation, headed by Maureen
Reagan, deserve high marks. The U.S. delegation to Nairobi was selected well in advance of the Conference, given a 3-day briefing on
U.S. foreign policy and what to expect at Nairobi. Despite the fact
that the U.S. Conference Secretariat was not established until February 1985 and reorganized at least once before Nairobi, the Conference Secretariat did prepare necessary background and briefing
papers, drafts of resolutions that the United States introduced at
the Conference, a "scope paper" setting forth the objectives to be
achieved by the U.S. delegation, and the report to the Congress required by the Kassebaum amendment to the Department of State
Authorization Act of 1983.
6. The performance of the 30-member U.S. delegation at Nairobi
was laudable. Besides daily meetings, the delegation was organized
into task groups of three to four delegates. Each group was assigned to meet and maintain contact with representatives of three
to four foreign delegations during the Conference and to report
daily on their activities. In addition, task ,groups had an opportunity for field trips to development projects supported by USAID, the
. Peace Corps, and the Kenyan Government. Selected experts on the
U.S. delegation participated in "conversation groups" to discuss
issues of particular concern; for example, women in development,
literacy, domestic violence, and refugee women. Several professional staff from the Department of State's Bureau of International Organizations assisted U.S. delegates and the head of the delegation
during the Conference. Conference veteran Virginia Allan organized several meetings between the U.S. delegation and NGO's to
keep the .NGO's apprised of developments. The U.S. delegation,
headed by Maureen Reagan, achieved its objectives of promoting
consensus adoption of the FLS.
7. The Report of the U.N. Conference to Review and Appraise the
U.N. Decade for Women was transmitted to the 40th Session of the
U.N. General Assembly for discussion in the Third Committee on
Social and Humanitarian Affairs. In endorsing the report, the U.N.
General Assembly also adopted Resolution 40/108 which calls on
international organizations, national governments, and nongovernmental organizations to work to implement the Forward Looking
Strategies and designates the U.N. Commission on the Status of
Women to be the focal point in the U.N. system to implement the
FLS.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. With respect to international organizations, the United States
,at the next session of the the U.N. Commission on the Status of
3
Women should seek ways to strengthen that body to enable it
better implement recommendations of the Forward Looking Stra
gies. Meanwhile, the Bureau of International Organization Affa
should designate a professional officer to monitor developments
international organizations conc~rning the implement;ation of t
Forward Looking Stretegies.
·
2. With respect to the government, the efforts already underw
to implement the. Forward Lookilll{ Stretegies should con tim
However, in view of the fact that almost 100 countries at the Na
obi Conference have "national machineries," that is, governme
offices designed to monitor and promote the status of worn.
within their national societies, the U.S. Government may wish
consider creating a National Commission on Women. Such a co1
mission could relate both to domestic agencies as well as to f<
eign/international bodies to monitor and reJ)ort on women'saffai
and to contribute to program and policy development at least un
the year 2000 when another women's conference might take pla<
3. Although no future U;N. conference on women has been p1
posed, the United States should consult with friends and alli
about the possibility of convening a special session of the U.N. Ge
eral Assembly on the situation of women in the early 1990's
review and assess the situation of women before the end of the ce
tury. In preparing for a future U.N. Conference on Women, then
partment of State should replicate the preparations for the 19i
Nairobi Conference. The head of the U.S. delegation sD.ould I
named several months in advance as should the members of the U ..
rlelegation; both a foreign policy · briefing and a briefing on tl
situation of women in the United States and abroad as well as t}
important role of NGO's should take place.
.
4. The efforts already underway by various women's groups ·
implement the FLS should continue and expand. It is particular.
important for interested groups, including women's groups '
assess the extent to which they are already promoting relevant re
ommendations found in Forward Looking Stretegies .and whic
measures they may in addition be prepared to undertake. Thel
recommendations are not binding but recommendary, and appm
in appendix 5.
�5
CONFERENCE PREPARATIONS
The Nairobi Conference (July 15-26, 1985), th~ third U.N. Conference on Women held in the last 10 years, commemorated the end
of the U.N. Decade for Women which the 1975 U.N. General Assembly designated to take place from 1976 to 1985. The United Na. tions convened the first Conference in Mexico City in June 1975 to
commemorate International Women's Year and the second in Copenhagen, Denmark, in July 1980 to assess progress in achieving
equality, development, and peace at the midpoint of the U.N.
Decade for Women.
The Nairobi Conference of Governments had two specific goals:
(1) To review and appraise progress by governments, international
organizations, and private groups in achieving the goals of the
U.N. Decade for Women: equality, development, and peace; and (2)
to adopt a set of guidelines, the Forward Looking Strategies for advancing women to the year 2000. Despite expectations that the
Conference would fail, governments at Nairobi accomplished these
principal purposes. The Conference preparations, · organization,
major issues, and principal outcomes are reported here.
The U.N. General Assembly decided to convene a U.N. Conference to commemorate the end of the U.N. Decade for Women in
1985 upon the recommendation of the 1980 Copenhagen Conference. To prepare for the 1985 Conference, the U.N. Commission on
the. Status of Women and the U.N. General Assembly requested
global, regional and national governmental bodies to assess their
activities and report on measures to improve the situation of
women in their respective areas. ·
GLOBAL PREPARATIONS
In contrast to the two previous U.N~ Conferences on Women, the
U.N. General Assembly called on the 32-member Commission on
the Status of Women, the major U.N. body responsible for women's
issues, rather than a special preparatory committee, to act as the
preparatory body for the Conference. The Commission on the
Status of Women held thr:ee sessions to prepare for the Conference
and, specifically, to determine the rules of procedure including the
decisionmaking procedure, the slate of Conference officers, and
Conference documentation and to discuss the document, Forward
Looking Strategies, with a view to submitting it to the Conference
for approval.
The first preparatory session of the U.N. Commission on the
Status of Women acting as the preparatory committee for the Conference took place in February 1983 in Vienna at U.N. Headquarters; the second, in February 1984, in Vienna; and the third in February 1985 in Vienna. A resumed third session took place in May
1985 in New York at U.N; Headquarters.
tAl.
Meanwhile, in 1983, the U.N. Secretary General, Perez de Cu
lar, appointed the U.N. Assistant Secretary General for Social 1
velopment and Humanitarian Affairs, Dr. Letitia Shahani (Phil
pines) to be Secretary General of the Nairobi Conference. In tl
capacity, she represented the U.N. Secretary General at meetit
of the preparatory body, the U.N. Regional Economic Commissio
and at the Conference itself. The U.N. Secretariat Office on Soc
Development and Humanitarian Affairs based in Vienna circulat
a questionnaire to all U.N. member governments and internatioi
organizations requesting information on the extent to which th
had achieved the goals of the U.N. Decade for Women. Based
replies of 121 of 158 U.N. member governments, the Secretar
prepared a major Conference document, Review and Appraisal
Progress Achieved and Obstacles Remaining to the Advancement
Women: Equality, Development and Peace. A summary of it, '1
State of the Worlds Women, appears in the appendix.
Several U.N. specialized agencies and programs reported to t
Conference. For instance, the FAO submitted a comprehensi
report, Women and Agricultural Production: WHO on Wome1
Health; UNESCO on Education; and the IW on Women in t
Labor Force. U.N. programs-UNEP, UNDP, the U.N. Devel<
ment Fund for Women, and UNICEF-also submitted reports (
scribing their activities to the Conference. Two major documen
Selected Statistics and Indicators on the Status of Women, and t
World Survey on the Role of Women in Development were prepar
by the United Nations in cooperation with the U.N. Internatior:
Institute for Training and Research for the Advancement
Women (INSTRAW). All of these papers form a significant ben<
mark on the worldwide status of women as of 1985. ·
These documents assessed the situation of women during t
decade. The U.N. Conference Secretariat also prepared a bluepri
for the future, called the Forward-Looking Strategies for the A
vancement of Women (FLS) for discussion by the Commission
the Status of Women acting as the preparatory committee for t
Conference. The FLS consisted of an introduction and five parts: 1
equality; (2) development; (3) peace; (4) areas of special concern; a1
(5) regional and international cooperation. Since the preparato
body could not rea~h agreement on the FLS at its third session
Vienna in February 1985, a resumed third session was convened
New York in May 1985 where substantial agreement was reach•
on all but 88 paragraphs. These paragraphs were bracketed al
forwarded to the Nairobi Conference for negotiation and resolutio
The preparatory meetings failed to reach agreement on the Co
ference's rules of procedures. The principal issue was the decisio
making rule to apply to Conference deliberations. The Westel
Group had proposed as early as February ·1985 that decisions I
reached by consensus. The Group of 77 insisted that the Conferen•
take decisions by voting on any matter of disagreement. The po1
tion of the Group of 77 would, in the Western view, threaten co
sensus adoption of the Forward-Looking Strategies and enable o
jectionable language on Israel and South Mrica to be adopted l
wide voting margins. The issue of the decisionmaking rule w:
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REGIONAL PREPARATIONS
In preparation for the 1975 and 1980 U.N. Women's Conferences,
the U.N. Regional Economic Commissions met to review and appraise progress achieved and obstacles encountered in attaining the
goals and objectives of the U.N. Decade for W<Jmen and to recommend strategies of implementation for the advancement of women
in their respective regional areas. The U.N. Ebonomic and Social
Councils decision, 19831123, called on the U.N. Regional Economic
Commisisons to hold preparatory meetings prior to the Nairobi
Conference and submit their recommendations through the U.N.
Secretariat to the Conference.
The regional intergovernmental preparatory meetings were held
as follows: The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the
Pacific (ESCAP)-Tokyo, 26-30 March, 1984; the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)-Arusha, Tanzania, 8-12 October 1984; the
,Economic Commisison for Europe (ECE)-Vienna, 15-19 October
1984; the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)-Havana, 19-23 November 1984; the Economic Commission for Western Asia (ECW A)-:.-Baghdad, 3-6 December 1984.
The regional commissions submitted their recommendations to the
U.N. Secretariat which in turn reproduced the full set of recommendations, for the ESCAP, ESE, and ECLAG in the report of the
Regional Intergovernmental Organizations for the Conference. Because recommendations of the ECA and ECW A meetings were
longer, those recommendations were summarized in this report.
The Secretariat report to the Arusha Conference, "Women and
Apartheid in South Africa and Namibia" and on "Women Living
in the Occupied Territories," were submitted as background documents for the Conference following decisions of the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women and the Economic and Social Council
·
in 1985.
NATIONAL PREPARATIONS
Most U.N. member governments established offices or used existing offices to undertake national preparations for the Nairobi f'..,onference and its preparatory sessions. The U.S. preparations were
managed by a coordinator and Secretariat Office established within
the Bureau .of International Organizations, U.S. Department of
State. The Department of State also coordinated an interagency
group consisting of representatives of relevant agencies, HHS,
Labor, Education, and USAID. This group developed the U.S. response to the U.N. questionnaire and prepared the U.S. national
paper, a copy of which appears in the appendix.
·
Almost all governments that participated in the Conference submitted national reports on progress made on behalf of women in
their countries. These national papers also constitute important
status reports on the situation of women in those respective countries.
PRECONFERENCE CoNSULTATIONS
On July 13-14, government delegations assembled at the Keyatta
·International Conference Center CKICC) in NRirohi t.n ~;"'"""" "'"""~
7
al matters: The selection of the President and Conference officE
the membership of the Credentials Committee and the organizat
of the Conference's work and the still unresolved Conference ru
of procedure. The preconference did designate H.E. Margaret K·
yatta of Kenya as President of the Conference and the Confere1
officers as well as the members of the Credentials Committee. U
Secretary General Perez de Cuellar's arrival helped influence u
mate agreement on the decisionm8k.ing rule, ·but the Conferer
actually opened before agreement on the decisionmaking rule "'
reached and announced.
·
�9
CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS, ISSUES, OUTCOME
The Conference officially opened Monday, Ju}y 15, at 11 a.m. at
the Kenyatta Conference Center. The Secretary General of the
Conference, Dr. Letitia Shahani (Philippines) called the meeting to
order and delivered a short statement. Then the President of
Kenya, H.E. Daniel T. arap Moi, delivered an inaugural address.
H.E. Margaret Kenyatta, Kenyan Ambassador to the U.N. Environmental Program, and daughter of the late Jomo Kenyatta, was
elected President of the Conference. The Conference then recessed
to resolve the remaining issue of the Conference's decisionmaking
rule, rule 34. The U.N. Secretary General, Perez de Cuellar, helped
influence agreement on a compromise. Rule 34 called for majority
vote if the Conference disagreed on any matter. However, immediately after the Conference adopted the Rules of Procedure, the
President, Kenyatta, made the following l!ltatement which satisfied
the Western concern for consensus: "without prejudice to the Rules
of Procedure of the Conference which have been adopted, in particular Rule 34, and without setting a precedent, a general understanding has emerged as a result of consultations whereby all documents of the Conference, in particular, the Forward-Looking Strategies document under item 8 of the Conference agenda should be
adopted by consensus."
The Conference then allocated sections of the FLS to the two
Conference committees. Thus Committee I considered Chapter I
(Equality), Chapter II (Development), Chapter III (Peace), and
Chapter IV (Areas of Special Concern: women in armed conflict,
refugee and displaced women, women and children under .apartheid, and Palestinian women and children). Committee II discussed
the introduction, including the historical background; and Chapter
IV (Areas of Special Concern: including rural poor women, urban
women, elderly women, young women, abused and destitute
women, women victims of trafficking and involuntary prostitution,
disabled women, women in detention, migrant women); and Chapter V (International and regional cooperation to advance the situation of women). The Conference elected Mrs. Cecilia Lopez (Colombia) as Presiding Officer of Committee I and Ambassador Rosario
Manalo (Philippines) as Presiding Officer of Committee II and established a Credentials Committee of Bhutan, China, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Italy, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, U.S.S.R!, and the United
States.
·
General debate in plenary began on July 16 and concluded on
July 24. 153 of the 158 U.N. member governments delivered statements on progress made in their countries to improve the situation
of women. The U.S. statement delivered by Maureen Reagan, head
of the U.S. delegation, on Tuesday afternoon, July 16, was well received. Ms. Reagan's statement appears in the appendix. Representatives of 37 international intergovernmental organizations (spe<8>
cialized agencies, U.N. programs, and regional economic con
sions) and 16 international nongovernmental organizations in
sultative status with the Conference also delivered statements.
The following main points were made in general debate:
1. The major task of the Conference was to review an(
praise the activities of the last 10 years in implementing
World Plan of Action and .the Programme of Action for
Second Half of the U.N. Decade for Women at the national
gional, and international levels. However, the 10-year peric
the decade was a short span of time in which to effect the
found transformation required to achieve. all of the goals of
U.N ..decade: Equality, development, and peace.
2. Almost all representatives agreed that a major achi
ment of the U.N; decade was the adoption of the Conven
on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women whicl
states had ratified or acceded to. Another major achieven
cited was the recognition of the essential role of women in
velopment and especially as food producers. Major donor c<
tries said that the increase in multilateral and bilateral fir
cial and technical support to programs and projects for wor
constituted a key achievement during the decade. Informai
and knowledge about women's role and contribution in soc:
had improved during the decade.
3. The progress toward the advancement of women dur
the decade has varied. Different countries achieved progreSI '
different respects, depending on the conditions m and need:
the society. The Eastern European states reported that won
had achieved full legal and de facto equality (sic); the West
countries reported that equality had been substanth
achieved in legislation and in employment, education, l
health, but stressed the need to intensify efforts to increase'
participation of women in society; the developing count!
noted some progress in legislation, literacy, education and ~
ployment, and the growing importance of tbA role of self-r,
ant, grass-roots organizations of women, but acknowled!
many obstacles to equality.
·
4. Among the obstacles to the advancement of women cii
by different countries were the persistence of traditional ai
tudes of male superiority based on deepseated sociocultm
norms and sex stereotyping ·in many societies; some dele1
tiona noted that despite important advances of the access
women to education and to the labor force, female illitera
rates were higher than that of males, especially in the devel(
ing countries and that earnings between men and women we
disparate, that jobs are segregated and that women predon
nate in the trade and services sectors and in other unden
munerated occupations. Among the international obstacl
cited were world political tension and instability, the arr.
race and the danger of its expansion to outer space and mi
tary interventions and conflicts, the nonobservance of hum<
a:nd humanitarian rights the global economic recession and tl
unbalanced international economic order. The develonim:r ron·
tl"'lAo ..-af,....,.."'..t .,.,..
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11
recession on women including an intolerable burden of external debt, high interest rates and severe domestic inflation.
5. Delegates generally acknowledged the interrelationship
between equality, development, and peace. Some reported obstacles to peace including the "course of imperialist forces
leading to international tension arising from ~e increase of
hotbeds of tensions in various parts of the world" (Central
America, South Africa and Namibia, the occupied territories,
the Iran-Iraq war, and in certain parts of Asia).
6. Many said special attention needed to be given to measures and projects for alleviating the hardl?hips of rural women,
elderly women, migrant women, indigenous minorities, and
· women and children who are refugees.
Following general debate, the Conference in plenary then considered the report of the Credentials Commmittee and the Rapporteur's summary of the general debate. The report of the Credentials Committee was adopted after heated discussion on seating delegations from Afghanistan, Grenada, and Democratic Kampuchea.
Israel's credentials were not at issue although Yemen raised the
seating of Israel to no avail. Ultimately, the credentials of all governments represented at the Conference were accepted.
The Rapporteur's report on the general debate was also adopted
by consensus after a successful effort to dissuade Iran from inserting objectionable language on Israel.
Parallel to general debate in plenary July 16-24, the two Conference committees discussed and negotiated sections of the Forward
Looking Strategies (FLS). Committee I adopted all but 8 paragraphs
of the FLS by consensus. Committee II adopted all sections of the
FLS by consensus. Each committee discussed numerous draft resolutions which were forwarded with their respective reports to the
plenary.
.
.
On Friday morning, July 25, the Conference began consideration
of the reports from Committees I and II with the aim of adopting
the final version of the FLS. Representatives of France, Canada,
and others appealed to governments to make every effort to focus
on women's matters, to avoid extraneous political debate and adopt
the FLS by consensus. President Margaret Kenyatta led delegates
through a final paragraph by paragraph discussion of the 272-paragraph FLS. ·The major issues of disagreement and principal out·
comes were the following:
1. Paragraph 36: referred to the declaration of Mexico, which
the West opposed because the preamble of the declaration referred to zionism as racism. The paragraph was adopted however and the United States and Canada made reservations to
it.
2. Paragraph .45: Iran proposed to insert "zionism" in lieu of
the phrase "foreign occupation." Trinidad and Tobago, the
U.N. Legal Advisor and several other states successfully persuaded Iran to drop its proposal.
·
. 3. Paragraphs 70 and 73: The United States made a reservati~n t~, these paragraphs which provide that women should reCeive equal pay for work of equal value." The United States
favors equal pay for equal work but not comparable worth.
4. Paragraph 94: The Group of 77 proposed .to amend par
graph 94 to add a new paragraph on international econom
activities that have an adverse effect on economic, politic!'
and social development of developing countries and the int
gration of women in development. The Western group oppose
the paragraph, pointing out that similar language had nevE
been adopted by the U.N. General Assembly, but the Group 1
77 insisted on the paragraph, which was adopted by 109-0-2:
The United States abstained in the vote.
5. Paragraph 95: The United States and the West had ad1
mantly opposed the reference to "zionism" in the FLS text. l
plenarr., the Syrians said that the Eastern Europeans had pre
posed 1t and Mexico said that the Group of 77 did not suppor
it. The Keriyans appealed to governments to set aside their di1
ferences and urged everyone to work in the spirit of cooperE
tion to advance the greater good of women. SubsequentlJ
President Kenyatta called a 10-minute recess which turne•
into a 4¥.2 hour negotiation. As a result, Kenya's proposal t·
delete "zionism" but to retain the words, "all forms of racisn
and racial discrimination", was ultimately ·agreed to by th.
Conference by consensus.
6. Paragraph 98: Contained a reference to the New lnterna
tiona! Economic Order. Canada appealed to disagreeing coun
tries to make reservations, rather than vote on the paragraph
but a vote was called and the paragraph was adopted 114·
1(U.S.)-27 abstentions.
.
·
7. Paragraph 306: Women and children under apartheid con
sisted of 11 subparagraphs, 3 of which called for mandator)
sanctions on South Afnca. Because of then pending congres·
sional legislation, it was hoped that the U.S. delegation would
have 80me leeway in its position on sanctions. Ultimately, the
United States requested a subparagraph-by-subparagraph vote
on each of the 11 paragraphS in order·w demonstrate agreement with those it supported and oppose those calling for sane·
tions. Margaret Kenyatta, Conference President, announced
that too little time remained (it was nearly 3 a.m. Saturday)
for individual paragraph· votes and a vote would be taken on
the entire paragraph, which was adopted 12.1-1(U.S.)-13. The
United States was soundly jeered for its opposition. .
8. Paragraph 307: Palestinian women in the occupied territories, the last contentious paragraph, was adopted by a majori. ty: 97-3(United States, Australia, and Israel)-28. Again, the
Conference jeered those that opposed the paragraph.
·
Ultimately, the Conference adopted the Forward-Looking Strategies by consensus, a fitting conclusion to the U.N; Decade for
Women and counterpoint to the Mexico City and Copenhagen Conferences. Unlike the Program of Action adopted in Copenhagen,
this document contained no reference to zionism and it was supported by all Conference representatives. This fact has demonstrated that women can address the concerns of women and that they
can negotiate through the international intrigue of political issues
that governments face in world politics at the United Nations. In
her fin~l statement, the U.S. delegate, Maureen Reagan, called the
FLS R mHP.i<lt.OnP f'n,. •.,n..... n ..... f' •t..- -· ....
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12
joined the consensus on the FLS because of what it says about
women. Virtually all other governments acknowledged how pleased
they were that the document was adopted by consensus.
Some 105 draft resolutions and a draft declaration proposed by
Ethiopia had been introduced at the Conference. Sipce there was
no time to give them the careful consideration they deserved, the
Conference agreed that they would be published in am annex to the
Report of the Conference submitted to the U.N. General Assembly
at its 40th session. That report will be forwarded to the U.N. Secretary General and in turn to the U.N. General Assembly's Third
Committee on Social and Humanitarian Affairs for discussion.
U.S. DELEGATION
The U.S. delegation, ~mposed o(SO delegates, was not the lar!
est at the Nairobi Conference, in contrast to past U.S. delegation
to U.N. Conferences. This number was about average in size of de:
egations from other countries at the Conference.
The U.S. delegation was chaired by Ms. Maureen Reagan. Nanc:
Clark Reynolds, U.S. Representative to the U.N. Commission 01
the Status of Women, served as U.S. Alternate Representative t·
the Conference. The U.S. delegation included three Members o
Congress, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, Representative Lindy HoggE
and Representative Marjorie Holt, but because of pressing congreE
sional business on several major bills, they were unable to attend
Other delegates represented an American business, a college and 1
university, a labor union, a State government, as well as Federa
executive departments (State, Justice, Treasury, Labor, Education
Health and Human Services), Federal agencies (National Transpor·
tation Safety Board, National Labor Relations Board, ACTION, thE
Peace Corps, USAID), .the White House Domestic Council, ar
American Indian community, and major American women's organi·
zations. AdvisOrs and staff were drawn from the House of Repre·
sentatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Department of State,
the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York, the National
Security Council, and the White House. One delegate had served on
the U.S. delegation in Mexico City and at Copenhagen and another
delegate and an advisor, with the U.S. delegation to the Copenha·
gen Conference in 1980. Minority representation consisted of four
blacks, three hispanics, and one native American Indian, as well as
five men.
U.S. CoNFERENCE PREPARATIONS
Because of the concern that the United States be adequately prepared for Nairobi, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organizations held a hearing on the U.S. contribution to the U.N. Decade for Women in
September 1985 to assess the plans for U.S. preparations.
Coordination of U.S. preparations for the U.N. end of the U.N.
Decade Conference was the formal responsibility of a Secretariat
established in February 1985 by the Bureau of International Organizations in the Department of State. The Secretariat was reorganized at least once before the Conference opened. Its final Director
was Paula Kuzmich. Several professional staff of the Bureau were
assigned to the Secretariat, but the Director of the Office of International Women's Programs were not among them.
The Secretariat prepared U.S. Conference papers and positions
on Conference issues and arranged for speakers to address domestic
women's groups prior to the Conference in iliff'P.rP.nt n::>rto ,.,f' .... ~
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United States. For instance, the Secretariat coordinated the preparation by appropriate Federal agencies of papers on major subthemes of the Conference-education, health and employment as
well as the U.S. national paper. In addition, the Secretariat prepared the delegation's scope paper outlining U.S. aims and strategies at the Conference, developed U.S. initiatives on fNOmen in de-·
velopment, literacy, women refugees, international human rights
for women, and domestic violence, and prepared drt:lft resolutions
on these subjects for the U.S. delegation to use at the Conference.
In contrast to the 1980 U.S. delegation to the Copenhagen Conference, the U.S. delegation to Nairobi was selected well in advance
of the Kenya Conference and given a 3-day briefing for the Conference. The congressional staff advisors to the Copenhagen Conference had ur~ed that this be done in preparing the delegation to the
next women s conference.
·
Literally thousands of women applied to serve on the U.S. delegation. Maureen Reagan, the head of the delegation, selected the
U.S. delegation for their interest, knowledge, and ability to work
together. She named the delegation on March 5, 1985, 4 months
before the Conference opened: Rarely, if ever, has a U.S. delegation
to the United Nations been designated this far in advance, but the
advance designation was important.
There was sufficient time for the delegation to be briefed and
read necessary background information on U.S. foreign policy. Ms.
Reagan, in cooperation with the Department of State, organized a
3-<lay briefing for all delegates in Washington, DC, from May 31
through June 2. Underwritten by Lanvin and several other private
companies, this briefing did not cost the U.S. Government a cent.
The. briefing emphasized U.S. foreign policy toward Africa with
special reference to Kenya, on the Middle East, on Latin America,
and toward the Soviet Union and the Eastern bloc, and on the
United Nations. In addition, the work of the U.S. Commission on
the Status of Women, the role of USAID, the a:ctivities of ACTION,
the Peace Corps, and the role of Congress· in such conferences, the
political dynamics of international conferences, how to be a delegate, and the importance of NGO's and their relation to the Conference, were discussed. Each delegate received an unclassified
briefing book on U.S. foreign policy as well as inforq1ation kits on
relevant government programs for further study- prior to departure. The head of the delegation treated this br1efing of the U.S.
del~gation seriously and won well deser:ved praise from delegates,
·
advisors, and staff.
Other important aspects of U.S. preparation are to be noted here.
First, because of an incident at the 1980 forum workshop on ArabIsraeli issues, the Congress cut appropriations for the U.N. Voluntary Fund for the U.N. Decade for Women. Congress subsequently
restored funds in exchange for an amendment proposed by Senator
Nancy Kassebaum to the 1983 Department of State Authorization
Act. This required the President to report to Congress on the
extent to which· the preparations for the Conference avoided extraneous political issues and had focused on the Conference goals.
Some saw this report requirement as key to U.S.. efforts to ensure
· the nonpoliticization of the Conference preparations. Supporters of
this Slmendment urged early completion of the report. Following
the Third Resumed Session of the Preparatory Commission in Ne'
York, the Department of State drafted the Kassebaum report an
officially transmitted it to Congress, a week prior to the U.S. del£
gation's departure for Nairobi. (See apprendix 2.)
Second, the President, Vice President, National Security Counci
Advisor, and the Secretary and Department of State actively ir:
volved themselves in U.S. preparations. The Conference Secretaria
prepared various background and s~pe papers, as noted earlie1
The United States sent a demarche to all capitols on July 10 adviE
ing foreign governments of the importance the United States a1
tached to the Conference and setting forth the U.S. position OJ
areas to be negotiate(~ at Nairobi in the major Conference docu
ment, the Forward-Looking Strategies. The President, Vice Presi
dent, National Security Council Advisor, and Ms. Reagan, durint
their meeting with Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, then on a Stat.
visit to Washington, stressed the importance of a successful Confer
· ence to the United States. It has been said that Ms. Reagan influ
enced the President to urge the Prime Minister to ensure that tht
head of the Indian 'delegation would be an official with whom th1
United States could work.
·
Third, to underscore the significance the administration attache1:
to the Conference, the President and Mrs. Reagan hosted a lunch
eon at the White House in honor of the U.S. delegation on July H
during which the President addressed the delegation and guests
This occasion conveyed the unmistakable impression that women'E
issues and the Conference really mattered. ·
.
·
Despite the fact that the Conference Secretariat was not set UJ:
until February 1985 and underwent a major reorganization in
March, U.S. preparations for the Nairobi Conference reached an
all-time high. Those responsible for them appearP.tl to have taken
seriously recommendations made by the congressional staff advi·
sora in their 1980. staff report. We applaud the head of the delegation, Maureen Reagan, for her commitment to ensuring that the
preparations for the U.S. delegation not only met but exceeded the
anticipated needs of the U.S. Government and its delegation.
"
DELEGATION ORGANIZATION AND PERFORMANCE
Major efforts were made to organize and manage the U.S. delegation and U.S. activity during the Nairobi Conference. First, the
head of the delegation held regular delegation meetings every
morning at 7:45a.m. in a private dining room at the Hilton Hotel
to review developments in the Conference and to discuss upcoming
issues. This was the one time during the day when the entire delegation could ask questions, raise concerns and seek advice, if
needed. Second, the head of the delegation divided the delegation
into seven caucus teams with three or four delegates and assigned
a caucus chair and an advisor. Each group was given specific responsibility for meeting, getting to know half a dozen representatives of foreign delegations, and staying in contact with them
duri~g the Conference. Caucus team chairs were asked to submit a.
one-page summary of the team activities by 6 p.m. every day for
the head of the delegation, who read the reports and gave feedback
at the next morning's dele~rRtion ""'"'H"" '- ~>~~a~~- .. _ •' '
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17
caucus teams were assigned specific tasks-sitting in plenary or
one of the two Conference committees, reviewing draft resolutions,
participating in conversation groups, observing first-hand development projects sponsored by USAID or the Peace Corps outside
Nairobi, and representing the United States at receptions or other
official functions held by foreign delegations or the UJlited Nations.
One. veteran delegate, given special authority for liaison with the
NGO's and press, arranged briefings by different caucus teams for
the NGO's and press at the American Cultural Center. Reports indicate that these were well attended and useful for all involved.
However, unlike previous Conferences, Forum '85 concluded at the
end of the first week of the government conference. Daily briefings
continued during the second week of the Conference though many
forum participants began leaving Nairobi.
.
Third, delegates and advisors with expertise in specific areasrefugees, literacy, women in development and domestic violence. were assigned to represent the United States at a series of conversation groups with experts from other countries. These encouraged
and exchanged views among delegates on substantive issues as well
as selected draft resolutions. The Canadians and the United States
had agreed to these special meetings prior to the Conference.
Fourth, most if not all of the members of the delegation participated in various ad hoc meetings, were actively involved in lobbying the U.S. position with other delegates, and worked tirelessly to
promote goodwill between the U.S. delegation and foreign delegations and participants from the NGO Forum '85.
Fifth, the delegation was disciplined and spoke publicly with one
voice. While a delegate might have privately disagreed with an
aspect of U.S. strategy or policy, all understood the importance of
presenting a united front to the Conference. The leadership of the
delegation contr-ibuted to a delegation that worked well together
and that carried out assigned responsibilities willingly.
However, the U.S. delegation was not problem-free. For example,
a number of delegates understandably believed that the leadership
of the U.S. delegation should have remained primarily in the
hands of Maureen Reagan and that she alone, rather than U.S.
Ambassador Alan Keyes, should have delivered U.S. statements on
certain critical issues during the last night of the Conference. Since
Nairobi was intended to be a Conference of women, by women and
for women, to use the words of Ms. Reagan, hearing Ambassador
Keyes making important statements before, during, or after peri·
ods of crisis, for instance, on zionism and apartheid in South Africa
understandably angered some delegates. To his credit, Ambassador
Keyes helped influence the Kenyans arid most of the Group of 77 to
eliminate zionism from the Forward Looking Strategies. This crucial development allowed the United States to join the consensus
adoption of that document. The U.S. position on controversial paragraphs in the FLS are referred to on pages 10-11.
These were proposed in draft resolutions first within the U.S. delegation and then used by U.S. experts in conversation groups consisting of delegates from other countries attending the Conference.
As a result. the U.S. experts were in a position to share and ex. change information with other delegates on these specific topics of
concern to women.
The initiatives proposed by the Uni,ted States demonstrated that
the United States can develop initiatives at U.N. conferences if it
takes the preparation of such an effort seriously. In the past, the
United States has not always aimed to put forward constructive
initiatives. Those proposed in Nairobi were a welcomed change.
The U.S. initiatives were generally supported by other delegations
and contributed to the perception that the U.S. delegation was and
is committed to finding solutions to problems women face in specific areas.
.
In conclusion, the congressional staff advisors to the U.S. delegation found the U.S. preparations for the Conference, the organization, and performance of the delegation in Nairobi to have been unusual. We believe that the leadership of the U.S. delegation, particularly Maureen Reagan, was the major reason for the effectiveness of the U.S. delegation.
U.S. CoNFERENCE INITIATIVES
The United States proposed several initiatives at the Conference.
~hose proposed by the United States in the form of draft resolu-
~~as~~(D~~~~Wl~~~w,:o:m:e:n~;=ffi~l------------------------------------WOmen 10 deveJoomPnt•
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FORUM '85
International nongovernmElntal women's organizations have historicallr been active in promoting the situation of women. Several
women s groups were responsible for the insertion of "women" in
the preamble of the U.N. Charter at the San Francisco Conference.
Later, women's groups urged the creation of the U.N. Commission
on the Status of Women. Over 30 women's groups have consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and its subsidiary bodies, including the U.N. Commission on
the Status ofWomen. Women's'groups have also been instrumental
in supporting and organizing the unofficial conference in Mexico
City and Copenhagen.
Tlie International Women's Tribune in Mexico City in 1975 attracted 6,000 women. Forum '80 in Copenhagen in 1980. attracted
8,000 women from over 100 countries. Both set a precedent for convening a similar NGO forum in Nairobi. Thus, in 1983, as preparations for the government conference were getting underway, the
Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations at U.N. Headquarters in New York decided to convene a nongovernmental forum in
Nairobi and invited Dame Nita Barrow (Barbados), former President of the World "Y", President of the International Council of
Adult Education and President of the World Council of Churches,
to serve as Convenor of the Forum, and Virginia Hazzard, former
UNICEF Director in East Africa, to serve as Coordinator. Dame
Nita Barrow and Virginia Hazzard began organizing by inviting
some 700 women's organizations around the world to express their
interest. 60 organizations agreed to participate from their. home
bases in Vienn11, Geneva, New York, ~d Nairobi and they constituted the NGO Planning Conimitee. Many individuals had experience in organizing· the 1975 and 1980 forums. The Convenor and
Coordinator held several meetings with their planning groups in
Vienna, Geneva, New York, and Nairobi and a preconference meeting in October 1984 in New York to plan for the forum in 1985.
Unlike previous planning committees, this one required those interested in organizing workshops to submit a written application
for their proposed activity as well as the list of international participants who would manage each worksho!l . .The planning committee itself consisted of women experienced in organizing the 1975
and 1980 NGO meetings. The NGO planning committee in New .
~ork in cooperation with the Kenyan NGO planning committee deCided that the proposed forum would be held for 2 weeks, from July
8 through July 19 at the University of Nairobi. This meant it
would begin 1 week prior to the Government Conference and overlap the first week of the official Conference.
The planning committee raised about $1 million from 13 govern, ments .and 6 foundations to support the costs of organizing and
man}lgmg Forum '85. Thirty to forty women's groups initially con-
'
tributed $200, respectively, to enable the planning committee to
begin its work. The U.S. Agency for International Development
contributed about $140,000 to assist the planning committee to
carry out plans and to bring participants from Third World countries who would otherwise not be able to afford to attend.
The planning committee arranged for the· daily publication of a
forum newspaper and emplor.ed 10 wrjters from around the world
to cover and report on actiVIties. The committee also employed 49
U.N. interpreters to provide translation in five languages-English,
French, Spanish, Swahili, and Arabic-at forum workshops .. The
Federation of Arab Women defrayed expenses of Arabic interpreters and grants from the French, Spanish, and Kenyan G:overnments defrayed the costs of interpreters in those languages. The
committee also arranged for a printed program of forum activities,
giving the name of the workshop, room number, sponsoring organizations, and date/time to enable participants to fmd the correct
place. Participants paid $10 to register and obtain a forum badge
and program.
The forum's activities consisted of three major parts: Workshops,
tech and tools, and a peace tent.
.
.
Altogether 1,198 workshops and another 350 spontaneously organized meetings took place at Forum '85. Among those were workshops sponsored by the Overseas Education Fund International, the
National Democratic Institute, the Hubert Humphrey Institute,
· and Columbia Law and Development Program.
Tech and tools, organized by the International Women's Tribune
center in New York, held a series of open-ended workshops, dem·
onstrations, and small group encounters. Projects and policy issues,
appropriate technologies and training activities based on women's
experience worldwide were discussed in order to devise strategies
to increase women's access to, use of, and control of technologies in
agriculture, food processing, health, energy, communications, and
income generation.
A peace tent-born within the framework of the U.N. Decade. for
Women, ~ peace is one of the three m~or goals-was arranged by
the newly established Feminist International for Peace and Food to
bring women's peacemaking will and consciousness to the world.
The peace tent, actually three tents-a large tent and two smaller
ones-was situated in the central area· of the University of Nairobi.
It brought women together whose countries were in conflict with
each other to talk about their problems and fmd peaceful solutions
to conflict, both in personal lives and the public arena. It quickly
became a meeting place for Latin Americans, Pacific and Asian
Women, as well as women from the United States and Western
Europe. Regular discussions on the Middle East and United States·
Soviet relations and were held and South Mrican women addressed
traditional political problems. In addition, programs on "Feminism
and Peace" and "Conflict Resolution" were held. The peace tent
served as the symbol of the international feminist alternative to
conflict and war, a place for fmding peaceful solutions to conflicts,
and a place where every woman's voice could be heard.
The only serious problem that developed during the Forum occurred at the end of thc;l first wAAk nf tl-t .. li'n-n- --~ -• "'"'- -·• ' ~
�r
.
20
that 8,000 would attend, but over 13,500 came to Nairobi for Forum
'85. Meanwhile, government delegates began arriving only to find
that hotels were overbooked and there were no rooms. Meetings at
the Intercontinental and New Stanley Hotels of women NGO's fi.
nally resolved the situation with the help of the :{(enyan Govern·
ment and American Embassy officials. NGO's agreed to double,
triple, or q~adruple up in hotel rooms and use dormitory rooms at
the university to enable everyone to stay for the Conference. No
one had to leave under this arrangement.
POST-NAIROBI
In December 1985, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Yugo
slav-sponsored resolution on· the U.N. Conference to Review an<
Appraise the U.N. Decade for Women by consensus. The resolution
among· other matters, calls on international organizations, govern
menta, and nongovernmental organizations to work to implemem
the Forward Looking Strategies (appendix 6). It specifically .desig
nates the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women to be the foca
point in the U.N. system to implement the FLS and requests gov
ernments to allocate adequate resources to implement measures ir.
the FLS as a matter of high priority, including the establishmen1
or reinforcement of national machineries to promote the advance
ment of women:
In preparation for the February 1986 meeting of the U.N. Com
mission on the Status of Women the U.N. Secretariat has devel
oped several proposals for strengthening the Commission. Thest
will be discussed and those agreed on will be forwarded to the 1986
U.N. General Assembly for approval. Within the U.S. Government
itself, at least three agencies have worked to implement the result!:
of the Nairobi Conference. Maureen Reagan, now U.S.. Representa·
tive to the U.N. Commission on the Status of Women, represented
the United States in the Third Committee on Social and Humani·
tarian Affairs at the 40th U.N. General Assembly where the report
of the Nairobi Conference was discussed and the Yugoslav-span·
sored resolution adopted by consensus. The Bureau of In:ternational
Organizations of the Department of State and the staff of the U.S.
Mission to the United Nations have provided support to Ms.
Reagan. The Department of Justice through its Bureau of Judicial
Programs has been implementing the recommendations of its Task
Force on Domestic Violence. The Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor at its 65th anniversary celebration sponsored several
workshops,. including one that addressed women and the world
economy including the ways that the Women's Bureau could implement recommendations of the Forward Looking Strategies.
As for women's groups. a number have worked to begin to implement the FLS. B'nai B rith women have announced their intention
to spearhead a countrywide drive to seek U.S. ratification of the
Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women.
The Continuing Committee, established after the 1975 Mexico City
Conference, in cooperation with the American Association of University Women, convened a 3-day conference in Kansas City to discuss ways of implementing the Nairobi recommendations. Other
groups thatJ'articipated in the Forum, including the Overseas Education Fun International, the Hubert Humphrey Institute for
Public Affairs, and the Columbia University Law and Development
Program, have begun to develop programs and strategies to implement those FLS recommendRtionR wit.hin thai .. ,.....,<>l"rlotnc
�r
22
Women's groups as well as other groups should study the Forward Looking Strategies in order to assess what each can do to cooperate in carrying out the recommendations in their communities.
In view of the fact that almost 100 countries represented at Nairobi have "national machineries"; that is, government offices designed to monitor and promote the status of woi'Ilen within their
national societies, the United States may wish to consider creating
a National Commission on Women. Such a commiss\on could relate
both to domestic agencies and interested groups as well as to foreign relations agencies to monitor and report on women's affairs
and to contribute .to program and policy development to the year
2000.
i
APPENDIX 1
LIST OF THE
U.S.
DELEGATION
io THE NAIROBI CoNFERENCE
No. 88
May 2, 1985
REVISED
WORLD CONFERENCE TO REVIEW ~NO ~PPRAISE
THE
~CHIEVEMENTS OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN
The UN conference to Review and ~ppraise the ~chievements of
the UN Decade for Women will meet in Nairobi, Kenya, July
15-26, 1985.
The Nairobi Conference is the international event 'culminatin9
the UN Decade for Women (1976-1985), The united States.
believes that the 1985 World Conference will be an historical
opportunity for women to discuss their common concerns, to
share their experiences, to summarize the achievements of the
Decade, and to chart a practical course for the future.
The early appointment of the Delegation enaureP ~~ximum
opportunity for those representing the u.s. Government to be
prepared to participate fully in the review of the pro9ress
women have. achieved ·during: the Decade. The outstanding
composition of the u.s. Delegation is an indication of the
strong leadership resources existing in our country, and is
widely representative of the private and public sectors from
all re9ions of the United states.
The. u.s. Delegation to the Conference is as follows:
u.s. Representative
MAUREEN'REAG~N-
Businessowner, Lecturer, Broadcaster.
Alternate Representative
NANCY CLARK REYNOLDS - U.S, Representative to the UN
commission on the status of Women. ·
Peggy Stark
For l"urthaf" in'lor ....... tion cnn1oct:
(23).
(202) 632-8157
�r
'
24
........ .. '
" ~
25
~
LENORA COLE ALEXANDER - Director, Women's Bureau,
Department of Labor. Delegate to U.N. Women's
Conference, Vienna, 1982-83,
MARJORIE HOLT - Member of congress since 1972 from Maryland,
VIRGINIA ALLAN - Project Director - National Consuttative
committee: Planning for Nairobi NGO Conference for
overseas Education Fund/League of Women Voters,
NANCY LANDON KASSEBAUM - U,S, Senator, Kansas,
DONNA ALVARADO - Director of ACTION,
MITZI AYALA - Vice President, American Agri-Women,
LINDY BOGGS - Member of Congress since 1973 from Louisiana.
Member, Select Committee on Children, Youth and Family.
LINDA CHAVEZ ~ Deputy Assistant to the President and
Director of Public Liaison.
·
ESTHER COOPERSMITH- Former Delegate to the U.N.J Delegate
to U.N. Women's conference, Vienna, 1984-85.
HOLLY COORS- Homemaker, Philanthropist, Businessowner.
MAUREEN CORCORAN - General Counsel, Department of Education.
PATRICIA DIAZ DENNIS- Member, National Labor Relations
Board.
RHODA DORSEY - President, Goucher College,
DONNA IKEDA - State Representative, Hawaii.
ALAN KEYES - u.s. Representative on U.N. Economic and social
council.
.
.
.,
JEANE KIRKPATRICK - Former U.S. Ambassador to the United
Nations.
PAULA KUZMICH- coordinator, u.s. Secretariat for the World
conference of the U.N. Decsde for Women, Department of
State.
·
BARBARA MAHONE - Director, Human Resource Management,
General Motors Corporation.
BERYL MILBURN- Member, Board of Regents, University of
Texas, Delegate to U.N. Women's conference, Vienna,
1984.
RUTH MILLER - President, Tower City Center, Cleveland,
Ohio.
·
·
SARAH MOTEN- Country Director, Peace Corps Swaziland.
NANCY RISQUE - Special Assistant to the President for
Legislative Affairs.
CARRIE FRANCKE - Assistant Attorney General, Missouri.
MARY GREFE - President, American Association of University
women (1977-81). Delegate to U.N. Mid-Decade
Conference, Copenhagen, 1980.
PATRICIA GOLDMA~- Vice Chairman, National Transportation
Safety Board,
MARGARET HECKLER - Secretary, U.S.. Department of Health a:lcl
Human Services.
LOIS HAIGHT HERRINGTON - Assistant Attorney General, U.S.
Department of Justice,
EVONNE SIDNEY - Representative, Hopi Federation, Arizona,
ARLISS STURGULEWSKI -State Senator, Alaska,
ALICE ROXANA THOMPSON - Director, Information Center,
International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
SARAH TINSLEY - Deputy Administrator for External Affairs,
AID,
.
. MARGARET TUTWILER - Assistant secretary of Treasury (Public
Affairs and Public Liaison) - designate.
ARLENE VIOLET - Attorney General, Rhode Island,
JERI WINGER - International President, General Federation of
Women's clubs,
�!""'
<Jf1
Report reviewing preparations
for the 1985 conference to Review and Appraise
the Achievements of the U.N. Decade for Women,
submitted pursuant to Public Law 98-164
APPENDIX
2
'
PRESIDENT'S REPORT TO CoNGRESS OF THE KASSEBAUM AMENDMENT
Uni.ted States Department of State
Wa.hi"(!tcn. D.C.
20520
JUL 2 0 1985
Dear Mr. Chairman:
r am enclosing a copy of the text of the· President's
message to Congress of JulY 11, 1985 relating to preparations
for the world Conference to Review and Appraise the
. Achievements of the United Nation's Decade for Women in
compliance with public law 98-164,
With best wishes,
Sincerely,
~
William.L. Ball, III
Assistant Secretary
Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs
The Honorable,
Dante B. Fasce11,
Chairman,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
United States House of Representatives.
(26)
rnterested women.'s organizations have been informed of u.s.
positions on issues before the confe~ence, This has been done
through briefings and through a series of regional meetings
addressed by the chairperson of the u.s. Delegation, Ms, Maureen
Reagan. Members of the Delegation have also undertaken speaking
engagements relating to the conference. Meetings have been
held with representatives of interested organizations and with
individuals requesting specific information concerning the ·
conference.
Almost 2,000 American Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are
expected to participate in the Forum ~- a meeting, overla~ping
the conference, which is operi to NGOs, ~ssociations and
interested individuals •. Arrangement~ for attending the NGO
Forum are the responsibility of the Secretariat for the NGO
Planning Committee. Approximately 6,500 organizations,
associations and'interested individuals have registered to
attend the NGO Forum. The NGO Forum will host workshops,
seminars, lectures and other programs, and will provide
opportunities for women from many nations to meet and to learn
fro~ each other's experiences, achievements ~nd problems.
Only representatives of NGOs in Consultative Status with the UN
Ec6nomic and social council will be permitted to attend the
conference in an observer capacity. The headquarters of each
NGO will designate a representative. These NGOs will hold
Pre-conference consultations.July 13-15, 1985, in Nairobi •
Although an exact count of NGOs in consultative Status with the
UN Economic and social council (ECOSOC) registered to attend
the conference is not available, approximately 120 are expected
to attend:
The United States Delegation to the Conference was selected
early to help ensure maximum involvement of this representative
group, which wi~ be task•d with multiple responsibilities in
Nairobi. Qualifications such as international conference·
·
experience and ~xpertise in the sub-themes of the Conference,
along with geographic, professional and ac~demic representation,
were all considered in the selection process.
�28
29
Members of the Delegation attended an intensive briefin!.
weekend (May 31- June 2, 19851. substantive issues and areas
of concern were addressed by speakers from the u.s. Department
of state, the National Security Council staff, the tgency for
International Development, the Foreign Service Institute, the
u.s. Mission to the UN, and other USC agencies dealjng with
issues that the Conference Will consider. As a result of the
briefing weekend, the members of the Delegation have become
familiar with international conference procedures, and are.
prepared to address the issues that will face them in Nairo~i.
u.s. interventions on subsiantive issues will help focus the
conference on priority concerns of the United States (as will
the conversation Groups chaired by expert members of the u.s.
Delegation). Four u.s. priority concerns are: refugee women
and children, •women in Development,• literacy, and violence in
the family. Network building and informal consultations on
women's issues will·be the primary objectives of the u.s.
Delegation. We seek thus to ensure that, regardless of the
political problems of the conference, positive results on
women's issues will be achieved.
The Head of ihe u.s. Delegation to the Conference, Maureen
Reagan, has discussed our specific concerns with the UN
secretary General and members of his immedi~te staff. We seek
to ~nsure that he recognizes the seriousnes~ of our commitment
to a non-politicized conference. Ms. Reagan has urged the
secretary General to involve himself personally'to ensure the
success of the Conference.
The 32-member UN commission on the Status of Women has met in
three preparatory commission meetings (•prepcoms•) to plan the
Nairobi conference. The prepcoms were intended to achieve early
agieement on the conference's Rules of Procedure and its major
document, a blueprint of "forward-looking strategies• to
achieve improvements for women during the next 15 years.
The S~ate Department has made two world-wide demarches
explaining U.S. positions on the various issues related to the
conference. In them we have made clear the depth of our
conc~rn about the areas of contention, viz., extraneously
politicized approaches to problems associated·with the Middle
East, with South African apartheid, with desired· economic
development, and with means of securing disarmament. The u.s.
delegation has worked vigorously in Vienna and. in New York,
ducing Conference preparatory· meetings and in the Economic and
social council IECOSOC), to ensure a common Western front on
the contentious issues and on the Conference's draft rules of
procedure. Additionally, there have been direct communications
between the President and key heads-of-state, in which he has
requested their support on these matters.
During negotiations on the Forward-Looking Strategies (FLS)
document, which will constitute the recommendations of the
Conference, the United States fought for consensus language.
At the Conference, we will continue to strive for consensus on
the FLS. We are prepared both to request targeted demarches
urging support for u.s. positions and to propose alternate
language or counter-resolutions. The u.s. Delegation will also
be prepared to use procedural methods to disassociate itself
from unacceptable Conference documents and results.
At the third regular prepcom (and at its reconvention) -- and
during the 1985 Spring ECOSOC also -- the u.s. sought a rule
change to require consensus on the final document during
Conference decision-making, This effort received little
support, but was debated again at ECOSOC when it reconvened
June 20, 1985. At that time, despite u.s. objections, it was
decided to defet action on the outstanding rules (decisionmaking) of the Rules of Procedure for the conference until it
convened in Nairobi.
concerning the FLS, the u.s. has worked for several months to
negotiate acceptabl• draft language to be sent to Nairobi for
approval. At the resumed prepcom, language acceptable to all
prepcom participants was found for approximately 175 paragraphs
addressing women's issues. Of the 280 or so p~ragraphs in the
draft document prepared by the UN's conference secretariat,
agreement could not then be reached on some 103 others, largely
because they contained many unacceptable references to the New
International Economic Order !NIEO), and extremist views on the
disarmament process, on south African apartheid, and on various
Middle East problems.
on June 17-21, 1985, a final attempt was made, prior to the
conference, to resolve disagreements over these contentious FLS
paragraphs. The impasse was not resolved, Fifteen additional
paragraphs were agreed upon, but some 90 paragraphs (and'
proposed amendments to them) were forwarded to tha Nairobi
conference for resolution.
�30
Prior io the Conference the u.s. has continually sought,, and,
as appropriate, the u.s. Delegation will again seek during the
Conference, to:
Amend the draft conferenc~ rules to require consen1u1
decision-making, at least for approval of thi! FLS.
APPENDIX3
Obtain acceptable language for the remaining tontentiouu
paragraphs of the FLS.
RESOLUTION PROPOSED BY.THE
Join consensus on a final document (probably the
Forward-Looking Strategies}, if it avoids divisive
politicization and emphasizes productive measures to
advance the status of women.
Ghana
Focus on four priority concerns: women refugees, •women in
Development," literacy, and faiily violence.·
Domestic Violence aqeinet women
Establish a network of long-term relationships that can
form a foundation for lasting cooperation to advance the
status of women internationally.
Develop, through an active Interagency Task Force,
position papers.
u.s.
Funding for the Nairobi Women's Conference is included in the
The u.s. finaricial contribution
to the conference is made through payment of our assessed
contribution to the .regular UN budget.
u.s. DELEGATION
(document A/CONF.ll6/C.2/L.20, aa revtaedl
The· World Conference to Review and Appraiar the, Achievement• ot the Unltod
Netion• Oeead• tor ·women1
Eaualtty, Development and Peace,
,!apreaainq pri ..ry concern tor abused women and cnildren and the deetructlvo
conaeauences of auch abuse on the family,
UN ie9ular (assessed} budget.
Rocogniainq tllat domut1c violence ia widespread, cuttinq acrou all racial,·
acetol and tH:OI101tic l:lnee,
We have been assured that no money from the UN Voluntaiy Fund
Eo~ the Decade for Women will be spent on the Conference;
A
special voluntary fund has been established ··to help defray
selected conference expenses. This is managed by the ON's
Vienna Center. Several Western nations have made donations to
the special iund. The u.s. has not contributed to the ipecial
fund.
·
aore
Roccqnlsinq further tllat the cauaes of and solutions to domeatic violence are
co~licated than In the case of crimea committed oy unknown attackara,
Convinced tllat violence Ia often learned behaviour which can efftct future
qenentlona and th•t stepa. need to bt. taken to prevent dOIIIutic violence throu9h
educatiOn and a cllanqe ot attitude,
Rocognlslng the iaportant role that ~•n and vomen'a orqanizatlona have
played in asaiatin9 battered women and in maklnq the community aware ot tho qravlty
and eKtent oC da.eatic violence,
Convinced that Violence 1• aa much a crime when committed by a close family
•••bar aa by a atranger and that the protection of the law should not atop at tnt
htdly' • front door,
'
··
Convinced further of the need tor a .ore vigorous involvement of" the juatice
system, increased public awareness and taproved aervicea for victim&,
Bearing in mind that every battered .oman needs support, aafety and aasiatance ·
and tne knowledge tbat she ia not alone,
Condemning the unfortunate attitude tnrouqhout tne world that treata women aa
cbattala and property to be abUsed and controlled, end that diaregarda law• tnat
protect vomen,
·
1.
Urqea the appropriate governmental agencies to pay apecial attention to
violence aqalnst women and to treat auch behaviour as criminal, and to provide
aervicea to aaeiat battered woeen and their chiidrenJ
2.
Calla upon States to develop lawa and procedures, where they do not
alrudy exist, and to atun9then entorce01ent prcceaaee, Including those of the
pollee and courta, for the proper protection and support of women and to nold
violent •en legdly ...:countable tor their violence,
3.
Calla upon the Cozm1aalon on the Statua ot Women to consider appolntlnq a
epactal rapporteur to colltct Information, taking ...:count of all relevant United
Nations studies on the nature of domestic violence, with a View to maklnq
rec00111endatlona to the COtlllllhalon concerning prevention and solutions, 1ncludln9
community education suitable to varyinq cultural circumstances,
�33
32
oomlnlcan Republic, Japan, Malay•ta, Pakiatan, Pntltpptnea,
Republic ot ~orea, Somalia, Thailand and United State• ot
A•ecica: draft resolution
Retqqeo and displaced vomen
(text •"'•lqamatlnq document• li/COIIF.U6/C.l/1..3l, L.J8 and L.77l
Tho world Conference to Review and Appraise tho Achievements ot the United
Nations Decade tor wo=en: E0uelity 1 Development and Peace,
~
the report ot the United Rations Riqh Coaaiasioner tor Retuqeea,
Roealllnq previous calls tor i~lementation of relevant United Rations
'resolutions poainq solutions to those international situations vhich han given
, !n to the proble" ot retu<joea, thereby creatl"'!! conditions enal>linq safe and
honourable repatriation,
Notlnq vlth regret that, de&plto ettorta by the international coauounity and
the oqoncles concerned ot tl'le United Rlltiona eystem, there haa been a lac~ ot
proqresa in tindinq solutions to such ettuationa.,
Notinq with qreat concern that. refuqeea and displaced persona conttnue to tlOO
the1r countttea 'in qreot nur:~~ber:s ond that \rf!O&en and children constitute a vast
II& lot tty atDOng them,
a .. r in9 In mind the various root causes which han brou9ht about nearly
10 ollllon refuqees and uny more displaced peraona tn the vorld today,
Recogn!oln9 that, in the various parts ot tho world vhere there are retuqu
•nd displaced v011en and their children, special needs continue to elliat tor their
alief, phyalcal security, rehahllitation, voluntary upatriatlon, and resettlement,
~ot!nq vith appreciation the special proqrauu boinq hoplomented by the
United N•tlons tllqh COIIIIIIiS&Ioner .for Retugeee in recoqnition of su<1h special neode
ana inttreata of retuqee 'ltorcten and their children,
Awllre that a large number of retuqee VOCD.en ace tound ln developing coontries
ct so;;;;-:;nd soutn..;t;a.at Asia, the Middle &ast, Africa and Latin Aa:lertca, and that
•n excessively heavy burden has been plactd on the econOft:llea and lntrastructvces ot
tht:st de~elopinq countries; particularly the first asylum countries, adversely
<lltfecting their t"Conomic and aOtC.ial dev.elopment, aa vell aa thelf security end
lltAbtl ity,
Reeoqnidng that these countries cannot by theuelvu bear the heavy burden of
providinq adequate shelter, Protection fro. rape and other fora& of aoxual
violence, nutrition, he4lth care, educ•tlon and employ~ent opportunities,
Notlnq with appreciation the col• played by the voluntary huunitarian
non-qovernmental organizations and intergoverneental orqanizationa, the
International Red Cross, tho United Nations ayatee and in particular the United
Nations Riqh Co,.misaioner for Rafuqees, tho World Food Proqramme, the United
Nations Children's FUnd and -the United"Nationa Develop~nt Proqramme in rendering
assistance to the beat of their limited resources,
Noting also with appreciation the humanitarian aid extended both bilaterally
and through t~e United Nations system by .any Member States,
i
. 1.
Str~nqly
opposes all acts of violation of the United Nations Charter and
particularly the denial of tbe·ri9ht of people to
self-determination and independence and the ~ae of force by forei<jn aq9ressors and
their occupation, which are recoqni%ed as ujor root causes of the refuqeea and
displaced persona problem,
lnternational·la~,
2.
Stronqly urqes Go9ernctenta, In ·co-oper,.tion vith the United Nation·a
aqencles• durable solutions to the problems of refu9eea, to take all neceesary
~easures to create conditions of peace leadin9 to their voluntary return to their
ho~es In safety and honour1
3.
Calls for the renewed commitment of all States, particularlY in light of
the auspicious occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the establish~nt of the
United Rations, for the full implementation of the major relevant United Rations
conventions and resolutions that relate to situations which qave rise to the
problems of refugees and displaced persons1
4.
Reaffirms the principle of international a6lldarity and burden-sharing In
respondlnq to the refu9ee proble~, particularly in view of the heavy burden borne
by recelvinq countries on account of tho presence of larqe numbers of retuqees and
displaced persons, the ma'ority of whom are women and children,
· 5.
Urges all States to extend all possible humanitarian assistance to ensure
that the needs of refuqees and dispbccd j)<lrs.on& notably WOlDen and chidren are
adequately ~et and their interests safequardedt
·
6.
Urqea the OfUce of the united Nations 8i9h Commlesloner for Refuqees,
bearinq in ~ind ita overridinq commitment to ensure the well-beinq of all refuqees,
to dra" upon the expertise of all concerned United Nations bodies end, in
co~sultation with oo~ntriea of first asylum and resettle~ent countries, to carry
out detailed studies and research with a view to developing and implementing
further special proqrammea deaflnq with all facets of the relief effort which
should be especially directed to the critical needs of displaced and retuqee women•
and requests the Office of the 8i9h Commissioner to report annually to the
E~ecutlve Committee on the status, the proqress and the implementation of these
resolutions,
7.
Further recommends that the Hiqh Commissioner ensure th<lt the number of
women at all levels on his/her staff, particularly in the field, Is incre~eed so as
to ensure a better
respo~ee
to the needs of refu9e9 womtnl
�"~iii~""""'
85
34
jltau~•t• the United Nationa Secret.erv-G•ner:al, tn conjunction with the
8
;_,. 1 ~tor Retuqeea, to report to the United Nattona General Assel'ftbly at
~::"t~rtv.. firtt aeaaton on the 1.-ple•enta:tton ot the present r:eaolut ton.
e•Jqtu•, eentn, Coaer:oon, D11bOutJ, Ooltintca, Ecuador, Haittl lndonesta,
Malayeia, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, P•pua New Gutne~, Peraquay,
Ptcu, Phtltpptn••c Republic: of Korea, Saint Cbrtatopher and lj:•vt•,
s;int Lucia, Sa tnt Vincent and the Grenadines, Som.Jlta, Sr 1 Lanka,
~·~
swadland, Thailand, Trinidad lnd Tob!QO, and United State& of Atnertca:
Fully convinced that a aojor obstacle to wo.en•a tull participation In aociety
lo the contrast between policy or leqiolative chonqea and ettecttve.i~lemantatlon
ot .these chonqeo and further convinced that de £acto and Indirect discrimination
persist despite leqislatlve actions,
-------Pecogni%ing the urqency to achieve by the year 2000, complete elimination of
stenotyped roles and neqatlve perception• ot ,and attitudes towards vomeni end
recoqnl&lnq turther the Important role that respective Governments as well •~
international orqani&attona and non-qOvecnmental,Orqantaatione have to play in the
promotion ot equality,
dratt resolution
~ootn
and education:
perapecttve• tor the year 2000
(docuaent A/OONF.ll6/C.l/L.78, aaolqo•atinq documents
A/CON1'.ll6/C.l/L.l, 1..2, !..18, L~49, L,73 end L.7S)
The world Conference to Revt.- and Appraise the Achteve~~nta of the United
)bttons Oe<::ade for We-en:· Equality, Oevel<.?f!ent and Peace,
tt••
Aware that
fundaaental hutoan rlqht to education carrie• vlth it full
qutu;t;;:" on th~ basil ot •quality,. iCreapec:tive of ••• aa • neee'aaary ingredlt:nt
to aoctal, cultur:al 1 technoloqtc~l, •n<l econo.ic proqreas of any .nation.
M!"d!ul or the crucial role of education as o doeialve rector In the
devel~of each country,
Reotfb:-•lnq that each country ta responsible tor ita nation•l development
plan• and proqr.:~Mell and acc~ndinqly Cor ite educational pl~tns,_ proqraJrUDes and
pro1ecta,
Considering tl'\4t woeen and aen ahould have eaual ac:ctaa to all levels or:
torul- norrforaal and vocational ~cttinincJ tn all sectors, both urban and .rural,
A.cknovledg1"9 that the tulnlnq ot - • n and qlrls in new technoloqtu Is
P•rtlcularly lq>ortont and thn the tuininq and npoauu ot vomen to llt.odorship
rolta try oravlnq out the tull potent faJ of -en ia urqent,
R•calling that attitudinal conatraint• conttttute aa)or t.pedteent8 to the
of educational ee~ualtty •• atreaaed in tbe world Plan ot Action adopted
ot Action tor the second
Halt o! the Unite<! Nation• Decade tor
adopted at Copenhaqen in 1980,
ac~iveroent
at Mulco City In 1975 end reiterated in the Proqr.,_e
""!"•."•
Cravely dtsturt>ect by the tact that because of traditional attitude& tO'ifAtds
wo.t-n (aex-role atereotyped), 'WC'Iaen eutter di&proporttOnately troe poverty due to
lOIItl' l•vel of •IIIPloveent, low priority on proeotione tor wc.en "ho ere eoually
d•euvinq and aualified,
Notes with concern that WIC!Nltn, by vt.rtue ot their qender, experience
dis.crt•ination in ter•• ot denial of equal ace:••• to the power structure that
conuola aociety end deterainee devel()J*ent taeuee, ·
Wotu with qrave concern tho hiqh nt .. ot Illiteracy and schOOl drop-outs
.. or>q younq qlrla and - • n and the continued 1011 levela ot haale participation in
tor•al and adult education proqra-•• tn aany countriea which tn turn hinder
'to.t!'lt 1 appoctunt t1ea to benet tt Cro. end participate in the developmental proce's:a,
l.
Urges Member Stotea and relevant United Nations oqencios, particularly
the United Nations &ducotionol, ScientitiJ and ~ultural Orqonl&ation, to adopt as •
priority area• in their aqenda, the Increased and' acceluated accoas ot -en,
particularly In developinq countries, the.leaderalllp tralnlnq and exposure of vomen
In economic end Unanci41, scientific and toehnoloqlcal tlelda to facilitate and
accelerate their actual and equal participation with men as policy- and
d~iston-makera, policy formulators, educational plannera, contributor• and
Innovators In the economic, aeientiUc and aoc:ial develop10ent ot their co.,ntrieaJ
that the commitment should quide the effective implementation ot policies, plena,
programmes, 'and pro)eeta coupled vith the conviction that development pro)ects or
every country vlll be improved and society advanced if the full potential• ot women
are optimized;
·
2.
Recommends that Member States and non-qovernmental organl&ationa
intensity effort~ to substantial and continuinq improvement in educatlnq people
(especblly parental, throuqh tho 111&88 ·media, in the portrayal ot women, projectlnq
th~m as tntellectQale, leader8, executive&, 1nnovatora, inventors; pol1t1cians and
active port icipontst
·
3. ·lllso rec0111111ends. that Kamber States; U they nave not done so, ·adopt
pollcles to continuously evaluate and· update teatbooka, instructional aote<iols,
curricula at all levels, and it necessary, to rewrlte·or rtdeaign·them to ensure
that the imoqe ot vomen Ia reflected as positive, dynamic and participatory;
4.
Requests Member Statea to adopt in their educational plana and
pcoqrammes~ a~ ••panded in-•ecvtce and pre-aervtce tratntnq ot teachers and
guidance counsellors in ell levels and tn all types of schools In aenaitiztnq them
to the problems which inpede educational eauallty, training and provldinq them with
P<Oper perspective and Instructional materials to eliminate sex-role stereotypinq
end thus enable them to develop eucceaatully
their students, certain values
and attitudes and ultimately change their behaviour,
among
5.
Also reaueata that Member States take immediate steps, If they hove not
done so, to tacllltate end monitor the access of women and qirla In all levels
dealrlnq to re-enter for~•l education or proteselonal lite, by developinq
continutnq or life-lonq educational proqro=mes1 accrediting {throu9h exomtnottons
or other atcateqies) non-formal and informal learnings!
6.
Further recommends Member States to take into account in their
educational plans, supportlnq measures ot adoptlnq flexible entry and re-entry to
formal schoolln<J, tlel<lble time schedule's in the education toctlttlea to enable
wO~en who in the d1achat99 o~ their fundamental roles as wives and mothers,
normally face tremendous constraintal
�~
•
36
37
,
1.
Encourages Me•ber Statu and non-CjoverN.ental inatttutiona to Intensity
:reo .. rch activities, by 1dent1fy1n9 dlacriatnat<:ory practic ..
aa w chart future
roetlons ~aking reallet1c t.erqeta towards their eredtcattonr by 1nvut19atinq the
61
'd!Ocrtpancy t>et~ .. n the law and 1•plementatlon phaae, and t>y identUytnq factors
t~•t would prohibit partie !potion of 11omen in educational pr()<Jr.,...la and to
canada•
••>
formulate 41easures to overcom• such barr1era,
.
s.
.
'
.
Encourages further Governeenta and non-qovernmental orqanisatlona 4nd
:tnttltutlons to promote incruaed enrolment ot - • n in technieal and vocational
tralnlnq Institutes and centres inclUdit<j intermediate Uchnical eourau in plans
and pcogro""'es tor intermediate, tor0111l and non-torMl education, and to expand and
1 Hocate eauitably to 9irh and boys acbohrahipa and qranta, 1ncludi"'!! educational
:Jo.on 'P•c<aqes with special emphasis t<:l the diaadvantaqed qirla and women, to
lrncouraqe them eo pursue thei< studies aulted to their capal>iliUea, particularly
:oncouraglnll thert to receive te<:hnicd and prohuional trainln9, particul.nly in
:the tlelds that :nave l>een traditionally men-oriented, 110nitor .their pr()<Jreaa and
;plec~ment, job recruitment and promotions to enau.re that eQuality betveen 11en and
{wcwten ie: ach!evedJ
9.
Calls upon Meml>er States vhich have not yet dona ao, to adopt innovative
••••urea and ptOCjrammeo to enal>le them to achieve the hl9heat literacy rate (women
:and men!, 1t poaaible up to 100 pee cent by the year :aooo, and calli> upon Member
&tatoo to support adult liteucy traininq, drawl"'!! upon 90vernJOent.al and
·non-_govt'tnmental orqan1J;at1ona ae appC'optlat•, to develop adult learninq qenerally
and adult Hteracy and l>aaic •~ills apeciUcallyl tncludinq the production ot
;appropriate teaching materials foe literacy and .poat-Uteracy couuaa1
Calls upon approptiate 1nt•rnat1onal or9ani•ationa to taeilitatt an
luehanqe of q:atherin<J and d1aaeca1nat1on of tntor11atlon r~ardinq proqrararoea and
practlcee, te-chnical &ll!laiatance., •valuation ot proqr&&~~~~e etfectivenesa and
· pr001otton ot dlal09ue and CQOiliiUnlc:at1on amonq the ooyrhd pro11ideu of literacy
·tr•lnlnq, to devolop a elearer international underatan<liflll of the prol>lema and
pose!blllt!es nlatod to adult literacy!
11. Urq .. Governounu, inteuated United Nations bodies, ·particularly the
·United Nation& l!<lucattonol, Sctentlfic and Cultural Orqaniaation and
. hO:n-qovernmental orq:anta:aitons to •upport prQ9r•ta.~~e• ot voeen' • orqant1attona
·otrected to promote non-fotll&l educational activ1t1ea, addruaed to the education
oc women about their rlqhta· and posalbtlit1ea of full participation in aocietyl
12. Calla upon Member States to continue prioriti&iflll education In the
nattonal budqets so that education can eontribute li>Oee tully aa the drlvlnq force
In the el!mlnatlon of prennt ahortcomin9a and 1necual1tlea1 thoreby aclltevinq
lubatantlally tllo full potential ot women in natlon-buildinCj.
principle• and eriorltlea
(docu . .nt A/CONP,ll6/C.l/L.l61
'The World Conference to Review and APf!alae the Achieve~nts of the United
Nations Decade for WO.ent !quality, Developeent and Peace,
Recognizing that develo~nt ia·a totat proce•• vhich r.quirea the
participation of both VQQen and . .n in order to be effective,
Recognizing further the extent to which woeen have not benefited equally with
men from the developqent proceaa,
Recalling that the United Nations Decade for WO.en has resulted in
advances for women but that pr01Jreaa ha• b . .n 1naufflcient,
i~portant
Considering that Inadequate aecount baa been taken by development planner• In
national CovernDOnts and in aultilateral and bilateral development aqenciea of the
role of wo10en u contrlbuton to econooalc develo~nt and aocial pr()<Jreaa,
particularly of the faet that the , , _ of - n b crucial not only to ••o""'"'s
ln~lvldual self-reliance, but also to raialnq the standard of livin9 of the fa~ily,
and to the overall devel-nt of the coeeunlty and IIOCiety,
R<eOjnizing the ai9nificant contribution woaen have already .. de to national
econo~1es
10.
draft reiiOlution
Woeen and developeentt
end the
enor~•
ceaource tbey repreaent vblch re.. ln• untapped,
portlcuhrly in le .. developed oountri . . ,
Bearing in mind the chaUeno;e t<:l p~bllc and private ae<:ton to find "•Y• of
fulflllin9 their potential by lncorporat1no; - n fully In the eco~c·proceas,
Conaiderinq also that while aoae develo~nt pOlielea' and prQilra•-.• have had
• positive lcpact on the aoclal and econoaic condition of _ n , there have also
been caaea where the lapect hae been fte9et1ve,
Aware that uny countrln have accepted - l t • n t a w· the rlqhts of WO<Oen to
partlcij;';te ln the proce. . of deve1opc~ent, and t<:1 beneflt frooo lte fruits,
Concerned, however, that l•ck of progr••• in buildinq voaen•e outonoay and
rolslnq their etatua baa i•peded their inte9rat1on in development on an equal basts
¥1th men,
�39
38
Rt>coqni:zi!!1 the need to relieve the ti~t~e .and energy constraints on women in
nrrlPr to free thelr ener91ea to en9,aqe in productive enterprise,
»ot!ng with pocticuh< concern that !naufticlent attention ha& been qlven in
develop<nent poUc!eo ond pr09U'""'eo to the role of wo'"en In aqdcul'f<e and food
production, foce5tt'Yt ener9Y and water management,
Alar•ed ot the aqqravated food situation especially in Africa .A.ere the
e)(istence of "'iUions is thtea:~ened by hunger, recoqni1inq in particular the extent
to ...,h ich ......::>11len • e l•ck of access to land and tQOdern technoloqles has c;ontr ibuted to
the
problo~ end recoqni1inq the capacity ot WOlDen to solve food production probl•"''·
cello ue2n national c;overn~aenta and IVUltilatenl and bilateral
1.
d"'velopt~~ent
monitor over ti~e the extent to which financial aftd technical support is provided
to development P<09ra~mes and projects which i~rove the situation of wo..en1
8.
Urqes that priority attention be qiven to ...,..n•a puUcipat1on in
sectors where their important role has often been iqnorad In the paat, auch as
aqriculture and food production, proeeaalnq, ...,rkaUnq and dhtribut1on,
P•rticularly In Afrlca·where vomen have a vit.l contribution to ... ka to the
resolution of the crltlcal food situation, aa well aa to other sectors such a&
water and sanitation and human aettlamenta•Vhich are,i•portent to huean health and
well-betnq and to enerqy, forestry and protactlon of the natural envlronaent which
help sustain all people,
9.
Recommends that review ot proqreaa under this resolution taka place in
conjunction with the review of the Forward-looklnq Strateqlea.
aqenctes to uke explicit their polieiee on wom4tn afnd development and
in particular to ensure that sectoral d•velopcaent policies and proqrammes include
strateqies to prolftOtt the participation of women as Contributors and beneficiar~es
United States of Aaerica1
on <"'t'l equal oasis with MnJ
2.
Urges nationel Governments and ~ultilet~ral and bilateral development
Jqenc:ies to- give hiqh prior.it_y to proqrammes and pto:Jects which strenqthen women's
· ~otonorny. tncludin,g proqraftue•a to etill!ulate: the forrution and qrowth of women's
orqaniuttons and woraen•a groups and to qive financial and orqanit.ational support
to their activities lllfhen neededJ
).
Recommends strongly that in order to transform policies into concrete
results th•t specific ond reviewable plans of action be developed by all
:1roqca:mminq units in ~11 sectors and endorsed at the highest oe9anizetional levelt
svch ~plans should t!&tobliah responsibility, accountability and timeframes for
pnp1P.mentat1onf provide tor coonttorinq •nd evaluation 1 establish quantitativE!
tacqP.ts and should include necessary support pro9ra~tcaea such as staff traininq on
'-'0111\t!n • s· role lh development l_n ell ••ctore t
4.
Urges that in national develo~ent PJ•nning, priority be given to women's
trainin.q end income qeneration, t.neludinq the alleviation of women•a time J~~~nt1
><nPrqy constraints stenuninq from the decaands of household work in order to free
Wf)fl\en to enq4qe ln productive· entetpristt an4 protect wOfQen frOfl health-damaqlnq
over 'oo!OC ~ 1 priority &hould a l:ao be qt ven to. incre:aai nq women 'a access to and control
over Productive resources particularly title to land, credit, technical traininq
.snfi ~ppcopriate technoloqhtSJ
5.
R•co .. mends thot •11 develo~ent projects include a atroteqy to benefit
~o~o!'flen and:. thet all project evaluations include an assessrDent of iatpact on womenJ to
t.rlis effect. 1ot0~en in the project'e tarqet population should be involved in ell
l'h••n of the project c;ycle fro10 plonnlnq thouqh to evoluation, and this at •ll
levels from loc.tl to
6.
nation~tlJ
Callo uwn national Governllenta, IGultllatenl and bilateral development
aqencies to consult with each oth•r .and with non-9overnaH!!'nt.al orqaniJ:attone in
rurlE'r to co-ordinate and reinfotc::e progtaaullin9 activities in support of women's
1nteqratton in development•
1.
Recon'in~ends that increased and co-ordinat~ effort be given at the
nationaL reqlonal and tnternation.il levele to the improvement of 1nforrn.ation bases
")n wo~t~en and d•velopment including se:K - disa99Ce9ated etatiat1cs on • maeto and
rnlcro ~eve 1~ act ion-oriented reaea rch as well a a methodoloq ies to identify anrl
(docu•ant A/coNv.l16/C.2/~.2JI
The world Conference to Review and Appr•1•• th• Achtave•ents
Nations Decade tor women: Equality, Developaent and Peace,
ot the United
Recollinq the provisions ot the Chart•~ of the United Nation• that call upon
Member States to promote huean rlqhta and fundamental treedoa• without distinction
as to sex,
·
Recalling aleo tbe untveraal Declaration of Huaan Rl9ht• •nd the varloua
tntern•ttonal instrument& that •tfira the- hu. . n rtqhta of voaen t.n all Me•ber
States,
.
-•n
Ruttirminq that d·iacria>lnatlon aqain•t
t• lnc0101patlbh wH'- huMan
diqnity and that wO<Den and aen should p'articlpate on the baa!• ot eauallty,
irrespective ot race or creed, in th• eocial, eco,..tc and political proceaaes ot
their c~untriea,
~ of the I<DPOrtant role played by the eo..iaaton on the Statue or ~a-en
ond by the united Nations apeeiallaed aqenolea In prapartnq various international
instru~ents that obllqe Member States to uphold the riqhta of ~en enuaarated
therein,
Mln~ful
that violations, lnc;ludln9 qroaa vlolatlone, of internationally
recoq~tandards of women•a rlqht• extat.
Con&lrtering that enforcement or woeen•a riqhta Ia the necessary reaponaiblllty
ot Member States,
Recalling Economic and Social Council re•olutlone 76 (V) of 5 Auquat 1947 and
3041 (Xll of 14 and 17 July 19SO which continue to fora the baaia for the .andate
ot the Co~taalon on the Statu• of woaan to reeaive at each ot ita r~ular sessions
a list of confidential and non-confidential caa.unlcation• relatinq to the status
ot women,
Recalling •lso Economic and Social Council ruolutlon 1983/27 of 26 May 1983,
setting forth procedures whereby the Coa.iaaton conatdera an4 deals with
communications of ln~lvldual womtn and of qroupa ot voaen whoae huaan ri9hta have
been violated,
r.
draft resolution
International b..,..n riqhU
�-
...
~··
40
w•lconoes the tnttht1ve of the Council to reatUr• tlleee tlltf>Ortant
1.
functions
2.
~OIUllsaiOn on 'the Status of ..oaen1
~
vtolationa of the huun r tqht• ot wocmen
wh~teler
they occur;
L
Urges Me11ber States to Obaerve their obliqationa towards WOftlen citizens
by upholdinq the pcovlaiona of the various relevant tnternatlonaj instruments,
tncl~tnq the Charter of the Unit~ Nations;
APPE~DIX4
OFFICIAL U.S. REPORT AND STATEMENTS
4.
Call5 upon the United Nattona, ae well aa international non-qovecn~ental
orqanl:otionB to continue to publtc11e the various l"ternattonal instruments
reqardinq the rlqhte ot women in order to dtase•tnate wtdely the provisions and
1
onl fqattona ot Govecruutnts contained theratn1
s.
Encoura9es the Coa:udaaton on the Statue of Women to eonaider the
ot appointinq apeetal rapporteur• to lnveatiqate violatio~a ot women's
Wf'UHe they uy occur and to report to the Coaam1asion on their finrJinqs.
po~a1Dility
r lql'ltl
THE UNITED STATES OF·AMERICJ
..
1985 WORLD CONFERENCE
To Review aad Apprai.e the Ac:hlevemeats of the
·
Ualted Natloa• Decade for Womea
.·
(1976 • 1985)
(41)
�42
AMERICAN WOMEN DURING THE DECADE, 1976 • 1985
Among the more dramatic achievements In the United States during the UN Decade
for Women were the appointment of the first woman Supremef Court Justice, the
space flight of the first American woman astronaut, and the nomination of the first
woman candidate by a major party for the Vice Presidency.
,.
But the advancement of America's women during the Decade goes far beyond these
individual cases. By the end of the decade, we have seen the percentage of women
presidential appointees rise. Women now occupy more than 1600 high level policy·
making positions. Seventy-five women are currently serving In top level full-time
Presidential appointments confirmed by the Sanate.
In the United States, the promotion of political equality for women Is no longer an
Issue. All major legal barriers preventing women from exercising their political rights
were eliminated long ago. However, there stUl exist cultural, sociological, economic,
and other Impediments to the achievement of Increased and proportionate
participation of women In American political and economic life.
The Decade has been characterized both by social and economic change and by new
technology. To the 21 percent Increase In the United States civilian labor force
betw~n 1975 and 1984, women contributed more than 62 percent. During that
period, the proportion of women In the labor force grew from 40 to 44 percent. By
1984, 54 percent of all women over 16 years of age were employed. Nearly 70 per·
cent of those between the ages of 25 and 54 worked outside the home.
r
48
During the Decade there has been a 12percent lnaease In multiple-earner families.
more than 60 percent of these families bo~h the husband and wife are employed. l
1984,90 percent of all families had working wives (or wives who were seeking worl
In 1983, working wives contributed 29 percent to the economic support of th•
families. Those who worked full time all year contributed 40 percent.
The most significant development In the employment of women over the Decade h.
been the rise in the number of working mothers to nearly 20 million In 1984. Me
employed mothers, including those with children under 3 years of age, now work ft
time.
In the 1960s there was a trend toward the delay of child bearing until the mothe1
25th to 30th year. In the 1970s a significant number of women delayed havir,
children until after. age 30. The rate of first births to women 30-34 years of as
Increased 60 percent between 1975 and 1980; for women 35-39 years of age th
Increase was 36.8 percent. This phenomenon affords time for women to gain great•
educational attainments, and occupation and labor force status. This can be expecte
to lead to improvements In their status, and In family Income.
LEGISlATION
At th..autset It should be noted that the United States Is not governed by a unifon
national code, as are many other C!)Untries, but Is a federation of fifty sovereign state!
The powers of the Federal Government are limited to those specifically enumerated I
the Constitution, with the result that the realm of domestic relations is an are
traditionally regulated by the Individual states. Efforts to improve the status of wome:
have been advocated, Initiated and carried through by a variety of enlilies, includin:
the private sector, non-government organizations, and the Federal, state, and loc<
governments, both Individually and In ~ooperation with each other.
Nthough there has been a slight Improvement over the term of the Decade, the
average wage for women Is still less than that of men. In part this results from the fact
thai women enter and leave the labor force more frequently than men. Consequently,
they havl\! less work experience. Also they are concentrated In low paying occupations
and Industries. Research, litigation and new initiatives by employers, State
legislatures, and trade unions are changing this. Actions taken to combat this Inequity
have proliferated, and are expected to continue during the next decade. It Is hoped
. that the entrance of more women Into higher paid fields will narrow the gap further, as
more women leave traditional studies and employment.
Subs1antiallegislative activity occurred In the US during the last twenty years seekin!
to prohibit discrimination. on the basis of sex, In housing, credit, education
employment, and Federally assisted programs. Other ameliorative legislative activit:
has had a significant effect on women because women are disproportionate!:
represented among .the aged, the poOr, and as caretakers of children.
In I976,.more than half of all employed women worked In 20traditionaloccupations.
In 1984 the proportion decreased to 46.5 percent. In 1984, 34 percent of those
employed in executive, administrative and managerial occupations were women, as
opposed to 22 percent In 1975.
To discuss the development of the legal Status of women In the United Stales durin!
the Decade, legislation enacted prtor to the beginning of the Decade must b.
mentioned as forming t11e basis for further refinements In administration. Some of th1
more important legislative activities affecting women are listed below.
The number of families maintained by women Increased by more than 84 percent
between 1970 and 1984. The number of children living with a divorced mother more
than doubled between 1970 and 1982, while the number of childten living with a
never·manied mother increased more than fourfold.
The Equal Pay Ac:t of 1963 amended the Fair Labor Standards Act to include 1
prohibition against pay differentials on the basis of sex. Employers must pay men anc
women the same wages for work that requires equal skill, effort, and responsibility i:
performed under similar working conditions.
Eighty·lwo percent of single parent mothers were employed full time during 1984.
They tend to work in low paid, less skilled jobs, and many of them live below the
poverty line. They are typically. burdened with low educational attainment. They often
lack marketable skills. Experimental training and employment programs have been
developed to assist low income women who face distinctive barriers to employment,
and efforts are being ·made to find effective ways to improve their opportunities.
ntle VII of the Civil Rights Ac:t of 1964 also prohibits discrimination In employmen1
on the basis of sex. It covers all aspects of employment Including hlrlng, discharge,
promotion, training, compensation, and fringe benefits. In 1972 It was amended to
extend coverage to Federal, state and local governments as well as to educational
Institutions. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, which .enforces this
Act,lncreased b~ 49 percent the number of cases litigated during the first half of 1984
over the same period In 1983. For example, In Hishon v Klng and .Spaulding the
,.
�I
i
44
Department of Justice successfully argued before the Supreme Court that law firms
must comply with Title VII when selecting partners, 50 that women associates must not
be discriminated against in favor of their male counterparts. During the Decade the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Issued definitive gul~elines on sexual
harassment, and sexual harassment claims have been litigated succeSsfully under Title
VII.
I
In the past, some Insurance companies required women to make larger monthly
payments to a retirement fund than men paid for equal monthly benefits, because on
average they live longer than men. In 1978 the Supreme Court ruled that this practice
constituted sex discrimination, and WIIS In violation of ntle VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964. The Supreme Court later held that ntle VII also prohibits employers from
providing lower benefits to women than to inen because of the difference In average
life expectancy.
Most states have equal pay laws, or falr employment laws comparable to the Equal
Pay Act, or Title VII, or both. Four states have appropriated money to increase salary
rates In low-paid, female-dominated jobs, In order to equalize pay levels between jobs·
held predominantly by women and comparable jobs held predominantly by men.
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibits discrimination In the sale, rental, or financing
of housing. It was amended In 1974 to add sex to the list of prohibited grounds of
discrimination.
The Equal Credit Opportunity Act prohibits discrlmlnatlon In the granting. of credit
on the basis of sex or marital status. Evidence compiled In 19721ndlcated that women
did not have equal access to credit, but, rather were likely to be denied credit, or to be
given credit subject to restrictive conditions not Imposed on similarly situated men.
Since this Act took effect In 1975, Information drawn hom examination reports,
consumer complaints, and surveys Indicates that most creditors are In compliance, so
that women now generally do have equal access to credit. The Act directs the Board
of Governors.of the federal Reserve-System-to-prescribe regulations-to-carry out the
purposes of the Act, and agencies have been designated to enforce It by Investigating
complaints and conducting examinations.
"
.
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis
of sex in Federally assisted education programs and activltJes.
The Women's Educational Equity Act of 1974 authoriies activities to achieve
educational equity for women at aU levels of education, Including pre-school,
elementary and secondary education, liS well as higher education and adult
education. Under this program over $60 million hilS been disbursed to provide
educational equity for women and to IISSist educational agencies to Implement Title
IX.
Important legislation passed during the Decade ~eludes The Tax Reform Act of
1976, which provides for the establishment of Individual retirement accounts for non
working spouses, and improves provisions for surviving spouses under Federal estate
tax law.
In 1976 the Higher Education Act was amended to provide grants to Institutions of •.
higher education for the purpose of granting fellowships to quaiJfted needy student
members of groups under-represented In such graduate and professional study areas
as science, engineering and International affairs. More than half of these grants have
45
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.
been awarded to women since the program began In 1978.
The SoclaJ Securfty Financing Amendments of 1977 eliminated the reduction In
widows' benefits upon remarriage after age 60, and reduced.the length of marriage
requirement to qualify for benefits to divorced wives &om 20 to 10 years.
Amendments In 1983 eliminated most of the ge!'lder·bas.ed distinctions In the Act and
Increased benefits for older, divorced and widowed women. 1he change In the
provision of survivors' benefits to disabled widows wiD •mount to approximately $1.4
billion In Increased benefits between 1983 and 1989. .
The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974 made proviSion for the
preventlonandtreatmentofchUdabuse. Between 197Sand 1984, the National Center
on Child Abuse and Neglect hilS funded over 470 pro)ects nationwide to disseminate
Information on the prevention, Identification and treatment of child abuse and neglect.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978 amended Title vn 10 liS to prohibit
discrimination against , workers on eccount of pregnancy, childbirth, or related.
condltJons, which Is tantamount to discrimination on the basi$ of sex. Employers are
now required to apply the same personnel policies to pregnant employees liS they
apply to other employees who are unable· to work because of some temporary
disablllty or health condition. This leg!slatton addressed special obstacles faced by
pregnant women workers. Prior to Its enactment, some employers· fired pregnant
workers who were able to work. Others determined ~ pregnant workers should
leave work and how many months they must remain with their chUd before returning
to work. Many employment-related health Insurance poUdes and temporary disability
policies applied to vlrtuaUy every need for health care except pregnancy and
chUdbirth.
The Federal Adult Education Act.wiiS amended In 1978 to provide means to enable
all adults to acquire the basic skills necessary to function In roclety, and to enable
adults who 50 desire to continue ~elr ed!Jtatlon ~ough compl~n of secondary
school. ·since 1975, the majority of partlctpants In this program have be~n women.
The Economic: Recovery Tax Act of 1981 reduces the marriage tax penalty (the fact
that a two·lncome married couple with two Incomes pays higher taxes on joint return
than two single persons would pay), eliminates gift and estate taxes between spoUses,
inaeases the limit for Individual retirement ea:ounts of spouses, and Increases the tax
credit that may be dalmed for the care of dependents of working taxpayers. A new
category of tax benefHs entJtled ..Dependent' Care Assistance Programs" was
established, making It clear that the value of employer-provided child care payments,
services, or vouchers would not be Included In the employee's gross Income for tax
purposes.
a
The Job Training Partnership Act of 1982 provides for the princiPal government
job training program. The stales and the private sector have joint responsibility for
programs to prepare economically disadvantaged Individuals and those with serious
barriers to employment to . become productive workers, to reduce weHare
dependency, and to Increase' employment and earnings. The Ad requires the
development of prograft~S to overcome sex stereotyping In occupations traditional for
men. Ninety percent of participants In each category served must be economically
disadvantaged persons. Since a majority of those living at or below the poverty level
are women, this legislation dearly targets women liS beneficiaries. During the first
program year, approximately 53 percent of participants In the basic training provided
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under the Act were women.
Up to 10 percent of local program participants may be persons who are not
economically disadvantaged but who face grave barriers to eS'lployment, such as
teenage met hers and displaced homemakers. The law also authorizes the provision of
such supportive services as child care, health care and transpo#t to Individuals who
need such assistance In order to participate In training. Throughout the country, under
government and private auspices, nearly 400 programs provide counseling,
workshops, skills training and job placement assistance to displaced homemakers ..
The Retirement Equity Act of 1984 removes many difficulties experienced by
women in earning their own pensions and In receiving retirement Income after divorce ·
or ihe death of a spou_se. This Ad takes Into consideration the fact that many women
enter the workforce at an early age for a few years, leave their jobs to rear children, and
return to work after the children enter or finish school, a pottern which often
disqualified them from pension rights. It obliges pension plans to permit participants to
leave and return to a job without sacrificing pension credits for up to five consecutive
·years, or for the amount of seniority accrued to the employee. A special rule applied
to maternity or paternity leave enables an employee to be credited with up to 501
hours of service, solely for 'determining whether a break In service has occurred.
The A.£1 also contains provisions to protect the retirement Income of women, derived
from their status as wives, widows or former spouses. All miirrled participants with
vested benefits must automatically be provided with an annuity which provides for a
survivor. A participant may _waive survivor benefits only with written consent of his or
her spouse. The Act also verified the fact that plan administrators can honor a court
order assigning benefits from the J:~lan participant to pay for child support or alimony.
The past three Presidents have authorized review of all U.S: statutes for the purpose of
identifying overt sex discrimination and policies adversely affecting women. Many
such laws and Implementing regulations have been amended to remove
discriminatory language. An omnibus bill before Congress this year would amend
most remaining statutes that treat women and men differently.
The At1orney General recently completed a review of Federal laws, regulations,
practices and policies to Identify any language or provision that unjustifiably
differentiates or effectively discriminates on the basis of sex. Under the dlrectlon of the
Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice, 41 of the 42 departments and
agencies of the US Government have completed their reviews. Slx quarterly reports
on the progress of the Attorney General's review have been published, and a seventh
and final report has been drafted. A Task Force on Legal Equity for Women will
coordinate and fllcilltate Implementation of required changes In the various Federal
egencies.
Some legislative lind constitutional initiatives have not been successful. The Equ'al
Rights Amendment, first Introduced In Congress In 1923, failed ratlflcetlon by three
states short of the required three fourths of all states required before June 30. 1982.
.
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EDUCATION AND TRAINING
An Adult Literacy Initiative has been Inaugurated to promote functional literacy for ""
adults by increased use of volunteers and by Increased Involvement of the private
sector.
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Although less than· 1 percent of the US population Is Illiterate, the existence
functional illiteracy In this technical age is a grave problem, particulMiy on the part
women, who regulate the lives of their families In so many fundamental ways. I
elaborllte series of programs has been In effect throughout the country during tl
Decade to solve this problem through formal and Informal means, utilizing a variety
me<~sures, both official and voluntary:
· ·,
Women have Increased their educ<~tional attainments during the Decade. High scho•
girls are studying more mathematics, chemistry and other non-traditional subjects tha
In the past, and fewer of them leave school without diplomas. Women now accour
for more .than half of the enrollment In Institutions of higher education, and more <
them are concentrating on less traditional subject$ • such as business, managemeni
medicine, law, and the physical sciences. More women are engaged In post gradual
studies. Women now represent 38 percent of all adult workers with four or more ye&
of college, compared with 32 percent In 1970. In 1981·82 women earned 50 percen
of the bachelors degrees awarded In the United States, 51 percent of the· mllsler
degrees, 32 percent of doctorates, and 28 percent of the first professional degrees
This is a considerable Improvement over women's participation In higher education h
1971-72, when women earned 43 percent ofthe bachelors degrees, 40 percent of th•
masters degrees, 14 percent of the doctorates and 6 percent of the.ftrst profession~
degrees conferred.
The number of women· applying for and accepted Into medlr•l xhools Increased lr.
the last decede. In the 1971-72 academic year women comprised just under 11 percent (4, 755) of total enrollment In US medical schools. By the 1981-82 academic ye&
they amounted to about 28 percent of total enrollment (18,505). A further Increase of
·.about one percent was reported .In 1982-83.
Title II of the 1976 Education Amendments to the Vocational Education Ad of 1963
provides for assistance In eliminating sex discrimination as weD as sex role stereotyping
In those vocational education programs that receive financial assistance hom the
Federal Government. It continued the authorization for Federal grants to the states for
the provision of programS of vocational training, and It Inaugurated provisions to meet
the needs of homemakers who wish to join the workforce. It requires the appointment
of a full time State 5ex Equity Coordinator for each state to work for the elimination of
-sex discrimination. Each recipient of Federal funds must establish a local advisory
council with-representatives of both sexes.
Under this legislation, programs and resource materials have been developed to
Include tpprentlceshlps, work study programs and Industrial arts training. Between
1977 and 1982 there has been a ten percent Increase In the number of women who
participated In techniCal training.
·From l977 to the present, many project$ were funded to encourage women to overcome barriers which prevent them hom taking. up non-tradltioniU occupations.
Progress has been made In Improving women's access to vocational training, and
attitudes toward women In non-traditional roles are Improving. Apprenticeships are
being offered to women. Stude_nts and workers in non-traditional areas are developing
support systems. More women· are pursuing training In mathematics, eclence, and
technical skiDs. In arr<~nging for the employment of women In non-traditional fields,
coordination Is Increasing between vocational educetion agencies, business and
Industry.
·
Services are provided to enable women to overcome such obstacles to participation In
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training as finances, need for child care, vocational/academic preparation, harass·
men!, isolation and discrimination. Inroads have been made In solving these problems
through the availability of training grants, child care services, and counseling to foster
attitude changes. Seminars and peer support activities, as well as legal measures, hc:~ve
brought a mec:~sure of success.
I
EMPLOYMENT
A variety of practical measures has been taken over the Decade to reduce sex
stereotyping in higher pc:~ying occupations, and to provide training, counseling and
other appropriate assistance to wcimen to enable them to compete In those fields.
Problem areas were identified, solutions found and publicized, and support services
were ilrrenged to acquaint women with resources open to them. Successful efforts
were m11de to obtain access for women to such non-traditional jobs as plumber, coal
miner. electrician, auto mechanic, and steam fitter. Appropriate training was
organized. c:~nd follow up support was provided.'While these projects were initiated on
a small scale, they have provided a source of useful information and experience that
will advence further endeavors.
Between 1972 and 1982, the. employment of women scientists and engineers
increesed by 200 percent, to the extent that almost one In every eight scientists and
engiru~ers employed in this country In 1982 was a woman. All Federal agencies having
responsibilities for science and technology have special programs to promote the
participation of women In science and technology. Two major activities geared toward
women by the National Science Foundation are the Visiting Professorships for Women,
and Research Opportunity Grants for Women, which, by awarding grants to women
scientists and engineers to serve as visiting professors at academic Institutions in the
US, .aim to encourage women to pursue careers In science and technology and to
develop more productive careers In these fields. These professorships enable women
to undertake research, tec:~ch science and technological subjects, and advise younger
women about opportunities In science and technology careers.
The employment of women In non-traditional professions such as the skilled trades
also increased during the Decade. Their participation In the precision, production,
craft and repair occupations remains low, although it increased by 3 percent during the
Decade.
·
The Federal Government has endeavored to Increase public awareness of the need for
more day care facilities for the chtldren of working mothers, and to encourage
employers and unions to provide such service. Federal tax Incentives were provided to
encourage employers to provide day care for the children of their workers. Tax credits
for the cost of day care were provided to workers themselves, and the amount allowed
has increased over the Decade; Ancillary measures to encourage day care businesses
have proliferated, such c:~s a tax deduction to persons who provide day care services in
their homes. for expenses related to the use of their homes for that purpose.
Several Federal programs provide funds for day care services to the children of
persons at or near the poverty level. Certain categories of disadvantaged mothers are
eligible for an allowance to pay for child care to enable them to find and continue
·employment. A new Federal statute enables state and local resource and referral
systems to provide information on child cc:~re and dependent care services.
A 1982 provision for flexible work schedules In the Federal service accommodates
working mothers. A 1983 revision of regulations concerning the use of part time
employment · generated opportunities for job sharing between two half·time
employees.
A variety of government programs has been Implemented durlng the Decade to assis1
women business owners. In 1979, aU Federal departments and agencies were
instructed to favor the use ()f women's businesS enterJ)rlses, particularly In the areas of
technical and management assistance, training, · counseling, Information
dissemination, and procurement. The Department of labor alone awarded contracts
worth $10 million to organizations owned or controlled by women during FISCal Year
1983. During 1980, an Office of Women's Business Enterprise was established within
the Small BU$Ines Administration.
The Small Business Administration has primary responsibility for providing assls1ance
to women business owners. Its programs target direct loan funds to women and
provide management and other technical assistance such as short-tenn training,
conferences, and counseling. It produces and disseminates publications to inform
women business owners of resources available to them.
With the support of these programs, an Increasing number of women opened their
own businesses during the Decade. From 1977 to 1980 the number of non-farm sole
propJ'ittorshlps operated by women Increased 33 percent, as compared to an 11 percent increase for simUar businesses operated by men. Women's share of all non-farm
sole proprietorships rose from nearly 23 to 26 percent during that lime. However,
women's firms remained confined largely to the traditional areas of retail stores and
personal services, which typically produce low net Incomes. This is expected to
change as more women enter new fields of education and employment that will
facilitate their entry Into profitable and high growth business ventures.
HEA.Lnt
In 1983, the Public Health Service Women's Health Issues Task Force was chartered
to assess women's health needs and to examine relevant PHS activities In light of their
findings. It has undertU.n a comprehensive review of the health status of women In
the US, with particular attention to health lndkators thatare unique to women, or
where Interventions for women are distinctive.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has developed Information
on reproductive health, personal protective equipment, and health hazards for office
workers. Attention has been directed to safety and health Issues, particularly to those
affectlng female workers In tradWonally male jobs, such as the provision of personal
protective clothing and equipment that fits women. Studies are going forward on
workplace hazards to reprodudlon and on hazards that may be associated with the use
of such new technology as video display terminals.
There has been actlve government support for research concerning the changing role
of women, and for Investigation of the effectiveness of various types of support and
therapy for the alleviation of alcoholism In women, which appears to differ In some
degree from alcohoUsm In men. Research is also In progress on the Impact of drug use
on women, as well as on the result of treatment for drug abuse, such as a study of the
effects of heroin and methadone on chromosomes. Efforts are being made to ensure
that sufficient attention is devoted to the treatment of women drug abusers, who
constitute 25 pereent of pc:~tlents In Federal drug treatment programs; which are often
male-oriented In approach.
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Also being addressed are problems women experience with the use of prescription
drugs, arising from differences In the wliy and extent to which physicians prescribe
differently for men and women. This seems to result from the greater frequency of
women's consultations with physicians, their greater llkelihoodaof being perceived as
psychosomatic, their more frequent repOrting of anxiety, stress and diffuse symptoms
(for which psychotropic drugs were developed). and a focuJ on women In drug
advertisi~g and promotion.
Department of Agriculture Nutrition Education and Training Program of 197
provides funds to teach the fundamentals of nutrition to chOdren, parents, teachen
and school food service employees.
The Federal Government has launched a program to encourage the American public
to adopt healthy customs, and to prevent disease by the reduction of health risk
practices such as smoking and the abuse of alcohol and drugs.
Cigarette smoking remains the largest single preventable cause of illness and
premature death In the United States. Since the first Surgeon General's Report in
1964, more than 30 million smokers have stopped using tobacco. However, reducing
the number of new smokers, particularly among pregnant women, remains a matter of
particular concern, and programs continue to promote Increased public awareness of
the dangers of this practice.
·
·
The Department of Health and Human Services has launched a nationwide campaign
called "Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies "to promote good health practices among
pregnant women and to reduce Infant mortality. Working .with 36 national voluntary,
profaslonal and government organizations, the coalition fosters public education
efforts directed at pregnant women.
·
The Public Health Service maintains and contributes to a substantial amount of data
collection describing the status of women's health and women's health problems. For
example, research on osteoporosis, a condition which particularly afflicts elderly
women, has been significantly Increased. Of particular Interest Is the role of n utrilion In
preventing the disease. New research was .undertaken on nutrition needs during
pregnancy, and the effects of prenatal exposure to such substances as aspirin and
caffeine. A Nutritional Teleconference was $ponsored, In collaboration with nutrition
and health professionals, to promote knowledge and understanding of new research
on maternal, infant and child health. A major research project has been concerned
with Improving treatment for the more than 100,000 American women diagnosed
each year as ·afflicted with breast cancer.
·
The Food and Drug Administration has developed a prog1am to provide women with
consumer Information on the safe use of such medical deyices as menstrual products,
contraceptive devJces and pregnancy test kits. It has also Issued a regulation requiring
· that a warning label be placed on all over-the-counter drugs, advising pregnant and
lactating women to consult their health care provider before taking any drugs.
A special supplemental food program for women, Infants and children Is designed to
provide nutritious food supplements and nutrition education to low-Income at·risk
pregnant, postpartum and breast-feeding women. This Includes benefits for Infants
and children. The program operates country-wide In urban and rural poverty me as. In
a clinic setting, It helps to bring the needy Into the public health care system, and to
make preventive health care a routine part of their lives. Applicants are screened for
nutrition risk and referrals are made as appropriate. Participants learn about infant and
child feeding, meal planning, economical food preparation and purchasing ·.
techniques, as well as about prenatal nutrition. Through this program; since 1977,
education on nutrition has been provided to nearly20 million persons. In addition, the
.
.
ntle JV.o of the Social Security Act was the basis for the Child Support Enforcemer
Program enacted by Congress in 1975. This Is a joint Federal/state program to local·
absent parents, establish paternity, and ens~e that children are supported. flnanciall:
by their parents. This program has been particularly helpful to families headed b:
women. Strengthening legislation that became effective In 1984, provided for th.
automatic withholding of overdue support payments from the wages of th.
responsible parent, expedited legal processes to establish and enforce child suppo1
orders, the Interception of. state and Federal Income tax refunds when suppo1
payments are overdue, and Federal incentives to encourage the states to collect thes
payments.
During 1983 the· Attorney General established a cttlzen Task Force on Famil•
· Violence, which conducted public hearings arid reviewed written testimony fron
professionals working In the field of family violence, as weU as from educators
researchers, concerned citizens and vk:tlms of family violence. Their Final Report
released In September 1984, made recommendations concerning physical chilr
abuse, Incest, spouse abuse, sexual molestation of children, and abuse of elder!;
relatives. The overriding message of the report is that family violence Is not a privat•
family1natter, but. a crime, which must be resolved through legal means. The legl
response to family violence, according to the report, should be guided by the nature o
the abusive act, rather than by the relationship between the victim and the abuser. Th•
Department of Health and Human Services administers several programs that addres·
various aspects of this problem, and Is now coordinating the relevant activities of •
variety of government divisions and agendes.ln addition, recent legislation authorize( ·
a Federal program of grants to the states to provide services to victims of famU!
violence.
Offices have been established within local and state agencies to deal with famil~
violence. To address the needs of battered women, shelters and support services hav'
been established by grassroots c;rganlzatlons. The number of shelters throughout th'
country has Increased over the last few years. Most of them operate on hmited budget!
and receive their Income primarily from community contributions. Rural communltie!
have developed Informal safe·home networks. Various services are provided through
rape crisis centers, action councils, depmtments of social services, and private groups.
J..egal services are made available for low Income women.
All fifty states now have some form of child abuse laws. In addition to laws requirin~
physicians and social workers to report su$pected abuse to authorities, many stale!
have enacted criminal law provisions to punish those who abuse children, and hav~
established or strengthened protective services for children.
Appropriate programs are now In place to facilitate the fuU pa.rticlpatlon of women In
all spheres of the national life, and there Is reason· to believe that these efforts will
gather momentum as the achievements of women In the United States Increase.
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53
UNITED 8TA.TES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
1<A U>m111> NAT'IOHJ P!..AU
NIY Yoax. N. Y. 10017
PRESS RELEASE
F'OR IIU1EOIATE f\ELEI\SI:
Press Release USUN 82-(85)
July 17, 1985
Statement by flaureen Reagan, United States Representative to the
1/orld Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the
ted r;ations Decade for Homen: Equality, Development and Peace,
n Plenary. Nairobi, Kenya,, July 16, 1985
1'hank you, lladame President. On behalf ,Of my entire delegation,
I would like to convey our congratulations on your election to the
presidency of this conference. Under your leadership, we have faith
this conference will be most productive and successful.
1 would
n !so like to extend our congratulations to all ,the members of the
bureau.
Kindly also relay to your government, ,and to all the Kenyan
people, our sincere thanks for the way they have opened up their
hearts and welcomed us to your beautiful country.
It is especially fitting that this'major gathering of the
world's women should take place in Africa. Africa today symbolizes
the unigue importance of women in shaping the present and future of
humankind.
Africa is a continent of pain and promise, of richness
and scarcity, of intense suffering and undying hope. At the heart
of these poignant contrasts, the women of this continent toil.
At a
ti~ote when food production is critical, their labors produce most of
this continent's food crops.
At a time when economic development is
crucial, they account for a large part of Africa's labor force in
its most crucial economic sectors. Clearly, the great promise of
Africa will only be fulfilled, if, as President Moi yesterday
declared, we keep faith with Africa's women. So the women of Africa
represent and symbolize the critical role, the passionate hopes and
the striving future of'us all.
,
The U.S. delegation represents over 100 million women in the
ted States, women concerned with the issues this conference will
ress.
TI>ey have achieved dramatic progress during this decade
for women, and 1 would like to speak briefly of their achievements,
0[ course, it is easy to point out sparkling examples of
individual success.
During this decade, the United States witnessed
the appointrnent of the first woman justice of our suprerne Court,
three women servin<J simultaneously in the Cabinet of our government,
tile space fl i9ht of the first American woman astronaut and the first
nomination by a major party of a woman candidate for the
Vice-Presidency.
But the advancement of America's women during the decade goes
far beyond these individual cases.
By the end of the decade, we
have seen the percentage of women presidential appointees rise.
\~men now occupy more than 1600 high level policy-making positions
in our federal government. Participation by women in the labor
force at large has grown from 40 to 44 percent. While the average
wage for women is still less than that of men, here too there has
been improvement over this decade. We need to build on this
progress, and I hope the next fifteen years will witness even more
improvement.
At the start of the decade, American women had already achieved
substantial political equality through legislation. \lomen had the
ri~ht to participate fully in political affairs and had obtained
legislative guarant~es prohibiting discrimination in employment and
pay.
Discrimination in housing, credit and education had also been
prohibited.
~ince the decade began, further legislative progress
has been made in tax laws~ in social sec·urity regulations, in
pregnancy discrimination, in job training, as well as in the field
of prevention and treatment of child and spousal abuse.
But we still are not satisfied. While all legal barriers to
political equality have long since been eliminated, there still
exist cultural, sociological and economic barriers. These are
problems faced by women throughout the world, and we are here to
discuss these problems and to join you, the women of the world, in
formulating strategies to overcome them.
During this conference, the u.s. delegation will be seeking to
focus on four issues of special concern to my country: women
refugees, women in development, literacy and domestic violence. ·lie
will be hosting special conversation groups to concentrate.,on these
issues. The United States has invited a number of the delegations
here assembled to participate in these groups.
lt is a tragic commentary on modern times that more than 10
million refugees suffe,r daily from deprivation, di.sorientation and
degradation.
Since 1975, the United States has accepted nearly
one-half of all the refugees resettled to third countries in the
world.
The needs of refugee women resettling in the United States
vary, depending from what culture they come. The most common
difficulty for refugee women in the United States, is a background
and a tradition in which women do not take aggressive roles outside
of the home, and where they are taught to be dependent upon others.
Self-sufficiency skills are crucial for successful integration into
1\merican life.
Therefore, the main job of our refugee resettlement program -both public and private -- is to help women from these traditional
cultures learn to be full partners in our society -- whether they
work in the narketplace or in the ho~e.
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Let us not forget in these discussions, however, the root causes
1 idl have brought about nearly 10 million refugees and many more
~;splaced persons in the world today -- famine, drought, war and,
particularly, the wholesale loss of human freedom. \lhen we see the
suffering of women and children refugees in the world today, we must
deplore the actions of governments which force people fr'J"' their
homes in search of freedom.
The desire for freedom is also at the heart of the vital role
played by women in the development process. Governments have their
targets and their fi ve-ye~r plans. Uomen have dreams and
aspirations. Our experience convinces us that the ability of women
to choose their own paths and, therefore, •to participate completely
in all aspects of development is es.sential.
}n many developing countries, women play a major role in those
sectors of the economy where private effort and initiative are
vital. f'articularly in the least developed countries, they are the
foOd f<Hh<ers, they are the merchants, they are shopkeepers, the
backbone of the local market economy; The experience of over two
decades of development.efforts around the world has shown that
countries which place the emphasis upon the private economic. sector
achieve the best development results. This means that especially
for the least developed countries, the women's path to development
is tho b~st path. Emphasis upon the problems, concerns and
cap;,citics of women is the bright hope of the development future.
The private sector is often the Women's sector. Particularly in the
least developed countries, emphasi~ing this role of women of the
private sector often means· the role of women. Could this be one
reason private sector approaches r.~oets so much resistance from
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Literacy is an area of major concern to the United States.
llhile basic illiteracy is no longer a major problem for us,
achieving true functional literacy is a major challenge. Functional
literacy means the knowledge that makes everyday life work. Meeting
this challenge will allow women to further improve their own lives
and the lives of their families and their societies.
Finally, American women are increasingly coming to grips with
the devastation caused by family violence •... Now some of you may see
this as a concern only in Western context. 'But violence in the
home, whether based on traditional customs or spousal abuse, is all
too prevalent worldwide, Family privacy, feelings of guilt or
embarrassment have often covered up this worldwide phenomenon. Help
must come from outside the family. The most effective way to deal
with family violence is to recognize·that it is a criminal act and
to treat it within the judicial system. The legal response should
be guided by the nature of the abusive act, not the relationship
between victitn and abuser. I hope that we can share information on
practical ·measures we have ·taken to meet this worldwide problem and
to make a contribution to its solution; .
1 have just described the four issues that are of special
importance to the United States in this conference. They were
chosen by our delegation as areas of special interest and
concentration because we believe that progress in these four areas
in the coming years will have the greatest positive impact on the
condition of women throughout the world. I realize, however, that
other delegates consider other issues to be of greater importance.
lie are here to listen to those concerns, In do.ing so, we : ...,pe to
promote greater unde!'"atanding. among all women.
yovernmont bureaucracies?
l~ile
government projects and government control have not proven
to be the keys to development, governments do have a responsibility
to encourage effective development approaches. Over a decade ago,
the ~.s. Congress approved regulations requiring the United States
Agency for International Development to allocate resources to ensure
. that bilateral development projects include programs specifically
designed to help women. That agency is also required to consider
the potential impact on women in all its development projects.
Through voluntary contributions to several U.N. programs, such
as the u.t:. Development Program, UNICEF, and the U.N. Voluntary Fund
for the Decade for 1/omen, the United States has generously
contributed to these multilateral programs. These in turn have·
supJlOrted improving the condition of women in developing countries.
lie are committed to encouraging these kinds of activities that will
foster the full and equal participation of women in. their
ccmmunities, in their nations and in the world. He believe the
Uniteil r;ati·ons can continue to play an important role as catalyst in
achieving this goal. lt has already done so during the Decade for
\lor.1en, and we anticipate it will continue to do so in ·the future.
For example, many delegations, especially those from Africa,
believe it is of utmost importance that this conference address the
question of apartheid in South Africa. Others believe that the
situation of Palestinian women deserves.special attention. The
United States has never, and does not now, object to the discussion
of these issues at the conference •
Apartheid is abhorrent to the Government and to the people of
the United States; In addition to its demeaning and destructive
effect upon the black people of South Africa, its effects upon women.
are especially severe. The Forward-Looking Strategies should
address ways to·overcome the effects on women of this evil and
inhumane system.
similarly, we recognize that many delegations feel very strongly
about discussing the situation in the Middle East and.its effect
uvon women. lie are prepared to work constructively with those
delegations in a spirit of .consensus-building to arrive at results
that all can accept.
·
I realize that this conference offers to many women a platform
from which to speak that .may be denied to them elsewhere. I am
blessed to be a citizen of a nation where women are free to speak
�57
56
out about their political views and to work within a democratic
syste~ to see that their views prevail.
That is what I have done
for my entire adult 1 i fe.
I would never deny to any woman an
opportunity such as that presented here to use that plaffOrm no
matter how much l might disagree with her position.
\le have been concerned, it is true, over the possib\lity that
political issues with only a nominal connection to the
unique concerns of women might" come to dominate our conference.
This is a result that we will work hard to prevent. We want this to
be re~embered as a conference of women, by women and for women. l
am hopeful that in the spirit of compromise and consensus that has
~arked the opening of our work here in Nairobi, this result can be
achieved. I thank you.
UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
g~neralized
* * * * *
799 UNJTin NAllONJ P't.A.l..A
PRESS RELEASE
fOil
IllllEDIATE RELEASE
N"' You, N'. Y, 10017
Press Release US\111 89- ( 85)
August 14, 1985
Statement by 1-ls. ~Iaureen Reagan, United States Representative to the
\lorld Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the
united Nations Decade for llomen: Equality, Development and Peace in
Nairobi, Kenya, after the Adoption of the Forward-Looking Strategies,
July 27, 1985
Thank you, 1-!adam President. The United States has joined in the
adoption of the Forward-Looking Strategies DOcument because of what
it says about "women and their unique concerns. we are proud to have
been a part of this conference and to have participated actively in
the formulation of this final document.
In one sense, the Forward-Looking Strategies is a milestone in
the discussion of women's concerns and participation in societies
throu9hout the world. In those areas of unique concern to the
world's women, we have truly accomplished a great deaL \le have
reaffirmed the right of women to full equality in every aspect of .
social. economic, cultural and political life. In so dC'::·.,, we have
placed a powerful weapon -- that of international public opinion
. in the hands, of women throughout the· world.
lie have pledged our support for equal opportunities in
employment, health and education. lle have pointed ·to the need for
greater attention to the role women play in industry, science, social
sendee!;, trade, col!lmunications and community development, to name
but a few.
Development, a crucial factor for the overwhelming majority of
the women of the world, was also an area of broad general agreement.
In the developing world, where most of the work is done by women
while most of the wealth is controlled by men, there is a vital need
to reorient development programs toward the needs and aspirations of
women. lie are proud of the development section of the FLS and the
new insights it provides us all to the unique problems of women in
the development process, as well as the enormous potential force we
all represent if only allowed to devote our energies to the
betterment of our own lives and the lives of our families.
lie have also focused on women whose concerns .are special and thus
deserve special attention. They are the elderly, the abused, the
disabled and the destitute. They toil in poverty in both city and
�.,........
58
countryside. They are ravaged by war, held against their will,
forced into unimaginable degradation and denied their means of
livelihood; They are forced to leave their homes to seek work or to
flee their homelands due to persecution based on race, religion or
political affiliation. lie have dealt with all these problems in the
FLS, and my delegation is proud that we have been able to reach
agreements and form a plan of action which, if impllmented, could
lead to substantial improvement in the situation of these women who
suffer.
1
However, there are also sections of the FLS which give my
delegation reason for concern. Too often there is a tendency for the
document to call for state action to correct wrongs which stem from
obstacles beyond the control of governments -- ranging from simple
ignorance to deep-rooted, socio-cultural traditions. I must also
repeat my own delegation's reservations with regard to paragraphs 70,
73 and 137 and the formula "equal pay. for work of equal value,'! As
we stated,.our national government maintains the principle of equal
pay for equal work.
Finally, Hadam President, there are sections of the FLS to which
my own delegation strongly objects. Most obvious of these are
elements of the paragraphs on apartheid and Palestinian women,
although our difficulties extend to a lesser degree to other sections
of the FLS as well. As you well know, my delegation has long been
concerned and sou~ht to minimize the insertion of general political
issues with only a nominal connection with the unique concerns of
women into this conference -- a conference which should have been
devoted to the. unique concerns of women. ·Unfortunately, other
delegations seem to be less interested in those issues and, instead,
have used this conference to pursue the same divisive political
issues that permeate the entire UN system. We do not want to
belittle the suffering in the Middle East or southern Africa-- nor
in Afghantstan, Cambodia or Central Ameri~a. However, this
conference is neither the place nor the occasion to attempt solutions
to these global issues so hotly debated elsewhere. My delegation
cannot accept the unbalanced and, at times, even destructive language
that mars these two sections of the FLS.
He view the FLS as a reflection of two basic tendencies. There
were those dele~ations who were interested in the special problems of
women and worked tirelessly for a document that airs those problems
and seeks to formulate practical solutions. Unfortunately, there
were still others who were more interested in using this conference
to pursue a separate political agenda. For the former, we have only
the greatest respect and admiration -- all the more so bec.ause of the
way they have continued to work for the cause of women while the
latter group has done everything it could to debase their cause and
this conference itself.
Thank you, 11adam President.
59
RESERVATIONS FILED BY THE UUITED STATES
ON TH!: FOP~/AP.D-LOOKING STRATEGIES DOCUMENT
paragraph 36
The United States reserved its position on the reference in
paragraph 36 to the Declaration of Mexico on· the Equality of \/omen
and their ·contribution to Development and Peace, 1975.
paragraph 45.
The United States reserved its position on paragraph 45 because
it does not agree .that the obstacles ~isted should be considered the
main reasons for inequality of women in most countries.
Paragraphs 70, 73,. 137
The·Unlted States reserved its position on paragraphs 70, 73 and
137 specifically because it does not agree with the concept of "equal
pay for work of equal value" and maintains the principle of "equal
pay for equal; work.".
Paragraph 94bis
The united States abstained in the vote on paragraph 94bis
because of unacceptable language relating to ec9nomic measures by
developed countries against developing states.
Paragraph 98
The United States requested a vote and voted against paragraph 98.
Paragraph 99bis
Regarding paragraph 99bis, the United States reserved its
position because it does not accept the underlining philosophy of the
paragraph as it concerns the economic situation in debtor and
developing co~ntries.
Paragraph 306
The United Stat~s voted against par~graph 306 because of its
opposition to the references in subparagraphs A.B .and A.9 to theimposition of sanctions and aid to liberation movements.
Paragraph 307
The United States voted against paragraph 307 because of its
strong objection to the introduction of tendentious and unnecessary
elements into the forward looking strategi~s document which have only
a nominal connection with the unique concerns of women.
�.
...........61
60
/'""':&
(4
. ::z
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
a. HUMAN SERVICES
OffiCe of the
S.Ottl.llf}'
Wuh4oql01'\ O.C, 10201
Statement by
Stephanie Lee-Miller
Assistant secretary for Public Affairs
At Meetinq with
The Honorable Nyakiamo
Minister of Health
Kenya
·
July 18, 1985
On behalf of Secretary Mar9aret Heckler of the United States
Department of Health and Human Services and the u. s.
Delegation, I would like to salute you and thank you for
this opportunity to Meet with .you and share ideas. Through
the exchan9e of information we can strive together to
improve the health status of women of the world.
The health of the women of Kenya is under your stewardship
and we are supportive of your efforts to improve their
health conditions.
America we have Made great strides to improve our infant
mortality rate and deaths of women from disease. We have
also found that many conditions can be prevented by proper
health information. For example, through our Healthy
Mothers/Healthy Babies pro9ram we seek to inform pregnant
women about how to care for themselves before giving birth
to improve their chances for a healthy child.
!n
At the u. S. Department of Health and Human Services we
stand ready to share our inforMation with you.
In the spirit of the United Nations Decade .for Women and on
behalf of Secretary Heckler of the U. S. Department of ·
Health and Human Services, ! am honored to oresent vou with
a token of friendship.
.
•
•
UNft'1&D
8uft8
PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE Obi DELIVERY
CHECK TEXT l\GAIBST DELIVERY
Mla&lON '1'0 Til&
,
·.,
__
ul!fJTJQ) NA'I10N8
.-
Y-. .. Y.
.......,
1•11
PI'••• ble.. e USUV 13·8-(llSl
&oveaber s. ltBS
Statement by Mau~••n kea9an, u.s. kepreeentative to the US
Coamieeion on the Statue of Wo.an, tn the ~~~4 Coaaittee, on
Item 92, The UN Deeade for Women, aoveabe~ S, ltBS
The World Conferenee in Yai~obi laet ~uly aa~k•d the completion
of the'Untted Yatione Decade for wo.. n and witn••••d the adoption,
by coneeneue, of a Porward-Lookinv Strateviee (FLS) document to the
year 2000. It wae, in ehort, a aa'o~ aile•tone in the advaneement
of women.
We, like everyone alee who attended the eonferenee. want to
thank Sec~eta~y-oene~al Perez de CUellar, Madam.Letieia Shahan!,.
Sec~etary-General of the eonf•~•nee and all the UV offieiale who
helped ue through the conferenee p~oce••· Additionally, we would
like to thank the Chair of the
We aek that ehe take baek with
Arap Moi and to all the people
all of ue vi a i t ore and made ue
y~.
conference, Madam Marvaret Kenyatta.
her our thanke to Preeident Daniel
of Kenya Who opened their bearte to
feel at boae. We will never forget
.
When the u.s. delegation 'ourneyed to Bairobi, we went with
great bqpe. We alao went with the realization that in a political
arena there a~e volatile iaeuee on whieh any wo~ld conferenee can be
grounded.
Our goal• were clearly eteted in Vienna, here in Yew York, in
convereatione around the world and in Sairobi. ~• wanted to
in a full diecueeion of heuea of unique concern to
women and we were anzioua to adopt a coneeneue document whieh
reflected the beet a91'eement aaon9 the woaen of the world. Thia
document would contain the dreaae, the 9oale and ~be aabitione of
thoee of ue who labored in Yairobi -- and the aillione of women on
whose behalf we worked.
·
·
pa~ticipate
Becauee of our tremendoue reepeet for the woaen and aen who
worked eo tireleeely for thie docu. . nt, ~ dele9ation firaly
believes that we ehould not and cannot allow the aoaentua gained in
Nairobi to be lost. The United State• delevation will make every
effort to eneure that the ideae which emer9ed froa Bairobi will not
be confined to aome· forgotten archive. With theee ideae, we wUl·
find practical eolutiona to the monumental problema faced by women
,
every day.
~ ~
fi:.
�.,.........-----
~
62
Mr. Chairman, we have listened with great interest in the last
week to this debate because, like everyone alae, we are currently
digesting the document and looking for avenues of implementation.
~
·These avenues are aometiaea aiaple and other liaea more
tor·tuoua. An example of a aimple goal traveling a complex road to
achievement ia paragraph 120. We heartily agree ~bat the
unremunerated work of profeaaional homemaker• aho~ld be included In
calculatlone of Groea ~ational Product. ~ facilitate this we must
gather a great deal of information from a variety of aourcas on the
numbers of homamakera: definitions of responeibilitiear a numerical
quotient for each of several categories and then an examination of
what legialat~pn aay be required.
_
To point out that a goal -- stated aiaply -- will require great
effort to implement, only pointe up the problema women alwaye face
when atr'iving for equality and recognition.
Unlike in aome countrie•• women and aen in the United States
enjoy an open, democratic society which protect• baeic human and
civil rights and which raeponda to the legitimate concerns and
grievance& of ita citicenry. We believe that without this freedom
all talk of the advancement of women b only that• ·Talk.
Throughout the United State• are thousands of non-governmental
organicationa. Theae groupe of individual volunteer• devote
tremendoua time and energy to enhancing life in their communities.
Some work for better cultural expreaeion or health care for the
elderly. Some give educational aseiatance to the young or give help
to displaced workers, including dieplaced hoaeaakera. Others
counsel and comfort vicUae of rape,. battering and other violent
crimea. There are "local organi~atione -- state and national
associations -- and zany which join together internationally to
aasiat at tlmea of eudden or continued natural disaster. The
generoaity and caring of these people are well known around the
world.
Political change and legislative refinement aleo begin with
grassroots organi&atione. lt ie •• a result of the nuzeroue wo~en·s
groups In my country that such ieaues ae women'• euftrage,
protection of women'• rights and better job opportunities have found
expression in local and state laws and have gained the attention of
the federal government. In addition, private Aaerican institutions
and companies have over the past 15 years launched programs
specifically aillled at increaeing the active participation of women
in the professions and businese and at ensuring that women not
become victims of gender-baaed etereotyping.
I mention our private sector becauae to i•pleaent the FLS in the
United States, we need the intereet and effort of our graesroota.
In the United States the people direct our government, and we depend
upon their wisdom and. concern.
For that reason, we feel the moat important first thing we must
do as a nation in implementing the FLS is the diatribution of the
final report of the General Aeeembly with our own national report of
63
the Nairobi conference. Thia inforaation in the banda of elected
officials at every level of government acroaa the country and aeon!
those tbouaanda of organications with coa.qnity reaponeibility wil:
allow ua to correct the remaining inequalitiea and enlarge women's
opportunities in our country.
Mr. Chairman, these concerned Aaericana I apeak of do not aee
the FLS •• only directed toward wb4t individual COQDtriea can and
ehould do for themaelvea. They and we believe it is tiae for act 1<
by the United Bationa. By this I aean considerably aore than
sub•itting reporta on developaenta in aeaber countries or issuing
preaa releaaee, docu.entation and rhetoric on tbe reaulta of
Bahobi. WhiJ..e these activiUea help in apreading the word, the.
United Ratione ehould actively proaote the principle• and objectlvt
which fora the basis' of the docuaent. It ahould avoid the
tellptati-on to get aide-tracked by irrelevant and politically
motivated argu.enta. The United Bationa needs to lead by example•
it lllUet begin by loOking at itself to eee bow beat it can show the
yay to fulfilling the proaiaea of Nairobi. !be UN, the world's
largest international bureaucracy, should !~rove the situation of
women within ita own syate11, by placing· aore of tbea in policy
making poaitiona and enaurio; they have tbe aaae benefite and
opportunities that their aale counterpart8 enjoy. !he United State:
will work to eneure equality of opportunity for wn•~n in the UN
eye tea.
The epeciali&ed agencies ahould pay particular attention to
thoae aectiona of the final docuaent Which affect their epecific
areas of action •. For exa•ple, the iaaue of -en. in developaent -a large section of'the FLS -- ehould receive careful attention from
the United !lations Development Prograa to ensure that projects are
geared toward helping woaen develop and take advantage of their
e.conomic role. In the field of refugees, -.y delegation aeee a need
for project• Which take into account the particular concern• of
women refugees and their ·children. Greater direction in these area•
would contribute significantly toward aeeting the objectives of the
final document.
l wiah to.point out that the u;s. Congreae baa ensured that our
own bilateral development project• include prograaa apecifieally
designed for woaan. Particular conaideration is also 9iven to the
impact on woaen of all developaent projacta. OUr delegation went to
~airobi to gather information on auch prograaa; !be relations~lps
we established witb women from around the world will enable ua to
have a atronger voice in thia policy development now and in the
future.
·
I ~alieve that it ia clear that the UB·agenciea can play a
•imilar, active role in foetering the objectivea of the woaen'a
decade -- without aiaply creating aore paper and more bureaucracy.
At ita regular aeaeion in 1984, the UN Coamiaeion on the Statue
of Women diecuaaed the role of the COIIlmiasion in aonitoring and
implementing tbe goals of the Decade and the 1985 World Conference,
aa wel~ aa tlj~ role for women in the UN ayetem. Thia aubject was
also widely dhcu88ed in Nairobi.
�64
The agenda for our aeeting in Vienna next year will provide an
opportunity for ue to explore fully the future role of the
commlttion. We were particularly excited by the propoeal laet week
by the representative of France that the coaaieeion be re-named for
the Advancement of Women. It eeeme to ue a positive approach and
one we can wholeheartedly aupport.
'
.
There i• clearly a need for the co••iaeion to become more
energetic in proaoting the interests of wo•en within the US• The ·
commleaion must provide guidance on wo•en'a concerns to UN agencies,
the General Auembly and member countriee. It can and should be an
lnatrument with which to i•ple•ent the PLB and the . . ny other good
idea• which e~erged fro• the conference.
In addition to the FLS, 105 resolutions were introduced.
Through,tremendoue effort at agree•ent and aaalga•ation, that number
waa reduced to 86. Because of tl•e, these resolutions are annexed
to the Report of the Conference. Iince no action waa taken on them
In Nairobi, these reeolutione, ae such, ~ longer fit in the
·1yatem, But the subjects they covered do. belong and are very
important .to the future of women.
·
APPENDIX 5
CoNFERENCE Docu~ENTS
•
e
•
e
•
•
•
A Decade for Women
The Family
Agriculture
Industrialization
Health
Education
Politics
Reality tells ua that thoae topice of general international
debate covered by several of the resolution• will continue to be
part of the agenda of the US. But what about .the serious, dangerous·
violence agaln1t women in the home? What about the specific
propoaale on development and health for woaen not contained In the
YLS7 What about the propoaals for better education of woaen and
young girls, which ie only lightly addressed in the FLS7 Will there
aleo be a place for theee ieaues in general UN debate?
What Nairobi ehould tell the world co. . unity is that we, the
women of the world, are no longer a eeparate agenda itea, We must
ee'pert of all agendaa nov and in the future. We, by our consensus
on ieeue• of our unique concern, apeak •• at leaet half the world's
population ana-we aaya When the UN debates education, tbe apecial
needs of women and young girle will be addr.eeeed. When the UN
debates refugees, the particular problema of violence againet women
and the need for apecial counaellng and dietribution of health and
human eervicea will be addreeaed. When 4evelopaant of water
reaourcea and eecurity of food euppliea are on the agenda, women
:=uet ·be .present to offer their inei9ht to thea• aerioue ha&ards to
their well-being. When the epotlight shinea on development of
income generation, women muet be a part of the proceae.
There Ia no ieaue on earth which doea not contain some unique
effect upon women, and we insist on integration into governaenta and
international organl&atione where wa can work for 'the aolutions, not
aimply live with the problema.
•••••••
World COnference to Review and AppraiSe
the AChievements Of the
. UNmD NAnONS DECADE FOR WOMEN
EQuality, Development and Peace
Nairobi, Kenya. July 15-26 1985
(65)·
�66
67
IF<~,~
·The Family
~~.~
~··,g
Division of labour
.......,~
A Decade for Women
HIRTY years aller the United Nations first
announced its commitment to equality between
men and women in its Charter of 1945, concern over
·the continuing unequal status of women led to the
declaration of 1975 u International Women's Year.
For the first lime in history the eyes of the world were
focused on that half of its population who, by virtue of
an accident of birth, perform tw~thirds of the world's
work, receive one tenth of its income and own less than
one hundredth of its property. It was the start of an
international elTon to right the wrongs of history. That
same year the United Nations General Assembly
declared the years between 1976 and 1985 to be the
United Nations I:Jecade for WomenMart;og the end of that decade, is the World
Conference on Women being held in Nairobi in July
1985, where delegates from over 140 countries will
assess the achievements of ten years of international
commitment to improving the status or women.
Both individual governments and United Nation.'
agencies have played their part in a research effort pf
unprecedented scope, the fruits of which will be
presented to the Conference. Over the last year the
United Nations has been compiling the results of a
questionnaire completed by 121 governments review·
ins and appraising the position of women in their
countries. At the same time United Nations' agencies
have themselves been amassing a fund ofindependent
research from all over the world to complete the
picture. The result$ of lhese two parallel investigation&
are summarised in thi• Report on the State of the
World's Women 1985.
The findings reveal: that women do almost all the
world's domestic work which, together with their
additiooal work outside the home. means most women
work a double day; that women grow around halfof the
world's food. but own hardly any land, find it difficult
to get loans and are overlooked by agricultural
advisors and projects; that women are one third of the
world's official labour force, but are concentrated in
the lowest-paid occupations and arc more vulnerable
to unemployment than men; that., although there are
some signs that the wage gap is closing slightly, women
still eam less than three quarters· of the wage of men
doing similar work; that women provide more health
care than all the health services pul together and have
been major beneficiaries of a new global shift in
priori des towards prevention or disease and promotion
T
or good health; that the average number of children
women want has dropped from six to four in just one
generation; that women continue to outnumber men
among the world's illiterates by around three to two,
but that a school enrolment buom is closing the
education gap between Sirls and boys; that 90 per cent
of countries ilow have organizations promoting the
advancement of women; but that women, because of
their poorer education. their lack of confidence, their
greater wortload, are still dramatically under~presented in the deciston-making bodies or their
countriea.
·
The results poin~ again and again. to the major
underlying cause of women's inequality, A woman's
domestic role as wife and mother- which is vital to the
well-being of the whole of society, which consumes
around half of her time and her energy- is unpaid and
undervalued.
A picture has emerged over the Decade of the
importance and magnitude the multiple roles women
play in aociety. This has been reflected in a growing
climate of concern for women among government$ and
the community at large, and is responsible for the
positive achievements of the Decade: better health
and more .educational and employment
opportunities.
The inter·related themes the Decade- equality,
development and peace- reflect the complexity of the
changes needed before women can take their rightful
place in the world beside men.
Equality does not just mean achieving legal equality
for women and eliminating discrimination. It means
women having equal righu, responsibilities and
opportunities in every aspect of life. And this can only
happen if women have the means, and the power, on
the same basis as men. to allow them to take an equal
mle.
Devel<>Pment means growth and improvement for
women in every field of human life: economic, social,
political, cultural. And it must be part of the worldwide movement to establish a more equitable sharing
of the world's resources between countries and people.
Without peace and stability there can be no
development And peace will not be lasting without
equality, without eliminating inequalities at all levels.
between men and women, between the haves and the
hav~nots within countries. and between nations
themselves.
or
care
or
There can be few generalizatlona that hold as true
throughout the world: unpaid domestic wort is
everywhere aeen as. WOIJI&JI'a wort, woman's
responsibility. It !. important, vital wort. Food must
be cooked, infanta ild, clolhes washed and mended,
water and ruewood coUected. And it all takes time. A
woman in a Pakistani vWap, far example, spends
around 63 houn a week oo domestic wort alone.•
Even in the indualrialized world, where water comes
from taps and cooken light with the Dick of a switch. a
housewife worts an average
56 houn a week..
But it is invisible wort. Those lona boun- totalling
40 biUion each year in France alone" - go under·
valued, unrecognised, unpaid. Yet their contribution to
society is enormoua. ff the services provided free by a
housewife in the US in 19'19 had to be pun:hased with
wages at market rates, they would cost $14,500 a
year.• On this kind of calculation it is estimated that
unpaid housework done in the industrialized countries
gross
contributes between 25 ll1d 40 per cent
national product (GNP).•
Domestic wort is DOl. however,. the only work
women do. There are relatively few women anywhene
in the world who can claim to be "justa housewife". In
Europe, for eumple, 35 per cent of married women
have ajob.•
·
.
But a worting woman in Europe can expect tittle or
no help from her husband at home. In Italy SS per cent
of molhe111 with o::bildren 8lld IIIIJ.time jobs outside the
house are married to men who do no domestic wort at .
all! And In Europe as whole a wortiltg woman 1iu.
on averilge, less than balf the free time her husband
has.•
In the developing world the pietw'e is the same.
or
or
a
There il uman'"s Wort'' .aod there ii "womarl'a wort••.
And, beeausem81ly womeo do additional wort cutside
the home, whe~u few men would dream of doing py
additional wort inside i~ "wom.an's wort" always
ends up limply being "more wort". In a village in
Rwanda, for instal1ce, men tend the banana trees. But
women do threo-quarten ol the other agricultu:ral
wort, plus virlllaDy aD the domestic wort ll1d balf of
the wort with animals. Taken together, women in Ibis
viUage work over thru times •• much u men.• In Java.
too, where men take a more equal share ol the
agricultural wort, a survey in one vWqe found that
women still warted over 20 per cent longer than
men.'0
Women do not choose to take on extra wort in
addition to their domutlc ne~pooaibilities. In most
parts of the wO!id a woman's labour - in the fielda
growing food, or packing transiaton on a production
tine, or lyping a never-diminishing pile
letters - is
absolutely vital to her family's survival. In fact it ia a
rare family indeed wblch can manage on the labour of
just one family member. The 83 per cent of women
with four children in France who have full-time jobs
are working because their children need to be fed. 1 '
But the chief irljustice lies leu in the extra wort
women mw;t do outside the home than in the
assumplioa thai it il their role- and their role alone- to
do all the wort inside it. This asaumplion is a triple
or
irljustice- It is Wliust because it means that wo1
around the world end up working twice as many hr
U men.1l It il wUUSt because they are not paid
. those houlll of wort. And-the final insult- it is uni
., because domestic wort is looked down on as not ;,:
"real" wort at all- because it is unpaid.
Work or children
The laclr. of aiternative forms of childcare and otl
domeatic support have left women with some v•
difficult decisions to make. If they work a 15- hour d
they put their own mental and physical health at risk
they wort fewer houn they may not earn enough
grow enough food to support their families. If they
len domestic work they may put the health ol th
children at risk. Small wonder that, for these and rna
other~-. women are beginning to take advanta1
the oew forms of contraception lliat are n•
available in many countries- and are opting for few
children.
or
The family planning boom
Today there are more women using contraceptir
than ever before. An estimated 50 per cent of women
the world who want to delay having children
·temporarily or permanently - are able to fulfil th
wish."
In some countries the increase in contraceptive u'
has been dramatic. In Colombia, for example, !I
percentage ol married women using contraceptic
morethandoubledinthedec:ade up to 1980,from21 t
49 percent. Even in industrialized countries, where II;
numbers of women using contraception are alread
very high, there is aliU a steady increase each year. l
England Pd Wales, for instance, the percentagero•
from 69 to77 percent between 196? and 1975."·
At long last It il possible for substantial numbers'
women to choose when, whether and how many babie
they wiD bcar.Andforthose women that choice mean
better health for the!llKives and their babies. Chil,
spacing has been shown to give babies a better chant
of a healthy life. Studies in Bangladesh. Nepal an'
Pakistan foWld that babies bora within one year c
each. other were nearly three times as likely to di•
before their first birthdays as babies born more thru
four years apart. •• And mothers benefit too when thei
bodies are given the time to recover from pregnane~
and breast-feeding.
Most women understand only too well wha
incessant childbearing can do to their own and thei:
children's health. The World Fertility Survey o
women in 31 countries found tha~ in the space of jus·
one generation, the averqe number of children th•:
women want has dropped from six to four, and '
quarter married women are now using some kind of
contraception. Not all women want fewer children,
however. The average desired family size for those 3 I
countria is four. but this combines women who wani
no children al all with those who are happy with eight
or more. And those children are wanted for a reason. •'
In rural areas or the developing world children ate
valuable because their labour is needed. In Latin
or
�68
America, for ••ample, where women bear an average
of around 4.8 children, the biggestfarniliesare found in
regions where crops like coffee and peanuu are pown:
crops which need individual planti111 and weeding.
whose fruit need picking one by one, where those extra
pain of young hands ean make all the difference
between a ten and a 15 hour day in the fields. 11 In
Mexico, for example, 72 per cent of parents say the
reason they had children was for "economic
SUpJX)n". II
Availability of contraception
Clearly a woman's ideal family si1e will be
innuenced in part by her knowledge of contraception
and its availability. World Fertility Survey findings,
for instance, reveal that halfof women who know about
modem methods of contraception live within half aq
hour's travel from a ctinic, health JX)st or hospital
where it is available. And in nine of the African
countries covered by the Survey, there were large
numbers
women who had never heard
modem
methods of contraception. Though time-honoured
traditional methods are; in principle, available to aU
couples, the Survey found that "these methods do not
appear to be common inmostdevelopingcountricsu. 1 '
But lack
knowledge and the shortage
contraceptive services arc n01 the only factors affecting
a woman's choice of the number of children she wants.
onen her own preferences are Opp<)sed. A husband
may want a son to carry on his name and inherit his
land; he may want to prove his virility or might fear b.is
wife will be unfaithful if she uses contraception. A .
doctor may refuse to perfonn an abortion or may be
unwilling to prescribe eontraceptives 10 a young or
unmarried woman. A chun:h may decree that the use
of contraceptfon is immoral. A government may have
an explicitly pronatalist policy.
The sheer number abortions- estimated at around
50 million a year - is a JX)ignant testimony to the
lengthssome women will go to stop themselves having
another baby.' 0 In the industrialiud world. the guilt
and heartache many women experience is bad enough.
In the developing world, when: only one person in two
ever sees a trained health worker," a woman who
decides to have an abortion is a woman deciding to risk
her Ufe.
· Bu~ for these women, abortion- heanbreaking and
dangerous though it is - ellen seems the only solution.
They calculate the threat to themselves, or to their
other children, that a new baby would bring. And they
take t.heir decision;
Using contraception may release women from their
biological destiny of conceiving and carrying
additional children. But remaining childless can be the
price of that freedom.
or
or
or
or
or
Women alone - migration, divorce and
death
In traditional subsistence communities, where
labour and harvest are shared, men, women and
children tend to be tied together with the lirm knots
interdependence. But cash, jobs and wages begin to
loosen those knots and create new ones. Wages are
tied to wag<>-eamcn. Jobs are tied to towns. But the
ties that bind women to domestie work are slow to
loosen. And this is one reason why men have tended to
take the m'liority of wagc-payiqjobs.
In theory jobs for men and housework for women
or
69
should sort people neatly into nuclear families. In
practice ilie trend is for men and women to separate
rather than to cling to on.- another.
Migration is a major cause of this separation. The
JX)Pulation of the world's cities doubled between 1950
and 1980 and will hap doubled again by the year
2000, wben half
tll'e world's people will live in
cities.•• And most of those wiU be spilling into the
shanties and WWI>ships,llhefavt/as and barrios. of the
developing world. In some Latin American countries it
is women who bavcled the trek to the towns. But in all
ocher regioDS of the world it is men who have tended to
leav10 their families for life in the city.
The reault is that, in many Third World cities, men
far outnumber women. And thls global exodus of men
leavea a powingnumberofwomen managing alone in
the countrysid10. In some parts of rural Africa the
6gun~s are dramatic, ·with over 40 per cent of
households in Kenya.. Botswana, Ghana and Sierra
Leone headed by womcn.u In Latin America, too.
substantial numbers of households in both urban and
rural areas are run by women: a third in Jamaica, for
inatanel', and a linb in Peru, Honduras, Venezuela and
Cuba.••
These women are doubly dlsadvan taged. They are
often left without help at crucial times of the year,
having to manage the ploughing. the planting. and
harvesting on their OWll with as much help as their
relatives, children and friends can spare. While many
men continue to md money home to support their
familiea, some women find themselves stranded
without any rmancial help from their husbands. Such
women are often cut off from government help too iguorcd by · "'ricultural projects, overlooked by
training schemes.
But migration is n01 the only facl<lr prising women
and men apart. Divorce rates are rising all over the
world, in develoPed and developing countries alike.
Since 1960, for example, the divorce rate has doubled
in almost every European country, trebled in the
Netherlands, and there bas been a more than fivefold
increase in the UK.•• Over one million children in the
US ace their parents divon:ed ·each year.•• in
Bangladesh and Mexico one in every ten women who
have been married has been divorced or separated."
Many
these divorces are due to men abandoning
their wives. But women leave their husbands too,
particularly in the industrialil.ed world. A woman with
a professional job, for example, has less need of a man
to provide for her children. And some women decide
that - aU things considered - they may be better ofT
unmarried. Between 1960 and 1970 there was a 50.
fold increase in the numbers of unmarried couples
living together in the US.u
In the developing world. too, in countries like the
Dominican Republic and Panama, "non-formal.
unionsn outnumber marriages and in many other Latin
American countries they comprise one liflh of
hou&chold&.'" In Barbados dissatisfied wives
presented twice as many petitions for divorce as
dissatisfied husbands in I 97 S. ••
Migration, jobs and wages are strong magnets
wrenching maniagcs apart. But death is the strongest
of all. In many countries it is not a living man that
abandoos a woman. but a dead one.
One in ten women in Bangladesh who have ever
been married are widows; one in 20 in Colombia and
Mexico.., ln the industrialized world women in their
sixties outaumber men by four to three. In older age
poups the ratio is atiU more uneven, with twice as
many women aa men aged over 80." This unevenness
or
or
is because of women'• lonpor lifespaD. wb.ich avef"'CS
sis years more than mea's in the induatriallud world
and two· yean IOOlJIOr io the developln,g world.H
'In some parts of the worfd an old woman never loaeS
her niche in the family, o&n acting as mOihcr to her
grandchildren wbile bcr daugbtera and daughtcn-inlaw are out working. adding a resilience and Rcxibmty
to familiu stretched by · the ltrllggle for survival
Eventually, however, many old women need to be
cared for themselves. And, as usual, it Ia women wbo
take on the respoaslbility. Ia the induatrialiud world
70 P.rcent of the bealtb c.wfciroid people is provided
by women atbOO.e.l<"Aac!.8aain, liiswomcn who are
forced to choose between domestic wort, children and
employment. ln the UK. for ezample, aD estimated
300,000 women n~main IIDmalried and childless wbile
they care for their ageing parents. 01
Depending on the family
Governments wbo are unable ·or unwilling L
provide aervices for dependent memben of th•
community - such as cb.ildren, the disabled, th,
unemployed, the frail elderly '- tend to assume tha
aometblng called "the family" will step into the breacl
aDd scoop them all up Into a warm and all-providin1
embrace. ADd it is woiiiCII- albeit within "the farnily'·
·::.who &11: expected to provide these services as pan o·
their domestic role. But basq national plans on thi•
assumption is ~~either realistic 110r just.
The neceasity for women to work outside the home,
together with tbe rising ralcll of divorce, separation,
migration and illegitimacy demonstrate that it i1
unrealistic. And placl111 these resJX)nsibilities on
women's shauldera lllo11e II 111\iust.·
Agriculture
Who grows the wortcrs food?
W
OMEN bave always known who weeds the
sorghum, ln.Daplants the· rice seedlings, picks
the beana and tends the cb.ickena. In fact it haa been
estimated that their labour produces almost half the
world's food.' But it haatakenalongtime fortherestof
the world to dilcover !hue Cacll. Ia Africa, for
example, tbreo-quartcra of agricultural work is done by
women.• They &11: balf of the agricultural labour force
in Asia.• In Latin America and the Middle East, too.
though official estimates R11:low, closer investigation..
reveals that women ....,-doing a substantial amount
the fanning then~ aa weU.
In -Egypt. fOr i.Gitan.:e, the 1970 ceDSua identified
only 3.6 per cent
women doillg agricultural work.
But local illveatip.tioo.s revealed that, in the South,
halfofwivca plough aDd level the land, and between3S ·
and 70 per cent are Involved In plantifl& tiU1111 and
harvesting.4 Ia Peru the 1972 cenaua indicated only
2.6 per cent of WOIIICII working ill agriculture. A local
survey corrected that figure. to 16 per cent. And a
carefuUy worded questionoaire, designed to account
for people's tendency to under-report women's wort,
re.vealed that smallholding should properly be
considered a W0111an'a farmiltg system because it
occupied women from 86 per cent of househo~
almost to the exclusion of men. •
As with their domestic work, much of women's
agriculturat work teods to be overkloked beeaUie lt II
unpaid. In Malawi and Bolswaoa, for example, over
three quarters of women won unpaid on the land. And
there are far more women than men doing unpaid
agricultural won in muy COUDtriea. In Mali and
Ghana the ratio is over two to one; in Cameroon it is
more than three to one.•
Even when unpaid won is taken into account,
however, women's agricultural workload stiU tends to
be underestimated. This is largely becau&e so much
it takes place away from the llclda and the pastures.
One study in Pakistan found that women's "invisible"
agricultural activitiea - like their vegetable p.rdcn by
or
or
or
or
the house - took ju&t as much time as the "visible"
one&. 7 A110ther area of activity rarely included is work
· with livestock- again partly because much the work
involved takes place in or around the house.
It is n01 only in developing countries that women's
farm wort is underestimated. Surveys in Turkey and
Spain found farmers' wives working up to 70 hours a
wect out on the farm itse If.•
or
Modernization for men
That women farmers in the developing world have
been made invisible is only too visible from the
statistics for agricultural innovations and projects.
liiforinatioa c:OlleCtid from 46 African countries
showed that only 3.4 per cent of trained government
woners pnovidi"' agricultural advice to people in rural
areas were women.1 Other research puts theligure still
lower, atjuat 2.9 P.,r cent. 10 In other parta of the world
the situation is the same. In Nepal, for instance, studies
show that women provide between 66 and I 00 per cent
of the labour In many agricultural activities and make
42 per cent of agricultural decisions- choosing which
seeds to plant, deciding how much and what kind
fertili1er to apply." But a review
government
projects in 1983 discovered that, of all the agricultural
advisors trained to· help vUlapors, only one was a
woman - and she had been trained in "home
ecmomica*', not agrieulture.1z
·
Aa the Pood and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
comments: "Throughout the Decade developing
countries revealed rather discouraging information
about women's acccsa to agricultural education,
training and extension services,.. u
or
or
Tools for change
It is not only training and advice about agriculture
that haa been directed more at men. When new
technology is introduced it usuaUy helps men with their
traditional tasks of ploughina. Irrigation and harvesting. but leaves women to continue their work of
�70
weeding, thinning and transplanting, by hand or with
primitive knives and hoes. The rain--watered rice
grown by women in Gambia, for example - which
makes up 84 per cent of the country's entino rice
harvest- covers 26 times as much land as the irrigated
rice grown by men, but reeeives only one 26th of
government spending on rice projects. 14
Even when technology is introduced· for tasks
traditionally done by women, the machines tend to
replace women completely rather than easing their
work. Oil presses in Nigeria, tortilla-making machines
in Mex.ico. sago--processing machines in Sarawak., are
all owned and operated by men.,. And in Bangladesh
rice mills, employing only men, have been introduced,
so depriving many local women- who used to husk rice
for better-o!Tfamilie~- of one of their main sources of
income. 111
FA 0 sums up the situation: "In all regions the
introduction of modem agricultural technology is
primarily aimed at male tasks and used almost
e~c1usively by men~·.u
.Costs and benefits of development
Agricultural development has advanced at a
di!Terent pace and in di!Tenontways through the varioua
regions of the world. Two major global tnonds can be
distinguished. But these two trends - towards large
scale commercialization and the growing of cash crops
for export
have superimposed themselves on
landscapes already eroded and ahaped by history.
These global trends have seldom benentted men and
women equally. But the picture in each m'l)or area of
the world is slightly diiTerenl.
LATIN AMERICA
In Latin America where land ownership is often
concentrated in just a few bands, this paUem has begun
to be reshaped by a mixture of Incomplete land
redistribution and increasing control by multinational
corporations oflargetracts of prime agricultural land.
Here the tradition is to employ men as farm labourers
and they far outnumber women in paid agricultural
work in this region. In Costa Rlca, Guatemala,
Honduras, Panama, Chile and Colombia, for example,
the ratio is ten to one. 11 Women tend only to be hired
when eura hands are needed at harvest time. For the
most part they work unpaid on their family's land or
migrate to the town in search of paid employmenL
But even where limited land redistribution has been.
introduced to cushion some of Latin America's rural
poor against the impact of these changea, these policiea
have still tended to leave women in a vulnerable
position. In Chile; for instance, land was only allocated
to people who had been in continuous employment on
an estate for at least three out of the previous four
years. Since most women were only hired at harvest
time, the majority did not qualify for·land.,.
ASIA
.In Asia with the exception of China- a general
pattern of "development packages" (including highyielding varieties of rice and wheat seed, fertiliurs,
pesticides, irrigation and tractors) has been superimposed on an existing picture of land scarcity and
increasing landlessness. Between a quarter and a half
of the rural population in Pakistan, India and
71
Bangladesh are without land- and their numbers are
growing.""·.
The result of these· changes for Asia's women are
mixed The high-yielding seeds require more work more weeding, more spraying. more planting and
transplanting - and it is women who tend to be
employed on the big flljlliS to do these jobs. Though
their average earnings afe less than men's- with 56 per
cent of women in rural Java earning under 3,000
rupiahs per month con4>ared with just 14 per cent of
ment • -.these increaled job opportunities are some
consolation. On the other band, if the seeds are grown
on her own family's land, the chances are a woman will
have to do all that extra work herself- without pay.
AFRICA
In suJ:>.Sabaran Africa poor soil, low population
density and traditional or communal rights to land.
have been overlaid by a general moVe towards
replacing subsistence crops like yam and sorghum with
export crops like cotton and co!Tee.
Here, as in all regions, it is men who have been
encouraged ~d helped to grow the new crops- despite
the fact that in Africa, more than any other part of the
world, it is women who do most of the agricultural work
and despite the fact that large numbers of men have
migrated to the cities in search of work leaving many
households run entirely by women.
"
Unlike most other parts of the world, traditional land ·
rights in parts of Africa have guaranteed women's
independent access .to land. But these rights have
tended to be undennined - fin:t by colonial land
policies, and then by development projects, which
have allocated land ownership tO men. In Burkina
PB$0 for insUI.nce all new tenancies- for both food and
cash crops - were given to men, despite women's
tradition of growing all her family's subsistence food .22
Ani! in Kenya a woman now only has access to land if
she has a husband or a son alive. 23
been explained how land reform bas tended to exclude
women. Even when one group of Honduran women
formed their own fannen' group and applied - as a
group- tO the authorities for land, their request was
denied simply because they were women. ••
· In Asia almost all women are landless because of
inheritance and divorce laws which prevent women
gaining access to a man'aland.·Bven where women can
inherit - under the customary laws of the Hindu
MiUlkshara, Parsec and Christian seet.s in India, for
example, or under Sawlawi law in Sri l..anlta - they
receive smaller shares than male heirs. And in the
Philippines Jaws prevent a woman acquirllll!land at all
without her husband's consenL11
E veo in Africa, that one region where women have
had traditional rights to land on a large scale, the
customary laws still tend to discriminate against
women. In a number of countries In Africa women's
access to land is often more reatricted than men's and
may be conditioned by a woman's marital·stallls.
Without land, property or a substantial regular
income - collateral in banking tenns - it is almost
impossible for women to get loans. Only five per cent
of the money lent by African commercial banks goes
into agriculture at all. And almost all of that goes to
men."" Without help !Tom the banks women are forced
to tum to relatives or money lenders, the latter
charging exorbiUI.nt interest rates- around SO per cent
a year in Ghana.•• for instance, and up to 240 per cent
in Nicaragua. u
The FAO puts lt tike tbil: "In the Third World
a&ricultural productivity cannot be subsUI.ntially
increased, nor can rural poverty be alleviated, unless
women's access to key productive resources and
services is substantially improved. Tbe consequences
of patriarchy for ltiricultural productivity are very
expensive. Developing COWltriea eannOI bear their
heavy cost.., .u
Famine In Africa
Land, loans and the law
The sweeping changes in agriculture in recent years
have - with the exception of just a few countries wonened the situation for the poorest and least
powerful ofthe world's people. It is estimated that over
half a biltion million people living in the rural areas of
the developing world have no land. 14
In many parts of the world it is new laws and
competition with big commercial farms that have
<:aused many millions of men to lose their land and,
therefore, the ability to benefit directly from the fruits
of their labour. But women regularly lose their land
rights under some of the oldest laws in history: the laws
of marriage and inheritance. Laws giving women the
right to own land are in the vast majority of cases,
superceded by the laws of marriage and inheritance,
which steal those rights back again. So complete is this
disinheritance of women, thai it has been estimated
that they own less than one hundredth of the world's
property .••
.
.
Under Islamic law - which operates in much of
North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia
daughten inherit only half of what a son inherits and a
widow gets just one eighth of her husband's estate if she
has children, one quarter if she is childless.20 In Peru,
Bolivia and Brazil, too, married women are legally
restricted in their ability to administer property
llrithout their husband's eonsenL And it bas already
The heaviest of the coats to which PAO is referring
is famine. It Is now becoming clear that a factor
contributing to Africa's acute foodahortages is the way
women have been ll)'stematically excluded from
access to land and !Tom control of modem agriculture
in thnt regloo.
.
The processes are subtle but are beginning to prove
devastating. And the devastation Ia greatest in Africa
because this is the regi011 where women do a greater
proportion of lliricultural work - between 60 &nd 80
per cent"• - than in any other eontinen~
Even in 1980 - before the current drought hit Africa was only 86 per cent self-sulf'lcient in food. In
the 1930's the continent was a net exporter of food. But
by the 1960's self-sufficiency had dropped to 90 per
cent. 31
P.rt of the problem is the sheer amount of work
African women are expected to do. In Malawi, for
example, women do twice as much work as men on the
staple maize crop, equal amounts in the cotton fields,
plus their domestic chores at home. 31 A survey in
Burkina Faso found families lost weight during the
rainy season- notbecausetbere was no food available,
but because their long days in the fields left women too
exhausted to cool<.» And in Zambia another study
found that the amount that was harvested depended,
not on what the land could yield, but on the amount of
work women could fit into the daylight hours. 08
In Ghana wben cocoa prices plummetted and large
numbers of men migrated to the city, leaving women
shoulder all the agricultural work alone, many worn•
decided to replace the traditional yam crop with le
nutritous cassava because it takes so much less time
cultivate.*' And if was in Ghana . that acu
malnutrition - called by its Ghanaian name ·
kwashiorkor - was firwt identified, having be<
brought todoctorw' attention by its appearance in hu1
numberw of small children being fed cassava as
· . weaning food.
.
' Migrationofmenoftenleaves women with toomu<
work to handle alone. In Botswana tradition IOrbi<
women 1o handle cattle and they are forced to p•
neighbourw to plough their fields, often findir.
themselves at the end of a long queue so that their lao
is not readY when the lirwt of the rains arrive. ••
Another reason· for declining food production
Africa is the introduction of cash crops- to men. In Lt.
Ivory Coast a. shortage o(food staples resulted whe
the government e.,.,..uraged men to grow cash crop
Some of the bert land- where women had previous!
been growiogfood- was claimed by their husbands f<
the new cash crop am! .. -:·: ~J had to spend most of the.
time working on their husbands' fields instead <
growing food. •• Malawi's ground-nut harvest- grow
chiefly by women - was down too, and for the sam
reasons, after a World Bank project encouraged men 1·
expand staple maize production for export..,
And the failure of plans for Gambia to become sell
sufficient ln rice by 1980 !tas led to an increase c·
nearly 300 per cent in rice imports between 1966 an•
1979. The reason? Because, though Gambian worn<!
. grow 84 per cent of the country's rice, the agricultlJ"
advice and investment was given to men alone.<>
Pactonllke these have contributed to a reduction
per capita food production in Africa over the last tw•
decades. As PAO points out: "Despite the well
documented, crucial role that woinen play in fOO<
production in this region, agricultural modemizati01
efforts have excluded them, leading to negativ•
consequences for food production and th<
perpelllation o( rural poverty".44
Paulve resistance
Women in Africa have not always submitted light!:
to their Joss ofland and tivelihood, however. Some ar•
objecting in the only way they can.
When government pricing policies sent men's maiZ<
profits soaring in Zambia and led to more land beinJ
put under maize, women kept working doggedly i•
their own groundnut fields and refused io tum then
over to the more lucrative maize: because they - an<
not their husbands - kept the money from sales o·
groundnuts.••
In Tanzania, too, when new hybrid maize seeds
plus fertilizer and pesticides, were given to men, thei1
wives - who do most of the work in the fields
neglected the new crop because, while it increaser
their workload, the profits went only to thei1
husbands..,. The exact opposite happened in
Zimbabwe, however, and yields rose dramatically
when the same hybrid maize package was introduced.
Why? Because the new seeds were given to women. •'
Investing In women
It is a tragedy that women are forced into connicts
like these. Because the evidence points to the fact that,
given tJic same ~ind of help, encouragement and
Incentives as men, women's agricultural productivity
�72
at least equals that of men.
In Africa there is evidence that women can become
more productive fanners than men. In Kenya, for
instance, where 38 per cent or the farms are run by
women, those women manage to harvest the same
amount per hectare as men, despite men's greater
access to loans, advice, fertilizers, hybrid seeds and
lnsecticide. And when women were given the same
level or help, they were found to be more efficent than
men and produced bigger harveslll.••
The key, says FAO, is to ensure that women can
acquire and hang onto independent access to land and
loans - independent, that is, of men. AJ).wornen cooperative farms and rural credit schemes appear to be
the most promising way forward. And these have been
tried with some success in countries such a:s Vietnam,
Bangladesh and India. •• But, laments FAO, "Policy:
73
makera and international experts have persistently
resisted the idea or aU women's co-operatives"•o
even in West Africa where such co-operatives are
lraditional And counlty-wide agricultural projects
aimed specifically at women have not yet been
implemented in anytoun~ry, forcing F AO to conclude
that "It is virtually impoosible to identify any counlty
in which national sttategies have generally benefitted
women's role in agriculture", adding that: "No
succeuea at !be national level can be reported at this
time".' 1
Yet "'hen women are able to profit directly from
tbeir work in the fields, they are not the only ones to
benefiL Studies in Burkina Faso and Bangladesh have
indicated that, when women do have time or money to
spare, they use it to improve the health and well-being
or their children...
Industrialization
Expansion and recession
HOUGH thru-Mhs of. the world's peaple live
their lives by the seasons, the rest are ruled by
different rhythms. The other two-fifths- nearly one
billion people 1 - are hitched to the machine that runs
modem society.
Some countries have been barely touched, withjuat
a few factories and an airport to link them with the
global machine. In others the embrace is complete,
with most people thinking of work in terms or wages
and weekends, shilU and promotions. In North
America, for example, 96 percent ofmen with jobs and
98 per cent of women were worklng in services or
industry in 1980.• Whereas in the poorer parlll of
Africa oniy 24 per cent of·men ·w•d 13 per cent of
T
COUIII.ries alike! Their ·share of industrial jobs is
gro"'ing. however, increasing from 24 to 28 per cent
between 1960 and 1980 :.. largely as a result of the
rapid expansion of industrial employment in paru of
Asia.•
It is in the service sector that women have the largest
shm ofjoba. In the developing world the proportion is
27 per cenL• But in the industrialized world half of all
servicejobamdone by women.•• Only in government
service do men outnumber women. And the main
reason is the old one or sex-role stereotypes: most
service jobs - u secretaries, cleaners, filing clerks,
canteen "'orken - dovela.il so neatly with women's
lraditional domestic roles or supporting and cleaning
~p after ~e~ tha~ !bey have quickly become seen as
• women!;,- JOb;·;n·mo:;t-countr1es.
women ln the labour force were working in these
sectors.' But even these totals - the lowest of all the
regions of the world - are on the increase as counlty
after counlty begins to embark on it.s own industrial
revolution.
Jobs for women
In modem industrial society jobs have tended to be
created regardless of people's domestic responsibilities. They a.re expected to be available at P.laces
and times to suit the employer.
This is the main reason why women, though half of
the world's population, are only a third of the world's
official labour force.• And this proportion has changed
only slisJttly in recent years: in 19SO, for instance,
women were 31 per cent of the labour force, compared
with a total or 35 per cent in 1985.•
Though the proportion of women with jobs has
stayed relatively constant over the last 3S yea!l, !be
actual numbers have swelled considerably. Over just
the last decade, for example, one hundred million more·
women came into the labour force - at a rate or ten
million a year- and there are now an estimated 676
million women in the world in
employmenL0
The increase has not been even across all sectors.
however. Though one in three of the world's jobs go to
women, they are only one quarter of those employed in
induslty - in !be industrialized and developing
"'OS"
Wage differentials
Good news of the Decade is the increase in the
number of countries- from 28 in 1978 to90 in 1983"
-who have equal pay legislation on their statute books,
malting it illegal to give men and women different
wages for !be same work. ThousJt this has been soured
slightly by the few countries who have actually
reversed tbeir equal pay laws during the Decade, it is
still a mllior advance.
There mabo aigns that the wage pp between men
and women may be beginnin& to close too. ln 1975 a
woman working in manufacturing industry earned an
average of only 70 cents for every dollar earned by a
man doing !be same or similar work. In 1982 she
earned 73 cents for every dollarin his wage packeL' 2 It
rni1St be said that part or this improvel)1ent is due to the
need to attract more women into the workforce with
better "'ages. But much must be attributed to the new
laws enacted during the Decade.
The world averages do, or course, conceal very great
regional differences. Women working in manufactur·
ina induslty, in Japan and the Republic or Korea, for
instance, take home less than half the wages earned by
men. While women in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, El
Salvador, Burma and Sri Lanka fare best, with average
earnings under 20 per cent less than men's. 13
The industrial averages obviously do not take into
account the millio111 or women- working u tallora at
home, u seasonal qriculturallabouren, u maidswho also tend to be exduded by boll! e<jual pay
lepslatioo and official wage llatiatic:a.ln Peru, Nigeria
and Bangladesh, for example, agricultural workera are
excluded from equal pay lawa. •• In the Philipplnea it Is
people working at home or in am all businesses who are
excluded. 11
So, though the earnings gap in manufacturing
induslty, as deduced from officialmtlstica aJ>l'Can to
stand at atOUnd 2S per cent and to be cloatng. the
overall pp between the contenlll of men's and
women's pay packeu may "'ell be much wider.
Unequal hours
Women' a domestic mpooaibility cuts into their
ability- and inclination- to do shiftwort and overtime.
It also means they lUll more likely to try for part-time
wort when It Is available. Both factors rellllt in a
shorter paid working week than for men.
In Sri Lanka, for instance, "'omen work an average
of ten and a half houn leu per "'eek than men in
manufacturing induslty. In other eountries, too - In
Bs:vpt, Singapore, Australia, Japan, and !be UK- !be
dilference is between fout and llve houn.. 11 1n fact one
survey or 12 industrialized collnlries found that women
do an average of three hou!l lesa paid work per week
than men - but over 17 houra mon unpaid domestic
work than men. 11
Another factor that helpa push "'omeo'a wages
below men's is the effect or time-baaed pay rises.
&cause women often interrupt their working lives tu
have children, !bey tead to lose out, both in pay risea
and promotion. compared "'ith men taken on at the
same time. ThousJt an International Labour Office
(ILO) analyais of 127 countries found an average of
between 12 and 14 weeb' paid maternity leave was
offered," "'ith some centrnlly planned economies
such as Poland and the USSR offering" up to three
y~ara' leave,•• in many other counlriea W. provlsioo is
only available to women in certain categories of
employmenL And. If those women "'ant to stay away
longer than the official period, they oflen focfeit their
wages while they lUll absenL For some women the
5C!tbaclt can be more drutic. Many lose their jobs
altogether when ~ey leave to have a baby and find
lhemsdves having to bepn again at the bottom of the
pay ladder when they go back to "'ort.
Fringe penalties
A third reason "'omen earn leat - again related tu
their domestic rolea - is beca1111e they are umally not
entitled to the tax and fringe benefits available to men.
In Zambia, for instance, women lUll taxed at a hisJter
rate on the assumption .that men "'ill meet moat of the
family'a expelliel.20
Training is also less likely to be given to women
employees because employers judge that it is wasted
on people "'ho might leave to have babies. And, when
housing allowances are paid, they are usually added to
the salary of the" household head''- almost invariably
assumed to be !be man.
The penalties continue even beyond women's
official "'orting life. Becall&e they work less bours,
have eamed leu money, and usually have an earlier
age of retirement, "'omen's pensions- when these lUll
available at all - end up being lower. In !be Federal
Republic of Gennany, for instance, retired women
.,
.
receive, on average, only half of the rull per
Unequalwol't(
But all or these factors are only part of the st
moat important reason women eam lesa thll!
not becauae women do fewer boors and g·
benefits. lt is becauae "'omen tend to do difler.
to tnen. Equal pay for. equal work is a fi he
principle. But, u ILO poinllJ out: "there is 1
wort".•• Women tend to be employed in lo'
occupations than men. And - once again - '
dornellic role is at the heart or the problem. t
doea !be quntity or housework restrict the qu:
paid wort a woman l& able tu do, but the n
housework has come to define the nature of P'
they lUll oft'ered.
T"'o th.inla of European "'omen who are out
havo jobs Ill the service nctor,u where they c•
4S percent or the workforce.a. In Latin Ame1
!be Caribbean, women far outoumber men en
Ill service.~ - by 1 ratio of over four to om
ml!iority or countriel in the regions.•• ln indu
!be other hand, !be aituation l& reversed, wi
outnumbering.women by around three to one
counlriea." Even in the centrally-planned eco1
"'here tbere has been more or an effort to en<
women to take jobs usually considered to be
work", 4S per cent of "'orting women are in
jobs."
If "women'• work" was as well-paid as
work" there would be leu cause for concern, :
mlliority of occupationa in "'hich women predc
- u cleaners, secretaries, waitre.sses* nurses, fc
textile "'orken - are badly paid. Just as '
undervalues the unpaid domestic "'ork wome1
the home, ao thole aame aldlls- dexterity, syrr.
patience - lUll undervalued when applied t<
outside Ill the wodd of employmenL And, becar
Is how the "'ortd aeea them. the majority of worn
it dHiicult !l:> conceive of a dilferent futu
tbemselvea. In Ponupl, for example, when t•
school-leave!l were given a selection •
occupations to choose from, BS per cent of th
chose one of a act of just five service jobs "
occupied by women. ••
Boeaee and eecretartes
Taken together, the pressures that lead wor.
Work unequal hours and to Choose uneq uaJ won
it very unlikely that many will rise totopadminiSJ
or managerial positions. Such jobs require l
confidence and freedom to wort ion& hours th
women possess. And in many countries this is
out by !be statistic~. ln Indonesia and Banglade>
instance, len than one per cent of-.manage1
women. •• The ligures are slightly higher- at be•
three and ten per cent - in Emt, Peru, J
Australia and Norway."" In only a small min01
countriea - sucli aa Barbados, El Salvadot
Hungary - doea the. proportion rise above 2:
cent..J 1
Talented, hardworking women often find 1
selves worting u secretaries or clerical a.ssistaJ
their male boases. While men outnumber worn,
managen and adnllnistratonl by over three to c
the US, Norway and Australia, women are ove
times as likely to be wortlng as secretaries or <
than men in those countrie5. ••
�.....,....
75
74
Unemployment
The Decade for Women could also have been
dubbed the Decade of Recession - a period when
corporations have cut their costs wherever possible.
The most importanteiTects have been on employment
and· income. Tot.al employment has dropped
significantly during the Decade, leading to a general
rise in unemploym~nt in industrialiaad countries and a
decrease in wages and consequent rise in under·
employment (where inc<>me from work does not repay
the eiTort expended).••
In the OECD countries 4.9 per cent of of the male
workforce and 6.2 per cent of the female workforce
were unemployed in 197 S. By 1982 those figures had
risen to 7.4 per cent and 8.2 per cent respectively.••
And unemployment figures for women oflen under·
estimate the problem. Reseaich in Europe indicates
that only 42 per cent ofwomenwhohavelost their jobs
or are looking for work ever reaister as unemployed.'"
These figures suggest that, when unemployment is
high, women are more likely to be out of work than
men. In 1982 women were around one third of the
lni>our force in the OECD countries, but even the
official estimates put the number of unemployed •
women at 12 million- well over40 per cent of the 30
million people registered as unemployed.•• The real
number or unemployed women is prob~bly
substantially higher.
Women's jobs tend to be threatened more than
men's for two major reasons. First, many women are
employed in less skilled occupatiooseasily replaced by
machines. New technology has been introduced in
offices, in manufacturing industry, and in the
distributive trades. Computers, photocopiers, word
processors: robot anns, automatic sorters stand
glcami ng and whirri?g, efficiently doing the work once
done by women. Technology has replaced less-skilled
men too, of course. But women are hit hardesL
Another reason why women's ·jobs are more
vulnerable is that they tend to involve temporary or
part·time work - often because there is no other work
available for them. Women involved in such work are
less lik•ly to be members of, or actively involved in, a
trades union and have fewer rights as employees. This
makes them less able to organise to protect their jobs.
Women's service jobs arc less vulnerable than their
industrial jobs, however- both because they tend to
require more skill (it is not yet possible to replace a
nurse or a primary school teacher by a machine), but
also because they are lower paid. Ironically, the very
that lead women to accept low wages for
mean that, for the time being. many of them
are still cheaper than machines and their jobs arc safer.
Free trade zones
In the developing world there are still large numbers
of workers who are cheaperth8II machines. And this is
truest of aU in the free trade zones - or .. cxpor1
processing 1ones" - 'that have sprung up in many
developing countrie< which want to attract industry to
their shores.
In the free trade zones governments seeking foreign
investment have created special industrial areas for
multinational corporations, where taxes are low,
· labour is cheap, and currency controls are waived.
Some have even introduced anti-strike laws.
• Corporations setting up shop in these new industrial
>:ones have, according to the ILO, shown "an overwhelming preference for young women" workers.•' In
fact women' a employment fn free trade zones is the
fastest-growing se<:tor of employment in the world at
Malaysia, for instance, 8S per cent of
the moment.
people working in the BayiLil Lepas free trade zone are
women aged between 18 8IId 24.•• .
YoWl& women are preferred for a number of reasons.
Thoy are willing to accept low wages; they are reputed
to be dextrous, because their hands are small, their
eyesight keen and they are used to being allocated
tedious, painstaking tasks at home; they tend to leave
when they have children. so employers are free of the
obligation to pay them for long service.
••1n
The Informal sector
The exp8IIsion 8IId relocation of industry into the
Third World has not only threatened jobs in
industriali%ed countries, it has also begun to threaten
the livelihood of people in the developing· world.
Though it may provide much needed- albeit low-paid
- employmenl for some, it undermines the employment
of many others at the same time.
The scores of people selling leather sandals, rice
cakes, rough cotton skirts and trousers, hand-rolled
bidil: the precarious livelihood or these millions of
people who work on the marajns of official life, who
occupy the teeming ~m8II's land of the infonnal
sector, is put in the balance by the arrival of the sman
new shops 8IId industries.
. Between 20 and 70 per cent of the labour force in
Third World citiCJ makes a living in the informal
aector: 40 With an average of over 50 per cent of poor
urban populations so engaged, the infonnal sector
occupies approltimately one in eight of the world's
adult populatlon. Yet ILO admits that there is a
"startling dearth of information" about this huge and
vibr8IIt slice of world aociety.••
The evidence indicatea that in some regions the
informal sector is overwhelmingly occupied by
women. In West Africa, the Caribbean and South Asia
between 70 and 90 per cent of all the fann and fishing
produce consumed is bought and sold by women." In
Ghana, for instance, women <jo 88 per cent or the
trading. The figure is .S4 per cent in Thailand and 91
·per cent in Haiti.•• Untrained. unskilled, often
illiterate, and almost invariably without any capital to
set themselves up in a formal business enterprise, such
women rely on these informal trading activities as their
only chance of earning an independent income.
The only way people in .the infonnal sector can.
compete with the new mass-produced goods and
services is by seeking economies of scale themse:vesgoing "formal" in other words- and trying to fight the
new traders on their own terms .. But this means getting
lo8IIs and advice, learning to handle figures, investing
in transport, making contacts, signing contracts, doing
deals- all activities women are less well-equipped than
men to do. And. inevitably, men are beginning to take ·
over the only sector that- in some parts of the worldwomen can be said to control, unintentionally joining
forces with the new industries in a pincer movement to
drive women traders out of business.
·
Health
Primary health care
T
HE Decade for Women saw the launchi'!Jiof what
the World Health Organization(WHO) caUs "the
most optimistic statement of purpose ever made by the
world community",' In September 1978, 134 nations
met at Alma Ata in the USSR and pledged their
suppon for a world-wide elTon to bring "health for all
by the year 2000". Primary health care was to be the
key to the success of this eiTort.
The principles were simple enough. If SO per cent of
all illness in the world is caused by the lack of clean
drinking water and sanit.atlon, then improving water
and sanitation would have to become a priority. With
malnutrition afTecting one in four people and making
them more vulnerable to disease, basic nutrition would
also have to be pan of the package. On the medical
front, a simple vaccination could prevent some of the
commonest infectlous diseases. And. where drugs
were not enough, an army of primary health care
workers- trained in the principles ofprevention as well
as cure- could help motivate people to change their
habits. and make their communities safer places to
1ivc.2
Primary health care played a spotlight on the causes
of disease and it picked out women- standing. centre·
stage - bearing the brunt of responsibility for .their.
famili~s· health. Suddenly the eyes of health planners
began to tum towards women: as cooks and feeders of
children: as fetchers of water and firewood; as
cusrodians of cleanliness and hygiene; as teachers of
healthy habits.
"Women are the vast untapped resources for
development", declared WHO in 1980. "The anchor
of our strategies for health development should relate
to all-round improvement in the status of women and
children who form the mlijority of any population."'
Nutrition
The United Nations' Children's Fund (UNICEF)
estimates that 200 million under-fives are malnourished and that I 0 million of these are so severely
thin that they risk death.• · Figures like these
demonstrate the potential of helping women feed their
children better.
Fifty countries have now begun nutrition programmes and . 2S of these have. developed them
especially for women.• In the Virgin Islands pregnant
women and malnourished children are provided with
margarine, wheat-flour and dried milk powder to
supplement their diets.• And the importance of extra
food like ,this has been demonstrated in Guatemala
where one project giving supplementary food to
pregnant women. reduced the incidence of low birth
weight among babies by 1S per cenL 1 ·
. Matemal and child health
A ml\ior advance for women of the new emphasis<
primary health care in many countries i& the increasi1
attention paid to providing better care for
mothers and their babies. Maternal and chi!'
or MCH, as this aspeetofprimary health care i• callt
- involves prenatal cheek-ups. immunization ar
advice on child-care, breastfeeding and weaning food
Pony-two governments reported that they ha•
expanded their MCH activities during the Decad
with Seneaal actually restructuring its enUre Minist1
of Health to incorporate this new commitment.''
Proponents of MCH in the US have estimated th:
$2.7 million spent on prenat.al services would sat
between ten and 12 miUion dollars currently sp
keeping premature, low binh weight babies alive
intensive care units.•• And when prenat.al consul·
atioM ii1Ponugalrose eiglitfold- from 19,000 in 197
to ISO,()()() in 1982 - maternal 8IId infant mortalit
rates plumelled by 12.9 and 12 per 1,00
respectively. ••
There has also been more attention paid to screenir,
whole populationi of ;women to pick up diseases i
their early stages. Nine countries have introduced sue
screening procedures. The USSR, for example, h1
est.ablished a twie&-yearly medical check-up f<
women at their workplace.'" And in China deaths fror
cervical c8IIcer dropped from Ill to eight per I 0,00
following the introduction of screening."
Birth and death
Water and sanitation
The Decade for Women also saw the launch or
8IIother mElior worldwide initiative: the International
Drinking Water Supply and Sanit.ation Decade which
began in November 1980. WHO estimates that
(excluding China) 2S percent of people incitiesand 71
per cent of those in the countryside of developing
t•
countries are without safe water to driok 8IId 47 1
cent of town dwellers and 87 per cent of people in ru
areas have no adequate sanitation. •
The consequences of being without these ba:
·,amenities are iU health for aU and great hardship I
women who oflen have to walk long distances to fet
water. A person needs around five litres of water a d
for cooking and drinking. and a further l.S to 45 litres
stay clean and healthy. But the most a woman c.
carry in comfon is IS littcs. Even if she lives ne81
standpipe, that means about 15 journeys a day will
full bucket to keep a family of live in good health.'
But some women live llO far from the nearest wat
· llOuree that they only have time to make one joume)
day. fa Burkina Paso, for example, some women lea·
at dusk to walk to the water hole, sleep there ovemigl
8IId return at dawn to escape the harsh rays of the su
Small wonder that an estimated eight million childn
die each year of diseases that might have be•
prevented by sufficient clean water from a near!
tap.lO
Now some 26 countries are making a special eff(
to look Into women's particular needs in their attemp
to meet tbe targets of the Water Decade."
...
All over the world women in labour are usually tende
by women. Some rely on traditional methods, passe
down through the generations from mother t,
daughter. Others reach into new midwives' kits give:
to them afler a sbon training course. Others are th
product of yean oltraining in the long corridors an'
modem delivery rooms or a teaching hospital.
�.
,
76
~),
The majority of women deliver safely. But many die
in childbirth: over half a million every year in Africa
and Asia, 1 ' three out of every thousand mothers in
Ecuador and up to 20 out of every thousand in
Bonduras. 10
Though thousands die, many millions survive and
have to live on with the scan of a difficult preg~~ancy:
displaced or weak wombs, cycles
debilitating
infection, exhaustion, incontinern:eandbleeding. 10 An
estimated 25 million women a year are seriously ill
after having their babies. •o
Much of the danger and suffering surrounding and
following childbirth could be avoided if women were
examined early in their pregnancies to check· for
Rbnormalities, if they were attended at the time of the
birth by trained midwives or doctors, if there were
emergency liealth care at hand should something go
wrong, and if family planning facilities were available
to all women who want them. But the World Health
Organization estimates that 45 per cent of births are
de live red by untrained traditional birth attendants,"
and that two-thirds of women in the developing world
have no access to a trained health worker."
The dangers are made worse by the weak state many
women's bodies are in by the time they feel the first
rains of labour: thin from lack of food, exhausted from
work and the demands of previous pregnancies. The
result: two thirds of women in Asia, half of African
women and a sixth- of women in Latin America are
amu!mlc.n
·
These women arc suffering from Hnutritiona1
onaemia ": caused simply by lack of the right lUnd of
food. In India though rich women eat around 2,500
calories a day and put on an average of 12.5 kilograms
of weight during their pregnancies. poor women eat
around I ,400 calories a day and gain only 1.5
kilograms during those crucial nine months.>• One
African study found rural women in their last three
months of pregnancy actually lost weight- an average
of 1.4 kilogram< each." Little wonder, then, that such
women bear tiny, underweight babies. One sixth of all
babies 95 per cent ofthem in the developing worldweigh under 2,500 grams when they ·are. born;'"
The illnesses of the general population alfect women
u:xi. A.i least one person in thre.e harbours some species
of parasitic wonn; one in 20 has bilharzia;" and
malaria- once thought to be on the decline- has made
a massive comeback to grip one penon in six in iu
fevers•• Taken together infectious and parasitic
dise>ses cause around 40 per cent of deaths in the
developing worJd.t'i
Sickness in any country is bad enough. But in the
developing world- where many families' livelihood is
precariously supJ>ortcd only by constant hard work- a
sudden acute bout of illness or a strength-sapping
chronic disease can be disastrous. People with
or
anaemia in Indonesia, for example, have been found to
he 20 per cent less productive than healthy adults30
and Oilh~!'Zia's annual impact on the income of its
victims has been estimated to total around $650
million. 31
llut not all sickness has a medical cause. Accidents
at work kill I 00,000 and maim minions annually;32
and at least 10,000 die and 500.oob are seriously
pesllcldes. 33
poisoned every year by careless use
Some work hazards are likely to afTect women more
or
than men. Byssinosis, for instance, is an lncurable lung
disease caused by inhaling cotton fibres and thought to
1ffiict one quarter of India's textile workers, who are
predominantly women.>< Pesticide poisonings may
aO'cct women more since their agricultural work tends
77
to bring them into closer contact with the crop. And in
the electronics factoriu of South-east Asia 25 yearold workers are called "grannies" by their younger
colleagues because they have to wear glasses after
damaging their eyes peering through microscopes for
hour after hour assembling tiny silicon circuits.,.
t
Vulnerability of women
Ther" is now more in,onnation available on the
health of women than ever before and some interesting
findings ore beginning to emerge. Take lung cancer.
WHO estimates that smoiUng causes around one
million deaths a year• and tobacco consumption
increased at a rate or between four and 13 per cent in
the industrialized world and 33 per cent in the
developing world between 1970 and 1980." Once a
habit indulged in largely by men, the recent increase in
women smoking is now threatening, says WHO, to
"chip away at increased life expectancy forwomen". 38
And a growing body of research shows that babies in
the womb can also be harmed by the cigarette smoke
inhaled by their. mothers.
Ufe expectancy varies considerably from country \0
country, but almost everywhere women live longer
then men. In the industrialized world women live- on
average- six years longer. 30 In developing countries
the gap is natTower.
Some developing countries - like Sri Lanka,
Malaysia and islands in the Indian Ocean- have made
dramatic improvements in life expectancy in rece-PJt
years. In other regions- particularly in some African
countries - life expectancy is very low for. both men
and women, but women still average longer lifespans
than men. But in parts of Asia
such as India,
Pakistan, Banglndesh, Bhutan and Nepal - life
expectancy in general is slightly higher than in the
poorest African countries, but women·., life expectancy is as low as, or even lower than, men's. 40
The reason may be as simple as discrimination
against girls, A Bangladesh survey found more underfive year-old girls than boys were malnourished
because they were allocated smaller portions cf·food,
and that infant girls were 21 per cent more likely than
boys to die in their first year oflife." But As< a does not
have a monopoly on discrimination. A survey in
Botswana found girls more likely than boys to be
malnourished•• and in Turkey it is reported that rural
men are given the lion's share of whatever food is
available.•• Other research shows that, in some
countries, when girls fall ill they are less likelv to be
taken to the health centre than boys.••
Mental health
Statistics from all over the world indicate that
women are twice u likely as men to sufTer the kind or
distress we know as mental illness.
In Bangladesh, for instance, women outnumber men
among the mentally ill by two toone. •• There are twice
as many women as rtien diagnosed schizophrenic: in
Sweden.•• In the UK II per cent of men and I 7 per
cent of women are hospitalized at some time in their
lives for mental illness and twice as many womeR as
men take tranquillizlng drugs. 47
Whether theae fl,l!;ures are a real reOection of human
pscyhological suffering or a result of a greater tendency
for psychialrisiJI and doctors - usually men - to
diagnoae a distressed women as being mentally ill is
unclear. But, whichever way these statistics are
interpreted, they reveal a particularly heavy burden of
mental anguish canied by women.
Women as health workera
It is not only as recipients of health care that women
have benefitted in recent yeanL As providers, too, their
traditional contribution ia at last bepMing to be
recognized. In the m~ority of societies with no regular
access to modern medical facilities, it is often women
who tend to emerae as the village healer or midwifethe dai in India, the hilot in the PhiUppines. Sierra
Leone's 13,600 traditional midwives, for example.
deliver70 percentofbirtha, and 80 per cent of births in
Honduras are delivered by such women. ••
In the past !hue women have found themselves in
opposition to, and excluded. from, modern medical
advances. With the advent primary healthcaresuch
women's stills began. at last, to be appreciated. Now,
instead of being fought or ignored, they ore being
trained all over the world in the principles primary
a million
health care. India had trained a quarter
dais by 1981. Nicaragua has been training them at a
rate of900 a year.•• By 1978 Ethiopia had trained 45
or
or
or
per cent of traditional midwives; in Ghana and
Lanka the totals were 25 and 9S per cent respecuv
by 1976,10
Costing less than two P.r cent of the money it tal
to train a doetor, the logic of training women as he•
worltera ia clear. The benefit.e. ore clear too. In Inc
for instance, deatha from neonatal tetanus w.
reduced from 90 tO 10 per 100.000 in the three ye'
following the launch of the dai training program'
there. 1 '
Resistance from doctors
But here women's involvement stops. In the hig!
ranlts of the health services- among the doctors, 1
health ministry officials, the hospital administratoJ
where the high pay and the power reside, women :
grossly underrepresented. Yet this is where the pol!
decisions get taken. where the money is distribut
from. And that mo!l!ly tends to stay just where it
'fllnle Quarters the world's health problems could
solved by primary health care. But three quarters
developing countries' health budgets are spent
doctors and hospitals.••
or
Education
The enrolment boom
"T"'DA Y there ore more children at school than ever
~ before as an education avalanche gains momentum, sweeping away illiteracy and ignorance in viUages
and citie• through the world. Tbi& year 82 per cent ~
boys and 71 per cent ol girls of primary schoo,l age are
in school. • the beneficiaries
a global enrolment
1 effon that pe&i:ed in the 1960s and 1970s and reduced
the proportion people unable to read and write to just
29 per cent by 1980. •
Spending on education skyrocketed during this
period; increasing aevenfold in the developing worldfrom eight to SS billion dolton between 1965 and 1978
- and more than fourfold in the industrialized worldfrom 88 to 419 billion dollars over the same llme, •
Though primary &chooling haa expanded the most in
absolute tenns, there have been equivalent relative
increases in secondary school enrolment and in the
young adullll going on to colleges and
percentage
universities. Appro•imalely half of secondary schoolage children in the world are in school this year and
around one in six 18 to 23 vear-olds are in further
education.•
or
or
or
The education gap
The increases have been most dramatic among !bose
who .were the most disadvantaged - children in
developing countriu. In Africa, for example, where
illiteracy rates are the highest in the world, 82 per cent
of women and 58 per cent ol men were illiterate in
1970. But in just ten yean those totals bad been
reduced to 73 and 48 per cent respectively,•
Nevertheless, this sllU leaves many more women
illiterates than men in most countries. And thelileracy
gap is paralleled by an education gap at every level of
the syslem. In 1985 there ore aeven ginlfor every eighi
boys in primary education; 1110und five girls for every
six boys in secondary school; and about four women
for every five men at college or university.•
These are world totals, however. In the industri:
ized wofld. where school is compulsory in rna
countries, enrolment rales are very high - around ~
percent in primary achoofand 88 per cent in second•
school'- and there ore almost equal numbers ofbo
and girls in school. It is in the developing countries tl:
some very large diiTenmces emerge. In Nepal •'
Pakistan, for insllince, there ore more than twice
many boys as girls in school.1
Closing the gap
The good news of the Decade is that the educati
gap is closing at last. lbough boys still outnumber gi
at school,prls are edging forward slightly faster in t
• race towards literacy. In some countries t
improvement has been quite dramatic. In Zaire, I
example, the gap between the number of beys and gi
in primary school has diminished from 25 per cent
just eight per cent over the last decade.•
And, as these children work their way up t
education ladder, 10 the gap at secondary school lei
is begiMing to close too. In the developing countri
girls were only 37 per cent of the secondary schc
population in 1975. By 1985 their share of second a
places had jumped to 41 per cent, 1 •
Favouring sons
The gap remains, however, in all countries withe
compulsory education. Parent.e. continue to favo
their sons because they see education as an inve:
ment. And it ia an investment of time as well as mon•
for many parents. Many countries, in the developit
world especially, cha.rga school fees. insist that pupi
wear a uniform; and ask parent.e. to bear the cost of tht
children's boolts and paper. Add the cost of transJX·
to and from achool every day, and school can seem lil
an upensive lu•ury to a poor family,
�78
Their choice of whether to send a child to school is
influenced by two ml\iorconcems: the amount of work
that child could be doing now to help support the family
while she or he is still of school age; and the chance of
the education investment paying off in the future- In
the shaP<: of a good, well-paid job that will help the
family when the child l,eaves school. Girls arc both
more of a help to their mothers and le•slikely to gel a
paid job. This means they are more likely to be kept out
of school.
79
from co-educational schools as soon as puberty
approaches, and attendance at secondary schools
tends to be very low. In Morocco. for instance, there
are nearly twice as many boys as girls in secondary
schoo~ while in the Yemen Arab Republic and
Pakistan they outnui,Jiber girls by well over three to
one." In some coun&ies the problem is being tackled
by buUding more single-l5ex schools for girls.
Pregnancy - wanf,ed or. unwanted, legitimate or
illegitimate- is another m'l]or reason why girls are less
likely than boys to complete their education.
Children at wor1<
In much of lhe industrialized world child labour is
outlawed and children caMot be exP<:cted to
contribute to family income. But in many developing
countries the work even quite a young child can do is
onen a major reason for having that child in the first
place.
In Rwanda, for instance, where enrolment in
secondary school is generally very low, and wbere
boys ouLnumbered girls at that level by around three to
two in I 97 S. one. study found that mothers with
daughters are relieved of approximately 40 per cent of
their domestic work, leaving them free to SP<:nd more
time in the fields. The daughters end up skimping their
homework, allending school irregularly, or dropping
out altogether after just a few grades."
.
Litde girls have more responslbWties than their
brolhers largely because mothers are more over·
burdened than falhers and because, in most cultures, a
daughter is expected to help her mother while a son is
not
Some girls miss out on schooling altogether. Many
more al'll forced to skimp their studying because their
hours of pounding grain for SUPP<:r or fetching firewood
eat away at the time they would otherwil5e sP<:nd doing
homework.
·
Jobs for girls
Parents may be willing to sacrifice their daughters'
help in the present if they feel that the future benefits
will make that sacriru:e worthwhile. But, in many
countries, two important factors tip the balance again·
in favour
sons.
Firstly, in some cultures a girl is only economically
valuable to her family while •he is urunarried. As soon
as she marries, whatever she earns will be added to the
total earnings of her husband's family. In some
countries this economic loss to her own family is well
acknowledged and a "bride-price" is paid by the
husband's family by way of cOmP<:nsation.'
But P<:rhaps more important than this is the fact that
even in parts of Asia where female employment is
rising faster than anywhere else in the world- a son Is
more likely to get a job than a daughter. ·
or
Sex or school
...
Economic reasons are not the only ones that prevent
girls going to school or continuing their education for
as long as boys. Moral reasons can be equally
powerful.
In stricdy Muslim countries, for example, where
men and women tend to move in completely di!Terenl
worlds, where many familieo keep their wives and
daughteMl secluded or covered in the chador whenever
they venture out of the house, and where premarital sex
is forbidden, many parents keep their daughters away
Lessons In Inequality
Though girls tend, on average, to get fewer years of
education than boys, the United Nations' Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
.stresses that it is the quality rather than the quantity of
girls' education that prevents them from advancing in
theworldofwork, keeping them confined in badly-paid
occupational ghettos. ••
From their earliest years in school girls tend to be
chaMelled'towards subjects that are likely to be·more
uae to them in the kitchen and the living room than in
lhe outside world They leam art. literature, domestic
science, dressmaking. while the boys are studying
mathematics, physics and -chemistry.
Two-thirds of girls at Danish technical colleges in
1982, for example, were being trained in just three
subjects: the clothing trade, textile design and the hotel
industry. 14 And. thoU'Sands of miles away in Ghana,
the picture ia exactly the same. Here. as in Denmark~
. girls take around 20 P<:r cent of the technical college
· placea. And here too the vast majority of girls are
stlldyingjuat three aubjects: dressmaking, embroidery
and catering."
Not aU countries have such a poor record for training
girls, however. Venezuela, for example, doubled the
P<:rcentage of vocational training places allocated to
women in just five yean: from 26 ~"'' cent in 19 76 to S2
per cent in 1981.10 In Czechoslovakia, too, there has
been an even greater increase in technical school
places for women: from just 13 per cent in 19 7S to 3 I
P<:r cent in 1980."
In other countries, however, narrow specialization
in schools mcan·that some colleges become de facto
sex segregated. In Oar es Salaam technical college in
Tanzania, for example, there were only 20 women
students enrolled in 1978 and the goverrunent has
decided to relax its entrance requirements to
encourage more women to go into further education. ' 0
Schooling for failure
The fien:eneas of the competition most children
face, both at school and beyond, is very discouraging.
And in the developing world - where there are few
secondary schools, even fewer universities, and an
undersupply of jobs- the odds some children face are
overwhelming. In Sri Lanka one firm offering seven
posts to youngSters with at least six "0" level passes
was deluged in a lloodolll,OOO letters applying for the
jobs.,.
It i& difficult for any child to stay motivated when
their chances of success are so slim. But a girl's
motivation is undermined much more thoroughly than·
a boy's. True, he has to COP<: with this shortage of
opportunities for success. But she has the additional
disadvantag., of being born into a world that does not
even eXP<:Ct her to succeed, a world that perhaps does
DOt really want her to succeed, a world that haa been
aystematically schooling her for failure.
·
Studies in the industrialized world, for example,
have demonstrated that teachers behave very
dilrerently towards boys and girls In the clasnoom.
Girls are rewarded for being quiet, docile and neat in
their work; boys are rewarded for getting the right
answer.... The creative, intelligent, lively girl, who
fidgets and laughs and is always putting her hand up for
attention, is Hen as "naughty". A boy ou:ting in the
same way ls simply ~'bright",
Some research - also in the industrialized world suggests that girls in siligle-sex schools do much better
than those in mixed schooL! and that co-education- far
from being the great leveUerofthe sexes- may, in fa~
be counter·productive for girls.•• This is because,
while co-education ensures an equal investment in
girls' and boys' schooling and correcta previous
imbalances in the quality teachers in boys and girls
schools, it tends to exaggerate gender stereotypes.
Furthermore, thoujjh large numbers of the world's
teachers are women, they only outnumber men at
primary level where S2 per cent of teacben are
women.•• Among the more •P<:cializcd, and
·numerically fewer, secondary school teachers men
outnumber --:omen by nearly two to one. ••
or
The media
The messages from teachers and~ school-books
blend in smoothly with the messages from parents and
the media until only one, clear, ringing imperative can
be heard: the imP<:rative of ~· domestic role for girla.
During the Decade many countries have begun
research into the portrayal of women in the media.
And, in almost every country, theN studies have
unveiled a media portrait ol woman aa bouse bound and
decorative - a sort of Hxy wuhing-machine.
Mexico, for instance, reported that women were
portrayed as either the "soul of the home" or u "sex
object". In Turkey she is "mother, wife, sex symbol".
Ivory Coast women are renowned for their "chann,
beauty, frivolity, fragility", And in the Netherlands
she b "mother and hou.sekeeper". ••
As with all other spheres
society, the media are
overwhelmingly controlled by men. In Italy, for
or
or
instance, S3 out
100 male jownalists rec
1967 bad become Chief Editors by 1982. Bu•
ol the 100 women ,loumalists recruited at t'
time had risen any further than Editor.••
The Decade baa seen some progress, h
Thirty-eightoutof62 COW!trieareportiogto Ul
said that they could detect an increasing tenc'
portray women in profeuiooa! roles. ••
Education and change
There is powerful evidence that. education j,
the most potent facton for changing women's
but for this change to be a liberating force in w.
lives the tYP<: of education they receive is cru
• The World Fertility Survey reported that w.
ability to read and write wu more closely relat.
even their income to their fertility, use of contra<
and their childr ....·• nealth. 07 Women with mo1
seven yean of education In countries as diffe:
Keny11, Bangladesh, Portugal, and Me:Oco,
found to be four times more likely to use contra<
than thoee wilhout schooling." And as the
contraception goes up so the fertility rate .goes
Part the decrease in fertility is due simply
amount of time women SP<:nd in cducati•
pregnancy means she must drop out of school
young woman is more likely to postpone childb
until after her examinalions. And, when she does
school and manages to get a job, once again sh
want to make the.most of thi1 opportunity anc'
delay her first baby for even longer.
More ardculate and confident than her unedu
sister~, she baa a better chance of winning an argv
with her husband or in-laws about having childreJ
and wiU be leas intimidated by the prosP<:ct of vi:
the family planning clinic.
These Hndinga should not be used as an excu
subslitute education for justice, however. Educati
just one factor helping a woman take more control
her life. And if It can act so dramatically or,
freedom of choice within her role as wife and mo
then the potential of an unstercotyP<:d educt
system to launch a woman truly into the world of
must be great indeed.
or
Politics
Equality·
~E scales of world equality are out of balance.
~ The side marked "woman" is weighed down with
responsibility; while the side marked "man" rides high
with power. Advantage builds on advantage until
today they are tilted so steeply that almost all of the
world's wealth is on man's side, while most of the
world's work is on woman's,
The United Nations Decade for Women Is an effort
to right the scales, a first step In redistributing the
wealth and the work. the power. ar.d the responsibility
more rairly between man and woman.
In 1945 the United Nations' Charter affirmed its
"faith in fundamental human rights in the dignity and
worth of the human P<:non, and in the equal rights of
men and wome~., , Two yean: later, a UN Commission
on the Status of Women was established. A quart<
a century later concern for the plight of the wor
women and their continuing inequality led to
proclamation of 197S as International Women's y,
marked by a World Conference in Mexico C
attended by delegates from IJJ countries.
The Conference adopted a plan of action '
established two bodies, supported by volunt
contributions, to take a more direct role in improv
the position of the world's women. One of these International Research and Training Institute for '
Advancement of Women- concentrates on resea1
and training for women. The other - lhe Voluntt
Fund for the UN Decade for Women - finan<
innovative projecta for poor women around the worl
That same year the UN General Assembly declat
the ten yean betwe~n 1976 and 1985 to be the l!
�T
•'
'i~
80
Decade for Women, its themes Equality, Developmen(, Peace. And, five yeal'lllater, in 1980, a second
conference was held in Copenhagen to report on
progress made so far during the Decade in improving
the position of women in the major areas of health,
employment and education. This time I ,326 delegates
from 145 countries attended to hear the preliminary
results of research conducted during the Decade and to
draw up a Programme of Action for the second half of
the Decade. 1
The Programme of Action from the Copenhagen
Conference stated that "While women represent 50
per cent of the world population, they perform nearly
two thirds of all working houn, receive only one tenth
of the world income and own less than one per cent of
world property.'''
At the end of the Decade there are $Orne signs that
governments have begun to lake seriously their debt to
their nations· women. Ninety per cent of countries now
have official government bodies dedicated to the
advancement of women, and 50 per cent of these have
been established since the beginning of the Decade.'
There is also evidence that the inOuence of these
advocates for the advancement of women are having a
signiGcant effect. Si>ty·six out of 92 countries have
now incorporated specific programmes and provisions
for women in their National Development Plans.•
The majority of countries have also instituted
constitutional and legal equality between women and
men. and 45 countries- 30 in the developtng world
offer free legal advice to help women fight for those
rights.$
One of the major achievements of the Decade has
been the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms
of Discrimination Against Women. To date, more
than 65 countries have ratified or acceded to the
Convention, thus becoming legally bound by it.s
provisions to achieve equal right& for women, regardless of their marital status, in aU fields - political,
economic, social, cultural and civil. The Convention
calls for national legislation to ban discrimination and
recommends temporary special measures to speed
between men and women as well as action to
social and cultural patterns that perpetuate
1ncqualities remain. however t because the new laws
arc implemented so slowly, because they are often
overridden by custom, and because old laws have yet
to be repealed. There are, for example, I 2 countries in
which a woman must still seek her husband's approval
if she wishes to take a job.•
It is a vicious circle. Change is unlikely to come
quic~ly while men take the m!ijority of the decisions ..
But women will not be free to participate in that
decision-making until those changes have taken place.
There are some encouraging signs, however, that
attitudes to women· s involvement in politics arc
beginning to change. In Western Europe, for example,
two thirds of people questioned by a series of EEC
surveys said they believed it was time to break down
the strict stereotypes of women's and men's social
roles.'
These changes in grass-roots attitudes are only
slowly being reOected in real political power. Women
RTe between 20 and 30 per cent of elected members of
parliament in Denmark. Sweden and Finland! but in
the majority of European countries women take only
between five and II per cent of the seat.s of
government•
·
The centrally planned economies generally have
longer histories of constitutional equality for women,
81
!
and women are correspondingly better represented in
the national legislature there, comprising 33 per cent of
members in the USSR, 21 per cent in China, and 28
per cent in Caecboslovakia. ••
But in the mlijority of developing countries, the
United Nations has found "l!o consistent increase over
the Decade" in women's participation in politics. 11
Costa Rica, Venezuela, S1 Lanka, India and Kenya,
are typical, with women taking leas than six per cent of
places in government One exception is Cuba in which
the figure is 23 per cent 11
the UN's first Special Seuion oa Disarmament ill
New York. A peace march waso1J811izedbywomenof
Europe in I 982 comprising womenofScandinavi.a and
the Soviet Union, eodinli- at VieMa in Austria.
demonstrating against aU 111m1 build-up plane.
But the problema of attainJna positions of authority
within national and international oegotiati113 bodiea
have caused many women to tom instead to nangovernmental organizatio111, where they constitute 60
per cent of members and are especially active in
o1J811iutiooa campaigning for peaee.. 10
1986 has been declared the International Year c
Peace. A.od 1985 Llln!Almational Youth Year, wiU
thnee themes: Participation.Developmont and Peaef
These illtematiooal calls for peace will only b.
auccessful if the concept of peace includes not only th•
absence of war, violence and hostility at the natiooal o
illtemational IeveLI, but alao social justice and equillil)
· .. in the disuibution of resource&, power and the benefit,
Withill a society.
Development
Perhaps the most important factor impeding
women's progress to power is their domestic role. If
women have to do all the cooking and cleaning when
they get home from work, they have much less time
than men to take plll1 in political activity. Taking an
average of 12 countries in the industrialized world,
women with jobs outside the borne have just 24 houn
free time - only two thirds of the leisure hours of a
wOrking man. 13
Government& may have identified the obstacle, but
many are reluctant to, as the 1985 Conference
documents put it, "redress the prevailing disadvantaged situation and properly respond to women's
natural function of childbearing" and bring about "the
sharing of social, economic and political "
sibilities, including family responsibilities".
reason the majority of governments give for this
reluctance is economic recession.'•
In the industrialized world recession is the main
reason given for failing to provide the social services
that would help relieve women of some of their burden
of domestic work. In the developing world government& maintain that recession makes it necessary for
them to concentra!Al first and foremost on general
development policies and prevents them giving
women's equality top priority.
But in the industrialized world it is women whose
jobs tend to be more vulnerable when there is high
unemployment"lt is they wlio are c:tpecu.d to picic up
the pieces when hospitals, nul'llery schools, daycare
centres, old people's bomes, are closed. And in the
developing world it is women whose rights to land are
eroded, wbose work in the fields is ignored, whose
income froin trading is threatened.
Peace
Since l94S there have been 105 wan causing
around 16 milUon deaths- almost all in the developing
world. •• And male soldiers were not the only victims.
Nine milUon civilians were·ki1Jed 16 and a further 8.3
million people had become refugees from the war
zones by 1983. 11 Today the world has stockpiled an
estimated SO,OOO nuclear WF.heads that together pack
a punch S,OOO time.s greater than all the firepower used
in World War II and enough to destroy half a million
Hiroshimas. ••
Since World War I women have been among the
most passionate of those working for peace. Nine
months after the beginning of the World War l. over
J,000 women (rom twelve countries met together in
The Hague, in the Netherlands, and founded the
Women's International League for Peace and
Freedom- the first international peace movement
That WaJ 70 years ago. Today many women are still
working for peace. In .June 1978 hundreds of women
and men victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki gathered
with other women from all over the world in support of
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Vol. 1. pp.l67<tt0.
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I AJWNOFf.J.CA.ANO. W.O. "A ltht-NIIflfiiiiHio.fff
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Dcadt b w--., C~o 1910, op.rit
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11w Wortct
lDIXON,-.~IL
s.-s...w. Atnc, op.cit.
IWomoeal..su.rat.ciq..._dl
....,... .. (......_wialdtM Lt.p PlM cl AeOO..).
~ T.......... ()ctgbu IMt.
ll'HJII £ ....... NFEI.,...bmCor~ttA. Mkhip~>
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�83
82
34 UN ~' Commiu!ooo.
.......
c..;J;J ;, Afrint~ op.dr.
jfiWQridSI!Nt)'OIIthtitdroi'W¢ti!CIIill0.~nl.,
op til.
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lirul Upfl'lr Yo/W~. 11..0.
ll MOOU. W. INtilllU d 0...~ $iwlic1
[)U('\!Ui(Mt Jl.tpor\ No. 4), S~MCMI, UK. 1914.
)9 ~14'6~"~t• i" FOCI<II hv4!1flitJ~~ •"'Ii Fr»~.s-n.ri11" ~
Cioll'l'l'l!lflloU•IConiUiutieftOOltiw l\okdW01111CniafO(IIil
Pr<»J~>Ciion.ndfocdS«uriiY,Kt,_n.t.tm~fAO.
hly1954,
40'TI!ir R(lh ~W~~'''"" ill tlwSohdii:Niqftlw FNIICn'!.iJ
4." .({•iN~. op.rit.
41 'WorWSIIoJ"'I't)'O!IIN aultdWQmniRO,..I(,pn!cl\t,.
I ..Pro,~u i111 Pri1111ory HHrltlt Cv~ t:Hw~,.,op.cit.
4 Stolil.e of the War1d'l Cbikh:a ll.epcr1 1979,
....
Uf\oflCEf.
U,~Mut/lw_,.fti!H'tflll'. jp(IQ.}QOO{trolllt-tl '"
JNJJ, UNESCO, J9U.
1 -,U,tNtt T(lqlfJ ifll (1-" hlff'I•H~I
S/ntlql'" Ul'IESCQ 1910,
UNlCEF.
Uit>Od
-w-,.. illl
FOCI<il P'Vdwl'IC.!I pd FffiOII $#rwtilj*'.
4Jibld
4IIWoriaS\Il"l't,OI\IIw Aukoi''Wc::.IW1IIla0oi:~q.n.nt.
op.c!l.
•11 ibid
~0 ibid
St ibid
HHbid
II
P.n•• afld
Appt1it.lt Rcllkb
uWJ
l ~ESCO Swi.J;tic..t Ytttbooll. l'fll.
4 "TtiNI...-n t~I""DirrtiolttJ~ op¢il..
'""~ilfiiJt fo•i~ti#U " .,.oJO">~faJ" UN'€$CO,
1910.
.
6
tn tt ~~-u- op.tit
-r--..
,... .
Nwitiloft.
.....
li*J
llibid
lJ Sut.c d thJ Wcrid'l Chiknn Raport 1911/l,
UNICEF.
l<ol IWric• •nd ApprliNt H-alth and N\1\ritiorl.
"'"'
IS ibid
$2ii!Od
l6 ibid
l 'f 'WAN'GA Y·MAOl.ACAS. A: PIZURKI, H.
s.r-
~nf' TNditioAGI llinlt Atw11dollrl irr
C.ow..
lritiM WHO Pubiil' H•a.llA P.poM"L No. 75. G•ntVL
I til,
INOUSTRIAUZATIO~
II 1\cvM:.. .aM Apopnislt HMkh ll'ld NwArit~
op.cit.
19 "l>rqrns i• Priflfillry H«~ltllC~u~ Dt•l.apiiW'Itt".
op.a&.
.
I U• Elo.lruw: d Sl• illkt
.O
2 ~tad
,l ihid
4
•bid •
S ILP Ltol'!<lo~V Force E.UI'l'llllfl tond P«¥:aiorl.f IUO.
lO f\«iew '"" A1'4!Ri&d:: H~ Md N¥1ril'.on.
]000, Ot~vt 19'1'1. Voj, V.
opc:i1.
• Ibid
.....,
l l ibid
JILO Buru>.~ofS-!tli•litt
I WorldSuMI1~1N RolrdW"""'IIiriO.~~~
opdl..
9 ItO l'luruv of Stttittl.u.
10 <bOd
)I Rent• !Wid Awt•~al: f.mpior!M'II\. op.c:lt.
ll\h;d
llii.J)Yeatbcdidl...lobi:NfSitlill~-onrioi.IJ~·
u llt..U• llM Awraital: F.ml!klr~mm. oop.cit.
1$ ii!Od
16 tl.O Vttlbaooi cl U~r St&liltkt- ••~tdilkm·
11 SZA.l.AI. A.
op.c-il..
•
I& R~_,ew 1¥14 AWliilfl: fmpb)'IIM~ op.cit.
l'ollbid
20 UN E~ Cammittiol'l b Afrin, 1\rWI&..
hnwxit t~U E/f.CAIRF.lW'0/0AUJ4.
H UN World Auttnt.IJ M Aline. 1/icM.t 1932.
lnfonnttirln 'f'.ttl
U Rtvlf• and Ap~iu.t Scitn« PCi "rtdudat;Y.
WNk,l ("Mfnt~t 10 R.J..-if• tnd Appn.iH' \hoi
A.c!tiii¥~1NnU d thor U:t~itod r<htia~ 0~.-d<t tot WOfl'lln:
F.qvtlity. ()t!wcl~rn 111'1d Putt, N11ill(ltoi. Ktayt. Jvl)'
19M,, .VCOHF,Il61HAdd.H
BWCf1d5'"""tJOIIIhorJIJ:>ttrJW(ImtninO.•tl~111.,
op.ciot
H 11.0 tiurn11 ol SutiJtin
U WMWn of th4 Wnr!d: Utili 1\I'Mril:'* &~~d !hor
C•;ib!WM, op,¢it.
16 ihid
21 U.O
.
B>.~nn c1 St•inid
l8 lh•it ... tnd Apclf•i•.d: F.mpk>rmrnt. OJCI.tit.
?II lLO Yurboot ~ t..WO..• Smi1tlu IIIIJ,
GtMVI
t._.
2)_ ROYSTON, E. •Mrriiditt of W~t":
~WJtntU ofNit'triliollllfll AlflQtJifkls ;, (H,.,Jupiq
Coit'atrin: .. WHO OiYitioo ol F.NIJ' Hukh.
<Wsotnl918.
2.fo Stu ol the Wotkl'• CtU~ A.leport 1981/l.
UNICEF.
lS CtiAMBERS. R.a: aJ.op.cil Abo eked in World
Surwyon the R:ok o{Wcmen ill O....,lopmeAl.,op.cil
16 St.a ol the . Workh Ch.ildrec R.pon: 1919,
UNJCEF.
.
1:1 *'Prol;.,u i11 Pri,.IITY HNIIA C1111't' (H~I;>pMt"l"
op.cil
'
l8 ibid
lO
suu of t.hc
'
WQJkf'« Chiidtl'n R.epott J98Ul
Jl,hi!J
Hii>Od
uw, .. IJSIIl'ftymiN!tfoitoi"WOftlltflinO.Y(~,"'
nptlf.
.u f.m~tlltCMi--ot.. OECD. Puis 19U.
'}S "II'U.HII'>ti>tSI..,IiJti<:t':op.dt.
_1(1 lh•it• -''d ~I'J'nitd: Emf"\Ou'ytlwlrt, oop.(:it..
)1 W,vkl5ut•tJ<>nlbt R,.,f,,'('ai.'CVMIIin0,¥ti(lprlllnl.
ll ~wct(r o11d StHtiMtioll/or AU?N op.d:l.
JZ ,.Wori:m at IU1i: .. WHO Tec:iWcat lttport
S.ries.
n WEIR. D., SCHAP1RO, 'W. '"Cirtlnl/ PoiJ(JJII:
Ptuifflln tmd hoplt itt o H"'"""' w,Jr. lc.Wt\lie
for food ll'ld Devcl<lpmcftl Policy. USA. 1981.
J4 KINNJ::RSLEY', p, .. TittHGIOtdJofWort·How
ro Ft,lt.l tltt•N Phno ~ 1974,
lJ ''WO"«"II Wo-rii"'l Worldwi$>: 111#111ttnt41it:J1f01
DiviJiO'I of Lolxntl irt tltt £1«tt'Mi('J. CIDiltiq turd
Turiltl l~~tt/lutti#;~, Wv 011 WMt, l..ondcotlll18).
)6 "Co•ttl' iJ o 111i<'d World Pff'JbW. fOOM WHO
"'"
3'7 MULLEJl. M, "T~ oJid tlu Tltinl World:
Tt>-I'IIIC>n'!lt*"'l Cpidt,.~·'" Wv on W&Al., 1918.
l8 Jltrl'lor• tM Appr•bal: Hullh and Nut.ritiart.
op..cil
19 UN W()('jd Aunn~y Coo\ AJi!!iS. op.cil:
40 UN St$1istW:al Off'lcc, S.leettd ltldicaiDn on
WQ'l'Wifl.. Nt• YoR !9&5.
41 R.evW• and Appr~iut: He11lh lllld NUViiion.
o'j:bcit.
42 CLEMENT-JONES. P.J. MFiJidi<f6, UNnri"'l.
l l ibid
}<ii,Jif.i
.nSF.THUR.AMAH,S.'V. "T"lit U~•IIJ/tm•ottl~l'~
il< IJro•lropi'l,l Cout..,;n'· ll~a:l: ill W«W Sol~y:
w~,. itt Ttfl4f, Wnr\d f:cNc•••• 10 JWvi.l• t.tood
1\ropot.htl.hc ,.,~hiP-IIU~"- UlliladNt..~iarM~
!of Wnnwll: Equ~ity, Dut~liNi Pncr, Nlllirobi,
Kt'IJI. 1111) J9&), MCOHf.ll61t
•1 at~lt• 'V'IIIf App~u!:
FKVn, s....ic\1•
~,.,. T,.,~c. ""~""~c... ftttncr , .. a, .. ;. .. a:w::~Aw-i..,ltw
.\('1'!inrmt>11U~Ihor\.lflitil'dNti~Decfi4ffot'Wfii"'W:<"
l~'t"'•hly. O.:•i'~tll &n.d Putt.
Kcny•. J~ly
.,.,..,1111"1
l'olM3 • .VC0Nf',U61~/Add
U
H••cob.
The Sl•t• ot lh" Wot1d'l Woaaen
l91.S
!Oibloll
II SAftUOS..OTHSCHILO, C.
•
"At"('f'H
(1/R•m•l
Gidl,. Pri•fVY Elflr«~t•U. ;., t•t nurct K'ttrld' $l<~lt of
iluAI1. OtuiOI'ifl (111111 l'olitl' .tn:l"f.HIIfllit>II(HH ~- OITM:to
d W~ ill ()opto'lopM-_ Al'ti'IC'T
l!!ilemtliootl
~~ 19'J?, Wuhin&lon. D.C. ¢14«1 in World
~Oft 1M
ot W01111CI\ in 4~hurc, op.~;;t
12 "'T,_,oot<Ys.,lf"'ViKri9<lJ~op.d:l.
Jl ..... cn6Appq0..1: E~~ World Canf..,,_
liD l.t-rir• ...t Appcd.t tbol: lt.ckitnmt-"U oltM Unolo:d
N..._o..::.dfkorW~~~:Eq\ltlily,tH•clopi'I'U'"I•nd
ra-
'd!
h_.., N~. ~"'"f"· l11t, I'I'U~ A/CONI'.
tl61S/Add.4
14 Warid $..,..)'a. I~ Rgk dW-A in tlc,..cl¢pm,nl
......
Rtli#'ll("'l Malrtlltritiofll i,. iii.NJW,..t". Qoqr1'1o1111enl
ol Boou•~~na lfll80
U Rnitw &ftd Appr.U•I: Hullh llld N"*"'ioofl..
op,cit.
«ibid
c~ WUO Hntth Sl:ttillio AJln~AI
t.6itid
47 JNGLEBY, 0. "CI'i1UI P1,r-rlt$0Jry" Pt~~Juin
IJ.ook,t, 1~11.
41 MANOA Y·MAOl.ACAS. A, PlZUR.KI. H.
'fhe fouruHI\9 of tile United "-tiona dt·;·r· the Ylctory tn the S.oond World Wor
•nd the •••rvence oi Independent State• follovlnt decolonlaetlon ~r• ~ of tho
leportent evanta ln the political, ~ono.lc and aoctal liber•tlon of voaen. Tho
lnternetlonel Mo.. n•a taar, th• Morld Conf•r•nc•• held at Mtalco City In 1975 and
Copenhagen ln 1980, end "th• United Rotlona.Deceda for WO.•n• lquellty, Dtveloo~ent
and Peace Contributed traetl)l to the proo••• of •ll.tnetlog oba~cl•• to the
1•prove•ent of tile •~tua of - • n at the national,· regional end _lnt•rMtlonll
bvela. In the e•rly l970a, •fforta to end dlacd.tnetlon etalnet wo'"n ..nd "to
enaura thalr equal pectlclpetlon ln aoclety provided the l~tua for .oat
lnltlatlvaa taken at all of thoae l•vala.· Thea•-•fforta were aleo lneplrad by the
ewaraneaa that wccan'a reproductive end productive rol•• ~r• cloaely llnk•d to tht
th• political, aconoelc, aoclal, cultural, latal, educetllonal end rell,loua
condltlona that conatralned the advanc•••nt of wcaan and that fectora lntonolfy1nQ
the OCOftealC eaploltetlon, .. rqlnellaetlon and oppreaalon of wo..n ate•..d fro~
chronic 1neqvellt1••• lnluatlcea end aaploltetlva con~itlona at the faally,
co..unlty, national, aubreglonel, ret1onal end 1nt•cnet1onal levela •.
raugrapb 2
Uibld
...
16 Warid$urw)'tw'lhr ll.olcol w-"in Dnt;k;.pmtut
.......
,
II R,w... . .111114 Awuul:. EdU<"aUoll. op.eil
19 O!Jt.AJ'\IIYACALA, C .. DQI\E, R.P .. l..lnU:.
A. W, "~ljfln:,hnu alllti C 1'111!#1.'1.''"""' "' S,i Lodt~".
tc.l~ of f)ol¥ciopnoltd Sc....:titt. Jtnurch P.tpP<U"
£du,alioll ~He. l. S\!~!l.u, UIC 1911
2'0 SPENDER, 0, ~l .. ritii*- W~,,.,..·• Wrht-rt u1d
a...tm. J9U.
ll ar,i«., !Wid Apprtl•&l: Edvea1..,., op.dt.
lZ UNESCO SUQ,tk•l Y•ttboolll9tl
UibOd
l4 ~ tnd Appniut CommvllCttion and M~u,
World (Gorli(,MIOQ 1oO R.l~itw ~ Appr•l~tt thf
Ac:JlCqmt~ftU dlhf United NtliOt» Ot~:..:lt fQf Womr!l'
Eq:v.&ti:l)i,
clop~MIIt all6 Pun,N•orati, Ktnya, July
o...
liU .VCONF,i1615/A«J.S
l5ibiod
.
16!\)0d
l1 Warid Frnilit)' S,W'Vt)' op,cit
Ulbld
In 1972, the General Aa••~ly, ln lta reeolutlon 3010 (XXVII}, prool•~•td 1975
International WO..n'a Y•ar, to be devoted to lntenalfied ectlon to pr040tt equ•11ty
between .. n end -•n• to enaure the full lnt•vratlon of wO.en In the total
develo~nt effort end to lncre••• wo.,n•a contribution to the atrenvthanln9 ot
world peace. !be Morld Plan of Action for the Iepla•entetlon of the Objective• of
the Intarnatlonel Mo ..n•a Year, !f adopted by the Morld Conference of tilt
International ~en•e Ye•r at Mtxlco City In lt75, vea endoreed by the C.ner1l
Aaeeebly In ita r•eolution.lS20 lXXX). Th• Generel Aaaeebly, ln that reaolut!on,
proclai•ed l97,-lt8S tile united llatlona Decade for ~ant lqueUty, Development
end ?aaca. In lta reeolution ll/185, the General Aaaa~ly decided upon th•
•ub-theee •B•ploy•ent, Blalth end lducatton• for the Morld Conference of the United
111ot1one Dtc•d• for WO..nt ZquaUty, Dtvel-nt en4 Peace, to be h•ld at
Copenha9an to review end evaluat• the PrQ9reaa .. d• ln th• flrat half of the Deea~o.
hrtgraph 3
UNlCEF
bVormatitooo P11d., Gcta¥a, l91W.
..,~~.
lQ lbl<l
r·
22 .."""s,-nl r. Pri•a'1' Hmlllt C4111'1XW'IOfJ"'tfntN
19 ibid
t;k>TillP"'U"i
S '"Aarrlpt <'ltlltPflt(llir'f dt (4 tolaritolio .. n 1/t
op.cit.
Rletorlc•l beckqround
P•U<JUpl\ 1-
I "'Tudt.ln n ll"'~ti/1tllJ "" rfffftib r('l.'t1Riru P'!J'
J ....... and Appraia.al:HcalLhudN.a.rition.op.cit.
Op.dl
•
•
EDUCATION
1 Stau: ol the W<lfkf'l Chikh:a Jlqlort t9SU1,
A.
.
•
t R.evlonrand ~KealLh&Ad Nwition.ep.¢k.
9 .. Wwr"Jttl So"itoliCWOI.ht'A'JlrE~Brietln&
~ N(). 22. Now:mboct 1910.
4Jibid
46
op.cit.
l ibi6
)P.n"PM!:JApprais.at:Heall.baadN~World
CoNmnc:o~ to Revifw Uld ApP'ait,.,"\he MW•
menu of \he Uniud Nu.bM ~ for Womce:
E<palil)', l;)eVi!lopmcnl lllld Pnet, N&if'Obi. lhn)'L
JuiJ' 19U. AJCONF.It6/S/A.dd.J
QCt.ti&..
42 ibid
Ill'l'ROIXICTION
ll MANOAY-NAOU.CAS, A .• PIZURKJ, H.
opcit.
'll"tofrtss ;,. PriflflJI'!' Htohil C¥11'1 Drwi<>P"""'I~
HEALTH
1~ ''Tltr .R11Ir fl[ Wa_.., iatAt $ob1tic;w oflltt Fotltll
.u,sa
~ibid
Uibld
fu!" Afict. 1914.
op.~t.
THE FORWARD-LooKING 8TRAT~IE8
49 "'P~:tl ;, Pri...a~· HmJtJ, Co"' Dtl'f'lofulllt~tfH
op.(;it.
'
4l Warid s,.,....y.,.w fLo6to/WOIIIIItniaOortckiopHAt.
J]WcridS~JCollhtbbrJWc.'llftOQiill[')v.«~lll.
op ;II
POLITICS
I "J.A,oti,.l r. tiw flit~l'l: £qtu:l P(llf"~'"llip brt"'~''"
M'ollft.<t •"" Mr" ;,. tlu ]liJ Ct"'"ry·''. Uutnphfty
ltWiLi\IIW d f'Vblic AJI'Ilrt, Uqjortnity ol MlAIU"tOU
l'Rolpono/U.WorldC~ttollbo!Un.ilt<!NllionJ
On'.:~otfotW-.,CIQPI'n.h.tll'ftl9iO,MCONF.'H!.H
) R.loritw Wid A,ppniMi: hn 1 ~ G~rw~rt! D¢"eloptntlll
World COIII/u.~~n \0 R.ulcw tlld ApPn;u Uor
A,:!M..,.IIIII:IIb otUw Unitotd Ntt..,.,Dt:tlodo-fcwW(lm!:rt:
Elf,l'lity. Dof:.,.-~op~MM -.1\d Puc•, N•'ro;.bi, Krny-.. holy
1915 . .VCONF.II615
...,
<I ibid
In 1980, at th• •ld-polnt ·of the O.Cad •• th• Copanheqen world Conference
adopted the Pr09r••., of Actton for the Second Bllf of the Dftlted "-tlon1 Dtcado
for ~ent. l!quellty, Oevalopeent end Peace, ~ vhlch further elaborated on the
exlatlh9 obataclea and on the •x1etlh9 International coneeneua on ... ,ureo to be
token for tht advence•ent of voeen. rhe Pr09r•••e of ACtion w,a endoraed by the
Cener•l Aaa•mbly that y~er tn lta re.olutlon 35113,.
Pat•9nph 4
.Sibid
'1 ~W-t10QII;IMPof£>~1UJHill f(}l)".$1.1ppltm.ri'IIN<>
16 w w-" d Ellt(lpe, c-inion or tnt EIX)I">()f'''>ic
.""
(OII'IJIIuaitlou, 81\iJSC!t.. 1914.
,....., .... •ndAc.r•iut: Pan I op."a.
fO UN Saciuic'.a~Oifc-ot, S<i:lc<:'ltd lndiuloOn oo W(lmt'l.
Nftl YoR HIU.
II R.rrin> Wid Appninl'; 1'11.111. np.'l'il
U UN SUWtiul olfl(t, op.cit.
U1l.Al.Al, A .. op.~t.
H "•"""' ...t Aw•iat hrt 1, CCI·¢"
15 UOEJl SIVA@. R.. "'W9"Jd Miiitety o11t.i s,,..-u,l
l:~lflihP'l'l I "oil): r~• .... Witrrpo~f"" .. otld;o-iotifin
I litH
11ibid
II ibid
J9 W'tL£o\N, $.,!It aJ ~TAo> Roiil' of M.'(l,..,u ;,., f'~ltU'
Ma•"""~"''" '" tiH' Di"'t/(lp,..,.•u ofPtoH Rtua~d• alfol
I~ l"¥'0l'lltUilm qf Fn't"Riio' ~~l<liKuu
M11io.. -. UNESCO. PtN 1910.
i•
htt"W"
op.cil.
-~ ~o-l'lllpil#d #Utd writul'l OJf HA4U of lA# U11itf'd No1iat~J b}' N~w latf'rfl4tio~ttAiiJt P~~tblit-otiol'lt,
O;ifoni, UK.
Alao 1n 1980, the Generei Aaa•ably, In 1t• resolution 35/56, adopted tht
International Dtvelopaent Strategy Jor the !bird Dftltad lllotlonl Development Doc•d•
and reafflreed the recoe..n4etlona of the Copanha9en World Conference C~eneral
A111ebly reeolution 15/5,, •nnex, pare. 51}, In the Strategy, the t•oortanco of
the parttctpetton of women tn the d1veloo-ent proceoa, •• both •9ento and
�,,
"-1
84
benefletarleo, waa otreoaed. Alao, tho Strato9y e~llod for appropriate eeasureo to
bt ta~en In order to brlnq abovt profovnd .aelal and eeonoetc ch•nq•o and to
tll~lnate tht atructural lebalanceo that coepounded and perpetuatod woeen'o
diudvantaqeo In IIOCtety.
P•regraph 5
The atratetlte contained in the MOrld Plan of Action and In tho Protraeee of
wore i~portant contrtbutiona toward• enlar9in9 the per~ctioa foT the
future of women. 1n ~•t areaa, hoveuer, fvrther action Ia roqvlred. -1n thlo
.connection the ~neral Aaaeably conflr ..d the 90111 and objectluea of the Decade •
equality, develo~ent and peace· atreaaed their ualldity for the future and
Indicated the need for concrete ... aurea to over~ the obataclea to their
achltve•ent durlnq tho period 1986-ZOOO.
~ctlon
I
85
developaent ln support of national Protraaeea, bearlnt ln aind that each covntry Ia
reaponalble for ita own davelopeent policy. tha Qap between the developed and
developint countr!ea, particularly the leeet developed a~nv thea, lnstaad of
narrow1n9, la wldanlnt·rurther. In order to at. . auch neQatlue trenda and altlvatt
the current difficultlee of the developiftt countrlea, vhtch affect ·vo.en the -ott,
one of the Pti .. ry ta•-• Of the international ooaaunlty la to puraut vlth.all
vlqour the efforta directed tovarda the eatablleh.. nt of • W.w lntarnatlonal
lcono.!c Order founded on equity, ~•rel9ft equality, Interdependence and coeeon
lnter••t.
B.
Substantive bactqround of the Porvard-1 00 ains Btratestaa
Paragra£!!! 9
Paroqnp!! 6
Tho FOrward-lootlnt Strateqloa for the Adoanceeent of ~en durtnq the Period
from 1986 to tho Year ZOOO aet forth ln the proaont docueent prooont concrete
ee••urta to overcoee the Obotactea to the Decade'• 90111 and objectlvea for the
advancement of women. Bulldlnt on prlnciplee of eqvallty alao eepouaed In the
Chorur of the U»ltad !llltlono, the Unlver .. l Declaration of llu ..n RlqhU, c/ the
Interr.atlonal Covenant on Civil and Political Rlqht•, d/ the tn~ernatlonal-Covenant
on Econo~!c, Social and Cultural R!qhte, s/·the Conv.,tion on the Ell•lnatlon of
All FOree of Dlocrlelnat!on ltalnat Wo..n, tl and the-Declaration on the
Partl~lpatlon of ~•n In Proeotlnt International Peace and.eo-oparatlon, ~I the
Forward-loo~lnq Stroteq!u ·r .. fflr• the lnternatlonal concun ntardlnq the otatus
of women and provide a fraeewort for renewed coealtaent by the international
com~unlty to the advance.ent of women and the ellainatlon of v•nder•beoed
<liacrlaolne·t~on.
The etfortl for the lntetration of - • n ln the devalo~nt
proceoo 1hould be atrenqthenad ond ahould tate Into a~nt the objectlvea.of a new
lntnnatlonlil economic order and the tnternetlona1 Develojlolent Strateqy for the
Third United Nattona Devalopeent Decide.
'
Paragraph 1
The Nairobi World COnference Ia tatlnt place at a critical ~••nt for the
developlnq COUntr_!ea, Tin yeat8 190, Vhen, the Decade wa1 launched, there VII hope
th•t •ccelerated economic qrowth, auatainad by trov!nq international trade,
f! nanclal flolis and· techno101JIC61 developG~enta, ·"'='ul~ ·llllov .t..,e .lncru~ed
participation of ..011en in the aconoalc and IIOClal d.velopment of thooe countrlu.
These hopes hava been belled ovint to the perllltenca and, ln aoee cae••· the
aqqravatlon of an econ~lc crlala ln the developin9 countrloa, which has been on
!~portant obstacle that end•nt•r• not only the purauance of new proqraemes In
ovpport of ~men but al.o the .. lntenance of thoee that vare already under way.
rar.&9raph 8
The critical International ecoftomlc altuation alnca the end of the 1970s hat
POrtlcularly adversely affected developlnq countries and, .oat acutely, the wo~en
of those countr!ea. The overall picture for the daveloptnv countrlea, particularly
tho l~aat developed countriee, the droutht-atrlctan and faatne-atrlcten areaa of
Africa, the debt-ridden countriel and the low•lncoee count.rleo, hn ruched a
critical point aa a resvlt'·Of ttructuul lebalances and the conUnu!nt critical
1nttrnatione1 ~conoetc attua'tion.
The 'altu1tlon c•lla for an lncteased conunltmf'nt
to !~provlnq and pro~tlnq national polic1ea and eultllateral co-operation for
The three objectluea of the Decade - otUallt.y, deualop.ant and peace - are
broad, Interrelated and 8Utually reinforclnt• ao that the achieue.. nt of one
contribVtea to the achleve. .nt of another.
PIU9U£!!! 10
The Oopenhaqan WOrld COnference interpreted equaloty as ..anlnt not only leqal
equality, the ellalnatlon of de jure dlacrlalnatlon, but alao equality of rlthts,
reapanelbillttea and opportunltle• for the pert.lclpat.lon of wo.en In development,
both u beneUclariea and ita acUve atellte.;
Paraqnp!l 11
Equality la both a vaal and a ..ana vheraby lndlvlduale are accorded equal
treat .. nt under the law and equal opportunltlea to enjoy their rlthta and to
develop their potential talenta and etllla ao that they can participate in n•tional
POlitical, econoalc, aoclal and cultural developeent end can benefit free ita
. reaulte. For voaen In particular, equality ..ana the realization of rlqhta that
have been dented aa a result of cultural, tnatltuttonat, behavioural and
attitudinal diacrlalnation. !quality Ia lapoctant for dtvelopeent and peace
becauae national and tlobal inaqultloa perpetuate theeaeluea and lncreaat tenalona
of all typaa.
Pata!!U£!!! 12
The rolt of voaen ln deutlopaant le directly relata4 to tht toel of
coeprehtnaloe acetal and econoelc deuelopaant and la funde ..ntal to the developsent.
of all aocletlea. Davelopaant ..ana total developaant, includln9 developatnt In
the politlc81, acono•lc, aoctal, cultural and Other dl .. nalona of hu.. n life, ••
.walt •• the·dtvelopaent of the econoaic and other ..ttclal reaourcta and the
phyalcal, eorel, intellectual and cultural growth of hu.. n beln9a. It ahould be
conducive to provtdtnv voaen, particularly tboaa who are
or duUtute, vlth
the· neceaaary ..ana for lncrttalnqly clal•lnv, achleuin9, enjoyinv and utilizing
tquality of opportunity. More directly, the lnereaeinqly aucceaaful participation
of each voatn In aoeletal actlvlttea a• a le9ally independent avent will conttlbut•
to further recoqnitlon in practice or bar tlQht to equality. Devtlopaant •lao
requlr•• a eoral dieanaion to enavre that It la juat and reaponaive to the needs
and rlthte Of the individual and that aclenct and ttchnolo9Y are applied within •
aoclal and aconoetc fraaework that enaurea envlroneentel aafety for all lift for••
O!l our Pl•net.
poor
�86
Paragraph 13
The full and eff.etlv• prooooUon of -•n•a rlthta ean ben occur In
condition• of international peace and aecurlty where relatione a~nt State• are
botod on tho roopect for the leqltl.ate rl9hta of all natlOfta, treat and aull, and
P90!>1U to ~tlf-determlnatlon, !!'>dependence, aoverel9nty, terrltorfal lnteqrlty and
the r!qht to l!vo in peace vlthln th•lr national borden.
Peace depends on the. prevention of the uae or thrut Of the ul.e of force,
aqqruo!on, ell!tary occ~p.otion, lnUrhnnce In the Internal affalu of othua,
tho ol!mlnat!on of do•lnatlon, dlactlOilnatlon, opprualon at>d explolutlon, ..... u
u of qrou and uu violation of huun rl9hU and fun~••ental freedoea.
P•oea !nel~<!oo not only the absence of var, violence and hOatllltleo at the
ntt!onal and lnhrnatlond levelo but alto the enjoy•ent Of ilcono<olc and IIOChl
jutt!ce, equality and the entire ran9e of huun rlthta and funda•nta: rr ..dotllo
wl thin oocioty. lt depe,do upon rupect for the Charter of the united Mttlona an<!
th• un!vtrnl Declaration of "'"""n Riqhts, •• vell aa International covenanu an<!
the oth•r ttl•vont lnternatlOnll lnatrueent& on huun rlght•• upon •utual
co-opout!on and uncieratandlnq 111onq all Statu lue•pectlve of their aoclal
pol!tlcol· and oeono.,lc 1youea an<! upon the effective l~~ple•entetiOft by Statu of
the fundaeontal hu""n ri9hta atan<lorda. to vhlch their oltlaen~ are entitled.
a oloo nbrae .. the vhole ranli• of actloni. reflected In ~ern• for ...eurity
and I•PHelt uiu ..ptlono of truot betveen natlonio, aoclal
It ropre .. ntl qoo<!vlll tovar<! othan an<! ~oeotu rupect
troupe and lndlvlduala.
for llfe vhUe proteetinq
frndo,., hu ... n riqt>U and tho <!iqnlty Of peoplel and Of lndlvlduala. P<taCI Cannot
be rnl!~td und•r con<l!tlona of .eono•!c and uxual Inequality, denial of baaic
hu<Un r!qhtl on<! funda..,.ntal fr ..dooaa, deliberate exploitation of larlia "aacton of
the population, unequel dovdopo~ont of c:ountriu, end exploitative a<:t>no~~lc
relotlono. Without peace and atablllty thera con be no deweloP..,nt.. hace and
develoP'IIont ar. interrelated ond ..,tually relnforcln9.
In th!a uapect lpeclal attention h drovn to thl final dOCuMnt of the tenth
IP9C!al ouo!on of the General A&UIIbly, the flnt epeclal ae .. lon"devoted to
d!u<'"'"'"t enco,.paaolnq all MUurea tho~qht to be adviubll In ord .. to ensure
that the qool of qene .. l and -plete dluru11ent under effective International
control !o real!••<!, 'l'hll docu,..nt ducrlbea • cooai>rehenalve pr01Jra•• of
dl10 r ..uent·, includlnq nuclear di .. rouuoenti vhlch h Important not only for puce
but alao for the pro1110Uon of tho econo•lc and 110Cla1 develo-nt of all,
:p.ortlculorly In the developlnq c:ountrha, thr0u9h the ccinltructlve ual of the
enoroous 111110unt of ut•rlal end huun r•.ourcea othervl•• expendl'd on the area race.
P.. eo Ia PrO<I>Ote<l. by equall tY of th• auea, ecoiloelc equall ty and th•
universal enjoy.,.•nt of basic h~un rl9hta and fundaMntd freedoea. IU enjoy•.. nt
by •11 reqo!ru that """'•" t.it enabled to oxerclae their right to pertlcipate on an
oqu•l root!nq vHh ""'" in all apheue of the political, economic 'and IIOClal life of
their respective co~ntriu, ptrtlcularly in the declalon-ulc1nq procua, vhUe
e .. rei•inq their r!qht to freed001 Of opinion, expreadon, lnforutlon and
association I" the prO<Ootfon of International peace and co-opeutlon.
Per'aqrap!l 14
Th• •ffectlve participation.. of vomen in develol""ent and In the ·atnnqthenlnq
or peace, as ·well Ja the- pto"''tlon of the equality of WOllen and" •en~ require
...
87
concerted t1Ultl-4l•nalonal nutetlu and •••ur11 that ahould be
people-oriented. Such atrategle• and -••urea will require continual upqradlnq and
the ~oductlve utllhatlon of huun reaourc•• with 1 wlev to pr0"-~•"9 equ•Uty and
pro<!ucinq ~u•t•lnad, •n<lo9enoua developee"t of aocletle• and 9roup1 of lndivld~alo,
Paraqrapl! lS
The thre• 110011 of the Decode - .quality, develo-nt- and peace -Ire
inextricably llntad to the three aub-the. .a- aaploy. .,t, health and. education.
They eonotltute the concrete blala on which ~quality, developeent and peace r••t. ·
The enhancement or·vo.,.n•a equal participation In developeent and peace.requlr!a
the developeent of huun reaourc:ea, recoqnltlon by aoclety of the need to leprove
woaon'a atatua, and the participation of all In the reatructur1119 of aoc:lety. lt
involvea, In particular, bul1dlnt a partlclpatory hu.. n lnfraatructura to per•it
the eoblllaatlon or woeen at all 1evela, vlthtn.dlfferent
and aectora. ·To
achlevo optleua developeent of hu-.n and .. terlal reaourcea, woaen•a atren9tha and
capabllltiea, lncludl119 their treat contribution to thl welfare of faelliea and to
the developMent of eoclety, ...,.t be fully aetnowle41Je<! and vtlue<l.
tttalneont
of the 901la and objective• of the O.C.da require• e aharll'l9 of thla reaponalblllty
by . .n and voaen and by aoclety aa • Vhole and require• that voaen play a central
role •• !ntellectuala, po1iey-..-era, declalon-..kera, plannera, and contributor•
and blneflciarie• or devolopeent.
•Ph••••
Th.
Paragraph 16
Tho need for woaen'• perapectlve on huun dewelopeent Ia crltleel alnce It ta
in the lntereat of huun enrlcheont ond proqreal to lntrod~e an4 veave into the
aoclel fabrle woaan•a concept of ~quality, their cholcea betvean tlternatlve
<!evelop.ent atrateqiea and their approach to poaca, in acoordanca vlth their
oap!ratlona, lntereata and talenta. thea• thln91 are not only dealroble In
the•••lvee but are alec eaaentla1 for the attaln. .nt of the 9oala and objective• of
tha Decade.
Paraqrapl! 17
The revi.., an<! appralul of proqrua ao:hlewed and obatacle• encountered at the
national level In the raallaatlon of thl goala and objectl. .a ·of the Onlted Nations
Decade for WOOiena Bquallty, Developeent an4·Peace Ieee A/OOHF.ll6/5 and Add.l-14)
ldentlflea varloua levela of eaperle~e. Deaplte the conald•rable proqre••
ach~eve4 and the lno:reoalnll participation of woetn In aoelety, the Decade haa only
partially attalnod ita 9oala and objectlvea, Although the earlier yeara of the
Decode ven choracterlaed by rehUvdy favourable economic condltlona In both the
developed and developlnq countrlea, deterloratlftiJ econo.lc condltlona have al~ed
etforu directed tovarda ~oeotlnq the !H~Ual perti.clpa'Uon of - e n In 110elety and
have qlvan riaa to new probleaa. With regard to devalo;.ent, there are Indication•
that In ao11e c:aaea, althou9h the pertlclpetlon of - . n 1e lno:reutn9r thdr
benefit• are not lncreaalng proportionately.
Paraquph 18
Many of the obatacleo dtacuaoed In the rorvard-loo•ln9 Strateqlea vera
Identified In the ravlev and appral .. l (aee A/CONF.ll6/5 and Add.l-lt). The
overvhel~ln9 obatoclea to the advanceaent of WOllen are In practice cauaed by
varylnq comblnattona of political ond eco~lc •• well aa acetal ond culturol
taeton,
Further1110re, the tloc:lal and o:ultural obotaclea are oo•etl•e• eqqnvated
�..;,
88
89
by polltlcol ond econoalc factora ouch •• the critical internotlonal economic
aUuatlon ond the con.. quent adjuataent proqua..a, IIliich in 91neul entail 1 hiqh
ooclal eoot. In thb contnt, the otcOnoeie c:onatrainto due in part to the
provalllnq ..ero-eeonoele faetoro have contributed to the •99<1VItlon of aeono•le
condition• ot the national level, MOreover, the da.aluatlon of wo..n•o produetivt
and roproductlve roleo, •• 1 reoult of vhlch the atotuo of ~n continued to be
roqoidod •• ..condary to thlt of ..n, oneS the lov pdority a ..'l9ned to P<OCIOtlnq
tho portlclpatton of -•n In devdo-nt are hietorlca1 hc:ton tt.ot U'llt 11010en'o
ace••• to e~ployeent, health and education, •• vall •• to othwr e.Ctoral reoourcoo,
and to the effective inteqrotion of woeen in the 4aeialon•.. kill9 proe•••·
~•qordlua of qaina, the atructural eonstrainU i•poaed by e aoclo-acono•lc
!ra••vor~ In which VOOIIn au ..cond-cla .. panona atUl Uatt provreu.
Dupite
chanqu In oo,.e c:ountrlu to pro<1>0tl equity in all apfloreo of lUI, the "double
burden• for vo.. en of hovln9 the -..jor reoponaibility for .,_utic ualta ""d o!
portlclpatinq In the labour force reuins. l'or elll•ple, severa1 countrl.eo In both
tho developod and ~eveloplnq vorl<! Identify •• 1 . . jor obataele the laet of
adequate oupportlve aervicea for vorti119 - n .
PH&groph 19
Accord!nq to reopen••• froa the devalopinq countries, particularly the leaot
dtvtloped, to tho United Nttiona queotlonnaire to Govern..nta
A/COHP.ll6/5 and
Add.l-14), poverty Ia on the lncr•••• in .aee countriea and cOnatitutes another
... jor obstacle to the aclvaneaaant of -~~.
edtenciea created by problo11a of
'"""" poverty, eo<Dpounded by acoree notional "ra.ourc••• have ~llec! CovernA>tnto
to concentrate on allovbtl119 the povuty of both -nand ..n rather than on
equality loauta for women. At the •••• ti•e, because voeen'• aeeondary pooltlon
!ncr .. au th<t!r vulnuabllity to Ur\llnall.ution, tho.. belo119l119 to the loveot
ooclo-oconomlc atrata ore lltely to be the pooraat of the poor ancS ahould be qivon
prior! ty. Wo,.en ore an .....ntial productive fore.t in all .tcone>~~i&al thud ore it·
1• particularly leportant in tl•e• of econoeic raeaaaion that proqr•~••• and
aeoauroo dea!gned to raloe the atatua of women ehoulc! not be relaxed but rather
tntons!!lod.
I•••
'the
paragraph 20
To econoMic probleeo, vith their attencSant aoeial oneS cultural iepllcatlons,
eust b<! edd•d tl'•• threat to international peaea and aac:urity reaultl.119 fr001
vlolotlono of the principlu of the United"JIIitlona Chorter. Tbia aituation,
-=.!!'e'ctinq- inter !!U-tt t.)lf' lives of woaen, con1titut•• a 1101t ••rioua obJtAcle to
d•••lop,.ent and thua hlndero the fulUl•ent of the Porwud-lootinll StUU\llta.
c.
Current tranda and perspective• to the year 2000
Poraquph 22
In the abaence of .. jor atructural eha&~Ja• or technolotioal breakthrouthl, it
can be prl4ietl4 that up to the year 2000 recant trencSa vill, for tbe ao1t part, be
exten414·anc! adjuatecS. The aituation of voaen, •• it evolvea durift9 tho period
1986-2000, vtll alao eauaa other chant••• aatoblishi&~J • proeeaa of eeuaa and
effaet of 9r1at -plaxity. 01an11•• in -n•a .. terial oon41.tiona, eonaeiouonou
and aepiretiona, ea vall ea aocl.etel attltudae towards voaen, are tht ..alvea aoelal
and eultural proc••••• havi119 .. jor laplieationa and e profound influence on
inatltutlona aueh •• the faally. ~n•a advance..nt hla aehlav14 a e.rtain
aoeentu• that will be affaetecS by the aocial and econo.ic chan9es of the "next
15 yeara, but it vill alae continue to axiat •• a force to be reckoned with. •
Internal P.oeaooes vill axereiae a .. jor influence l.n the aconoaie aphere, but the
atate of the tlobll aconoeio •yat. . and of tbe political, aocial, cultural,
dtmQ9rapl!te and coa..,nlcation proeeaae• directly affaetl4 by it v111 l.nvarlably
have • aou profound i•paot on the a""ance ..nt of - n .
Paraquph 23
At the beglnnl.n9 of the Decade tbere vaa an opti••atic outlook for
davelopeent, but durlft'J the early 19101 the vor1d aconoay axparl.anc14·a videopread
reeaasion Clue, inter alia, to Sharp inflatlOftlry pretaures that affeet14 re91ono
and ao.. qroupa of countriee, irreapeetive of their level of Clevel~nt or
aconoalc structure, Durint the ...e period, ~er, tbo countrlol witb centrally
plonnecS aeonoaiea •• a 9roup ••pariencad atable oconoaic 9rovth. !be 4eveloped
.. <ltot aconoay countriea alao a~rl.eneed 11rovth after the recaallon.
Dlaplte the recovery in the developacS .. rket aconoay eountrle1 vhtch ia belnq
felt ln the vorlcS aconoay, the i ...diate outlook for recovery l.n cSeveloplnll
eountriea, eapaeially in the lov·ineoae and tha l .. lt developed countrlee, reaalna
bleak, particularly in vlev of their anoraoua public ancS privet• eattrnal dtbta an~
the COlt of ••rviclnq that debt, Vhleh are an evlcSent .. nifeltatlon of this
eritical eituotion, Tbio heavy burden baa .. rioua political, econo.ic and aoeial
conoequeneea for thee. No laatin9_recovery can be aebievad witbout raetifyi119 the
atructural iabllancee in the context of the critical lnternatlonal acono«le
situation eftd vlthout continued effort• toward• the eatabli•h ..nt of 1 nev
lntarnattonal econoaic orcSar. Tho preaent aituation clearly hla aerioua
repareuaeion• for the atatua of.woaen, Plrticu1er1y on4erpr1vil~td .oaen, """ for
huaen reaource developaent,
paragraph 21
What Ia now needed Ia the political vlll to pr0010te devllo-nt in auch • way
that the atrateqy for the advaneeMnt of - n a .. ka first and foreaoot to altor
the current un•qual eonc!ltlona and atrueturea that continua to 4oflne -•n u
••cond•ry porsons end qive vo~n•a iaauea 1 lov priority, Devtlo~nt ahould now
~v• to an 0 ther plane In wnleh women'• pivotal role in aociety ia r•coqnlled and
qlvtn Its true value. That will allov - • n to auu.,. their ·ll9iUute and coa
pooltions In the atrotegles for effectin9 the ehan9es riaceaaary to promote ond
•usta1n development.
·
woeen, ·aubjeet to c:oapouncS diecr1a1nation Oft the baaia of ract, colour,
•thnlelty Inc! national oritin, in addition to •••• could ba even aora ecSverttly
affected by-deteriorotinCJ. aconoeie conditione.
Paraqraph 24
If· currant trend• contlnue, the proepeets for the developing vorld,
partlcu1trly the low-inc:oae and 1oaat developed countrita, vtll ba eoabrt. The
ovoroll qrovth tn tht 4evelopln9 countriaa •• currently projected vill ba lowtr in
the period 1980-2000 than that ••porianeld in the parlocS 1960·1910. rn order to
rtdr••• this outlook and thereby pro.ote the advanceaent of woaen, polieleo ohould
be reoriented and reinforced to pro.ote vorlcS trade, in particular ao 11 to promote
.. rket aecesa for the export• of cSavelopint countrlea. Sl•ilarly, polieitl ohould
�91
90
be puraued in othtr areaa which would alao proeott 9rovth and dtvtlop~tnt in
developing countritt, for example, In rteptet of further lowering intereot rat••
and purouit of non-inflationary growth policitt.
Paragraph 2S
I
I t h .(UU:d that, H thtrt it alov 9r011th in the world eeenoey, thert will
inevitably bt negative itplicationa for woeen ainct, ae a rttUBt of dlminlahed
rtoourcet, action to coebat woeen'e low position, in particular, their hiqh rate•
of illiteracy, low ltvtlt of education, d1acr1ainat1on in eeployte~. their
.
unreeoqnised contribution to tht econoey and their apaclal htalth nttdt, uy be
pootpontd_. l\ pattern of dtvtlopoent proootint just and equiublt qr011th on the
blah of juotlct ond equdity i,n inttrnatlol'lll eoono•ic relat1o.n1 could ukt
pottiblt tht ettain.. nt or tht 90111 and objectivta of the International
Development Strategy, which could .. ~. a tignificant ieprov•••nt in the atatuo of
women while enhancing vomen't effective contribution to development and peace.
Such a pattern of development hae ita own internal dynaaica that would facilitate
an *Quitable diotrlbution of reaourcta and 11 conducive to pr~ting auotained,
endoqtnoua devtlopmont, which will reduct dependence.
Poraqroph 26
It ia v*ry important that the efforta to proaot• the econoorlc and social
atatua of wo••n ahould rely in perticular on tht devalop-.nt atrateqlea that ote~
tr~ the qoola and objective• of the International Dtvelopeent Strattgy and the
principle• of a new international econoetc order. Tht&e principle• include,
inter alia, ael!·rellance, colltctlvt ttlf-rellanct, the activation. of indiqtnoua
hum.n and aaterial reaourcea. Tht rtttructuring of the world economy, viewed on •
lonq~ttr• bath, is to the' benefit of all people- WOIItn and ••n of aU countriu.
Poroqroph 27
~ccordinq to eatiaat•• and projection& of the International Labour Office,
wo .. en con•t I tutt lS par cent of th• vorlc! '• bbour force, and thit fiqute h likely
to iner .. n ltaadily to the yen 2000. Unltll profound and extenalve chan;u ore
.. de, the type of wor- available to the .. jority of vo..n, aa well aa the rawards,
will continue to bt low. WO.tn't ttployeent 11 likely to bt concentrated in artaa
requirinq l~war tkilla and lower waqta and-~niaua job aecurity. Wbilt ~•n'a
total input of lobour in the foreal and inforeal aector will aurpaea that o! een by
the yur 2000, thay will recdve an unequal ahare of the world's aaaeu and
lnco~t. Aceordin9 to recent eatlaatea, it atttl that voetn have aole
reaponoibilJty for the aeonoaic aupport of 1 large number of tht world'• children,
oppro•ieotely one third and higher in aoaa·countriea, and the nu•bera seem to be
rioinq. Forward-looking atratt9i•• .uat bt prQ9raaa1va, equitable and deaiqned to
aupport tff•etively wo•en'• rol•• and relponalbilitita •• they evolve up to tho
y.. r 2000. rt will continue 'to bt nectaury to take &pacific eeuun• to prevent
dioerlftlinatlon and exploitation of their econoeic contribution ·at notional and
lntornationol levels.
Parogroph 28
During tho period froe 1986 to the year 2000, changaa in the natural
onvironment will ba crlttcol 'for voeon. One area of chan91 Ia that of tho role of
wo~on •• intoraedloriet between the natural environeent and aociety with respect to
ogro~oeosystems, •• well •• the·provilion of aafe water and fuel oupplies ond tho
r'
cloaely eaaociated que1tion of aanitation. The problat vill continue to be
greate•t vhtra water re~rcea era li•ited - in arid and aeei-arid treat - and in
areal e•periencing increasing dteo9raphic preaeure. Jn a 9tntral .. nntr, an
laproveaant in the tltuation of wo•en could brlnt about a reduction in eortelity
and morbidity aa well as better re9ulation of fertility and hence of population
grovth, which would bt beneficial for the environlltnt and, ultieately, for woaen,
children and ten.
Pnaqnpb 29
The iaouea of fertility rataa and population trowth abould bt treated in a
context that per•lto woeen to •••rciot effectively tbtlr ri9hta in ltttera
pertain1n9 to population concern•, including the be•ic ri9ht to control their' own
fertility which for•• an itportant beaia for the enjoy .. nt of other rithta, e1
atated in the report of the International Population Conference held-at Mexico City
in 1984. h/
Paraqr•ph JO
It ia expected that the evar-expandinq coe•unicat:ona·netvork vill bt better
attuned than htfore to tbt conaern• of wo-en and that planners in this field will
provide increaaing infor .. tion
the objective• of-the Decade~ equality,
develapeent and peace - on tht Porvard-lookift9 Strateqiea, and on the iaauea
Included in the lub-th'ttt - eaploy..nt, health and education. All chlnnela,
including coeputera, for .. l and non-forul education and tho eedla, aa vall aa
trodltional ..chant••• of coaaunication involvint the cultural -.die of ritual,
dra .. , dialoque, oral literature and cualc, ahould bt uaed.
on
Panqnph 31
Politlcel and 90Vernatntal factora that ere li-ely to affect proapecta for the
achitvellent of proqraaa by wo..n during tht period 1986•2000 will depend In larqe
eeaaure upon the exiatance'or ab1ence of peace. If vidtepraad intarnational
ttnaiona continua, with threttl not only of nuclear catastrophe but alao of
localised conventional warfare, then the attention of policy-e.-are vill bt
diverted from ta•-• directly and indiraetly relevant to tha advanceeint of women
and ..n, and vast rtaourcta will bt further applied, to tilltary and·reltttd
activities. Tbie·ahould bt avoided and theta reaourcea ahould bt directed to the
i•prove•ent of hueanit7.
huqraph 32
To pro~tt their intertttl effectively, voeen evat be able to enjoy their
right to take pert in national and international dtCIIion-.. -int proceaaea,
includln9 the right to diaaant publicly and peacefully. ftc. their Oovern•ent'•
policlea, and to eobillat to incrtaae their participation in the proeotion of peace
with!~ and between nationa.
·
.
P•ra9raph
n
There ia no doubt that, unleaa eajor .. aaurea are taken,_nutaroua obataclta
will continue to IKiat which ratard'tht participation of vo.. n in political life,
In the formulation of policies that affect thea and in tht formulation of national
women'• policiea. Succeaa will de~nd in large ..aaure upon whather or not women
can unite to help each other to change 'their poor material circuastancea and
�"
...
93
92
~n
at the reqlon.l level ahould be baaed on a clear ••••••-nt of de~rophic
trenc!a and c!evalopaent foraeaata that provide a raallatlc context for thelr
laple..ntatlon,
oo<:ond>rY outuo and to obtain tht tlae, anu11y an4 aapoorienee required to
,.rtlcl!"'te in poll tical U fa. At the aa•e u .. , h•prove.. nta in h.. lth. and
t<lueotion.tl atotua, 1tt9al and conatltutlonol provldona and netvorkii'IIJ vlll
!ncr .... tho dhctlvoneu of the poUUcd action ulr.en by - n ao thn thoy can
obu!n 1 euch vr .. ur allan ln pollticd dachlon-kii'IIJ than before.
Paragraph 36
~· I'Orvard-lootl"'J Strate9lea and .,ltldlaena·l-1 ... uuree IIUU be poraued
vlthln the fra ..vort of a juat lntarnatlonal aoclaty ln which equitable eeono.lc
relatione vlll allov the cloaln11 of the II*P that aeperatea the induatriallaad
countrlea fro. the developlhiJ countrl••· In thia r•11•rd, all countrlaa are called
upon to ahov their co••ltaent •• vaa c!aelded,·ln General Aa ..ably reaolutlon 34/138
and, therefore, to continue lnfor .. l conaulutiona on the launchiiiiJ of~lobal
ntiJOtiationa, •• c!eclc!ed by the General Aaaeably in daeialon 3'1454.
I
PHI9roph 34
!n aoeo countrlta and ln IC4t araaa, wo•tn have ..de aiiJniftca~t advanceo, but
ovtroll proqr•U 1>11 bean oaoc!aat durl"'J the Decade, aa ia evident froa tho revhv
ond 1 pproUal. Dur ln11 thia poor1o4 • - • n •a conaclouanan and expaeutiona have
won roloed, and it la l11portant that tMI aoaentu• ahould not be loat, reqardl .. •
o! the poor porfor.anco of the ~rld econoay, ~• chlftiJaa,occurrlnll in the fa•lly,
In voen'o rol.,. and ln rwlatlonol>lpe botvean - n 1nd ..n .. y pre .. nt nav
challtni.ln requirin; nev poorapoctlvaa, atrat*lli•• and iMIIUrll. At the •••• Uee,
It will bo neeoaaary to build alliance• and solidarity 11roupa aero•• sexual lln••
in on attoiiiPt to ovorcoee structural obataclu to the advanceaant of wo11en.
D.
PIU9taph )7
It la neceaaary to reiterate the unity, inaeparablllty and interdependence of
the objactlvee of the Decade - equality, c!evelopaent ,,~ peace • aa ra91rda the
advance•ent of woaen and their full lnt81Jration in econoalc, political, aoclal and
cultural devalopaent, for vbtch purpoae the Objectives abould re.. ln in effect in
the operational atrate9i•• for the advanc~ent of voaen to the year 2000.
PHI9<1Ph lS
Tho world Plan of Action for the tepleaentatlon of the objaetlv.. of tho
Internotlonal 11o10en'• Y~ar, !/ tho D<oclaratlon of Ned co on the·llquallty of liiOIMn
and their contribution to D<ovelop>ent and Peace, 1975•, !/ tiiJiOnel plano of
action, tho Pr011r••me of Action for the second Half of the Onlted ~tiona Decade
tor Woeont Equality, Devolopmont and Peace, ~I and the sub-the.. - eaployeont,
hulth and education - tha D<ocloratton on the Pertlcipetlon of - n in Pro1110tll'l9
tntecnottonal. Puce and eo-operation 9/ and the COnvention on the !llalnetion of
~ll ror•• of Dlacrl•tnatlon eiJainat llomen !I re.. ln valle! end therefore conotltute
tht ~•I• for tho atrat•llieo and concrete ..aeurea to be pursued up to the
yoor lGOO. Tile continulnq relevance of tho 110111 of the Onlted ~tiona C.Cado for
wo••n• ~quality, D<ovolopoont and Peace - and of ita aub-the•e- health, education
ond uployftnt - ahould be atuued, aa ahould the iapla.. ntatlon of the nlevant
recocmtndatlona of the 197S Plan of Action and the 1910 Pr011n••• of·.~~ctton, ao aa
to onovre the co,.plete lnte1Jutlon of ~-n in the developeent procuo and _tho
t!f.ctlve realization of the objaetlvu of the Decade. ~· cl>allaf!IJ•- to for
tht lnurnatlonal coaaunlty to ensure that thl achteve.. nta of the Decade becollt!
otronq buildlnq block• for devalopeent an4 to pr-te equaUty and peace,
topoclally for the a.~e of future qenerattona of voaen. ~· obataclta of the ne•t
i5 Y•><• moot·~ .eet throuqh concert•d 9lobal, r_tlll~l. !nd national efforts. lly
tht y.. r 2000 lllltuacy should have been •ll•lnated, life eqiectancy for all ""''"""
lncr .. ud to at lout 6S yun of IJooCI quality life and opportunltleo for
ulf-aupP.Ortinq e01ployHnt ude avalleble. AbOVe· all, lava quarantednq equelity
!or """"" In all spheres of life auat by than be fully and coaprehenalvely
l01pluent•d to enoura a truly equitable IJOClo-aeonocic fre,..vork vlthln vhlch rod
devolo.,.,ent can take ploce. rorward-looklniJ StrateiJl•• for the advance10•nt of
Reservations to thla pau<;~nph vert forauleted by Auatraita, llelqlu,.,
coned•• Denmark, Finland, Federal Republic of Geraany, tceland, treland, Israel,
Italy, Luxt01lx>Ut9• Nttherlando, """ tuland, NOrvay, Sveden, Sviturland, United
Statu of AOittlca. The United ·sutes renrved ita poaltlon on thl reference in
thlo paroqroph t.o thl Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Vo~~an and their
contribution to D<ovdopMnt and'·Peace, 1975.
Iaale appt:Cllch to the foraulatlon of the I'Orwnd-lookiM Stntegiu
Paraitaph 38
l
I
I
~e rorvard-looklftiJ strata~Jlaa are intended to provide • practical and
effective 911ide for qlobal action on a lon9-tera·baaia and within thl context of
the broader 11oala and ob;lactlvaa of a nav international econoalc order. Meaaurea
are deol11n•d for laeec!iate action,. vlth aonltoriftiJ and evaluation occurrlftiJ evary
five yeara, depenc!tn9 on the c!aclelon of tha Central Aaaeably, Since oountrlea ara
at various ataqea of davelopeent, they abould have the option to aet their ovn
prlortttea baaed on their ovn developeent polloi•• and reaource capebilltiea. What
.. Y be poaalble for laaec!late action In one country .. ,. require aora lOIIIJ-r•niJI
plannlniJ in another, and 1ven aore ao in reapact of counttiea Which are'atlll undar
colontallaa, do.lnation and for1i9n occupetlon. · ~~ ...ct .. thoda and procedure•
of lapl•••ntiniJ .. aaurea vlll dtpand upon the nature of the political proceaa and
the ad•lnlotratlve oapebllitlea of each country.
Pauqnpl! l9
SO.t: . . aauraa are intended to affect 11011en and othera directly and are
deetqned to . . ke the aociet•l contest 1••• obetr~ctive and acre •~pportive of their
PrOIJr•••· ·~eae ..••urea would Include the eliaination of •••-baaed ater.otypiniJ,
Vl>lch la at the' root of ContlnuihiJ diacrlalnatlon. llea.Urea to iaprove the
altuatton of woeen are bound to have a ripple effect in aoclety, aince the
advancement of voeen la vlthout doubt a pre-condition for the eatabliah~~ent of a
huune and proqreaalve aochty.
Paragraph 40
The feaaiblllty of pollclaa, pr01Jrall•ea and project• concernln11 voaan will be
affected not only by their nuebarl and aoclo-eccnoelc hatarOIJtnelty but alao by tho
different ltfe-atylea of WOllen and by the con1tant chanqea in their life cycle,
�T
94
95
Poraqraph 41
Paraqraph 44*
The l't>rward-lootin<J Stuhqieil not only auqqaat Muurea for ovareo•in9
obataclea that are funda•ental and operational, but al.o identify those that are
omer9lnq. Thus, the atrate<Jiea end ..aaure8 presented are int,nd.ct to aerva aa
9 utdollnoo for • process of contlnuoua adaptation to dlvarae ariel chan9in9 national
altuatlona at apaecla and .odes ~oter•lnecl by a.erall national ~iorltleo, within
which the lnte<Jratlon of ~n·in clavalo,..nt ahould ran• bi9h. The
rorword-lootln<J Btrota91ea, acknovlacl9ln9 axlatlnq and potential Obataclea, Include
aeporote baalc atrataqlea for the achleveMnt of equality, development and peace.
In line vlth the reco. .. n4otlona of the eo.•laalon on the ltatua_of ~on, actlnq
•• the Prop.ontory Body for the Conference at lta aecond aoadon, particular
attention Ia qlven to •aapeclally vulnerable and unclerprlvll•9.cl 9roupa of ~•en,
auch •• rural and urban poor women, woeen in ar••• aff.ct.O by ar ..d conflleta,
forei<Jn intervention and international threata to peace1 elderly wo•on1 youn9
vomen 1 abua.cl voaen1 destitute wo•on1 ~n wtcti .. of traffickift9 and vc••n In
Involuntary proatitutlont vc•an deprived of their tredltlonal •aana of livelihood!
vomon who ore .Ole agpporters of fa•illest phyalcally and .. ntally dlaabled woaen1
vo~en In detontlon1 rafu911 and diaplococl woeen1 •l9ront wo..an1 •lnorlty vcevn1 ond
!ndi9enoua women•. 11
The lnoquallty of wo.en in eoat countrlea at••• to a very lar9e extant free
.... poverty and the 9eneral bac-vardnaaa of the .. jortty of the world'• popUlotlon
cauaed by undardovelopaont, which ia a product of lapariallse, coloniallaa,
neo-colonialla•, apartheid, racla•, racial dlcri.Snatton and of unjust
international econoalc ralationa. the unfavourable atatua of voeen ia aqgravatod
In .. ny countries, devalopocl and unclordevelopocl, by ~ dlacri•inatlon on the
9rounda of eax.
PIU9Ufh 42
Pauqnph 45
One of the funcla••ntal obatacl•• to woaan's aquallty i• that do (actf .
discriainatlon and inequality in tho.atotua of ~nand ..n darlva froa arger
.octal, .ao~•lc, political end cultural factors that have been juatifiocl on the
baaia of phyalOl091cal dlfforonc••· Althoo9h there is no phyalol09ica1 basta for
r19ardln9 tho houaehold and fa•ily aa eaaontially tha cloaaln of voeen, for tho
devaluation Of cloeeatic
and for ra9erdift9 the Capacitiaa Of woeon aa lnforlor
to thoae of •en, the ballaf that auch a baala oatilts perpetuates Inequality and
inhibit• the atructural and attitudinal chaft9IS nocas~ry to ali•inate auch
vor-
in~uality.
Pau9raph 45
AlthOU9h oddreaaocl prl .. rily to GOvetnMnta, International and fl<jlonal
orgonl&otiona, one! non-9ovarn•ont•1 or9onixationa, an appeal 1• .. da to oll vceon
ond $On In a aplrlt of solidarity. In particPlar, it ta addreaaecl to thoaa woaen·
and •on who now enjoy certain i•provo.enta In their .. terlal circuaatancea and vho
han achieved poaltlona .mere they .. y Influence poUcy-klnq, dovelol""ant
prlorltioa and public opinion to choft9e the currant inferior and oxploitacl
condition of the .. jority of woeon in order to serve tho 9oals Of ~uality for ell
vo,.en, their full p.orticlpatlon in davelo-nt, and tba achleveaent and
Nomen, by virtue of their 9ondor, experience dlacrl•inatlon in tor•• of doniol
of aqual acceaa to the povar atructure that control• aoeiaty and deterelnea
devalopaont iaauea and peace inltlativoa. Aclclitlonal dlf:arencaa, auch •• roeo,
colour and othnlcity, .. , have even eore aorious lmp1lcatlona In eo.. countries,
alneo auch factors can be used as. juatiflcatlon for co.pound diacrlainatlon.
Paragraph 47
atren9thenin9 of peac•.
J,
J:QUALI'lY
A.
Obltaclea
.Punclaaental raalatonce creates Ob•taclee, which have vlde-ranqlnq leplicatlona
for the objectives of tho Decade. Diacrteinatton proaotea an unoconoatc uae of
wo•en'• tolenta and vasto• the valuable bu .. n reaourcea neceaaary for developeent
and for the atrengtbenln9 of peace. Olti .. toly, aoeiety ia the loaor if the
talents of vo•en are under-utilised aa a roault of diacrialnation.
Par•groph 43
Paragraph 48
On• of the objeetlvoa of tho C.Codo entalla tho full observance of tho oquol
riqhtit of -•n and tho oll•lnatlon of do jura and~ dhcri•inotion. Thla
1• • critical first atep toward• hu .. n resource davalopeont, tn developln9
countries inequality is, to • 9reat extent, tho result of underdovelo,...nt and ito
varloua .. niCoatatlona, vbicb in turn are a99ravatecl by the un,ust dlatrlbutlon of
the benofiu· of tho International econo.y. The united MaUons ayatea,._partlcularly
the com~laalon on the Statue of Nomen, baa worked for four docaclas to aotabllah
International standards and to Identify and propose ..asurea to prevent
dlscrl,.lnatlon on tho biala of aex. Althou9h such prO<jresa baa been ..eta in
leglolatlon, aeoauraa are neceaaary for,effectiva laple..ntatton end enforce•ent.
Loglolotlva enocte~nt Ia only one ele•ent In the atru99le for equality, but en
~•••ntlol one •• it provides the leqlti ... te basia for action and acta aa a catalyst
The aharp contreata batvoen le<Jlalatlve chan<jas and effective i•plementetlon
of tbaeo ch•n<J•• oro • .. jor obatacla to tho full participation of woeen In
aocl~tty. Do facto and indirect dlacrt•inatlon, particularly by rehnnce to
.. rital or fa•lly atatua, often per•iata despite le9lalatlve action. Tho lav aa a
recourao cloea not autoc.tically benefit all Voa!On equall~, ovin9 to the
aoclo-aconOele lnaqualltlea· detualnift9 WOHn'a ltnovlecl9e of and accaea to the low,
•• well aa thoir ablllty to oxerciae their full 1e9a1 ri9hts without fear of
recrialnatlon or intl•ldatlon. Tho lack or inadequacy of the disae.tnation of
infor .. tton on wo•en•a ti9hta and the available ••course to juatice baa hamp~tred,
in """ny lnatoncn; the achhveeen_t of expact•d ruult•.
for societal ch•n9•·
""·
The United State• reserved It• position on this para9roph because It do••
not o9ree that the obataelea llatecl should be considered the eal~ roaaona for the
inequality of vomen in eoat countrle•.
"
�,,
"1
~)
96
Ptraqnph U
97
Pata!!Up!l 54
~•
leqlalatiwe chang•• are ..da without a tborovgb undaratandlnt of tha
relattonahlp between aalatlnt legal ayat.... In practice, bovawar, certain aapacta
of the lav - for tnatanca, euato-.ry provialona • uy be In operation In aoclettea
with .ultlPl• and confllctlnt leqal ayata. . . . . .rqlnq and pote~lal obataclaa
raoultinq fro. poaalble OOfttr~lcttona abovld be anticipated eo that preventive
.. oaure• can ba taken. When paaalnq nav laqtalatton, Vbat•••• 'ta aubjact-..tttr,
oll pooolbl• care ahould ba taken to enaure that It 1-,liea no direct or Indirect
dlocrtalnatlon eo.that vo..n•a rlqht to equality Ia fully raepacted In low,
tn order to pro.ota equality of voaen and . .n, OO.arn.. nta ahould enaura, for
both - n and ..n, equality before the law, the provlaion of facUltiea for
equality of educational opport~»nlUaa and tratnlnq, health ••••lc.. , equality in
oondltlona and opportunltlea of ..p~oy..nt, tnclYdlnq ra..,nerttlon, tnd adequate
aoclal eecurity, Covern..nta ahould recoqnlae and undertake ..aaurea to Japleaent
tbt rlqht of .. n and ...,..n to aaploy.. nt on equal con<!itlona, requdleaa of urltol
atat~»a, and their equal aeeeaa to the whole ranqa of econoalo aotlwltl••·
puoqraph 50
Peragrap!l 55
In aoooe countrtu, dlacrlainatory hqlalattwe provlalona In the aoelal,
economic ond polltlcol
atlll aalat, lneludlnq cl9ll, penol and coeaerclal
codoo and cert.ln ad•lnlatrattve rulea lnd requlatlona. Cl9ll codal in ~•
tnotonc .. ·hove not yet been adequately atudled to datu•lna action for upao.llft9
tt.on lawa that •Ull dlaerlalnate aqalnU and for deteralnlnq, on the bub
of ~ualtty, the legal capacity and atatua of ~n, aarrled woaan In particular,
in tar•• of nationality, lnharlt.nc., ownarabtp and control of propariy, fraedoG of
*Ove .. nt and the euatody and nottonallty of ehlldran, Above all, there Ia atill o
d•tply rooted realatanca on the part of oonaer9atlwa aleaenta In .aelety to the
chanq~ In attitude neceaaory for a total ban on dlacrlatnatort P.fiCtlcaa 19a!nat
,..,..,n at the fa'lllY< locol, national and international bvela.
•Ph••••
B.
Baalc atratagiea
Pougroph 51
The poll t!col coeel teent to .. ublhh, aodl ty, expend or enforce a
coeprehenalve le9al baae for the equality of - . n and ..n an4 on the boala of
huun dtqnt ty 11uat ba otren9thened. IA9lalathe chanqea are aoat effective when
aodt within • aupport!va fra ..work pr~tln9 alaultaneoua chanqea tn tho aeono~le;
aochl, political and cultural apherea, which c.tn help brln9 about a .aehl
tranoforeotton, ror true equality to baco.a • raallty for ...,..n. the ahartnq of
~·· on ~uol tor•• vlth ..n auat ba a u'or atrategy,
Par:osr&ph Sl
Covern••nta ahould take the relevant atepa to enaure that both aan and voaen
enjoy equal rlqhta, opportunltlea and reaponalbilltlea eo aa to quarantae the
dtvelo~ent of their individual aptitude• and capacltiea and enable vocen to
participate ao beneflciarlee and active oqenta In devalopcent.
P•ngraph 53
Ct.anqoo In ooclol and econoalc atructurea abould be proaoted which would aake
poootble the full equality of W04en and their free ace••• to all typao of
devolopaent •• active ogenta and benaflclarlee, vlthout dlacrlalnation of ony kind,
and to oll typaa of education, tulnlnq and e-,loy.. nt. ·SpeCial attention ehould
be paid to laplementlnq thla rlqht to the uxtaua extent poaalbla for youn9 woeen.
Bffectlva lnetltutlona and procedural auat be aatabllahed or atrenqthened to
aonltor the altuatlon of wotan coaprahenal9aly and Identify tha cauaea, both·
traditional and naw, of dlacrl•tnatton and to help foraulata new pollciee and
affectlwaly carry out atrateqlea and ..aaurea to end diacriatnatlon. theae
arranqe .. nta and procedure• ault be Integrated vithln t COherent policy for
davalopaent but cannot valt Indefinitely for aueh a policy to be foraulated and
t•plaaantad,
·
Pata9Up!l 56
the obataelaa to the equaU ty of -en created by •tereotnoaa, percepUona of
and atUtudaa -arde - . n ahould be totally caiiOYed, lllatnatton of theaa
obataelea will require, In addition to laglalatlon, a4ueatlon of the population at
larqa thr01»9b for .. l and lnforul ehannda, lneludlnq the ...Sia, non-qovun.. ntal
or9anlaatlona, POlitical party platfor .. and axacutlve action.
PIU9Up!l 57
Approprllte 90Vern..nta1 ..chtnery for aonitorln9 an4 1aproYin9 the atatua of
ahould be aatabllahed Where lt Ia lacltnq, 7o ba effactl••• thll ..chlnery
ahould be eatabllahed at • hi9h le•el of qoyarn ..nt and ahould be aneYred ad~uate
reaourcea, ooeatt.. nt and authOrity to a4Ylae on the l.,aet on ~n.of all
·
qovernaent pollelea. Such uchlnery can play a •ltal role ln enhanclnq.tbe atotua
of woean, Inter alta, thrOUgh the dlaeeatnetlon of lnfor.. tlon to ~n on thalr
rlqhta and entltlaaenta, thrOUgh collaboratlwa action with ••rloua etnlatrlea and
other qovern..nt 19enclea and vith non-qovern.. ntal or9anlaattona and lndlqenoul
WO•en*• ".acletloa-•nd groupe.
•
~n
Poraqrap!l 58
~t .. ly and reliable atatlatlca "on the altuation of voaen have an laportant
role to play In the ellatnatlon of atereotypaa and tha -o9a..nt ~~-ardl full
equality. Governaenta ahould help collect atatlattca and ute periodic a•••••••nt
In ldentlfylnq ataraotypaa and ln~ualttlaa, In provldtn, concrete ••ldence
concernln9 .. ny of the hateful coneequencaa of unequal lava and practice• and In
.. oaurlnq proqr••• In the allalnation Of lnequttlal.
Poroqraph 59
The aharln9 of doaeatlc reaponalbllltiea by all ..abera of .the featly end
reco9nltlon of ...,..n•a lnfor .. l and lnvlalbla econoalc contribution• in the
u!notreaa of society ahould be developed 11 ooapl•••ntary atcateqt .. for the
elt•lnatlon of women'• oecondary atatua, which baa foatered dlacrtalnation,
~ual
�_,..
99
98
c.
Moaoureo for the lepleeentatlon of tho boolc otroteqles
at tho national level
Constitutional and le9al
Par19r1ph 60
1
eov.ornmentl that have not yet done 110 oro ur9od to ol9n tho Convention on the
Ell•inatlon of All Poreo of Dlocrlaln.tlon aljlalnat wo..n !I and t~ toke all the
They ahould
01 Ceesary at•P• to enaure ita ratlflcatlon, or their acceaaion ~ lt.
consider tho poulblllty of oatablhhln9 appropriate bod! . . char9ed vlth revlo~lng
the natlonel leglalatlon concerned and vlth dravin9 up recoe•endatlona thereon to
onoure that tho provlalona of tho Convention and of tho other International
lnotrueonta to vhlch they are partloa that are relevant to tho role, atotua and
aotorlal clrcumotancoa of ~n oro complied vlth.
paro9roph 65
Jn-dopth roaoarch ahould bo undertaken to dotoralno lnatoncoa vhon cuatoaary
lav .. y be dlacrlelnatory.or protective of woaon'a rl9hta and tho extent to vhlch
tho Interface• betvoen cuotoaary and atotutory lav .. y retard prOijlroao In tho
loplooontatlon of nov le9l•lotlvo .. aaurea. Particular attention ahould be paid to
double atandarda In every aapoct of lifo, vlth a vlov to abollah1ft9 thea.
poragroph U
Lov-rofore commlttooa vlth equal reproaontotlon of woaon and .. n frO.
Covorn .. nta and from non-ljlovorn .. ntal or9anlaatlona ahould be aot up td'rovlov all
lava, not only aa a 110nltorln9 device but alao vlth a vlov to doter•lnln9
reaearch-related actlv1t1ea, ••endmenta and n~ l•9lalatlve ... aurea.
Pangroph 67
Po<•9r•ph 61
.Covorn~onta that have not yet dono ao ahould aatobllah appropriate
lnotltutlonal proceduroo vhoroby tho apPlication of a rovlaed aot of lava and
· adolnlotratlvo ooaouroa eay be affoctlvoly enforced from tho vlll•9• lovol up and
aay be adequatoly·oonltorad oo that Individual wo..n .. y, vlthout obotructlon or
coot.to tho•oolvoa, aook to have dlacrl•lnatory troat•ont redroaaad. Loglolatlon
that eoncorno vo.. n •• 1 9roup ahould aloo be affoctlvoly enforced and eonltortd 10
that aroaa of ayato•lc or ~ dlacrl•lnatlon a9alnot woman can be rod~eosed.
TO thlt ond, pooltlve action policy ohould be developed.
Paragraph 62
.Aqrarien refor• eeaaurea have ftOt alvaya enaured vomen•a ri9ht1 even in
countrlea vhtre VOCDen predoalnete in the 19ricultural labour force. Such reform•
ahould quarantet women'• conatltutional 1nd legal ~i9ht1 1ft ter .. of acceaa to land
and other ~eon• of production and ahould' onaure that woaon vlll control the
E•ploy•ont lo9lolatlon ahould tnauro equity and provide benoflto for woetn not
only In the conventional and for .. l labour force but elao In the lnfor .. l aector,
partlculerly vlth re9ord to •l9rant and aervlc• vorkora, by provldln9 •lnl•u• voge
atandarda, lnouranct benaflta, aafo worklft'il condltlona end tht rl9ht to or9anlae.
Opportunltlto for 'alellor 9u·arento .. and bonoflta abould alao be extended to vomon
.. kln9 vital tcono•lc contrlbutlona In actlvltlta lnvolvlft'il food production and
procualn9, fhherlae and food dlatrlbutlon throu9h trade. !boae benefit• ahould
aloo pertain to wooen vortln9 In faally tntorpralo• and, If poaalble, to other
aelf-employed woaen In en effort-to 9lve due rOCO!jlnltlon to the vital contribution
of all thoao lnfor .. l and lnvlalblo economic ectlvltloe to the development of hu .. n
reaourcea •
Po ragraph 68
productl of their labour and their lnCOIIe, ea voll aa benoflU fr.,. a9rlcu1tural
lnputo, reoeorch, tralnln9, crodlte and other lnfraatructurol facllltlea.
Civil codoa, particularly thoet partalnln9 to fa•lly lav, •hould be revised to
ell•lnato dlacrl•lnatory practlcta vhart theat ealat·end vbtrover WODen are
conoldorod elnora. The lo9al capacity of earrlod vooen ahould be reviewed In order
tO 9rant them equal rl9hta and dutloa.
Paragraph 63:
Paragraph &g•
National research lnatltutlona, both governmen.tll 1nd Private, are urged to
underta~e lnveotlgatloni of the problema aoooclatod vlth the relatlonohlp between
the law and the role, atatua and materiel circumatencea of ~en. Theae should be
lnteqroted Into the curricula of rttlovent educational lnatltutlona In an attempt to
promote 9eneral kftOWledge end awareneaa of the lav.
such aoclal and economic dtvolopaont ahould be oncoura9od ao would eecure tho
participation of voaen aa equal partner• vlth .. n In all floldo of work, equal
accua to all poaltlona of oeployeont; equal pay for vorl! of equal .value and equol
opportunltloo for education and vocational training, end co-ordinate tho
le9iolotlon on tho protection of wo•en at vorl! vlth th• n•od for vo.en to work and
be hl9hly productive producer• and .. na9ora of all political, economic and ooclal
affaire and develop brenchea of tho aoclal aervlcoa to . . kt doaeetlc dutloo easier
for women and 111n.
·
·
Paragraph 64
In the put decode there have been al9nlflcant advancu." In tho develo~ent of·
atat1at1cal concepti and method• for •eaauring inequality betveen women and men.
The cop4bllltloo of national lnotltutlona concerned vlth otatlatlca and vomen'o
Issues should bo !~proved to Implement thooe concopta and .ethoda In the regular
statlotlcal programme• of countrloa and to make effective uao of theae atatlotlco
In the pollcy-plannln9 proceaa. Tralnln9 for producer• end.uaora of atatlstleo on
W"OITien ahould pley a key role ·in thl~ proceaa.
.,
.
Tho United Statoo reaorvod Ito poaltlon on para9repho 6g, 72 and 137
opoclflcally bocauao It dooo not a9r•• vlth tho concept of •equal pay for vork of
equol value• and .. lntalna tho principle of •equal pay for equal ..Ort• •.
�..............
101
100
Puagraph 76
Paragraph 70
Meaaur•• for the lapleeentetlon of l•qlalatlon relatinq to vor,tng
tor wo.en .uat be t8ken.
co~dltlons
Poraqupl! 71
Leqlalatlva and/or other . . aaurea ahould be adopted and l~a•tnted to aacurt
for .. n and - • n the aaea rl9ht to vork and to unnploy..nt benaflta, •• vall u
to prohibit, throuqh, lntar olio, the l•poaltion of aonctlona, dla•laaal on tho
qrounda of preqnancy or of .. tarnlty leave and dlacrialnatlon lh dla•l•••l• on tht
qrounda of .. rttal atatua. Leqlalatlve and othar ••••urea ah~ld be adopted and
!cplo,ented to facllltata the return to the labour .. rkat of -en vho hove loft tt
for faally roaaons and to 9Uarantaa tha ritht of voaan to return to vork aftor
ut•rn1 ty leave.
Plfi9Uph 72
Governeenta ahould continue to taka apeclal action to lnatltute provr•~moa
that would lnfore woe.n workers of their rights under 11911lat1on end other
reaed!sl ... our••· The iaportanca of fraadoa of aa.oclation aftd the protection of
tne rl9ht to orqon!ae ahould be ••phaalaed, thla balnv particularly relevant to the
poo!tlon of woaen in eaployaant. Spacial ..aaurea ahould be ta'an to ratify and
lapleaent In national le91•1atlon the relevant convantione and recoaDandationo of
tho International Lobour Or9antaatlon concernlnt the ri9ht1 of woaen aa reqardo
oeceaa to equal eeploy..nt opportunltlaa, equal pay for vork of equal value, equol
vorklnq condltlona, job aecurity and .. ternlty protection.
Porograph 73
crt....
Equality In aoelal participation
Pn19Uph 77
A coeprahanslva and auatainad public ca.pai9n ahould be launched by all
Govtrn•enta, In cloae collaboration vlth non-.ovarn..ntal or,anla.tlona, voaen'•
preaaura vroupa, Vhar• they ••let, and •••••reb 1natltutiona, •• vall •• the ••dla,
educational lnatltutlono and traditional inatttutlona of co.aunlcation, to
chollenve and abollah all dlacrlalnatory perceptions, attltudae and practlceo by
the year 2000. Tar91t qroupa ahould include policy-a.'••• aftd daclalon-a.kars,
laqal technical advlaara, bureaucrata, labour aftd bualn••• leaders, bualneaa
poraona, profeaalonala and the qeneral public.
Panqnph 78
By the year 2000, all Govar•enta should h••• edequata eoeprehanalve and
coherent national voeen'a pollclaa to abollah ell obataclea to tha full end equal
participation of woetn In all epherea of society.
Paragraph 79
Karrla9e aqroeeenta ahould be baaed on autual undaratandln9, respect and
frttdooo of choice, careful attention ahould be paid to the equal participation and
valuation of both partnare ao that the' •alue of houaevork le oona!derad equivalent
fo financial contrlbutlona.
Porognl?h 74
,'fhe right of all woesn, In particuler urrlad _an, to ovn, 1d1oinhter, nll
or buy property Independently ahould be vuuant.-ed aa ·an -aapact of th.tr <l<l~aHty
end freedom under tho lev, The rl9ht to divorce ~bould be 9rantad equally to both
portnere under the .... condltiona, and cuatody of children decided In a
non-dlocrlalnotory .. nner vlth full avarenoaa of the leportanca of tht Input from
both parento In the .. lntenanca, raarinv and eoclilla.tlon of children. Women
anould not forfeit their right to cuatody of their children or to 1ny other
blntflto and fraedoaa almply becauao they have Initiated • divorce. Without
prejudice to tht rell9loua and cultural traditlona of eountrlaa, and ta,lng Into
occount the de facto altuattona, le9al or other appropriate provl•lona ahould be
.ode to el!m~acrialnatlon agolnat alngla mother• and. their children.
Paragraph 75
Appropriate action Ia necaaaary to enaura that the judiciary and all paraleqal
pttoonnel are fully aware of''·the ieportanca of the aChlava.. nt by women of rl<}nto
ott o"t In Internationally agreed ln•trueontl, conatltutlona an.S the lav.
Appropriate for~ of'ln-l&rvlce trelnlft'll and ratralnin9 abould ba dtalgned and
eorr!ed out for thla purpose, vlth •peclal attention qivan to the recruitment and
tr•tning of wol'ften.
Special attention ahould be qi•en In crlainolo;r ttalnin9 to the particular
altuatlon of wo.en aa viet! .. of •lolent crt ... , lnclodlnv crl .. a that •lolate
voaen'• bodlea and reault In aerloua phyalcel and paycbolovlcal da ..q••
Leqlalatlon ahould be paasad and lava enforced In avery country to and the
daqradatlon of voaen throuqh ae••relatad
CU!danca ahould be tl••n to lav
anforca..nt and othar authorltlaa on tha naed to daal aanalbly and aenaltlvely with
the vlctl•• of auch crleea.
·
Governmenta ahould takt all appropriate ..aaurea to enaura to woeen, on ~ual'
terae vlth 11n and vithout dlaccl•lnation, the opportunity to repreaant their
Gover_n•ant at all lavda on dda9attona to aubraqlonal, rl9ional and international
..etin9a. MOra voaen ahould be appointed aa diplo.ata and to daclalon-a.klnv post•
vi thin the lint tad Matton& ayatu, includlnt poata in field a celatlnt to peace and
developeent actlvltiaa. Support aervlcaa, aucb aa educational facllitlea and day
care, for faal11aa of dlploaata and other cl•il aer•anta atatloned abroad, of
Unl~ad Nltiona offlctala, aa vall aa eaploy.. nt of apouaaa at the duty station,
wherever poaslble, ahould be •~ron9ly •ncoura9ed.
Puagraph 80
Aa future parents, youn9 people and children ahould be educated and aobillted
to, act •• atleulatora for and aonltora of ch•nt••
attitudes tovarda vo~n ot all
levels of aoclety, particularly vltb r191rd to the need for 9raater flexibility In,
tho aoolqnment of roles betvaen women and ..n.
In
Pauguph 81
Research actlvltlea ahould.bl proaotad to identify diacrlalnatory practice• In
education and tralnlnq and to anaura quality at thoaa two lavela. One priority
areo for reoearch ahould bo the lapect of aeaual dlacrialnatlon on the development
of
hu~n
resources.
�"""!"'"
103
102
Poraqraj>h 82
Paraqnpb 87
Cov••!'•enta and _printt inat1tut1ont ne urged to include in the curricula of
all achoola, C:Olle9t1 and univeraitiea c:ourata and ltelnara on wciatn'a history and
roltl in aoc:lety and to incorporate woman'• iiiUto in tht 9tner~ curriculua and to
otnn9thon reaurch inatltutlona in the area of -·..n•a atuc!ieo 'by proaotln9
!ndlCJenoua reourch act1¥1t1 .. and c:olllboutlon.
·
Covernaentl and other eaployerl ahovld devote apec:lol attention to the broader
and tore equitable ace••• and inclualon of ~n ln unago..nt ln varioua forao of
popular participation, which ia a al9nlficant foetor In the davalopeent an~
raaliaatlon of all hu.. n rlghta.
Pan9rap!l 88
Poraquph Bl
~w
teachln9 ••thode ahould be encouraged, especially audio-viaual techniques,
to de~natratt clearly the equality of the •••aa. Pr09ra•"•• curricult and
atanc!arde of education and tra1nint ahould Ia tbe •••• for fa•l•a and ealeo.
TextbOO~I and other taach!nq .. taritla ahould be continuoualy evaluated, updated
and, where neceaaery, reda1i9n1CI, rewritten to enaure that they reflect poaltlve,
dynamic ond participatory i ..910 of woman and to praaent ••n actively involved In
all upe<:U of faelly raaponalbil!tlaa.
l'nagroph 84
Governmtt\tl are UfCJid tO lnC:Ourage thl full ptrticipotlon Of vomen in the
raniJI• of occupot!ono, aapocially in fialda prevloualy •••••Clad aa aale
prourvea, In ordu to braa- down occupational btrr!ara and tabooo, E•ployment
equity pro9u,.,.u ohould be Cltvtloped to integrate wottn into all acon0111lc
octlvltiel on an equol btaia with ..n. Spacial ..aaurol Claaitntd to rtdrooo th•
Imbalance iapooed bY eentur!eo of Cliacriaination 19ainat woman ahould be promottd
to occeloratt de focto equality betveen ..n and woaen. Thoaa ..aourea ahould not
be conoidered ~natory or entail tho ulntenanca of unequal or 11parate
otondarda. They ora to be dlaoontinuad vhen the objectives of equality-of
opportunity and treat•ent hava been achieved, Covarn..nta ahould enouro that tholr
public oervlct Ia an ••••Plary equal opportunity employer.
w~ol•
Paragraph 85
Rlqh priority ahould_be tiven to oubatantial and continuin9 iaproveaent in the
portrayal of - • n in the uoa ...St.. I!Vtry afton abould be ulle to develop
attltudol and to product uter!ala that portray poait!va aopacta of vom•n'• toleo
and ·aut"u• in lntalloctull and other acUviU .. •• wall aa agelitarian relation• of
aexoo. Stopa aloo ahould be tatan to control pornOIJiraphp, other obocone portroyala
of woaen and the portrayal of voaen •• ••• objacta. In thla retard all ••••urea
ohould be ta-en to ensure that vo.on p.rticipett tffectivoly in relevant council•
and rev!~ bod!•• tt91r41ng uoo tedia, Including advertiatiOint, and in the
!mplomontation.of docia!ona of theaa bodiea.
Eguellty !n"polltlcal participation and docia!on-aoking
"Paragraph 86
Governments anll politlcol partiaa ahould intensify effo~tl to atlaulat• and
enoure equality of participation by woaon in all national and local lttl•latlvo
bodlts anll to achieve equity in the appo!nt•ent, election and promotion of women to
poata In e•acut!ve, lt9lalative and judiciary branch•• in theae bodlea. ~t
local level, otratct9IU "·to. anouu equdlty of wo•en ln poll Ucal portl<:lpa tion
ahould be praq~t!c, ahoul~ bear a clooa relat!onahlp to ieauao"Of concern to wo~en
In the locality and "ohould tate into account the euitabUlty of the proposed
~~asurea
to local aeeda and valu••·
Covarn.. nta ehould effectively aecure p.rticlpation of wotan ln the
dacla!on-aokift9 proceaaea at a national, atata and local level throu~ lt91alat1va
and adelnatrativa ••••urea. It ia daolrable that fOVtrn.. ntal dap.rt.. nte
aotabllah a apaclal office ln each of th. . , _.ailed preferably by a woaan, to
aonltor periodically and accelerate the procaaa of equitable repreaantatlon of
wo••n. Spacial activitieo ahould be undertaten to lncr•a•• the racruiteont,
no•lnation and proeotlon of woeen, aapec:lally to dtc1•ion-.aklft9 an~ pollcy-aatln;_
pooltiona, b7 publ!clalng poata tort widely, incraollft9 upward tabillty and 10 on,
until equitable repraaontatlon of wotan 1• achl•vtcl. ,_porta should be ~piled
periodically on the nuabora of --..n in public earvlca and on their lavala of
raaponalb!lity in tbair araaa of work.
Pau;uph 19
With reopact to the incre••• ln th• nutbtr of couplaa in Which-bOth partners
are ••ployad in the public aervice, eapacially tho foreitn a•rvloa, Govern.. nta ara
urted to c:onoldar thalr,apaclal nelda, in particular the couple's Claalrt to be
aoa!9ntd to the aa .. lluty etatio~, vlth a vlev to reconc1lift9 faally an4
profoaalonal dutlaa.
Paragup!! 90
Avaranaaa of wotan'• political rlghta ahoulll be proaoted through aany
channala, including foraal and lnforul a4ucat1on, political education,
non-governeantal or9aniaatlona, trada unlona, .tb• ..Sia and bualn•••
organilatlona. Moton ahould be encouraged and eotlvatod and lhould help each other
to axorciaa their right to vote anll to be alactad and to particip.te ln tba
political proc:aaa at all lavala on equal t•r.. with ..n.
Pouqrapl! 91
POlitical partlea and other ortanlaationa IUCh aa trod• unlono should uta 1
deliberate effort to 1ncr•••• and iaprova vo. .n•a participation within their
ranta. They lhould ln•tltuta .. aaurea to activate -aen•a oonat~tutional and la9al
tuarantaea of the rl9ht to be •l•ct..S and appointed by ••lectlnt cand14atea. !qual
acceaa to tha_political uchlnary of the or9anlsatlona and to r•aourcea·and tools
for developing atilla ln the art and tactlca of practical politica, •• well aa
affective laaderahlp capabilitl•a, ahould be tlvan to woean. Moaaq 1n laaderoh!p
positions alao have a spacial raoponaibllity to •••iat In thla field.
PaUC}Uph 92
Covern•anto that hove not already dona 10 ahould establish inatltutlonal
arran9e ..nta and procedure• whereby individual woeen, aa vall •• rcpreaentatlvea of
all typae of woean•o lnteraat 9roups, including those fret the eoat •ulnarable,
leaat pr!vll19ed and .oat oppreoaad 9roupa, aoy partlclpata actively in all aspects
of the formulation, eonitorln9, revlov and appralaal of national and local
pol!ctaa, iaouea and activit!••·
�,,
....
105
104
tt •
A.
DIIM!:LOPKtl'l'
Obsuclea
P!!!.'J ttph 9 3
Paragraph 97
n.• United llatlona O.cado. for - n haa facUltat..S tlla idontlflcatlon and
ovorco"lnq of obatac:lu encountered by Nellber Sut.. in iftt-vratl"9 - n into
ocitty e!!octivoly and In for•ulati"9 and l.plo.. ntift9 .olutiona .lo current
orobh••· Tho continuation of ...,..,n•o otarootyl>'t4 reproductive and productlvo
rol••· juatlfhd prt,..rUy on phyaiolollicel, ilocbl and cultural trounda, hu
oobordlnahd the• In tlla 9onoral u -11 •• aoctoul aphoroo of dovdoJ>'Mnt, ovon
~h•r• eom• proqr••• h•• be•n aehltved.
1
PH oqnph 94 •
Thoro aro coercive aoaauro• of an ~tc, political and·othor natura ~t
are prO'IOted and adopted by cortaho dovolopad Sutoa a"" aro d"lraetod tO'iarda
•••rtlnq praaauro on dovolopin9 countries, with tho ala of provontift9 tll•• froo
o•orclalnq their aovoroi9n rl9hta and of obtainift9 troa tlloa ad¥anta9oa of all
Unda, one! furthor..,ro affoct poooibUitloa for dialotu• and no90tiaUon. Such
&eoauroo, vhich include trade roatrlctiona,"bloc~adoa, oaber9oo• and other ocono•lc
aanctlono inco•patlbl• with the princlploa of tllo Onltod llloUona Olertor and In
vlolotlon of •ultllatoral or bilateral coe4lt.,nta, have advor•• offocta on tho
economic. pollticol and .octal dovoloJ>'Mnt of dovolopif19 eountrioa and tharoforo
dluctlv ofhCt the lnteqution of - n in devolo-nt, alnce that 11 directly
roJot•d to t!>l objoetlve of veneral .octal, oconoeic and political dovelopaent.
Pa ra:sraph
bavo had ••vera reparcua•ion•, oepoctally for ..ny dovoloplft9 oountri•• beeauoe of
their tonarally treater vvlnarabllity to external oconoele factor• •• wall ae
becauaa the .. in burden of adjUit..nt to tho oconoeio cri••• hal been borne by th•
devoloPift9 countrioa, puahln9 tho . . jority of the• toward• aco~io oollaP•••
9s••
On• of th• aoin obotacloo to the effective inta9ration of woeen in tho orocooa
of d•••lopNent 11 the aqqr1vatlon of the international •ttuation, reaultlnll ln •
contlnuin'Ql ar•• rae., vhlch now uy aprea4 al-.o to outer apac.. A• a r••ult,
laDtnae .. ttriol and hu .. n reeourcea needed tor dovelopaont are waated. Other
&ajor obotoclea to tho i•ploeentation of 9~l• and objective• aot by the United
~tlonl in the field of the advlnce..nt of voaen include t•pariali••• colonialloe
n•o-coloniallls, expanalonl••• apartheid and all other for .. of reel•• and roc:lal
~lacriel~tion, exploitation, pollclea of fore• and all forea of aanifeltltione of
!orolqn occupation, cloeination and ho9aiiiOftY• and tho trCOilft9 tiP botwoon the t.velo
o! ..cono•!c develop'Mnt of dtvtlopod and dovelopif19 countr1••·
Puaquph 96
Th• dforta of uny countrioo
><otlonl O.coh for
*"""'"
to teploeant tho objocUvn of the United
vera undor.tned by a aorloa of 9UYa economic crtoo1 thot
The woraenln9 of the acetal eltoation in ..ny port• of tho world, and
particularly ln Africa, •• a relult of the diaruptiv. oon.oquoncoa of .the acono•lc
crlaia !\ad a 9roat notativa l~ct on the procaaa of effoctlvo and ~g?al
lnU9ratlon of ...,..,n in davelopaont. 'ft>ia advar•• aocial dtuation refleeta the
lact of lepla•entatlon of relevant united Ratione eonvontiona, daclarationa and
roaolutlona in the aocla1 and econoalo fielda, and of the objeetlvae end o.orall
devalopaent 9~1• adopted and raaffireod in tho International Dovolopeent 8trato9Y
for tho Third Unltod Notiona Davolo-nt Decade.
·
, ... , •• ph 98*
The tact of political vill of certain dovalopod oountrioa to oliainatl
Obatacloa to tho praetical raaliaatlon of 1uch fu...,. ..ntal docu..nta adopted by the
United Notlona aa the O.Olaration on Social Prot•••• and Dovolopeent (General
Aaae~ly raaolutlon z5•2 (XXIVI), the Charter of lcoftOeie 1i9ht1 and Dutiaa of
Stataa (General Aaae•bly reaolution 3281 (XXIX)), tho O.Olaretion and the Protram~•
of Action on the Eatabllah..nt of a
International ~io Order (Gonoral
~•••.Oly roaolutlona 3201 (I-VII and 3202 IS-yt), roe~tlvoly), the International
Dovelopeent Strato9y for the Third Onited Nltlona Dovalopaont Decade (General
Assembly roeolution 3$/SS, anna•), ai•od at tho raatructurin9 of international
aconoele relation• on a juat and daeoeratlc baeia, ahould bo counted aeon9 tho .. tn
reaaone for tho conaervation of tho unfavourable and unequal poaltlon of woeen froe
the polnt of vlev of dovelopaont, oapoclally in the davaloplft9 oountrl••·
"'w
Pougnph 99
The laet yaau of the Decade have vitneued a datorloratlon of the 9e"eral
aconoeie altuatlon ln the davaloplft9 countrloa. 'rha financial, econoalc eft<! aoclal
erlala Of the devolopln9 world haa woraenod tho eltuatlon of lar90 aaotore Of the
population, oapoeially - n . In portleulai, the decline in oconoalc activity 11
1\avinq • no91tivo l•pact on an already unbalanced diatributlon of ifteeelo aa well
•• on the hiqh levela of uno.ploy.. nt, which affaet woeen eora than ..n.
Parl;raph loon
Protactloni•• a9ainat dovalopin9 countrio•• export• ln all ·lta for .. , the
deterioration in the ter .. of trade, aonotary lnatabllity, ineludift9 hlth intereat
ratea and tho inadequate flow of official dovelopeent aaaietanee hav. a99ravated
the develop.. nt preble.. of the davolopift9 countriee, and conooqu~ntly have
coepllc•t•d the difflcultl'' ha•porin9 tha intetratlon of voaen in the dovelo~ent
proceaa...
The United Stotoo abltolned ln the vote on pora9taph t• becauae of
unoccootoble llnquav• relotln9 to economic ••••uree,by developed eountrlea·oqatnot
dovolopl nq Statu.
Tho United Stateo r•••rved ita pooitlon on poratraph 95 beeau•• lt doel
not ogre• with the liotlnll of ,~holl obstact.a which are c.tt,I90rhed u bein9 ujor
imp~dimente
to the •dvane••ent of vo~en.
The. United Statoe requoated a vote and voted agalnlt thle pera9raph.
**
lo9ordln9 para9raph 100, the Onltld Stataa reeorvod lt• po1ltion bec:oo••
It does not accept the·undarlyln9 J>hiloaophy of the paro9raph •• it concern• the
ocono~lc aituotlon in debtor and developlnq countrioa,
�107
106
On• of the principal obnacha.- confront1Q the devdoph\9 countdn is
tho!r <JI9•nt1c JlllbUc and IX lvatt external debt, vh1ch constitutes a palpable
upronlon of the eeono•ic crt.1• and baa aerloua poUtlcal, acono•1c and aoclal
cono•qu•nc•• for th••• eountrt••· The a.ount of the external dabt.obli<J•• the
doveloplnq countdU to dnott anor.,ua au•• of thair already acarca export inco111e
to tho oorvlc1M9 of the debt, vhlch affects their peoples• llvea abd poaalbllltleo
or dov•lopmont, with particular affect• on vo~n. ln .. ny davalopift9 countries
thoro lo o 9rowln9 eonvletlon· that the condition• for the pay .. nt and urvlclnq of
tho oxtor~l debt ceu•• thoa• countries anoreoua dlfflcultl•• and that the
odjuouent pollclu tudltlondly l,.po.. .s are ln&dequeU and lead to a
.dloproportlontto aoclol coat.
~· ne9ottve effect• of the preaent 1nternetional .conoeic altuatton on the
looot developed countrlea have been particularly 9rave and have cauoe.S serious
dlfflcult1n In the procua of inteqratln9 -•n in davalopeent.
~ln9
~· 9rowth prospects of the low-income countries have •erloualy deteriorated
to the reduction In International econo•1c co-operation, particularly the
flow of offlcid devdopment a .. tsunee and the 9rovin9 trade
protacttonlae In the developed countries, which restricts the capacity of the
1o~-1nco~ countrle• to attain the objectives of the On1ted Natlona Decade for
1 nodequate
Wo••n ..
~~~
a!tuatlon 1o evan .ore 9rave In the davelopln:l. countrla• that aro
ortllctod bY drou9ht, h11lne and duertlfleation.
Parogroph 101
Doaplte elqnl!lcant efforts In uny countries to transfer taa~• trodltlonally
~rfor••d by woc•n to ••n or to public aervlcaa, traditional attltudeo'atlll
contlnut to parolat and In fact have contributed to the lncraaaed burden of vork
placed on woeen. The complexity and multidl ..naional aapaeta of chanqlnq aex rolel
and nor•• and the difficulty of datereln!n9 the apaclfic structural and
.
orqanlsatlonal requlreaents of aucb a chan91 have hindered the for-ulatlon of
aouuroa to altar oex rolea and to develop appropriate parapaetlvaa· on the luqe of
~n In ooclety. Thua, daapite gain• .ada by a f.., voe.n, for the ,..jorlty
aubor<l!na.tlon In the labour force and in ooclety baa eontlftued, through the .
exploitative condltlona ~nder vhlch wo~en often vork have beco•e sore vlalble.
Poraqroph lOl
The effective participation of women in davelopcaent hn alao been l10peded by
tht difficult International econoeic altuetlon~ the debt crlala, poverty, contlnuod
population qrowth, rlalng divorce rat••• incraealng aigratlon, and the qrowlnq
!ncld•nce of fo~la-heodad houaeholds. Yet, neither tha actual expanalon of
tMploy~ent for women nor the recQ9n1tlon that vooen eonltitute a algnlflcant
proportion of producatl ha& bun acc0111panlad by ooclal adjusteanta to taU wQTOen'a
burden of child and houaehold care. The econoolc reeeaaion lad to a reduction ln
lnvutmenu, particularly In thoat urvlcu that allow 9reater societal aharlnq of
th• social and acono10lc coats of child c•n and houaework·•.
Porogroph 103
Ineufflclont awareneaa and un.Saratandlnq of the complex and eultlfaceted
rtlttlonohlpt between develo~nt and the a.Svanceoont of vomen heve continued to
.o<• policy, proqra•~• and project foroulation difficult. Nhil• durlnq the earlier
part of the Decade the belief that econo-ic growth would autoeatlcally bentf1t
wo•on vas .,re widely shared, an e,.luation of the experience of the Decade hal
ahed cona1derable doub~ on this over-a1epl1fied preaiae. Conaaquently, the need to
underatand bettar the relationahlp betvaen.developeent and the advancement of wo~en
and to gather, analyse and dlsaaainata tnfor .. tlon for tht sore effective
foraulatlon of pollcias, prQ9raa..a and projects hal becoee greater,
Pora<jraph
104.
Althou9h throu9hout history and In .. ny societies voaen have been. 1harln9
al•llar axparlancea, in the deve1opift9 countrie• the proble.. of voean,
particularly thole pertaining to their inte9ration in the developeent proce11, are
dl fhtent froa the probleu - n face In the Industrial had countdu and are
often a uttar of survival. Failure to recognl•• th••• differences lead1,
lnnr alia, to ne9lect the adveue effect of the lneuf.fichnt ·pr09ren ude towar<h
laprove••nt In national pollolaa or prQ9ra•..• and the present international
eeonoalc •1tuat1on •• well 11 the lnterrelatlonahipa that exiet between the 9oal1
and Objectives of the International Developeent Strategy for the third Onlted.
Nations Devdopeent Decade end the Objectives of equality, developeent and peace.
Paragraph 105
The lac~ of political vill and ooeelt..nt.oontlnued to retard action to
pr04Dte effactlve participation by waean In devalopeent, Z.cluaion of vooan fro~
•nd declsion-uklng .,d• It difficult for voeen and vo•an•o
or9anisatlona to Include In their praferencaa and lnteraats the larsaly
.. la-do•lnatad choice• of pr09reaa and develo~nt, Purther.,re, becauae the iaaue
of voeen in devalopeent baa often been perceived as 1 .,.lfare problaa, It hao
received low priority, vleved aieply ••• coat to 80Ciaty rather than •••
contribution. Thua, the epeclfio foraulation of tar9ets, pro9raa.. a and project•
concarnin9 vo•en and develope.nt haa often received little attention, avait1n9 the
attalnoent of davalopeent rather than beinq lnatru..ntal to it. Thle, In turn,
c•uaed a parallel vaoknaaa In the Institutional, technical and .. tarial reoourcea
devoted to the proeotion of act1v1t1e• for affective partloipatlon by voaen in
davalopaent.
pollcy-ea~in9
Paragraph
105
Appropriate n.tional ..chinery for'the effective integration of vo•en In the
developeent proceaa hal been either insufficient or lack!nq, Wbers the .. chinery
exlata, it often lacka the. resources, fOcus, raaponalbi11ty and authority to be
effective.
·
a.
Paragraph
Baotc atrateslaa
107
The coealteent to re.ave obstacle•· to the effective partlctpatlon of all vomen
In davelopeant aa intellectuala, pollcy-aak•r• and decl•1on-makerl, plannera,
contributors and beneficiaries Ahould be 1tren9thenad accordln9 to the apaciflc
probl••• of vo-en in differant re91ona and countriea and tha need• or different
cateqorlea or voeen ln thea, That ooa•lt,..nt ahould 9Uide the foreulation and
lmpleaentatlon of pollclea, plana, proqra.,..a and projecta, with the avaran•••.that
development proapecto will be !.,roved and aociety advanced throu9h the full and
effective partlelpatlon of voaen.
�,
108
109
Pareqrapl! 108
Different .oelo-econos!c and cultural condition• are to ba taken Into account
when identifying the foreeoat obataclea to the advance .. nt of wosen. The current
ocono~ic altuotlon and the i•balancaa within tha_world eonetary and financial
oyotell need odjuat11ent prot;~u•••a to overc:oee the dlfUc:ulU ... J 'n>eoe progr••"'n
ahould not adversely affect the eoat vulnerable aet;~santa of aoclety •~nq who~
vo~on oro dioproportlonately represented.
1
Paragraph 109
Dovelo~ont, being concolved •• a comprehenalve proceaa, •u•t be charactoritod
by the search for aconoelc an4 ~lal objective• and goola that suarontee the
tfftctlve participation of the entire population, eapeclally woeen, in the process
of dtvolo~ent. I t h alao neceuary to wort in favour of the atructural changes
netdtd for the fulfll•ent of theae aap!rationa. Jn line with theee concerna, one
should endeavour to apeed up 1oc:ial and econoeic develop~~ent in developing
countrl••• accelerate the development of the acientific and technological
capabilities of thoae countr!e11 proeote an equitable dlatributlon-of notional
!nco••• and arodlcote absolute poverty, experl•nced dlaproportionately by Yemen and
children, vlth the ahorteat poa1ibla deloy by applyins on overall •trateqy that, on
tht one hand, ell•lnat .. hunger and ulnutrltlon and, on the oth.. , works towards
tht conatructlon of more just aocletlea, In vh!ch woeen .. y reach their full
development ..
Para_grapl! 110
In tho wort-load of ~n. partleularly when alternative polic:lea are
deal vith the econo.ic and debt criaia.
for~lata4
Parasnp!! lU
With due r...ovnltlon of the diffioUltiea involved, Oovern.,nta. international
and r.,lonal organ!aat!ona# and DOn-tOVern..ntal ortani .. uona abould intenalfy
their efforta to enhance the aelf-reliance of ~n in • viable and auataina4
faahlon. Becauae ~c independence ia a neceaaary pre-condition for
aelf-reliance, auch efforta ahould above all be focused on increa-tns wo•en•a ~
acceaa to salnful activitiea. Craaa-roota participatory procaaaea and planning
approac:hea uainq local talent, ••pert!•• and reaourcea are vital and.ahould be
aupporta4 and encourased.
Pnegrap!! 114
'n>a inoorpoutton of - n • a i1111ea in au •r••• and aectora and at the local,
naUona.l. r~ional and international leftla llbould be hatitlltioulbe'd. 11> thla
end, •PPI'Opr!ate ..cblnery llhould. be aatablhbad oc atranqthaned, and further
letlalative action taken. Seotorilll I'Ollciea and plana llbould be developed, and t!ie
effective partic:!pi,Uon of - • n In deftlop-.nt lbould be IAt~rated both ln thoae
plana and in the for..,laUon and i-.ple.,ntatlon Of •inatreae PfO<Irae..a and '
projecta and ahould not be _confined aolaly to atataHnta of inte~~ot vi thin plane or
to ...11-acale, tranaitory projec:ta r•lat!nt to wo.en.
Pau2r•p11 11s
tho pr iury objective of develo~ent II to bring about auatalnod
l~provoment in tho well-being of the Individual end of aoc:laty and to bestow
~nofiU on all, dovelo~ant ahould ba leon not· only aa a deairable qoal In ltulf
but alao •• an Important aeana of furthering equality of the oexoa and the
Aa
~!ntenance
of peac•.
Parograpl! 111
wocen ohould be an Integral pert of the process of defining the objectives and
eodos of dovelo~ent,.aa vall •• of developing atratag!aa and ..aaurea for their
l"'ploeentatlon. The n..d for -•n to pertictpete fully in political procueos and
to have an equal ohiora of power l.n sutding dtvelopeont efforu and In benefiting
fro• thto should be recogn!s.CS. Oro,janiaadonal and other ..ana of •n•bHoq woroer.
to bring "tnelr lnteroata and preferences into the evtlultlon 1nd choice of
oltornatlve devolo~ent object!vel and •~rttegiea ahould be Identified and
ovpportod. Thla would Include apocial ~eourea daai9nod to enhance wo.,en's
autonomy, bringing women into the salnotroa• of the development proceaa on an equal
bosh with 01on, or other me.. urea d .. lgnod to Integrate VOIOtn fully ln the total
develOpment effort.
!be gender biaa evident in .Oat develop-.nt PfOo:lr••..a ahould be ell•lnated
and the prejudice• hl.nderl.nt the .elution of ~n'a preble.. reeoved. Particular
•ttention should be 9lven to tbe reatructurtn9 of e-..loy..nt, health and oducetlon
ayneu 1nd to •n•urtn, equal acceaa to land, RPital and other pro4uctt've
reilourcaa, hph1aia ahould be placed Oft atrat~iea to aaaiat ~n in 9e"nuetlng
and t ..Plnt inco.e, lncludl.n, ..••urea daaisned to laprove - n • a acc.aa to
Credit. Such atnt~iea au•t foeua en the r•-al of la9al. CUI"-t!l and other
berrien and on otrensthenint wo.. n•a capacity to uae aabUn, credit ayateu,
PaU9Uph 116
Coverneenta should •••t ..ana to increaae auba~ntlally the nullber of .woe•,.,
vho are deci'aion-teta, I'OUcy...atau. tiianateu, profeaaionala and technic lana In
both traditional and non-traditional area• and aectora. -....n abould be provided
vith equal opportunitlea for acoeaa to resourc-e. aapeoially education and
training, in order to facilitate their equal rapreaantation 11: hither .. nagorlal
and profeaaional lovela.
PloU?raph 117
Poroqraph 112
!be role.of WOllen 1a • factor of develop-.nt ia in .. ny vaya llnted to their
Tho actual and potential lepact on wo;.en of ..cro-ecoilomlc procusoa operating
at tho International and notional levels, aa vall aa of financial spatial and
phy•lcal development pollcleo, should be
and appropriate eodlflcations
~do to enauro that women ore not adversely effected.
Initial eepbosla should bt
phetd on employment, hoaltli··.anll education. Priority should be 9lven to the
••••••ad
d~velopi'Jl~nt
of hurun r••ourcea, b••rlnq ln 11lnd th• ne4t<l to avotd further increases
to
lnvolvo~ont,ln various for .. lnd levela of declaion..akin, and .. nata..nt In
econoe!c and aoclal atructurea, auch 1a worter participation in ..na9e01ont,
industrial deooocroey, worker aelf-nase..nt, trade Uoiona and co-operatives.
dovelo~ent of thue foru of participation, which have 1n i.-pact on the
Tho
developooont and pro110Uon of vorklns and llvlnt condlUona, an4 the tnclullon of
wo••n In these fona of partlclpeUon on an equal fooUns viti! .. n b of crucial.
l"'portance.
�111
110
Poragup/l 118
Panvrap!l 124
The relati~••hlpa between develo~ant and the advanoe ..nt cr wO.en under
opecifie aoclo-cultural conditione ahould be atudled locally to ~ralt the
offoctlve foreulatlon of policloa, prograe.. a and projaeta deai~ad for atable and
equltabh gr.o..th. ,,., f1nc!ln91 ahoulc! be vaed to develop IIOClal avarane"' of tho
n••J for eff~tlva participation of vo.an In devalopeant and to create realiatlc
l ... qoa of wo...,n In IIOCiety.
ae9ion.l anc! intarnational co-operation, within tha.fraeovort of tachnical
co-op&ratlon ·~ devoloplft!J countrlea, shoUld be atren?thoned and axtanc!ec! to
pro.oto the affective participation of wo.en in d~velopeant.
Paugrapl\ 119
~
lt 1• vital that tho link bet~en the advancement of·voeen and aoclo•economlc
and political c!evelopeent be emphaalzad for tha affoctlva eoblllaatlon of reoourcao
c.
Meaaurea for the i!pll..ntatlon of the baalc atrat.,lea
at the national laval
PaU9Upl! US
for WOlDen ..
Poragup!l
120
Th• r•eun•rat.d •nd. in particul•r• the unr•.vnerat.a contribution• of vomen
to oll upecta and ..etou of devel-nt abould be reCQ9nhad, and appropdote
offorto ahould be 11de to ... aure and rafloct theee contribution• tn national
occounto and aconoale atatiattco and In the 9roaa national product. concrete atepo
ohould be' taken to quantify tho unre.uneratad contribution of voaen to O!Jrlculture,
food production, reproduction and bouaeh~ld aetlvltiaa.
Porogroph 121
Concortod action ahould be dlraetad tovarda the eatabliah..nt of a ayotem of
ahorlnq parental r.aponllbllltieo by .woeen and ..n in tlla faaUy and by aoclety.
To thlt end, priority should ba vtvon to the provlaion of a aoclal infrastructure
that will enable a'ochty to ahara the .. ruponatbllitleo with faallho and,
·
sl•ul t·an ..oualy, to brln9 about chan!Jea in IIOCial attitude• 10 that now or aodHhd
qond"r role• will ba aceaptad, proeotad and beco-. oxarelaabla. Souaehold tooka
and ~rental reoponalbllltloa, inclodlniJ daeiolon-aatln!J r.;ardlnq faaily alto and
child •~clnq, should ba ra-exaalnad with 1 vlev to a batter aharing of
reaponotbllltlea bltvaon 1111 and woaen and tharefore, ba conducive to tht
attolnmont of wo•"n'• and ..n•o oelf-raltance and to the davalo~ont of futur"
huun rtaourcea.
Paragrap!l 122
Honltorlnq and evaluation effort• ohould be atran!Jthenad and dtr_..ted
opeclflcally toworda vo~on~a iaauea and ahould ba baaed on a thoroUIJh revlev and
e<tenolv" develo~ent of leproved ototlatlca and indicator• on the oltuatlon of
-'Omen as comp.ared with aen, over tiee and in ell fi•ld•.
Paragraph
12l
Appropriate·natlonal .. chlnery ohould ba eatabliahed and ahould be utilized to
!ntegraU women effectively In the develop.,.nt proceoa. '1'0 be effective, this
mdchlnery ahould be provided vith adequate raseurcoa, ~ltlant and authority to·
encourage and enhlnc• devel~~nt efforta.
r'.,
Appropriate IIChlnery vtth aufflcient reaourcea and authority ahould bl
eatabllahed at tha h19haat laval of IJQVarn..nt aa 1 focal point' to anaure that· tho
f~ll flft!Ja of davalopaant'pollcla8 and PtQIJra...a in all aactora reoognlaea vomon•a
contribution to dovelop.&nt and ineorporataa atrati!Jloa to includa woeon and to
enaure that thay racelva an equltabla ahara ot.tha benefit• of developeant.
ParaQrap!l 12&
'1'o achieve the - 1 of daval-nt, whicb ia ··tn.. parebly lint ad to the 9oala
of equality and paaca, Oo9ern..nta ahould inatitutlonallae woean•a laauoa by
aotabHahln9 or otren9thanln9 appropriate aacblnery in all areaa a.nd aectou of
davalo~ont. In addition, they ahould dtract apaclflc attention to affacting a
poaltlvo chan9• ln tho attitude• of 11le declaion-11kera, covarn..nto ahould
onaure tho eatablioh..nt and i.,le..ntatlon ot li!Jialatlon one! odainiotratlve
pollclea and eobtllaa oo.auni~tiona and lntor11tion ayatoaa .to craate aoclal
awaranaaa of tha le9al ri9bta of ~n to partlcipata in all aapacta.ot.developmont
at all levela and at all ata9ea - thet ia, plonnlft!J, i.,loaantatlon and
·
evaluation. Goverll ..nta ahould etlaulata the foraatton one! 9rovth ot _ , . ,
or!Janiaotiona and woeen•a 9roupa and 9lve financial and or9anlaational aupport to
their actlvltlea when approprlato.
PataCJUph 127
Mati~al raoourcaa ahould ba diractad 10 aa to proeoto tho participation of
wa..n at all lovell and ln all oroaa and sactorl. Covern-.nta lhould eatabllah
national and oectoral plana and apaelflo tar9at1 for voaen in devalo~ant1 equip·
tha aaehlnery in char9a of woean•a iaauea vltb politicel, flnancitl and tochnleal
roaourcaa, ·atran9then lnteraactoral co-ordination ln proeotln!J voean•a
participation, and eotabliab inatltutlonal ..chant•.. to addraaa the noeda~f
aopeelally vulnerabla 9roupa of VOlin.
l>augup!> 128
Governeente ahould racO!Jnlae tho i~rtanca of and the need tor tho full
utlllaation of woma11'a potontlol for lalf•reliance and for tha attaineant of
national development 90111 and abOUld enact lovlolation to enour. thla. PrO!Jr•••••
should ba foreulatad and lepleaantad to provide woean•a or9anlaatlona,
eo-oparatlv••· trade untona and profaaalonal aoaoclation• with ace••• to credit and
other flnanclal.aaalatance and to tralnlft!J and'eatenalon aerviceo, conaultatlva
11chon1a.. throu9h which tha vlava of woman IIY ba incorporated in vovern•ontal
actlvttlea oho1>ld be aet up, and oupportlve tlea vlth vomen•a IJUU-roota
�P.,...~
.•-_.-.~
·...
. ...... ·'·•!r:.;..'l'
.;".7[-:..:.~;;,l~:.·:.•<::
.. ~
118 :
112
organl•etlona, auch 11 aalf-halp co-.unity developeent and ~tual aid eocletlea and
non-governmental orgonlaetlona ~ltted to the ceuae of wo..n ahould be created
ond ulntalned to facilitate the lnte9utlon of - n in uinatrea .. development.
Poreqraph 129
Thoro ahould be clooe co-ordination between Governeenta, a9enc!ea and other
bodies at the notional and local level. The effectivenell of national aachlnery,
lnclu~lnq the relationahip between covern .. nta and non-vovern .. ntal orqanizations,
ohould be evaluated and atren9thened with 1 wiew to ieprOYift9 co-operation.
posltlvo oxperlencea end 9ood modele ahould be widely publicised.
Poragraph 1)0
Govornaento ohould coeplle 91nder-apecific atatlatica end infor .. tlon and
ahould develop or· r•orqanlae an lnforution ayat•• to take dectalone and action on
th• advanc•••nt of women. '!'hey ahould alao aupport loc.l reaearch actlvitiea and
locol expert• to help Identify .. chonla .. for the advance..nt of woeen, focuolnq on
the eelf-reliant, aelf-auatalnlnq and aelf-qeneratlnt ~tal. economic and
political development· of v0111e.,.
Paragraph 1)1
Govern•ontal ..chon!••• ahould be eatabllahed for eonitorin9 and evoluotlnq
tht effectlveneaa of lnotltutlonal and od•lnlatratlve arran9eeent1 and of delivery
eyatema, plana, proqr••~•• and projecta to promote an eqult8ble participetion of
ln develo~ent.
wo~n
Are•• tor •peclflc action
E111ployftlent
paragraph 132
Special •eaaurel al•ed •t the advancement of' woeer\ tn all type• of
ohould
be
employ~ent
conalotent with the econo•lc and aoclal policiea pro110tlnq full
Puagrapll U5
Neaaurea baaed on le9ialation and trade uaion aotion ahould be taken to enaure
.quity in all jobs and avoid exploitaUn trlllda in part-U• vort, aa well u the
tendency toward• the feeinlaation of part-ti .. , teeporar, and aeaaonal wort.
Paragraph 136
Flexible wortin9 houra for all are •tron91' recoeaended aa a .. aaure for
eneoura9i"9 the •harln9 of parental and doeeatic reaponaibilltle• by woeen and •en,
provided that auch ••••urea are not uaed a9ainat the intereat• of •.Ployeea,
Re-entry proqra .... , coeplete with training and atipenda, ahould be-provided for
voeen who have been out of the labour force for eoee ti... !*x •tructurea ahould
be reviaed eo that the tax liability on the coebined earnin9a of urried couples
doea not oonatltute • diaincentlve to woeen'• eaployeent.
Paragrapl! 137
Ellainatl"9 all for .. of eaployeent dlacrieination, Inter ella throu9h
le91•1ative ..aaurea, eapecially w191 differential• between woeen and .. n carrying
out work of .qual walue, i• atron9ly recoeeended to all partlea concerned.
Additional proqra ... a ahould help to overcoee atill exlati"9 dlaparltlea In waqeo
between woeen and .. n. Difference• in. the le91l oondltlona of wort of wo•en and
..n ahould alao be eliainated, where there are diaadvanta911 to woeen, and
pr!wlle9e1 ahould be accorded to Ule and fe .. le parent., Occupational
deae9r191tion of woeen and .. n •hould be proeoted.
Paragraph 131
The public and private ..ctora ahould ute concerted effort• to diveralfy and
create new eeploy .. nt opportunltlea for woeen in the traditional, non-traditional
and hl9h productivity ar••• end aactora in both rural and urban areaa throu9h the
dea!9n and laple.. ntatlon of incent!Ye achee.. for both eaployen •"" woeen
••ploy ... and throu9h wideapread diaaeeination of inforution, Gender •tereotyplnq
in all •••u ahould be avoided and ·the occupational proapecta of woeen ahould be
enhanced.
productiv• and freely cholien ;;ployeent.
Paraqraoh 139
Paroqroph 133
The wortin9 condition• of woeen abould be i~oved"in all forul and lnfor .. l
auaa by the public and priwate e.Cton. Occupational health and .. r.ty and job
oecurlty ahould be enhanced and protective -••urea 191inat wort-related health
hoaarda effectively ieple..nted for woeen and .. n. ~opriate -••urea ahould be
taken to prevent aexual haraaa.. nt on the job or aexual exploitation in apeclflc
joba, auch •• doeeatlc aerwlce. Appropriate -••urea for redr••• ahould be
prowlded by Govern•enta and 1•9i•lative -••urea 9Uaranteein9 th••• ri9hta ahould
be enforced. In addition, Cowern..nta and the private aector ahould put in place
..chan!••• to identify and correct hareful wortin9 conditiona.
Pollcleo ohould provide the .. ana to 110blliae public awareneaa, political
oupport, and Institutional and financial reaourcea to enable women to obtain jobo
lnvolvlnq 110re oklllo and reaponolblllty, lncludin9 thoae at the .. na9erlal level,
In all oectoro of the econoay. Th••• .... urea ahould Include the promotion of
vomon'a occupational eoblllty, eapeclally in the eiddle and lower levelo of the
\#Ork-t'orce, where the majority of women work.
Paroqroph 134
Governments that hove not yet done 10 ahould ratify' and l•pleeent tho
Convention on the Ell•lnatlon'Of All rorea of Dlocrieination a9ainst women and
other International lnotrumenta· relating to·the icproveeent of the condition of
W"OIIIen worker•.
Poroqrapl! 140
National plannln9 ahould tive ar9ent conaideration to the development and
otrenqthenln9 of aocial aecurit' and bealth •che..a and uternity protactlon
ache••• In teepln9 with the principle• laid down in the JLO .. ternlty protection
convention and uternlty protection recoeeendatlon and other relevant JLO
�114
115
convention• and recoa-endationa •• a prerequiaite to tba haateninq of vo.. n•a
effective participation in pro4uetlon, and all bualnaaa an4 trade uniona ahoul4
aeek to prONOte tbe rl9hta and ~penaatlona of vorklnq ~nand to eneure.thot
appropriate lnfraatructural are prov14~. Parental leave foll,.in9 the birth of a
child ohoul4 be ovollabla to botb ~•n and ..n and prafarably bar~ between
thea. Provlalon 1hould be ..de for eecaeelbla eblld-cara taellitla• for vor~ln9
portntl.
1
Althov9h venaral policlea deal9n~ to r~uce un ..ployaent or to cra•t• joba
uy bandit botb ..n and - n , by tha1r 111ture thar are often of vnatn
auhtanca to ..n tban .to -•n. l'l>r thl.a raaaon, Specific -••una Should be
ta-•n
joba, to para1t ~en to banofit equally with ..n froa national polielaa to era1to
Paroqraph 141
Paroguph 146
Governaento and non-9overnaental or9oniutlona ahould neognlu the
contribution of older woeen and the ieportane. of their input In thooe areao that
dlr<t<:tly offtct thdr wall-beinq. Ur9ent attant.lon abould be paid to the ·education
and tnln1n9 of younv vo"n In all fleld1, Spaeld ratnlnlnv prQ9roau••• including
ttchnieal tralnln9 ahould alao be developed for youn9 voaan ln both urban and rural
oectora, ~ho lack qutlifleatloni and ate 111-equlppe4 to entar pro4uet1va
uploy ..,t. supe ahould be taken to •ll•inata nploitativa traataent of younq
wo-en ot work, in line vltb lLO Convention RG, 111 ooncerninv dl1crielnation In
rooptct of oeploy•ant and occupation, 1951 and ILO COnvention JD, 122 concernlnq
employ•ent policy, 1964.
AI high unoaployaant aaonv youth, vht'rever lt axlata, l.a a ~tar of aar1oua
concern, polleioa deai9n~ to daal with thia problaa ahould taka into account that
uneaployaent rataa for fOUn9 wooan ara Often IUCh higher than thoae for young aen,
Moreover, ..aauraa ai~ at al.tigating unocploy..nt aaonv youth ahould not
ne9at1valy affect the ••ployaent of woaon ln othor ava vroupa - for· ...aple, by
lowarl.nv alni•u•
-....n ahoul4 not face any i~i .. nt to aeploy .. nt
opportunitiaa and benefits ln
vhoro thalr buabanda are eaploy~.
Poraqroph H2
Na.tlonal plonnin9, provu•ooell and projects lhoul4 launch a twofold auoc~ on
poverty ond unoaployooent, TO enabla voaon to vain ace••• to equal ocono•lc
opportunities, Gov.. neenu ahould
to involve and intaquta voaen in all phases
or the planninq, delivery and ovaluation of aultiaaetoral prQ9re•••• tbat ali•inoto
dlocr1ainot1on 41qoinat votaen, provide raquir~ supportive sarvicao and ••phnlu
lneoae.qonerotion. ~ incr•••~ nuebor of vo"n ahould be hir~ ln national
plonninq Hehanlo.... Pertleular attention lbould be dovot~ to tho lnforMl .. ctor
olnc• it will be tho .. jor aaploy ..nt outlot of a considerable nueber of
underprivileged urbon and rural woeen, The co-oparotlva aovaaent could Ploy on
lndl~ponooblo role In thla area,
•••II
Poroqroph 143
Rec0<;1nlt!on and application ahould be 9ivon to tho fact that women and ooen
hove equal 'rlghU to vor~ and, on tho uee fooUng, to acquire a peraonal lneotDo on
equal tor•• ond conditions, raqardloaa of the aconoeie altuetion, They ahould be
qlvon opportunltloa in occordaneo ~ith the protective la9ialation or eoeh country
and ospoelally In the labour .. rkat, In tho conto•t of ..aauraa to atl•ulate
oeono<t!c d~voloptDont and to pro10ta ollploy•nt vrovth.
Parograph lH
In view of the peralotenee of high une•ploy•ent lavala in eony c,ountrlea,
Govern ..onu ahould onduvour to atron9thon tho afforta to COPe with thlo 1soue and
provide ~re job oppOrtunltloo for women. Givan that in .any eaaea wotDan account
for a disproportionate ahara of total uneeployMent, ·that their unomployeent cates
ora h!qher than thooe of 11an and that, ovln9 to l~or qualifieatlona, geo9raphical
ecb!l!ty aM other batrlon, women'• proopaeta for alternative jobo ar• eootly
l!~lt•d, aore attention ahould be 9!von to unemployaant aa it affects women.
H•aeurea •hould bt t•ken to a11eviat• the COni~Uencea Of uneeploy•ent for women in
decl1nlnq sector• and occu~tions. In p.rtleul•r, tr•inlnt ~•••urt• ~uat bt
ln•titutod to !ac!lftato the trana!tlon.
r
,·4';
Paragraph US
••t••·
ca•••
Paragraph 14?
Govlrnaenta ahould alao viva apecial attention to ~•n ln the pariph•r•l or
.. <Vinal labOur .. rket, auch aa thoa1 In unatablo ta~rary vork or unrovul•t~
part-U• vork, a•
inforul econocy, w11 aa to tbe incraaainv nullber of -•n working in tho
Health
.... , .. ph 141
!ha vital rolo or voean aa provi4era Of health e•r• both inaide and outalde
the ~ abould be reeognia~. taking into account the followln91 tb• croation and
atren9thaning of baaic ••rvieaa for the daltverr of baalth care, with du• regard to
levela or fertility and Infant an4 utarnal ..,rtallty and th1 n~a of the aoat
vulnarabla vroupa and the n•~ to control locally pravalant andaalo and epi4eaio
dl•e••••• COVarn..nta that bava not already done ao should undlrtaka, in
co-operation with the World Boalth orvanisation, tba Uftlt~ Hationa ebildren•a Pund
and the Unit~ Nationa Pund for Population Actlvltl.ea, plana of action relatinv to
wnaan in health and davelopeant ln ordar to identify and r~uca risks to voaen'a
health and to proeot• the posltlv• health of voean at all stagaa of llfa, bearing
in •ind the productive role of voa.n in aooiety an4 their raaponalbllltiea for
baertnv and raarl.nv Children, ..,..n'a participation ln the aob~eveaont of Health
for All by the rear 2000 ahould be r~nisa4, alnea their h•altb knowladga ia
crucial ln their aultlple roloa aa health providora and bealth-brokara for the
faaily
care. and ooaaunity, and aa infor ..·d conauaora of adequat• and appropriate hoalth
Plfi<!Uph
Ut
the participation of woman in bi9bar profeaaional and .. navarial poaitiona in
health inatltutlona ahould be increased throu9h appropriate le9lalation1 trainln9
and supportive action ahould be takQn to inoraaae vo'"n's enrolaont at higher
level• of ~leal training and training in beolth-raleta4 fle14a. Per effective
co•aunlty Involvement to anaura the attain•ent of tha World Bealtb Ocvaniaatlon'o
voal of Health for All by the rear 2000 and reaponalv•n•!• to wo•n•a health need•,
�T
•.
116
117
wo~on ahould be repreaenttd In national and local bealth council• and coa~itteos.
The omployeent and workin9 condltiona of ~n health peraonnel and health workera
ahould be expanded and i•pra¥ed at all ltvtla. ra.. lt traditional htalera and
birth attendonta ahould be .Ora fully and conatructiwtly lntt9rattd in national
hnlth planning.
f
r.conmended in the WHO Llat of Eaaential Dru91 aa applied in 1978. Jt Ia
l•perati•• that l.nfor .. tlon on the appropriate uae of auch drU<J• ia aada widely
available to all woeen, When dru9a.ere l~rttd or exported Oovern. .nta lhould uae
the WHO Certification Sch... on the QUality of Pharaacautical Product• Mowl"9 in
International Coaatrce,
·
poragraph 150
Pauc;rap!! 154
Health education ohould be 9eared tovarda cban9in9 thoat attitudes and values
ond actions that ore dhcri•inatory and detri ..ntal to woHn'a and qirh' heelth.
Stops should be Uken to chanc;•. the attitudta and health -1>0Vltd9e and cocpoaltion
of health peraonnel ao that there can be an appropriate underatandinq of vo=en'a
health needa. A qreattr ahoring by .. n and .o•an of fa•lly and health-care
responoibilltiea ahould be encoura9ed. ~n .uat be invOlved in the foreulotlon
ond. plannlnq of thdr health education riteda, Rlidth education ahould be ovalhble
to tho entire fa•ily not only throu9b the he•lth car• ayat••• tout alao throuqh aU
appropriote channel• and in particular the educational ayatee. TO thia and,
c;ovornO>onU ahould enaurt that lnforutlon ..ant to be recalvtd by VOCitn I.e
r•l•vant to women'o health prioritiea and la auitably preaanttd,
- . n abOuld have acca.. to and control Ol'tr i - to pro.ide adeouate .
nutrition for th. .aolvaa ape! their Children. Alao, Coverneanta ahould foater
actlvitlea that vUl inc.raaaa avaran••• of the apecial nutritional llt•d• of .ONnt
pto•lde aupport to enaure aufflciant reat In the laat trS•e•t•r of pregnancy .ind
vhile breaat-fetding, and prceote lntar9tnt1ona to reduce the prevalahct of
nutritional dl•eaaea aueh •• anaa•i• in wo.en of all
particularly youn9
- n , and pn,...te the de.,.lop>ent and ,... of locally produced veani"9 food,
Paragraph 151
Proeotiva, preventive and curative.health ••••urea ahoula be atron9thened
throuqh colftblned ••••urea and 1 aupportlve baalth infraatructure which, in
aecordane• with th• International Cede of Mar-etln9 of areaat Mil- Subatitutoa,
•hould be free ot commercial proeaura. ~ provide lmlftediate accea& to vator and
au·dta:ry f•cllitlee tor vo•en, Government.• ahould enaure th•t ltjll()ftttn are consulted
ond involved In the plannin9 and icplomentatlon of watar and aenltatlon project•,
tralned In the ~intananca of wotar-aupply oyatema, and conaulted with ra9ard to
uehnolo<ilu uud in water and sanitation pro,octa, · In thll re9erd,
roeommendotlona erioln9 fr001 the aetlvlti .. 9eneuttd by the International I>T:in~lnq
Wotor Supply and S.nltotlon Decade ond other public health proqrommeo ahould be
taken into account.
Poroqrop!! 152·
Governments ahould toke .. oaurea to ••ccinate children and preqnant women
aqa!nst eertoln ende•lc local·diseaoea aa wall aa other diaeaaea aa recom,..nded by
the vacelnaUon ache~ul• of tllw \;orld l!ealth Or<janlaatlon and to olhdr.ate :.:w
dl rferencu i!l covarac;e between boys and 9irla (cf. WHO report 1!11 75/22). In
roqlo.ns "here rubella la· prevalent, vaccinaUonio ahould prefenbly be qtven to
qirls before puberty •• Governments allould anaure that adequate.arranqementa are
~•de to preoerve the quality of vaccines. Oovern .. nta ahould ensure the quality of
vaccines. Governments should also enaure the full and inforud participation of
wQmen !n proqrommts to control chronic and communicable dlaeaaea,
Paragraph Hl
The International communitY should lntenalfy effort• to eradicate the
troffle~inq, .. rkotlnq and distribution of unaafe and Ineffective druqa and to
dioseminato infor .. tion on their ~11 effect•. Tbo&a afforta ahould include
educational proqra•••• to pr~mote the proper praacriptton and tnforud uae of
druqs. Efforts should also be atrenqthenod to eliminate all practices detrimental
to the health of women and children. Eflorta ahould be . . de to ensure that all
women have access to essential druqa appropriate to their apeciflc needs and ••
•9•••
Paraqrapl! 155
Appropriate health facllitiea abOuld be planned, deai<)ned, conatruct•d and
eaulpped to be readily acceaalblt and acceptable. Servicaa abouid be in ha~ny
vlth tha th•l"9 end patterna of - n • a .or-, •• vall '•• with _ , , · , natda and
perapectivea. Matarnal and child-care facilltlaa, .including family planning ·
••rvlcoa, ahould be within aaay reach of ell ~~~. OO.arn. .nta ahould alao tnaur•
that vceen ha90 the aama accaaa •• .. n to affordable curative, pre•entlve and
rehabilitative treatMent. Wbert9tr poaaible, . .aaurea abould be taken to conduct
general acretning and treatDent of vea.n•a coeacn di ..aaea and cancer. Jn view of
tha unacceptably bi9h lewela of . .tarnal .ortallty in aany devaloplng countries,
the raductlon of ••tarnal .ortality fro. nov to the year 2000 to a alnlau. l•vel
ahould be a key tar9et for Oovernaenta and non-;overn. .ntal or9aniaatlona,
ineludl"9 profeaaional or9anisatlona.
Paragraph 156
The ability of vo..n to control their own fertility foraa an iaportant,baai•
for the •n1~ent of other ri<)hta. Aa reeQ9niatd In the ~rld POpUlation Plan of
Action y and uafflratd at the International Cl:mference on POpUlation, 1984, all
couplea and individual• have the baaic hu. .n ri9ht to decide frealy and informedly
the nulftbtr and apacing of their children, . . tarnal and Child health and
fa..Uy-plill\nl.ng component• of pri. . ry. health care ahould be atran9thentdl and
faally-plannlng infor. . tion abould be producad aftd .. rvicea created, Acceaa to
such aervicea ahould be encouragad by OO.arnaante irreapecti•e of their population
poUcin and ahould be cu.rltd out with the participation of VONn'a orqanhationa
to anoure their eucc•••·
Paragraph l57
Covernmanta ahould &aka available, aa a aatter of ur9ency, •nforaation,
aducatiQn and tho ~ana to. aaalat ~•n and aan to take dacialona abOut their
dealrad number of children. TO ensure a voluntary and free choice, faally-plo"ninq
lnfor~ation, education and . .ana ahould include all . .dl.cally •pproved and
appropriate -.thoda of family plannln9. Education for reaponalble parenthood and
taaily-llfe education should be videly available and should be directed tovarda
hoth ~nand women. NOn-qovernaental or9a11laationa, particularly - n • a .
orqaniaatlona, ahould ba involved in auch proqr•~• becauae they can be the .oat
•ff•ctive ••dia for =otivetlnq people at that level.
�T
118
119
Paragraph 158
Recognit1ng that pr•qnaney occurri~ in adoleacent qirla, whether married or
ul'}married, has adverae e-ffeeta on the eorbldity and 1110rtality of bOth •other and
child, Government& are urged to develop policiea to encourage d~ay in the
commencement of childbearing. Cover~menta ahould a.te effort& to raiae the age of
ontry Into ~arrlago In countrleo In vhlch thlo ago lo otlll aulte lov.
Attontlon
ahould alao be given to enaurinq that adoleacenta, both girl& a~ boy&, receive
adeauate
infor~r~ation
ant! l'ducation.
·
lmplo•ontlnv plano, progro-..o ond projocto. Spacial ... our•• ohould be adopted to
rovloe and adopt wo..n•o education to tbo reolltloe of tho dovoloplnq world.
Exlotlnv and nov eorwlceo ohould be directed to wceen oo lntolloetuolo,
pollcy-.. tero, doclolon-eotoro, plonnore, contributor• and benoftclorloo, with
particular attention to tile IIMESCO Ol>nftntl_on ogolnot _Diocrl•lnatlon In llducotlon
(1960). · Spacial .. uuroe ohould oloo be adopted to lncroooo oauol accooo to
oclontlflc, technical 1nd vocational education, pertlculorly for young vcn.n, and
evoluoto progroeo ..do ~ tile pooroot ~n In urban and rural •r•••·
· Poragrap!! 164
Parllqraph 159
~11 Government& ahould enaure that fertility-co~trol . . thoda and druqa conform
to adeouate atandarda of ouality, efficiency and aafety.· Ttlia ahould alaO apply to
organlut lono rooponol ble for dlotr lr>ut lng and od11inlotorlng tho . . . . thodo'.
Information on contraeeptivea ·ahould be . .de available to women. Proqramm~• of
incentive• and dieinc~ntiv~• ahould be neither ca.rcive nor di.cri•inatory and
·ohould
be
conolotent vlth lnternotlonally tocognlood human rlghte, 11 vell oo with
Changin9 individual and cultural valuea.
Paragraph 160
eovern~enta ahould encouraqe local wom~n•a orqani1ationa to p.rticipate in
prl~ary health-car• actlvltleo Including traditional ..dlclno, and ohould dovl••
wayo to oupport vomon, oopeclolly underprl•llogod vo..n, In toting rooponolblllty
for aelf-care and in promoti~ c~unity care, p.rticularly in rural ar•aa.
emphaais ahould be plac~d on pr•ventive rather than curative meaaur~a.
More
Paraaraph 161
'fhe appropriate gender-ape-cific indicator& for aonitorin9 vomen'a health that
have been or are beinq dev~loped by the Uorld Health Orqaniaation ahould be videly
applied and utilized by Govern~enta and other intereated orqanizetiona In order to
develop and au•taln eeaaurea for treating low-qrade ill health and for reducing
high morbidity rates amon9 vo~en, particularly When illneaae8 are psychosomatic or
aocial and cultural in nature. COvernmenta that haft not y'et done·ao ahould
establish focal pointe to carry out auch aonitorinq.
Paragraph 162
Occupational hoolth and oofety ohould
be
enhanced
by
tho public and private
sectors. Concern vith the oecupat~onal health riata ahould cover fe~ale aa vell as
male workers and focus a~ng other thinqa on riete endanqerinq their reproductive
capabilltlu and unbOrn chlldron.
Sp.cl•l .. aouroo ehould·be teton~ Oovorn..nte and tile lntornitlonol
organlootlone, oopoclolly ONESOO, to oll•lnoto tho high rote of illiteracy by tho
year 2000, .with tho oupport of tile International ca.Dunlty, Govern.. nto ohoul~
ootablleh torgote ond adopt appropriate ..aouroo for thlo purpooo. While tho
elimination of llllter•cy lo 1-Port•nt to 111, priority progro,...o oro otlll
rooulrod to overcome till apoclol Obotocloo tllot howe generally lad to higher
lllltorocy rot•• .-ong woeen.tllon •mong .. n. lfforto ohould be ..do to praeoto
functional literacy, with opoclol ompllaolo on heoltll, nutrition and viable ·economic
otlllo and opportu~ltloo, In order to oradlc•t• Illiteracy a.Ong wceon and to
produce additional .. terlol for tho eradication of Illiteracy. Progrom.oo for
legal literacy In lov-lnco.e urban and rural orooo ahould Ill Initiated and
lntonelflod. Rololng till laval of education a.ong ·women lo Important for tho
general volforo of aocloty and bocouoo of Ito clooo lint to child aurwlvol and·
child opaclng.
Efforto ohould eouolly be dlrocted at ·tho health
pregnant and lacta.ting vornen, the health ill!pact of nev technologiea and ·the
harrnonizat_ion of work and fa111ilY r~aponaibllitiea.
· o(
Paragraph 165
· The cou••• of lllgh oboontoolo• •nd dr~ut rotoo of girl• In tho educational
oyot.. •uet be •ddrooeod. Mooouroo •uot be developed, •tronttlllnod and l•ploDOntod
thot vlll, Inter olio, create tile opproprl•t• lncentl••• to onouro that voeen hove
on eouol opportunity to ocoulro education at all lovolo, oo well oo to apply their
education In a vor- or career context. luch .. oouroe ehould Include till
otrengthonlng of coanunlcotlori and Information oyot. .o, tile l~l ... ntatlon of
appropriate leglolotlon ond tho roorlontotlon of lducotlon•l peroonnol. MoroO..r,
Government• ohould encourage and finance adult education progro... o for thooo woman
vho hove newer coepleted tllolr •tudloo or were forced to Interrupt tllotr otudloo, ·
ovlng to f••lly rooponelbllltloo, lac- of financial roeourceo or ••rly prognoncloo.
Paragraph lU
Effort• ohould be ..do to onouro tllot ovolloblo acholorohlpo and othor for••
of aupport fro. governmental, non-governmental and prlw•t• oourcoo oro expanded ·"~
eoultobly dlotrlbutod to glrlo lnd boyo and that boarding and lodging focllltloo
•r• eaually· acc•aaibl• to theiD.
Paragraph 167
Education
Paragraph 163
Education Ia tho baalo for tho full promotion ond Improvement of tho status of
"omon. It Ia ·tho·t>oalc toril-.that should be glvon to v~en In ordor to fulfil their
role as full ftlembera of aocieiy. covern•en.ta should atrenqthen the participation
at all levels of national edUcational policy and in formulatinq and
o( wom~n
Tho curricula of public and privata achoola ohould be oxomlnod, toxtboo-• ond
othor oducatlonol •atorlolo reviewed and educational poroonnol •rotrllned In order
to oll•lnoto all dlocrl•lnotory.gonder otorootyplft9 In education. lducotlonol
lnotltutlono ehould bt oncouragod to expand their curricula to Include otudloo on
vomen'o contribution to all oopocte"of dovelo~nt.
�~
Ni
+
I
•'
121
120
Paragrepn 168
The Decade hao vltnoaood the rlae of centroa and protra=aea of voaen'a atudleo
in reoponoe to aocl•l fore•• and to the nood for dovoloplft9 a ..w acholarahlp and •
bOdy of tnovledqe on voa.n•a atudioa fra. tho perapactlvo of vo.en. Noeen'a
otudlea ohould De developed to raforaulata t.lla current aodela tnfluoncin9 the
conotltutlon of tnowlod9• and auotalninq a value ayato• that r~lnforce•
,!noouollty. Tho promotion and application of wom.n'• atudioa inaido and outaido
and conventional inot!tutiona of laarnin; will help to create a juot and eoultoblo
ooclety in which ~en and women enjoy oaual partnorahip.
Par•qraph 169
Encouraqo~ont and incontivea, a• well ao·counoellint aervicoa, ahould be
'provided for q!rlo to atudy acientlfic, tachnicd and unaqorld aul>jOCU at all
levolo, 'tn order to dovolop and onhanco t.ho,aptitudea of wca.n for declolon-ma-lnq,
monaq.tm•nt and l.aderohip In the .. fiolda,
Pouqraph 170
~11
educational and occupational trainint ahould De flexible and acceo1lnle to
bOth women and aon.
It ohould ala to 1•prove eepl~nt poaalbllitle• and·
promotion pro•p•ctl for vo~n ineludinq tho•• ar••• Where technoloqi•• ar•
tmprovlnq rapidly, and vocational trainlnq protu-u, •• wll •• worker•'
oducat lonal achom .. deallnt with co-oporativu, trade union• and work auochtions,
ahould atroaa the Importance of oaual opportunity for wOm.n at all, level• o( work
and ""'rk-rolated activit!"•·
Paraqraph 171
E•tenaiv• J'fttoaaur•• ahould M taten to d!Y•r•ify VoMn•a voc:atfonel education
ond tralnlnq In ordu to extend th<dr opportun!UU for aeployaent in occupations
tnet •r~ non-traditional or ar• new ~o wo.. n and that •r• i~rtant to
development. The preoent educational ayatea, which In aany countrioa Ia aharply
di•ided by oex, with ;irl• receiving lnatruction in home econoaico and bOyo in
technical oubjecta, ahould be altered, !Xiatint ..ocational tralnlnq centres 1hould
br opened to 9irlo and women tnatead of cont!nuin9 a ••9r09ated traininq oyatem.
Pauqraph 172
~ fully inte9rated ayotea of tralninq, havtnq direct llnkaqao with employment
needa, pertinent to future ompl~ent and devel~nt tranda ahould be created and
i~ple~~nt•d in order to avoid vaataqe of human r••ourcea.
in all ptlaaaa of t.lla production cych, i11Cludi119 tha con .. rvat.lon, ,etor•<~••
Proceaalft'l and .. rtati119 of food and a,rlcult.ural produeta, ~n therefore aete a
vital contribution to acono.ic davalop.ent., particularly in atrlculturally booed
econoaiea, vnlch auet De Detter racotniaod and ravarded,
Development atroto9!es
and Protr•. .••• aa well ae incentive protraa.ae and project• in tho field of food
end atriculture, need to bt deai<~n•d in a manner that fully int.19ratoa vomon at all
levela of plannift<l, hopl-nUtlon, aonltorift'l evaluation in all ata9u of tlu•
dovolo~nt proceaa of a project. cyel~, ao aa to facilitate and enhanco thia key
role of women and to aneure that woman r•c•ive proper eenafit.a and r•aunorotlon
commenourato with their i~rtant contribution In thia field, Moreover, vomen
ohould bt fully lnto9r•t•d and Involved in tha tochnolotlcal reaearen and onerqy
aopecta of, food and a9ricultural developeont,
Paragraph 175
Purln9 the Decade, tho •1tn1ficant eontri~tion of wo.on to a;rlcultural
davelopnent haa boon .are widely rocotniaed, particularly tholr contribution In
vorkint houra to •9rlcultural, fiahery and foreatry production and conaorvat!on,
and to varioua porta of the food ayatea. Thera aro indicationa, however, that
poverty and landlaaaneao aaont'rural ~men will inereaao a1qnif1cantly by the
year 2000. In orcin to ataa thla trend, Covernaenta rnould iephmont, n a 111atter
of priority, eouital>lo and ataDlo invaotaont. and qrowth polleioa for rural
development to onaure that thor• Ia a reallocation of the country'• roaourcea
which, in .any caaea, aro lar9ely derived from the rural aroaa Dut allocated to
urban d•v•lopn•nt.
f"oood, 'W'attor and •uJr icul tur•
Phragraph 174
women, a& kt>Y food producer• in meny r•qlon• of the world. play a c~ntral rolP
In the devoloP"'ent and production of food and aqrlcultun, participating actively
..~·.:
Pongraph 176
Covernmonta ahould eatabllah 1111ltlaactoral Protira... oia to pr01100ta the
productive capacity of rural poor women In food and aniaal production, create
otf-far• employNnt opportunitiu, reduce their worlr-load, inter alia, by
aupporttnq the eataDHohlllont of adeauate chUd-cara facillU-~ ~.>d that of their
children, roverae their pauperlution, !~~provo' their acceu to all aourc•• of
enor'IY• and provide thoa with acleauate water,, health, education, affective
oxtenaion aorvicaa and tranaportatlon within their ra9ion. In thla connection It
ahould 1>e noted that the World Confer•nce on Atrarian Raform and Rural Development,
h<tld at ltOino in 1979, y racotnll:ad ~aen'• •iUl role in the aoci.....conom!c life
In both a9rlcultural and non-•trlcult.ural actlvitiea aa a preroouiaite for
aucceaaful rural developo!:nt ,polic1o:, 'Plannlft9 anc! progra,....a, and propoaed
apocific auauroa for improvtnq their condition, which ora atUl Yalid, The
Progra,.... of Action for the Second Half of the United Nation• Dacac!o for ~o~en alao
lnetuded apeclflc aoaauraa to impro~ the aituation of women, In food and
aqriculturo, which remain a valid 911ldo for action.
Paragrapn 177
Paragraph 173
Educational pro9ramme1 t~ enahlo ••n to aaauae •• •uch reaponaibllity •• womtn
In the upbrlnqlnq o( children and the .. tntonanee of the houaehold, ahovld be
Introduce~ at all level• of the educational ayat••·
"
The Cenaral AaooaDly, In reaolution 39/165 on tho crltical'•ttuatlon of food
production and 09rlcultur• in Africa, confirmed tha qrovinq concern of the
International community at th• dramatic deterioration in Afrlean food and
19rlcultural production and the reaultinq alar•ing incraaae ln the number of
people, oopecially women and'cllildron, e•poaod to hunter, aalnutrition and even
otarvation, Concreto meaourea and adeauato raaourcea for tho benefit of Alr!ean
women ahould eo a priority. tna ln~ornational coemunity, particularly donor
countriea, ahould bt urged to eaaiat African women by continuing and,, whera
possibla, by lncreaain9 finanelal aaalatance to anhanco thl,rolo of women •• food
I
I
-
�. ··123
122
prcduc•ro, with an e!llpbaoie em providing tralnlft9 In food .t...,hnologlu, thereby
alleviating the proble•• of the continent re•ultlng fro. extended drought and a
Ievere al>orug• of food· Donor countrtu 1b0uld also contribute to the lpeclol
fund• that I>••• been 1ouncl>ed by vlrlouo or9antoation• - for axa.ple, the United
Nation& Development rund for Nomen. Z..rgancy llllltance lhoUld bl tncralled and
accolerlted to alleviate the auffe,tng of atlrvlng and dying woaen and children
unhr ta111ln• condlttol'la 111 Afrlca. rurther110re, 9lvan tl>e critical. food at tuotlon
In Africa, aqgravated Inter alia by de~raphlc pr•••urea, the International
community 11 urqed to give priority to 1nd provide 1upport tor the ef(orta of the
African countr!u to overc0111a thla aertoua aituatlon. ~aoe effort• lnclud• tl>•
L.qoo Plan of Action and the Nairobi Proqra~ of Action, •• well ao-the
conoultatlon by African Gover~•nta on the role of ~en In food production and
food aecurlty.
Par•qraph 178
Govern~•nta al>ould give priority to oupportlng effective partlclpltlon by
wom•n In food production and In food aecurlty progra=-ea an4 ahould develop
·~I fie ~l•n• of action for thll purPo••· ~~~ ~uld enaura that reaourcea ore
c!lroctl~ to.,ardo wa.. n•a provra ... u, thlt ...,..en are Integrated In all ••lnatr.,.,.
rural dtvelopment project• and that pro,ecta are located within technical
•lnlotrlu •• well aa •lnlltr!ea of aoclal affairs. eowerllllel't• ohould_ pr01110tt
fntoqroud oolutlona, aueh a1 n1tlonal food poUclea, vhtc~ ara·dlveutfled
occord!ng to opeclflc notural reqlona for the tepro•..,•nt of aelf·r•llance tn food
production, lnottld of reoortln9 to polllatlval or frag=ented remedleo,
Porogupl> 179
Kocl>aniomo ahould alao Include eonltoring and evaluation and, where nec••••ry,
ahould ~!fy tho allocation of reaourcea between wa.en and .. n In •lxod projeet••
n••d•'
anoold rtatructure rur•l developMnt IChe••• to reapond to ~n'a
1houl~
wOfl•n•a projlfteta ln terml of t•chnieal and .conotttic vlabllf.t.y, •• v•11 •• on
••*"''
aoelal qround•t and ohould develop gonder-opeelftc •tatlatlc• and information that
refhct accurattly·w.,...n•a contribution to food ltlplea, -•n'a partlclpot!<~m In·
proqr•~• and pro,eet• to pr~te food ..curlty ahould be enhanced by provld!nq
them with opportun!tiU tO hold official poalUona, to racctlve trainlnq In
leadorahiP• adm!nlotratlon and financial .. nage..nt and to orqanl•e on a
co-opentlvo ~>asll. a.uarch and axperlsentatl.on ahould bl conducted on food
production and atorogo technlauea to Improve t.radltlonel tnowladqe and lntroduc•
~odern·
teehooloqy.
Paragraph 180
An!m.l huohandry, fiohery 1nd foreotry progrl=mea Should qlve qreater
attention to the affective participation of ~n 11 contributor• and
·t>enoflclerlet. S!rollarly, dl other off-tar• rural production provumftlu, u well
•• rurol aett!elllent, health, educational and aoctal auvlc• progrll-••· ohould
oeeure tho participatiOn of woman-.. phnnera, COntributOrl and !"'neflc!arlu.
Paraqraph lin
AlsO l.port.'nt are tha dlneftllnltiOft of lnforaaticm to rural woiNn throuqh
national Information co111palgna, ualn9 all available aedla and utabl!ahed we<!'•n'•
qroups1 tl>• expooure of local population• to Innovation and creativity throuqh
o~n-air film•, t•lka, vl•lt•... _to ·ar••• vher• n•eda are •l•tlar., and demOn•tratJona
of .clentiftc and technolotical tnnovatton11 the participation of wceen far•••• In
reaearel> and Information ca•palgna, and the involwa-.nt of wo-.n In technlcol
co-operation 11110119 d•veloptng countrl•• and tile exchange of lnforaatlon.
Puaqraph 182
Rural woMn'a aeceu to land, caplt,t~l, t""hnolotY• know-how alid other
prcductlva resource• ahould bl aacured. wo.en ahould be gtwan full and affective
rtq~ta to laftd ownerahlp, raqlatratton of land t!tlea lftd allocation of tenancl••
on lrrtqat!on or aettle~nt achemea and ahould alec benefit fr~ laftd refor•.
WO.on•a cuatoaary land 1nd Inheritance rtghta under condlt!ona of land lhOrtaq•,
lon~ t•prowement or ahlfta Into cash-cropping ahould be protected. Jeplamentot!on
of Inheritance lawa ahould be ~tfted eo that ~--n can Inherit a fair ahare of
liweatock, aqrieultural aachlnery and other property. Moeen'a acceaa to ln .. otment
finance to l1>cru .. their productivity and lncoM ahould be aupported by re100Ying
laqol an4 !notltutlonal reatrlctlona and by-promoting vcaen•a aavlnga 9roupa and
~peratlvea and lnt•r•adlary lnatltuttona, 11 well aa training In and aaalata~>ee
with financial ••nogement, aavlnq• and lnvaat.lnta and reallocation of land
reaourc••• with priority placed on production, eapeclally of ataple focda,
Paragraph 18l
Moman ahould be Integrated Into ~ern technolotY provra... a tbat lntroduee
new crop• and lsproved vartetlea, rotation of cropa, •txed far•lft9, •txed .and
lntercropplng ayatesa, low-coat aotl fertility teehnlouea, aotl and Wlter
conaervatlon ••thoda and other aodern. t•provasenta. Jn thla connection, WOMen'•
lnvolve~~~ant In the conatruction, .. naqe ..nt and maintenance of Irrigation och•meo
·
ahoulc! bl prCI!tOted.
Panquph let
Appropriate food-procesalnt technolotl•• can fraa wo..,n from tl••- and
anerqy-con•u.lnq taate and thua •ffact taprowemanta In their health. Appropriate
t•chnologlea can al.o !ncr•••• the productlwlty and lncoee of woa.n, either
directly or_ by freeing th .. ·to enqage in other actlvltl••· Such tecl>nolotf••
ahould be dealgn•d and Introduced, howa-.r, in a .. nnar that on1ure1 wo.an•a acceaa
to tna nev technoloqy and to Ita benaftta and doaa not dhplaca - n frca •una of
livelihood when alternative opportunttiea are not available. Appropriate
labOur-oavlng tachnolovlea ahould utlltaa local huaan and ••t•rtal resource• and
tnexpenaln ~~<>~~rea• of energy. ~e daalqn, teat1n9 and dta'ae•tnatton of the
technology ahould.be appropriate alao to tha wce.n whO will be the u••••·
Non-govern•ental orqantuUona can 111ay a valuable role In thta procau.
Appropriate and affordabl• food-proceaolft9 technoloviea ahould be ••d• videly
available to rural women, along with ·appropriaie and affordable atorage, .. rketlnq
and tran•portatlon facilities to reduce poat-harv•at and tncoma loa•••·
Infor1ot!on on Improved ._thoda wh!ch.have been ecolovieally con~tr•ad of rtductnq
poot-horveot food loll ond·of preeerving and conaervtng food product• ahould be
widely dia~mlnated.
Paragraph 185
Financial, technlcll, advtaory,and. tnatitutlonal support ahould be provld•d to
wcmen'a organlratlona and groupo to enhance the aelf-rallance of. rural woman.
W01t>an'a cc-oparatlvu ahould be pr01110ted to operate on a lar11•• ~eala by laprov!nq
far• Input prov!alona, primary proceoalnq and the whole•ale marketing of ~en'a
�~
.,
125
124
procluctlon. C<lnpr•h•nol,. aupport ahCMJlli bt thren to WOIIIen'll or<Janlutiona to
focllltatt th., acoutaltlon of fu• Input• and infor.aticm and .to facilitate th•
•ar>.ottng of procluc•.
Paragraph 186
partlctpat• tn adult aducation and Jn-aerwtc:e prO<Jra-• that t•adl not only
literacy bUt abo ql•abl• ,.....,.._,.,.ratJnt aUUa, and by encouratint oooNn to
participate in collective Or<Janlsationl, lnclu4Jnt trade unlona1
ldl tndustriol co-Dpetltion ..on, d•velopiNJ countrJ•• ahould 1>t proeot•cl by
creatln, lubreqlonal lnduatrf•••
Covern,.•ntt ahould .. t tarveu tor lnctt••••d e11tanalon contracu "lth rural
"""'•n, reort•nt the tralni1>9 of aa1• .ntenalon ..,.rura and train .,dotauate numbeU
o! teNle ext•nalon vort•u. - • n ahould bt 9iyan ·acceoa to traini1>9 prNJrammea
at dlf!•rent level• that dndop variCMJ• typu of Uillo t.0 .. td<tD the rang• of
...,thocl• and tochn0l09leo uaed for aqrlcultural production.·
(e) International oi9anhatfona and daveloped countrfaa ahoulcl aaafat
d•veloplnq countrtea In their indultrJali•atfon effort and tha inta9rotfon of we.•n
In that proc•u.
Paraqroph 187
Gov•rn ..enta ahould enaure that, at all level• of the plannin9 procua, Wo.•n
participate both directly In decialon-.aking and Indirectly throuqb effective
eonaultatlon "ith tha pote.nUal Mll•fletarlea of proqra-• and pro:l•cta. 'l"o thlo
encl, reaourceo ahCMJld be allocated to pr•pare vo.•n, throu9h traininq, wocational
quldanoe ancl care•r counaelllnq and throu9h increaaecl lnc•ntlvaa and other aupport
. .aaurea, tor lncreaae4 participation In policy-.aklng and dectaion-.akinq rol•o
and to inteqrat• th•• by . . ana of apectal . . aaur•• at all lavela.
<;overnrnt-nta ohould involve .-o-n In tho -llhatlon and dbtrlbUtlon of !oocl
aid in countrie• affected by the drOU<Jht, ao ... 11 •• in the flqht aqalnot
through larg•-•cale affouota.tlon caftlpai<Jna (plantlnq of .-oodlou,
de•~trt 1 f tc1t ton,
·
collective f•rma and •••dllngl).
Paragraph 188
Paragrapl! 191
Co•ornll\ot>ts thould pay qruter attention to th• puaenation and the
Ninttnanco !rn from pollution of any kind of 110urcea ot ,..t.r ,aupply for
!rrlqatlon and domut!c conau.. ptton, applylnq apeclal teHdiol .,.aauna to ull•v•
th• bUrden placed on .,.,.,en by th• taa~ of fatchinq ..aur. 'l"o thia end, they ahoulll
conotruet vella, bor<t•llolea, daroa and locally . ."" vater-catch,..nt devlcu
·
oufflclent for dl lrrlqatlon and daoeatlc nucla, Jncludtnq thoae of ltv<utoe~.
wom•n ohould .,.. lnclud•d by Covern~~~enta and aqenct . . tn all policy planning,
h•plomontat!o~ anc! adm!nlotntlon of "ater aupply proj.Cta and trained to ta~•
ruponslblllty for tho ,.. nagement of hydraulic lnfrutructuru and eoulpment and
for it• ruini.en.ance.
Industry
·The probl""'' related to the industrial clnelopm~~nt of the developing countries
reflect tht dependent nature of thdr econoatea and the n. .cl to promote
tcan:-!or~.c::ion !ndust~!ee besed ~ CIOftle8tle &qrlenlturel .product!ot"! ee 1!
fundom•ntal luue of development. - • n are an i~rtant part of the 19ricultural
"""<~-!oree 1 th•refon, th•n ahould be apeclal lntereot in the pro100Uon of the
technical tro!nlnq of - e n In thlo pertlcular fidel. In thia reopact, Covern.,onl*
ohoullt ta~e tnto account the fotlo.-lnq rtc-ndatlol\01
·
The<., ohould
Woeen ahould be vi.,...d •• u..,ra and &<Janta of chanqe In acianoe and
tecllnolQ9y, ancl their technological and . . na9erJal akilla ahCMJ14 be enhanced in
order to inereaae national aelt-relianee In lncluatrlal production and to pra.ote
innovation• In productive deaiqn, product adaptation and production technfouea. At
the ••,.. tl••• lnduatrial technoloqiea ahould be apPlied appropriately to the neeclo
and aituationa of vo.en ao •• to free the• from tt . .- and anarqy-conau.inq tasta.
Paraqraph 192
The introduction of advanced techno1Q91ee in lnduatry in particular, .uat
.allow ..omen to entar Into aactora from which they have been ao far excluded.
Paragrap!l 193
P• r 19 raph 189
(a)
t>araqraph 190
be
a link bet...,•n aqrlculture and lnduatryl
fr>l S"P" should. be u~en to el101lnote the ·particular dbauclu to
if'ldu&tl Lalization and to the participation of VOIM'n ln inCh.tatry,. auch •• e-nerqy,
the limft~d m.arlte-t.s of a01r1e d•v•lopinq countrtea, the rural exodua, poor
i~fr~atructure, • lac- of technical •nov-how •. the d•pendenee of th• induatr1•• of
s:ornt> countr1~s and a lack of. financial resource••
(c) St•P• should olao be. ta~on to pr<lftOte vomen'a eouitabla and tncrus•d
participat10f'l tn indu1try by .. nabltng them to· hav• •crual acceaa to and to
Covernaento ahould'direct their afforta to expandin9 ~"'• aeploymant
opportunltlea In the IIIO()un. traditional and Mlf-.earployed .eectorc ·C! beth the
rural and urban econoey and to avoldinv.tba e11ploltation of fe. . le labOur, !fforto
to ieprove the aboolute and relotl"" lav•l• of ~n'a earnlnqa and vorklnq
condltlona ahould 1>t directed aiev1tanaCMJdy to all three ..,eton,
Paragraph 194
In aecorclance "lth accepted international labour at.ndar4a, particularly,
though not exclualvely, in the field Of fa . . le aarployaent, apPropriate leqlolatton
ahould bt adopted and fully i•pleMntacl at tha llational le...,l, SpeCific
conatderatlon ahould be 9iven to the removal or diocri•lnatory practice• conc•rnlnq
*"'Ployment condltiono, health and safety, and to quaranteelnq provlaiono for
pregnant "~en and maternity benefita and child care. SOCial aecurlty beneffto,
Including unemploy!Mnt benefits, ahpuld.he guaranteed to .-omen on an eoual footing
"lth men. Recruitment of fe.-la vorkera In exlatinq or new capita1-intanaive,
hi9h·productlvtty ••ctoto ahould bt ancour•qed,
�4' .: '"......,.'t~ :~?;
.,._!;...~:~~-= ~
' ~:.. '· "'-··.
126
Ptrograph 195
Govern•ento allould reeoqni•• til• l~rtancl of iaprovinq the condition• and
atructun of. the. infor.. l .. ctor for national induatrid de,de>p~ent and the role
of ..omen vlthln it. Tradltlond .craft and cottaqe lndultdea, 14 wll u tne amall
lnduotrlal efforts of.,.,.,..,., ahould bl aupportell vith crediU, tralnlnq hcllltha,
mortetlnq.opportunltlea anll technoloqlcal qulllance. TO thia enll, prollucero'
co-operative• ohould be aupportell anll wceen ahould bl encouraqell to eotabllen,
manag~ and own •m•ll enterprl•••·
Paro9raph 196
Gonrna>entl ohoulll ll.. lgn anll pr01n0te •• vell •• encouuqe the ll.. tgn enll
promotion of proqro~• anll olloulll allocate reoourceo to pr 0 pare women to tate. up
traditional anll non-traditional tnlluotrlal actlvltiee in organlaed and amall
enterptiaeo, •• vell •• In the lnfor.. l oector, throuqh innovative approachea to
tr•ln!ng, anll ohoulll prepare anll lllo .. minate training •aterial• and provide
training to the tralneu. ftey ohould oupport aelf ... aplOY"'Int initlatlvu anll
offer gu:ld•nce and cer••r couri••llln9.
Trade and commercial ••rvtcea
P•reqraeh 197
GovernMent• should recoqnlae the potential impact of ahort•ter• econo~lc
adjuatment poltctea on women In the areaa of tralle anll ~·reo. Government
pollclea ehould pro~t• the full participation and inteqration of wo~n In these
•r~as. Alternative aourc•• of fSnanc• and nev aart•t• aboUld be •ouq~t to ~aintain
and !ncr•••• wo~n'o participation in theee actlvlti••• Rot only ohoulll
appropriate ~••urea De taken to enaure that legal and adooinlatratlve lmp~lli~enta
tnat .prevent women from enjoyin9 effective anll e~ual acQeaa to finance anll credit
ar~ r~~oved but ln addition poaltlv• .eaaure• auch •• lo.n tuarante••• t•chnleal
advice .anll mortetlng develop!llent aerv1cea ohoulll bl introlluced,
Paragraph 198
Govern~ento ahould alao reeognloe the poaltive contribution of women traders
to local and national economlea and ahoulll adePt policies to aaalat and organize
thea• wo~n. The Infrastructure anll •anaq.-.nt of aarketa, tranaportatlon and
aoclal aerv!cea ahould be Improved to tncreaae the efficiency, oecurlty and Income
of women trader• and tO reduce tbelr wort-loall anll the haoarda to· their health, aa
well •• to avoid waataqe of •artetable produce. ~ralnlnq opportunities In
bQo••••plnq, fl"ance, pactaqlnq, atandarlllaatlon anll proceaalng technology ehoulll
bO provided to women trallera.
Such tralnlnq ahould alao aim at opening up
employment opportunlt!ea to these vomen in other •artetinq.and credit
!notltutlono. GOvernments ahould lleaign Innovative mechanlama tO provide w~en
trader• with acceaa to credit onll to encouraqe the eotabllahment and rolnforcement
o! w~en'• trade ••aoeiatlona..
•
Paragraph 199
tffort• •~ould be .ade to encouraqe entetpriaea to train vom.n tn •co~omic
s~c:tor• th&t traditionally h~·ve been clo••d to them, to prODOt• diversification of
women 8 ~mploylh•nt and to eltafn•t• q•nder bt•• from l•bour •ark eta ..
1
'·
127
Scienc.t am tecllnoloqy
Paragraph 200
fte full and effective participation of wo.en tn tha lleciaion-...inq anll
i•ple.entatlon proc••• related to actence anll tachnoloqy, ineludinq planning anll
letting prlorttlaa for reaeacch anll davele>p~~nt, and the choice, acquiaition,
adaptation, Innovation and application of acianca and technoloqy for llevele>p~~nt
ahould bl enhanced. Governaenta ohoulll rea••••• thair technoloqical capaDllitiee
anll aonltor current proc••••• of change .o aa to anticipate and a.. liorate any
adverae lepact On women, particularly edvarae effect• upon the auality of iOb.
Paragraph 201
fte lnvolve-nt of oooMn in all of the peaceful uNa of outer apace ahould · bl
enhanced, anll affect!"• ..aaurea ahould be unllerto•an to lntaqrate waaen Into all
leve18 of deelaiOft-ma•inq and the iaple..ntation of auch activltiea, Jn all
countrlea apocial effort• ahould be . .11. by Qoverneentl anll non-govarnaental
or<Janlaatlona to provide ""-n and wolilen'a orqariiaatlona with infor.. t10ft Oft th•
peaceful uaaa of outec apace, Special incentiVIa ahould be provided to enable
wa..n to Obtain allvaneell allucation and trainlnq in ar••• ralatall to outer apace ln
orller to expand their participation in the eppllcation of outer apace technology
for peaceful uaea, aapeclally in the hi<Jh•prlorlty daval~nt areaa of water,
health, ener<Jy, food production and nutrition. TO achieve thlae qoala, increaoell
opportunitlea anll encouraqa. .nt ahoulll bl 9tvan to woeen to otudy aelance,
aath.-atlca anll enqtnaering at the uniYeraity level and to'9irl1 to atully
.. the~tica and acience at the pre-univeralty level,
Pauquph 202
women vlth appproprl•t• lkilla ahoulll bl aaployed at ..na<Jerill and
profeaaional level• anll not reotrictell to ~ervice-11911 jobl. Special .. aaurea
ahoulll bl taken to iaprO¥• wor•in9 conditione for wo.. n in the acience anll
·technology flellla, to ell•inate diacrl•inatory claaaificatlon of 10b• and to
protect the riqht of women to.pro.otlon. ·~fforta ahould bl -.de to enaure that
vomen Obtain their fair ahare of joba at all levela in nev technology lnduatrlea.
PuaguPII 203
Ma,or effort• ohould bl undertaken and effectiwe lncentival created to
lncreaoe the acceaa of vomen to both.ocientiflc anll technoloqlcal education and
tralnlnq, TO achieve theae 901la, afforta ahould bl . .111 by oovern•ento and.vo~en
the~oelvea to enahance, vhere neceaaary, the chanqe of attitudal toward• vomen'a
~rforoi'!.nce. ln aclentfflc flelda,
Paragraph 204
The potential and actual t_,act of 1clence and technology on the develoP,.•ntl
that affect vomen'• int19ration into the varioua aector• of th• acona.y, aa vall aa
on their health, Income anll atatua, ahoulll be aooeiMd• Relev1nt findin9a ahoulll
bl inteqratell in policy foraulatfon to •n•ure that - n blneflt fully fr0111
avallaDle technoloqlel anll that any,allver•• affect• are •lni•iaell.
�,,
•'
128
129
I
Paragraph 210
P>< aqr a ph 205
Effort• In the doalgn and delivery of appropriate t~hnology to ~men ehould
!ntena1f1od, and attention ahould be 9lven to the achleveeent of tho beat
pooalble atandard In ouch technologlea. In p.rttcular, the laplicatlona of
adv•nc•• In aedlcal technology for ~n ahould be carefully eaaained.
be
Cooi!Dunicttlono
Woeen and ~een'e troupa ahould be pertlclp.ntl in and ~•1 btneflclarleo of
houeing and lnfraatructure conatructlon project•. They ehould be conaulted In tho
choice of doelgn and t~hnology of conatruction and ahOuld be lnvolvad in tho
unaq.ment and aalntanance of the facllltl••• to thia end, va.en ehould be
provided with conatruction, aalntonance and aanate..nt •-1111 end lhOuld be
p.rticiponte In related tratntng and educational programmea. Special-attention
euat be tlvon to the provialon of adequate water to all coanunltlea, In
PH •9 r oph 206
consult•tton wlth
In vl~tw of thlt critical role of thll ..ctor In aUalnaUn9 n:ereotyp.., t ....qu
of wo<Hn and pro'ildlnq wo,.an with easler acceaa to lnforutlon, the portlclpatlon
of ..,,.en at all levoh of com111unlcatlona policy and declalon-uHnt and in
proqra.,.• deolgn, lapletMntatlon and aonltortnq ahould be 9lllen hlqh, priority. ,., ..
eedlo'o portrayal of abrt<>typed iugu of - ' " ' and abo that of the ad'lertlalng
lnduotry con h••• a profoundly ad'ler•• effect on attitude• toward• and a.anq
wo~•n.
wocen ahould bo ude an integral pert of the declaton•u\lng concarnlnq the
choice and development of altern.tive foru of coaeunlcation and ahould have an
equol uy In the dotorelnotlon of the content of all put>Uc inforutlon dforta.
Tne cultural eedla, Involving ritual, draaa, dlalotua, oral literature and eualc,
ohould be lnteqroted In all dev•lo,a.nt efforta to enhance coamunlcatton. women'•
own cultural projecta aiaed at Changing the traditional iaagea bf ~n and ••n
ohould be prO«>>ted and ...,,..n ohould have equal ac:ce•• to fln.nchl aupport. In the
Cltld of coauaunlcoUon, there h aeple IICOPI for lntetn.tlon.l co-op.ratlon
reqardlng lnfor .. tlor> related to the aharing of e.cperience by -•n and to
projoctlnq actlvltlu concerning the role of - n In d..,al-nt and peace In
ordtr to enhance the owuene.. of both occ0111pl1ahmenta and the toa\a that re""ln to
b<! fulfilled.
w~n.
Paragraph 211
Rouainq credit ache~• ahould be ravl~d and ~n'• direct ecce•• to ~uatng
conatructlon and l•pro....nt cradlta ••cured, Jn thla eoftnectlon, prO;ra~• aimed
at increaain9 the poaaibllltlee of 1ourcee of Income for wo.en ahould bt proeoted
and exlatinq legialatlon or aclalnlatratlve practice• endanqerint wcman•a ownerohlp
and tenancy righto ahould be revoaed.
Paragraph 212
Government efforta for the International Year of Shelter for the Rceeloaa !I
ohould Incorporate ••••• ..onta of tha ohalter needa of wo.en and •ncouraqe the
6eol9n and L8plementatlon of Innovative project• that will lncreaaa ~n'• occaaa
to aarvicoa and finance. In thaao offorta apeclal attention ahould be paid to
~n who are tho aolo aupportera of their ·fa.lllaa. Low-coat hou8lng and
facllltlea ahould be dealgned for aueh women.
Paragraph 213
,.,., enroiO>ent of -•n In publicly operated ••• _.unicaUon ntt-ru and in
educetlon and tulnlng ahould bo tncnued. 'l'ho aaploy-nt of """""n .,lthln the·
&ector ahould be prooooted and dlr~ted to.,arda profeuloM1, advlaory and
d•ciolon-uklng poaiUona.
·
All .. aaurea to !ncr•••• tho efficiency of land, water and air tranaportatlon
ahould be foraulated with due r•9ard to wcmen •• producer• and conau. .ra. All
national and local doclalona concerning tranaportation pollclea, including
auboldlea, prlcinq, cho.lce of technology for conatruction and .. tntenanc., and
••ana of tranaport, ahould conalder ~n'a nelda ancl ahould be baaed on
conalderatlon of the posalble lapact on the e~loy.ent, income and health of v~en.
Poroqroph 208
ParagraPh 2U
Orqonl~ttlona· at•ed at proooot1119 the role of - n in development u
contrlbutou and. b<tndlclut .. ahould bo a .. ht<t<l In their efforts to eotabllah
effective CO!OIIIunlcatlona and lnforutlon nat~rka.
·throu~;h ·v:utor <aceus t:o credit fot · - n ana othu appropriate ..ana and eouol
puagroptl 207
Houolnq, .. ttl ...ent, cotDI•unlty devalop...,nt and tunaport
~en'•
rolaa aa oparatorl and ownera of -.ana of tranaport ahould be proeoted
consideration vlth r.;ard to the allocation of contracta. Tbla Ia particularly
Important for ~n'a 9roupa and col1eetivea, eapecla1ly In rural ar•••• that are
usually well organised but are cut off froa aervicaable ..ana of tranaport and
. COC!ftunleation.
paraqraptl 209
·
Paugrap!! 21S
Oovernmenta ahould Integrate ~een In the foreulation of"pollclea, proqrommet
and projects for tht ptovielon of bealc shelter and· infrutructure. ·to thh en<l,
•nrol••nt of woinen In architectural, enqlneerlnq and related fields ahould be
encoureqed, and qualified -•n graduate• in theao Ualda should b<t ualgned to
profeaalonel ond pollcy-uklng and dechlon-ullng poaltlona. 'l'ho ahelter and
!nCrostructural needo of vo.en ohould be aaaeaa<t<l and apeclflcally incorporot.., In
housln9, comO>unlty dovelo~ent, and al~• and aquetter proj~ta.
'··
Rural tranaportatlon plannln9 ln doveloplnq countrlea ahould al• at reducing
th• heavy burden on woeen·wbo carry aqricultural procluc•. water and fuolwood aa
head-loada. Jn exploring .adea ~f tranaportatlon, efforts ahould be aad• to avoid
loaa of Inc~ and employaent for VDm*n by Introducing coata that aay be too hl9h
for thee.
�131 .
130
Paragraph 216
In the c:holc:e of .odea of tranoportatlon and tht-daalvn of tranoport routea,
tho lnc:uulng ratio of VOIIon whoaa !...,.,.. Ia oattntlal for fa•lly aurvlval ohould
be
tattn into account.
Paragraph 217
In tho d .. lqn and c:holc:t o_f bOth c:ommerc:lal and appropriatl "hlc:ular
tochnoloqy, tho n..d• of w0111on, aapaclally thoaa with younv children, ahould
takon Into c:onoldorat!On, Inatltutlonal aupport to Viva ~n jCCOII to
appropriate vohlc:loo ahould bt provided.
-
Paragraph 223
bt
~
Poroqraph 218
Meaouroa developed to ratlonalloo ener9y conau•ptlon and to Improve anergy
oyot011o, eopeclally of hydroc:orbOno, and to lnc:r .. ae technical training ahould bt
tormulated vlth a vtev to wo. . n •• producera, uaera and . . ~9•r• Of enerqy·aourcea.
Plraqraph 219
In conventional and non-conventional national tnarvy provra... a, women ahould
bO ln~egratod aa contributor• and btnaflc:larlea with a view to their needo, ••
dotor•lned by opeclflc: aoc:lo-cultural fac:tou at loc:al and national levola and In
both rurel and ur~n contexta. A8•••~•nt of new ener9Y .ourc••• ener9y
tochnolovl•• and oner9y-dallvory ayatema ahould apeclflc:ally oonaldor tho reduction
or the drudgery that c:onatltuteo a lar9e part of the wort of poor urban and rural
vom:en.
Parograph 220
!he 9raao-rooto participation of vo.. n In anervy-~ada aaaaa ... nt, technology
and enorgy c:onoervatlon, ..nagoment and .. lntenenc:e afforta ahould be aupportod.
Poragroph 221
Priority ohould be vlven to aubatltutlnv anarvy for •uoc:la In the perforaonc:e
or the lndu~trlal and doaeotlc: wort of WODen without loaa of their jobo and t••-•
to Mn. In vlov of the hl9h parc:ant•9• of dOID.. tlo UN In total ener9y c:onou,.ptlon
In 1ov-1ncome countrl .. , the lmpllc:otlona of lnc:raulnq anergy c:oau, and the
curront threoto pootd by Inflation, l ..edlata attention ahould be dlrac:tod towordo
action concerning adapted tac:hnolovlea, fuel conaarvatlon and laproved or nev
~urcel of enerqy, 1uch •• biamaae, aolar end wind ener9y, teotheraal and nuclear
energy, •• voll •• alnl-hydrotlec:trlc: power planta. Japroved atoveo ahould be
deolgnod and dlaoomlnattd to reduce the drud9ery Involved In the c:ollec:tlon of fuel
by vomen.
Paragraph 222
In order to prevent depletion of the foreat ••••• on vblc:h .oat rural vomon
rely tor auch of their enerqy neede and Income, inftOvatlve pr09ra.-ea, aueh •• f•r•
voodlot dovolopmont, ahould be Initiated with the lnvolva..nt of bOth women and
aen. In tho c:ommorc:lalloatlon or fuolvocd anar9y, aeaaurea ahould be tote~ to
'•
avoid the lOll of vomen'a !ncaa. to •lddl ..tn and urban lnduatrlta, Dtvtlopntnt Of
. futlwood plantatlona, dlffualon of· faat-9rowlnv varletlu of trtta and tec:hnologlu
for .ore tfflc:ltnt Prcduc:tlon of c:harc:oal ahould bt ac:c:tltrattd vlth a vlev to poor
rural aftd urban women btlnv the .. jor ·btneflc:larlea. !ha uaa of aolar anarqy and
blov•• ahould bt proeotad vlth due revard to affordablllty, aa well •• to uoe and
•enavement by women vno·ara the principal conaunara.
tho Involvement of women at all levala of declalon-matlnv and lmpTamentatlon
of aner9y-ralated dtc:lalona lnc:ludlnq paac:eful.uaa of nuclear entr9y ahould bt
enhanced, Spac:lal afforta ahould bt . .da by Govern.. nta and non-9ovarnmental
orvanloatlona to provide woman and vo.en'a or9anloatlona with lnfo.-atlon on all
aourc:u and uaea of enervy, lnc:ludlnv nuc:laar anarvy. Bpec:lal lncantlvu ahould bt
provided to enable won.n to obtain advanced laval• of 'education and tralnlnq In all
enar9y-ralatad areaa In order to aapand their partlc:lpatlon In declalon-•atlnq
relatlnq to the application of nuc:laar tec:hnolovy for paac:aful uaaa aapac:lally In
hl9h priority dovelop.ent araaa of vatar, health, ener9y, food production and
nutrition.
1'o achieve th••• 9oala, lncr••••d opportunltiea ·and encouraq•aent
lhould bt 9lven to women to atudy ec:lenc:e, .. thematic:• and an9lneerln9 at the
unlvaralty level and for vlrh to atudy .. the~~atlc:a and ac:ltnct at _the
pra-unlveulty level •.
-
....
l!nvl roNDent",
Paragraph 224
Deprivation of traditional .. ana of livelihood I• .oat often a raault of
environmental do9radatlon reaultlnq free auc:h.natural and .. n-.ada dlaaatars ao
drouqhta, floodo, hurrlc:anaa, aroalon, daaertlflc:atlon, daforaatatlon and
Inappropriate land uae. Suc:h c:ondltlona have already puahed vreat nu~r• of poor
wo.. n Into .. r9lnal environment• Whara c:rltlc:ally lov laval• of vatar aupplleo,
ahorta9ea of fuel, over-utllloatlon of vraolnq and arable landa and popula.tlon
danalty have deprived them of ,their livelihood. Moat aarlcualy affec:tad era wo~n
In drou9ht-affllc:ted arid and •••1-arld areaa and In urban alu.a and aauattar
••ttleaanta. Thea• women need optlona for altarnatlva .. ana of livelihood, Women
~•t have the .... opportunity •• .. n to partlc:lpeta In the va9a-aarnlnq labour
fore:• In auch provramaaa e• lrrlvatlon and traa plantlnq and In other provr•~•
naaded to UP9rade urban and rural envlron.anta. urvent atapa need to ba teton to
atren9than the aac:hl~ary for International ec:ono.lc: co-operation In the aaplorotlon
of vatar reaourc:oa and the control of daaertlflc:atlon and other environmental
dloaatora.
Paraqiilph 225
Efforta-to Improve aanltary c:ondltlona, lnc:ludlnv drlntlnq water aupplleo, In
all c:ommunltlea ahould ba atrenvthened, aapac:lally In urban aluaa ind aouatter
aottlamenta and In rural areaa, vlth due re91rd to relav•nt anvlrqft•antal fac:toro.
Theaa efforta.ahould be aatandad to lnc:luda laprova..nta of· the~ end the wort
environment and ahould be affac:ted vlth the pertlc:lpetlon of vo..n at all levela In
the pl•nnlnq and laplementatlon proc:eaa.
�-
..,,
132
133
Paragraph 226
1\vareneso by lndlvldual ...,..," and dl type• of ......... • orqanhaUono of
environmental laauea and the capacity of we-an aftd . .n to .. naqe their anvlronmont
and auataln productive ruourcea ahould be anhancad. 1111 110urcea of tnrorftlatlon
dlaao~lnatlon ahould be •oblllaad to !ncr•••• the aelf-halp potential of vomtn ln
conaorvln9 and lmprovlnq their envlronaent. Rational and inttrnational eaphaala on
•cosyate~ manaqe~ent and the control of environaenta1 daqradatlon •hould bt
atronqthened and women ahould bt racognla•d •• .Ctlva and AGU'l participant• In
phanoeenon, but a blov to their phyalca1 and ~rat lntaqrity, aqatnat which they
have the rlqht (and the duty) to fiqht, whether they are tha..alvaa the •lcttaa or
the vitn•a..,a, Beyond thaaa urqant protective . .aaur•• for .. ltraated ~~~ and
children, aa vall •• rapraaal•• ..,aauraa for the authora of thla .. ltraat.ent, lt
would bt proper to aat ln ~tlon lonq-t•r• aupportlva .. chinariaa of aid and
qutdanca for .. ltreatad ~n and Children, •• vall aa the people, often ..n, vho
-.ltr••t them.
thit proceaa.
!>araqraph
JU,
227
A.
Tho environmental l•pact of pollclea, progra.aea and' project& on vo111en'•
hoalth and actlvltlea, lncludlnq their 110urcea Of e.ployment and tncoee, ohould
and the n•;atlve iftacta ali10tnated •.
••••ned
Otlnaclaa
Paragraph 232
~
Social •Prvlc••
Paragraph 228
Covnnm.. nta are urqed to qlve priority to th• de..,lopoent of aoeld
infraotructure,·auch aa adeauate care and education for the children of vorklnq
parento, whether auch ~rk Ia carried out at hOIOC', in the flelda or In factorl•••
to redUc• th• "double burden• of vorkinq -en in both urban and rurd anat.
Likevloe they ora urqed to offer lncanttvea to e~la,era to provide adeauate
Child-care aervlcea which ... t the reaulraaenta of paranta reqardtn; opentnq
noura. !..ployera ohould all~ either parent to work flexible hour• ln order to
oharo the retponalbllltlea of child care. ll•Ultaneoualy, GOvarn••nta and
non-qovern111ental orqanloatlon• ahould .ablllse the . . . . . .dta and Other .. ono or
camnunieatton to enaure publte conaenau• on the n•ed for ..n and •oci•ty •• a vhole·
to share vlth vo~en the reaponolbllltlea Of produclnq and rearinq Children, who
r~preaent the hu~an r~aourc• eap•b111t1ea of the future.
Poroqrapl\ 229
ehould further eatoblloh vaya and ..ana of aaoiattnq wo010n
throuqh the provlalon of Information and the creation of leqlolatlon that
Covern~onta
eon•u~•••
PtAa;'
will tncreaae eonlut'ler con1eloulna11 and protect conaWIIere. from un•af• qocde,
The threat to peace raaultlnt fra. contlnuint international tenalon·and
vtolatlona·of the untted Natlona Charter, reaultinq in the unabated ar.. race, tn
P•rtlcular In the nuclear field, •• wall aa vera, ar.e<S conflicts, external
domination, foreiqn oecupetton, acoutaitlon of land by force, 199reaaion,
·I!Optrt.Un, colontallu, nao-colontalln, racba, apartheid, 9roaa •iolatlon ot
huaan riqhta, terroria•, repreaaton, the diaappeara&ee of paraona and
dlacrl•lnation on the baaia of ••• are .. jor Obataclea to huaan prograaa,
opeclflca~ly to the advancement of wo.an,
Paragraph
2])
Such Obatacleo, •ca. of Vhlch occur with increaainq frequency, continually
reinforce and are·relnforeed by hiatorically eatal>lhhecl hoatlle attitude&,
l;norance and. blqotry Mtvaen countri .. , ethnic tioupa, raeeo,
aoeto-oconoetc 9roupe and by lack Of tolerance and reapect for different CUlturea
ond tradttlona. Thalr neqative effecto are increa..d by poverty, tenolona tn
international economic and political ralatlona vhlch are often a99ravatad, •• v•ll
aa by tha arao race, both nuelaar and conventional. Yhe •••• race in particular
d!verto reoourcaa whiCh COUld be uaad for de.. lopaental and husanltarlan purpooea,
hlridara national and lntarnatlonal clavalopoent afforta and furth<lt' handicape the
vell-bein; of the pooreat nation• and tbt .oat dtoadvantaqad ••9Menta of the
population,
•••u,
Paugraph 234
dangerous druqa, unhealthy food• aftd unethical and exploitative aark•tlnq
proctl¢ee.
"t«J:h-qOvtorf'la~ntal
orqanl·aat.ionlii ·ahould wort toward;:
and active organtaatlona tor conauaer protection.
Paragraph
a•tabl1~h1n9
;tron;
-
230
Public expondtture dlrtoeted t~ardo hulth, education and trainln9 ond tovarda
provtdlnq health-ear• and ehlld...:are a•rvlcu for VOIOen oh~ld bt !ncruud.
O.oplte the eehiov~~ntG of thw Daca6e, woaan'o involva..nt in tovernaental
and non-qover~ental aetivittaa, dectalon_.atlnq proceaaea.related to peace,
mobtllaatton effort• for peace, education for pe~ and peace reaearch re.. tno
ll•ltad, Th•lr pa·rticipatlon_ in the etrugqle to eradicate coloniali .. ,
neo-colonialioa, i~rialt .. , totalitarianln 1nclucltnq faacin and alallar
ideologleo, allan occupation, foraiqn doetnation, •99raaaton, raci .. , racial
d!acrl•lnatlon, aparthel~ and Other •tolatlona of hunan riqhta hao often qone
unnoticed.
Para9raph 231
Poroqroph U5
ahould undertake effective ,..alurea, includinq aol>lll•ln;
c"""'unlty rnoureu, to ld•ntlfy, prevent and ell•lnate all violence, includtnq
family vlolonce, •9alnat VOMn and Chlldren and to provide aheltu, aupport and
roorlentatlon aervlc~• for at>ua•d women and children. Th••• ..alurel lhould
not•bly "" al,.od at ""'kinq''wo,.~n conaclouo that ult.reatftl8nt 1a not an lncuroble
Govornm~nto
Unlveraal and durabla peace cannot be attained without the full and equal
participation of women In international relationa, particularly in decialon-maklnq
conc•rninq peace, includlnq the proceoaaa anvi1a9ed for th• pea~ful ..,ttla•ent of
diaputel und•r the Unit•d ~attona Charter nor·vithout overeoein9 the Obataclea
m~nttonad In paraqraph 232.
·
�135
134
l'uagrapll 241
p,uaqreph 2)6
rull .auallty between wc.. n and ..n is .. varely llaapered by tile threat• to
.lnt•rnatlonal poaea and aaeurlty, lac~ of aatiafylng prOQr••• In til• ftald of
dlaar•aMont, includln9 tlla apre.d of the ar•• race to outer apaca, violation of tho
pr lnclplo of tile rl9ht of poopln under alien al>d colonial do.! nation and for"l9n
occupation to aelf-c!etaralnatlon and lndepandenca· and raapact for til• national
aovorel9ntY and territorial integrity of Statea •• well •• jua•l~e, .auallty and
r~otual benefit in tnt•rnational rl'lation•.
~
Paragraph 237
lt It. evident that wo~Mn all ovu the world .h•av• unttaaud their lov• for
puc~ end thdr vlah to play a 9raater role In tnternat;l.onal co-operation, ... lty
and peace amonq different natlona. All obatacla• at national and lnt•rnatlonal
level• In tho way of women'• participation in pro.otih9 international peace and
c:o-oporotlon should be reiiiOved aa aoon u ponlbla.
uroquph 238
It U ·eually bportant to lncru•• -o.. n•• undaratandlnq and avanneu of
eonotructlve neqotlatlona ai..d at raaclltnq poaltiva raaultl for ln•rnatlonal P"•c~
and oecurlty, Govern~anta ahould ta-• *eaaurea to encouraqa tile full and et!ectlvt
participation of vomen In ne9otlatlona on International peace and ••curlty. The
rtjtctl8n of the uae of force or of the threat of the u•• of force and foreign
intt<f fere-nce and int•rvention •hould beCOIM: "ic!e•praad.
B.
s.alc. atrataqiee
Jn vtew of the fact tllat -omen are atlll wary lnadeauataly rapreaented In
national and lr•t.rnatlonal poUttcal proc••••• .S.all"9 w1tll peace al>d conflict
aottlemant, It la eaaentlal that women aupport and encourage aacll other in tllair
lnltiatlvaa al>d action relating eltber to unlver .. l laauaa, auell •• diaar..ment and
ttia d•val~nt of COftftdanc.-tMIUdlng •aauru betwaan natl- ·and people, or to
apeclflc conflict altuationa betwa•n or vlthin Stat•••
l'lfa9tapl!
242
There axtat altuatlona in aaveral regiO..a of the world whore tlla violation of
principle• of non-uaa of forca, non-lnterwentlon, non-lntarfarance, non-aggraaalon
and tile rlqht to ••lf-datar•lnatlon andangara International peac. and ..curlty and
craat•• .. ••Iva huaanitarlan prob1ema Which conatltute an 1-eedi.. nt to the
advance .. nt of wo..n and hence to the full lmple..ntation of the Porward-looklng
Strateglea. In re9ard to tl\ale altuatlon• atrict adherenca to and reepect for th•
cardinal prtncipl•• enahrined in the Charter of the Unltad Watton• and
lmpl~entatlon of relevant raaolutiona conalatent with the prlnciplla of the
Charter ara an l~ratlve reaulre-.nt with a vie¥ to . .•-1"9 aolutlona to auch
problema, thereby aneurlnq a ••cure and better future for the people affaCtld, moot
of whom ara Invariably -o..n and children,
l'araqnph 243
I
Since wo.. n are one of the moat vulnerable 9roupa In the reqlona affected by
ar..d confllcta,·apaclal attention haa to be drawn to the need -to allainate
.obataclea to the fulftl .. nt of the objective• of equality, developM1nt and peace
and the principle• of the Charter of the United Natlona, ·
·
Paraqrapl! 244
Paragraph 2 39
The main princlplea and directions tor women'• acttvltlea aimed at
atrenqthenlnq peace and formulated In the Declaration in the Participation of w~en
In promotlnq International Peace and Co-operation Jl ahould bt put Into practice.
Tht Declaration calla tor eovarnmanta, the United watton• ayate•, non-governmental
organlutiono, relevant lnatltutlona and lndlvlduala to atrenq.thln wo-n•a
participation In thla aphere and It provide•. th• ovarall traaevou for auch
ICtivi tit·•·
One of the Important Obataclea to achieving International peace ia til•
peraiatent violation of tile principle• and Objactlwea of the-Chartar of th• United
Nation• and tile lact of political will of oo..rn..nta of aa.. COUfttriaa to promote
conatructiva negotiation• ....d at decreasing international tanaion on tl\e iaauea that aertously threaten tile .. lntenance of International peace aftd ..curlty. ror
thia reason, the atrategtea in thla fl•ld ahould Include tl\e mobiliaation of women
In favour of all acta and ectiona that tend to promote peace, In particular, the
ell•tnatton of vars and danger of nuclear war.
Paragraph 240
l'araqrapl! 245
Women and ..n have an equal right and the •••• vital tnt1raat In contributing
to International peace and co-operation, WOmen ahould participate fully tn all
•fforta to atrenqthen and maintain International peace and aacurltY and to pro~te
!ntornotlonal co-operation, diplomacy, tlla proc••• of d4tente, dlaarmasent In the
nuclear field In particular, and caapect tile for tile principia of the·Cbartor of he
th• united Natlona. Including reapect for the aovereiqn rlghta of Stat•••
guarantn• of fundaMnt~l fraedOfta and huun rlqhta, auch aa racoqnltlon of th
d!qnlty of thO Individual and aelf-deter•lnatlon, and freed~ of thought,
J--.dlate and aeeclal priority ahould be qivan to the promotion and tile
•ffectlve enjopant of hu~~~an rl9hta al>d ful>d•ental freedolu for ·all without
dlatinc:tlon aa to aax, tile full application of tile ri9hta of peoPle• to
aelt-c!etar•111atlon and the all•lnatlon of colonlalla•, neo-cOlonialtn, ~thetd,
Of all fora• of raclaa and racial dlacrl•inatlon, oppraaalon and·a99reaalon,
for•19n occupation, aa vell aa domeatic violence and violence against voa•"·
conscience, expreaa1on. aaaoc:tatiotl, aaaembly, COttDul"'icatlon 'and 110vement ...:1 thout
diatlnctlon u to race, au, political and nl19loua bellah, languaqe or ethnic
orlqln, The comml~nt to remov• the obataclea to -o-.n'a participation In tho
promotion of peace ahould be atr1n9thenad.
l'auqraP" 246
In South•Weat Aala woman and children have. endured .. rtoue aufferln9 due to
the violation of the United "•tiona Cbart•r laadin9, amonq other thlnga, to tho •
vaat prccl•m of refu9eea 1n nalqhbourtng countries.
-
�r
136
137
Petagraph 2•1
The ol tuatlon of violence and dutabilhatlon that utata In C•ntul Mer leo
conotltute• th• .oat oerloue obatacle to the ochieve.. nt of peace in the re9!on and
thus hlndero the fulUl•ent of the rorward-loolln9 Strata9leo vital to the
adv4ncer>ent of woroen. ln thh re9ard and to proeote condltlono favourable to the
objectlveo or the Strateqi .. , it Ia l•portont to_reiterate thf prtnclpl .. of
non-Intervention and ••If-determination, aa well aa thO non-vae ot fore• or
reJ•ct!on of the threat of uoe of force in the oolutlon of coqflleto in the
roqlon. Therefore, the vdldlty or tha United llatlona r ..olutiono ,that ntat>l!ah
tho rlqht of all ooverel9n Statae in the area to ltv. in peace, fL•• frOM all
lnt~rfer•nce in their Internal offalra, ohould be roafflr...S. Xt Ia necuury to
ouppurt the ne9otlatod political oolutlono and tho paoeo propoaala that tho Central
~•rlcon Stotea adopt under t~ auopleeo of tha Oontadora Group, ao the .oat viable
olttrnatlve for the aolutlon.of tho erial• in Central America for the benefit of
tMelr P"OPlo. Jn thla .. n.. it II l•portant that the five centul American
Covern111ento opeed up their consultation• with the oonudora Group with th• ai10 of
brlnqlnq to • eonelualon th• negotiation procaaa with tha early 1i9nln9 of the
Contodoro T\Ct on Puce and Co-opeutlon in central Allerlea c
... A/39/562-S/16.775,
annext.
for t~ aoverei9n riqbt of a Stata to •atablleh ita ovn econoetc, aoclal and
political
any type. oyotam without und•r9olnq political and econoetc praoourea or coercion of
Paragraph 252
~re exist• a relationahip betwwen ·tha world acanoete eituatlon, develo~ent
and the 1te119thenl119 of international peace and aaeurity, diaarmamant -and the
relaxation of international tenelon. All afforta shOuld ba -.da to reduce 910bal
expenditure• on armamenta and to reaCh an 19reament on the internationally a9reed
diaarma•ant 90ala In order to pravant tha waate of 1--.n,. aaterial anD huaan
reeourcaa, acme port of vbleh •i9ht otharwiaa be uaed for development, eapaclally
of the davelopinv eountriaa, •• well •• for the tmpr098..nt of atandarda of llvin9
and well-belnv of people In aaeh country. Jn thia context, particular attention
should ba vtven to tha advanee..nt of wo.en, lncludln9 to the participation of
.wo.en in the promotion of International peace and co-operation and tha protection
of aothera and children wbO rapreaent • dlaproportlonate lbara of the aoat
vulnerable vroup, the pooraat of the poor.
Paragraph 253
Par oqrapl! 248
wo. .n hav<t played and continue to phy In Important role In the
nlf-detu.,lnotion of peoplu, lneludln9 throuqh national llbautlon, In accordance
with the United llatlonl Chartu. Their effort& lhould be rae09ni ..d and co-ended
and u..,d •• one bOola for theh full perticlpetlon ln the conotructlon of their
countrieo, and In the creation of huaane and juat .octal and political ayotemo.
Women'• contribution In this area ehould be enaured by their aaual aeceoo to
political powor and their full participation In the declaion--..kln9 proc•••·
Paragraph 249
Strou9!ea at the national, ra;lonal and tha 9lo1>al le•ala ahould be booed on
a clur ucoqn!tlon that peace and aeeurlty, aelf-determlnatlon and national
lnd•pondence are fundamental for the attainment of the three objeetlveo of tbe
O.c•det' •ouality, ~evelo~ent,and pe•c••
Paragraph 250
sa·fequard in9 ,vorld pe•ce •nO •v•rtiAg 11 fhicleAr eataatrophe Ia one
·ot
tht ·r..c:.t
teoka todoy In which woman have 1ft eaaential role to play, aap•clelly by
oupportlnq actively tha holtln9 of the •••• race followed by erma reduction and the
•ttaiN>ent of a 9•nera1 and c~plete dlaarmament under effective lnternattonol
control, and thua'eontr1bUt1pg to the lmprove..nt of their economic poaltion.
IrrUP"Ctive of thetr ooclo-econoaic ayatea, the lltatea abould atrin to avoid
confrontation and to bUild frl•ndly relatlona inataad, which ahould be aloo
l~portant
1upportt~
"'
by
wom~n.
Wom.n•a ~al role In declaton-aaklft9 with reapact to peace and related l••ue•
ahould be .. en ao ona of their beeic human rtvhta and •• aueh ahould ba enhanced
~d eneouraved at the national, r~lonal and international lavale. Jn accordance
vtth the Convention on the Zli•ination of All FOr•• of Dlacrl•tnatlon a91inot
Nomen, all ••latinv impedt..nta to the achlava ..nt by ~n of ~altty vtth ean
ahould ba re•o.-d. To thia and, afforto ahould ba lntanalfiad at all levelo to
overcome prajudlcaa, otareotyped ·thtnkift9, denial to ~n of car.. r proopeeta and
appropriate educational poaatbllltlee, and reolatance by daclelon-makera to the
chaft9•• that are necenary to anabla aqud porttelpaUon of WOIHn with '""" In, the
international and diplomatic oarvica,
Pauqupl! 254
Mankind Ia confronted with a ciiOicee to bllt the anoa race and proceed to
diaarma..nt or face annihllatton. 1'1>• qr-1119 oppoaitton of - n to the dan9•r of
var, eapeetally a nuclear war, which vUl lead to a nucl.. r 1101ocauat, and their
aupport for dlaanoa.. nt 8Uit be raepectad. ltataa allould be eneoura9ad to anaura
Unhindarad f l - Ond Rca. . to inforutton, includlft9 to - n , Vfth l'~lrd tO
voriOU!!-aepo-cto ·or dlaara-ilt to avoid cUaa. .inaUC:Ift of fal .. and tendentious
inforaatlon concernlnq ar•a..nta and to concentrate on the danvar or tha aacalatlon
of the araa race and on thO Mad for f1111fll and COooplate dlaaru.. nt Vftder
effaetlva international control. 1'1>e raaourcea releaaad •• • raault of diaaraamant
...aurea ahould be uaa4 to belp pro.ote the well-baift9 of all peoples and taprove
the aconoaic and .octal con4itlona of the davaloplnv countrl••· Uftdar aueh
conditiona, Stataa ahould p.y lncraaoad attention to tba urvant need to iaprove the
altuatton of women,
·
PAraquph 251
Paravraph.255
P.. c• reoulrn the partlelpotlon of all •-r.-.of aociety, woMn and ""'"
all to, In rojectlnq· any. type of Intervention in the d-.etlc afhln of Stat .. ,
¥hether ·tt I• openly or covertly carried out bY othu Stataa or by tranonot tonal
corporotlono. Peoce alao reaulrea that ~•n and ..n alike ahould promote r.spoct
r-ace education should be ·~tabliahad for all .. mbera of aociaty, particularly
Children and youn9 people. Valuaa, aueh •• tolerance, racial and aexual eouallty,
re•pect for and underotandinq of othera, and 9004-nat9hbour11naeo ahould be
developed, pro.oted ·and atrenvthanad,
�139
138
Paragraph 256
WO••n of the world, together vith •en, ahould, 11 tnforaal educator• ond
ooc!ol!•ot!on 19ent1, ploy 1 apecial role in the procell of br!n9in9 up younqer
q~ner•ttonl ln an at.oaph•r• of eomp.aslon, tol•rance. autual concern •nd tr~st,
wlth an ovaren••• that all people belon9 to tho ,,.. world coeaunlty. Such
education should be part of oll forcal and lnforcal .aucotloftol Pfoceaaes •• vall
•• of comfllt.Jn1.C::•t1ons, lnforutlon and: usa-•edla •yateea.
Poroqraph 257
rurther oetion ahould be t•-•n ot foaily ond nol9hbourhood lovola, •• ~•ll ••
It nat!onol Ond internatlonol lovell, to IChiOVI I peiCOfUl IOcill environaent
co~pot!ble with huean di9nlty. Tho queatlona of woeen end peace ond tho oeanln9 of
pooc• for vo~en cennot be aeparatad fro• the broader queetlon of reletlonah!pl
betvoen vo~on and men in oll apherea of life and tn tho faally. Diacrlalnotory
practlc•• ond ntQitlvo attitude• tovorda voeon ehould ba·elt•!natad and tradltlonol
qendtr nor•• chon90d to enhance .-•n'a particlpatloro in peace.
Pull internotional oeoiotonce 1h0uld be 9iven to the .aot opproaead.9roup
under optrtheid - voeon and children. tho Onitad Mltlona oyet••• Govorn ..nta and
non-9overn ..ntol or9ontaotlon1 ehould l4ontlfy the booic no.ao of woeen and
children under optrthoid and other roclet ainortty r49i ..a, lftClUdln9 woaen In
refugee coape in eouthern Afrlco, abd provide thea vlth od~uoto le;ol,
hu&anitorton, ..dicol ond catariol aaotatonce oo voll oa .aucotton, troinin9 and
oeployaont.
Aaaiatonce ahould be 9iven to wc.en•a eectlOfta in notional llbarotlon
eovesenta in order to otren9then their wor~ for vo..n•a ~uol o~tunltiea,
education ond troinln9 oo 11 to prepara the• to play 1n l•portant political role in
the preoent otru99le and in natloa-buildln; after llborotlon.
·
The Porvard-lootin9 Strat19tea lhould ta~o Into aecount the 4eotab1lilin9
effecta of.apartheid on the econoeic lnfraotructuro ot nei9hbourin9 independent
African Stotea, vhlch lepede the development of the oubre9lon,
Inatitutionallaed apartheid In South Africa end Ne!lbla •• raoliaad ln the.
day-to-4oy polltlcol, le9el, aoclal and culturol life reaaina an enoreoua obotoclo
and hindrance to advance..nt, equality end peace tn the·Afrlcon te9ion.
Poraqraph 259
VIolence 19olnat vosen •~leta in varloua for .. in everyday life in all
aoc!ot!ea. Woeen are beaten, outilated, burned, aexually abuaed and roped. Such
violence-to a aajor obatlcle to the achleveaent of peoce and the other obj.ct!vea
of the Decodt and ahould ba 91Yen apeeiol attention. lbaen vlcti .. of violence
ohould be q!vtn particular attention and cosprehenolve oaoiotance. TO thia end,
ltgal aonureo ahould .ba foreulated to prevent violence and to aaaht - • n
vict!~a. Notional aachlnery ahould ba eatobllahad in· order to deal vith the
quution of violence 19.tnat voaen vlthin the fa!U)' and ooclety. Pnve.ntlve
pol!c!oa ahould be eloborotod, ond !natltutlonallaed for .. of aaolatanco to vomon
·victiea provided.
c.
MOeen and children under eportheld
Pu•groph 259•
Women and children under apartheid and other ~eclat •inortty re9l~e• auffer
froa direct lnhuaane praeticea auch •• eaaaacreo and detention, .... populatlo~
ra.ovol, aoparotlon froa faalliea and leaobillaetion in roaervatlona. They are
aub~ectod to the detri .. ntal i•Plicationa of the labOur al9rant ayate• poaa lawa
•nd of rele9otion to the homelonda vhera they auffer dlaproportionataly free
povorty, poor health and illiteracy. The Progra•.. of ACtion of the Morld
Conferonce to Combat Racl•• and Raciol Diacrlelnatlon (11181 n/ providea an overall
fra~wort for action. Ita objective to to eradicate •eerthald 1nd to eneble.bloeAfrlcon paopll in South Africa to enjoy their full oovereign ri9ht1 in their
eountry. JGovtrn~enta that hove not olready done oo •r• ur9ed to algn 1nd ratify
tht Inter otlonol Convention on the Suppreaoion 1nd PUniaheont of the Crlet of
1
.o.pa r th t !d of JO !lovtVIbtt 1973. gj
·
The United statal voted 191inot thlo para9rapb bec~uoe of it• oppoa!tlon
to tho reforenc•• in the el9hth end ninth aubpara9r1ph1 to tht lepooltion of
.. nctions ll'ld aid to liberation ..,vaeenta.
Tho Porvord-lootin9 Strate9iea ohould aia ot the opeo4y and effective
lepla..ntatlon of·s.curlty Council reoolutlon 43$ llt78l concernin; the
·--independence of "-•ibla. !be totol and unconditlonol llbaratloft of Naalbia should
be a 11jor objective of the Porvard•lookln; Stroto;lee, vhlch abould alao ai• at
the laproveaent of the condition of voeen and children.
The United Mltiona and the international coo-unity oust atren9then their
reaolvo to aeo the abhorrent apertheid ~·t•• eradicated and Me!lbta freed froo the
forcea of occupation. Owln; to South Afrlca'a poaltlon in the tnternotlonal .
pollticol and .Cono.ic atructure, the international coaeunlty hoe tho 9reateat
reaponalbility to •n•ura that peace and human dl9nity are reatoro4 to oouthern
Africa.
·
·
In addition to ... aurae already to~en, further off.Ctive ••••uroo, includin9
aanetiona, ahould be token to tar•tnote,all collaborotlOft vlth the raciat rl;l,. of
South Africa ln the political, allltary, 4iploaatlc end econoalc flelda vith o vlev
t~ eltainotin; untold aisery end loaa of life of tho oppreaa~ people, the aajorlty
of vhom are bloct vosen and children.
Tho intornationol COIIIIUnlty au*t inaiat upon the effocUve laploeentatlon of
So curl ty Council reoolutlon US (lt78J concernl_n9 the ln4ependance of Neaibla and
all the United Kationo reaolutlona callln9 for oanctlona 19alnat South Africa, ita
isolation and abondonment of ita raclat pollclea. All effort• ohould be eade for
the i.madlate and unconditional vlthdroval of South African forcoa froa An9o1a.
The international coeeunlty euat condaan the direct 199reaalon eo.•ltted by·
the aread force• of the raclat r49i•• of South Africa a9aln1t th• ~=~t-line
countrlea aa vell •• the recrulteent, tralnln9 and flnoncln; of .. rcenariea and of
··~•d bondlta vho ..... ere
and children and who ••• uoed ·to oYerthrov the
loqltiaote Governaenta of theee countri•• by reaaon of their ouppott for the people
of South Africo and Nasibla.
voeen
Tho international coeeunlty ohould provide 9reater aoral end aaterial
aaoiatanct to all tht bodiea atru99lin; to reaove apartheid, eapecially tht
�-:.:
140
notlonol llbeution tOOVeHnta • the African llaUonal O:.n9r ..1 of South Afrlcia, .the
Pan Afrlcanlot C<>nqreaa of Aunla and the SOUth Welt Africa People'• Or9onllotion thf African tront•Une Sutea, the Or9anhetl00'1 of African Unity, the 110Veeent of
~~on·Al!gned Countrlea and non-9overnaental orvanhatlona.
wo~en, t09ether vlth their Oovernmenta, ahould atranvthen thalr.coaalteent to
the eradicotton of aptrtheld and aupport to their atruvvltft'll atat.,ra in all·
pou!blo vayo. TO th1• end, -~~ and -n•a orvantaatlona lhOI.I d Uep themulvu
constantly 1ntor••d about the aituatlOfl of -•n and chll4ran und'r aptrthelcl,
di .. em!note lnforution vlclely ancl bulle! up 8waren..• in their COilntl'i .. about the
oltvotlon by orqanhln9 national .ollclarlty and aupport -mltte.. vllere theae do
not yet ••lot •• • ..ana to educate the public about the avila of apartheid and Ito
brutal oppression of wocen and children ln &outh Africa and Mlelbla.
141
flelda of health, education, and VOC*tlonal trainift9. !hetr llvlft9 condltlona
lnalde and outalde the occupied territorlea ebould be atlldled by the appropriate
onlted llatlona untta 1nd avanclea aaalat.S, •• appropriate, by apectallald r••••rch
lnotltutea froa varioua r19tona. !he raaulta of th••• atudtaa lhould be vtven
broad publlctty to pro-eta actlona at· all levala. !he international coe.untty
ahould nut all aUorta to nop the ••ta.bltah..nt of nw Iarael! aetUa•enta ln
the Weat Ben\ and tha case Strip. Palaatinlan voaen lhould be allowed to enjoy
•~c~rlty ln • liberated hoaeland aleo In accordance vlth Dnltad W.ttona reaolutlona.
I.
Wooen ln areaa affected by ar~ co"fllcta, fore!!"
Intervention and threata to ~ace
Pauquph 261
D.
Paleotlnlan voeen end children
Par&qr•ph 260•
ror acre than three decadoa, Paloatlnlan voaen have faced·dlfflcult llvlnq
conditione ln caeoo and outalde, atru99llnv for tho aurvlval of their faallleo and·
the aurvlvol or the Paleatlnlon people who vera deprived of thatr anceatral landa
rnd denied the Inalienable tlqhto to return to their bo. .a and their property,
their rl9ht to telf-detuelnotlon, nltlonal Independence and eovenl9nty (an
A/CONT.ll6/6), Poleatlnlan women are vulnerable to taprleon.. nt, torture,
reprloab and other oppruatve practlcu br Iarael in the occuplld Aub
t•cr!torlea. The conflacatlon of land end the. creation of further oettleaenta hao
oCfectod the llveo of Paleottnlan vo•en and children. Such Iarull Huurea and
practlcu au. 1 violation of the Genava O>nv.ntlon. J1l !he Paleatlnlan voun u
poet of her nation auffera from dlacrl•lnatlon in eaployaent, health care and
education.·
The altuatlon of violence and doatabllllatlon Vblch ealata tn aouthern Lobonon
ond tho Golan Hol9ht1 put Arab vo..n and children vho are llvlft'll under Iaraell
occuP4tion In tevore altuotlona. Lobin••• voaen are al.o aufferlnv from
dlacrl~lnatlon end detention,
Therefore, all relevant Dnlted Nttlona reaolutlono,
In P4<tlcular Security council reaoluttona 497 (1981), SOB (19821 and 509 (1982),
1hould be l~ple•ented.
The
of the Pr09raeae of action for the achtaveaont of
Rlqht" g/ ;;houl4·b<l· "opt un.Su -:evle.,.e,d.eo-ordllleted betwen the
Unlt•d Notiono. unlta and avenclea concerned, with ••Phl•t• on the role of
Pol .. tlnlan women tn puaervl"''l their national identity, tradltlona and ·heriUqe
on6 In the atruq9le for aovoretvnty. Poleatlnlan people .vat recover their rlghto
to oolf-deter~lnotlon and tho rtvht to eatabllah an independent Stata.ln accordonce
wlth all relevant United Matton• reaolutlona, The apeclal and ia..dlate nelda ot
Pol .. tlnlon votaon and children should be ldenUflld ancl appropriate provhlon
Nde, United Notion• projecta ahould be lnltlated to help Palea~lnlan -•n In the
ieple~entatlon
P•l . . tl<•l•~
Araed oonfllcta and •••rvency altuatlona i~•• a ..rtoua threat to the llweo
or vo••n and children, caualft9 oonatant fear, daft9er of dlaplaca..nt, daatructlon,
devaatatlon, PbYalcal abllea, aoctel and featly dlaruptlon, lnd abanclon..nt.
Soeou ... the .. raault ln ~leta dental of acceaa to adequate health and
•
ad~catlonal aervtcaa, loaa of job opportunitlea and owerall ~raantnv of .. tarlal
~ndltlona,
Pauqup~~' 262
Intarnattonal lnatru..nta, onvotn9 neqotlatlona and international dlacuaalona
alaed •t the ll•ltatlon of araed confllcta, auch •• the fOurth Geneva O>nventlon of
1949 and the Firat Addltlonal Protocol to tha Ceneaa Conventlona of 1949, adopted
In 1977, provide a venaral fra ..vor- for the proteotlon of ciailtana ln tl .. a.of
hoattlltlea and the baala of pro.taiona Of bu..nitartan aaalatanoa and protection
to wo.en and children. Meaauraa propoald ln the 1974 O.Claration on the.Protactlon
of Woaen and Children tn S~arveney and.Araed O:...fllct (General Alllably reaolutton
lll8 !XXIX) ahould be ta~en tnto account by Oovern..nta,
F.
Meaaurea for tha l!ple-.fttetlon of the be•to atrattglea
!t the national laval
Wocen•a partlclpatton ln effort• for paece
Paragraph
26~
Oovernaenta ahould follow the overall fra-rt of action. for dlaerutient u
provided by the Final Docu ..nt of the tanth apectal nai!Oft of the General
Alae•bly, 'vlllch was devoted to dturu ..nt (raaolutlOft 8•10121. tllcMoen•a ·
putlclpatton in the World Dhar .. •nt Ol•paivn and their contribution to education
for dlaaruaent ahould be aupportld.
Paraqroph 264
~he United State• voted aqainot.thla par19raph because of lta otron9
obj•ct!on to the Introduction of tendentloua and unnecaaaary eleaenta into th~
forward-looHng Stuti<J[U docu11ent which hove only a nocdnal connection with the
unique concern• of women.
Publicity ahould be 9lvan by Govarn..nta and non-voaernaental orvanlsatlona to
the .. tn treat!•• concluded in the flald of •r•• control and dlur ....nt, and to
other relevant docuaenta. More ahould be done to aoblll•e voa.n to Olercome aoctal
apathy and helpleaaneaa tn ralatlon to dlur .... nt and to venerata wide aupport for
the lapleeentatlor. of these avre.•enta, Publicity lhould •lao be vtven to the
declaration by the General Alaeably Of 1986 •• the InternatiOnal rear of Place,·r/
and the partlclootlon of women ln the prOCJra••• for tha Year should be encouraged.
�/
142
Education for peace
F• ro<J<'Ph 265
orvanhatlona shoul4 be encoura9ed to play an acUve rot. in
the rutoratlon of peace in una of conflict, ln accordance with United
NO~-qovarn~aental
~,.,,.,tln<J
N.!!t1ons resolvtionl ..
Por•.3roph 266
wo••n should be able to parUcipeta actively ln the declaion-.. -lnv procua
rtlltod to the proo.otlon of lnUrnat.lonal peace and ..o-peuUon,t GovernlltM•
•hould toke the nec .. ury usauru to r.cilltate thla pertlclpatlon· by
inatitutionol, educational and or9anlaatlonal ..ens, B-Ph••l• should be qlven to
tho grns-rooh participation and co-operation of -•n'a. orv•nhatlona "lth other
1'\0n: .. qovecnr~ental
or9anit•ttons 1n this proc•••·
Paragraph 267
. Govorneento which have not done ao ahould undertake all appropriate eeaaurea
to olh>inat<t ·uhtlnv dbcrlelnatory pracl.'.tcu tovarda -.nand to provide the"
with equal opportunlti .. to join, at all levela, the clvll service, to el\ter tho
diplomatic oervice· and to repreaent their countriea •• ... ~era of dele9otlona to
notional, regional and International ... un91,. Including conference• 0... peace,
conflict reaolutlon, dloaraement, and ..etlnga of the security council and other
Un!Ud tiotlona bodlu.
Plroqraph
143
268
W011en ohould be encouraqed and 9lven financial aui'I'Ort to tate unlverolty
cour••• ia 90verneent, international relotlona and dlplo.. cy In order to obtoin tho
noctaaary profeoalonal qualiflcatlona for careero in fleldo relatinq to peace and
P1uguph
272
Governeonta, non-vovern•ental or9anlcatlona, vaeen•s 9roupe and the .... -.dla
ahould encourave woeen to en9a9e ln efforta to pra.ote education for peaca ln the
faeily, neivhbourhood and coeaunlty, Special attention ahould be Qiven to tht
contribution of voeen'a 9raaa-ro0ta orvanlaatlona, the .ultlple a&illa and taltnto
of woeen artlsta, 'ournallsta; vritera, educatora and civic leaders c.n contribute
to proeotin9 ideas of peace if encouravell, facilitated and aupported,
Paragraph
273
Special attention ahould be 9lven to the educ.tlon of chlldran.for llfe in
plaCe within In atMOsphere Of Underatandlnq, dlalovue and reapect for Othera, In
thlo relpect, lultable concrete action ahould be taken to dlacourave the provlaion
of children and youn9 poraona vlth 91 ..1 and publlcatlona and other •ellia proeotlnq
the notion of favourln9 var, avvresaton, cruelty, ••ceaalve dealre for pOWer and
Other. for•• of violence, vlthin the broad proceaoes of the reparation of aocloty
for llfe In peece.
Poragnph 274
Govern ..nta, educational lnatltutlona, profeaalonal aaaoclatlona and
non-vovarn..ntal orvantaatlona ahould co-operate to develop a hiQh-quallty content
for and to achieve vldeapread dlaaealnatlon of booka and provra...a on education
·. for peaco. ..,_n ohould take an acUve part ln the preparation of those uterlala,
..hich lhould include COle etudlea Of peaceful Mttleaenta Of dioputea, non-violent
aove•enta and paaolve reelstance and the reco<;nltlon of peaco-a~eklnQ lnlllviduala.
1nt~rnat1o~~l ••~urJty.
Paraqroph
Por a9r a ph 269
Govern•ento ohould create tho conllitlon1 that wavld enable vaeen to lncrooae
their k~le4vo of the .. in proble.. ln conte~rary international relations.
Infor .. tion ahould be wldoly and fr .. ly dloaealnated a.anv ~n, thereby
contributln<; to their full understandlnQ of thoae preble... All eKiatinq obatacleo
and diocrlalnatory practiceo revarding -en•a clvll and polltlco1 -"ucatlon ohould
be reaovod. Opportunities should be provld-" far vaeen to.orvanlae and chooae
otudloo, tralnin9 provrae..o and oeainara related to peece. dloar ..•ent,.educatlon
for paoco and tho peaceful oettle..nt of dlaputea.
Governllento should encouro9e -•n's participation in the proeotlon of puce
ot c!tc!a1on•Ntln<; levola by providlnq lnfor .. tlon on opportunltlea for ouch
P.rticlpatlon ln public aervlce and by proeotlnq equitable repreoontatlon of '''""""
In qov.ern"'"'!tal ·and non-<;overnMnUl bodies and acUvltleo.
Parograph 270
Non•qovernmental·or9anisations should provide opportunltloa for woeen to learn
hO'I to develop oelf•rellonce ana looc!erahlp capabllltioo in order to promote peaco,
diaaraarnent, hu""'n rlqhto and internatlonel co-operation 110re dhctlv.,ly. Th•Y
ohould e~phaolse the partlcipatlon of voaen froa trade uniono and orQanisationa in
rural ., ••• that have not ao yet r.celvod sufficient attention and lhould ... k.
P"< 1odlc aaseu,.ento of otrateqlu for -•n'a partlclpatlon ln tho proeotlon of
puce at all levels, lncludln<; tho hlghut declalon-ukln9 lo.rola.
Poraguph 271
~tlonal ..achinory ahould be eatabliihod to deal vith tho question of c!om«stle
v.iolenct. Preventive pollcleo should be eloboroted end lnotltutlonalized economic
and other for•• of aoslstanc• and protection for ~•n and chlld vlcti•• 1hould be
provld•d. Le9lalltlve ..,our .. ahould be atrenvthaned and le9al aid provided,
..........
27S
Paraquph 276
Tho par tiel patton of vo•en in peoi:e rooitarch, tncludinv re..arch on vo~on and
peace, ohould be encouravod. Jxlatinv barriaro to vaeen reaoorchero ohould bt
te110vec! and appropriate reaourcoo provided for peace reoearchera.· to-operation
a110n9ot petce reaearchera, tovern..nt offlciolo, non-;overn.. ntal orvaniaotiono and
activloto ohould be encoyroQed and tooterell.
�144
IV.
AIU:AS OF SPECIAL COIICI!:RN
145
I'IU9Uph 281
Paragroph 277
There ia an increosint nu•ber of catetoriea of.voeen vbo, becauae of their
•P"clol charectuhUca, are experiencing not only the co..,n probleu lndlcate,d
under the separote theaea but olao opeciflc difflcultiea due to their
sodo-economlc end hedth condition, at•• elnorlty atatua or a catol>inotion of thue
factora: Moreover, in .any countrlea incr•••int de~raphic preaaure,
deterloratinQ rural condltiona, curtalleent of aubaiatence atricu~tora and
difficult political conditions have been esacerbatad by the current econo~ic
rectosion, leading to the dlsloeation of larte aactiona of populations. In thia
proceu wo10en experience p<~rUcular dlfficultlea and are often tha IIOU vulnereble
becauoe of their traditional lack of acceaa to developeant opportunities.
Paraq.roph 278
The apecial c;roupa of 10011en identified bel.,., ore utreaely divuae, and their
probl .... VltY tremendoualy fro .. one country to another. NO aln9le atrote9Y or set
of ~•••urea can apply adequately to all caaea, and tha preaent dccu•ent Ia
ther•!ore ll•lted to hlc;hlightint their apeclal circu•atancea and the need for each
country, •• vell eo the international coeaunity, to tiva thea• 1aauea the necessary
•ttontlon. The baalc ltratec;y •uat re.. in One of funda .. ntally chantlnt the
econo,.lc-conditions thet produce aucb deprivation and of uptrading vo•en'a low
ototue In aoclety, which accounu for their extr- villnerobtllty to auch
condltlona, especially to poverty. ~Ia ia attravatad by the incr•••• tn
druq-dependenee, which adveraely affeeta all aectora of aociaty, lncludint vaften.
Building an orqani%otionel baae for auch chant• Ia a crucial atrat•tY that can
provide • rallylnc; point for aolidarlty •""'nt - " · Meoavraa fteeded to provide
lmmodlote emer9ency asalatance ohould be auppleaentac! by lonter-tere efforta to
enable vo~tn to bre&k out of these altuationa. In .. ~y c••••• per .. nent aolutions
to these iasueo can only be found through the brooder effort• directed towards the
reollocatlon of reaourcea and deciaton-.. kint power and toward• the all•ination of
Inequality and injuotice,
Poroqroph 219
There Ia a need to recoqnla• the aurvival ..c~nia•• alraady developed by
th••• ~o~en •• basic atrateqios in their own ritht •nd to build on the•. A first
pr lor I ty would be to nrenc;then their ortaniutton capabiHU .. by providlnt
physical, f!nonclal and huun ruourcu, aa well •• education and tulnint. Allo
of ntu,.e l"'portance II the neelf to uvlUllz• theu ...,.en's upiraHone In ordu
to ell,.inate the chronic deop<~lr thot charact•rb .. their dally· llvu.
Pauqraph 280
The economic, social, cultural and political condition• ot tho•• troups of
women &hould be improved basically by the laplementation of the ..eauree proposed
for the attainment of equality, develo~ent and peace for.wo•en In 9eneral,
"dd!tlonal efforts should be directed towuda enaudnt the tainful end productive
lnclu•lon of those women in mainatrea• development and In political octtvlttes.
Priority nphuie should be placed upon lnco•a-c;eneraUnt opportunitlu end for the
lndopondent and sustained i•provemont of thalr condition end by the full
lnto9rotion and activo particlp<~Uon of women u •t•nto ond beneficiarioa of .
drvtlopmeont.
Pollciea, Pfotra•••• and project• aieac! at or lncorporatint eapeclally
vulnerable ond underprivlletod troupa of vo..n ahould recoc;niae tha particular
difflcultiea of ra.avlng the .ultiple Obataclea faclnq auch troupe and ahould ploce
equal eephuta on oddre .. inq the aocial, - . t c and hu•n dl•nalOfta of their
vulnerability and their Underprlelletod poaitiona. Meaaurea naodod to provide thea
•lth iaaedlote aaaiatance ahould be aupPle•ntod by eoeprahanalve lonq•tera pl1na
to achieve l••tlng aolutlona to their probleaa, Theae v111 uauaollJ n•ceaaltatt
9lobal afforts l" reaolvint the apeclal probleu of vuln.roble troupe; of which
a aiqnlficant P"rt.
...,,.." •n
Paragraph 282
Baalc to all effort• to laprove the condition of 'theat woaen al\ould be the
Identification of their naeda and hence the 9&tharlnq of tender•apeclflc data and
.eonoatc indicator• aenalttve to condition• of extreae poverty and oppre~alon.
Such data ohould contain apetial, aoclo-econoatc and longltudlnel oharacteriatica
and ahould be daaltned lpeclflcllly for "'' In policy, prOfr•••• aftd project
for.ulatton and laple ..ntltion, Monltorint efforta at notional, aubretlonal,
raqlonol and iftternational lavela ihould be lfttenalfied,
A.
- n In areu affaciac! by droutht
hugroph 283
Durlnt the n.cad•, th• phanoaenon of drouqht and d•••rtificotion trav and
developed incaaaantly, no lont•r affactint .. r•ly ao.. locolitiea in a •lntl•
country but ••••r•l •ntire ceuntri••· ~e acole and perai•t•nca of drootht •
conatltutea • tr••• threat, particularly for the countrlaa of the SOhal, in which
fa•lne and a far-raachint d•t•rioration of the anvlronaant aet In •• a raault of
the deoertificotion procaaa •. Bence, deapita the considera~la affOrtl of the
international ~•unity, the llvinq conditiona of the peoplea, particularly thoaa
of ~en and children, which ware already precarioua, have beca.. particularly
•laeroble.
In view of that aituatlon atapa ahould be taten to ~oaote concarte4
P<otn•ae• bet... an the countrlea concunac! for collbatlnt drought end
deaertlfication, lfforta ahould be intensified for the foraulation and
h:ple~:~entation.of proc;u•..• ai..a·al: foocl" eecurl.t:y an<l ioift-ali.ff"lctency, in
particular by the optl•u• control and exploitation of hydrQ-9eoloc;lcal reaourcea,
A diatinction should be •da bet~..n aaartancy aid and productive activities.
1!:-er9ency aid ehould be lntenaiflad when fteceaaary and aa far •• ever poaaible
directed to~orda developee~t ald.
Meoauree ahould be adopted to take into account voaen's contribution to
production,'involve the• .ora cloaely In the deaign, 1-rla.. ntation end evaluation
of tht programaea anvlaoged and enaure aaple accaaa for thee to tha aaana of
production and proeeaaint and preoervotlon technlquea,
,·,.:
�146
a.
Orban poor ween
f.!_<'9rtph 284
Urbt,lutlon hu b<ten one of the ujor soclo-econoelc Uanda over the put few
dtcadu and 11 upaeted to eont:tnua at an aceelerat1n9 rete. .IU~ou9b the
o!tuatlo,·varl.u eondderably fr""' one re91on to another, 1t can tenerally be
txl"'cud that by the yur 2000 clou to half the nullber of _ , ln the ...:>rld will
l>t llvll\9 In urban ann. In davdop1n9 eountrlea,· the ngllbn of 1u'rban woaen could
ntarly double by the year 2000, and it la anvtaa9ed that there coald b<t a
conoldoroblt lnerene in the nu•b<tr of poor -•n aeonq· thee.
147
•• e at.qe of davalopoent, 11 a ohalltft91 for -•n.. tn thla period of life, vo•en
ehould be enabled to cope In e creetive way with nov opportunitt••• Tho aoctel
conaequencea artein9 from the atereotypln9 of •14orly voaon ahould be ftC09nltad
ehd olieinated •. The eedte ehould aaatat by preeentlft'il po1itlva 1..9•• of voeen,
perticularly eaphaahlnq the noed fo'r •••pact b<tcaua• of their peat and continuing
contribution• to aoclaty,
Attention ahould be 9lven to atudyln9 and treating tb• health peoblaea of
19ln9, particularly In voO>an. Reaearoh ahould alao be directed tovardl the
lnveatlqatlon and alowln9 down of the proeaaa of preeature 19lng due .to a llfetl•e
of etreao, ••ceoatve vork-load, .. lnutrltlon and r•peated pr•gnancy~
paro;r•ph 285
'1'0 deal affKttvely vlth. the t•aua, OOvarn•entl lhould Ot9anha eultt• .. ctord
proqroeae• with e•phaata'on eeonoelc actlvitlea, elle1nat1on of d1acr1-t-.tlon and
tha provlalon of aupportlva aarvlcaa and, inter ella, adeq~~tta ehlld-care
·
etcllltlu and, .whua neeeaury, workplace cantHnl to enable -~~ to 91ln aceen
to tcOt>OIO!c, aochl and ed11cattonal opportunlttea. ·on an equal baala with ..n.
Portleular. attention should b<t devoted to the lnfor .. l aeetor, which eonatltutaa a
&fjor outlet for ••ploy•ant of • conalder•bla nu•ber of urb<tn poor vo••n.
c.
ElderlY -en
Porograph 286
The International Plan or Action on A9ln9 adopted by the WOrld Aa•••bly on
A<;l"'ii In 1982 !I ••Ph••hld both the buunltarlan and devalopMntal aapKta of
•91"9· Tho reeoa..ndatlona of the Plan of Action era awUcable to -en and ""
with a view to provldtnq thea with protection and can, and enautll\9 their
lnvolvo•ant and partielpaUon ln aoctal Ufe aBd daYelopeant. -•v•r• til• Plan of
~etlon coeoqnis•• a nu~er of apaclflc ••••• of concern for elderly voeen alnco
t~olr lonqor life expectancy fr~uontly ..ena an old e9e e99revetad by ~lc
notd tnd laolotlon for bath unurrled ~n an.s vldova, poaalbly vlth little or no
proopoct of peid aaployeent. Tht• appllea pertlcularly to thole voa•n whoee
lifotloea were opent in unpaid an4 unriCQ9niaed vocll ln the b6ea with little or no
oec••• to • penalon. If woaen have an inca-a, it la 9anerally lower thin .. n•a,
partly beeeuae their for ..r ••ploy..nt atatua baa in the .. jorlty of eaaoa baon
broton by .. tornlty and f••lly reaponaibllltlaa. Por thle rooaon, the Plan of
Action alao noted tho need for loft'il•tar• pollcioa directed toward• providlnq aoclel
lnouranee for woatft ln their own ri9ht. GOvetn•enta and non~overn•ontal
or9•nlaatlon• ohould, tn addition to tho ..aeurea reco-eendad, explore the
pc>oolbllltloa of eeployin9 elderly -•n in productive and creethe waya end
oncoureqlnq tholr participation in aoctal and recreational activltlea.
tt 11 oleo rocoe~on4od that the care of elderly paraona, lncludln9 voaen,
ohould qo b4tyond dtue .. orlantetlon end ehould include tllalr 'total well-baing.
rurthar offorta, In partlculer pri .. ry h•alth care, .heelth.aer¥1cea and aultablo
aceo.modatton and houlift'il ee atrate'ill•• ahould be directed at enablln'il elderly
Yoton to load a •••nln9ful lit• •• lon9 •• poaalbl•,· in their own bo.. an~ faally
'"" In the eoaeunlty.
-•n ahould b<t preparad,,early In life, both payebo1Q91cally and soclelly; ·to
~~~· cons~~oncea of loft'ilet lifo expectancy. Althou9h, while 9tttlft'il older,
profoooional tnd featly roloa of woeon era undar9oln9 fundeaontel chenqoo, oQinq,
t•c•
..
D.
Younq women·
Peuguph 287
Inltlatlvea be9un for the 1985 International Youth Y••r abould be •xten4od and
expanded ao thot you"'ii veaen are protected fro. abuse and •kploltation end aaol~ted
to develop their full potential. Clrla and boya •uat be provided with equal accoaa
.: to hulth, education and eeploy..nt to equip the• for •dult Ufe, lloth girt. and
boyo ahould be educated to accept ~ual reaponatbtlltlea for parenthood,
urge~ attention ahould be paid to the educational and vocational training ·of
young vo•en In all flelde of occupation, 9lvin9 particular eephaata to thoae. who
••• aoclally and eeono•tcally dlaadvanta'ilad• Belf·•eployed youn9 voaan and girl•
ohould be aaalatod to organize co-oporetivea and on9oln9 tratnln'il Pr09r••••• to
lsprove their akllla In production, .. rketlft9 and una9a .. nt tachnlquea. Special
rotraln1n9 pr09re•••• ahould alao be developed for teenage eothera and girl• who
heve dropped out of aehool and ar• 111 ~ulpped to enter productive employaent.
Stepa abould be· taken to alleinate ekploltattve traataant of young vo..n at
vork In ltna with ILO COnvention No. 111 conc•rnift9 d1aer1a1nat1on in raapeet of
••ploy•ent and occupation, 1958 and ILO Convention Mo. 122 coneernln9 eeployaant
policy, 196 •• Ll91•1at1ve ..aaurea 9Uarantaaln9 YOUft'il·woeen their rl9hta ahould bt
entorC•d..
·
Governeenta ahould rae09nlae and enforce th• rl9hta of roun9 wotan to be fret
fro. •••ual violence, eexual haraaa .. nt and ••xual exploitation. In particular,
Govern•enta ahould rae09nlae that uny youn9·voean art v1ct1 .. of lnceat and lexual
abuae In the fa•lly, and ahould take atepa to aaalat the vlotl•• and to prevent
auch abuaa by education, by leprovlnq th• atatua of voe•n and by ·~:oprtatt aetlon
agalnat offandtra. Youn9 voeen ahould b• educated to aaaart thtlr rl9hte.
Particular .attention ahould alao be 9lvtn to aexual heraaaaant and exploitation ln
eeploy•ent, eapaclally thoae araaa of eeploy ..nt auch aa do.. atic eervtce, vhere
auual houaa•ent and exploitation are ..,.t pr•valent.
Govarneenta euet also r1009n11e their obligation to provide houalnq for youri9
wo~en who because of unaaployeent and low in~•• suffer epactal problaea In
.obtalnln9 houalng.
uploitatlon,
Bo101leaa youft9 women •r• partlculerly vulnerable to aaxual
In tho year 2000 voeen e9ed 15-2• vtll eonatttute over 8 par cent of both
rurol and urban population• ln d•v•loplft'il countrlea. The 9reat .. jorlty of thoae
woeen will bo out of. achool and in aaarch of joba, Por thoa• ••ployed, fr~uen~
~xplolt•tlon, lon9 workln9 houra and atra1a h•ve ••rtous tepllcatlona for their
�149
148
Pauqrapl! 291
hulth.
x- nut.riUorwl levah and unplanned an4 upeated preqnanciu ore doo
*99ravet1n9 factora.
1.·
~uaod
woeon
PU09Upl! 288
Gendor-opeciflc violence 1• incroaaln9 and ooverneanta ~t. afflre the dlqnity
of wo11en, u • priority action.
I
Government• ahould th•r•for• lnt.enalfy afforU to eatabllah or nunqthtn
form• of aulltanco to vlctlu of ouch violence t.hrouqh the provhion of ohel ur,
•vpport, legal
other ••rvlcee.
.nd
In addition to iemodloto.aaaiatance to vlctiea of violence aqainat woetn In
tho foolly and In aoclaty, GoYarn..nu ahCiolld undertake to lnciru .. public
owortnen of vloleneot a9alnot -""' •• • aocletal probl••• eatabll.ah pollcieo and
loqlolotlva eeaaurea to aacortaln ita cauaea and prevent and eli•lrwte ouch
violence, In particular by auppreaainq daqradlnq leave• end repreaentationa of
""""" in aocloty, an4 Un.olly .incouraqe the developoMnt of educatton.ol and
rt-tducotlonol eooauraa for offender•~
r.
Deatltute
-en
poraqroph 289
Dutltutlon h an extra.. for• of pov.. ty. It Ia eatieatad that lt.o effect•
on larqo ooqaonta of the population in davelopinq and .s..aloped countrlaa are on
tho lncr••••· rorvard-looklnq Strate9l•• to proeote t.he objective• of t.h• United
Notion• Decode for - n • llquallty, Devdopeent and Peaft at t.ha notlon.ol •nd
lntornatlonol hvela are t.ha beoU for d.. Unq vlth thi• problae. In addition
atrotoql•• .trudy apecified for the i•ple..nutlon of tho Int.. notlonal
llevolopcent Strateqy for the <n>Hd United Notlona Devalopeant Decade and the new
lnt•rn•ttonal eeonoatc or4er •r• auq9eated in
r4rCOIIIMndatlona. GoYI'rn•ent•
ahould therefore enaura that the apecial need• and concerna of daatltut• ""'"en are
ql ven priority in the above-..ntloned atra~e9i••· 110raovar • effort• bdnq
underu-en for the International tear of Shelter tor tho &ocalaaa (1987) ahould
focus nuntlon on the part.lcuUr altuatlon of .io..n coeeenaurate vith their
relative ne~c:Sa.
th•••
G.
Statea Partie& to tho United Nation• Convention for tho Suppreoolon of the
Traffic in Paraona and of the E><plo1ut1on of t.ha Proatltutlon of Othera ahould
leplement the provlolona daalin9 vith the exploitation Of woeen aa prostitutes.
Urqent conaideratlon should alao be qiven to tho leprova..nt of lntarnatlo.... l
••••urea to combat trafflckln9 ln woaen for the purpoaea of proatltutlon.
Reoourcea for the prevention of proatitution and a&slatance ln the profaaalonol,
etraonal and aoclal reinteqration of proatitutea ahould be directed toward•
provl4lnq econoelc opportunitl••• lncludtnq'tralnlnq, aeploy..nt, aalf~e•ployment
ond health facillt.laa for - • n and chlldran. ClOYarneenta ohCiolld oleo endeavour to
co-operate vlth non-qovern.. ntal or9antaationa to create vidor aeployment
poo•lbllltlaa for voeen. Strict enforceeent provialona euot alao be taten at all
levela to ate• the risinq tide of violence, druq abuse and criee related to ·
prostitution. 'n>e CCNDpl•• end .. rloua probh•• of t.he exploitation of and vlobnee
aqoinat - • n a ..oeiated vlth proatltutlon call for lncre..ed and co-ordinated
ettorta b)' pollee a9enciaa lntarnatlon.olly. ·
B.
lk>JOen deprived of their tra4ltlon.ol eeana of livelihood.
Puagraph 292
'n>a olliCaa.Sva and inappropriate eJCPloltat.lon of land by any party for any .
purpoaa, inter alia, by trananatiorwl corporations, •• vall aa natural and ean-aade
dlaastera ••• a.anq the pradoelnant oauaaa of deprivation of traditional .. ana of
llvallhoOIJ. D-rou9hta, flOoc!e, h~>rrlcan.. and ot.her fora of environ..ntal hourd~,
ouch •• erosion, d.. ertlficatlon and dafonauUon, have already puahed poor voeen
into .. r9lnal environ..nta. At present the pra•aurea are 9reateat ln
drou9ht-affllcted arld and •••i-arld are••· Urban olu•• and squatter settlements
••• oleo aarloualy affected. Critically low lavale of voter eupPllaa, ahorto9e of
fuel, over-utillaation of qraainq and arable landa, and population danalty-are all
factors t.hat deprive - n of their lhellhood.
Poroqraph 293
Kotlonal and International ..phaai• on eeoayataa ..n.9e•ent should be
otren9thened, anviron.. ntal degradation ahould be controlled and optlono provided
for alternative aeana of livelihood. Maaourea should be aatabllahed to draw up
national conservation atratoqioa aieed at lncorporatinq vo..n•a devalopeent
proqu•""'"• aeong vblch au. lrrl9atlon and tree·pl~>ntl~>t •ncl alao orla!'tatlon In
the area ot aqriculture, vlth woean.conatltutlnq a aubatantial part of the
wa9e-earnlnq labour fore• for those proqra•..•·
~·n vlctl~• of trafficking and involuntary prostitution
I.
Paragraph 290
Forced prostitution U a tore of llavar)' il!poaed on -•n by procurers. I t
Ia, Inter alia, a ruult of aconoeic deiJradatlon that allanotea - n • • labour
throuqh proc••••• of rapid urbonlaatlon and •i9ratlon raaultin9 ln underemployment
and unemploy~ent. tt also ate~ fr011 -.n•a dependence on ..en. social and
political pre .. ureo product refu9eea and •l .. lnq pauona. Often the .. include
vulnerable qroupo of voa.n who are vlctlaiaed by procurara. Sex touriae, forced
prootitutlon ond pornoqrophy reduce voean to eera ••• objacta and .. rkatable
co.,O>Odl ties.
"·~~
Mo•en vbo are the aole aupportera of fa01iUea
Paragraph 294
Recent atudlu have ah""" that the nutllber of f••lllu in vbich - • n au the'
aole oupporters ia on the increase. Owinq to the particular dlfflcultlea (aoclol,
econo~lc and le;all which they face, .. ny euch vomen are aeonq tho poorest people
concentnted In urban infor .. l labOur .. rteta end t.hey conatttot.a bt:9e nulllbera of
the rural unemployed and urqlnally olllployed. 'n>oae vit.h very Uttla aconoeic,
aoelal and moral support face ••rloua dlfficultieo in oupportlnq theeaelvea •• ~ell
�150
in bringing up their children alone. Thla h•• aerloua repercuoalona for ooclety
in ttr•• or the quality, character, productivity and hu .. n reoource copobllltlea of
tt• present and future citizenry.
151
11
Parograph 295
· Tho a11uroptlono that underlie • large port of the relevant leg/•latlon,
rogulotlons end household aurveya that confine the role of -aupporter and head of
houoehold to eon hinder voeen'a aceeaa to credit, loena and .. terla1 and
non-~terial re1oureea.
Chan;ea are ne~ed in thea• er••• to aecure-ror wa4en
~uel access to reaoureea. There 11 I need to elieinate terel IUCh II •head of
houoehold" and Introduce othera that are coooprehenalve •nough to reflect -•n'a
rolo sppropr latoly In hgll document• and houaehold aurveya to guarantee the rlghta
or theoe vomon. In the provlalon of ~lal aervlcea; apeelal attention hoa to be
qivtn to the nttdl of theae women. Covern•entl are Ut9ed to enaure that wo•tn vith
oolt reoponslblll ty for the! r hell Ill receive 1 level of I nco-. and aoclll auppor t
aurflcient to enable thee to attdn or ulntdn ec:Ono.lc Independence and to
partlclpato orfectlvely In aoclety. To thla end, the aaaueptlona that underlie
pollcieo,.lncludlnq reoearch uaed In policy developeent, and leglalatlon that
confine• tho role of aupporter or head of household to ..n ehould be Identified and
ollolnated. Special attention; ouch ao accualble, quality child care, ahould be
glvon to assisting thole vo,.en In dllcharglng their dO<Matlc ruponalbllltlu and
.~o enabling jhem to participate In and benefit fro. edueetlon, training proqr1110101
and omployment. The putative father ahould be .. de to aaalat In the .. lntenance
and educatlon of thoat children born out of wedlock.
J.
~en
vlth phyalcal and .. ntal dlaobllltlee
Paragraph 296
It lo qenerolly accept•~ that woeen conatltute • algnlflcant nu•ber of the
ootiaoted SOO million people vho are dlaobled aa a conaequenoe of .. ntal, phyoleal
or oenaory lropalreent. Many foetor• contribute to the rlalng nu~••• of dlaobled
peraona, ineludlnq v•r and other for .. of violence. poverty. hun9er. nutrition•l
dericionelos, epldemleo and work-related aeeldenta. The recoqnltlon of their hu .. n
dignity and huroan rlghta and the full participation by dlaabled peraona In aoclety
I• otlll limited, and thla preaenta additional proble•• for ;,..n vllo . . Y have
domestic and other reoponalbllltlea. It le r~nded that Qovern.. nta ahould
adopt the Doclarotlon on the Rlghta of Dlaabled Peraona 119751 and the Morld
Programme of ~ctlon concerning Dlaabled Peraona 119121 which provide an overall
rruowork for octlon and alao refer to proble•• apeelflc to - • n that have not
been fully appreciated by aochty becouae they are atlll not vell knovn or
underotood. Community-baaed occupational end ~lol rehabilitation .. aourea,
oupport. oervlceo to help" the• vlth their dotllatlc rllponllbllltlll, U vell u
opportunities for the portlclpatlon of ouch - • n In all aapeeU of Ute ohould be
provided. Tho rights of Intellectually dlaobled vo..n to obtain. health lnforrootlon
ond advice and to con11nt to. or refuae -..dleal ·trut..nt ahould tie reapeetedt
al•ilarly, tho rlghta of Intellectually dlaobled odnora ahould be reapaeted.
·· ....
K.
Wo~n In detention and aubject to p&nal lev
Paragraph 297
One of the -.jor aroaa of current concern In the field of crl•e prevention and
erlollnal juatlce· II the need for equal treat..nt of - n by the erl•lnal juatlce
syatem. In the context of changing ~lo-econo.lc and cultural condltlona •~e
lroprove,.ente have taken place but 110r1 need to be ude. The nu~er of ...,.,.n In
detention hoa lncreeaed over the Decode and thla trend Ia expected to.contlnue.
Women deprived of freedo. are expeoed to vorloua for .. of phyalcal violence, aexuel
end oooral haraoaeent. The condltlona of their-detention are often bel~ acceptable
hygienic atandardo and their children are deprived of .. ternal care. The
reeom~ndatlona of the Si.xth United Nltl""a Congreaa "" the Prevention of Crl.ee and
the Treatment of Offendera, held at Clraeaa, In 1980, t/ and the prlnclpleo of the
Caracao Declaration vl th apee181 reference to the "fair and equal treateent of
voroen•, ahould be taken Into account In dealgnlng and l•ple.. ntlng concrete
eeasurea at the national and International levela. The proportlona of Indigenous
women iepriaoned in aome countrlea 11 • ·-.tter of concern.
L.
·-·Paragraph
Refugee and dllplaced - • n an,' children
~98
The International co.munlty recoqnlzea a hu .. nltarlan reaponalbllty to protect
and •••l•t refuqeea and dlaplaced peraona. In .. ny caaea refugee and displaced
women ore expooed to a variety of difficult lltuatlona affeetlnq their phyoleal and
leqal protection aa vell •• their peycholoqlcal and uterlal vell-bllng. Prob.hroa
of Physical debility, phyaleal .. fety, eeotlonal atreaa and aoclo-paychologleal
effecta of aeparatlon or death In the family, •• vell •• changea I~ VO<Mn'• roles,
together vlth ll•ltatlona often .found In the nev envlron•ent Including lack of
adeqoete food, lhRlter, health cne and aoclal aervleu call for apeelallud and
enlarged ooa1atonee •. Special attention haa to be offered to - • n vlth apeelal
needs. Furthermore, the potential and capaeltlea of refugee and dlaplaeed voroen
ahould be recoqnlzed •nd enhanced.
Par aqraph 299
It Ia reeoqnl••d that a laetlnq aolutlon to the probl••• of refuge•• end
displaced voeen and children ahould be aought In the ellodnatlon of.the root eauaes
of the fl~ of refugee• and durable aolutlona ahauld be found leading to their
voluntary return to their ho.. a l~condltlona of aafety and honour end their full
Integration In the eeonocolc, aoclal and cultural life of their country of origin In
the Immediate future. Until eueh aolutlona are achieved, the lnternotlonal
co .. rounlty, In an expreoalon of International aolldarlty And burden-aharlng, ohould
continue providing relief aaalatance and alao launching apaelal relief proqrammea
taking Into oeeount the epeclflc nude oe refuqee - • n and ehlldren In eountrha
of flrat oaylu... Sloollarly, relief aaalatanee and apeehl relief progro01~1 ohould
also continue to be provided to returneea and dlaplaeed voeen "and children. Legal,
educational, aocial, humanlt•rian •nd ~r•l ••aiat•ftCt ahould be Offered as vell ••
opportunities for their volunt.ry repatr1•t1on. return or reaettle•ent. Stepa
should olao be token to promote aeceoalon by COvern011nta to the 1951 Convention
relating to the Statua of Refugua and to Implement, on a bella of equity for ·au
refugees, provlalono contained In thla Convention and Ita 1967 Protocol.
�153
152
M,
M!9UIIt
-n
Par•qraph 300
Tht oeeodo ~• witnosoad the increoalng involva..nt of woeen in all forao of
alqratlon, lncludlnq rural-rural, ruul•urban and international _ . .nu of •
t•~porory, otoaonal or par .. nent natura. ln addition to their lack of adequate
•ducotlon, o\llla and rasourcea, •lgrant ...,..n .. Y aleo face aavara~djuat..nt
probltU due to cHfftrenc .. in nllglon, lan1Ju•91h 11at1onal1ty, and eoclaliutlon
11 ... 11 11 oopoutlon fr.,. their oritinal ta•Uiea.
Such probl- are .often
•ectntuoted tor inurnottonal algranta u a reault of the opotlllY..,lCPNa ..d
prejudle .. and hootUitln, i~~eluding violation of huun ri11hta In bOat countriu.
Thua roco~mondotlona of the WOrld POpulation Plall of Action alld the Ptogra•.. of
Action for the second Balf of the United NotlOIII ~ada for WO..II pertain1119 to
o!qrant ~•n ahould bl iapla•antad alld expanded In view of the antlotpated
1ncru10 In the aeopa of the probl••· l t Ia alec ortant to conclude tha
olaboratlon of the draft lntarnotlollal Convention on the rrotactlon of tba Riqhts
ot All Hlqrant I<Orktra and Their raaill ... aa atreed by tba Central Aaumbly In the
rtl•v•nt .elolutlon••
PAragraph 301
Tho oltuotlon of •!grant women, who are avbject to double diacrl•ination ••
YO~•" and oa-alqronto, ahould be given apeclal attention by the oo.arn.. nt• of hoot
countr 1.,, I>'Ottlcul .. lY with rupact to protection and ui11tonanc• of fa•llY unity,
omploy~tnt opportun!tlaa olld ~ual P'Y• ~ual CondltlOIIa of WO<-• health care,
b•n• flto to be provided In accordance vlth the adatlllt aocial ..cur!ty rlqbta in
tho hoot country, and racial alld othar for .. of dlacrtai~~ation. particular
•tt•ntion •Mould •l•o be ·91ven t.o the wecond 9eneratlon of ai9rant ~en,
p<>clelly with roqord to adueaUOII and profenlonal traillift9, to all- tha• to
01
lnuqrate th•••tlvOI In their countriaa of adoptiOII and to work accordlnt to their
•ducatlon and akillo. Ill thia procaaa, loaa of cultural valuea of their countrioo
ot o;lqln should be avoided.
!1,
MinoritY and "indlqenoua•
~en
Por•groph )02
~· voeon ore opprosaed ae 1 reault of belontint to al110rlty 1JrOUPI or
popolations which have historicallY been aubjec:ted \0 doeination and aufhrod
~~ ,poo .. ulon ond dlaperul. the .. -en auffar tha tuU burden of dtacrlsinatiOf)
b••&d on race, colour, deacant, athnlc and national orl9i11 and the .. jority
experienced aerloua economic doprivatiOII, Aa women, they are therefore doubly
dlt•dvontaqed, Meaaurea ahould be taken by QoeeriiDtlltS in countrioa in vhlch there
or• dnorlty and indlgonou• populat10111 to reapact, praaerve a11d proaot• ell of
tholr noun rl9hta, their diiJnity, atbnlc, rallqloua, cultural and'Ungulatlc
ld•ntl ty and their full putlclpatlon in eocietal chant••
tho eeo~le, acetal and cultural rlthta of thea• ~~~ and aaaiat thea ln the
fulfllaent of their faaily and parental raaponalbllltlea, Spaclfie .. aauraa ahould
addra•• dietary daficlenclaa, hith la9ala of infant and .. tarnal .ortallty and
other health problaaa, lack of education, houalft9 and child cara. 90cattonal,
technical, profaealonal and other tralntn9 ahould be provided to enable these women
to ••cure eaployaant or to perttclpata in lncoae-taneratlng activitiea and
projecta, and to aecure adequata·vat••• occupational health and aafety and thelr
other rlghta •• workera. Aa far aa poaalbla,·co.ern•tnta ahould enaure that these
wo-.n have accaaa to all aervlcea in tbair own lan9uagaa.
Plragraph 304
W0e111 balontlll9 to ainority 9roupa or illdltenoua population• ahould be fully
consulted and Ahould partlclpata In the davelopaa11t alld iapleeantatlon of
·
progra•..a affecting th... ~e OOvarn..nta of countriea where ainoritiea and
indlgenoua populatlona aaiat •hould taka proper account of the vorl of bodiea aueh
•• the ODaelttee on the Jli•l ... tion of ..cial Dlacrt•i~~atlon and the Sub~SIIIlon
on Pravelltion o! Dlaerlalnatlon and Protection of Minorltlea, ill particular Ita
Norkint Group Which la da..lopinq • ..t of int•r,..tional standarA• to protect bho
riqhta of lndigaiiOUa populatlona, the General Aaaa~ly ahould conalder the
advlaability of daalt,..tlng all internatl011al year of i'dlteiiOUI and traditional
culture• In order to pro.ota lntarnatl011al underatandlnq and to aaphaaiae the
dlatlnctive role of ~•11 ill auatal11ing th• ida11tlty of their peopla.
v.
Ilft'EIIIIIA'I'IOIIAL lUID Jl!:GIOML co-oPEAATIQll
A.
Clbataclaa
'l'oraguph 305
lnaufflelant attent1011 hal bee11 devoted durlft9, the ~ade at the i~ternatlonol
level and in ao-. r~lo11a to the need to adva~~ee the atatua of ~" in nlltlon to
the qoala and objectives of the Decade • aquality, developeent and peac•.
International tenalona, ar .. race, threat of nuclear var, failure to raapect huean
rlghta·and fundaaantal fretdoaa and failure to obaerve the prlnciplea of the United
llbtlona Charter aa vall •• qlobal aoo~lc receaalon and other critical lituatlono
combined vith dlalatlafactlon due to i,..daquata pr01Jr••• in •ultilataral and
internatlo,..l eo:-,oparation lliiCe tba Qoptllh.!19"!! Wot11!1 Co!l!etern:t b4: ·:ubotcnt!Hly
affected the acopa a11d ability for lllternational and ra9ional co-oparatlon
!neludlnt the role of tha united MltiOIIa. ~~ prOIJ•••• ill the developift9 vorld hoa
alac\ened or in aoae caaea tur...O fla9ati .. onder collditlona.of .. rloua
·tndebtedna'.. , aco11011ic and IIOnatarj inatability, reaourca COIIatrllnta and
unecoploy•ant. ~Ia hal alao affected proapactl for tc:OIIOIIIc.,and technical
eo-operation a~119 developinq countriea, particularly viJh retard to vomen.
lleverthelesa .oae progre•• baa be•n ..de in tar .. of achievint equality between
vo... n and ..,n, and a treater appreciation of the role of vo,..n i11 devdo-nt and
peace which ahould alao contribute toward affective internatip~al co-operation.
Paragraph 301>
raroqraph lOl
Govorn~tnts ahould enauro that the fundaaelltal bu..ll riqhta and freedoea as
•n•hrlnod ln relovant internationel lnatru..nta are fully tuarallteed al.o to woaon
b•lonqlnq to ~lnority groupa and lndltenoua populetiona. QoVern..nta In countrio~
In which thtrt an indiqanoua and elnority population• should enauro reapect for
lntornatlonal and rational orv•lllsatlona.ha•• been called upon durlnll the
Doeade to advance the poaltioll of their woae11 •taff alld to ••talld hlrinq practice•
to include qualified wo.en, ~· reaulta ha•• baa11 hlthlY uneven a11d 111 ao.o c1•ea
the aituatlon haa actually wor•ened durliiQ the Decade in the foea of raaouree·
�......,...
155
154
c:onstralnta anll other Ualtl"'' criteria, aueh •• 9eoqraplllc:al diUrlbutlon and
ott! tudinal berrien. In part.lc:ulat, - • n ara ab..nt froa the aenlor ... naqo11ent.
lovell, ..htc:h .. riouoly U•lta their influ•...,. on dec:l•lon-kl"''·
Paragraph 307
.
I
In orller to lnotltutlonaltae lnterorqanisatlonal exchlnqea of lnfor&ttlon and
eo-operation In ralotion to woa.n'• allvanee..nt, aovetal onlt-1 Matlona aqenelaa,
non-governmental orqani&atlono and roqlonal bodies have dealqnated, in reapOnle to
pcenuroo appllell llurlnq tho Dec:alla, focal pointe for - n ' • actl.vltlaa. llowovtc,
In &eny c:••••• tnaufficlent tenure and roaoureea oc~nlall thoae action•• thua
11,.1 t1 nq the! r lon<;~-tar• .r f•ctlvanua. Moreover, actlvl u .. that pro.,.te the
lnteqrotlon of wo~on In development have often bien confined to tho•• focal point•
onll hove not bean lntaqratall Into all orqenl&atlonal plannlnq and proqro•at
activltlaa, Proqreoa hal aloo batn ll•ltell in t.hla area by the ln1dequote training
of many of the ataff eembero of international aqonclaa and orq•nltationa vlth
rn~ct to tho centroUty of -•n'o role In dovalopeent.
Pauqrooh 308
Intornotlonll onll ro<;~lonal eo-operation otr*tovlaa .vat ba for•ulated.on the
pa.,ln thot tfftc:Un llovolo-nt requtuo tho full inh9roUon of WO«Mtn In the
llovolopeont proceoa •• both aqonto anll baneflciarloo. Dovelopaent oqencloa ohoulll
'tl<o full c~nlzance of vo.. n •• a develo-nt reaourco, !blo require• that all
lntornotlonol onll reqlonal dovelopeent lnotltutlono adopt explicit pollclu in thll
roqorll anll put In place the .. na<;~e.. nt ayateaa necooaary to onoure the effective
!~plo~entotlon onll evlluatlon of theoe pollciea in the full ranqe of their
pr0<;1rammoo 1nd octlvitlao. Such pollciaa abould incorporate the principle•
onlloroell In thr rorwarll-lootinq Strotoqle• of I•Pleeentation for the allvonce•ent of
vo•on. Stronq anll vialbla coe•lt.. nt to and intereot In tnte9ratlft9 women In the
llovolopment proc••• thoulll ba llo.Onttrtted by the tenior•level aonaqament of
d•v•lopeent a;enct•••
P.. nrapl! Jll
Internatlon•l, revlon.l anll aubreqlonal lnatltutlonal co-ordination ahoulll be
atrenqthened, particularly In relation to the exchange of lnform.tlon on the
allvonce•ant of voaan anll tbe eatabllah ..nt of collaborative arranqeaenta to
undertake act.lvltle• vlth interralated coeponenta,
Paraqrapl! 312
Research and policy analyalo ahould foc:uo 9teater attention on th~ econoele
role of·wo.en in aociety. lncludlnq occeaa to eeona.lc reooureeo ouch aa land and
capital. R.oearch and policy analyola ralated to woean ahoulll ba action-oriented
without loainq aiqht of key analytical conaidaratlona. Further inveat.. nt·l~
evolvinq adequate qender-.~lfic data·ta oleo required,
.Par•qraph 313
Steps abould ba t.ken to lner•••• t.ha participation of vo.on In International,
r~<;~ional and aubreqional laval actlvltlea and daelalon--.klnq, lnelullinq t.hoae
.directly or lnllirectly concerned with the .. lntenance of peace and .. curlty, the
role of wo.en in developeont and the achlevo .. nt of ~;allty between ~nand Din.
P~raqrapl! 31~
Infor .. tion on proqre•• In ochlavinq the voala of the Deeallo and on
ieple ..ntlnq the rarvarll-lookinq Strat.;lot thould be vidoly lllttoelnated in the
period froa 1985 to the year 2000 at international. reqional, eubreqional and
national level•• baaed on ••parlance qained durinq tho Decade. Greater reliance It
needed on audio-vlauel co.~nicotiona end expanlion of n•tworko foe dl••••inatlnq
lnfor.. tion on proqra ...a and actlvitlaa for vo.en. Dlacrl•lnatory. otereotyped
and.dqralllnq t ..
of wo.en au1t ba ellalnat•d In the aedta.
v••
Paragraph )15
orqanlsationa.
On .tba bada of tba raevlto of tha rwlev enll apprahal la the onlted llltlont
ayotea that h.Cilcat.all the Mall for oontiaued efforu to enaura tha recrutt .. nt,
oro.otlon and retention of _en, ell vnlted *t.lon• bocli .. , tha reqional
coaalttlona and the apeeiali•ed avenciat thould taka all ..ature• neeeotary to
achieve an equitable balance bat-en - • n anll ..II ataff ..at-::~ at unaqarial and
profeaaional lavala in all aub1t.antive •r•••• •• -11 aa in fiald poata, vith
particular attention to proaotinq equitable r.;ional repreaentotion of woaen,
-~~ tbould ba appointall to declaion-uklnq and unaqa .. nt poota vith~n tha onltoll
llltlona ayotea in order'to incr•••• t.halr participation in 1ctlvltlet at the
International and r.;lonal levala, lncludlnq euch 1reaa at equality, devel~ent
and paac•. ·
Panqroph 310
Pnaquph )1§
Technical eo-oP<trotlon; tralnlnq and ollvhory aervlcu 1hould proaote
enllogenouo llove1op•ont anll aolf-rellance vlth vreatar eaplla1ia on econoale and
toehnlcol eo-operation aeon9 deve1oplnq countri••· The tpeclal needa of women
ahould be perlollieolly ooaoaaall and eet.hoda developed to inteqrate voaan•a eoneorna
Into the plonnln9 and eval~otion of devalopeent actlvitiea. The partlclpotlon of
- • n In tho for•ulotlon of tecllnlcol co-operation pollei .. and proqra••• lhould
btl •n•ur•d..
'"-..,,
In viav of the dlfficultl•• of apouae• of. Dnlted Notlona offtclall in aacurlnq
•~ploy .. nt at the ••rloua duty atatlono, the United Nltion• Ia urqed to .. ka avery
poealble effort to pra.lde the aatabllaha.nt of educational facllitiea and llay care
contra• for faatliea of official•" I~ order to facilitate the oaploy ..nt of apouaeo
at th11e duty atatlona,
I·
Balle atratetl••
Pouquph 30\i
!ffective eonaultotlve ond rapOrtinq arranfe ..fttl are required to collect
lnforaatlon on action to-en to I•Plo.. nt the rarvard-lookill9 Strltaqi•• and on
auceeooful vaya and .. ana uttll to ovarco•• obstacle•. Monltorlnq ond evaluation
ohoulll, therefore, be carrlall out at International, rqlonal and oubrovtonal leveh
boull on natlonol-lavd 100nitor!nq, lnclulllnq l'nput fr- non-<;IOVern•ental
�-.
'
156
c.
Mea1ure1 for the
leple~ntatlon
157
of the boalc etretoqiee
appralaal of the exietioq lnetru.. nte, atrateqles, plane and proqra.-.a that aay be
of direct or Indirect reletance to wo.en, are urqed ae a .. tter of priority to
develop explicit policlee •nd reviewable plane of action for the 1nteqrat1on of
~en In their reqular ~t progra•..a.
~nltoring
P• ngraph 317
f
Tho lmpleeentatlon of the qoale and Objectlvea of the Decade - equality,
devolop.,ent a_nd p. . ce ~ anCI of 'the Forvacd-looklft'll Strateqiea fh'!"l<l be Mnitored
c!urln9 tho perloc! 1986 to the year 2000. MOnitorinq at the lnbrnat!onal lovd
ohould be baud on re11!ews, at the reqloMl, aubreqlonal and Mtlon.u l•uh, of
action taken, reaourcee allocated and proqraa• achieved, The Mtlonal rev!ewa
ahould ta~e the for• of • reaponea to a requlor atatlatlcal reportlnq requeat fro•
the united Nttloni,Secretarlat, vhich 1hould Include indicator• of the aituatton of
women. The atatlatical reportlnq baala ahould be develope4 by the Statletlcal
Coml!\loaion, In conoultotlon with the ooe-1111on on the Statua of Woaen, The United
Notion• Secretariat ahould coeplle the result• of auch .anltorlnq In conaultat!on
with the appropriate boc!loa of Govern•enta, includln9 national ..chlnery
eatobllohcd to eonltor an<! Improve the •~tus of woa.n. 1be action tt~•n and
proqrooa achieved It tho natiOnal level ahould reflect coneultatton vjth
non-qovtrn...,nul orqoniutlona on<! !ntequtlon of their concecna at a_ll levels of
qoverneent planninq, l.pleeentation and evaluation, •• appropr!ete.
Poraqroph
)18
Th-.a~clali•od eqonc!ea and other Ul\lted Natlona orqanlaotlona, includlnq the
roqlonal com.. iulou, ahoul<l .. tobliah MnU.orloq capabllltl .. and procedures to
•n•lya~t
th• aituation of VDII!Ien ln their ••ct.oral or 9eoqraphlc•l
ar••••
and
aub~~oit
thdr uporto raqularly to their respective qovernin9 boc!lea and to tho CDIIIII!aolon
on tho Statua of -•n, vblch Ia tho .. tn inter90Vernaental boc!y vlthln the United
Nation• ay•t.•~ eoncerfted ~~th women,
Poroqroph 319
The eom~!aslon on the Statua of Women ehould conalder on a requlor baola
uporta on the proqu . . . . de and concrete "aauraa iaple•nted at national,
roqionol ond lnternotlonol levela to advance the atatua of woaen ln relation to the
qoala ·or the Decode ~ equality, developaent an4 peace - and the aub-theae e~ployment, health and education - and the •trate91ea and ... aurea to the
yur 2000; The lln1te4 Notions oyotea ohould continuo to carry out a COIIIpr.hena!ve
and crlt1cal rev!ov of proqr••• achieved in tapleeentlnq tho provlllono of the
world'Plan of Action and of tho ProqraaDe for the Second Ralf of the Decade, The
central ·role in carrylnq out thla review and apprai&ll abould be played by the
co.,,.iulon on the Statua of Wo•n. The Ooe•halon abeuld alae .,niter progrua in
the i,.pieuntatlon of international atanderda, codea of conduct, atuteglu,
eonvont!one ond covenanto ao they pertain to wo.en. In view of thla.iaportant
function, hiqh-level expertise and repreoentltion on the Qocaloolon ahould be qlven
priority, lncludlnq oftlclala vlth substantive policy roaponalbllltlel for the
•dvaneem~nt of woeen.
•
The preparation of now l~otruments and atratt91ea ouch •• the overall
otroteqiu for lnhrnatloMl develOP"'ftnt, ahoulill pay specific, appropriate
•tt•nt!on to the odvonceeent of vomen. lnterqovern111ental boc!lea of th• United
•Y•t~a,
1be ..tholla and P<OCI4urea eaployed lOr colloctll'l'lf infor .. uon froa
Governaenta, reqlonal coa.daatona, non-9QVern..ntal or9an1aetlona •n<l other
International orqantaationa an<l boc!iea ahould be atreaallned and beaed on
quldellnea to be diacuaaed by the Ooe•l•alon on 'the Statue of - n .
·
~hnlcal co-otpration, training and advieory aervicea
Paraqraplt·322
N.,.aurea of technical co-opera.tton, tulninq and advlaory aerwic.. dlncted
tovarda laprcwloq - n • a ltatUI •t the internatlOMl, intarreqlonal and req!OMl
levola, lncludloq ~ration aaonq developtnq countrlea, need aoee lapetua. ·Thlo
would require the ra-orderloq of principle• for the allocation of re.ourcee •• vell ·
•• t1r9etod financial, .. t•rial an<l hu..n reaource aa~,atanca, Notvithattndlnq
raaource conotralnte, the United Notion• ahould continue the iaportant role of
reinforcinq thoae increaaed benefit• for voeen,
Paragraph
)2)
~hnicol co-operation ahould be approached vith • nov concept that vill broa~
the cycle of dependency, .-phaaiae local nelda, an4 uae local .. terlala_and.
reaourceo ao vtll •• local creativity and experttae and be beaed on the full
inteqration of ~ ao aqenta and beneflciariea in •11 technical co-operation ·
ectivitiea. Local ••.actatlona and ..chanla .. ahould be oriented to play a aore
active role in planntnq and policy-aakinq. Bephaaia ahOuld be qiten to brotder
acceao by~ to capital for aelf-hetp·proj.cta, income~eneratlnq activttlea,
enterprlae developaent and projacta deai9nld to reduce the drudqery in work
perforeed by woa.n. Innovative deaonatratlon projecta, particularly vlth reapect
to the· integration of voeen in aon-traditional aector actlvitiea, •hould be an
eaaential el. .ent in t.Chnlcal ~ration activitiea,
.Para9raph 324
Aqenciea which ·do not have opeclflc vuldalinea or p~oject P<oce4uraa relatlnq
to voaen in devalopeent lnterllnted vlth the other •••• of the period up to the
year 2000 ahould anaure that they •r• developed, Such quldeltnea and procedure&
ahould apply to all aapecta.of the Project cycle, lalatinq quidtllnea and ·
proce<lurea have to be applied aor• vlqoroualy and oonai~ently, ln pari1cu11r, each
project <~oeu ..nt ahould contal• a atrateqy.to enaure that the project baa a
positive 1apact on the altuatlon of voaen,
Pauqraph lU
Paragraph 320
Nbtiona
Peraqreph 321
parth::ulerly those eone•rned vith th• 1!110nltori!'9• r•vl•v end
Substantive ataff tralnl119 Ia needed to enhance the ability of ataff to
recognize an4 deal vlth the centrality of voeen•a role In develo,..nt, and adequate
resourcea auat be ..de available for thia purpoae. Iepleeentation of policiea
concerning we-en Ia the reaponalbllity of the particular or9antaatlon aa 1 whole.
Responalblllty Ia not ~rely a .. tter of peraonel perauaalon, Syatemo ahould be ·
developed which allocate reaponalblllty and accountability.
�159
158
Paragraph
Puaguph 3ll
326
Governments ahould atrentthen and.ieprova their lnatltutlonal arran9•••nta for
technical co-o~ratlon ao that policY Ia effectively llnted to local-level
!,.plomentinq mechan!a•OI, and ahould pr01110U auat.dned, endoqeftOU\ development. In
these oftorto Govornmento aay vloh to make uae of the accueulatad tKporienco,
·activllitt and ruourcu of tho whole United ll.otlono oyahe,
ln order to eMbh - n to define and defend their oom lntereato and n,..da,
the United Nltlona ayatee and aid 191nclea ahOuld provlda aaalatlnce for proqr•••••
and pro,ecu vblch atrentthen .OO.en•a autonolly, In ~rtlcular In the lntetutlon
proceu.
Porograph 327
While technical co-o~ration ahould be focuaad equally on woein and men, the
'Incorporation of vomen'o needo and aoplrotlona In tho foreulatlon and reviov of
tochnlcol co-operation pol!clll and proquio•e• ahould be 'enaured and the potential
ne9• t i vo oftocto on vomon of technical uolatance ahould be •lnl•lnd. TocMical
co-operotlon and vomon auat be linked to overall national developeent objective•
ond pr!orltloo, and technical aoolatance plana and proqra...a ahould be .. .,.,.d ao
a• to enaur• tha full inteqratton of actlvltlea apaclfic to woeen. Aa a atandard
component of technical co-o~ratlon policies, woeen ahould be full and equal
partlci~nt• In technical co-o~ration pro,ecta and activities. The nelda of
upeclolly vulnuable and underprlvlleqld qroupa of -n.ahould be addroued In
tht technical co-operation proqraemea •.
International non-qoyarneental ortanlaationa, lncludint auch ortan1aatlona aa
trade unlona, ahould be encouratld to Involve vo.en tn their day-to-day wort and to·
!ncr•••• their attention to voeen'a laaues. The capacity of non-govarn•ental
orqanlzatlona at all levala to reach vo.en and women'• troupe ahould receive ;
treater r~Coqnltlon and aupport. The potential role of thoaa non-governmental
orqanlsatlona could be.fully uttllald by international and tovern..ntal a;enciea
Involved In develo~nt co-operation.
'
..
poraqraph 328
Participation of non-qovernmental orqanlaationa •• a •eana to enhance the
r•l•vance and Impact of technical co-o~ration actlvltlea of benefit to wooen
should M •neour•q•4·
paroquph 329
In allocat1nq aultllateral and bilateral aaaiatanca, aqanclea, In conaultotton
with recipient Coverneenta, should aatablieh eeaaurabla and reviewable plana of
ctlon, with qoale and tl•• frameo. They abould alao qlve adequate le~tua to
1
oustalned and r .. l lncreuu In the flow of reaourcea for technlcd co-operation
actlvltlo• of benefit to wocen, lncludlnt treater eoblllaitlon of resources froe
non-qovernmental aourceo and the private aector. Bilateral and eultllatoral aid
oqenc!eo ahould qlve a~clal conolderatlon to aaalatlng the leaat developed
countrloo In thotr efforta to lntoqrate woeen In develo~nt. In thl• reqard,
particular attention ohould be tlven to pro,ecta In the flaldo of health, education
and traininq, and the creation of e•ployeent opportunltiaa for women. eapeclally In
rural areas.
·
pacaqrlph no
Bilateral ond multilateral old aqencln ahould taka a corporate-vide ruponu
to the inteqrotlon of voMn In develo-nt. Bilateral aid at;~enclea' pollcleo for
~men In de~elopoent should Involve all ~rta of' dOnora• ortanlsatlono and
proqram~e&, lncludlnq ~rtlclpatlon of aultilatar•l aDd bilateral proqram•ea,
trainlnq, technical aaalotance and financial ald • . Policlea for woean In
dtvelopment should bo Incorporated Into all applicable aid and a9oncv procedures
relatinq to otctoral and pro,eet 1ovelo,
"'
.,
l'uaguph 332
Paraqraph 33l
Twchnlcal and advl.Ory aaalataftCe ahoUld be provided by the United N&tlona
syat ... at t1>1 national l..el to leprove ayat... tlcally statistical and other for••
of tendar-apeclflc lndlcatora and lnfor .. tlon that can help redirect policy and
p~ra ...a fat the -ore affactiva lnteqratlon of·~n In develo~nt aa
·contributor• and beneficiaries •
Pauqrapl! :Jl4
Twchnical co-o~ratlon a.ong developlnt countrlaa should be atuntthened In
tho service of voaen at all l11ela·and In all aactora of activity, focualnq
particularly on pr.,.,\1"9 the SIIChanqa of ••~rlonca, expertise, technoloqy and
'knov-hov, •• vall aa on diffualnq innovative ortanlsatlonal eodela aultable for
atrentthonlnq tht lllf-rallance of woeen. The ~r91nt need for lnfor .. tlon flow• to
facilitate the proceaa'of lnt-tratinq voeen In develo~nt, and the need for
relevant, tranafarabl• aDd appropriata infor .. tlon abould be a prioritY of reqlonal
co-o~ratlon wlthln the fra•wort of technlcd co-operation amnq daveloplnq
countries. Retlonal co-operation to aaaitt dlaadvantated troupa of voaen ohould
aho be pr.,.,ted in thh context.
Pat~iquph
33S
Technical •••l•~nce ahould be tlvan by tho United "'ttona ayata• and other
International and non-;ovarn..ntal ortanlsatlona to women lnvolvad In the proeotton
of International ~ace and co-operation,
PIU9r1Ph :Jj6
The Ontted Retlona ayot•• ahould continue to atrenqthen tralnlnt;l pro;rameea
for vo-en, in ~rtlcular ln the lea1t devel~ countrle•, throvgh fellovahtpe and
other •••n• of aaalstance, particularly In the flelda.of economic plannlnQ, public
aff.tu and public ad•lnlatratlon,·.buainesa .. natelllnt and accountlnt, and fneln9
and labour ralatlons, and In eclantlflc, antln•erlnt and technical flelda. It le
necessary to support and axpan4 tec~nlcal and ~nomic activities for women by
eoana of collaboration wlth lntarnatlonal development aastataftCe egencl••· tn thla
respect, the united Motlona Dlvelop.ent Pbnd for Moeen la ~rtlcularly recoqnlted •
for Ita innovative contribUtion in. the area of developeont and technical aa1lstance
�~
160
161
tor dloodvantoqod woeon, ond Ito continuation and exponolon beyond tho D&eodo to
eonoldorod of vltol laportaneo to tho devolo~nt naedo of ~on.
tho perlcd betvoon.lt8S and tho year 2000, tettn, Into account thot the C.norol
Aaao~ly will tete tho docialon on tho hOldlnq of tho conforonco ln ooch caoo
within oxiotlnq financial rooourceo.
Parogroph 337
Poroqraph 341
Tho portlelpotlon of woeen In technical aoolotonco .onlto~nq, plonntnq,
proqros~tlnq, ovoluotion and follov;.up ol""lono ahould be proooted, and quldtltnu
ohould be dovoloped and applied to oooooo tho rolovonco and l~ct of dovolo~nt
•a•1•t•nee proj•ct• on woaen. The United "-tiona fundin9 •t•nct••t euch •• the
United Natlona Dovolopeont Progra•••• tho United Metlono Fund for Population
Actlvltlu, tho United Netlono Chlldron•a Fund and tho Worl4 PoOd Proqroaao, ao
wo11 ao tho world atnk, ohould onouro that woaon bonoflt froa and poitlclpoto In
oll projoeto and proqroa.. o funded by thea.
!xlotlnq ooctorol lntor .. qoncy teak for~o In tho United Natlono oyotoa ohoult
olwoyo Include loaueo roloted to tho advonco..nt of woaen In tholr o9on4o.
Poroqroph )42
tnot!tutlonal co-ordlnoUon
tntor-a9oncy co-ordination
nttwor•loq, particularly In the
proqra••• devalopaant, In order
lnfor .. tlon In theaa flolda and
Poroguph Jl8
ahoul4 bo coeplaaontod whore poaolblo by
flalda of lnforoatlon, reaaarch, trolnloq and
to facllltoto the availability of data and
tho Okehlft9o of oxporlonca with notional .. chlnory,
•a•as••ph 343
Roaoluttono of the Onltod Matton• General Aaaoably, of 90Vornlnq bcdteo of ~~
apoclollaed aqencloa and of othor o<9antaattona which proaoto tho loprovoaant of
tho atotuo of voaon ohould be leploaontod. All lnotlt.tlono within tho Onlted
llatlona oyneo that have not yet ootebUahed opectol lntornd otranqaunta and
procoduroa with roopoct to vo.on•a po1lcloa ara urqod to toke tha nocooaory
.Mtauroa to..Jk> oo.
Syotoo-w!do co-ordination of vork on loouoo rolotlnq to woaon noedo to be
otron9thonod. ~· £conoelc and Social Council ahould be encourov•d to play • aore
ioreotul and dynamic rolt In rovlevlnq ond co-or41n.tlnq all relevant Onlto4
Nat!ono oet!vltloo In tho flold of ~n•o laouaa, Rtqular eonaultotlono botwton
Un!ttd Notlona oqonelot and or9anlattlona ohoU14 bo tnatltutloneltao4 In
conjunet!on..,lth Motinqo of tho O:..lodon on the 8tatuo of - n In order to
••chan9• lnfor .. tlon on proqra••• aetlvltloa and co-ordinate futuro ptannln9 and
proqra~lnq with a.vlow to onourloq adoquatt rooourco-olloeatlon ·that would
toc!lltate action ond llalt tho unnoeaooary 4upllcatlon of octlvltl••·
PUa9rlph l44
tntornatlonol uchlnorlea that proaoto and oupport edueotton for paaco ahould
co-ordinate their efforto.ond lncludo tho role of MOOOn In proaottnq poaco In tholr
curricula. Particular attention ahoul.S be Plld to tho Doeloratlon on tho
Participation of WO..n In PrODOtlnv Internotlono1 Poaco and Co-oporatlon adopted by
tho General Aaoeebly tn.l982. ~~ Onlvoratty for Peace ahoul4 play a loodln9 role
In thla re91rd.
P•raguph Jl9
Futuro aedtu--tora plana of the Onltod Ratlono and the apecloll&od ovoneleo
ahould contoln lntoroeetoral prtoontotlono of tho vortouo proqra ... a .Seollnq vlth
l .. uu of eonetrn to -•n. In or4er to achl•- 9roator colleranca and offlcloney
ot tho pollel .. and pr09ra-• of tho United Rat.lona ayot- related to .._.n and
dtvolopaent, tho Sacrotary-c.naral, l.n hla cepoclty aa CbdrNn of tho
Adalnlatutivo coa-tttoo on CD-ordlnoUon on4 In conforolty vlth IICOno<alc and
Social COUncil rooolutton 198!/46 of 31 Ray 1985, ahould toto tho lnltlottvo In
toraulatlnq • ayoto•-wldo aodtu.-tara plan.for woeen and dovolopaont.
Rloaarch and policy ono1xala
PaU9r&ph 345
Inotitut•• of ~n'a affalra at the r~tonal laval ahOuld be otronqthonod or,
where they 4o not aKiet. their estobllohQant ah0ul4·be·conaldered for thi·proootton
of rovtonol collaboration In vndertotlnq roooorch and anolyaao on ..arqlnv ~•n'•
laauea ln or.Sor to facUltato an4 pr-to rovtonal an.s International co-Oporatton
an4 undorotendtnv In thla flo14.
P•raqr•ph 340
~· Centra for Soelal Dovalopeont and au .. nltarlan Affairo of tho Doportaont
ot tnlornltlonol Beonoalc and Saclal Affolra, In particular tho"Branch for the
A6vonceeont of woaon, ahou14 continua to oorvo •• the focal point for co-ordination
of, eonaultatlon on, promotion of and odvlco on .. ttora relovant to voaon In the
United Notions eyota• and to co-ordinate lnfor .. tlon on oyataa-vldo actlvitiea
related to tho futuro i.ple..ntatton of the 9oalo and objectiveo af tho Decade an~
tho forvard-loo~lnq Stratoqleo. In thil context, the Onlto4 Ratione tyatee ahould
o•oloro wayo and aeons of dovoloptnq further colloborat~on betwoon Ito
orqoninttono, lncludln9 tho roqlonol eoealoolona, tho International Ruoarch anll
Troin!nq tnatltute for the ~anee..nt of ~n and tho Onlto4 Motlona oavolopment·
Fund for women, In particular In connection vlth·tho hol.Sin9 of Onltod Ration•
YOrld eonforoneoa on voeen on a raqular boola, If necoaaary, for oxaeplo ovary
tlvl yoora.
Jt h r..:oa•ondO<s that ot hoot
world confonneo be hold llurtnq .
Paroqroph 34&
Mooauroo ahould ba toten by tho Onltod Rltlono lyate• to atr.ntthen the
eapabllltleo of the Onltod Notlona Bocrotorlat to provide laalatonce to Govarnaentl
an4 other lntornattonol or9anlaatlona and bcdleo concerned with lnt.;rattnq voaen
In policy foraulotlon and In aaoaoo·lnq tbo lapoct of devol~nt pollctoa on
woaen. ~· Branch for tho Advancooant of Moa.n ohould act •• th• focal point for
co-ordlnotlnq tho oxchen9o of lnfor~t10ft, provldlnq advlco on .. ttare related to
th• advanceeont of voaen and aonttorlnq and avaluatlnq tho proqreae of other bod!ea
In that connection. ~~ Unltod Rations ahould devolop 9Uido1lnoo for thle purpoae
besod on coeperatlva analyoae of experience world wldo.
•
one
.,
�163
162
undertake further uooorcll 011 tho 8tatua of -.tft 111 their UIJlOIII to tho yur 2000
by davoloplniJ tho necoaoary data blae end·lftdlcatora and by dravlftiJ upon lnputo
fr04 the national and local lavala, tncludlftiJ peropoctlvaa 011 111d by vo•en at tht
9raoo-rooto laval. To thta e11d, tho ra~Jion41 ooeaiaotona should Include In their
annual report• .an anllyola of chon9ta In the dtuat1o11 of - • n ln. their U1Jiona.
Porogroph 347
Guid•lln•• should aloo be dev•lopod by tho United HotlOftl for actton to raeova
qend•r-specific diocrl~inatory porceptiono, attltudaa and behaviour booed on «<dela
of successful
tnitiativea~
Poragropl! 3Sl
Pu•qroph 346
'.
lt h oho 11ocuaary to atren9than tho acttvltln of tho Int.rnatl'onal
kooearch and Tralnl119 Inatltute for tho AdvancoDtftt of WO..ft vhlch parforae an
laportant role In tho field of reaoarch, trailllniJ, infor .. tlon and eoe~unicatlon,
and to requeat Statal aftd appropriate or9afttaattona, 111 particular, tho
or9anlaatlon1 of tho united Notion• 1yatee, to continue to collaborate vlth the
Inatltute in ita wert for the lcproveaant of tha atatua of voeon. Tho tnatltute
ohould continuo Ita wert 111 appulllri9 and evatuaUIIIJ What h-11 belli dona by
OOVorn•ente and the United Hatton• eyatea ill proaotiDQ the atatua of vocen and It
ahould bl 9lven lncreaeed voluntary financial aupport.
Th• Unlt•d Nltlona ayatoe ahould undertake reaaarch and prepare Quldellnaa,
c••• otudlea and practical approach•• on lntoiJratlng women Oft an equal.baoio ~lth
••n into political !He. Tralnln9 Pr09rn11u for and conaulutlona bltw.. n ""'"en
already tnqaqed in political Uh ahoulc! be orqantnc!.
Puagraph H9
·Rn .. rch ohould bl carried 'out and a report prepared by tho United N41Uona, l.n
conoultation vlth other orqanisationo and apocl.allsed aqencl.aa and ln co-oporotlon
~ith oovern~tnto, on eotabllohiniJ'effectivo lnatltutlonol arran11••enta at the
national hvel for the· for•ulltlon of pollciu 011 _ n , lncludinq QuldoU.neo and
aueur 1~• of national c••• •tudie•.
Pauqraph 354
Tho United Hotlona ahould.lncorporata vlthlft ltl actlvltlea related to the
WOrld Df.oaruaent Ctcpal9n tho praparat.IOft 'of a ltOJdy on the apoclflc conaequenc••
·of tho arae-raco and oodern warfare for vo-eft 111 91nora1, eapocially a9ad or
PU9Mnt - • " and younq children. Such a atudy ahould be 9lnn wlda publicity In
order to eoblliae reaearchera, polltlciana and non-govern..ntal orqanlsationo, aa
vall aa voeen thoeaalvaa, for tho pr0110tlon of dlaaraa ..nt.
·
Par a graph 350
Unlted_Nitlone aqanclu and, In particular; the Centtl for Social Devalop.,ont
and HumAnitarian Affairo of the United Rotlona Secretariat, aa part of Ita re9ulor
proqrume of ""'ck, ahoulc! undertake in-depth ru.-arch on tho poaltln and neqatlve
afftett of le9lolatlve chln9•• the perolotence of do facto diacrtainatlon and
conflict• bet"'••n cuatoeary and statutory lawa.,
full
uoe
Fora:~e
Pauq[apl! 15!1
x;:;-c;;r;rnq: out th1• research,
Tho United Nation• ayatea and othar lnter9ov•rn•entol, 9QVernaental and .
non-;overn..ntal orQaniaatlOIII ahould encouraQe voeen, ~n•a or9anlaatlona and
all tha appropriate IIOVarn•ental bodtea froa dlffarent countrlaa to dlacuaa and
atudy various aapocta of procottnv peace aftd other related iaauaa 111 ordar to
lncreaaa knovladqe, facilitate underatandln9 and develop friendly reletiona bltvaen
countrloo and peoples, &.che1191 visits a.OIIIJ wo.e11 froa different countrtea, and
.. atln91 and •••inara In Which voeen participate fully ahould be orga11laed at
re9lonal and International lovala.
ahould bl 011dt of the vork of the Co11eltteo on the 11:lla1Nition of All
of Oiscrimination
a9a~nat
WOmen ..
Par aqroph 351
In the context of tho '11\lrd Un! ud Hotlono Denlo'P'Mnt Decade and any
decadt, th• lepllcatlona for - • n of lntor!'IJttloMl doclalona upeclally
portalnlnq to lnternotlonal trade and finance, aQrtcultura and ttchnolo9y trantfer
ohovld bt osseasod by the United Netlona ayatea 111 conaultatloft with the
oppropriott !nternotlonal oriJ&nlzatlono, bqdieo and reaearch lnatltuteo, lnclud!nq
tho Unltod 'Notlona R. . euch Institute for SOcial DevolOpiOeftt, tho International
Reoeareh and ~rolnin9 lnotituto for the Advanceoent of Moeen and any other•
ostabllshed by tho united Nation• onlvora1ty. Tho lack of reliable data prevent•
tht aes•ssm~nt ot ralativa lmpcov•~•nta in wo••n•a atatue ln the various ••ctota.
n Is the~efore .... nthl th11t the Stathtlcal Co••laal.on, tho Coa•iulon on th•
sutu• of Wo01en ond tho International Ruurch and TralnlniJ Inatituta for the
,o.dvoneoft\•nt of Wo'l\•n ahould co-operata at the lnatltutloMl level in the
colltetlon, anolysia, utilization and dloaemlnatlon of atatlatlcal data on the
qutstion of wo~en. ~he data base on voeen•a role ln national, reglo~l and
lnttrnHional eeono111lc actl.vltlea ahould bl furthu developed by the United Notion•
in co-operation with Govtrnmenta, ·~cializ•d 19enclea and the r~9lo~l c~~lssions
of the Un!t•d N4tlons ayatem.
•ub~<e<jUtnt
Participation of wo.en ln actlvltiea at thl l11tarnattona1 and regional levels,
and In declalon-making
Paragraph 356
Tho Onlted Natlona.ayat•• ahould taka all 111ceaaary ..aauroa to achieve'"
equitable balance betwe•n VOGen and coli ataff aoebera at .. na91rlal and
profeosional level• ·!11 ·all .aubltant1ve aroaa, al well aa In flald,poata. Re9ular
reportlftiJ to tha General Aaaelbly, the 9overnin11 bodies of tha apocialtaed
a9enciea, tho regional coaaiaalofta and the Ooaalallon on th• ltatoa of WO.eft on the
eatabliahaerit and I•Ple•entatton of tar9ata for the equal r•pr•••ntatlOft of vo01en.
in profeaolonal poata ahould be Continued.
Pangrepll 357
Poraqraph 352
'11lt United Natlona roqionel 'eo..atoaiona, 'vlth a vlov
to
WOeen and vosen'a organl•et!OIIa froa different COUfttflla ahould ba oncoura9;.,
to diacuaa and study varloua aapect!.of pro~tl119 peace and devalopeent 'laauaa In
lnt.,.ratiDQ WOOlen's
concerns at ell lev@-11 in each commiaaion•a overall proqra•me of vork. ·ahCN14·
.,
I'·
"
�..
;:
164
165
P.. aquph l62
order to increase tnowledge, facilit.te undoratanding and develop friendly
relotlona betveen countries and peoplea, Z.changa Yiaita of ~en fro. different
countries and ...,et1ngo viti\ full po~rtlclpotion by woeen ahould be encouraged,
Special efforta ohould 1M .. c~. at both the national and regional lovola to
onauro that. woeon have equal accoaa to all aapocta of aodorn aclanca and
t•chnoloqy, porttcularly In educational ayeteaa. ~. o.. of acionce and technology
can be a povorful lnatru..nt for tho adYanco. .nt of woaen. Special reaoarch t.o
evolve appropriate tochnoloqy for rural ~n •hould be carried out,.and oxlatlnq
and n~ tecbnoloqy ahould be dlaaoeinated aa widely aa poaalble. ~· co-ordlnotlon
ot auch actlvltl•• in the roqlona ahould be the roaponaibllltr of the raqlonal
co••lulona, In co-operation vlth other lnterqovarn..ntal bodlea andaqonclu that
deal vlth the •t•tuo of woeen and tochnoloqy,
Por•9roph 158
In order to ensure that proqraaaeo and actlvitioa of concern-tt woeen are
q!ven the nocooaary attention and priority, it Ia oeaential th.t we-on anould
P6rtlc!P<>to octlvaly in tho planning and foreulatlon of polldu a'nb proqra ...... and
!n doc!olon-uUnq and appulul proceaaoaln the llnitod llationa, .;.. thh one!,
lnternotlonal, regional and national orqanlaationa have been called upon durlnq tho
Decad~ to ac!vonco tho atatua of their feaolo ateff and to lncroa•• tho nueber of
wooen rocrultec!. In tnt absence of overall t.rqota and eff.etlvo aochanla•a for
thtir achi•velftent, hovev•r, qreater effort• 8Te neNed to eneure the recruttiQent,
promotion and career daveloPQont of ~en. All bodiel and organlaatlona of the
Unlhd NotloM ayohe ahould theuforo t.ko all poaalblo ..uuua to achieve the
par tlciP<>t !on of ..o•en on ,.qual tor . . vi th •n at all lavela by tho year 2000. TO
ochln• this goal, tho ncntarlata of tho United llatlona and all tho ·orqanbatlono
ond bodies within the ayatoe ahould take apecial ..aauroa, auch aa tho proporotlon
of a coepr•henolvo afflr,..tlve action plan Including prOYlolona for aottlnq
lntoraodlat• tarqota and for eatabllahlnq and aupportlnq apecial .chanl••• - for
uuoh, co-ordlMtors - to laprova the atatua of -.11 ataff. Proqrua .. do to
I'*Pl ... ent thou !l'fUuru ahould 1M nport.ad to the Conaral Aa. .ably, tho li:conomlc
·-· and SOcial Council and tho Cootmlulon on tho Statue of -~~ on a uqubr boolo.
Po
P•uguph J6l
Govornaonta 1nd non-qoyornaontal organlsatJona ahould orqoniaa roqular
trainlnq proqraamaa that are alaed at l•provtnq tha atatua of _,..n VOtkora and
vldontng woaon•a ace••• to and laprovlnq their perfor.. nce in .. naqorial poaltlono
In tho aaet.ora of omployaont or aolf-eaployaatlt. In thla connection, the tlnltoc!
Notlona Ia urqod to aupport proqra. .oa on natwort and exchanqe of e~rtlao In
vocationl traininq being carried out by roqlonal and aubroqlonal orqanlaatlono,
Paraqraph l64
Reqlonal 1nd aubroqional groupe have an teportant role tc play ln
atranqthonlnq tho roloa of vo..n In dovel~nt. Bxlatlnq reqtonal and aubroqlonal
lnforaotlon oyatemo on woeon ahould 1M reinforced. A atronqor data at1d reaearch
baoo on voaen ahould be developed Jn tho developlnq COUtltrlal and ln the roqlo~al
comeloatono, In collaboration vlth the appropriate apocialltec! aqenctea, and the
aharlnq of lnfor .. tlon and raaoarch data ahould be encourlged, lnfor.. tlon ayat•~•
at tbe natto~al level ahould be atronqthoned or, Where they do ftOt ••lot, 1h9uld be
eotabllahed,
roqroph )59
Women should be •••urad of the opportunity to porticlpoto In international,
reqlonol and aubroqlon.l •ettlnqa and aeelnara, Jncludlnq thoao organised by tho
Unl tee! No tiona oyotee, port.lcularly thoao related to oqudlty, developeont and
pooce, lncluc!lng peace education, and thooe directed to proaotlng tho role of wo~en
In doveloPQent throuqh reaoarch activitleo, aewinaro lnd confarancea to aachanqe
uporlonee and oxporUu. Slwllarly, - n Parlh .. ntadane ahould alvay• be
Included In deleqatlona to lntor-porllaeentary aoetlnga organised by the
Intei-Parl!aeentary Union and regional lntor-parlla ..ntary orqanitationa.
Peraquph 365
International, reqional, aubreqional and.natlontl orqlnlaattona ahould be
ltrongthenoc! throuqh tho injection of additlot~al buaan an4 financial ra.aurcea and
through the place~ent of wore woean at policy- atld daolalon-.atJnq levala,
Parograph J60
The participation of women In proeotlng peace and ln tho atrugqlo a9aln1t the
obH•clu to peace at tho. International level. ahould be IIICOuraqed. 116tvorklnq of
wo~en at hlqh deelolon-aa•tnq level• related to peace and dlaar ..•ont, lncludlnq
wo•en leader•, peace reatarcherl •nd ~ucatora, •hould •lao b• encour•9ed ln
connection with United Nltlona oyate• actlvltiea auch •• tho International Year of
Peace (1986). •wo~en and peace• ohould be 1 aeparata Ito• in the proqracme for
that
Information dlalemlnatJon
Paragraph 366
International proqraaaoa ahould be daalqnad and re1o~rcoa allocated to aupport
natlon.l ca~lgna to laprova public conaciouaneaa of tho tloed for equality betveen
voeen and ..n and for ellalnatlnq dlacrlalnatory practlcoa, Special attention
abould be qivon to'lnforeatton about the CDnvontion on the !ll•lnatlon of All For••
of Olacrlalnotlon aqelnat Women.
•
Y~.ar.
Paragraph 361
In ord•r to provide-a fir• boola for tho lntotratlon·of laauoa of concern to
"""'•n In the overall develo!>"'ent procen, 1 qreator effort h needed to define -ouch
l .. u.. and to devolop uooful IIOdttla for action tn 110Cio-cultvral, .eonomlc enll
poll tlc•l contuta. lfor\ in thh area can 1M undorUkon In the national and
aglonal ro .. orch lnotltutlona, •• -11 aa In the _United Hatlon1 and other
lnt•rnotlon•l oqeneloa. In thla,conte•t, attention ahould alae be given to
lncruolnq the planning capabllltlOI of -•n•
Paraqreph j67.
Studios must be carried out by the United Hationl eyatoe on ••• ater.otypln9
In adverthlnq and In the aoaa •oc!h, especially deqradJng 110911 of -en in
artlclaa and proqromaoa dlaao•ltleted world vide. Stapa abo~ld be taken to promote
the ellelnotlon or reduction of •••'ater.atypinq Jn tho eedl1,
~
�166
167
Parlllgraph )68 _
~
!/
In order to PrOftOte peace, eoctal juatiee and tho advanc•~•nt of voeen, ~ide
publicity should be IJiven by tho tlnlted Nationa to h9al l.nat.ru.. nto and the unitw
»otions resolutiona and roportl rolatin9 to woeen and the objecti.Yoa of the Decade,
that Ia, equality, dovelopeent and peace. Tho .... -.dio, l.ncludip9 tlnited Nations
r.dio and tehviaion, ehould di .. eminate tnforution on tho role ot - • n in
achi•vlnq those ohjocttvoa, particularly ln proeoting co-operation and
underotandin9 amon9 peoploo end tho .. tntonanco of international ~ace and
aecurity. Cultural aoehanio.a.of co.aunication ahould also be u•ed to diaaeetnate
the .Importance of tho concepta of peace and intarnat.ional undorat.andin9 for the
advancement ot
(continuedf
~·
!I
General Aaoe~bly roaolution 341180 1 ann••·
~I
Gonorel Aaooably raaolution 37163, ann••·
hi Roport of the International COnfaronco on Population, 1114 1 Mexico City,
6-14 lluquat 1984 (United Natlono publh:atlon, S.l.. No, 11.84.XXU,8), chap, I,
net. 11, para. 1.
-
wo~en.
Para9taph 369
11
chop. I•
It io eooential that woeen bl trained in tho uao of audio-Yiaual forea of
infor.ation.diooeaination, includlnq Yiauol diaplay unita and coaputera, and
portleipato .crt actively in developing prQ9ta•••• on the advancoaent of voetn and
for v~en at the international, re9iona1, aubre9iona1 and national lovelo.
V Raport of the Cl>onlodon on the ltltua of 1ilolntJ acting •• the Pro~ra.tory
Body for tho llorld Oonfer•nc• to Raview end Appraiee tho Aehi•••..ntl of tho united
Nation• Decade for -•n• !~quality, DtYolo~nt and Peace on ito Moond . . . aion
111/CONF.116/PCIU), chop, t, dnft daclaion x, .,., ••. 2 (h).
Para9raph 370
y
Jt•rx>rt of the !!lilted wattona World !!p!btlon COnftratJC<t, 1974,
•uchareat, 19-30 lluquat 1!74 (united Nttlona publication, lolea No. 1.75.XXXX.3),
chop. I. ·
on
Tht ereoent united Notions weekly radio pr09r•••• and co-production of fll•o
bo continued vith ad~uato provlaion for diatrlbutinq thee in
wo~en oho~ld
diff•r~nt lenquaqea~
P><•gr.ph 371
.....
Report of tho llorld COnfaronco of tho tntornationol lloaon'a Yoer
ll Report of the WOrld Oonforenco on !grarian Refora and Rural Developmont,
aD•o, 12-20 iuly 19?2 IMCARRDIREPI tao-., PAO, 1979), Pr09ra ... of Action, aect. IV.
~I
General llaoeably reoolution 36/71.
Tho 3olnt United Notlona Infor .. tlon Coe•ittee ohould contiftue to Include
we>men '1 issue a in i'ta pr09r••••• of aoctal and eco1'\o.IC lnforution.
, . . ourc . .
ohould
!><! .,..,.
Ad.-quate
avalloble for tb""• actlvltlea.
Paraqraph 372
S1
a.overn•ento .end the or1Janlsatlona of tho United Natlono oyotoe, inclu<lln9 the
regional COft=ioaione and the opoclallaod agencieo, are urqod to qlve the
l'orwtrd•looi<ln9 Strateqlu the vldoot publicity poulble and to enouro thot their
content it tranolated and diooe•inatod in order to Uka outhoritioo and tho public
in qenoral, ospoelolly voeon•a qroos-root organi&etiona, avar• of tho objectives of
that. docu~nt 1nd of the r-ecoeuuu·tdattona contained therein.
~
·
~I
Report of tho WOrld Conference of the International lloaon'• Year, Mexico
City, 19 Jun•-2 July 197$ (United Notione publication, Sileo No. E.76.XV.l),
chap. 1 1 1ect. A.
Report
publication, Salea No. E.80.XV.l). chap. 1, ••ct. A.
s/
~·~
C:Oneral llouably resolution 227 A
~I
(..)
~I
Report of the International oOnterence on the Qu••tion of Paloatine,
Geneva, 29 Auguat-7 Sept.eabtr 1!8) (United Nationa publlcetlon, SOloo
. No, !:.83.1.211, chap. I, eect. B.
·
C:Oneroi AntO>bly ruol~Uon 2200 II
tnn.
(ltltl),
an!"u•
C.rieul -. ..ably neolutlOOI 37116.
11 lteport of the WOrld llaaeebly on !qipt, VlatJna, 2& July-s lluqust 1982
(United Natlona publication, Sole• No. a.e2.I.16), chap, VI, oeet, A.
11
tho Norld Conference of the United Notlone Decade for Woment
pguallty, Dtvelop~ent and Peace, Copenhagen, 24-30 3uly 1980 .(united Notions·
o(
General llaaeably reaolution 3086 !XXVIII).
21 Gofteva Conv•ntlon relathe to tho Protection of Ch•Ulan Penon• in Ti ..
of ttu, ·of u Aulfuat 1949 (United wattona, tnaty Borha, .o1. 75, Jlo. tn, p. 287).
• £I
~
21
nl
Report of the.MOrld Conference to OOebat. Raciaa and Maeial
DiocrTeinotlon, Geneva, 14-25 Auquot. 1978 (united Rationo publleatlon, SOlo•
No, 11.79.XIV.21, chap, lJ,
S•• United Notion• publication, Sllea
~.
1.11.tv.t.
�..
('
168
B,
IU!SOWTION AliD DI!CISIOIIS
Reaolutlon
1.
~xpreaaion
of qrotitude to the hoat country
APPENDIX 6
The World Conference to Revlev and
ralae the Aehieveaanta of tho
United Notiona Decode for wo~ent zg~tlity, Develop!!nt an tPeace,
U.N. GENERAL AssEMBLY FINAL RESOLUTION
Ravinq en in Ndrobl at the Invitation of the eo.tuneent· of ttanya fr041
the 15th to the 26th of July 198!.,
Roving r1viev~ and evaluated the progreal ..de and obatacl•• encountered
the United Nltiona Decade for woaen,
d~rin9
Expretaing the hope ~t the outooea of thie Conference will atren9than
and iaprova the dtuation of ...,..., throu91tout the -rld,
1.
Rotp!Ctfully preaentt lt• 9ratltuda to Ble IXcellancy the Protfdent
of lanya, tho Sonourabla Denial T, arap Mot. foe bavlft9 traced the opanin9
.. atlnq of the conference vlth hll praaance, for bevlnt ..de the lnau9urol
addreoa and for hla parao,.t concern for the auccaaaful outco-e of the
. o:>nJ•r•nc•,
!XP••••••
2.
Itt profound gratitude to the ODvarn.ent of lanya for
hovln9 ..do it pootlble for the COnference to bt bald ln .. lrobl and for tht
••eellent facllltlea, attff and aarvlcea ao tracloualy placed at Ita dlapoaol,
UNITED
.NATIONS
•
_.,.Y
A/C.l/.0/L.H/Rev.l
26
A9i!nda: it~ .. 92
tnt
Yt.HJoaleviac
At Ita 20th (clodngl pt.nary eutin9 on Z6 July ltiS the COftftrtnce
that the text of the draft reaolvtlona and a .Sreft . .claration on
vhleh It h•d not taken •ny action owln9 to laclt of tl . . , would be reproduc~d
In an annox to the report of the OOnferenc• end vould be brou9ht to tht
attontlon of the General ~aaembly for conatderatton end ectlon ea. appropriate.
d.cld~
re-vlet-d dr.~tft rtoeolutlon•
l;;l li"mi'nt:.tJon of t.ne Nairobi l"orward-lookin
Adv.&nc,pment ot Women
A~ IU 17th plenary ..ttln9 on ZS :July 19115 tho COIIfounce approved tho
report of th~ Credentials eo--Itt•• IA/CONF.ll5/21),
Draft rnolutlona and a draft .Seclaratlon on Vblch
no action waa ttt•n by th• Conference
1985
!:N'GLISH
UNITED !lATIONS DECADE !"'R WOH!:IIt
I!:Qtlit.LITY, DEVELOPMI:NT AND PEAC&t
WORLD COI'f'EIU:NCE TO RI':VIEW AND APPRAIS& THE ACHitveMEflTS OF 'nlE
UNITED NA~JOIIS DEcit.DE !'OR WOMl'lNt
I!:OUALITY, DI:VELOPH.ENT it.I'D PEACE
~•n•.
Credent.l•l• of ·th• r•pr••ent•ti.,.•• to-·tne ·oonfer•nc•
3.
~~e-aoer
ORIGINALt
Dtchlone
l.
Di ltr.
LIMITED
THIRD COI'<KI'1'1"£E
•.
Decidu that the doc~>•ent on the J'Orvard•looUnq ltut;.gl•• adopted
tht O>nr;t;;;;;; ohall bt lt-.. aa "211e tiatrobl J'Orvtr.S•looktnq Strot~glu
fof' th• Advanc•••nt of
General Assembly
Fortieth. aeetlon
).
ll"9Utats tho eo.tern..nt of lenya to
to the City of Mlrobl
and to tho people of ltnya the 9ratltuda of the COnference, for the
bOapltallty and vora wolcoa. extended to the partlctpante,
t>y
A
; -.. ~ • \' .~~ r :.•·
, .•.. ~·' ~;
Theo Gen•raS
Strateol•• for
A~aembty,
R,e.callt!,'!9: ltw reaolution 3520 (XXX) of 15 Dtoeernber 1975, tn which It,
inttor ,alla. proelal"'*d the period fro,. )916 to 1985 United Nations De-e•de f()r
wo.,en• Eoual1ty, Dev.-lopt'hPnt and Peace,
&t-aring fn,•lnd th·e Convention on the ElJMift•tlon of AU tcirtl\a tlf
Discrt~~t1nation •qainu. WOftlt-n adopted on 18 Df!cem~r 1919, whSch C.llflle lnt.o forct- on
J
s~pt.ellt\ber
19 81,
.
Aecallinq furthe-r the principle• and ·ob1ecttves a~t. forth in the Declaration
of Mexico on the Eou.-Uty of W<':ne" and their Contribution to Df:veJOP'!ltont and Peacfl!,
the Wi?rld Pl•n of Action for the ttnplem.eont•tton of the Ot>jectives ot the
lnternat.lon•l Wonlt>n•a Ye•r,. and the Proqr.a~M~e of Action for the Second U.!lllf of the
Unt ted Nat ions [)(ocadto for wo,..enf
Bearing in lftind its r~llOlutionJ l201 (S-Vll and .3202 {S-Vl) of 1 Hay 19Ht
cont;aininq the Di~!>Clan~;tton and Proqrai!U'IIl« of Acttnn on th~ E~t•Mllll:h~tnt l)f a H'!'"'
lnte-rn.nionel Economic Ordtr. l281 fXXJX) of 12 Oeceombt't 1974, cnntaininq ttl~
Ch•cte-r of t:con0111ic Riqht:t •nd Outh·• of St-'t~•. ll'2 (S-vru of 16 ?tpt.e-lhher l97S
Submitt~d on Mehalf of tht Statt'lt Me''l!l:t':Me'rs of th4!' Unitl!d Jht.ians ~o.~hlch .ort
fle'mbtca of tl'~~ croup of 11.
S~-3«14
HJOZ !£)
(169)
�l
170
171
A/C.3/40/L.47/11ev,
m~;t,~·~~.47/R•v.l
~~~lloh
Enqlloh
Paq" l
!J/..;9• 2
...
,
::~~n d.,v.,lop~~~•nt
and International co-operation and ruolullon 2542 !XXIV) of
· 11 December 1969 p(oelaimin9 the Oecllratton on Social Progr~•• and Development,
I
Bearing in ~ind further the cons~neus achi~ved in th• text of the
·Int~rn•t1onal Dev~lo~ent Strat~y forth~ Third Unit~d Nations O.velopm~nt Deca~e
In Ito resolution JS/56 of S D•cembor 1980, In particular on tho lmpl•~•ntatlon of
the onjectivee of the United Nath;~n• O.cade for' Women Yithin the frame-wora: of the
etratr-qy.
ll•calllnq abo iU rnolutlon 37/6) of J December .1982 by which It procloim•d
the DeClaration on the Participation of Women in Promotinq International Peace and
"
Co-o~ rat I on,
R~calllng further ita resolution 39/29 of 3 December 1984 on the Criticnl
economic Aituation if! llf'rica,
Recalling Its r•solutlon )5/136 of 11 Oec.,~ber 1980 wherein It d•cldod t~
CO('Ivene in 1965, at the concluaion ·of tht- Decade-, _a World Conference to Review dnli
~ppraiee Lhe Achievem~~ta ol the Unite-d Nations Decade on Women,
Con&cious of tht- consid~rahle And constructive contribution made by thP.
on th~ Status of Women acting as preparatory body to the Conf~renc~.
United Nhtions sp~cialited aqencies. United NationS regional com~issions and othP.r
orqantxations of the Unit~rl Nations syste~. hy Member. States and nnn-qovernmental
orqanit~tionR in prepar~tions for the Conferenc~,
Co~miRsion
~w~re of the continued contribution made by the No~~Governmental Orqanit4tions
Forum~he advance~ent of wo~en,
Streaaing that durinq the period 1986•2000 the:pri~ary reaponsibllity for
l~~ple-ntinq tM I'Orward-lookinq Str&tegh•• ruts with Individual countrl•• u thel
ar• intend•d to aerve as Quideltnea for • proceaa of eontinuoua adoption to div~cst
and ehanqlnq altuat!one at epeeda and In .adea determined by overall national
Prlorltlea, vlthln vhieh the !nte9ratlon of women In development ahould rant hlqh,
R"afflr•lng that the reall•atlon of eoual rlghta for wo~en at all level- and·
In all areaa of life vlll contribute to the achleve~ent of a juot and laat!nq peac•
and eocial pr09reaa, to resp•ct for hu~n riqhta and fundamental freedoms, and that
th~ inteqration of women in the mainstreaa of the dPvelopment proceAA r•ouirea not
only eoftftit~Dent at the national, req1ona1 and internationAl l~vels., but also
·
continuing financial. 8nd technical support, and alao reauir~s the establishtl'lt-nt of
the new international ~onomic order,
Considering that the Forward-looklnq Strat~9!es.ahould l~edlat•ly b"
translated into concr~te action by COvrrn~enta 1 aa d•termined by ov~rall·nation~l
prioritltu!l,. by orqani_t:atlons of the United Nations syst~rD, spec!.all1.tod agencies And
interqovernm~nt~l and non-governmental orqanitationa, including vomen•s
orqani xat i(')f't8,
Perauad~ of the importance of ta•tnq meaauren to· ensure aystem-~1de
co-ordination, within the Unlt~d Nations,. in order to d~velop a compcehensiv~ and
int~gr•t~d approach to the i•su~s which Wre crucl~l t~ the advancP.~eot of women,
1•
TateR note with satisfaction n( the·report of th• World Conf~renc~ to
Revi~ and Appraise the Achi~~ement of th~ United NatiOns Decade for Women,
EQuality, Oev~lopment and Peace,
2.
Wcnen•,
convinced that the fUll inte9ration o! vo~en in all aApects of politic~l,
~conOfnic and social lift-, at 'the internA.tional, rt"gional and natlon.tl lt"v~ltt, is
essential if the obstaC:li!S to the achievernt"nt of ·-tht" goals and objectiveR of the
Dec~d~ are to De overcom~,
).
~ th~ •Nairobi Forward•lookinq Strategies for the Advancement of
Afflr•• that th" impl•mentatlon of the Strat•qlea ahould r•ault In the
•li•tnatio~l lor~• of ineauality hetween women and men, in the complrtP
inteqcation of "''I't'len into the dev~tloptt~ent prOce-·aa antt th&t. should QuaTantee hroad
participation by women In efforts to strenqthen peace and security In the vorld1
HavinQ considrred the report of the World Conf'erenct" to Review and .it!ppraise
th~ .it!chi«!'vements of the Unitt"d Nations E'>ecade for· woment Eou.ality, .Development .,nd
p'eac•, !I
Convinced that the Conference, by adopting· tht Forward-loo~elnq~ Stratf'gies for
the Advance~ent of Women, has mad~ an important and po&itlv~ contribution to the
d'ttafnrT>-ent of the objec~ivt"tl of the oecade and provided a policy framework for
advanclnq the statllJs' of wo,.en to the year 2000,
further convinced that the Conference made an important and constructive
contribution by apprai!".iing the' progresa achieved and ohstaclf!s encountered in
Jmplementatton of the objective&• of the Dt"cad• and tty' preparing and bdoptinq
stc~tegies to advbnC:e th~ ~tatus of women for the n~xt llfteen years,
the
4.
Declares that the obj.ctlv"a ot th" UnitP.~ Nations Decade for Womenr
touallty, ~ent and Peace vl~h the aub-themea "employm~nt, health end
e:ducat ton• cemain validJ
5.
Call• ue2n Governments to allocate ad•ouate resources •nd to tAke
effectlv• approprlat" measures to lmple~"nt the Forward-looklnq Str~teqles ••· a
~atter of high priority, Including the establishment or r"lnforcem.,nt, as
appropri•te, nf national machtneri~S tO promote the advancement of women And tO
11>0n! tor th" hoplu..,nut ton of th.,se strateqiea with a view to ensurln9 the full
lnt•9ratlon of women In the political·, economic." sociAl and culturol !If• of their
coontciea,
·
6.
rurther c•lla
Ue?ft all
d~ci•ion-makinq position~ ~arlnq
d~v•lopeent,
lf
"-'
,.}
A/C0NF.ll6/28.
Me~~r
Covern•enta to appoint wo~en to
in mind their contribution to national
�'
172
173
•11/C.l/40/L.41/R~v.l
A/C.l/40/L.47/~~v.l
Enqlloh
. Plqe 5
Enqll•h
'Pb9~
4
7.
~Governments when pr~parinq and .ftvaluat!nq n~t&onal plana and
proqr&m~e• of action -t? incorporate measurable tar9~ta for overcomlnq o~ateeleA to
the advoncement of women and to include ~•aaur•• for the invo~ement of vo~n in
development both ae agents and beneficiaries on an eaual baftl• with men and to
reviev the impact of development policies and proqrammes on women1
8.
Invttea govtornmental, interqovernrumtal .end nnn-govern~ttenta""t
orqanl•atl~qlve hlqh priority to th~ lmple~ntation of the forvard-lnotlnq
strateqien anl1. in particlllar, to ensure that sectoral poticiee and proc;rarnmes tor
development include strategies tn promote the partictpation of wo~n as aqents and
beneficiaries on an eoual basis with men)
9~
Urg~a all Governments to contribut* to th• strenqtheninq of institutional
co-ordination in their reqtons and &ubreqlon• in order to estahlish collahoratlve
arranqe~nt& and to develop approach~• for the impl•~entation of the
Forw~rd-lookinq Strateqlee at those leveles
10.
Urg~~ all orq~nl7.ations of tne United Nations system, including tne
r~qtonAl commissions and.all specializ~d aq~ncie~, to take the necessary MeaRure~
to ~n~ure a concerted and sustained ~ffort for th• implementation of the provisions
o! the Forward-loo-inq Strateqiea with e view to achieving a Aubstantial
i mprovem~nt in the status of wort'len by ,the year 2000 and to ensure that .all proiect"'
and proqrammes take into account the need tor the comPlete integration or w~~n hn~
vomen' s concer"no 1
11. Reouests the Secretary-General and Apecialir.ed aqenr.leR and bodies of th~
United Nat~t~m to ~stahllsh, wher~ they do not already e•ist, focal points
on ~~n'e issues in all s~ctors ot the work ot the orqanl7.ationA of th~ United
Nations eyete~J
12. Urges the Adminl~trative Co~mittee on Co-ordination to revi~w
petlodlcally the sy~tem-wlde impl~mentation of the Forward-lookinQ Strat~giea
to hold r~qular lnter-aqency meetings on women within the framewofk of the
~drolnlstrative Commltt~~ on Co-ordination!
and
1). £mphasi%eS the central rol~ of the Commlssi~n on the Status of Women in
mAtters r~lated to the advancement of the atatua of women and calls upon it tO
promot~ th~ implementation of the Forward-looklnq Strat~gies to the year 2CUO based
on L~e qo~ls of th~ United Nations ~c~de tor WOmenl Eouallty~ O~velopment and
Pe~ce, and the suh-them~a, employ~nt, health and •ducation, ~nd urqes all
org~ni:~tlons of the United Nations system to co-operAte with th~ Commission in
thi~
tas_,
14. ~eriuests th~ Secr~tary-~neral to ensure that the Commission on the
St.Jtus of ~ceives the support services 1t reouire-a .to effe-ctively fulfil its
central rolt>t
lS. ~ the Seer•lary-Ceneral to invite Gove-rnmtnts, orqan1tat1ons ot
the United Nations sy~te~n, including reqional comml1tsions and speci~li:red aqencie.c:,
intergovernMental and non-qovernm•ntal orqanlxation~ to report p~riodicalJy throuqh
th!' CorNT~bUii.on on the Status ot Women to the £c~m01ttiC and Social council ()n theo
Actlv1ti('6 und('rtb~en ~t all lev~ls to implem~nt the Forward-lootlnq Str3t~q1~s,
16. Reaueata the Secretary-General, ln prepirin9 the report on the lntegrat~d
reportinq •rate• for the thlrty-tlrat aesalon of th~ Co~laalon on the Statue of
Wonen aa called tor in Economic •nd Social Council rea~lutlon lt84/l2J, t~ Include
Propoaala for a reporting ayote10 to facilitate the JOOnltorln9 of th~ l•ph...,nt,ttlon
of the Forward-lootlnq Strat~ies aa aet out i~ par•grftph 15 above, tatlnq into
account the •~perlence gained during the Deeade, the vleva of GOvernments and the
need not to duplicate ~xlsttn9 reportinq obllgationa,'bearlnq In alnd the need tn
carry out perladtcal in-depth sectoral reviews of proqreaa achieved and obstacles
encountered in implementing the Forward-looking Strateqleo to ·the year 20001
17. Reco~nda that the S~retary-General prepare a report, hearing in mind
the remarks and concrete reco.,..endationa mad• durin.;, the debat• at the fortiHh
3easlon, In particular the proposals concerning lncreaainq the number of Me~hera
and 'the freouency of ...,etinqa of the ComooiAtolon, for the thlrty-flrAt ae .. lon of
the Commieaion on the Statue of Women~ on •ltefn•tiv~ •~•sure• to •trenqthen the
Commission on the St•tus of Women in discharglnq Ita functions follovinq the United
Nations ~cad& for Women •nd that the recommendation& of th~ Co~ielion on the
matt~r be r~ported to th~ Cener~l Ass~mbly at its forty•firet seAsio~ throu9h th~
Economic and Social Council•
18. ~eafflrms the role of the Centre !or Social Development and Humanitarian
Affair• of the Department of lnternatlopal Economic and Social Affair~, In
particular the Branch for the Advanc~~ent of Women~ as th~ euhstantlve secr~tarlat
of the Commi•sion, •nd as a focal point for matter• on wom~n, and reoueRte th•
Secretariat to colJ~ct and disftemlnate lnfor~ation on •Y•t~m-wide ~ctiviti~s
r~lated to th~ implementdtio~ of the Fnrward-lootinq· Strategies•
19. Take& note vlth aatiAfactlon of. the appolnt...,nt of the co-ordiMtor for
th~ Improvement of the Status of Wom~n in th~ Unit•d Nations S~cretarist in
accordance vlth G~neral A•oembly reftolutlon 39/245 and, in this context, of the
fact that the Secretary-General should continue to plan and Implement positive
act ions end proqramm~s to improv~ th~ statui of women in "the S«!eretar !At and to
monitor the pro9reea achieved)
20. Calla upon the Secretary-Gen~r•l and heads of the R~clall•ed aqencleo
and other United Natinns bOdies to eotahllsh nev five-year targ~tA at each level
for the percentage of vomen in Professional and decision-mating positions, In
accordance vlth the criteria established by the General Asaemhly, In particular
that of ~aultable geographical distribution, in order that A definite upward trend
. In the appllcatlo~. of General AReembly resolution ll/14) of 20 December 1978 he
reqlot~r~d in the number of Profesolonal and d~i~ion-maklnq position~ held h)'
vomen ~y 1990 and additional tarqets should ~ &et every fiv~ yeara1
21. Welcomes Economic and Social Council rea~lutlon 1985/46 entitled •wom•n
and de•elo~and noting the particular importance of paraqraph 4 of that
reAolution, recommends that immediat~ m~asurea ~ taken t~. ~naure that future
~•dlum-t•rm plana of the united Natlohs and th• specialized aqencleo 1hould cOfttalft
intersectoral pres~ntations of th~ various proqr•~~~• dealing with iRRue~ of
concern to wom~n and that revisions of current plans should he constdered·in the
liqht of the results of the Hairobi Conference•
I
·I
�174
A/C.l/CO/L.,7/Rev.l
£nq1loh
Paq• 6
22.
~
the
s~cr~tary-Gen&ral
to tat• into acee1"t th& r•ouir•••nto of
the Forward-look lnq Strateqles 1n preputnq tM hudq.,t &fld proqra- of ....,,. for
tn• 1988-1989 blennlua1
23. Uraeo all flnanchl lnatltutlono and all International reqlonal and
suoreqlonal orqanltattona. lnetltutiona, d~v~l~l'nt ban•a and ql'neral funding
aqencie-s to enRure that their polictea and pr(:,q:nun.t~~:toe promote th~~& tull
parttcip3tion of wom•n ~• aqenta and ~n~rtctart~e in the development proc•e•J
24.
Jnvitts thto
Seeretary-~neral
to ctrculatto the report of the Conference
amonq Hemb;;-st;tes, all organizations of the United Nation~ ayste• and spect~lisrd
aqencles 1 lnter9overn~ental and non-qovern~ental nrqantzattona in order to enSure
that the Forward-looting Strat~qiee are puhlielzed and dies~-lnat~d as widely ·as
pnssibl~,
and
encouraq~s
Governments to translate
th~ Strat~qles
into national
l6nqu~geBJ
25~
~ the S~cretarY-eeneral, th~ heads ot all orqani%atlons within the
united Nations system and th~ apeclalit~d aq~nciea to continu~ to qtve hlqh
priority in ·tht!'tr puhllc infor.-ation pro<)rammea to.disee•inatinq tnfor~natlon
concetninq women and in particular the ~orward-loo-inq Strateqi~e •nd, in the liqht
of tM~ recommendations cont41n~d ln the rorward-looklnq Strateqlea, to continue Lh~
united Nat ions vee~ly radio.· proqram.mee o": women,
26.
R~ou~sts furth.er th~ Secr~tary-General to report to the Gener.al Aaeer~~bly
&t its forty-first aessi<">n on m•tteurea talten to lmple-m~nt· the prf.l'eent reflllolutlonJ
27. Decides to con&id~r these ouest lone furth~r at ita· forty-tlrat ~esslon
the ~titled "'F'Or\#ard-looklnq •trat~qies tor: th~ advancemt:nt of women to
th11: ye"r 2ooo• ..
under
This reRolution waa adopted by consensus. However, the US called for a
vote on operative paragraph 25 which was adopted by 134-2(US, Israel)-2
(UK and FRG). The US also expressed reservations on preambular paragraphs
J and 4.
0
't
'~
•.
�
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
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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
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Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Format
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Adobe Acrobat Document
Date Created
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11/14/2014
Extent
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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 3]
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
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First Lady’s Office
Identifier
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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
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Adobe Acrobat Document
Publisher
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Clinton Presidential Library & Museum
Medium
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Reproduction-Reference
Date Created
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11/14/2014
Source
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42-t-20060198f4-014-007
1766805