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CSW 1995The Commission on the Status of Women met for its 39th Session 15 March - 7 Aprol 1995. Download the document TXT file (246 KB) ZIP file (67 KB) REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ON ITS 39TH SESSION E/1995/26 E/CN.6/1995/14
CONTENTSI. MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION A. Draft resolutions for adoption by the Council I. Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat III. Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council C. Matters brought to the attention of the Council Resolution 39/3. Integration of women in the Middle East peace process Resolution 39/4. Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia Resolution 39/5. Mainstreaming the human rights of women Resolution 39/6. Traffic in women and girls Resolution 39/7. Violence against women migrant workers Resolution 39/8. Integration of displaced rural women into development processes Resolution 39/9. Women in agriculture and rural development Decision 39/3. Establishment of an informal contact group on gender V. PRIORITY THEMES VI. PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FORTIETH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION VII. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS THIRTY-NINTH SESSION VIII. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION A. Opening and duration of the session I. Attendance
SUMMARY [ UP ]At its thirty-ninth session, the Commission on the Status of Women, acting as the preparatory body for the Fourth World Conference on Women, recommended a draft resolution on accreditation of non-governmental organizations to the Conference for adoption by the General Assembly and recommended the provisional rules of procedure of the Conference, as amended, for approval by the General Assembly (see chap. II). The Commission recommended the provisional agenda and proposed organization of work of the Conference for adoption by the Conference (resolution 39/1). The Commission also decided to grant observer status to a number of intergovernmental organizations and other entities (decision 39/1), approved the list of non-governmental organizations recommended for accreditation to the Conference (decision 39/2), decided to establish an informal contact group to seek agreement on the commonly understood meaning of the term "gender" in the context of the Platform for Action (decision 39/3), and decided to transmit to the Conference for its consideration, material on a draft declaration and the draft platform for action (decision 39/4). As part of its regular work, the Commission recommended to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of three draft resolutions and one draft decision. In addition, it adopted eight resolutions related to items on its agenda. In draft resolution I (Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat), the Council would urge the Secretary-General to implement fully the strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat, giving priority to the recruitment and promotion of women in posts subject to geographical distribution, particularly in senior policy- level and decision-making posts; to examine further existing work practices within the United Nations system to increase flexibility; to increase the number of women in the Secretariat from developing countries and from other countries that have a low representation of women. It would request the Secretary-General to ensure that equal employment opportunities exist for all staff; to enable the Focal Point on the Status of Women within the Secretariat to monitor and facilitate progress; and to further develop comprehensive policy measures aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment. It would encourage Member States to support the strategic plan and take steps to assist in its implementation. In draft resolution II (Palestinian women), the Council would demand compliance from the occupying power to various international principles and call upon it to facilitate the return of all refugee and displaced Palestinian women and children and those who are political deportees to their homes and properties in the occupied Palestinian territory; urge members of the international community to intensify efforts to provide financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women; request the Commission on the Status of Women to continue to monitor and take action on parts of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women concerning Palestinian women and children; and request the Secretary-General to continue to review the situation and to assist Palestinian women by all available means. In draft resolution III (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women), the Council would recommend that the request by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to hold two sessions in 1996, each of three weeks duration, be considered favourably, within the existing level of budgetary resources; request the Secretary-General to invite Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to submit their views on an optional protocol to the Convention and to submit a comprehensive report on the views expressed to the Commission on the Status of Women; decide that the Commission should establish an in-session open-ended working group to consider the report with a view to elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention; and encourage States to limit the extent of any reservation entered, regularly review them and encourage States who are behind schedule in submitting their periodic reports to the Committee to do so promptly. In the draft decision (Report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its thirty-ninth session and provisional agenda and documentation for the fortieth session of the Commission), the Council would approve the provisional agenda and documentation for the fortieth session of the Commission. In matters brought to the attention of the Council, the Commission adopted eight resolutions on various subjects. In resolution 39/2 (Release of women and children who have been taken hostage in armed conflicts and imprisoned, the Commission urges all parties to conflicts to release all women and children who have been taken hostage in areas of armed conflict before the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women; requests the Secretary-General and all relevant international agencies to use all their potentialities to facilitate their release; and requests the Secretary-General to report on the matter to the Commission at its fortieth session. In resolution 39/3 (Integration of women in the Middle East peace process), the Commission urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to include women in the peace process; to assist the Palestinian people to ensure Palestinian women's political development and participation; and urges Member States to expedite economic, financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women. In resolution 39/4 (Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia), the Commission strongly condemns the practice of rape and abuse of women and children; demands its immediate cessation; condemns denial of access to the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the former Yugoslavia and others by the Bosnian Serb forces; urges punishment of perpetrators; urges the Chief Prosecutor to consider the appointment to his office of experts in the prosecution of crimes of sexual violence; urges Member States to consider continuing to provide necessary medical and psychological care to victims of rape and to cooperate with the International Tribunal and the Office of the Prosecutor; and requests the Secretary-General to provide such necessary means as are available to him in the area to enable any future missions to have free and secure access to places of detention. In resolution 39/5 (Mainstreaming the human rights of women), the Commission recommends that the Division for the Advancement of Women provide input for the next meeting of the persons chairing human rights treaty bodies in order to assist treaty bodies in addressing violations of the human rights of women; encourages the Division to provide relevant material it receives or prepares through the Centre for Human Rights, for the information of the treaty bodies in their work and to provide information to the Special Rapporteur on violence against women; encourages the Division and the Centre for Human Rights to explore the possibility of organizing training in the human rights of women; encourages the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, within his mandate, to promote and protect the human rights of women; and requests the Secretary-General to see to the preparation of a joint work plan on the human rights of women for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women and to inform both the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Status of Women of these plans and to report on the implementation of the resolution to both bodies at their 1996 sessions. In resolution 39/6 (Traffic in women and girls), the Commission invites Governments to combat trafficking in women and children through nationally and internationally coordinated measures and to consider the development of standard minimum rules for the humanitarian treatment of trafficked persons; encourages the international community to gather and share information relative to all aspects of trafficking in women and girl children; calls upon all Governments to take appropriate measures to prevent the misuse and exploitation by traffickers of such economic activities as the development of tourism and the export of labour; encourages ratification or accession to the Convention for the Suppression of Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others; invites the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders to deal with the subject; requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Economic and Social Council at its 1995 session for inclusion in a report to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session; and requests the Secretary-General to focus the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery on the problem of trafficking in human persons, especially women and children, and to devote one meeting of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly to the discussion of this problem. In resolution 39/7 (Violence against women migrant workers), the Commission invites sending and receiving States to conduct regular consultations for the purpose of identifying problem areas in promoting and protecting the rights of women and addressing them; encourages Member States to ensure the protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women migrant workers and to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and the Members of their Families and to take a number of other measures; invites organizations of the United Nations system and others to monitor the situation and recommends specific action by a number of them; requests the Secretary-General to develop concrete indicators of the situation, consider establishing an expert group on the matter and submit a report on the subject to the Commission. In resolution 39/8 (Integration of displaced rural women into development processes), the Commission urges Governments to integrate women into the formulation and implementation of rural development policies, plans and processes, to apply a gender approach in rural development projects, pay special attention to the situation of rural women who have been displaced and include this in development programmes. In resolution 39/9 (Women in agriculture and rural development), the Commission urges
Governments to support rural women's full participation in the economy and in the
political system, including integrating gender issues in mainstream research and policy
initiatives using gender analysis, collecting and disseminating information on the
situation of rural women, enforcing existing legislation to ensure that women fully enjoy
their legal rights, revising legislation where necessary, formulating policies to ensure
income-earning opportunities, developing grass-roots level credit programmes, creating and
strengthening local advisory training programmes and extension services, providing
low-cost primary health care, promoting equitable distribution of income and affordable
and sustainable pension and social security schemes for rural people, empowering rural
women through their organizations, applying technological research, policy and programmes
to reduce the burden of domestic tasks and establishing social infrastructure in rural
areas; and requests the Secretary-General and Governments to ensure that the issues of
rural women and development programmes are an integral part of the International
Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade.
Chapter I [ UP ]MATTERS CALLING FOR ACTION BY THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTIONA. Draft resolutions for adoption by the Council1.The Commission on the Status of Women recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft resolutions: DRAFT RESOLUTION IImprovement of the status of women in the Secretariat*The Economic and Social Council, Recalling Articles 1 and 101 of the Charter of the United Nations, Recalling also Article 8 of the Charter, which provides that the United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs, Recalling further the relevant paragraphs of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 1/ especially paragraphs 79, 315, 356 and 358, Recalling further the relevant resolutions and decisions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and other bodies that have continued to focus on this area since the adoption of Assembly resolution 2715 (XXV) of 15 December 1970, in which the question of the employment of women in the Professional category was first addressed, Concerned at the serious and continuing underrepresentation of women in the Secretariat, particularly at the higher decision-making levels, Convinced that the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat could significantly enhance the effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations, including its leadership role in advancing the status of women world wide and in promoting the full participation of women in all aspects of decision-making, Recalling the goal, set in General Assembly resolutions 45/125 of 14 December 1990 and 45/239 C of 21 December 1990 and reaffirmed in Assembly resolutions 46/100 of 16 December 1991, 47/93 of 16 December 1992, 48/106 of 20 December 1993 and 49/167 of 23 December 1994, of a 35 per cent overall participation rate of women in posts subject to geographical distribution by 1995, Noting with concern that the current rate of increase in the appointment of women may not be sufficient to achieve the objective of a 35 per cent participation rate of women in posts subject to geographical distribution by 1995, Recalling the goal, set in General Assembly resolution 45/239 C and reaffirmed in Assembly resolutions 46/100, 47/93, 48/106 and 49/167, of a 25 per cent participation rate of women in posts at the D-1 level and above by 1995, Noting with disappointment that the participation rate of women in posts at the D-1 level and above remains unacceptably low, and well below the 25 per cent goal, Noting the efforts made in the past year by the Secretary-General and the Office of Human Resources Management of the Secretariat to integrate the objectives set by the General Assembly for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat into the overall strategy for the management of the Organization's human resources, and noting also that such a comprehensive approach will be conducive to enhancing the status of women in the Secretariat, Recognizing the importance of providing equal employment opportunities for all staff, Aware that a comprehensive policy aimed at preventing sexual harassment should be an integral part of personnel policy, Commending the Secretary-General for his administrative instruction on procedures for dealing with cases of sexual harassment, Bearing in mind that a visible commitment by the Secretary-General is essential to the achievement of the targets set by the General Assembly, 1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat 2/ while regretting the lateness in the availability of the report; 2. Also takes note of the strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (1995-2000), 3/ as contained in the above-mentioned report of the Secretary-General, and of the goals and objectives of the strategic plan as proposed by the Secretary-General; 3. Urges the Secretary-General to implement fully the strategic plan of action for the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (1995-2000), noting that his visible commitment is essential to the achievement of the targets set by the General Assembly and the goals and objectives contained in the strategic plan; 4. Welcomes the intention of the Secretary-General to ensure implementation of the strategic plan through, inter alia, the issuance of clear and specific instructions as to the authority and responsibility of all managers in implementing the plan and the criteria by which performance will be appraised; 5. Urges the Secretary-General, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and in such a way as is consistent with the strategic plan, to accord greater priority to the recruitment and promotion of women in posts subject to geographical distribution, particularly in senior policy-level and decision-making posts and within those parts of the United Nations system and the specialized agencies where representation of women is considerably below the average, in order to achieve the goals set in General Assembly resolutions 45/125 and 45/239 C of an overall participation rate of 35 per cent by 1995 and in posts at the D-1 level and above of 25 per cent by 1995; 6. Also urges the Secretary-General to examine further existing work practices within the United Nations system with a view to increasing flexibility so as to remove direct or indirect discrimination against staff members with family responsibilities, including consideration of such issues as spouse employment, job-sharing, flexible working hours, child-care arrangements, career-break schemes and access to training; 7. Further urges the Secretary-General to increase the number of women employed in the Secretariat from developing countries, particularly those that are unrepresented or underrepresented, and from other countries that have a low representation of women, including countries in transition; 8. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure that equal employment opportunities exist for all staff; 9. Also requests the Secretary-General to enable, from within existing resources, the Focal Point on the Status of Women within the Secretariat to effectively monitor and facilitate progress in the implementation of the strategic plan; 10. Strongly encourages Member States to support the strategic plan and the efforts of the United Nations and the specialized agencies to increase the percentage of women in the Professional category, especially in posts at the D-1 level and above, by identifying and sending forward more women candidates, encouraging women to apply for vacant posts and creating national rosters of women candidates to be shared with the Secretariat, the specialized agencies and the regional commissions; 11. Requests the Secretary-General to further develop comprehensive policy measures aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in the Secretariat; 12. Also requests the Secretary-General to ensure that a progress report on the status of women in the Secretariat containing, inter alia, information on activities undertaken towards the achievement of the goals and objectives contained in the strategic plan and policy measures aimed at the prevention of sexual harassment in the Secretariat is presented to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fortieth session, in accordance with the relevant rules concerning the timetable for delivery of documentation, and to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session. * For the discussion, see chap. III.
DRAFT RESOLUTION II [ UP ]Palestinian women*The Economic and Social Council, Having considered with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women, 4/ Recalling the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 1/ in particular paragraph 260 concerning Palestinian women and children, Recalling also its resolution 38/4 of 16 March 1994 and other relevant United Nations resolutions, Recalling the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women 5/ as it concerns the protection of civilian populations, Welcoming the signing by the Palestine Liberation Organization and the Government of Israel of the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, in Washington, D.C., on 13 September 1993, 6/ as well as the implementation of the agreements reached between the two sides, Deeply concerned about the continuing deterioration of all aspects of the situation of the Palestinian women in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem, Gravely concerned about the severe consequences of the continuous Israeli illegal settlements activities, as well as the measurements which isolate Jerusalem from the West Bank and Gaza Strip, on the situation of Palestinian women and their families, 1. Reaffirms that the Israeli occupation constitutes a major obstacle for Palestinian women with regard to their advancement, self-reliance and integration in the development plan of their society; 2. Demands that Israel, the occupying Power, comply fully with the provisions and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 7/ the Hague Regulation and the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War of 12 August 1949, 8/ in order to protect the rights of Palestinian women and their families; 3. Calls upon Israel to facilitate the return of all refugee and displaced Palestinian women and children and those who are political deportees to their homes and properties in the occupied Palestinian territory, in compliance with the relevant United Nations resolutions; 4. Urges Member States, international financial organizations of the United Nations system, non-governmental organizations and other relevant institutions to intensify their efforts to provide financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women for the creation of projects responding to their needs, especially during the transitional period; 5. Requests the Commission on the Status of Women to continue to monitor and take action with regard to the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, in particular paragraph 260 concerning Palestinian women and children; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to continue to review the situation and to assist Palestinian women by all available means, and to submit to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fortieth session a report on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
DRAFT RESOLUTION III [ UP ]Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women*The Economic and Social Council, Bearing in mind that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 9/ is a key international human rights instrument for the promotion of equality between women and men, Welcoming the increasing number of States parties to the Convention, which has reached one hundred and thirty-nine, Noting with deep concern that the Convention is still one of the human rights instruments with a large number of reservations, many of which run contrary to the object and purpose of the Convention, despite the fact that some States Parties have withdrawn their reservations to it, Recalling the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 10/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, held at Vienna from 14 to 25 June 1993, in which the Conference stipulated that the human rights of women and of the girl child were an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights, Recalling also that in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, the Conference recommended the adoption of new procedures to strengthen the implementation of the commitment to women's equality and human rights and called upon the Commission on the Status of Women and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to examine quickly the possibility of introducing the right of petition through the preparation of an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 11/ Noting suggestion No. 7, entitled "Elements for an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women", 12/ adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at its fourteenth session, Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/94 of 16 December 1992, relating to the scheduling of the meetings of the Committee, Recalling also Council resolution 1994/7 of 21 July 1994 and relevant resolutions adopted by the General Assembly to support the work of the Committee, Welcoming General Assembly resolution 49/164 of 23 December 1994 and its decision 49/448 of 23 December 1994, providing for a meeting of States Parties to the Convention in 1995 to consider the revision of article 20, paragraph 1 of the Convention, Aware that the workload of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has increased because of the growing number of States Parties to the Convention, and that the annual session of the Committee is still the shortest of all the annual sessions of the human rights treaty bodies, Welcoming the Committee's efforts to further improve its working methods, inter alia, by adopting concluding observations containing specific suggestions and recommendations, 1. Calls upon the States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, at their meeting in 1995, to consider the revision of article 20, paragraph 1, of the Convention to allow the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to meet annually with sufficient time for the effective performance of its functions under the Convention; 2. Supports the request made by the Committee at its twelfth session for additional meeting time, with adequate support from the Secretariat, so as to allow the Committee to meet once a year for three weeks for its fifteenth session, and recommends that the request made by the Committee at its fourteenth session to hold two sessions in 1996, each of three weeks' duration, be considered favourably, within the existing level of budgetary resources; 3. Welcomes the efforts made by the Committee to improve its procedures and working methods, and encourages it to continue such efforts, within its mandate; 4. Notes that suggestion No. 7, entitled "Elements for an optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women", adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women at its fourteenth session, was transmitted to the Commission on the Status of Women for consideration; 5. Requests the Secretary-General to invite Governments, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to submit their views on an optional protocol to the Convention, including those related to feasibility, taking into account the elements suggested by the Committee in its suggestion No. 7; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fortieth session a comprehensive report, including a synthesis, on the views expressed in accordance with paragraph 5 above, if possible six weeks prior to the commencement of the session; 7. Decides that the Commission on the Status of Women should establish an in-session open-ended working group for a two-week period at its fortieth session to consider the report requested in paragraph 6 above with a view to elaborating a draft optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; 8. Once again urges all States that have not yet done so to become parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; 9. Encourages States to consider limiting the extent of any reservation they lodge to the Convention, to formulate any reservation as precisely and as narrowly as possible, and to ensure that no reservation is incompatible with the object and purpose of the Convention or otherwise contrary to international law; 10. Requests States Parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to review their reservations regularly with a view to withdrawing them expeditiously so that the Convention may be fully implemented; 11. Encourages States Parties who are behind schedule in submitting their periodic reports to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women to do so promptly, and requests the Committee to follow up this problem; 12. Urges the Secretary-General to continue to publicize widely the decisions and recommendations of the Committee. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
B. Draft decision for adoption by the Council [ UP ]2. The Commission on the Status of Women recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft decision: The Economic and Social Council takes note of the report of the Commission on the Status of Women on its thirty-ninth session and approves the provisional agenda and documentation for the fortieth session of the Commission set out below. 1. Election of officers (Legislative authority: rule 15 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council) 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters (Legislative authority: Economic and Social Council resolution 1894 (LVII); rules 5 and 7 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council) 3. Programming and coordination matters related to the United Nations and the United Nations system (Legislative authority: Programme planning regulation 4.12; General Assembly resolutions 45/125, 45/239 C, 46/100, 47/93, 48/105, 49/161; Economic and Social Council resolutions 1988/60, 1989/30, 1989/105, 1993/9, 1993/16, 1994/6) Documentation
4. Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women Documentation
5. Monitoring the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (a) Priority themes (Legislative authority: Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/15) (i) Elimination of stereotyping in the mass media; (ii) Child and dependant care, including sharing of responsibilities between men and women; (iii) Education for peace Documentation
(b) Other issues (Legislative authority: General Assembly resolutions 34/180, 44/77, 45/124, 45/129, 46/79, 47/94, 47/95, 48/108, 49/161; Economic and Social Council resolutions 1983/27, 1990/8, 1992/15, 1992/16, 1992/17, 1993/13, 1993/14, 1993/15) Documentation
6. Provisional agenda for the forty-first session of the Commission 7. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its fortieth session C. Matters brought to the attention of the Council [ UP ]3. The attention of the Council is drawn to the following resolutions and decisions adopted by the Commission: Resolution 39/1. Provisional agenda and proposed organization of work for the Fourth World Conference on Women*The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling General Assembly resolutions 45/129 of 14 December 1990 and 46/98 of 16 December 1991, in which the General Assembly endorsed Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/12 of 24 May 1990, in which the Council recommended that a world conference on women be held in 1995 and requested that the Commission on the Status of Women act as the preparatory body for the conference, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/95 of 16 December 1992, in which the General Assembly endorsed Economic and Social Council decision 1992/272 of 30 July 1992, in which the Council expressed its appreciation to the Government of China for its offer to act as host for the Conference, to be held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995, as well as Assembly resolutions 48/108 of 20 December 1993 and 49/161 of 23 December 1994, 1. Notes that, in accordance with rule 47 of its rules of procedure, the Conference may establish one or more main committees; 2. Recommends that the oral statements made during the Conference should not exceed seven minutes, it being understood that full-length statements may be circulated in writing; 3. Recommends that the Conference adopt the provisional agenda and organization of work annexed to the present resolution. * For the discussion, see chap. II.
Annex I [ UP ]PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN1. Opening of the Conference. 2. Election of the President. 3. Adoption of the rules of procedure. 4. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 5. Election of officers other than the President. 6. Organization of work, including establishment of the Main Committees.* 7. Credentials of representatives to the Conference: (a) Appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee; (b) Report of the Credentials Committee. 8. General exchange of views on: (a) Second review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the year 2000; (b) Main conclusions and recommendations of regional preparatory conferences; (c) National priorities and commitments.** 9. Platform for Action. 10. Adoption of the Declaration and the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women. 11. Adoption of the report of the Conference. * The Chairpersons of the Main Committees will be elected in plenary meeting; officers of the Main Committees other than the Chairpersons will be elected by the Main Committee. ** Participating States are invited to make statements of national priorities
and/or commitments, including by specifying actions which they will take in their own
countries to bring about change by the year 2000, taking into account the draft platform
for action.
Annex II [ UP ]PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF WORK FOR THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMENFor purposes of the organization of work set out below, the following guidelines will apply: (a) During the period 4-13 September, a general exchange of views will be held, at which delegations and executive heads of organizations of the United Nations system, as well as representatives of accredited non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations, may present statements in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Conference; (b) Statements to be presented through 4-13 September will be limited to seven minutes. Longer statements may be circulated in writing. Each Government may present one statement during the Conference; (c) On 15 July 1995, the Secretariat will open a list of speakers for the general exchange of views (4-13 September); (d) Normal meeting hours for the Conference will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Proposed organization of work The following programme of work is proposed for the Fourth World Conference on Women: (a) On Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 September, informal pre-Conference consultations will be held to consider a number of procedural and organizational matters; (b) The general debate will take place in plenary meeting from 4 to 13 September; (c) In accordance with rule 47 of its rules of procedure, the Conference will establish two Main Committees to consider the draft platform for action, also from 4 to 13 September, as follows: Committee I (chapters III and IV); Committee II (chapters I, II, V and VI); (d) Consideration of the reports of the Main Committees and the adoption of the
Declaration and the Platform for Action will take place on Thursday and Friday, 14 and 15
September.
Resolution 39/2. Release of women and children who have been taken hostage in armed conflicts and imprisoned* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Recognizing the fact that the main objective of the Nairobi Forward- looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, adopted by the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women, 1/ was to promote the achievement of equality, development and peace, Expressing grave concern at the continuation of armed conflicts in many regions throughout the world and at the human suffering and humanitarian emergencies they have caused, Emphasizing that all forms of violence against women and children in the areas of armed conflict, including capturing them as hostages, seriously contravene international humanitarian law, Expressing its strong belief that the rapid and unconditional release of women and children who have been taken hostage in areas of armed conflict will promote the implementation of the noble goals of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women before the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to be held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995; 1. Urges all parties to conflicts to release all women and children who have been taken hostage in areas of armed conflict, before the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women; 2. Requests the Secretary-General and all relevant international agencies to use all their potentialities to facilitate the release of all women and children taken hostage in the areas of armed conflict; 3. Also requests the Secretary-General to inform the Fourth World Conference on Women on the situation concerning the release of women and children who have been taken hostage in areas of armed conflict and to submit a report to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fortieth session, on the implementation of the present resolution. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/3. Integration of women in the Middle East peace process*The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling its resolution 38/1 of 18 March 1994, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 49/88 of 16 December 1994 on the Middle East peace process, Recalling further the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 10/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights in June 1993, Stressing that the achievement of a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the Middle East conflict will constitute a significant contribution to the strengthening of international peace and security and is an indispensable condition for the furthering of women's rights in the region, Recalling the convening of the Peace Conference on the Middle East at Madrid on 30 October 1991, on the basis of Security Council resolutions 242 (1967) of 22 November 1967 and 338 (1973) of 22 October 1973, and the subsequent bilateral negotiations, as well as the meetings of the multilateral working groups, and noting with satisfaction the broad international support for the peace process, Noting the continuing positive participation of the United Nations as a full extraregional participant in the work of the multilateral working groups, Bearing in mind the Declaration of Principles on Interim Self-Government Arrangements, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization in Washington, D.C. on 13 September 1993 13/ and the subsequent Agreement on the Gaza Strip and the Jericho Area, signed by the Government of the State of Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people, at Cairo on 4 May 1994, 14/ and their agreement of 29 August 1994 on the preparatory transfer of powers and responsibilities, Also bearing in mind the Jordan-Israel Treaty of Peace of 26 October 1994, Welcoming the Declaration of Casablanca, adopted at the Middle East/North Africa Economic Summit, held at Casablanca from 30 October to 1 November 1994, Welcoming also the progress made in the multilateral track of the peace process, 1. Stresses the importance of, and need for, achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East; 2. Emphasizes that the achievement of such a peace is vital for the implementation of the human rights of women in the area; 3. Welcomes the peace process started at Madrid and supports the subsequent bilateral negotiations; 4. Considers that an active United Nations role in the Middle East peace process and in assisting in the implementation of the Declaration of Principles can make a positive contribution; 5. Urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to include women in the peace process; 6. Also urges Governments, intergovernmental bodies and non-governmental organizations to support the implementation of the Declaration of Principles and to assist the Palestinian people to ensure Palestinian women's political development and participation; 7. Urges Member States to expedite economic, financial and technical assistance to Palestinian women. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/4. Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 7/ the International Covenants on Human Rights, 15/ the International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, 16/ the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 17/ the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 9/ the Convention on the Rights of the Child 18/ and other instruments of human rights and international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 19/ and the Additional Protocols thereto, of 1977, 20/ Recalling General Assembly resolution 3074 (XXVIII) of 3 December 1973, entitled "Principles of international cooperation in the detection, arrest, extradition and punishment of persons guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity", Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/77 of 9 March 1993, 21/ entitled "Rape and abuse of women and children in the territory of the former Yugoslavia", and General Assembly resolution 48/143 of 20 December 1993, entitled "Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia", Appalled at the continuing and substantiated reports of widespread rape and abuse of women and children in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, in particular its use against the Muslim women and children in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other non-Serbs by Serbian forces, Reaffirming the relevant Security Council resolutions, in particular resolution 798 (1992) of 18 December 1992, in which, inter alia, the Council strongly condemned those acts of unspeakable brutality, Welcoming the reports and recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the former Yugoslavia, Noting with deep concern the reports on the findings of the Special Rapporteur regarding rape and abuse of women in the territory of the former Yugoslavia, particularly in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Convinced that this heinous practice constitutes a deliberate weapon of war in fulfilling the policy of ethnic cleansing carried out by Serbian forces in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and noting General Assembly resolution 47/121 of 18 December 1992, in which the Assembly stated, inter alia, that the abhorrent policy of ethnic cleansing was a form of genocide, Stressing the importance of the work of the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 and the need for appropriate funding, and in this context, encouraging the provision of all resources necessary, including full funding as well as voluntary contributions from States and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, so that the Tribunal can continue its stipulated functions of trying those accused of and punishing those responsible for the perpetration of violations of international law, Desirous of ensuring that persons accused of upholding and perpetrating rape and sexual violence as a weapon of war in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia will be brought to justice by the International Tribunal, where appropriate and without further delay, Underlining, in this context, the need for the protection of the rape victims, and provision of effective guarantees of privacy and confidentiality of the rape victims, desirous of facilitating their participation in the proceedings of the Tribunal and ensuring that further traumatization will be prevented, Stressing the need for further development and strengthening of a programme for protection of witnesses and survivors of sexual abuse and rape as a war crime who provide testimonies, in order to provide effective protection against retribution, and in this context expressing its support for the Victims and Witnesses Unit of the Tribunal, Deeply alarmed at the situation facing victims of rape in the conflicts in different parts of the world, in particular in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the continuing use of rape as a weapon of war, Noting with appreciation the work of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, humanitarian organizations, and non-governmental organizations aimed at supporting the victims of rape and abuse and alleviating their suffering, Taking into account its resolution 38/9 of 18 March 1994, 22/ 1. Strongly condemns the continuing abhorrent practice of rape and abuse of women and children in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, which constitutes a war crime; 2. Expresses its outrage that the continuing and systematic practice of rape is being used as a weapon of war and an instrument of ethnic cleansing against the women and children in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 3. Demands that those involved immediately cease those outrageous acts, which are in gross violation of international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 19/ and the Additional Protocols thereto of 1977, 20/ and take immediate action to ensure the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with their obligations under those instruments and other applicable international human rights instruments; 4. Urges all States Members of the United Nations to take joint and separate action, in cooperation with the United Nations, to bring about an end to this despicable practice; 5. Condemns the continuous and persistent denial of access by the Bosnian Serb forces to the Special Rapporteur, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the United Nations Protection Force, as well as other relevant humanitarian and human rights organizations, in the Serb-held areas, in particular Banja Luka, Bijeljina and other areas of concern, and demands that immediate and unimpeded access be granted, and in this context welcomes Security Council resolution 941 (1994) of 23 September 1994; 6. Reaffirms that all persons who perpetrate or authorize crimes against humanity or other violations of international humanitarian law are individually responsible for those violations and that those in positions of authority who have failed to ensure that persons under their control comply with the relevant international instruments are accountable, together with the perpetrators; 7. Declares that rape is a heinous crime and encourages the International Tribunal for the Prosecution of Persons Responsible for Serious Violations of International Humanitarian Law Committed in the Territory of the Former Yugoslavia since 1991 to give due priority to the cases of the victims of rape in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia, in particular in the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina; 8. Urges Member States to exert every effort to bring to justice, in accordance with internationally recognized principles of due process, all those individuals directly or indirectly involved in these outrageous international crimes; 9. Urges the Chief Prosecutor to consider the appointment to his office of experts in the prosecution of crimes of sexual violence, as recommended in General Assembly resolution 48/153 of 20 December 1993; 10. Calls upon States to put experts, including experts in the prosecution of crimes of sexual violence, at the disposal of the Chief Prosecutor and Tribunal; 11. Encourages the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the territory of the former Yugoslavia to continue to pay particular attention to the widespread occurrence of rape, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and acknowledges the work done by his team of female experts; 12. Urges all States and relevant organizations to give immediate and serious consideration to the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur in his reports, in particular the recommendation for the provision for the continuation of necessary medical and psychological care to victims of rape within the framework of programmes to rehabilitate women and children traumatized by war; 13. Calls upon all States to cooperate with the International Tribunal and the Office of the Prosecutor in the investigation and prosecution of persons accused of using rape as a weapon of war and in the provision of protection, counselling and support to victims and witnesses; 14. Recognizes the extraordinary suffering of the victims of rape and sexual violence and the need for an appropriate response to provide assistance to those victims, and expresses its concern in particular for the welfare of those victims who are at present among the internally displaced or otherwise affected by the war, and who have experienced severe trauma and require psychosocial and other assistance; 15. Urges all States and all relevant intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, including the United Nations Children's Fund, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the World Health Organization, to continue to provide to the victims of such rape and abuse appropriate assistance for their physical and mental rehabilitation and to extend their support to the community-based assistance programmes; 16. Requests the Secretary-General to provide such necessary means as are available to him in the area to enable any future missions to have free and secure access to places of detention; 17. Decides to continue the consideration of this question at its fortieth session. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/5. Mainstreaming the human rights of women* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling all relevant resolutions, in particular General Assembly resolution 44/77 of 8 December 1989, in which, inter alia, the Assembly endorsed and reaffirmed the importance of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women 23/ for the period up to the year 2000 and set out measures for their immediate implementation and for the overall achievement of the interrelated guidelines and objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Welcoming the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 24/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, which emphasized that the human rights of women and the girl child are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights and stressed that these rights should be integrated into the mainstream of United Nations system-wide activities, and noting that, according to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, steps should be taken to increase cooperation and promote further integration of objectives and goals between the Commission on the Status of Women, the Commission on Human Rights, the Committee for the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, the United Nations Development Programme and other United Nations bodies, Recalling that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 25/ is a key international human rights instrument for the promotion and protection of women's human rights, and acknowledging both its codifying and innovating functions, Noting the important roles that the Commission on the Status of Women and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women have to play in making the general human rights work of the United Nations more gender conscious and in promoting the universal and indivisible human rights of women, Recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/86 of 8 March 1995 on integrating the rights of women into the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, 26/ Welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 27/ and recalling Commission on Human Rights resolution 1994/45 of 6 March 1994, 21/ in which the Commission decided to appoint, for a three-year period, a Special Rapporteur on violence against women, including its causes and its consequences, as well as Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/85 of 8 March 1995 on the elimination of violence against women, 26/ Recalling General Assembly resolution 49/161 of 23 December 1994, in which the Assembly requested the Secretary-General, inter alia, to prepare a report for the Commission, for consideration at its thirty-ninth session, on steps to be taken by the Division for the Advancement of Women, in cooperation with other United Nations bodies, specifically the Centre for Human Rights of the Secretariat, to ensure that relevant human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, such as treaty-monitoring bodies, rapporteurs and working groups, regularly address violations of the rights of women, including gender-specific abuses, 1. Stresses the importance of cooperation and coordination between the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Human Rights to ensure that the United Nations human rights mechanisms address on a regular basis violations of the human rights of women and that the Commission on the Status of Women regularly takes stock of that integration process while carrying out its central role of monitoring activities relating to the status of women; 2. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on steps to be taken by the Division for the Advancement of Women to ensure that the relevant mechanisms of the United Nations human rights system regularly address violations of the human rights of women, including through progress in preparing a joint work plan on the human rights of women for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women; 28/ 3. Takes note of the request of the Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 1995/85, that the special rapporteurs, representatives, experts and chairpersons of the working groups of the Commission on Human Rights, in future meetings on enhancing cooperation and exchange of information, address violations of the human rights of women; 4. Recalls General Assembly resolution 49/178 of 23 December 1994, in which the Assembly endorsed the recommendation of the persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies that each treaty body consider amending its reporting guidelines to request gender-specific information from States parties to allow qualitative analysis and review of the human rights of women in periodic reports; 5. Recommends that the Division for the Advancement of Women provide input for the next meeting of the persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies, providing background analyses of relevant articles of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in order to assist the treaty bodies in addressing violations of the human rights of women by, inter alia, amending their reporting guidelines, in the consideration of State reports and in the preparation of general comments; 6. Encourages the Division for the Advancement of Women to provide relevant material it receives or prepares through the Centre for Human Rights, for the information of the treaty bodies in their work; 7. Encourages the Division for the Advancement of Women to cooperate with and assist the Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women, its Causes and Consequences, through the automatic and regular exchange of information and by forwarding expeditiously relevant material it receives or prepares on violence against women; 8. Emphasizes the need to develop and enhance the role of focal points on the human rights of women, both in the Centre for Human Rights and in the Division for the Advancement of Women, and to ensure cooperation and coordination between the two bodies on an ongoing basis; 9. Encourages the Division for the Advancement of Women and the Centre for Human Rights to explore the possibility of organizing training in the human rights of women, inter alia, by exchange of personnel, so that human rights officers can be trained in the human rights of women, particularly those involved in technical assistance and advisory services, and the personnel in the Division for the Advancement of Women can be trained in general human rights matters; 10. Takes note of the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights, in resolution 1995/86, that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in convening a meeting of persons chairing the human rights treaty bodies and working groups, as well as special rapporteurs, representatives and experts, consider, in coordination with the Commission on the Status of Women and the Division for the Advancement of Women, ways in which the human rights of women can be integrated into the reports and work of the organs, bodies and mechanisms across the United Nations system, and report on progress made on this issue at the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in Beijing in 1995; 11. Takes note of the recommendation of the Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 1995/85, that the Secretary-General, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women, the Preparatory Committee for the Conference and the Commission on the Status of Women, within the framework of their respective spheres of responsibility, take the necessary steps to ensure an appropriate role at the Conference for relevant special rapporteurs and working groups of the Commission on Human Rights, as well as the relevant treaty bodies, in promoting the integration of the human rights of women into the mainstream activities of all United Nations human rights mechanisms and system-wide United Nations activities, thus contributing to the successful achievement of the goals of the Conference; 12. Encourages the efforts made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, within his mandate as established by General Assembly resolution 48/141 of 20 December 1993, to promote and protect the human rights of women, including his efforts to coordinate the activities of relevant United Nations organs, bodies and mechanisms dealing with human rights in considering violations of the human rights of women; 13. Urges States to consider the gender composition of the treaty bodies when nominating and electing candidates to such bodies; 14. Requests the Secretary-General, taking into account the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to see to the preparation of a joint work plan on the human rights of women for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women on an annual basis and to inform both the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Status of Women at their annual sessions, beginning in 1995, of these plans to facilitate the mainstreaming of the human rights of women, in the context of the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action; 15. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on the Status of Women, at its annual session in 1996, on the implementation of the present resolution; 16. Decides to remain seized of this matter and, in particular, to examine at its fortieth session the progress made and the plans developed. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/6. Traffic in women and girls* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Reaffirming its faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, Reaffirming the principles set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 29/ the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 30/ the International Covenants on Human Rights, 31/ the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, 32/ the Convention on the Rights of the Child, 33/ and the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 34/ Recalling that the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 24/ affirmed the human rights of women and girl children as an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights, Welcoming the recognition by the World Summit for Social Development of the danger to society of the trafficking in women and children, Convinced of the need to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and trafficking in women and girls which are violations of the human rights of women and girl children, Condemning the illicit and clandestine movement of persons across national and international borders, largely from developing countries and some countries with economies in transition, with the end goal of forcing women and girl children into sexually or economically oppressive and exploitative situations, for the profit of recruiters, traffickers and crime syndicates, as well as other illegal activities related to trafficking, such as forced domestic labour, false marriages, child marriages, clandestine employment and false adoption, Noting the increasing number of women and girl children from developing countries and from some countries with economies in transition who are being victimized by traffickers, and acknowledging that the problem of trafficking also victimizes young boys, Recalling that the Commission on Human Rights, in its resolution 1994/45 of 4 March 1994, called for the elimination of trafficking in women, Aware of the decision of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in its resolution 3/2 of 6 May 1994 to consider the international traffic in minors at its fourth session in the context of its discussions on the question of organized transnational crime, Realizing the urgent need for the adoption of effective measures at the national, regional, and international levels to protect women and girl children from this nefarious traffic, 1. Expresses its grave concern over the worsening problems of trafficking, particularly the increasing syndication of the sex trade and the internationalization of the traffic in women and girl children; 2. Welcomes the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development 35/ held at Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994, which, inter alia, called upon all Governments to prevent all international trafficking in migrants, especially for the purpose of prostitution, and for the adoption by Governments of both receiving countries and countries of origin of effective sanctions against those who organize undocumented migration, exploit undocumented migrants or engage in trafficking in undocumented migrants, especially those who engage in any form of international traffic of women and girl children; 3. Invites Governments to combat trafficking in women and children through nationally and internationally coordinated measures, at the same time establishing or strengthening institutions for the protection of the victims of trafficking of women and children, and to ensure for victims the necessary assistance, including legal support services that are linguistically and culturally accessible, towards their full protection, treatment and rehabilitation; 4. Invites Governments to consider the development of standard minimum rules for the humanitarian treatment of trafficked persons, consistent with internationally recognized human rights standards; 5. Encourages Governments, relevant organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations to gather and share information relative to all aspects of trafficking in women and girl children in order to facilitate the development of anti-trafficking measures, and to adopt appropriate measures to create wider public awareness of the problem; 6. Calls upon all Governments to take appropriate measures to prevent the misuse and exploitation by traffickers of such economic activities as the development of tourism and the export of labour; 7. Encourages Member States to sign, ratify and accede to the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others, 36/ international agreements on the suppression of slavery and all other relevant international instruments; 8. Draws the attention of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and the Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery of the Subcommission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to the problem of trafficking in women and girl children; 9. Welcomes the adoption by the Subcommission of its resolution 1994/5 recommending that Governments adopt legislation to prevent child prostitution and child pornography; 10. Also draws attention to the report of the Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; 11. Invites the Fourth World Conference on Women and the Ninth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders to consider including in their respective programmes of action the subject of the traffic in women and girl children; 12. Recommends that the problem of trafficking in women and girl children be given consideration within the implementation of all relevant international legal instruments and, if need be, that consideration be given to measures to strengthen them, without undermining their legal authority and integrity; 13. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Economic and Social Council at its substantive session of 1995 for inclusion in a preliminary report to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session on the implementation of the present resolution under the item entitled "Advancement of women"; 14. Requests the Secretary-General to focus the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December 1996, on the problem of trafficking in human persons, especially women and children, and to devote one meeting of the fifty-first session of the General Assembly to the discussion of this problem. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/7. Violence against women migrant workers* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Bearing in mind the Charter of the United Nations, which reaffirms faiths in human rights and fundamental freedoms, in the dignity and worth of the human person, and in the equal rights of women and men, Reaffirming the principles set forth in the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 37/ adopted by the General Assembly on 18 December 1979, Stressing that the promotion of the human rights of women constitutes an integral part of the human rights activities of the United Nations, as reaffirmed in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 24/ adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, Welcoming the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development 35/ held at Cairo from 5 to 13 September 1994, which called upon all countries to take full measures to eliminate all forms of exploitation, abuse and harassment, and all violence against women, Welcoming also the Copenhagen Declaration 38/ and the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, 39/ which declared that countries should take concrete and effective measures against the exploitation of migrant workers, Welcoming further the adoption by the General Assembly at its forty-eighth session of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, 40/ Recalling General Assembly resolutions 47/96 of 16 December 1992, 48/110 of 20 December 1993 and 49/165 of 23 December 1994, as well as Commission on the Status of Women resolution 38/7 of 18 March 1994, on violence against women migrant workers, Noting the large numbers of women from developing countries and from some countries with economies in transition who continue to venture forth to more affluent countries in search of a living for themselves and their families, as a consequence of poverty, unemployment and other socio-economic conditions, Recognizing that it is the duty of sending countries to protect and promote the interests of their citizens who seek or receive employment in other countries, to provide them with appropriate training/education and to apprise them of their rights and obligations in the countries of employment, Aware of the moral obligation of receiving or host countries to ensure the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all persons within their boundaries, including migrant workers, in particular women migrant workers, who are doubly vulnerable because of their gender and their being foreigners, Aware that documented and undocumented migrant women whose residence status is dependent on their spouses or employers are at increased risk for gender-based violence, Noting the measures adopted by some receiving States to alleviate the plight of women migrant workers residing within their areas of jurisdiction, Noting with concern, however, the continuing reports of grave abuses and acts of violence committed against women migrant workers by some of their employers in some host countries, Stressing that acts of violence directed against women impair or nullify women's enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, Convinced of the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women and the need to protect them from gender-based violence, 1. Calls upon States Members of the United Nations to adopt measures for the effective implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, including applying them to migrant women workers; 2. Invites States concerned, specifically the sending and receiving States of women migrant workers, to conduct regular consultations for the purpose of identifying problem areas in promoting and protecting the rights of migrant women workers and ensuring health, legal and social services for them, adopting specific measures to address these problems, setting up, as appropriate, linguistically and culturally accessible services and mechanisms to implement those measures, and, in general, creating conditions that foster greater harmony and tolerance between women migrant workers and the rest of the society in which they reside; 3. Encourages States Members of the United Nations, particularly those from which women migrant workers originate and those that play host to them, to ensure the protection of the rights and fundamental freedoms of women migrant workers as defined by international conventions and agreements; 4. Encourages Member States to consider signing and ratifying or acceding to the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and the Members of Their Families; 41/ 5. Urges Member States to adopt and implement measures to eradicate all forms of racism and xenophobia, and promote education on human rights understanding and acceptance of cultural diversity; 6. Calls upon States to explore the possibility of adopting measures to prevent the victimization of women migrant workers by sexual traffickers and to penalize those traffickers, including ratifying the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others; 36/ 7. Invites relevant United Nations functional bodies and specialized agencies, in particular the International Labour Organization, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations, to monitor the situation of women migrant workers and to submit reports thereon through normal channels; 8. Recommends that the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, in its consideration of States Parties' reports, inquire into the status of migrant women workers and propose measures for their protection; 9. Recommends to the Centre for Human Rights that it include the promotion and protection of the human rights of women migrant workers in its programme of work relative to its advisory training and information services, and submit to the General Assembly, through the Commission on Human Rights and the Economic and Social Council, its reports thereon; 10. Recommends to the Commission on Human Rights that it make the rights of women migrant workers one of its priority concerns; 11. Invites the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women to continue to include among the urgent issues pertaining to her mandate the violence perpetrated against women migrant workers; 12. Reiterates the recommendation of the General Assembly, contained in its resolution 48/110 of 20 December 1993, that the Fourth World Conference on Women, which is to be held at Beijing in September 1995, address the issue of violence against women migrant workers; 13. Notes the decision of the General Assembly, in its resolution 49/127 of 19 December 1994, to consider the need for a United Nations conference on international migration and development; 14. Requests the Secretary-General to ensure the development of concrete indicators as a basis for future action to determine the situation of women migrant workers in sending and receiving countries; 15. Requests the Secretary-General to consider establishing an expert group to submit recommendations for improving coordination of the various efforts of the United Nations on behalf of migrant workers, for submission to the General Assembly at its fiftieth session; 16. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the Commission at its fortieth session a copy of his report to the General Assembly on violence against women migrant workers, which should include the reports to be submitted by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights on violence against women, the Centre for Human Rights, relevant United Nations functional bodies and organizations, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations. * For the discussion, see chap. IV.
Resolution 39/8. Integration of displaced rural women into development processes* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, 37/ in particular its article 14, in which the States Parties to the Convention agreed that they should take into account the significant roles that rural women played in the economic survival of their families, and ensure to such women the right to participate in the elaboration and implementation of development planning at all levels, Recalling also the Declaration of Principles and the Programme of Action of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, 42/ in which it was recommended that women should, on an equal footing with men, participate in and contribute to social, economic and political rural development processes and fully share in the benefits of improving living standards in rural areas, Emphasizing the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 43/ which stress the design of development strategies and programmes, as well as incentive programmes and projects in the field of food and agriculture, in a manner that fully integrates women at all levels of planning, implementation, monitoring evaluation in all stages of the development process of a project cycle, so as to facilitate and enhance the key role that they play, Bearing in mind the conclusions of the Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women, held at Geneva in 1992, Noting that peace is a sine qua non for achieving economic and social development, Noting with concern situations of extreme violence, such as those caused by terrorist groups and by the commission of crimes directly related to terrorism, among them drug trafficking, which have brought about major changes in the survival strategies of poor rural families, prompting their forced displacement from their places of origin and rendering even more critical the situation of the women who then become the core of the nuclear family, Taking into account the analytical report of 14 February 1992 of the representative of the Secretary-General concerning internal displacements, which stressed that in many cases displaced populations were composed of women and children and were predominantly of rural origin, as well as other reports of the representative of the Secretary-General concerning internal displacements due to violence, in which it was pointed out that women of rural origin had, as heads of families, been especially affected by such violence and the adverse socio-economic situation in the receiving areas, Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/57, in which the Commission urged the representative of the Secretary-General, in considering internal displacements, to continue paying special attention to the need of women and children for protection and assistance, Welcoming with satisfaction the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, 39/ which in chapter I provides that, to ensure that the political framework supports the objectives of social development, it is essential, inter alia, to take measures at the national level, with international cooperation, as appropriate, to create conditions for internally displaced persons to return voluntarily to their places of origin, 1. Calls upon Governments to integrate women into the formulation and implementation of public policies, plans and projects for rural development starting from the inception of the process, considering their contribution to the goals of improving standards of living in response to the overall needs of rural families; 2. Urges Governments to promote, as a matter of priority, rural development projects with a gender perspective; 3. Invites international agencies and donor Governments to give priority consideration to international cooperation in projects and programmes that benefit rural women; 4. Appeals to Governments to pay special attention to the situation of rural women, with emphasis on those who are displaced from their place of origin owing to terrorist violence, drug trafficking or other causes related to situations of violence; 5. Urges Governments, in their development programmes, to consider projects that have positive effects upon displaced rural women, and are geared primarily to productive employment, in order to facilitate the integration of those women into their new social setting or their return to their place of origin or another place of their preference; 6. Decides to consider the question of the integration of displaced rural women into development processes at its fortieth session. * For the discussion, see chap. V.
Resolution 39/9. Women in agriculture and rural development* [ UP ]The Commission on the Status of Women, Recalling General Assembly resolution 47/174, Economic and Social Council resolutions 1990/15 and 1992/53, and Commission on the Status of Women resolutions 34/3, 35/7, 36/5 and 37/6, Recalling also the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 43/ which highlighted the key role of women in the development and production of food and agriculture and in food security and which recommended the establishment of multisectoral programmes to promote the productive capacity of poor rural women in food and animal production so as to create off-farm employment opportunities and to reduce their workload, Referring to paragraphs 224-227 of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies, as well as to chapter 24 of Agenda 21, 44/ adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, underlining the importance of women's role in the management and protection of the environment and in achieving a sustainable and equitable development, Welcoming the adoption by the World Conference on Human Rights of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action 45/ which stressed the importance of the integration and full participation of women as both agents and beneficiaries in the development process, Recalling the recommendations of the Abuja Declaration on Participatory Development: The Role of Women in Africa in the 1990s on the need to design specific training programmes for women in rural areas aimed at developing their technical skills in agriculture and other fields, including environment, water and energy, within the global framework of the improvement of women's access to higher education in the field of science and technology, Welcoming the adoption of the Geneva Declaration for Rural Women, 46/ by the Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women, held at Geneva in 1992, Recalling the Lagos Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Monrovia Strategy for the Economic Development of Africa 47/ on food self- sufficiency and food security for Africa in 1984 and the United Nations Programme of Action for African Economic Recovery and Development, 1986- 1990, 48/ Bearing in mind that rural areas still represent an important part of the African region, where rural populations may account for up to 85 per cent of the total population, that the agricultural sector can contribute up to 50 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) and that the proportion of active rural women varies from 45 to 80 per cent of the agricultural labour force, producing up to 80 per cent of food crops, Expressing deep concern that despite the fact that rural women significantly contribute to the well-being of rural families, to the livelihood of communities and to the national economy, their important role is not sufficiently recognized, and their participation in the decision-making process at all levels is low, Aware of the need to recognize the importance of an understanding of gender issues within all areas of agricultural, social, economic, environmental and political life in order to achieve a balanced division of roles and responsibilities, Deeply concerned about the lack of economic independence of rural women owing to their lack of access to land ownership, productive resources, and employment and entrepreneurial opportunities and owing as well to inadequate professional and technical skills as a result of the restricted access of women to education, training and literacy programmes, Noting that rural areas lack favourable social support services and resources, information on opportunities, and enabling conditions that would allow rural women to fully participate in development, Aware of the low self-esteem of rural women and their limited self- awareness concerning their possibilities and potentials and of the fact that there is poor communication on opportunities, Expressing deep concern about the marginalization of rural women, especially young women with small children, women living in extreme poverty in rural areas and the sexual harassment experienced by, and the violence perpetrated against, them, including those in war-affected areas, as well as about the effect of male migrant workers, Aware of the need for rural women to become empowered to take an active part in development, as well as of their need to have access to education, health and various social and economic support organizations and institutions, Concerned about the worsening of the socio-economic status of rural women and of their life and working conditions, thereby hindering their full integration in development, 1. Urges Governments to take action in support of rural women's full participation in the economy and in the political system by developing specific plans to meet the above-mentioned needs; 2. Recommends that Governments set up monitoring and evaluation measures to appraise progress made; 3. Urges Governments to integrate gender issues in mainstream research and policy initiatives, follow-up and evaluation in the field of agriculture and rural development and to support, as appropriate, women's participation in policy-making and relevant institutions; 4. Calls upon Governments and international organizations, in particular United Nations organizations, to collect and disseminate information on the situation of rural women, their concerns and the strategies required for their advancement through the development of appropriate information channels; 5. Urges Governments on the one hand, to enforce existing legislation in order to allow women to enjoy their legal rights fully and, on the other, to promote legislative initiatives that guarantee equity in the wage system and increase the status of women in agriculture, family enterprises, the professions and the informal sector; 6. Also urges Governments to consider the need to revise national legislation so as to give rural women rights regarding access to land ownership and technology as well as natural and productive resources; 7. Further urges Governments to formulate policies and provide effective support to rural women and seek the assistance of international and non-governmental organizations with respect to their gaining access to income- generating activities, and to ensure the development of economic structures that create new job opportunities, the development of entrepreneurship, the promotion of credit programmes that provide equity financing so as to facilitate the establishment of small businesses by rural women, and the introduction of more efficient information systems to facilitate economic activities; 8. Calls upon Governments to encourage relevant development and financial institutions to provide support for the promotion of grass-roots credit programmes adapted to the needs and activities of rural women so as to encourage and facilitate the establishment of small enterprises; 9. Recommends that Governments create and strengthen local advisory training programmes and extension services, as well as basic and higher education for rural women, so as to increase their awareness about non-traditional careers and business opportunities and to improve their access to them; 10. Calls upon Governments to promote the provision of low-cost primary health care in rural areas and to develop and promote sensitization campaigns to encourage low-income rural women to utilize primary health-care facilities; 11. Urges Governments to promote an equitable distribution of income and resources for both economically productive and reproductive tasks and activities and to promote affordable and sustainable pension and social security schemes for rural people; 12. Recommends that Governments take into account the concepts of gender, socio-economic gender analysis, population, environment, sustainable development and poverty eradication in all policies and programmes and provide rural women with the necessary incentives, capacities and skills to effectively carry out the management of the natural resources that they depend on and to secure a healthy environment and shelter; 13. Appeals to Governments to empower rural women, to be aware of and develop their potential and to actively engage, individually or in groups, in the fight for the enforcement of their rights, the improvement of their civil, personal and professional status, and the increasing of their representation in sufficient number in all policy-making, decision-making and consultative bodies and functions; 14. Strongly recommends that Governments promote applied technological research, policy and programmes in the fields of time- and energy-consuming domestic tasks, food production, and processing and storage of food, in order to ensure the saving of time for more remunerative and cultural activities and increase the efficiency and income of rural women; 15. Recommends that Governments promote the establishment of a social infrastructure in rural areas that encourages women, including poor women, to develop capacities and skills such as leadership in administrative and financial management for collective and community life, and that supports rural women's organizations and their participation in representative and economic bodies (for example, farmers' organizations, workers' unions, cooperatives and associations); 16. Requests the Secretary-General and Governments to ensure that the issues of rural women and development programmes are an integral part of the International Development Strategy for the Fourth United Nations Development Decade 49/ and of the national strategies for the Decade. * For the discussion, see chap. V.
Decision 39/1. Participation of intergovernmental organizations and other entities in the work of the Commission and in the Fourth World Conference on Women* [ UP ]At its 1st meeting, on 15 March 1995, the Commission on the Status of Women, after reviewing the credentials of intergovernmental organizations seeking to participate in the work of the Conference and its preparatory body, decided to grant observer status to (a) the following intergovernmental organizations: African Training and Research Centre in Administration for Development (CAFRAD); Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development; Inter-American Development Bank; Nordic Council; South Pacific Commission; and (b) the following entities: Global Commission on Women's Health; International Steering Committee on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women. * For the discussion, see chap. VIII, sect. F. Decision 39/2. Accreditation of non-governmental organizations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/108** [ UP ]At its 6th meeting, on 20 March 1995, the Commission on the Status of Women decided to accredit those non-governmental organizations listed in documents E/CN.6/1995/L.4 and Add.1, Add.1/Corr.1, Add.2, Add.3 and Add.3/Corr.1, to participate in the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace and its preparatory body. ** For the discussion, see chap. VIII, sect. G. Decision 39/3. Establishment of an informal contact group on gender*At its 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, the Commission decided to establish an informal contact group to seek agreement on the commonly understood meaning of the term "gender" in the context of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women. * For the discussion, see chap. VIII, sect. J. Decision 39/4. Draft declaration and draft platform for action of the Fourth World Conference on Women**At its 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, the Commission on the Status of Women decided to transmit to the Fourth World Conference on Women for its consideration the material for a draft declaration contained in an informal paper and the draft platform for action contained in documents E/CN.6/1995/L.17 and the relevant addenda, and the informal papers containing amendments thereto, as orally amended. ** For the discussion, see chap. II.
Chapter II [ UP ]PREPARATIONS FOR THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN: ACTION FOR EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE1. The Commission considered item 3 of its agenda from 15 to 20 March 1995. It had before it the following documents: (a) Report of the Secretary-General containing the revised draft of the Platform for Action (E/CN.6/1995/2); (b) Report of the Secretary-General on the second review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (E/CN.6/1995/3 and Add.1-10); (c) Report of the Secretary-General on preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women (E/CN.6/1995/4); (d) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the results of the regional conferences and other international conferences (E/CN.6/1995/5 and Add.1-7); (e) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting a study on technical and financial cooperation programmes targeting women (E/CN.6/1995/6); (f) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting the draft rules of procedure of the Conference (E/CN.6/1994/L.3); (g) Report of the Secretary-General on the 1994 World Survey on the Role of Women in Development (A/49/378). The report of the Secretary-General on the proposed merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Development Fund for Women (A/49/217-E/1994/103) was made available to the Commission. 2. In introducing the item, the Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women said that the success of the Conference would completely depend on the work done during the thirty-ninth session. The preparatory process at the international, regional and national levels was proceeding well and involved a large number of different activities that examined the key issues of the advancement of women, including significant mobilization of research and policy analysis. The 1994 World Survey on the Role of Women in Development and the second review and appraisal of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women formed the conceptual and factual basis for the Platform for Action. She emphasized that the Platform for Action should be built on the results achieved during the regional and United Nations conferences and should meet the needs of all women in the world. 3. In her statement, the Governor-General of Barbados and convener of the NGO Forum at the Nairobi Conference, stressed that women should demonstrate to the whole world a new form of policy-making based on dialogue. She emphasized the importance of cooperation among Governments and non-governmental organizations. The forthcoming NGO Forum would be historic in its level of participation and in the commitment of those involved. Referring to the Platform for Action, she urged that special attention be paid to the paramount issue of peace. 4. Many representatives emphasized that the Fourth World Conference on Women should promote a new vision of development based on women's reality and rights and should be implemented in the spirit of solidarity between women and men, between nations and between present and future generations. 5. It should be a "Conference of Commitments" and the outcome of the Conference should be as practical and focused as possible. Efforts should be made to ensure that adequate resources, processes and mechanisms were put in place for the accountability and implementation of that new vision. It was emphasized that at Beijing, besides trying to create equality between men and women in a given world, it would be necessary to question the situation of that world itself and examine the processes and systems that were simultaneously producing new patterns of poverty and wealth. In that context, the need for consolidation and building of new bases of solidarity for international women's movements and the creation of new partnerships with Governments and civil societies was stressed. 6. Many representatives said that the Fourth World Conference on Women would be an opportunity to take stock of the policies, programmes and measures devised for achieving women's advancement in the 50 years of the existence of the United Nations and also to assess gains and failures. One representative suggested that the Conference should not be just a conference to reiterate commitments but to carry them forward. Some representatives suggested that the Fourth World Conference on Women should set standards for the first decade of the twenty-first century, against which the performance of the international community and national actions would be judged. Therefore, it was imperative to be successful in consensus-building for setting progressive, innovative and forward-looking standards for Governments and the international community, centred on the United Nations system. [ UP ] (a) Preparatory activities at the national, regional and international levels7. Most representatives expressed the view that the preparatory activities had been successful and noteworthy at all levels and particularly commended the work of non-governmental organizations. The preparations at the national level had been coordinated by National Committees composed of governmental and non-governmental institutions. Some representatives pointed out that the preparatory process, including the informal consultations held, had contributed to increasing awareness-raising at all levels and to enriching the Platform for Action. A few participants were of the view that the preparatory activities had given rise to intense communication and interaction among women as well as between all the sectors of society. In one country, consensus had been reached on actual and future challenges, as well as on actions to be taken. One representative highlighted the transparency and consultation of the preparatory process and said that a wealth of material had been obtained, on the basis of which the country position could be finalized. 8. In the context of the preparations for the Conference, one representative advised the Commission that efforts were being made with respect to the ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 9. Some representatives reported on national activities that addressed the critical areas of concern. One representative reported on efforts of the Government to assist women victims of war and violence and about plans to conduct a national seminar that would address affirmative action with respect to the status of women. Another representative provided information on a variety of programmes undertaken by the Government and non-governmental organizations to improve the status of women. One representative reported on workshops on women's participation and statistics and on the utilization of the mass media to promote public information. One representative informed the Commission that training activities have been developed, with special emphasis on the catalytic role of the Government and the need for the participation of all sectors. 10. Many representatives reported on the participation of their countries in the regional preparatory conferences. They expressed their support for the regional platforms of action. References were made to the High-level Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Europe at Vienna and to the Conference on Equality and Democracy: Utopia and Challenge, organized by the Council of Europe at Strasbourg. 11. Some representatives reported on the subregional meetings organized in preparation for the regional preparatory meetings and the adoption of subregional platforms for action. One representative informed the Commission of the upcoming Caribbean subregional meeting to finalize preparations for the Conference. 12. In a joint statement, United Nations agencies advised the Commission about their activities in preparation for Beijing, emphasizing that acting in a coordinating way facilitated the realization of the Women in Development/gender mandates. 13. The Special Adviser to the Secretary-General for Public Policy spoke about the preparations for the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations and the special importance of women's contribution being reflected therein. (b) Review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women [ UP ]14. Many representatives stated that the principle of equality was embodied in their constitutions and in the Charter of the United Nations. Reference was made to the existing international legal instruments, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and to the various institutional, legal measures at the national level that were being taken to translate the principle of equality into reality. However, despite notable progress in the advancement of women in societies the world over, much remained to be done before the international community could claim that the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women had been implemented in full. 15. Although some representatives stated that the participation of women in decision-making bodies at the national level had increased, many representatives stressed that women were still far from reaching equal power and that more radical policy interventions and strong political will would be required to bring about immediate changes, including changes in the structure and cultures of institutions. Women's participation in decision-making was a prerequisite for democracy that should be practised at all levels, from grass- roots to top decision-making in both the private and public spheres. Some representatives expressed similar concerns regarding international institutions and decision-making, including the United Nations system. 16. Many representatives stated that despite increased participation of women in the labour force, women were still clustered in low-paid, low-skilled jobs and that discrimination against women in remuneration and promotion continued. A few representatives mentioned improvements in the areas of education and health. Many representatives referred to persistent discrimination against women and their lack of access to proper nutrition, clean drinking water, health, education, social support services and decent housing. Many representatives referred to women's insufficient access to productive resources such as land, capital and technology. 17. Some representatives stressed the negative impact of the continuing recession in many economies on women. Some representatives referred to the increasing burden of debt and its adverse effects on women and overall national development programmes. It was stated that structural adjustment programmes had negatively affected the quality of life of women, particularly rural women. A few representatives mentioned the widening North-South gap and the extremely disadvantageous position of the least developed countries. One representative provided information on the main priorities for women in the least developed countries established at the meeting on women in development in the least developed countries, held in Niger in 1995. 18. Many representatives referred to education as a critical factor for the advancement of women, emphasizing the importance of education for girls. 19. Some representatives emphasized the importance of the family and the role of women as pillars of the family. One representative expressed concern that while achieving equality between men and women was essential, it should not deprive women of their femininity and their role as mothers. It was maintained that both men and women should be treated equally, with dignity as human beings and that the contribution of social reproduction to development should be duly recognized. 20. A few representatives stressed the importance of women's reproductive rights; they referred to their activities and the measures taken to improve women's reproductive health. Some representatives mentioned the increasing incidence of HIV/AIDS as a grave threat to women's health. 21. It was emphasized that sex-based discrimination was closely linked to culture and tradition. Reference was made to fundamentalist movements, religious extremism and ethnic fanaticism, which were said to adversely affect women's status in society. Another representative voiced concern about the "negative side of culture", which was often used to legitimize oppression of women in the family and society. It was suggested that that issue should be given due attention in the context of national and international programmes. One representative referred to cultures and the rights of indigenous people and the difficulty of integrating them. 22. Many representatives referred to the adverse effects of the lack of peace and security on women, particularly in situations of civil strife and armed conflict. In that context, the waste of resources due to increased military spending was emphasized. One representative referred to the holistic approach to security, taking into account basic developmental needs, as well as the need for political security, including respect for human rights. A few representatives stressed that women should unite more effectively and put a stop to ongoing wars, the production and development of weapons, arms trafficking and mindless destruction. 23. Many representatives commented on the violation of international legal, humanitarian and ethical standards, which adversely affected refugee and displaced women in situations of armed conflict. A few referred to rape being used as a tool of war. Some representatives referred to the worsening of socio-economic conditions and the feminization of poverty due to armed conflict and civil wars. 24. One representative reported on the meeting organized by the International Committee of the Red Cross to analyse the measures to be taken for ensuring the protection of women and children against the violation of international humanitarian laws. 25. Many representatives referred to the prevailing violence against women, in the family, society and in circumstances of war and armed conflict. They reported on means and measures to eradicate violence against women in all its forms and to provide assistance to the victims, and stressed the need for concerted international action in that respect. A few representatives raised the issue of new forms of violence emerging from terrorism. 26. Many representatives said that the human rights of women were insufficiently protected. Some stressed the importance of the principle of equality, enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, as the basis for international protection of women. Some representatives reported on efforts being made in their countries to reform national laws in compliance with international legal standards. It was stressed that the human rights of women should be respected in all spheres of life, including social and cultural rights, which constitute an integral part of universal human rights. One representative referred to the difficulties of transition from the customary to the modern legal framework. Although the advantage of the modern legal system was recognized, the necessity of protecting women in customary ways during the transition period was emphasized. Many representatives stressed the importance of legal literacy of women and the practical application of their rights. 27. Many representatives referred to the insufficiency of gender disaggregated data. 28. A non-governmental organization said that the current imbalance in women's access to various sports had been pointed out at a conference on women and sports, held in 1994, at which strategies to increase women's participation in sports had been adopted. The representative urged that the Platform for Action addressed barriers to women's equal participation in sports. (c) Reports from regional conferences and other international conferences [ UP ]29. The representatives of the regional commissions (the Economic Commission for Africa, the Economic Commission for Europe, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia) reported on the preparatory activities for the Fourth World Conference on Women, including regional conferences. All representatives commented on the wide participation in the regional conferences of intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, women's organizations and the United Nations system, including the regional commissions. They highlighted the process of consensus-building around regional critical areas of concern, leading to the adoption of regional platforms for action. The process was considered dynamic given the diversity and cultural pluralism among countries. Each representative acknowledged the contribution of various meetings at the subregional and national levels during the preparatory phase, including various youth meetings, artistic performances and fairs and other initiatives of civil society. All representatives stated that specific follow-up activities were being planned for the implementation of regional plans of action. 30. One representative reported on the Regional Conference on Intra-Familial Violence which took place at Phnom Penh in December 1994. 31. References were made to the achievements of the international conferences in Mexico and Copenhagen. (d) Draft Platform for Action [ UP ]32. Many representatives commended the draft Platform for Action as comprehensive and providing the basis for further discussion. Some representatives found it too extensive and detailed, as well as weak regarding content analysis and consistency in the critical areas of concern. Many representatives suggested that it should reflect reality and sensitivity to common global problems and in a balanced way embody regional diversity - without, however, duplicating the regional platforms for action. 33. Many representatives urged that the Platform for Action should reflect the many important and hard-won gains that were achieved in other United Nations world conferences - issues related to human rights; the commitment of the International Conference on Population and Development to the empowerment of women and women's health and reproductive rights; and the reaffirmation at the World Summit for Social Development that equality between men and women was crucial to the attainment of social and economic development. The key outcomes of those conferences should be used as the starting-point for the elaboration of further action on the Platform for Action. 34. Many representatives stressed that while the Platform for Action defined the mission and critical areas of concern as well as the global framework, the document lacked the punch and the vision that could only be provided with dramatic impact by a well-constructed declaration. Such a declaration should be brief, all-encompassing and with vision. One representative suggested that the declaration should be political and future-oriented, while another representative strongly urged that it should voice the commitment of Governments. Some representatives were of the view that the declaration should include the main proposals for action agreed upon in the Platform for Action. 35. Many representatives stressed that the Platform for Action should lead to the empowerment of women and embody actions that enabled women to participate fully in all spheres of life and to be involved in the decisions that affected them. The economic independence of women, as well as equality, provided the environment for the realization of women's full potential, individually and collectively. The progress of humanity and the modernization of societies depended on the new role played by women. In that respect, greater prominence should be given to the need for the integration of gender impact analyses in policy-making and programme planning as a central approach to achieving equality. One representative suggested that the Platform for Action should be considered an agenda for equality. 36. Many representatives emphasized that the Platform for Action should focus on measures that could be realistically implemented in the immediate future. That would, of necessity, lead to an examination of institutional mechanisms both nationally and internationally, while avoiding proliferation and duplication of mechanisms. Some representatives reaffirmed the need to create national machineries, or reinforce existing ones by increasing the financial and human resources required. One representative stressed the importance of establishing appropriate mechanisms for promoting international cooperation. One representative said that the advancement of women was necessary for the organizational efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations system. 37. Many representatives emphasized the need for more clarity in defining the various responsible actors, and called for integrated efforts among Governments, the international community and non-governmental organizations. 38. One representative addressed the issue of institutional arrangements, particularly in reference to the proposed merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Development Fund for Women. It was suggested that the issue should be deliberated at length during the present session in the context of the overall restructuring of the United Nations system and the placement of women's issues within United Nations structures. 39. A few representatives referred to the mission statement, which should identify the relationship between the Platform for Action and the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. 40. Some representatives referred to an imbalance among the different chapters of the Platform for Action and suggested that they should be elaborated further. One representative emphasized the importance of setting specific and globally quantifiable targets in all areas of concern. 41. Many representatives stated that the areas of decision-making, the human rights of women, women in the economy, violence against women, the burden of poverty, women's unpaid work, a life-cycle approach to health and education, and environmental issues should be given particular importance. Many representatives referred to particular issues that should be more strongly reflected in the Platform for Action, such as the impact of structural adjustment programmes, the situation of various groups of women including refugees, migrant women, indigenous women and women with disabilities. One representative suggested that special emphasis should be given to the problems faced by vulnerable women and include a definition of vulnerable women at the beginning of the document. 42. Many representatives referred to the concerns and needs of the girl child. Several representatives suggested a separate area of concern on that issue. 43. One representative suggested that the Platform for Action should address religious extremism as harmful to women's advancement and as specifically targeting women. 44. Many representatives referred to violence against women as one of the most critical issues that affected women, in both public and private life. It was stressed that the paragraphs concerning violence against women should comply with the texts of other recent United Nations documents, and in particular the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted by the General Assembly. 45. Many representatives said that the feminization of poverty was taking place in both developed and developing countries and suggested that that section needed more extensive elaboration, specifying priority objectives. (e) Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women [ UP ]46. Many representatives emphasized that adequate financial resources and political commitments would be crucial for the implementation of the Platform for Action. In that respect, serious discussions should be held to estimate the cost and to mobilize resources. Many representatives considered that it was essential to look into the special needs of developing countries and the extra funding needed for implementing measures if the critical areas of concern identified in the Platform for Action were to be addressed effectively. A few representatives stated that donor countries had a specific role to play in implementing the decisions of the Conference with respect to development cooperation. 47. As lack of access to higher education was cited as one of the main reasons for the low representation of women in decision-making at all levels, one representative proposed the creation of a "fund for women in university" to lend money to qualified women to achieve higher education. 48. Many representatives emphasized the importance of women's concerns being fully integrated into all United Nations activities and structures. In that respect, the process of United Nations restructuring should be kept open and transparent. The serious underrepresentation of women in the Secretariat, especially at the senior level, should be of concern to Governments. 49. A few representatives described specific activities and seminars that were being planned as a follow-up to the Conference. Among them were the creation of a centre for women and the sponsoring of an extraordinary meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women in 1995. Some representatives said they were preparing national programmes for action and had set up sectoral committees with governmental and non-governmental organizations to ensure effective follow-up to the Conference. 50. A few representatives referred to the interest of their Governments in setting up an international centre for non-governmental organizations from Central and Eastern European countries. 51. One representative raised the question of whether the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women was sufficiently effective to safeguard individual women against gender discrimination and called for the endorsement of the proposal for an optional protocol, as agreed upon at the European regional preparatory meeting. Another representative considered it important that all countries ratify the Convention without reservations, as well as all the other international instruments for the protection of human rights. 52. United Nations agencies emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation in the implementation of the declarations and programmes of action adopted at United Nations world conferences. Therefore, in order to ensure complementarity and synergy in the implementation of the Platform for Action, an inter-agency mechanism should be established. 53. United Nations agencies reiterated their commitment to contribute to the implementation of the Platform for Action in accordance with their respective mandates. Many agencies referred to specific objectives and actions in which they had a comparative advantage to assist with future follow-up activities. Some of the noteworthy proposals included: analytical work on policy and strategic issues concerning women's participation in the economy, especially through increased access to resources so as to benefit from mainstream industrial development processes and the labour market in general; further strengthening databases, including the development of methods and statistics for further gender analysis and conducting and disseminating policy-oriented gender research. 54. In order to highlight the key role of education for the advancement of girls and women, a proposal was made to celebrate international literacy day at Beijing. The role of the mass communication media in promoting gender equality and women's active participation in development was stressed. 55. Many representatives of various non-governmental organizations addressed the issues regarding the preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women and made their comments on the Platform for Action. ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION [ UP ]Accreditation of non-governmental organizations to the Fourth World Conference on Women56. At the 16th meeting, on 3 April 1995, the representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, and Australia, Bangladesh*, Botswana*, Brazil*, Bulgaria, Cameroon*, Canada*, Cote d'Ivoire*, Cyprus, Estonia*, Iceland*, Latvia*, Lithuania*, Malawi*, New Zealand*, Nicaragua*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Pakistan, the Philippines, Switzerland*, Tonga*, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland*, the United States of America* and Zambia, introduced a draft decision (E/CN.6/1995/L.20) entitled "Accreditation of non-governmental organizations to the Fourth World Conference on Women", which contained a draft resolution recommended by the Commission, as the preparatory body for the Conference, for adoption by the General Assembly. Subsequently, Argentina*, the Bahamas, Burundi*, China, Chile, the Congo, Eritrea*, Gabon*, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho*, Liberia*, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands*, Mauritania*, Nepal*, the Niger*, Panama*, Paraguay*, Peru, Romania*, Sao Tome and Principe*, Sierra Leone*, Slovakia, South Africa*, the Sudan, Swaziland*, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia and Zimbabwe* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 57. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Peru, the Sudan and Namibia and the observer for Sierra Leone. 58. At the 18th meeting, on 6 April, the representative of France, on behalf of the European Union, orally revised the draft resolution recommended for adoption by the General Assembly as follows: (a) A new operative paragraph was inserted between operative paragraphs 3 and 4, which read as follows: "Further requests the secretariat to extend the deadline for applications for accreditation of non-governmental organizations until 28 April 1995, to continue to consider applications received by that date and to ensure that those applications are considered in a transparent manner, applying the criteria set out in General Assembly resolution 48/108 of 20 December 1993"; (b) In operative paragraph 4 (para. 5 of the final text), the words "operative paragraph 1" were replaced by the words "paragraphs 1 and 4"; (c) In operative paragraph 5 (para. 6 of the final text), the words "operative paragraph 1" were replaced by the words "paragraphs 1 and 4"; (d) In operative paragraph 6 (para. 7 of the final text), the words "Requests that the General Assembly" and the words "on the lists drawn up in accordance with operative paragraphs 4 and 5" were deleted; (e) In operative paragraph 7 (para. 8 of the final text), the words "operative paragraph 1" were replaced by the words "paragraphs 1 and 4". 59. At the same meeting, after the observer for the United States of America made a statement, the representative of China requested a vote on the draft resolution. 60. The Commission adopted the draft decision, as orally revised, by a vote of 40 to none, with 1 abstention, and recommended that the General Assembly adopt the draft resolution contained therein. 50/ The voting was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Angola, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, France, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Japan, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Spain, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Venezuela, Zambia. Against: None. Abstaining: China. 61. Before the draft resolution was adopted, statements were made by the representatives of China, India and the Sudan and the observer for Cameroon; after it was adopted, a statement was made by the observer for Canada. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Provisional agenda and proposed organization of work of the Fourth World Conference on Women [ UP ]62. At the 18th meeting, on 6 April 1995, the Commission, acting as the preparatory body for the Conference, had before it a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.21) submitted by the Chairperson and entitled "Provisional agenda and proposed organization of work of the Fourth World Conference on Women". The text read as follows: "The Commission on the Status of Women, "Recalling General Assembly resolutions 45/129 of 14 December 1990 and 46/98 of 16 December 1991, in which the General Assembly endorsed Economic and Social Council resolution 1990/12 of 24 May 1990 in which the Council recommended that a world conference on women be held in 1995 and requested that the Commission on the Status of Women act as the preparatory body for the conference, "Recalling also General Assembly resolution 47/95 of 16 December 1992, in which the General Assembly endorsed Economic and Social Council decision 1992/272 of 30 July 1992, in which the Council expressed its appreciation to the Government of China for its offer to act as host for the Conference, to be held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995, as well as Assembly resolutions 48/108 of 20 December 1993 and 49/161 of 23 December 1994, "1. Notes that, in accordance with rule 47 of its rules of procedure, the Conference may establish one or more main committees; "2. Recommends that the oral statements made during the Conference should not exceed seven minutes, it being understood that full-length statements may be circulated in writing; "3. Recommends that the Conference adopt the provisional agenda and organization of work annexed to the present resolution. "Annex I "PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN "1. Opening of the Conference. "2. Election of the President. "3. Adoption of the rules of procedure. "4. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. "5. Election of officers other than the President. "6. Organization of work, including establishment of the Main Committees.* "7. Credentials of representatives to the Conference: "(a) Appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee; "(b) Report of the Credentials Committee. "8. General exchange of views on: "(a) Second review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the year 2000; "(b) Main conclusions and recommendations of regional preparatory conferences; "9. Platform for Action. "10. Meeting of heads of State or Government. "11. Adoption of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women. "12. Adoption of the report of the Conference. * "The Chairman of the Main Committees would be elected in plenary meeting; officers of the Main Committee other than the Chairmen would be elected by the Main Committee. "Annex II "PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF WORK FOR THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN, 4-15 SEPTEMBER 1995 "For purposes of the organization of work contained in the appendix below, the following guidelines will apply: "(a) Statements to be presented through 4-13 September will be limited to seven minutes. Longer statements may be circulated in writing. Each Government may present two statements during the Summit; "(b) During the period 4-13 September, a general exchange of views will be held at which personal representatives of heads of State or Government or other appropriate high-level representatives specifically designated by Governments may make statements. Executive heads of agencies of the United Nations system, as well as representatives of accredited non-governmental organizations and intergovernmental organizations, may also present statements in accordance with the rules of procedure of the Conference; "(c) On 15 July 1995, the Secretariat will open a list of speakers for the general exchange of views (4-13 September); "(d) Normal meeting hours for the Conference will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. "Appendix "PROPOSED ORGANIZATION OF WORK "The following programme of work is proposed for the Fourth World Conference on Women: "(a) On Saturday and Sunday, 2 and 3 September, informal pre-Conference consultations will be held to consider a number of procedural and organizational matters; "(b) The general debate will take place in plenary meeting from 4 to 13 September; "(c) In accordance with rule 47 of its rules of procedure, the Conference will establish two Main Committees to consider the draft Platform for Action, also from 4 to 13 September, as follows: "Committee I (chapters III and IV); "Committee II (chapters I, II, V and VI); "(d) Consideration of the reports of the Main Committees and the adoption of the Platform for Action will take place on Thursday and Friday, 14 and 15 September." 63. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of the Bahamas, Australia, Namibia, Chile, Algeria, France (on behalf of the European Union), India, the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), Bulgaria and China and the observers for the United States of America, Cambodia, Germany, Cameroon, the United Republic of Tanzania, Hungary and Nicaragua. 64. At the 19th meeting, on 7 April, oral amendments were made to the draft resolution. 65. Also at the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Australia, the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China), Bulgaria, France (on behalf of the European Union) and Mexico. 66. The Commission then adopted the draft resolution, as orally amended (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/1). Provisional rules of procedure of the Conference 67. The Commission had before it the draft provisional rules of procedure of the Conference, contained in document E/CN.6/1994/L.3. 68. At the 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, after hearing statements by the representatives of the Congo, Chile, France (on behalf of the European Union) and Austria and by the observers for Nigeria, the Syrian Arab Republic and Benin, the Commission, as the preparatory body for the Conference, recommended the provisional rules of procedure of the Conference, as amended, for approval by the General Assembly. 51/ Draft declaration and draft platform for action of the Fourth World Conference on Women 69. At the 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, after hearing statements by the representatives of Peru, Pakistan and the Congo and the observers for the United States of America, Co^te d'Ivoire, Benin and Jordan, the Commission, as the preparatory body for the Conference, approved the draft platform for action, as amended for adoption by the Conference. 70. After the draft platform for action was approved, statements were made by the representatives of Pakistan, France (on behalf of the European Union) and the Sudan. In addition, the representative of Guatemala expressed the following reservations on the draft platform for action. "At the conclusion of the thirty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which considered, as the third item on its agenda, preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, and negotiated the draft Platform for Action, the Government of Guatemala requests, in view of the provisions of its Constitution and domestic legislation, that the following statement be reproduced in full in the report of this session, considering that delegations will have an opportunity to review the draft Platform for Action in its entirety at Beijing. The Government of Guatemala intends to analyse the current text in terms of its compatibility with a series of commitments and positions which Guatemala has assumed by virtue of: - The Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Central America, established during the Central American Environmental Summit for Sustainable Development, held at Managua, Nicaragua, on 12 October 1994 (document A/49/580-S/1994/1217 of 27 October 1994); - The Tegucigalpa International Declaration on Peace and Development in Central America and the Commitments on Peace and Development made by the Central American Presidents at the International Conference on Peace and Development in Central America, held at Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on 24 and 25 October 1994 (document A/49/639-S/1994/1247 of 4 November 1994); - The reservations submitted by Guatemala on 13 September 1994 concerning the Programme of Action adopted at the International Conference on Population and Development, held at Cairo, and the documents referred to therein; - The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the principles and provisions of the Constitution and domestic laws of the Republic of Guatemala and the guidelines formulated at the fifteenth Summit of Central American Presidents, held at Gua'cimo, Costa Rica; - Guatemala's reservations concerning the Declaration and Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, held at Copenhagen, Denmark, in March 1995; - The decision handed down by the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Guatemala on 13 March 1992, promulgated in record No. 84-92; - With respect to the draft Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women, discussed at this session, the Government of Guatemala wishes to place on record its reservations regarding the word "gender", inasmuch as this term has not been defined in writing by the secretariat, as requested by the Guatemalan delegation and other distinguished delegations; and that it wishes to see how this term is used in the Spanish version of the draft." 71. At the same meeting, the Commission, as the preparatory body for the Conference, agreed on the outline of a draft declaration for the Conference. 72. Also at the same meeting, the Commission, on the proposal of Chairperson, decided
to transmit to the Fourth World Conference on Women for its consideration the material for
a draft declaration contained in an informal paper and the draft platform for action
contained in documents E/CN.6/1995/L.17 and the relevant addenda, as amended during the
discussion (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision 39/4).
Chapter III [ UP ]PROGRAMMING AND COORDINATION MATTERS RELATED TO THE UNITED NATIONS AND THE UNITED NATIONS SYSTEM1. The Commission considered agenda item 4 at the 7th meeting, on 20 March 1995. It had before it the report of the Secretary-General on the improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat (E/CN.6/1995/7), and the note by the Secretariat on the proposed programme of work of the Division for the Advancement of Women for the biennium 1996-1997 (E/CN.6/1995/L.3). 2. In introducing the item, the Deputy Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women stated that the current year's focus was limited to programming matters, including the status of women in the Secretariat and the review of the programme proposals for the Division for the Advancement of Women for the biennium 1996-1997. The proposals related to advancement of women found elsewhere in the programme budget were not being reviewed by the Commission at this time. 3. In the statement made by the representative from the Office of Human Resources Management of the United Nations Secretariat, reference was made to the Strategic Plan of Action for Improving the Status of Women in the Secretariat 1995-2000, which had been presented to the General Assembly at its forty-ninth session and endorsed by the Assembly in its resolution 49/222. It was pointed out that despite an increase in the level of representation of women in the Secretariat over the previous few years, the pace had been rather slow, at an average of 1.8 per cent per year. It was also pointed out that if more concrete measures were not taken, 50-50 participation of men and women as mentioned in the draft Platform for Action (E/CN.6/1995/2) could not be achieved before the year 2008. At the moment, the number of women at the higher and top management levels reflected only a 15.1 per cent participation rate, which fell short of the target of 40 per cent. The measures proposed in the Strategic Plan of Action (1995-2000) were designed to accelerate significantly the pace of past gains and to reach the goal of gender equality in, or close to, the year 2000. With regard to the proposed measures, Governments could assist significantly in identifying women candidates, widely publicizing vacancies and maintaining updated rosters. Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat4. Most representatives unanimously welcomed the Strategic Plan of Action (1995-2000) and urged its full and effective implementation by the Secretary- General. It was noted that the United Nations should take the lead and strive to close the gap between the number of men and the number of women at senior policy levels and in decision-making posts within the Organization. It was further noted that since its inception, the United Nations had consistently failed to reflect in its composition the fundamental principle contained in the Charter of the United Nations, namely, the equal rights of women and men. 5. One representative referred to the issue of sexual harassment within the United Nations system and maintained that efforts towards the prevention of sexual harassment must be addressed in the context of overall human resource reforms and reforms of the personnel systems. 6. It was maintained that the United Nations should be an effective vehicle for helping women to implement the global changes outlined in the draft Platform for Action. Efforts should be made to trim the bureaucracy and reduce overhead costs, and to dedicate more resources to programmes, particularly for women's empowerment. To this effect, steps should be taken to ensure that the United Nations programmes with portfolios specific to women were not duplicated. ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONImprovement of the status of women in the Secretariat 7. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of Australia, on behalf of Armenia*, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Cambodia*, Canada*, Colombia, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Cyprus, Czech Republic*, Denmark*, El Salvador*, Finland, Iceland*, Japan, Kenya, Liberia*, Liechtenstein*, the Marshall Islands*, Micronesia (Federated States of)*, the Netherlands*, New Zealand*, Nigeria*, Norway*, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea*, Portugal, the Republic of Korea, Samoa*, Slovenia*, Solomon Islands*, Spain, Suriname*, Sweden*, Thailand, Turkey*, the United States of America* and Venezuela, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.6) entitled "Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat". 8. At the same meeting, Antigua and Barbuda*, Azerbaijan*, Bolivia*, Brazil*, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Croatia*, Ecuador, Germany*, Guinea-Bissau, Israel* and Peru joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 9. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Italy*, Lithuania* and Slovakia* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 10. The Commission then adopted the draft resolution (see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution I). * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of
the Economic and Social Council.
Chapter IV [ UP ]MONITORING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NAIROBI FORWARD-LOOKING STRATEGIES FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN1. The Commission considered agenda item 5 at the 7th and 10th meetings, on 20 and 24 March 1995. It had before it the following documents: (a) Report of the Secretary-General on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (E/CN.6/1995/8); (b) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting a non-confidential list of communications concerning the status of women (E/CN.6/1995/CR.31); (c) Note by the Secretary-General transmitting a confidential list of communications concerning the status of women (E/CN.6/1995/SW Communications List No. 29); (d) Report of the Secretary-General on the activities of the United Nations bodies and institutions concerned with crime prevention (E/CN.6/1995/9); (e) Results of the fourteenth session of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (E/CN.6/1995/CRP.1); (f) Note by the Secretary-General on steps to be taken by the Division for the Advancement of Women to ensure that relevant human rights mechanisms of the United Nations regularly address violations of the rights of women, including progress in preparing a joint work plan on women's human rights for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women (E/CN.6/1995/13). 2. In addition, the Commission had before it, for information, the following documents: (a) Report of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on its thirteenth session (A/49/38); (b) Report of the Secretary-General on the status of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (A/49/308); (c) Report of the Secretary-General on the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women to the Year 2000 (A/49/349); (d) Report of the Secretary-General on violence against women migrant workers (A/49/354). 3. In introducing agenda item 5, the Deputy Director of the Division for the Advancement of Women said that the issues covered by that item had a strong relationship with the preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women. The main focus of the item was the enjoyment by women of their human rights, including consideration of communications; and the follow-up to the World Conference on Human Rights, including a possible optional protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and matters related to the issue of violence against women as well as Palestinian women. Palestinian women 4. One representative expressed concern that the report of the Secretary- General on the situation of and assistance to Palestinian women (E/CN.6/1995/8) did not take account of the fact that Palestinian women much more than Palestinian men were facing violation of their human rights both in the family and in society. Palestinian women experienced physical violence in their lives owing to harmful traditions, customs and armed conflicts. She referred to the restriction of the girl's access to education, and early marriage, and spoke about some measures that had been taken in order to provide women with legal support. She emphasized the importance of women's participation in the peace process. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women 5. Many representatives indicated that they had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and urged those States that had not done so to follow their example. 6. A few representatives stated that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women should be strengthened by inclusion of the right to petition, involving a procedure through an optional protocol that would allow the redress of individual and group grievances. This would create a broader public awareness of women's human rights and would place the Convention on an equal footing with other human rights instruments. The drafting of such a protocol should be started as soon as possible in order to use the momentum of the Beijing Conference. 7. A few representatives indicated that the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) should be given adequate time to review the national reports submitted by States parties. 8. The Chairperson of CEDAW informed the Commission on the Status of Women about the results of the fourteenth session of the Committee presented in document E/CN.6/1995/CRP.1. In particular, she referred to the request for additional meeting time, noting that accession to that request would allow the Committee to eliminate some of its overwhelming work backlog. 9. She appealed to the Commission to adopt an optional protocol to the Convention, which would establish a clear framework in which the Committee could elaborate the normative content of women's rights as enshrined in the Convention. Communications concerning the status of women 10. The Commission had before it a confidential list of communications concerning the status of women (SW Communications List No. 29), which was distributed in a sealed envelope to the representatives of each of its States members, and a non-confidential list of communications (E/CN/6/1994/CR.31). 11. The rapporteur of the Working Group on Communications introduced the report of the Working Group and expressed support for the communication procedure and said that the communications had not reflected all aspects of violations of human rights against women world wide and the Secretariat should give more publicity to the communication procedure and the report of the Group should be published. 12. Several members supported that view. Mainstreaming women's human rights 13. Several representatives reaffirmed their belief in human rights and described the necessary action taken in this respect. A few references were made to national mechanisms that had been established to deal with the implementation of human rights and their violations. Others emphasized the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, such as through amendments to legislation, law enforcement and assistance to victims, as representing ways to improve human rights. In one instance, an independent human rights commission where women could report violations had been established. 14. One representative stated that recommendations of the World Conference on Human Rights on the full integration of women's human rights had prompted different United Nations bodies to react and to consider, within their own mandates, relevant innovations of a substantial and procedural nature. National experience indicated that the integration of a gender perspective into any area of policy-making required a clear conceptual analysis and a concrete implementation strategy. However, the fact that an overall coherent strategy on how to promote the mainstreaming of women's human rights step by step throughout the United Nations system was still missing called for a coherent plan of cooperation between the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women. 15. One representative emphasized that human rights of women should not be a specific critical area of concern but should be part of the framework that defined all areas and gave full meaning to all actions for the advancement of women. 16. A representative of an intergovernmental organization made a statement informing the Commission on the activities undertaken in the region to combat violence against women. In this respect, she underlined the provisions of the Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Sanction and Eradicate Violence Against Women. The Convention had been prepared by the Inter-American Commission of Women and adopted by the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS). The representative also informed the Commission that the Convention had been signed by 16 States and was now open to any State that wished to adhere to it. In compliance with Article 102 of the Charter of the United Nations, the secretariat of OAS had taken measures to register the Convention at the United Nations. 17. With respect to violence against women, women's human rights, violence during armed conflict, and traditional practices, many non-governmental organizations made statements. All expressed great concern about the situation and agreed on the urgent need to eliminate all types of violence perpetrated against women. Several expressed the view that women had not been able to attain recognition of their human rights. Others stated that the situation of women and girls in respect to trafficking in women had deteriorated since the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies had been adopted. Violence against women, including women migrant workers 18. The representative of the Focal Point for Human Rights of Women, from the Centre for Human Rights, indicated that increased attention was being given to the promotion and protection of women's human rights in compliance with the Vienna Declaration. Furthermore, that issue had been incorporated into the mechanisms and procedures related to human rights. The Commission on Human Rights had adopted various resolutions including resolutions dealing with specific types of violence, such as that connected with the trafficking of women and girls, and that against women migrant workers, and with traditional practices affecting the health of women and children. 19. The Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women spoke about her mandate. This included reporting to the Commission on Human Rights, fact-finding missions to specific countries, the assessment of individual allegations of violence being committed against women, the forwarding of complaints to Governments with the purpose of receiving clarification and, in dialogue with States, the recommending of measures at all levels to eliminate violence against women. She further explained the legal framework and her priorities by referring to relevant instruments dealing with human rights and violence against women. She reported that the process of collecting information in respect to the future programme of work had begun and urged Governments to provide information. 20. A few representatives stressed that violence against women was not only a manifestation of the unequal distribution of power between women and men, but also an instrument in maintaining this situation. It was a revealing indicator of the continuing subordination and inequality of women. Many women were facing violence in their lives because of harmful traditions, customs, or religious or cultural practices or armed conflicts. 21. One representative referred to domestic violence, incest and genital mutilation as the worst forms of violence. Another representative informed about the measures taken to combat domestic violence including the adoption of gender-sensitive legislation. A few representatives referred to the practice of sexual and other forms of violence and inhuman degrading treatment faced by women during war and military occupation. Some representatives referred to the violence against women migrant workers, refugees and displaced women. 22. Many representatives expressed great concern about the problem of different types of violence against women. One representative stated that the issue was insufficiently dealt with by the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies. A few representatives stated that part of the problem was the lack of legal knowledge and legislation to protect women, as well as the lack of an effective mechanism for the implementation of national and international provisions, including the Geneva Conventions. 23. A few representatives indicated that they fully supported efforts to improve the collaboration between the Commission and the Centre for Human Rights, and welcomed the proposal for establishing a human rights section within the Division for the Advancement of Women. 24. A representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) emphasized that violence against women was a major public health issue, since it led to psychological trauma, depression, substance abuse, injuries, sexually transmitted diseases, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, suicide and death; however, the victims rarely received rehabilitative care, or the compensation received by the victims of other injury-causing trauma. ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION [ UP ]Release of women and children who have been taken hostage in armed conflicts and imprisoned 25. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the observer for Azerbaijan* introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.7) entitled "Relief to women and children who have been taken as hostages and imprisoned in armed conflicts, to be provided by the beginning of the Fourth World Conference on Women". Subsequently, Angola, Argentina*, Bangladesh*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cambodia*, Cameroon*, Chad*, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Co^te d'Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt*, El Salvador*, Eritrea*, Gabon*, the Gambia*, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan*, Kuwait*, Mali*, Mozambique*, Pakistan, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe*, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey* and Zimbabwe* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. The text read as follows: "The Commission on the Status of Women, "Taking into consideration the fact that the main objective of the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in Beijing, China, from 4 to 15 September 1995, is to promote the achievement of equality, development and peace, "Expressing grave concern that the number of armed conflicts has not decreased since the end of the cold war, and that international and ethnic conflicts are an ongoing reality in nearly every region, resulting in violations of human rights, especially those of women and children, including massive loss of life, "Noting with alarm that the humanitarian law prohibiting attacks on civilian populations is systematically ignored, "Confirming that the taking of women and children as hostages, and their imprisonment and subjection to torture and violence are in grave contravention of human morality and all international legal norms, "Expressing its strong belief that the rapid and unconditional release of women and children by parties to conflicts will contribute greatly to achieving the above-mentioned goals of the Beijing Conference, "Noting that the implementation of this initiative would serve as strong confirmation of the effectiveness of the Conference's goal of action for equality, development and peace, "1. Strongly appeals to all parties concerned to strictly observe and respect the rules of international humanitarian law, as set out in the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949 and the Additional Protocols thereto, of 1977; "2. Appeals to the parties to conflicts to strive for a peaceful, negotiated settlement of their differences; "3. Urges all parties to conflicts to release all women and children who have been taken as hostages and imprisoned in areas of armed conflict, before the opening of the Fourth World Conference on Women, to be held in Beijing, China, from 4 to 15 September 1995, and thereby carry out an action for peace and justice; "4. Requests the Secretary-General to use all appropriate measures to ensure that women and children who have been imprisoned as hostages in zones of armed conflict are released by the beginning of the Beijing Conference; "5. Also requests the Secretary-General to report to the Fourth World Conference on Women on the progress made in the implementation of the present resolution, as well as to submit a report to the Commission on the Status of Women at its fortieth session, on the implementation of the present resolution." 26. At the same meeting, the observer for Azerbaijan orally revised the draft resolution. 27. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, statements were made by the representatives of the Russian Federation and India. 28. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, Croatia*, the Dominican Republic*, Georgia*, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 29. At the same meeting, the representative of the Russian Federation requested a vote on the draft resolution, as orally revised. 30. Also at the same meeting, the representative of France (on behalf of the European Union) made a statement. 31. At the 15th meeting, on 31 March, the representative of China made a statement. 32. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as orally revised, by a roll-call vote of 27 to none, with 14 abstentions (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/2). The voting was as follows: 52/ In favour: Algeria, Bahamas, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Togo, Tunisia, Venezuela. Against: None. Abstaining: Angola, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Finland, France, Greece, India, 53/ Japan, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Integration of women in the Middle East peace process 33. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of the Russian Federation, on behalf of Norway*, the Russian Federation and the United States of America*, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.9) entitled "Integration of women in the Middle East peace process". Subsequently, Armenia*, Bulgaria, Cambodia*, Cameroon*, Costa Rica and Gabon* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 34. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Ecuador, Hungary*, Panama and the Sudan joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 35. At the same meeting, a statement was made by the representative of the Russian Federation. 36. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, the Commission adopted the draft resolution (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/3). 37. After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the Islamic Republic of Iran and the observer for the Syrian Arab Republic. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia 38. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of Pakistan, on behalf of Algeria, Bangladesh*, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Canada*, Costa Rica, Egypt*, Finland, France, Germany*, Indonesia, Kuwait*, Malaysia, Morocco*, the Netherlands*, Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, Senegal*, Switzerland*, Turkey* and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland*, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.10) entitled "Rape and abuse of women in the areas of armed conflict in the former Yugoslavia". Subsequently, Angola, Argentina*, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan*, Belgium, Burundi*, Burkina Faso*, Cambodia*, Cameroon*, Chad*, Chile, the Congo, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Denmark*, the Dominican Republic*, Eritrea*, Gabon*, the Gambia*, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy*, Kyrgyzstan*, Liechtenstein*, New Zealand*, Nicaragua*, the Niger*, Norway*, Panama*, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe*, Saudi Arabia*, South Africa*, Spain, the Sudan, Sweden*, Togo, Tunisia and the United States of America* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 39. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, statements were made by the representatives of the Russian Federation, Pakistan, Belarus, Bulgaria and Mexico. 40. At the same meeting the representative of the Russian Federation requested a vote on the eighth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution. 41. The eighth preambular paragraph was adopted by a roll-call vote of 35 to 1, with 5 abstentions. The voting was as follows: 54/ In favour: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ecuador, Finland, France, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of) Japan, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Spain, Sudan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Venezuela. Against: Russian Federation. Abstaining: Angola, Belarus, India, Madagascar, Namibia. 42. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as a whole (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/4). 43. After the adoption of the draft resolution, the representatives of India and the Russian Federation made statements. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Mainstreaming the human rights of women 44. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of Australia, on behalf of Argentina*, Australia, Brazil*, Cambodia*, Cameroon*, Costa Rica, Croatia*, Cyprus, Denmark*, the Gambia*, Germany*, Greece, Guinea, Guinea- Bissau, Haiti*, Iceland*, Ireland*, Israel*, Latvia*, Madagascar, Mali*, Morocco*, the Netherlands*, Nicaragua*, Nigeria*, Norway*, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Romania*, the Russian Federation, Senegal*, Slovenia*, Sweden*, Switzerland*, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey*, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* and Zimbabwe*, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.11) entitled "Mainstreaming the human rights of women". Subsequently Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda*, Austria, Armenia*, Azerbaijan*, the Bahamas, Bangladesh*, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Botswana*, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Chad*, Chile, the Congo, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Ecuador, Finland, France, Gabon*, Ghana*, Guatemala*, Kenya, Lesotho*, Liberia*, Mozambique*, Nepal*, New Zealand*, Pakistan, Panama*, Poland*, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe*, South Africa*, Spain, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago*, the United Republic of Tanzania* and the United States of America* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 45. At the same meeting, the representative of Australia revised the draft resolution as follows: (a) In operative paragraph 3, the world "Endorses" was replaced by the words "Takes note of"; (b) In operative paragraph 4, the word "Endorses" was replaced by the words "Recalls General Assembly resolution 49/178 of 23 December 1994, in which the Assembly endorsed"; (c) In operative paragraph 5, the words "prepare a report" were replaced by the words "provide input"; (d) Operative paragraph 6, which read: "Encourages the Division for the Advancement of Women to provide input, through the Centre for Human Rights, for inclusion in the documentation provided to the treaty bodies on the human rights situation of women relative to men in States whose periodic reports are under consideration by the treaty bodies", was replaced by the following text: "Encourages the Division for the Advancement of Women to provide relevant material it receives or prepares, through the Centre for Human Rights for the information of the treaty bodies in their work"; (e) In operative paragraph 7, the words "through the preparation by the Division, on an annual basis, of a compilation of material" were replaced by the words "through forwarding expeditiously relevant materials"; (f) Operative paragraph 8 was deleted; (g) In operative paragraphs 11 and 12 (paras. 10 and 11 of the final text), the word "Endorses" was replaced by the words "Takes note of"; (h) Operative paragraph 15 (para. 14 of the final text), which read: "Requests the Secretary-General to see to the preparation of a long- term joint work plan on the human rights of women for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women to facilitate the mainstreaming of the human rights of women, in the context of the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women", was replaced by the following text: "Requests the Secretary-General, taking into account the outcomes of the fourth World Conference on Women, to see to the preparation of a joint work plan on the human rights of women for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women on an annual basis and to inform both the Commission on Human Rights and the Commission on the Status of Women at their annual sessions, beginning in 1995, of these plans to facilitate the mainstreaming of the human rights of women, in the context of the implementation of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action"; (i) In operative paragraph 16 (para. 15 of the final text), the words "the Commission on Human Rights" were deleted. 46. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Eritrea*, Fiji*, Hungary*, Italy*, Namibia and Slovakia joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 47. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of Australia and the Philippines. 48. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, Estonia*, Ethiopia*, Japan*, Malaysia, the Marshall Islands*, the Niger*, Nigeria*, Peru, Samoa*, and Zambia joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 49. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/5). * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Palestinian women 50. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of the Philippines, on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.12) entitled "Palestinian women". 51. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, the Commission adopted the draft resolution (see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution II). 52. After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Philippines (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77 and China) and the observer for Israel. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 53. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of Finland, on behalf of Argentina*, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina*, Bulgaria, Canada*, Chile, Croatia*, Cyprus, Denmark*, the Dominican Republic*, Ecuador, Finland, France, the Gambia*, Germany*, Ghana*, Greece, Guinea, Iceland*, Ireland*, Italy*, Kenya, Morocco*, the Netherlands*, Norway*, the Philippines, Portugal, Slovenia*, Spain, Sweden*, Turkey*, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland*, Zambia and Zimbabwe*, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.13) entitled "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women". Subsequently, Armenia*, the Bahamas, Bangladesh*, Belarus*, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cambodia*, Costa Rica, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Eritrea*, Gabon*, Ghana*, Latvia*, Lesotho*, Liberia*, Namibia, New Zealand*, Nicaragua*, Nigeria*, Panama*, Poland*, Romania*, Sao Tome and Principe*, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago*, Tunisia and the United Republic of Tanzania* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 54. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Ethiopia, Hungary*, Lithuania*, Madagascar and Slovakia joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 55. At the same meeting, a statement was made by the representative of the Russian Federation. 56. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, Cameroon*, Chad*, the Congo, Finland, South Africa* and Suriname* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 57. At the same meeting, the representative of Finland orally revised operative paragraph 11 of the draft resolution by replacing the word "monitor" with the words "follow-up". The Commission adopted the draft resolution as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. A, draft resolution III). * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Traffic in women and girls 58. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of the Philippines, on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda*, Argentina*, Bangladesh*, Bolivia*, Co^te d'Ivoire*, the Gambia*, Indonesia*, Pakistan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Switzerland*, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.14) entitled "Traffic in women and girls". Subsequently, Belgium, Burkina Faso*, Burundi*, Cambodia*, Cameroon*, Chad*, Eritrea*, France, Gabon*, Germany*, Guinea-Bissau, Israel*, Liberia*, Mali*, Mozambique*, Nepal*, Nigeria*, Peru, Portugal, Sao Tome and Principe*, South Africa, Thailand and Togo joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 59. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Costa Rica, Ghana* and Guinea joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 60. At the same meeting, the draft resolution was orally revised by the representatives of the Philippines and the Russian Federation. 61. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/6). * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Violence against women migrant workers 62. At the 11th meeting, on 28 March 1995, the representative of the Philippines, on behalf of Argentina*, Bangladesh*, Indonesia and the Philippines, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.15) entitled "Violence against women migrant workers". Subsequently, Colombia, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Eritrea*, Mozambique*, Pakistan and Sao Tome and Principe* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 63. At the 12th meeting, on 29 March, Costa Rica joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 64. At the same meeting, the representatives of the Philippines, the Russian Federation, Slovakia and Bulgaria orally revised the draft resolution. 65. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, the representative of the Philippines further orally revised the draft resolution. 66. The Commission then adopted the draft resolution, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C, resolution 39/7). * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of
the Economic and Social Council.
Chapter V [ UP ]PRIORITY THEMES1. The Commission considered item 6 of its agenda at its 13th, 14th and 16th meetings, on 30 and 31 March and 3 April 1995. It had before it the following reports: (a) Report of the Secretary-General on equality in economic decision-making (E/CN.6/1995/10); (b) Report of the Secretary-General on promotion of literacy, education and training, including technological skills (E/CN.6/1995/11); (c) Report of the Secretary-General on the participation of women in political life and decision-making (E/CN.6/1995/12). ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSIONIntegration of displaced rural women into development processes 2. At the 13th meeting, on 30 March 1995, the representative of Peru, on behalf of China, Costa Rica, Peru and Venezuela, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.16) entitled "Integration of displaced rural women into development processes". Subsequently, Angola, Bangladesh*, Colombia, Ecuador, Malaysia, Mongolia*, Mozambique*, Nepal*, Nicaragua*, Peru, Sao Tome and Principe*, Togo and Venezuela joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. The text read as follows: "The Commission on the Status of Women, "Recalling the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, in particular its article 14, in which the States Parties to the Convention agreed that they should take into account the significant roles that rural women played in the economic survival of their families, and ensure to such women the right to participate in the elaboration and implementation of development planning at all levels, "Recalling also the Declaration of Principles and the Programme of Action of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development of July 1979, in which it was recommended that women should, on equal footing with men, participate in and contribute to social, economic and political rural development processes and fully share in the benefits of improving living standards in rural areas, "Emphasizing the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women of July 1985, which stress the design of development strategies and programmes, as well as incentive programmes and projects in the field of food and agriculture, in a manner that fully integrates women at all levels of planning, implementation, monitoring evaluation in all stages of the development process of a project cycle, so as to facilitate and enhance the key role that they play, "Bearing in mind the conclusions of the Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women of February 1992, "Noting that peace is a sine qua non for achieving economic and social development, "Noting with concern situations of extreme violence, such as those rooted in terrorism and its concomitant, international drug trafficking, which have brought about major changes in the survival strategies of poor rural families, prompting their forced displacement from their places of origin and rendering even more critical the situation of the women who then become the core of the nuclear family, "Taking into account the analytical report of 14 February 1992 of the representative of the Secretary-General concerning internal displacements, which stressed that in many cases displaced populations were composed of women and children and were predominantly of rural origin, as well as other reports of the representative of the Secretary- General concerning internal displacements due to violence, in which it was pointed out that women of rural origin had, as mothers, been especially affected by such violence and the adverse socio-economic situation in the receiving areas, "Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1995/57, which urges the representative of the Secretary-General, in considering internal displacements, to continue paying special attention to the need of women and children for protection and assistance, "Welcoming with satisfaction the Programme of Action of the World Summit for Social Development, which in chapter I provides that, to ensure that the political framework supports the objectives of social development, it is essential, inter alia, to take measures at the national level, with international cooperation, as appropriate, to create conditions for internally displaced persons to voluntarily return to their places of origin, "1. Calls upon Governments to integrate women into the formulation and implementation of rural development plans and projects starting from the inception of the process, considering their contribution to the goals of improving standards of living in response to the overall needs of rural families; "2. Urges Governments to promote rural development projects with a gender perspective both within national cooperation priorities and within the priorities defined in terms of the supply of international cooperation; "3. Appeals to Governments to pay special attention to the situation of rural women who are displaced from their place of origin owing to terrorist violence, drug trafficking or other violence-related situations; "4. Urges Governments, in their development programmes, to consider projects that have positive effects upon displaced rural women, and are geared primarily to productive employment, in order to facilitate the integration of those women into their new social setting or their return to their place of origin; "5. Decides to address the question of the integration of displaced rural women into development processes at the fortieth session of the Commission on the Status of Women." 3. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, Argentina* and Panama* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 4. At the same meeting, statements were made by the representatives of France (on behalf of the European Union), Spain, Greece and Chile. 5. At the 16th meeting, on 3 April, the representative of Peru, on behalf of the sponsors, now joined by Angola, Argentina*, Bangladesh*, Colombia, Ecuador, Eritrea*, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malaysia, Mongolia*, Mozambique*, Nepal*, Nicaragua*, Panama*, Sao Tome and Principe* and Togo introduced a revised draft resolution (E/CN.16/1995/L.16/Rev.1). Subsequently, Algeria, Azerbaijan*, Burundi*, Cameroon*, India, Kenya, Liberia*, Madagascar, Namibia, Pakistan, Paraguay*, Sierra Leone* and the United Republic of Tanzania* joined in sponsoring the revised draft resolution. 6. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the revised draft resolution (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/8). 7. Before the draft resolution was adopted, the observers for Sierra Leone and Cameroon made statements; after it was adopted, the representative of Peru made a statement. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council. Women in agriculture and rural development 8. At the 13th meeting, on 30 March 1995, the representative of Namibia, on behalf of Algeria, Angola, Co^te d'Ivoire*, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia and Zambia, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1995/L.18) entitled "Women in agriculture and rural development" and orally revised it as follows: (a) At the end of the tenth preambular paragraph, the words "and an equitable access to resources and to the benefits of development" were deleted; (b) In the eleventh preambular paragraph, the word "education" was inserted before the words "training and literacy programmes"; (c) In the twelfth and thirteenth preambular paragraphs, the words "openings and" before the word "opportunities" were deleted; (d) Operative paragraph 2, which read: "Strongly recommends reinforcement of Governments' accountability in setting up monitoring and evaluation measures to appraise progress made", was replaced by the following text: "Recommends that Governments set up monitoring and evaluation measures to appraise progress made"; (e) In operative paragraph 3, the words "follow-up and evaluation" were inserted after the words "policy initiatives"; (f) In operative paragraph 6, the words "to consider the need to" were inserted after the words "Also urges Governments"; (g) In operative paragraph 7, the words "with the assistance of" were replaced by the words "and seek the assistance of"; (h) In operative paragraph 8, the words "Calls upon Governments and financial institutions" were replaced by the words "Calls upon Governments to encourage the relevant development and financial institutions"; (i) Operative paragraph 10, which read: "Calls upon Governments to promote the provision of primary medical care in rural areas, to promote low-cost primary health care and to develop and promote sensitization campaigns to encourage low-income rural women to utilize primary health care facilities", was replaced by the following text: "Calls upon Governments to promote the provision of low-cost health care in rural areas and to develop and promote sensitization campaigns to encourage low-income rural women to utilize primary-health-care facilities"; (j) Operative paragraph 11, which read: "Appeals to numerous Governments that did not ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women to do so and to others to effectively enforce it, in particular with respect to the Convention's provisions concerning rape, forced prostitution and trafficking in human beings", was deleted; (k) In operative paragraph 12 (para. 11 of the final text), the words "and to establish pension and social security schemes" were replaced by the words "and to promote affordable and sustainable pension and social security schemes"; (l) In operative paragraph 13 (para. 12 of the final text), the words "sustainable development" were inserted between the words "population, environment" and the words "and poverty eradication"; (m) In operative paragraph 14 (para. 13 of the final text), the words "Strongly appeals to all women, in particular rural women", were replaced by the words "Appeals to Governments to empower rural women". 9. Subsequently, Australia, Burkina Faso*, Cameroon*, Ethiopia*, Gabon*, Ghana*, Guinea, Malaysia, Mali*, Mongolia*, Nepal*, the Niger*, Nigeria*, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, the United Republic of Tanzania* and Zimbabwe* joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 10. At the 14th meeting, on 31 March, the representative of Namibia informed the Commission that the draft resolution was submitted on behalf of the African States and Cuba, as well as Antigua and Barbuda*, Australia, Bangladesh*, Belgium, Cambodia*, China, Finland, France, Germany*, Malaysia, Mongolia*, Nepal*, Nicaragua*, Pakistan, the Philippines, Spain, Suriname*, Thailand, Turkey*, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland* and Venezuela. 11. At the same meeting, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as orally revised (see chap. I, sect. C, Commission resolution 39/9). 12. After the adoption of the draft resolution, statements were made by the representatives of Pakistan, France (on behalf of the European Union), the Sudan, the Congo, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and Finland and the observer for Cameroon. * In accordance with rule 69 of the rules of procedure of the functional
commissions of the Economic and Social Council.
Chapter VI [ UP ]PROVISIONAL AGENDA FOR THE FORTIETH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION1. The Commission considered item 7 of its agenda at its 18th meeting, on 6 April 1995. It had before it document E/CN.6/1995/L.19, containing the draft provisional agenda and documentation for the fortieth session. 2. Statements were made by the representatives of the Philippines, India and France (on behalf of the European Union) and the observer for Azerbaijan. 3. The Commission then approved the provisional agenda for its fortieth session, as
orally revised, for submission to the Economic and Social Council (see chap. I, sect. B).
Chapter VII [ UP ]ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS THIRTY-NINTH SESSION1. At the 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, the Secretary of the Commission, on behalf of the Rapporteur, introduced the report of the Commission on its thirty-ninth session (E/CN.6/1995/L.8 and Add.1-3). 2. The observer for the Holy See made a statement. 3. A statement was also made by the observer for Palestine. 4. The Commission then adopted the report on its thirty-ninth session, as amended
during the discussion.
Chapter VIII [ UP ]ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSIONA. Opening and duration of the session 1. The Commission on the Status of Women held its thirty-ninth session at United Nations Headquarters from 15 March to 4 April 1995. The Commission held 19 meetings and a number of informal meetings as a Working Group of the Whole. 2. The session was opened by the Under-Secretary-General for Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development. In his statement he emphasized the importance of the thirty-ninth session of the Commission in the process of preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. He stressed the importance of incorporating into the preparations for the Conference the results and achievements of the other United Nations Conferences. He pointed out that the Fourth World Conference on Women and all the other United Nations conferences were searching for the appropriate role of public policies, with special emphasis on the perspective of women. All those conferences had attempted to define the responsibility of all political and public actors in the emerging new paradigm for social and political processes. It was important to achieve synergy among Governments, representatives of the private sector and non-governmental organizations in their efforts to create a real civil society. Non-governmental organizations had played a crucial role in getting the issues of sustainable development, civil society and participatory democracy on the global agenda. He also addressed the vital role of women in development and the negative consequences of prevailing gender inequality for any society. 3. In her opening statement, the Secretary-General of the Fourth World Conference on Women stressed that the preparatory process at the national and regional levels had proceeded successfully owing to the strong involvement of Governments, international, political, financial and development organizations, the private sector, academic and research institutions, donors and, especially, non-governmental organizations. All the United Nations conferences had demonstrated that it was imperative to address the gender dimension in finding solutions to problems that faced the world today. In that respect the Fourth World Conference on Women would provide the opportunity for Governments to commit themselves to specific actions. It would be a forum where non-governmental organizations not only proposed solutions to women's problems, but presented women's vision of a peaceful, developed and just world. 4. The main document of the Conference - the Platform for Action - would spell out the practical steps required to bring about the necessary changes. Furthermore, the Platform for Action provided a script to each of the actors and would make them accountable to women. Accountability, she stressed, demanded the re-examination of priorities and the reallocation of resources. It entailed the enactment, review and enforcement of laws so as to afford women equal opportunities in all spheres of life, including participation in political and economic decision-making. B. Attendance 5. The session was attended by representatives of 39 States members of the Commission. Observers for other States Members of the United Nations and for non-member States, representatives of organizations of the United Nations system and observers for intergovernmental, non-governmental and other organizations also attended. A list of participants is contained in annex I to the present report. C. Election of officers 6. In accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution 1987/21, the officers elected to the Bureau of the Commission at its thirty-eighth session continued to serve as officers during the thirty-ninth session, with the exception of the Rapporteur, as Co^te d'Ivoire was no longer a member of the Commission. The Bureau comprised: Chairperson: Ms. Patricia B. Licuanan (Philippines) Vice-Chairpersons: Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) Ms. Natalia Drozd (Belarus) Ms. Olga Pellicer (Mexico) Rapporteur: Ms. Selma Ashipala (Namibia) D. Agenda and organization of work 7. At the 1st meeting, on 15 March 1995, the Commission adopted its provisional agenda, contained in document E/CN.6/1995/1. The agenda was as follows: 1. Election of officers. 2. Adoption of the agenda and other organizational matters. 3. Preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace: (a) Preparatory activities at the national, regional and international levels; (b) Review and appraisal of the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women; (c) Reports from regional conferences and other international conferences; (d) Draft rules of procedure; (e) Draft Platform for Action; (f) Follow-up to the Fourth World Conference on Women. 4. Programming and coordination matters related to the United Nations and the United Nations system. 5. Monitoring the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. 6. Priority themes: (a) Equality: Equality in economic decision-making; (b) Development: Promotion of literacy, education and training, including technological skills; (c) Peace: Women in international decision-making. 7. Provisional agenda for the fortieth session of the Commission. 8. Adoption of the report of the Commission on its thirty-ninth session. 8. Also at the 1st meeting, the Commission approved the proposed organization of work for the session (E/CN.6/1995/L.2), as well as the proposal of the Bureau to take up the priority themes (item 6) during the discussion of the draft Platform for Action (item 3 (e)). 9. At the same meeting, the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission, Ms. Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl (Austria) was appointed Chairperson of the Informal Working Group of the Whole to work on the draft Platform for Action, as well as other matters related to the preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women. E. Friends of the Rapporteur 10. At the 1st meeting, on 15 March 1995, the Commission decided to establish an informal group of Friends of the Rapporteur, nominated by the regional groups, to assist the Rapporteur in completing the report of the Commission on its thirty-ninth session. Kathleen Townsend (Australia) Sharon Brennen-Haylock (Bahamas) Manuela Rosa (Guinea-Bissau) Jaroslaw Strejczek (Poland) F. Participation of intergovernmental organizations and other entities in the work of the Commission and in the Fourth World Conference on Women 11. At the 1st meeting, on 15 March 1995, the Commission decided to grant observer status to the intergovernmental organizations listed in paragraph 2 of document E/CN.6/1995/L.5, as well as to the two entities listed in paragraph 3 thereof, on the understanding that they be placed in a separate category (for the text of the decision, see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision 39/1). G. Accreditation of non-governmental organizations in accordance with General Assembly resolution 48/108 12. At its 1st meeting, on 15 March 1995, the Commission approved ad referendum the list of non-governmental organizations recommended for accreditation to the Fourth World Conference on Women (E/CN.6/1995/L.4 and Add.1, Add.1/Corr.1, Add.2, Add.3 and Add.3/Corr.1). 13. At the 6th meeting, on 20 March, the Commission approved the list of non-governmental organizations recommended for accreditation to the Conference (for the text of the decision, see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision 39/2). 14. At the same meeting, the observer of the Holy See requested that the following statement be reflected in the report: "My Delegation would like to express its appreciation to the Secretariat for the work which has been carried out in preparing the documentation in E/CN.6/1995/L.4 with Add.1, Add.2 and Add.3. These documents concern the "List of non-governmental organizations recommended for accreditation" to the Fourth World Conference on Women presently before this session of the Commission on the Status of Women. "The Delegation of the Holy See wishes to draw attention to the listing in: E/CN.6/1995/L.4/Add.1, number 59 (Catholics for a Free Choice - United States of America); E/CN.6/1995/L.4/Add.2, number 62 (Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir (Oficina Central de la Red Latinoamericana) - Uruguay) and number 63 (Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir A.C. - Mexico); E/CN.6/1995/L.4/Add.3, number 69 (Catolicas Pelo Direito de Decidir - Brazil). "The name of the non-governmental organization in question is 'Catholics for a Free Choice'. It is the position of my Delegation that the organizational listings in question are misleading by the use of their title. "The organization in question uses the word 'Catholic' in its title and yet publicly maintains positions contrary to those held by the Catholic Church, particularly on the issue of the right to abortion. Any group claiming to speak for Catholics, while at the same time assuming and promoting positions totally contrary to the Catholic Church's moral teaching, cannot be recognized as Catholic. "In the case of the entry number 59 in E/CN.6/1995/L.4/Add.1, the organization in question has listed its affiliation as being in the United States of America. However, the highest civil and canonical Catholic body of that country, the United States Catholic Conference and the National Conference of Catholic Bishops respectively, has issued a public statement noting that 'Catholics for a Free Choice' is not an authentic Catholic organization, and has no affiliation, formal or otherwise, with the Catholic Church and merits no recognition as a Catholic organization. "My Delegation again states that it does not approve the inclusion of these non-governmental organizations for accreditation." H. Consultations with non-governmental organizations 15. A written statement submitted by a non-governmental organization in accordance with rule 76 of the rules of procedure of the functional commissions of the Economic and Social Council (E/5975/Rev.1) is included in the list of documents before the Commission (see annex IV). I. Appointment of the members of the Working Group on Communications on the Status of Women 16. At the 1st meeting, on 15 March, the Commission decided to establish a Working Group to consider, under agenda item 5, communications regarding the status of women, pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1983/27. The following five members, nominated by their regional groups, were appointed: Lyudmila-Bozhkova (Bulgaria) Feng Cui (China) Clara Ine's Vargas (Colombia) Regina Tavares da Silva (Portugal) Wahid Ben Amor (Tunisia) J. Establishment of an informal contact group on gender 17. At the 19th meeting, on 7 April 1995, after hearing statements by the Chairperson and the representatives of Australia, Pakistan, the Sudan, Chile, Namibia and the Philippines and the observers for Benin, Egypt, the United States of America, Canada, Guatemala, Morocco and Norway, the Commission decided to establish an informal contact group to seek agreement on the commonly understood meaning of the term "gender" in the context of the Platform for Action of the Fourth World Conference on Women (for the text of the decision, see chap. I, sect. C, Commission decision 39/3). Notes 1/ Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.85.IV.10), chap. I, sect. A. 2/ A/49/587 and Corr.1. 3/ Ibid., sect. IV. 4/ E/CN.6/1995/8. 5/ General Assembly resolution 48/104, annex. 6/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex. 7/ General Assembly resolution 217 A (III). 8/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, No. 973. 9/ General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. 10/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June 1993 (A/CONF.157/24 (Part I)), chap. III. 11/ Ibid., sect. II, para. 40. 12/ See E/CN.6/1995/CRP.1. 13/ A/48/486-S/26560, annex. 14/ A/49/180-S/1994/727, annex. 15/ General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI), annex. 16/ General Assembly resolution 260 A (III). 17/ General Assembly resolution 39/36, annex. 18/ General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex. 19/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. 75, Nos. 970-973. 20/ Ibid., vol. 1125, Nos. 17512 and 17513. 21/ See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement No. 4 (E/1994/24), chap. II, sect. A. 22/ See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1994, Supplement No. 7 (E/1994/27), chap. I, sect. C. 23/ Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.85.IV.10), chap. I, sect. A. 24/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June 1993 (A/CONF.157/24) (Part I)), chap. III. 25/ General Assembly resolution 34/180. 26/ Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 1995, Supplement No. 3 (E/1995/23), chap. II, sect. A. 27/ General Assembly resolution 48/104. 28/ E/CN.6/1995/13. 29/ General Assembly resolution 217 A (III). 30/ General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. 31/ General Assembly resolution 2200 A (XXI). 32/ General Assembly resolution 39/46, annex. 33/ General Assembly resolution 44/25, annex. 34/ General Assembly resolution 48/104, annex. 35/ A/CONF.171/13, chap. I, resolution 1, annex. 36/ General Assembly resolution 317 (IV), annex. 37/ General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex. 38/ See A/CONF.166/9, chap. I, resolution 1, annex I. 39/ Ibid., annex II. 40/ General Assembly resolution 48/104, annex. 41/ General Assembly resolution 45/158, annex. 42/ See Report of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, Rome, 12-20 July 1979 (WCARRD/REP), transmitted to the members of the General Assembly by a note of the Secretary-General (A/34/485). 43/ Report of the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.85.IV.10), chap. I, sect. A. 44/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June 1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted by the Conference (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigendum), resolution 1, annex II. 45/ Report of the World Conference on Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June 1993 (A/CONF.157/24) (Part I), chap. III. 46/ A/47/308-E/1992/97, annex. 47/ A/S-11/14, annex I. 48/ General Assembly resolution S-13/2, annex. 49/ General Assembly resolution 45/199, annex. 50/ By resolution 49/243 of 21 April 1995, the General Assembly adopted the draft resolution entitled "Accreditation of non-governmental organizations to the Fourth World Conference on Women", recommended by the Commission on the Status of Women as the preparatory body for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace. 51/ By decision 49/482 of 21 April 1995, the General Assembly approved the provisional rules of procedure of the Fourth World Conference on Women; Action for Equality, Development and Peace. The provisional rules of procedure of the Conference will be issued in document A/CONF.177/2. 52/ The delegations of Slovakia, the Sudan, Thailand and Zambia did not participate in the vote. 53/ Subsequently, the delegation of India advised the Secretariat that it had intended to vote in favour of the revised draft resolution. 54/ The delegations of China, the Congo, Cuba and Zambia did not participate in
the vote.
Annex I [ UP ]ATTENDANCEMembers Algeria Angola Joana Lina Ramos Baptista Cristiano, Grac'a Maria Vieira Lopes Pitra Costa, Madalena Adriano Lemos Neto, Branca Neto, Delfina Cordeiro do Nascimento, Maria Imaculada Melo, Francisca Fortes Australia Kathleen Townsend, Rosaleen McGovern, Christine Williams, Sue Murdoch, Helen Ware, Stephen Lloyd, Chris Smith, Elizabeth Brouwer, Pamela Brown, Jeannie Cameron, Sandra Vegting, Kathy Wong, Sandra Yates, Peg McEntee, Hillary Charlesworth Austria Johanna Dohnal, Irene Freudenschuss-Reichl, Engelbert Theuermann, Brigitte Brenner, Elisabeth Rosenmayr, Susanne Keppler, Arno Truger Bahamas Janet G. Bostwick, Harcourt L. Turnquest, Sharon Brennen- Haylock, Cora Bain-Colebrooke Belarus Natalia Drozd, Nikolai Lepeshko Belgium Miet Smet, Alex Reyn, Lily Boeykens, Herman Portocarero, J. Monballyu, L. Vreven, Anna-Marie Servais, Nathalie Cassiers, I. Beyst, S. de Groote Bulgaria Lyudmila Bozhkova, Vladlen Stefanov Chile China Wang Shuxian, Wang Guangya, Wang Xiexian, Feng Cui, Cui Tiankai, Du Yong, Zhang Qi, Zou Xiaoqiao, Yang Ynayi, Zhang Fengkun, Chen Wangxia, Wang Donghua, Zhang Xiaoan, Juang Qin, Zhang Dan, Huang Shu Colombia Clara Ine's Vargas, Alvaro Forero, Zoraida Castilla Congo Marie The're`se Avemeka, Daniel Abibi, Corneille Edouard Moka, Mariane Sianard, De'sire' Nkounkou Costa Rica Fernando Berrocal, Emilia C. de Barish, Lilliana Herna'ndez, Grethel Obando, Ana Isabel Garci'a, Alexandra Lori'a Beeche, Gloria Monge Fonseca Cuba Yolanda Ferrer, Magaly Arocha Domi'nguez, Rita Mari'a Pereira Domi'nguez, Ana Mari'a Luettgen, Juan Antonia Ferna'ndez Palacios Cyprus Erato Kozakou-Marcoulli Ecuador Emilio Izquierdo, Mercedes Jime'nez de Vega, Ruth Moreno, Lola Villaquira'n de Espinosa, Jose' Rosenberg Finland Margareta Pietika"inen, Eeva-Liisa Tuominen, Elisabeth Tigerstedt-Ta"htela", Leila Ra"sa"nen, Sinikka Antila, Sari Ma"kela", Leena Ruusuvuori, Pauliina Murto-Lehtinen, Raili Lahnalampi France He'le`ne Gisserot, Herve' Ladsous, Pierre Sardou, Claire Aubin, Christiane Gilles, Michel Monnier, Caroline Mechin, Jean Michel, Miche`le Gallibour, Lucette Gossot, Annie Labourie-Racape, Juliane Stroggo, Jocelyne Berdu, Pascal Maubert, Fre'de'ric Desagneaux, Edouard Philippe, Franc'ois Poinsot Greece Alexandre Fexis, George Papadatos Guinea Aboubacar Dione, Hawaou Diallo, Tahirou Diallo, Yaye Fatou Bah Guinea-Bissau Manuela Rosa India Prakash Shah, Lata Singh, T. P. Sreenivasan, Arun K. Singh, T. K. Sarojini, M. Manimekalai, S. Rama Rao, Ranjana Kumari Indonesia Sjamsiah Ahmad, Wiwiek Wibadswo, Nugroho Wisnumurti, Susanto Sutoyo, Perwitorini Wijono, Lies Siregar, Esti Andayani, Riyadi Asirdin, Iwan Suyudhie Amri, Siti Hertati Hartono Iran (Islamic Republic of) Japan Makiko Sakai, Mitsuko Horiuchi, Mariko Bando, Atsuko Okajima, Eiko Nakamura, Kyoko Saito, Yuko Suzuki, Atsuko Ishii, Keiko Takegawa, Yoshimi Shimokata, Midori Shimizu, Mitsuko Ito, Jiro Usui, Hiroshi Kodama, Haruko Furuya, Yoko Nuita Kenya Grace Ogot, J. M. Bahemuka, F. R. B. Oeri, Anne Ambwere, Z. J. Kittony, Adam Adawa Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Amara Elbatel, Jamaleddin Hamida, Ahmed Troug Madagascar J. P. Ravelomanantsoa-Ratsimihah, Malala Rasoanirina Ratsimbazafy, Monique Andreas, Martin Rakotonaivo Malaysia Mexico Manuel Tello, Ai'da Gonza'lez Marti'nez, Olga Pellicer, Gloria Brasdefer, Clara Jusidman, Patricia Espinosa, Yanerit Morgan, Gloria Careaga, Patricia Mercado, Susana Vidales, Patricia Duarte, Mari'a Elena Alvarez Bernal, Patricia Gardun~o Morales, Lucero Saldan~a Perez, Irene Ramos Da'vila, Mara Robles Villasen~or, Gloria Sa'nchez Herna'ndez Namibia Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Tunguru Huaraka, Eva Rachel Neels, Lavinia Shikongo, Selma Ashipala, Hazel de Wet, Linda Scott Idhenga Pakistan Peru Carmen Barrantes, Liliam Ballo'n, Ana Pen~a Philippines Patricia B. Licuanan, Maria Lourdes V. Ramiro-Lopez, Ruth S. Limjuco, Imelda M. Nicolas, Myrna S. Feliciano, Aurora Javate-De Dios, Nona S. Ricafort, Esther A. Vibal, Karen Tan~ada, Amelia Alonzo, Regina Jimenez-David Portugal Pedro Catarino, Regina Tavares da Silva, Ricardo Pracana, Conceic'ao de Brito Lopes Republic of Korea Jang-Sook Kim, Wonil Cho, Kwang-Jae Lee, In-Ja Hwang, Bok Soon Park, Hyun-Soon Hwang, Do-Hoon Lee, Hyun-Joo Oh, Jeong-Shim Lee, Yung-Chung Kim, Soon Young Chung Russian Federation G. I. Klimantova, G. N. Galkina, G. V. Gulko, M. O. Korunova, O. U. Sepelev, I. V. Khriskov Slovakia Oksana Tomova', Mirosla Sedla'k, Zuzana Vranova', Sally Williams, Libusa Radkova', Eva Greyova', Anna Okruhlicova Spain Cristina Alberdi, Juan Antonio Ya'n~ez-Barnuevo, Marina Subirats, Agusti'n Nu'n~ez, Paloma Saavedra, Isabel Codo'n, Esther Rubio, Aurelio Ferna'ndez, Fa'tima Mi'nguez, Susana Chozas, Mari'a Jose' Montero, Guadalupe Soto, Carmen Marti'nez, Edelmire Seara, Juan Manuel Gonza'lez de Linares, Mari'a Isabel Don~ate Asenjo, Enriqueta Chicano Sudan Miriam Sir El Khatim, Khadija Karrar, Ali Mohamed Osman Yassin, Ahmed Abdel Halim, Mubarak Hussein, Omer Mohamed El Bashir, Omer Mohamed Ahmed Siddig, Mazahir Mohamed Ahmed, Attyat Mustafa, Rughaya Mahmoud Thailand Saisuree Chutikul, Sriwatana Chulajata, Sweeya Santipitaks, Bhavivarn Noraphallop Togo Tchangai"-Walla Kissem Tunisia Ne'ziha Mezhoud, Slaheddine Abdellah, Samira Chaker, Abderrazak Azaiez, Wahid Ben Amor Venezuela Carmen Teresa Martinez, Mari'a Ines Fonseca, Sayed Duran, Virginia Olivo de Celli Zambia States Members of the United Nations represented by observers Afghanistan, Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Co^te d'Ivoire, Croatia, Czech Republic, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Latvia, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Micronesia (Federated States of), Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Tajikistan, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zimbabwe Non-member States represented by observers Cook Islands, Holy See, Switzerland, Tonga, Tuvalu Specialized agencies and related organizations International Labour Organization, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, World Health Organization, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, International Fund for Agricultural Development, United Nations Industrial Development Organization Intergovernmental organizations represented by observers Agence de Coope'ration Culturelle et Technique, Commonwealth Secretariat, Council of Europe, European Community, Latin American Economic System, League of Arab States, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, Organization of African Unity, Organization of American States, International Organization for Migration Other organizations represented by observers Palestine Non-governmental organizations See annexes II and III below. Annex II [ UP ]NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS IN CONSULTATIVE STATUS WITH THE ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL OR THE COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENTAll India Women's Conference All Pakistan Women's Association American Association of Jurists American Forum for Global Education Amnesty International Anglican Consultative Council Arab Lawyers Union Article 19/International Centre Against Censorship, The Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development Latin American Human Rights Association Associated Country Women of the World Association of African Women for Research and Development Association of the Churches' Development Services Baha'i International Community Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University Care International Caribbean Policy Development Center Caritas Internationalis (International Confederation of Catholic Charities) Catholic International Education Office Center for Development of International Law Center of Concern Centre de recherche et d'information pour le developpement Centre for Development and Population Activities Change Church Women United Citizens Network for Sustainable Development Coalition Against Trafficking in Women Commonweal Commonwealth Human Ecology Council (CHEC) Commonwealth Medical Association Communications Coordination Committee for the United Nations Community Aid Abroad Latin American Council for Adult Education Latin American Council of Catholic Women Consultative Group on Biological Diversity Cooperative Housing Foundation Cousteau Society, Inc. National Council of German Women's Organizations - Federal Union of Women's Organizations and Women's Groups of German Associations, E.V. Disabled People's International Education International Environment Liaison Centre International Environmental Defense Fund European Federation for the Welfare of the Elderly (EURAG) European Union of Women Food for the Hungry International (FHI) Forum of African Voluntary Development Organizations Friedrich Ebert Foundation Friends of the Earth (FOE) Friends World Committee for Consultation General Arab Women Federation United Methodist Church/General Board of Global Ministries Greek Orthodox Archdiocesan Council of North and South America Housewives in Dialogue Human Rights Internet (HRI) Human Rights Watch Hunger Project, The Indigenous World Association Institute for Women, Law and Development Institute of Cultural Affairs (International) Inter-Parliamentary Union Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children (IAC) International Abolitionist Federation International Alliance of Women - Equal Rights, Equal Responsibilities International Association against Torture International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) International Association of Charities International Association of Educators for World Peace International Catholic Child Bureau International Catholic Migration Commission International Cooperative Alliance International Council for Adult Education (ICAE) International Council of Jewish Women International Council of Nurses International Council of Women International Council on Social Welfare International Diabetes Federation International Federation for Home Economics (IFHE) International Federation for Parent Education International Federation for the Protection of the Rights of Ethnic, Religious, Linguistic and Other Minorities International Federation of Agricultural Producers International Federation of Business and Professional Women International Federation of Human Rights International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) International Federation of Settlement and Neighbourhood Centres (IFS) International Federation of University Women International Federation of Women Lawyers International Fellowship of Reconciliation International Institute for Sustainable Development (IIED) International Institute of Administrative Sciences International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRR) International Law Association International League for Human Rights International League of Societies for Persons With Mental Handicaps International Movement Against All Forms of Discrimination and Racism (IMADR) International Movement for Fraternal Union Among Races and Peoples (UFER) International Organization of Consumers Unions (IOCU) International Peace Bureau International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) International Political Science Association International Right To Life Federation International Social Service International Studies Association International Union of Family Organizations (IUFO) International Women's Anthropology Conference, Inc. (IWAC) International Women's Tribune Center Islamic African Relief Agency La Leche League International, Inc. (LLLI) Lutheran World Federation Medical Women's International Association Mediterranean Women's Studies Institute Minority Rights Group Muslim World League National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL) National Audubon Society National Congress of Neighborhood Women National Wildlife Federation OXFAM (United Kingdom and Ireland) OXFAM (America) Private Agencies Collaborating Together, Inc. Pan African Women's Organization Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women's Association Pathways to Peace (PTP) Pax Romana (International Catholic Movement for International and Cultural Affairs) (International Movement of Catholic Students) Plan International Population Communications - International Population Institute Robert F. Kennedy Memorial International Save the Children Alliance Socialist International Women (SIW) Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) Soroptimist International St. Joan's International Alliance Third World Movement Against the Exploitation of Women Trickle Up Program UNDA - Catholic International Association for Radio and Television United Nations Association of USA Women's International Democratic Federation Women's International League for Peace and Freedom Women's International Zionist Organization Women's World Banking World Alliance of Reformed Churches World Alliance of Young Men's Christian Associations World Assembly of Small and Medium Enterprises World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts World Blind Union World Christian Life Community World Council for Curriculum and Instruction World Council of Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) World Development Movement World Education Fellowship, The World Federalist Movement World Federation for Mental Health World Federation of Methodist Women (WFMW) World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations World Federation of United Nations Association (WFUNA) World Movement of Mothers World Safety Organization World Union of Catholic Women's Organization World Veterans Federation World Vision International World Young Women's Christian Association Youth for Development and Cooperation Zonta International Annex III [ UP ]NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN8th Day Center for Justice 9 to 5, National Association of Working Women Academy for Educational Development Advice Desk for Abused Women African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET) African-American Institute, The Agencia latinoamericana de informacion (ALAI) Agragamee Agromart Foundation Ahmedabad Women's Action Group (AWAG) Akhil Bhartiya Manushiki Evam Mahila Vikas Sangathan (All India Women's Studies and Development) Akina Mana wa Afrika Alan Guttmacher Institute Alberto Vollmer Foundation, Inc. All-China Women's Federation Alliance for Arab Women Alliance for Life American Association of University Women American Bar Association American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists American Council for Voluntary International Action (Interaction) American Jewish Committee, The American Life League, Inc. American Public Health Association (APHA) Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Angolan Action for Development (AAD) Appropriate Technology International (ATI) Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Asdekaa el chab (Friends of the People Society) ASEAN Confederation of Women's Organizations (ACWO) Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD) Asia-Pacific Women in Politics Network (APWIP) Asian Migrant Centre Ltd. Asian-South Pacific Bureau of Adult Education Philippines Asian Women's Association (Japan) Asian Women's Conference Network Asian Women's Human Rights Council (AWHRC) Asociacion benefica para la difusion de la cultura Asociacion espan~ola de educadores para la salud (AEDES) Asociacion espan~ola de mujeres juristas (A.E.M.J.) Asociacion familias numerosa (AFAN) Asociacion mexicana contra la violencia a las mujeres A.C. (COVAC) Asociacion ProPeru Associacao de mulheres contra a violencia Association democratique des femmes du maroc Association des femmes africaines de sarcelles et des environs (AFASE) Association des femmes educatrice du mali Association des juristes maliennes Association des professionnelles africaines de la communication (APAC) Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries of Tibet Autonomous Region Association for Experiential Education Association for Progressive Communications (APC) Association for Women in Development - American University Association for Women in Science Association internationale pour la democratie en afrique Association internationale des maisons familiales rurales (A.I.M.F.R) Association marocaine des droits des femmes (AMDE) Association of Presbyterian Women of Aotearoa, New Zealand Association of Women Journalists Association of Women's Organizations of Jamaica Association pour la promotion de la femme senegalaise (APROFES) Association pour le progre`s et la defense des droits des femmes maliennes (APDF) Association tunisienne des femmes democrates (ATFD) Assumption College/Women's Studies Australian Council for Overseas Aid Australian Council for Women Australian Federation of Business and Professional Women, Inc. Australian Feminist Law Foundation Inc., The Austrian Women's Shelter Network AVSC International Azerbaijan Women's Association Aziz Jehan Begum Trust for the Blind B'nai B'rith Women Bangladesh National Preparatory Committee towards Beijing Banulacht Baphalali Swaziland Red Cross Society Black Women's Agenda, Inc. Black Women's Promotion and Research Project Boston Women's Health Book Collective, Inc. British Association of Women Entrepreneurs (BAWE) Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) Camino Foundation Campaign Life Coalition Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women in Sport Canadian Beijing Facilitating Committee Canadian Council for Refugees Canadian Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs (BPW Canada) Canadian Labour Congress Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women Capital Women Journalists Association CARE Caribbean Association for Feminist Research and Action (CAFRA) Caribbean People Development Agency (CARIPEDA) Carter Center, The Catholic Women's League, Australia Catholics for a Free Choice Cemina-centro de projetos da mulher/Women's Projects Center Center for Asia-Pacific Women in Politics Center for Constitutional Rights Center for Juridicial Studies on Gender Themes Center for Population and Family Health/Prevention of Maternal Mortality Program Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, The Center for Women War Victims Center for Women's Global Leadership Centre de recherche et d'action pour le developpement Centre for Action-Oriented Research on African Development (CARAD) Centre for Environment, Gender and Development (ENGENDER) Centre for Feminist Research, York University Centre for Women's Studies and Development, Punjab University Centro de desarrollo y formento a la autoayuda (CEDEFOA) Centro de estudios e investigacion sobre el maltrato de la mujer ecuatoriana (CIEMME) Centro de estudios sociales y publicaciones (CESIP) Centro de informacion y desarrollo de la mujer-CIDEM Centro de investigacion para la accion femenina Centro de investigacion social, formacion y estudios de la mujer (CISFEM) Centro de la mujer peruana Flora Tristan Centro de promocion de la mujer Gregoria Apaza Centro informacao mulher (CIM) CFEMEA - centro feminista de estudios e assessoria Children's Express Foundation China Committee for the Promotion of Women and Children Affairs China Family Planning Association China Nationality Council for Promotion of Economy and Cooperation with Foreign Countries China Society for Human Rights Studies Chinese Marriage and Family Promotion Association Christian Aid Church of Scotland Women's Guild Church World Service and Witness Circulo empresarial iberoamericano CLADEM - Costa Rica CLADEM - Latin American Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights CLADEM - Peru Collectif 95 maghreb egalite' Collectif feministe contre le viol Collectif feministe ruptures Comision de asociaciones para el seguimiento del plan de igualdad de oportunidades de las mujeres (CCSPIOM) Comite' d'action pour les droits de l'enfant et de la femme - CADEF/Mali Comite' national d'action pour les droits de l'enfant et de la femme Comite' national des droits de la femme Comite' scientifique "femmes et developpement" Commission feminine internationale du mouvement e'uropeen Commission nationale de femme du mouvement populaire Commission of the Churches on International Affairs Congregations of Saint Joseph Congregazione di nostra signora di carita del buon pastore Conseil des femmes de polynesie francaise Conseil national des femmes francaises (CNFF) Coordinadora de organizaciones no gubernamentales de mujeres Coordinadora de organizaciones no gubernamentales del area mujer Coordinadora feminista de defensoras A.C. Coordination francaise pour le lobby europe en des femmes (C.L.E.F.) Coordination in Development, Inc. (CODEL) Coordination Unit - Bangalore (Fourth World Conference on Women, Beijing 1995) Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services (CEOSS) Corporacion casa de la mujer Council of Churches in Namibia Council of Nordic Trade Unions Council on Peace Research in History Counterpart FSP Country Women Association of Nigeria Couple to Couple League International, Inc. Deutsche welthungerhilfe (German agro action) Developing Countries Farm Radio Network Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) Developpement par l'epargne et le credit - organisation non gouvernementale (DEC/ONG) Dialogue on Diversity, Inc. Disabled Women's Network of BC Dubrovnik Peace and Humanitarian Organization (DESA) Dutch Association of Women's Interest, Women's Work and Equal Citizenship Dutch Platform for Women and Health, Beijing '95 Eagle Forum/Education and Legal Defense Fund Ecumenical Coalition on Women & Society Egyptian National Steering Preparatory Committee for Beijing 1995 Egyptian Society for the Development of Local Communities (ESDLC) Environmental Development Action in the Third World (ENDA) Equality Now European Anti-Poverty Network (EAPN) European Network of Policewomen European Union of Women (British section) European University Center for Peace Studies (EPU) European Women's Lobby (EWL) Family Care International, Inc. Family Health International Family of the Americas Foundation, Inc. (FAF) Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago Family Planning Association of Uganda Family Therapy Practice Center Family Violence Prevention Fund Fawcett Society Federacion iberica de asociaciones de telespectadores y radioyentes (FIATYR) Federacion nacional de asociaciones de mujeres para la democracia Federally Employed Women, Inc. Federation des associations feminines du cameroun (FAFCAM) Federation des dames d'acadie inc. Federation e'uropeenne des femmes actives au foyer Federation of municipal officers KVL Feminist Majority Foundation, The Feminist Press Feministas en marcha (FEM) Femme developpement entreprise en afrique Femmes, sciences, developpement Firaisan'ny vehivavy sendikalista/F.M.M. (FVS/FMM) Ford Foundation, The Forum des migrants de l'UE Foundation against Trafficking in Women Foundation for a Compassionate Society Foundation for the Support of the United Nations, Inc. Foundation for the Support of Women's Work Foundation for Women's Solidarity (FWS) Franciscans International, Inc. Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center for Health and Human Rights Friends of the Pennsylvania Commission for Women Friendship Ambassadors Foundation Fundacion dialogo mujer Fundacion guatemala Fundacion para estudio e investigacion de la mujer (FEIM) Fundacion promocion social de la cultura Fundacion tazumal General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action (GABRIELA) General Federation of Jordanian Women General Union of Palestinian Women (GUPW) Girls Incorporated Global Alliance for Women's Health Global Food & Nutrition Alliance, The Global Fund for Women, The Global Legislators Organization for a Balanced Environment Grassroots Health Organization of Nigeria (GHON) Grassroots Organizations Operating Together in Sisterhood (GROOTS) Groupe de recherche d'e'tudes et de formation femmes action (GREFFA) Groupe femmes pour l'abolition des mutilations sexuelles (G.A.M.S.) Grupo de educacion popular con mujeres A.C. (GEM) Grupo de informacion en reproduccion elegida (GIRE) Haitian American Women Advocacy Network, Inc. (HAWANET) Harlem Women's Committee/New Future Foundation Inc. Hong Kong Federation of Women Hong Kong Women's Foundation Limited Human Rights Education Centre Indigenous Women's Network Indonesian Federation of Business & Professional Women (IFBPW) Information Center of the Independent Women's Forum (ICIWF) Initiatives: Women in Development Institute for Development Training Institute for Religious Studies Institute for Reproductive Health Institute for the Study of Women/Mount Saint Vincent University Instituto de estudios de la mujer Instituto de estudios juridicos de el salvador (IEJES) Instituto social y politico de la mujer Instituto universitario de estudios de la mujer de la universidad autonoma de madrid Inter-regional Business Women Club "Gen Club" International Association of Women Judges (IAWJ) & International Women Judges Foundation (IWJF) International Baby Food Action Network International Center for Research on Women International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development (ICHRDD) International Cross-Cultural Black Women's Studies Institute International Development Research Center (IDRC) International Federation of Women Lawyers - Kenya Chapter International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission International Health Awareness Network International Islamic Relief Organization, Saudi Arabia (IIRO) International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) International Pen Women Writers' Committee International Planned Parenthood Federation (Europe region) International Reproductive Rights Research Action Group International Secretariat for Water International Special Dietary Food Industries (ISDI) International Women's Development Agency International Women's Health Coalition International Women's Rights Action Watch International Women's Writing Guild International Women's Year Liaison Group (IWYLC) International Working Group on Women and Sport Irish Commission for Justice and Peace ISIS International ISIS International-Manila ISIS-Women's International Cross-Cultural Exchange (ISIS WICCE) Islamic Women's Institute of Iran (IWII) Japan Civil Liberties Union (JCLU) Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA) Japanese Association of International Women's Rights (JAIWR) Karakalpak Centre of the Human Reproduction & Family Planning Korea Woman's Hotline Korean Federation of Business and Professional Women Korean Institute for Women and Politics (KIWP) Korean Women's Association, The (KWA) Kowani - the Indonesian Women's Congress L'union nationale des femmes de roumanie Latin American and Caribbean Women's Health Network (LACWHN) Latvian Association of Family Planning and Sexual Health League of Women Voters of the United States Lebanese Council of Women Les nanas beurs Life Choices, Inc. Life Ethics Educational Association Lifeline (Aid to Women) Loretto Community Macarthur Foundation (the John D. and Catherine T. Macarthur Foundation) Madaripur Legal Aid Association (MLAA) Madre, Inc. Magee Womencare International Margaret Sanger, Center International Planned Parenthood of New York Maryknoll Sisters of St. Dominic, Inc. Match International Center Maternal Health Care Society of China Preventive Medical Association Mautner Project for Lesbians with Cancer, The Medical Mission Sisters (Society of Catholic Medical Missionaries, Generalate, Inc.) Mediterranean Women's Forum Melati Institute of Management for the Advancement of Women Michigan State University (International Studies Program) Mills College (Women's Leadership Institute) MOA Foundation Mobility International U.S.A. Mongolian Women's Federation Moscow Center for Gender Studies (MCGS) Mothers for Peace-Croatia Mouvement "jeunes femmes" Mouvement feminin du mouvement national populaire (MNP) Mouvement pour la defense des droits de la femme noire (MODEFEN) Movimiento Manuela Ramos Ms. Foundation for Women Mujeres trabajadoras unidas, A.C. Mujeres en accion sindical (MUTUAC-MAS) Multiple Action Research Group (MARG) N.C.O.S. (National Centre for Development Cooperation) N.M. Sadguru Water and Development Foundation N.Z. NGO Coordinating Committee - Beijing 1995 Na'amat USA, The Women's Labor Zionist Organization of America, Inc. Naripokkho National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League (NARAL) National Action Committee on the Status of Women National Alliance of Women's Organizations (GABRIELA) National Asian Women's Health Organization National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Inc. National Bar Association/Women's division and the international law section National Black Women's Health Project, Inc. National Center on Women and Family Law, Inc. National Coalition against Domestic Violence National Committee for Women Workers of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions National Committee on the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. National Council for Research on Women National Council of Jewish Women National Council of Negro Women National Council of Women of Australia Inc. Ltd. National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) National Council of Women of Fiji National Council of Women of Kenya National Council of Women of the Philippines National Council of Women's Societies, Nigeria National Family Farm Coalition National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) National Federation of International Organization for Immigrant Women-Sweden National Institute of Womanhood (NIW), The National Jewish Community Relations Advisory Council National Network of Women's Funds National Organization for Women, Inc. National Organization of Immigrant and Visible Minority Women of Canada National Right to Life/Educational Trust Fund National Watch on Images of Women in the Media (Mediawatch) Inc. National Women's Conference Center National Women's Network for International Solidarity Native Women's Association of Canada Netherlands Council of Women Netherlands Organization for International Development Cooperation (NOVIB) Netherlands Organization for Women's Interests, Women's Labour and Equal Representation Network of East-West Women Network Women in Development Europe (WIDE) New Japan Women's Association Nizhny Novgorod League of Businesswomen North America Taiwanese Women's Association North-South Institute, The Office of Women in Higher Education/American Council on Education Older Women's League (OWL) Older Women's Network (Australia) Older Women's Network (Europe) Once and Future Action Network (OFAN) Organizing Committee/People's Decade of Human Rights Education OXFAM-Quebec Pacific Concerns Resource Centre/Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Movement (PCRC/NFIP) Pakistan Association for Women's Studies (PAWS) Palestine Human Rights Information Center (PHRIC) Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association of Australia, The Pan-African Movement, The Partners of the Americas Peace Action Peace and Cooperation Peace History Society (formerly Council on Peace Research in History) People-Centered Development Forum Petersburg Women's Centre (Russia) Philadelphia yearly meeting of the Religious Society of Friends Philippine American Foundation Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement Physicians for Social Responsibility Planned Parenthood Federation of America Planned Parenthood Federation of Canada Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria Plutonium Free Future Women's Network Population Communication Population Action International Population Reference Bureau, Inc. Port Loko United Nations Students Association (P.L.U.N.S.A.) Presbyterian Church in Canada Presbyterian Church (USA) Rassemblement democratique des femmes du niger Real Women of Canada Red Crescent Society of Uzbekistan Red Cross Society of China REDEH - rede de defesa da especie humana Religious Consultation on Population, Reproductive Health and Ethics Reseau sous-regional femmes africaines et droits humains (REFAD) Results Inc. Retravailler Riksforbundet for sexuell upplysning (RFSU) Rockford Institute Center on the Family in America, The Ruk rakaganno (The tree society) Women's environmental centre Rural development leadership network Rural social science network SAACID voluntary organisation SAPHTA School Sisters of Notre Dame Secretariat de concertation des ong maliennes - SECO-ONG/Mali Secretariat for family, laity, women and youth, National Conferences for Catholic Bishops Service for Unprivileged Section of Society (SUSS) Shaler Adams Foundation Shirkat Gah Women's Resource Centre Sigma delta epsilon Graduate Women in Science, Inc. Sindh rural women up-lift group Singapore Council of Women's Organizations Sociedad "surcos" cientifico-cultural, pedagogica Sociologists for Women in Society Soqosoqo ni vakavulewa ni taukei women's wing Soroptimist International - Bangladesh Soroptimist International - U.K. Programme Action Committee South Asian Association for Women Studies Stichting projekta/Foundation for Women and Development Services Stichting tiye international Sudanese Women General Union Swedish NGO Foundation for Human Rights Swedish Women's Film Association (SKFF) Swiss Coalition of Development Organizations Taller permanente de la mujer Tam Cam Foundation, Inc. Tanzania Association of Nongovernmental Organizations (TANGO) Tanzania Home Economics Association (TAHEA) Thirty-first (31st) December Women's Movement Tresnjevka Women's Group True Majority Inc., The Tunisian Mothers' Association U.K. Asian Women's Conference UNESCO Standing Committee of NGOs Union catholique internationale de la presse (UCIP) Union de l'action feminine (W.A.F.) Union de mujeres de la argentina Union des cooperatives des commercantes de vivriers de bouake Union nationale de la femme tunisienne Union of Kuwaiti Women Associations, The Union pour la promotion de la femme nigerienne Union suisse pour decriminaliser l'avortement (USPDA) Unitarian Universalist Association Unitarian Universalist Service Committee United Methodist Church/General Board of Church and Society United Nations Association of Mauritius United Nations Women's Guild United States Committee for UNICEF United States Committee for UNIFEM University Network (Helinski espana) Vivid Communication with Women in their Cultures University of Southampton - Faculty of Law Voice of Women for Peace (Canada) Vrouwenberaad ontwikkelingssamenwerking (VBOS) Wales Assembly of Women WELLSTART International West African Media Network (WAMNET) Western Consortium for Public Health (aka Pacific Institute for Women's Health) Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development-Women's Leadership Program Wittenberg Center for Alternative Resources, Inc., The Womankind Worldwide Women and Fisheries Network Women and Media Collective, The Women and Shelter Network Women Convention Watch Indonesia, The Women Cultural Social Society, The Women Filmmakers Association of Russia Women for International Peace and Arbitration Women for Mutual Security Women for Women Women in International Security (WIIS) Women in Law and Development in Africa (WILDAF) Women of Color Resource Center (WCRC) Women of Reform Judaism, the Federation of Temple Sisterhoods Women of Vision Women Politics and Developing Nations/International Political Science Association Research Committee Women Refugees Project at Cambridge and Somerville Legal Services/Harvard Immigration and Refugee Program Women Sport International Women Union - United Arab Emirates Women with Disabilities Australia Women's Affairs Committee of U.S.-Shanghai Association for Economic and Technological Exchange Women's Alliance for Democracy Women's Association of Macau, The Women's Canadian Org. Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children Women's Council of Dallas County Texas, Inc. Women's Economic Network Women's Educational and Research Center Women's Exchange Programme International/Centre for International Women's Activities Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) Women's Federation for World Peace, International Women's Federation of Tibet Autonomous Region of China Women's Health Organization of Nigeria Women's International Studies Europe (WISE) Women's Research and Documentation Project (WRDP) Women's Research and Education Fund, Inc. of the National Association of Commissions for Women (WREF) Women's Socio-Cultural Society (WSCS) Women's Solidarity Association of Iran Women's Solidarity for Justice Women's Sports Foundation Women's Studies Center, Peking University Women's Studies Centre Women's Studies Society of Japan Women's Union of Russia, The (WUR) Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) Women, Law and Development Centre Working Women's Forum (India) World Conference on Religion and Peace (Japanese Committee) World Organization for the Family World Federalist Association World Information Transfer World Sustainable Agriculture Association (WSAA) World Women's Veterinary Association Worldwide Network (Women in Development and Environment) Yokohama Women's Association for Communication and Networking (YWACN) Young Women's Christian Association (Uganda) YWCA of Australia (Young Women's Christian Association of Australia) YWCA of India YWCA of USA Annex IV [ UP ]LIST OF DOCUMENTS BEFORE THE COMMISSION AT ITS THIRTY-NINTH SESSIONDocument symbol Agenda item Title or description A/49/378 1994 World Survey on the Role of Women in Development: report of the Secretary- General E/CN.6/1995/1 2 Provisional agenda E/CN.6/1995/2 3 (e) Draft platform of action: report of the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/3 3 (b) Second review and appraisal of the and Add.1-10 implementation of the Nairobi Forward- looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women: report of the Secretary-General (introduction) E/CN.6/1995/4 3 Preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women E/CN.6/1995/5 3 (c) Reports from regional conferences and and Add.1-7 other international conferences E/CN.6/1995/6 3 Technical assistance and women: from mainstreaming towards institutional accountability: note by the Secretary- General E/CN.6/1995/7 4 Improvement of the status of women in the Secretariat: report of the Secretary- General E/CN.6/1995/8 5 Situation of and assistance to Palestinian women: report of the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/9 5 Activities of the United Nations bodies and institutions concerned with crime prevention: report of the Secretary- General E/CN.6/1995/10 6 (a) Equality in economic decision-making: report of the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/11 2 Promotion of literacy, education and training, including technological skills: report of the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/12 6 Participation of women in political life and decision-making: report of the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/13 5 Steps to be taken by the Division for the Advancement of Women to ensure that relevant human rights mechanisms of the United Nations regularly address violations of the rights of women, including progress in preparing a joint work plan on women's human rights for the Centre for Human Rights and the Division for the Advancement of Women: note by the Secretary-General E/CN.6/1995/L.1* E/CN.6/1995/L.2 2 Proposed organization of work: note by the Secretariat E/CN.6/1995/L.3 4 Proposed programme of work of the Division for the Advancement of Women for the biennium 1996-1997: note by the Secretariat E/CN.6/1995/L.4 2 Accreditation of non-governmental and Add.1, organizations in accordance with Add.1/Corr.1, General Assembly resolution 48/108: Add.2, Add.3 and note by the Secretariat Add.3/Corr.1 E/CN.6/1995/L.5 2 Participation of intergovernmental organizations in the work of the Commission on the Status of Women and in the Conference: note by the Secretariat E/CN.6/1995/L.6 4 Armenia, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Canada, Colombia, Co^te d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, El Salvador, Finland, Iceland, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Marshall Islands, Micronesia (Federated States of), Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Samoa, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, United States of America and Venezuela: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.7 5 Azerbaijan: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.8 8 Draft report of the Commission on and Add.1-3 its thirty-ninth session E/CN.6/1995/L.9 5 Norway, Russian Federation and United States of America: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.10 5 Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Costa Rica, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Indonesia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, Pakistan, Republic of Korea, Senegal, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.11 5 Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Gambia, Germany, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Latvia, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Senegal, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Zimbabwe: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.12 5 Philippines and China: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.13 5 Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Zambia and Zimbabwe: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.14 5 Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Co^te d'Ivoire, Gambia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Switzerland: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.15 5 Argentina, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Philippines: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.16 6 China, Costa Rica, Peru and Venezuela: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.17 3 (e) Draft platform for action and Add.1-21 E/CN.6/1995/L.18 6 Algeria, Angola, Co^te d'Ivoire, Cuba, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia and Zambia: draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.19 7 Draft provisional agenda and documentation for the fortieth session of the Commission E/CN.6/1995/L.20 3 Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Co^te d'Ivoire, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malawi, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tonga, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America and Zambia: draft decision E/CN.6/1995/L.21 3 Draft resolution submitted by the Chairperson E/CN.6/1995/NGO/1 3 Statement submitted by the National Council of German Women's Organizations, a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, category II E/CN.6/1995/CRP.1 Results of the fourteenth session of and Add.1 the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women E/CN.6/1995/CRP.2 5 Report of the Working Group on Communications on the Status of Women
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