Beijing

Declaration
and Platform
for Action

Beijing+5
Political
Declaration
and
Outcome
© United Nations 1995.
All rights reserved.
Reprinted by UN Women in 2014.

ISBN: 978-1-936291-93-9
 Beijing
Declaration
and Platform
for Action

Beijing+5
Political
Declaration
and
Outcome
Contents

Foreword...................................................................................................................... 1
Introduction .............................................................................................................. 3
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action......................................... 5
Beijing Declaration ................................................................................................. 7
Platform for Action ................................................................................................ 15
Chapter I Mission Statement ............................................................................ 16
Chapter II Global Framework ............................................................................. 18
Chapter III Critical Areas of Concern ................................................................ 30
Chapter IV Strategic Objectives and Actions ................................................ 32
A. Women and poverty .................................................................... 33
B. Education and training of women ........................................ 44
C. Women and health...................................................................... 55
D. Violence against women .......................................................... 76
E. Women and armed conflict...................................................... 87
F. Women and the economy....................................................... 101
G. Women in power and decision-making.......................... 119
H. Institutional mechanisms for the
advancement of women........................................................ 127
I. Human rights of women ........................................................ 134
J. Women and the media ............................................................ 149
K. Women and the environment ............................................ 155
L. The girl-child ................................................................................ 165
Chapter V Institutional arrangements ........................................................ 177
A. National level.............................................................................. 178
B. Subregional/Regional level ................................................... 180
C. International level..................................................................... 181
Chapter VI Financial arrangements............................................................... 192
A. National level.............................................................................. 192
B. Regional level............................................................................... 193
C. International level ................................................................... 193
Notes ............................................................................................................................... 196
Beijing+5 ................................................................................................ 199
Political Declaration ..................................................................................................... 201
Further actions and initiatives to implement the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action ................................................. 205
Chapter I Introduction ..................................................................................... 206
Chapter II Achievements in and obstacles to the
implementation of the 12 critical areas of concern
of the Platform for Action ........................................................... 208
Chapter III Current challenges affecting the full
implementation of the Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action ............................................................... 226
Chapter IV Actions and initiatives to overcome obstacles
and to achieve the full and accelerated
implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action ......... 232
Notes ............................................................................................................................... 269
Foreword

wenty years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted
T
by 189 Member States meeting in China, its stature and significance as a
roadmap for the achievement of gender equality remains undiminished. This
pivotal document continues to guide the global struggle against constraints and
obstacles to the empowerment of women around the world.

In the face of new forces threatening to curtail the rights of women and girls,
we must return to the agenda set by the Platform for Action and renew our
commitment to carry it out in full.

This milestone anniversary coincides with the once-in-a-generation opportunity

presented in 2015. During this single year, we must do our utmost to achieve
the Millennium Development Goals, adopt a post-2015 agenda with a new
generation of sustainable development goals, and approve a meaningful,
universal climate agreement.

As we look ahead to creating a more sustainable, inclusive and peaceful world,

I applaud the visionary leadership of those who crafted the Platform for Action
and urge a new generation of gender equality advocates to join me in advancing
this cause. When we empower women and girls, we will realize a better future
for all.

BAN Ki-Moon
Secretary-General
United Nations
Introduction

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action of 1995 is a visionary agenda
for the empowerment of women. It still remains today the most comprehensive
global policy framework and blueprint for action, and is a current source of
guidance and inspiration to realize gender equality and the human rights of
women and girls, everywhere.

This landmark text was the outcome of the Fourth World Conference on Women,
held in Beijing, China, in September 1995. After two weeks of political debate,
exchange of information on good practice and lessons learned, and sharing of
experiences, representatives of 189 Governments agreed to commitments that
were unprecedented in scope. More than 30,000 people also participated in
the Forum of non-governmental organizations in Huairou, a unique space of
advocacy, networking, training and knowledge sharing.

The Platform for Action covers 12 critical areas of concern that are as relevant
today as 20 years ago: poverty; education and training; health; violence; armed
conflict; economy; power and decision-making; institutional mechanisms;
human rights; media; environment; and the girl child. For each critical area of
concern, strategic objectives are identified, as well as a detailed catalogue of
related actions to be taken by Governments and other stakeholders, at national,
regional and international level. At the twenty-third special session of the
General Assembly in June 2000, held to review the implementation of the
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Governments agreed on further
actions to accelerate implementation of the Platform for Action and to ensure that
commitments for gender equality, development and peace were fully realized.

Since 1995, Governments, civil society and other stakeholders have worked to
eliminate discrimination against women and girls and achieve equality in all
areas of life, in public and in private spaces. Discriminatory legislation is being
removed, and violence against women and girls and harmful practices addressed.
There have been significant gains in girls’ school enrolment, and women’s
participation in the labour force and the economy is growing in some regions.
Women’s representation in national parliaments now exceeds 20 per cent
globally. Significant normative advances have been made in the global agenda
on women, peace and security. Much has been achieved, but progress has been
unacceptably slow and uneven, particularly for the most marginalized women
and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination.

Nearly 20 years after the adoption of the Platform for Action, no country has
achieved equality for women and girls and significant levels of inequality
between women and men persist. Critical areas of insufficient progress include
access to decent work and closing the gender pay gap; rebalancing of the care
workload; ending violence against women; reducing maternal mortality and
realizing sexual and reproductive health and rights; and participation in power
and decision-making at all levels.

As we approach the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the Beijing

Declaration and Platform for Action, there is a new sense of real urgency, a
recognition that we are at a turning point for women’s rights, a recognition that
realizing gender equality, the empowerment of women and the human rights of
women and girls must be a pressing and central task.

As the international community is in the final stages of crafting a post-2015

development agenda, this anniversary edition of the Beijing Declaration and
Platform for Action, together with the outcomes of the twenty-third special
session of the General Assembly, is a timely reminder that gender equality is not
only a goal in itself, but a means for achieving all other goals on the global agenda.

Today, more than ever, urgent and sustained action is needed to transform the
structures, institutions and norms – economic, political and social – that are
holding back progress on gender equality. These systemic changes must be deep
and irreversible.

This requires:

• Governments to demonstrate strong, determined leadership and commitment

to advance women’s rights;
• Reaching the most marginalized women and girls by tackling stark and rising
inequalities and multiple forms of discrimination;
• Strengthening accountability for gender equality and supporting national
gender equality mechanisms and women’s movements to exert greater
influence in policy decisions;
• Greater contributions of men as gender equality advocates; and
• Exponentially increasing investments in gender equality and women’s rights.

Gender equality is a shared vision of social justice and human rights. Everyone
has a responsibility to act, particularly governments as the primary duty bearers.
We must seize all opportunities at national, regional and global levels and give
new impetus to the achievement of gender equality, the empowerment of
women and women’s and girls’ enjoyment of their human rights.

Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Under-Secretary-General
Executive Director
UN Women
Beijing
Declaration
Platform
for Action

Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women

4 – 15 September 1995
Beijing
Declaration
 1. 
We, the Governments participat- with origins in both the national
ing in the Fourth World Conference and international domains,
on Women,
7. Dedicate ourselves unreservedly
2. Gathered here in Beijing in Sep- to addressing these constraints
tember 1995, the year of the fifti- and obstacles and thus enhanc-
eth anniversary of the founding of ing further the advancement and
the United Nations, empowerment of women all over
the world, and agree that this
3. Determined to advance the goals requires urgent action in the
of equality, development and spirit of determination, hope,
peace for all women everywhere cooperation and solidarity, now
in the interest of all humanity, and to carry us forward into the
next century.
4. Acknowledging the voices of all
women everywhere and taking We reaffirm our commitment to:
note of the diversity of women
and their roles and circumstances, 8. 
The equal rights and inherent
honouring the women who paved human dignity of women and
the way and inspired by the hope men and other purposes and
present in the world’s youth, principles enshrined in the Char-
ter of the United Nations, to the
5. Recognize that the status of wom- Universal Declaration of Human
en has advanced in some import- Rights and other internation-
ant respects in the past decade but al human rights instruments,
that progress has been uneven, in particular the Convention on
inequalities between women and the Elimination of All Forms of
men have persisted and major Discrimination against Wom-
obstacles remain, with serious en and the Convention on the
consequences for the well-being Rights of the Child, as well as
of all people, the Declaration on the Elimina-
tion of Violence against Women
6. Also recognize that this situation and the Declaration on the Right
is exacerbated by the increasing to Development;
poverty that is affecting the lives of
the majority of the world’s people, 9. 
Ensure the full implementation
8 in particular women and children, of the human rights of women
 Beijing Declaration

and of the girl child as an inalien- We are convinced that:

able, integral and indivisible part
of all human rights and funda- 13. Women’s empowerment and their
mental freedoms; full participation on the basis of
equality in all spheres of society,
10. Build on consensus and progress including participation in the de-
made at previous United Nations cision-making process and access
conferences and summits - on to power, are fundamental for the
women in Nairobi in 1985, on achievement of equality, develop-
children in New York in 1990, on ment and peace;
environment and development in
Rio de Janeiro in 1992, on human 14. Women’s rights are human rights;
rights in Vienna in 1993, on popu-
lation and development in Cairo in 15. Equal rights, opportunities and ac-
1994 and on social development cess to resources, equal sharing of
in Copenhagen in 1995 with the responsibilities for the family by
objective of achieving equality, de- men and women, and a harmoni-
velopment and peace; ous partnership between them are
critical to their well-being and that
11. Achieve the full and effective im- of their families as well as to the
plementation of the Nairobi For- consolidation of democracy;
ward-looking Strategies for the
Advancement of Women; 16. 
Eradication of poverty based on
sustained economic growth, social
12. The empowerment and advance- development, environmental pro-
ment of women, including the tection and social justice requires
right to freedom of thought, con- the involvement of women in eco-
science, religion and belief, thus nomic and social development,
contributing to the moral, ethical, equal opportunities and the full
spiritual and intellectual needs and equal participation of women
of women and men, individually and men as agents and beneficia-
or in community with others and ries of people-centred sustainable
thereby guaranteeing them the development;
possibility of realizing their full
potential in society and shaping 17. The explicit recognition and reaffir-
their lives in accordance with their mation of the right of all women to
own aspirations. control all aspects of their health, 9
 in particular their own fertility, is By making national and interna-
basic to their empowerment; tional commitments for action,
including those made at the Con-
18. Local, national, regional and global ference, Governments and the in-
peace is attainable and is inextri- ternational community recognize
cably linked with the advancement the need to take priority action for
of women, who are a fundamental the empowerment and advance-
force for leadership, conflict resolu- ment of women.
tion and the promotion of lasting
peace at all levels; We are determined to:

19. 
It is essential to design, imple- 22. 
Intensify efforts and actions to
ment and monitor, with the full achieve the goals of the Nairobi
participation of women, effective, Forward-looking Strategies for the
efficient and mutually reinforcing Advancement of Women by the
gender-sensitive policies and pro- end of this century;
grammes, including development
policies and programmes, at all 23. 
Ensure the full enjoyment by
levels that will foster the empower- women and the girl child of all hu-
ment and advancement of women; man rights and fundamental free-
doms and take effective action
20. 
The participation and contribu- against violations of these rights
tion of all actors of civil society, and freedoms;
particularly women’s groups and
networks and other non-govern- 24. Take all necessary measures to elim-
mental organizations and com- inate all forms of discrimination
munity-based organizations, with against women and the girl child
full respect for their autonomy, in and remove all obstacles to gender
cooperation with Governments, equality and the advancement and
are important to the effective im- empowerment of women;
plementation and follow-up of the
Platform for Action; 25. Encourage men to participate ful-
ly in all actions towards equality;
21. The implementation of the Plat-
form for Action requires com- 26. Promote women’s economic inde-
mitment from Governments and pendence, including employment,
10 the international community. and eradicate the persistent and
 Beijing Declaration

increasing burden of poverty on 0. Ensure equal access to and equal

3
women by addressing the struc- treatment of women and men in
tural causes of poverty through education and health care and en-
changes in economic structures, hance women’s sexual and repro-
ensuring equal access for all wom- ductive health as well as education;
en, including those in rural areas,
as vital development agents, to 31. 
Promote and protect all human
productive resources, opportuni- rights of women and girls;
ties and public services;
32. Intensify efforts to ensure equal
27. Promote people-centred sustain- enjoyment of all human rights
able development, including sus- and fundamental freedoms for all
tained economic growth, through women and girls who face mul-
the provision of basic education, tiple barriers to their empower-
life-long education, literacy and ment and advancement because
training, and primary health care of such factors as their race, age,
for girls and women; language, ethnicity, culture, reli-
gion, or disability, or because they
28. Take positive steps to ensure peace are indigenous people;
for the advancement of women and,
recognizing the leading role that 33. 
Ensure respect for international
women have played in the peace law, including humanitarian law,
movement, work actively towards in order to protect women and
general and complete disarmament girls in particular;
under strict and effective interna-
tional control, and support negoti- 34. 
Develop the fullest potential of
ations on the conclusion, without girls and women of all ages, ensure
delay, of a universal and multilater- their full and equal participation in
ally and effectively verifiable com- building a better world for all and
prehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty enhance their role in the develop-
which contributes to nuclear disar- ment process.
mament and the prevention of the
proliferation of nuclear weapons in We are determined to:
all its aspects;
35. 
Ensure women’s equal access to
29. Prevent and eliminate all forms of economic resources, including land,
violence against women and girls; credit, science and technology, 11
 vocational training, information, will also require adequate mobili-
communication and markets, as zation of resources at the national
a means to further the advance- and international levels as well as
ment and empowerment of wom- new and additional resources to
en and girls, including through the the developing countries from all
enhancement of their capacities to available funding mechanisms, in-
enjoy the benefits of equal access to cluding multilateral, bilateral and
these resources, inter alia, by means private sources for the advance-
of international cooperation; ment of women; financial re-
sources to strengthen the capacity
36. Ensure the success of the Platform of national, subregional, regional
for Action, which will require a and international institutions; a
strong commitment on the part commitment to equal rights, equal
of Governments, international responsibilities and equal oppor-
organizations and institutions at tunities and to the equal partici-
all levels. We are deeply convinced pation of women and men in all
that economic development, so- national, regional and internation-
cial development and environ- al bodies and policy-making pro-
mental protection are interde- cesses; and the establishment or
pendent and mutually reinforcing strengthening of mechanisms at
components of sustainable de- all levels for accountability to the
velopment, which is the frame- world’s women;
work for our efforts to achieve a
higher quality of life for all peo- 37. Ensure also the success of the Plat-
ple. Equitable social development form for Action in countries with
that recognizes empowering the economies in transition, which will
poor, particularly women living in require continued international co-
poverty, to utilize environmental operation and assistance;
resources sustainably is a neces-
sary foundation for sustainable 38. 
We hereby adopt and commit
development. We also recognize ourselves as Governments to im-
that broad-based and sustained plement the following Platform
economic growth in the context for Action, ensuring that a gen-
of sustainable development is der perspective is reflected in all
necessary to sustain social devel- our policies and programmes.
opment and social justice. The We urge the United Nations sys-
12 success of the Platform for Action tem, regional and international
 Beijing Declaration

financial institutions, other rele-

vant regional and international
institutions and all women and
men, as well as non-governmen-
tal organizations, with full respect
for their autonomy, and all sectors
of civil society, in cooperation with
Governments, to fully commit
themselves and contribute to the
implementation of this Platform
for Action.

13
Platform
for Action
 Chapter I 2. The Platform for Action reaffirms
the fundamental principle set
Mission Statement forth in the Vienna Declaration
and Programme of Action,2 ad-
opted by the World Conference on
1. The Platform for Action is an agen- Human Rights, that the human
da for women’s empowerment. It rights of women and of the girl
aims at accelerating the implemen- child are an inalienable, integral
tation of the Nairobi Forward-look- and indivisible part of univer-
ing Strategies for the Advancement sal human rights. As an agenda
of Women1 and at removing all the for action, the Platform seeks to
obstacles to women’s active partic- promote and protect the full en-
ipation in all spheres of public and joyment of all human rights and
private life through a full and equal the fundamental freedoms of all
share in economic, social, cultural women throughout their life cycle.
and political decision-making. This
means that the principle of shared 3. The Platform for Action empha-
power and responsibility should be sizes that women share common
established between women and concerns that can be addressed
men at home, in the workplace and only by working together and in
in the wider national and interna- partnership with men towards
tional communities. Equality be- the common goal of gender*
tween women and men is a matter equality around the world. It re-
of human rights and a condition for spects and values the full diversi-
social justice and is also a necessary ty of women’s situations and con-
and fundamental prerequisite for ditions and recognizes that some
equality, development and peace. A women face particular barriers to
transformed partnership based on their empowerment.
equality between women and men
is a condition for people-centred 4. The Platform for Action requires
sustainable development. A sus- immediate and concerted action
tained and long-term commitment by all to create a peaceful, just and
is essential, so that women and humane world based on human
men can work together for them- rights and fundamental freedoms,
selves, for their children and for so-
ciety to meet the challenges of the
16 twenty-first century. * see annex IV of A/CONF.177/20/Rev.1.
 Platform for Action

including the principle of equality

for all people of all ages and from
all walks of life, and to this end,
recognizes that broad-based and
sustained economic growth in the
context of sustainable develop-
ment is necessary to sustain social
development and social justice.

5. 
The success of the Platform
for Action will require a strong
commitment on the part of Gov-
ernments, international organi-
zations and institutions at all lev-
els. It will also require adequate
mobilization of resources at the
national and international levels
as well as new and additional
resources to the developing coun-
tries from all available funding
mechanisms, including multilat-
eral, bilateral and private sources
for the advancement of women;
financial resources to strengthen
the capacity of national, subre-
gional, regional and internation-
al institutions; a commitment
to equal rights, equal responsi-
bilities and equal opportunities
and to the equal participation of
women and men in all national,
regional and international bod-
ies and policy-making process-
es; and the establishment or
strengthening of mechanisms at
all levels for accountability to the
world’s women. 17
 Chapter II sustainable development and
international cooperation and
Global Framework to strengthening the role of the
United Nations to that end. Sim-
ilarly, the Global Conference on
6. 
The Fourth World Conference the Sustainable Development of
on Women is taking place as Small Island Developing States,
the world stands poised on the the International Conference on
threshold of a new millennium. Nutrition, the International Con-
ference on Primary Health Care
7. The Platform for Action upholds and the World Conference on
the Convention on the Elimina- Education for All have addressed
tion of All Forms of Discrimina- the various facets of develop-
tion against Women3 and builds ment and human rights, within
upon the Nairobi Forward-looking their specific perspectives, paying
Strategies for the Advancement of significant attention to the role
Women, as well as relevant reso- of women and girls. In addition,
lutions adopted by the Economic the International Year for the
and Social Council and the Gen- World’s Indigenous People,4 the
eral Assembly. The formulation of International Year of the Family,5
the Platform for Action is aimed at the United Nations Year for Toler-
establishing a basic group of pri- ance,6 the Geneva Declaration for
ority actions that should be car- Rural Women,7 and the Declara-
ried out during the next five years. tion on the Elimination of Vio-
lence against Women8 have also
8. The Platform for Action recognizes emphasized the issues of wom-
the importance of the agreements en’s empowerment and equality.
reached at the World Summit for
Children, the United Nations Con- 9. The objective of the Platform for
ference on Environment and De- Action, which is in full conformi-
velopment, the World Conference ty with the purposes and princi-
on Human Rights, the Interna- ples of the Charter of the United
tional Conference on Population Nations and international law, is
and Development and the World the empowerment of all women.
Summit for Social Development, The full realization of all human
which set out specific approach- rights and fundamental freedoms
18 es and commitments to fostering of all women is essential for the
 Platform for Action

empowerment of women. While profound political, economic, so-

the significance of national and cial and cultural changes, which
regional particularities and var- have had both positive and nega-
ious historical, cultural and reli- tive effects on women. The World
gious backgrounds must be borne Conference on Human Rights rec-
in mind, it is the duty of States, re- ognized that the human rights of
gardless of their political, econom- women and the girl child are an
ic and cultural systems, to pro- inalienable, integral and indivisi-
mote and protect all human rights ble part of universal human rights.
and fundamental freedoms.9 The The full and equal participation of
implementation of this Platform, women in political, civil, econom-
including through national laws ic, social and cultural life at the na-
and the formulation of strategies, tional, regional and international
policies, programmes and devel- levels, and the eradication of all
opment priorities, is the sovereign forms of discrimination on the
responsibility of each State, in grounds of sex are priority objec-
conformity with all human rights tives of the international commu-
and fundamental freedoms, and nity. The World Conference on Hu-
the significance of and full respect man Rights reaffirmed the solemn
for various religious and ethi- commitment of all States to fulfil
cal values, cultural backgrounds their obligations to promote uni-
and philosophical convictions of versal respect for, and observance
individuals and their communi- and protection of, all human rights
ties should contribute to the full and fundamental freedoms for all
enjoyment by women of their in accordance with the Charter of
human rights in order to achieve the United Nations, other instru-
equality, development and peace. ments related to human rights
and international law. The univer-
0. 
1 Since the World Conference to sal nature of these rights and free-
Review and Appraise the Achieve- doms is beyond question.
ments of the United Nations De-
cade for Women: Equality, Devel- 11. The end of the cold war has result-
opment and Peace, held at Nairobi ed in international changes and
in 1985, and the adoption of the diminished competition between
Nairobi Forward-looking Strate- the super-Powers. The threat of
gies for the Advancement of Wom- a global armed conflict has di-
en, the world has experienced minished, while international 19
 relations have improved and a result of the debt burden and
prospects for peace among na- other economic difficulties, many
tions have increased. Although developing countries have under-
the threat of global conflict has taken structural adjustment pol-
been reduced, wars of aggres- icies. Moreover, there are struc-
sion, armed conflicts, colonial or tural adjustment programmes
other forms of alien domination that have been poorly designed
and foreign occupation, civil wars, and implemented, with resulting
and terrorism continue to plague detrimental effects on social de-
many parts of the world. Grave velopment. The number of peo-
violations of the human rights ple living in poverty has increased
of women occur, particularly in disproportionately in most de-
times of armed conflict, and in- veloping countries, particularly
clude murder, torture, systematic the heavily indebted countries,
rape, forced pregnancy and forced during the past decade.
abortion, in particular under poli-
cies of ethnic cleansing. 4. In this context, the social dimen-
1
sion of development should be
12. The maintenance of peace and se- emphasized. Accelerated econom-
curity at the global, regional and lo- ic growth, although necessary for
cal levels, together with the preven- social development, does not by
tion of policies of aggression and itself improve the quality of life
ethnic cleansing and the resolution of the population. In some cases,
of armed conflict, is crucial for the conditions can arise which can ag-
protection of the human rights of gravate social inequality and mar-
women and girl children, as well as ginalization. Hence, it is indispens-
for the elimination of all forms of able to search for new alternatives
violence against them and of their that ensure that all members of
use as a weapon of war. society benefit from economic
growth based on a holistic ap-
13. 
Excessive military expenditures, proach to all aspects of develop-
including global military ex- ment: growth, equality between
penditures and arms trade or women and men, social justice,
trafficking, and investments for conservation and protection of
arms production and acquisition the environment, sustainability,
have reduced the resources avail- solidarity, participation, peace and
20 able for social development. As respect for human rights.
 Platform for Action

15. A worldwide movement towards unemployment and underem-

democratization has opened up ployment, with particular impact
the political process in many on women. In many cases, struc-
nations, but the popular partic- tural adjustment programmes
ipation of women in key deci- have not been designed to mini-
sion-making as full and equal mize their negative effects on vul-
partners with men, particular- nerable and disadvantaged groups
ly in politics, has not yet been or on women, nor have they been
achieved. South Africa’s policy of designed to assure positive effects
institutionalized racism - apart- on those groups by preventing
heid - has been dismantled and a their marginalization in economic
peaceful and democratic transfer and social activities. The Final Act
of power has occurred. In Central of the Uruguay Round of multilat-
and Eastern Europe the transition eral trade negotiations10 under-
to parliamentary democracy has scored the increasing interdepen-
been rapid and has given rise to a dence of national economies, as
variety of experiences, depending well as the importance of trade
on the specific circumstances of liberalization and access to open,
each country. While the transition dynamic markets. There has also
has been mostly peaceful, in some been heavy military spending in
countries this process has been some regions. Despite increases
hindered by armed conflict that in official development assistance
has resulted in grave violations of (ODA) by some countries, ODA has
human rights. recently declined overall.

16. 
Widespread economic recession, 17. Absolute poverty and the femini-
as well as political instability in zation of poverty, unemployment,
some regions, has been responsi- the increasing fragility of the en-
ble for setting back development vironment, continued violence
goals in many countries. This has against women and the wide-
led to the expansion of unspeak- spread exclusion of half of hu-
able poverty. Of the more than 1 manity from institutions of pow-
billion people living in abject pov- er and governance underscore
erty, women are an overwhelm- the need to continue the search
ing majority. The rapid process for development, peace and
of change and adjustment in all security and for ways of assur-
sectors has also led to increased ing people-centred sustainable 21
 development. The participation as well as ongoing restructuring in
and leadership of the half of hu- countries with economies in tran-
manity that is female is essen- sition, have had a disproportion-
tial to the success of that search. ately negative impact on women’s
Therefore, only a new era of inter- employment. Women often have
national cooperation among Gov- no choice but to take employment
ernments and peoples based on a that lacks long-term job security
spirit of partnership, an equitable, or involves dangerous working
international social and economic conditions, to work in unprotect-
environment, and a radical trans- ed home-based production or to
formation of the relationship be- be unemployed. Many women
tween women and men to one of enter the labour market in un-
full and equal partnership will en- der-remunerated and underval-
able the world to meet the chal- ued jobs, seeking to improve their
lenges of the twenty-first century. household income; others decide
to migrate for the same purpose.
18. Recent international economic de- Without any reduction in their
velopments have had in many cas- other responsibilities, this has in-
es a disproportionate impact on creased the total burden of work
women and children, the majority for women.
of whom live in developing coun-
tries. For those States that have 0. Macro and micro-economic poli-
2
carried a large burden of foreign cies and programmes, including
debt, structural adjustment pro- structural adjustment, have not
grammes and measures, though always been designed to take ac-
beneficial in the long term, have count of their impact on women
led to a reduction in social expen- and girl children, especially those
ditures, thereby adversely affect- living in poverty. Poverty has in-
ing women, particularly in Africa creased in both absolute and rel-
and the least developed countries. ative terms, and the number of
This is exacerbated when respon- women living in poverty has in-
sibilities for basic social services creased in most regions. There are
have shifted from Governments many urban women living in pov-
to women. erty; however, the plight of wom-
en living in rural and remote areas
19. Economic recession in many de- deserves special attention given
22 veloped and developing countries, the stagnation of development
 Platform for Action

in such areas. In developing coun- and security are a precondition

tries, even those in which national for economic and social progress,
indicators have shown improve- women are increasingly establish-
ment, the majority of rural wom- ing themselves as central actors in
en continue to live in conditions of a variety of capacities in the move-
economic underdevelopment and ment of humanity for peace. Their
social marginalization. full participation in decision-mak-
ing, conflict prevention and reso-
21. Women are key contributors to the lution and all other peace initia-
economy and to combating poverty tives is essential to the realization
through both remunerated and un- of lasting peace.
remunerated work at home, in the
community and in the workplace. 4. Religion, spirituality and belief play
2
Growing numbers of women have a central role in the lives of mil-
achieved economic independence lions of women and men, in the
through gainful employment. way they live and in the aspirations
they have for the future. The right
22. One fourth of all households world to freedom of thought, conscience
wide are headed by women and and religion is inalienable and
many other households are depen- must be universally enjoyed. This
dent on female income even where right includes the freedom to have
men are present. Female-main- or to adopt the religion or belief of
tained households are very often their choice either individually or
among the poorest because of in community with others, in pub-
wage discrimination, occupational lic or in private, and to manifest
segregation patterns in the labour their religion or belief in worship,
market and other gender-based observance, practice and teaching.
barriers. Family disintegration, In order to realize equality, develop-
population movements between ment and peace, there is a need to
urban and rural areas within coun- respect these rights and freedoms
tries, international migration, war fully. Religion, thought, conscience
and internal displacements are and belief may, and can, contribute
factors contributing to the rise of to fulfilling women’s and men’s
female-headed households. moral, ethical and spiritual needs
and to realizing their full potential
23. 
Recognizing that the achieve- in society. However, it is acknowl-
ment and maintenance of peace edged that any form of extremism 23
 may have a negative impact on legislation to promote equality be-
women and can lead to violence tween women and men and have
and discrimination. established national machineries
to ensure the mainstreaming of
25. The Fourth World Conference on gender perspectives in all spheres
Women should accelerate the of society. International agencies
process that formally began in have focused greater attention on
1975, which was proclaimed In- women’s status and roles.
ternational Women’s Year by the
United Nations General Assembly. 26. 
The growing strength of the
The Year was a turning-point in non-governmental sector, partic-
that it put women’s issues on the ularly women’s organizations and
agenda. The United Nations De- feminist groups, has become a
cade for Women (1976-1985) was driving force for change. Non-gov-
a worldwide effort to examine the ernmental organizations have
status and rights of women and to played an important advocacy role
bring women into decision-mak- in advancing legislation or mecha-
ing at all levels. In 1979, the Gen- nisms to ensure the promotion of
eral Assembly adopted the Con- women. They have also become
vention on the Elimination of All catalysts for new approaches to
Forms of Discrimination against development. Many Governments
Women, which entered into force have increasingly recognized the
in 1981 and set an internation- important role that non-govern-
al standard for what was meant mental organizations play and the
by equality between women and importance of working with them
men. In 1985, the World Confer- for progress. Yet, in some countries,
ence to Review and Appraise the Governments continue to restrict
Achievements of the United Na- the ability of non-governmental
tions Decade for Women: Equality, organizations to operate freely.
Development and Peace adopt- Women, through non-governmen-
ed the Nairobi Forward-looking tal organizations, have participated
Strategies for the Advancement of in and strongly influenced commu-
Women, to be implemented by the nity, national, regional and global
year 2000. There has been import- forums and international debates.
ant progress in achieving equal-
ity between women and men. 27. Since 1975, knowledge of the status
24 Many Governments have enacted of women and men, respectively,
 Platform for Action

has increased and is contributing administrative structures, both

to further actions aimed at pro- public and private, they remain un-
moting equality between wom- derrepresented. The United Nations
en and men. In several countries, is no exception. Fifty years after its
there have been important chang- creation, the United Nations is con-
es in the relationships between tinuing to deny itself the benefits of
women and men, especially where women’s leadership by their under-
there have been major advances in representation at decision-making
education for women and signifi- levels within the Secretariat and the
cant increases in their participa- specialized agencies.
tion in the paid labour force. The
boundaries of the gender division 29. Women play a critical role in the
of labour between productive and family. The family is the basic unit
reproductive roles are gradually be- of society and as such should be
ing crossed as women have started strengthened. It is entitled to re-
to enter formerly male-dominated ceive comprehensive protection
areas of work and men have start- and support. In different cultural,
ed to accept greater responsibility political and social systems, vari-
for domestic tasks, including child ous forms of the family exist. The
care. However, changes in wom- rights, capabilities and responsi-
en’s roles have been greater and bilities of family members must
much more rapid than changes be respected. Women make a
in men’s roles. In many countries, great contribution to the welfare
the differences between women’s of the family and to the develop-
and men’s achievements and ac- ment of society, which is still not
tivities are still not recognized as recognized or considered in its
the consequences of socially con- full importance. The social signif-
structed gender roles rather than icance of maternity, motherhood
immutable biological differences. and the role of parents in the fam-
ily and in the upbringing of chil-
28. 
Moreover, 10 years after the dren should be acknowledged. The
Nairobi Conference, equality be- upbringing of children requires
tween women and men has still not shared responsibility of parents,
been achieved. On average, women women and men and society as
represent a mere 10 per cent of all a whole. Maternity, motherhood,
elected legislators world wide and parenting and the role of women
in most national and international in procreation must not be a basis 25
 for discrimination nor restrict the 31. Many women face particular bar-
full participation of women in so- riers because of various diverse
ciety. Recognition should also be factors in addition to their gender.
given to the important role often Often these diverse factors isolate
played by women in many coun- or marginalize such women. They
tries in caring for other members are, inter alia, denied their human
of their family. rights, they lack access or are denied
access to education and vocational
30. While the rate of growth of world training, employment, housing and
population is on the decline, economic self-sufficiency and they
world population is at an alltime are excluded from decision-making
high in absolute numbers, with processes. Such women are often
current increments approaching denied the opportunity to contrib-
86 million persons annually. Two ute to their communities as part of
other major demographic trends the mainstream.
have had profound repercussions
on the dependency ratio with- 32. 
The past decade has also wit-
in families. In many developing nessed a growing recognition of
countries, 45 to 50 per cent of the distinct interests and con-
the population is less than 15 cerns of indigenous women,
years old, while in industrialized whose identity, cultural traditions
nations both the number and and forms of social organization
proportion of elderly people are enhance and strengthen the com-
increasing. According to United munities in which they live. Indig-
Nations projections, 72 per cent enous women often face barriers
of the population over 60 years both as women and as members
of age will be living in developing of indigenous communities.
countries by the year 2025, and
more than half of that popula- 33. In the past 20 years, the world has
tion will be women. Care of chil- seen an explosion in the field of
dren, the sick and the elderly is communications. With advances
a responsibility that falls dispro- in computer technology and sat-
portionately on women, owing ellite and cable television, global
to lack of equality and the unbal- access to information continues to
anced distribution of remunerat- increase and expand, creating new
ed and unremunerated work be- opportunities for the participation
26 tween women and men. of women in communications and
 Platform for Action

the mass media and for the dis- and girls. Those most affected
semination of information about are rural and indigenous women,
women. However, global com- whose livelihood and daily subsis-
munication networks have been tence depends directly on sustain-
used to spread stereotyped and able ecosystems.
demeaning images of women for
narrow commercial and consum- 35. 
Poverty and environmental deg-
erist purposes. Until women par- radation are closely interrelated.
ticipate equally in both the tech- While poverty results in certain
nical and decision-making areas kinds of environmental stress,
of communications and the mass the major cause of the continued
media, including the arts, they deterioration of the global envi-
will continue to be misrepresent- ronment is the unsustainable pat-
ed and awareness of the reality of terns of consumption and produc-
women’s lives will continue to be tion, particularly in industrialized
lacking. The media have a great countries, which are a matter of
potential to promote the advance- grave concern and aggravate pov-
ment of women and the equality erty and imbalances.
of women and men by portraying
women and men in a nonstereo- 36. 
Global trends have brought pro-
typical, diverse and balanced man- found changes in family survival
ner, and by respecting the dignity strategies and structures. Rural
and worth of the human person. to urban migration has increased
substantially in all regions. The
34. 
The continuing environmental global urban population is project-
degradation that affects all hu- ed to reach 47 per cent of the total
man lives has often a more di- population by the year 2000. An
rect impact on women. Women’s estimated 125 million people are
health and their livelihood are migrants, refugees and displaced
threatened by pollution and toxic persons, half of whom live in de-
wastes, large-scale deforestation, veloping countries. These massive
desertification, drought and de- movements of people have pro-
pletion of the soil and of coastal found consequences for family
and marine resources, with a ris- structures and well-being and have
ing incidence of environmentally unequal consequences for women
related health problems and even and men, including in many cases
death reported among women the sexual exploitation of women. 27
 37. According to World Health Orga- generated about the status of
nization (WHO) estimates, by the women and the conditions in
beginning of 1995 the number of which they live. Throughout their
cumulative cases of acquired im- entire life cycle, women’s daily ex-
munodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) istence and longterm aspirations
was 4.5 million. An estimated are restricted by discriminatory at-
19.5 million men, women and titudes, unjust social and econom-
children have been infected with ic structures, and a lack of resourc-
the human immunodeficiency es in most countries that prevent
virus (HIV) since it was first diag- their full and equal participation.
nosed and it is projected that an- In a number of countries, the
other 20 million will be infected practice of prenatal sex selection,
by the end of the decade. Among higher rates of mortality among
new cases, women are twice as very young girls and lower rates of
likely to be infected as men. In the school enrolment for girls as com-
early stage of the AIDS pandemic, pared with boys suggest that son
women were not infected in large preference is curtailing the access
numbers; however, about 8 mil- of girl children to food, education
lion women are now infected. and health care and even life itself.
Young women and adolescents Discrimination against women
are particularly vulnerable. It is begins at the earliest stages of life
estimated that by the year 2000 and must therefore be addressed
more than 13 million women will from then onwards.
be infected and 4 million women
will have died from AIDS-relat- 39. The girl child of today is the wom-
ed conditions. In addition, about an of tomorrow. The skills, ideas
250 million new cases of sexually and energy of the girl child are
transmitted diseases are estimat- vital for full attainment of the
ed to occur every year. The rate of goals of equality, development
transmission of sexually trans- and peace. For the girl child to de-
mitted diseases, including HIV/ velop her full potential she needs
AIDS, is increasing at an alarming to be nurtured in an enabling en-
rate among women and girls, es- vironment, where her spiritual,
pecially in developing countries. intellectual and material needs for
survival, protection and develop-
38. 
Since 1975, significant knowl- ment are met and her equal rights
28 edge and information have been safeguarded. If women are to be
 Platform for Action

equal partners with men, in every implications of these demograph-

aspect of life and development, ic factors. Special measures must
now is the time to recognize the be taken to ensure that young
human dignity and worth of the women have the life skills neces-
girl child and to ensure the full en- sary for active and effective par-
joyment of her human rights and ticipation in all levels of social,
fundamental freedoms, including cultural, political and economic
the rights assured by the Conven- leadership. It will be critical for
tion on the Rights of the Child,11 the international community to
universal ratification of which is demonstrate a new commitment
strongly urged. Yet there exists to the future - a commitment
worldwide evidence that discrim- to inspiring a new generation of
ination and violence against girls women and men to work together
begin at the earliest stages of life for a more just society. This new
and continue unabated through- generation of leaders must accept
out their lives. They often have less and promote a world in which ev-
access to nutrition, physical and ery child is free from injustice, op-
mental health care and education pression and inequality and free
and enjoy fewer rights, opportu- to develop her/his own potential.
nities and benefits of childhood The principle of equality of wom-
and adolescence than do boys. en and men must therefore be in-
They are often subjected to vari- tegral to the socialization process.
ous forms of sexual and economic
exploitation, paedophilia, forced
prostitution and possibly the sale
of their organs and tissues, vio-
lence and harmful practices such
as female infanticide and prenatal
sex selection, incest, female geni-
tal mutilation and early marriage,
including child marriage.

40. Half the world’s population is un-

der the age of 25 and most of the
world’s youth - more than 85 per
cent - live in developing countries.
Policy makers must recognize the 29
 Chapter III combined with systematic or de
facto discrimination, violations of
Critical Areas and failure to protect all human

of Concern rights and fundamental freedoms

of all women, and their civil, cul-
tural, economic, political and social
41. The advancement of women and rights, including the right to devel-
the achievement of equality be- opment and ingrained prejudicial
tween women and men are a attitudes towards women and girls
matter of human rights and a con- are but a few of the impediments
dition for social justice and should encountered since the World Con-
not be seen in isolation as a wom- ference to Review and Appraise the
en’s issue. They are the only way Achievements of the United Na-
to build a sustainable, just and tions Decade for Women: Equality,
developed society. Empowerment Development and Peace, in 1985.
of women and equality between
women and men are prerequisites 43. A review of progress since the Nai-
for achieving political, social, eco- robi Conference highlights special
nomic, cultural and environmen- concerns - areas of particular ur-
tal security among all peoples. gency that stand out as priorities
for action. All actors should focus
42. Most of the goals set out in the action and resources on the strate-
Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies gic objectives relating to the critical
for the Advancement of Women areas of concern which are, neces-
have not been achieved. Barriers sarily, interrelated, interdependent
to women’s empowerment re- and of high priority. There is a need
main, despite the efforts of Gov- for these actors to develop and im-
ernments, as well as non-govern- plement mechanisms of account-
mental organizations and women ability for all the areas of concern.
and men everywhere. Vast politi-
cal, economic and ecological crises 44. To this end, Governments, the in-
persist in many parts of the world. ternational community and civil
Among them are wars of aggres- society, including non-govern-
sion, armed conflicts, colonial or mental organizations and the pri-
other forms of alien domination vate sector, are called upon to take
or foreign occupation, civil wars strategic action in the following
30 and terrorism. These situations, critical areas of concern:
 Platform for Action

❖ The persistent and increasing bur- ❖ 

Stereotyping of women and in-
den of poverty on women equality in women’s access to and
participation in all communication
❖ 
Inequalities and inadequacies in systems, especially in the media
and unequal access to education
and training ❖ Gender inequalities in the man-
agement of natural resources and
❖ 
Inequalities and inadequacies in in the safeguarding of the envi-
and unequal access to health care ronment
and related services
❖ Persistent discrimination against
❖ Violence against women and violation of the rights of the
girl child
❖ 
The effects of armed or other
kinds of conflict on women, in-
cluding those living under foreign
occupation

❖ Inequality in economic structures

and policies, in all forms of pro-
ductive activities and in access to
resources

❖ 
Inequality between men and
women in the sharing of power
and decision-making at all levels

❖ Insufficient mechanisms at all lev-

els to promote the advancement
of women

❖ Lack of respect for and inadequate

promotion and protection of the
human rights of women

31
 Chapter IV are indigenous women or because
of other status. Many women en-
Strategic Objectives counter specific obstacles related

and Actions to their family status, particular-

ly as single parents; and to their
socio-economic status, including
45. In each critical area of concern, the their living conditions in rural,
problem is diagnosed and strate- isolated or impoverished areas.
gic objectives are proposed with Additional barriers also exist for
concrete actions to be taken by refugee women, other displaced
various actors in order to achieve women, including internally dis-
those objectives. The strategic placed women as well as for im-
objectives are derived from the migrant women and migrant
critical areas of concern and spe- women, including women mi-
cific actions to be taken to achieve grant workers. Many women are
them cut across the boundaries also particularly affected by envi-
of equality, development and ronmental disasters, serious and
peace - the goals of the Nairobi infectious diseases and various
Forward-looking Strategies for the forms of violence against women.
Advancement of Women - and re-
flect their interdependence. The
objectives and actions are inter-
linked, of high priority and mutu-
ally reinforcing. The Platform for
Action is intended to improve the
situation of all women, without
exception, who often face similar
barriers, while special attention
should be given to groups that are
the most disadvantaged.

46. The Platform for Action recognizes

that women face barriers to full
equality and advancement be-
cause of such factors as their race,
age, language, ethnicity, culture,
32 religion or disability, because they
 Platform for Action

A. Women and poverty increased poverty of women, the

extent of which varies from region
47. More than 1 billion people in the to region. The gender disparities
world today, the great majority in economic power-sharing are
of whom are women, live in un- also an important contributing
acceptable conditions of poverty, factor to the poverty of women.
mostly in the developing coun- Migration and consequent chang-
tries. Poverty has various causes, es in family structures have placed
including structural ones. Poverty additional burdens on women,
is a complex, multidimensional especially those who provide for
problem, with origins in both the several dependants. Macroeco-
national and international do- nomic policies need rethinking
mains. The globalization of the and reformulation to address
world’s economy and the deep- such trends. These policies focus
ening interdependence among almost exclusively on the formal
nations present challenges and sector. They also tend to impede
opportunities for sustained eco- the initiatives of women and fail
nomic growth and development, to consider the differential impact
as well as risks and uncertainties on women and men. The applica-
for the future of the world econo- tion of gender analysis to a wide
my. The uncertain global economic range of policies and programmes
climate has been accompanied by is therefore critical to poverty
economic restructuring as well as, reduction strategies. In order to
in a certain number of countries, eradicate poverty and achieve
persistent, unmanageable levels sustainable development, wom-
of external debt and structural en and men must participate fully
adjustment programmes. In addi- and equally in the formulation of
tion, all types of conflict, displace- macroeconomic and social poli-
ment of people and environmen- cies and strategies for the eradica-
tal degradation have undermined tion of poverty. The eradication of
the capacity of Governments to poverty cannot be accomplished
meet the basic needs of their pop- through antipoverty programmes
ulations. Transformations in the alone but will require democrat-
world economy are profoundly ic participation and changes in
changing the parameters of social economic structures in order to
development in all countries. One ensure access for all women to re-
significant trend has been the sources, opportunities and public 33
 services. Poverty has various man- a short-term consequence of the
ifestations, including lack of in- process of political, economic and
come and productive resources social transformation. In addition
sufficient to ensure a sustainable to economic factors, the rigidity
livelihood; hunger and malnutri- of socially ascribed gender roles
tion; ill health; limited or lack of and women’s limited access to
access to education and other ba- power, education, training and
sic services; increasing morbidity productive resources as well as
and mortality from illness; home- other emerging factors that may
lessness and inadequate housing; lead to insecurity for families are
unsafe environments; and social also responsible. The failure to
discrimination and exclusion. It is adequately mainstream a gender
also characterized by lack of par- perspective in all economic anal-
ticipation in decision-making and ysis and planning and to address
in civil, social and cultural life. It the structural causes of poverty is
occurs in all countries - as mass also a contributing factor.
poverty in many developing coun-
tries and as pockets of poverty 49. Women contribute to the econ-
amidst wealth in developed coun- omy and to combating poverty
tries. Poverty may be caused by an through both remunerated and
economic recession that results in unremunerated work at home, in
loss of livelihood or by disaster or the community and in the work-
conflict. There is also the poverty place. The empowerment of wom-
of low-wage workers and the ut- en is a critical factor in the eradi-
ter destitution of people who fall cation of poverty.
outside family support systems,
social institutions and safety nets. 50. While poverty affects households
as a whole, because of the gender
48. In the past decade the number division of labour and responsi-
of women living in poverty has bilities for household welfare,
increased disproportionately to women bear a disproportionate
the number of men, particular- burden, attempting to manage
ly in the developing countries. household consumption and
The feminization of poverty has production under conditions of
also recently become a signifi- increasing scarcity. Poverty is par-
cant problem in the countries ticularly acute for women living in
34 with economies in transition as rural households.
 Platform for Action

51. 
Women’s poverty is directly re- of women and men are similar
lated to the absence of economic and where systems of protection
opportunities and autonomy, lack against discrimination are avail-
of access to economic resources, able, in some sectors the econom-
including credit, land ownership ic transformations of the past
and inheritance, lack of access to decade have strongly increased ei-
education and support services ther the unemployment of wom-
and their minimal participation en or the precarious nature of
in the decision-making process. their employment. The proportion
Poverty can also force women into of women among the poor has
situations in which they are vul- consequently increased. In coun-
nerable to sexual exploitation. tries with a high level of school
enrolment of girls, those who
52. In too many countries, social wel- leave the educational system the
fare systems do not take sufficient earliest, without any qualification,
account of the specific conditions are among the most vulnerable in
of women living in poverty, and the labour market.
there is a tendency to scale back
the services provided by such sys- 54. In countries with economies in
tems. The risk of falling into pov- transition and in other countries
erty is greater for women than undergoing fundamental politi-
for men, particularly in old age, cal, economic and social transfor-
where social security systems are mations, these transformations
based on the principle of continu- have often led to a reduction in
ous remunerated employment. In women’s income or to women be-
some cases, women do not fulfil ing deprived of income.
this requirement because of in-
terruptions in their work, due to 55. 
Particularly in developing coun-
the unbalanced distribution of tries, the productive capacity
remunerated and unremunerat- of women should be increased
ed work. Moreover, older wom- through access to capital, re-
en also face greater obstacles to sources, credit, land, technology,
labour-market reentry. information, technical assistance
and training so as to raise their
53. 
In many developed countries, income and improve nutrition,
where the level of general edu- education, health care and status
cation and professional training within the household. The release 35
 of women’s productive potential
is pivotal to breaking the cycle of Strategic objective A.1.
poverty so that women can share Review, adopt and maintain macro-
fully in the benefits of develop- economic policies and development
ment and in the products of their strategies that address the needs and
own labour. efforts of women in poverty

56. 
Sustainable development and Actions to be taken
economic growth that is both
sustained and sustainable are 58. By Governments:
possible only through improving
the economic, social, political, le- (a) Review and modify, with the full
gal and cultural status of women. and equal participation of women,
Equitable social development that macroeconomic and social policies
recognizes empowering the poor, with a view to achieving the objec-
particularly women, to utilize en- tives of the Platform for Action;
vironmental resources sustain-
ably is a necessary foundation for (b) Analyse, from a gender perspective,
sustainable development. policies and programmes - includ-
ing those related to macroeconom-
57. The success of policies and mea- ic stability, structural adjustment,
sures aimed at supporting or external debt problems, taxation,
strengthening the promotion of investments, employment, mar-
gender equality and the improve- kets and all relevant sectors of the
ment of the status of women economy - with respect to their
should be based on the integra- impact on poverty, on inequality
tion of the gender perspective and particularly on women; assess
in general policies relating to all their impact on family well-being
spheres of society as well as the and conditions and adjust them,
implementation of positive mea- as appropriate, to promote more
sures with adequate institutional equitable distribution of produc-
and financial support at all levels. tive assets, wealth, opportunities,
income and services;

(c) Pursue and implement sound and

stable macroeconomic and sec-
36 toral policies that are designed and
 Platform for Action

monitored with the full and equal poverty to withstand adverse eco-
participation of women, encourage nomic environments and preserve
broad-based sustained econom- their livelihood, assets and reve-
ic growth, address the structural nues in times of crisis;
causes of poverty and are geared
towards eradicating poverty and (h) 
Generate economic policies that
reducing gender-based inequality have a positive impact on the em-
within the overall framework of ployment and income of women
achieving people-centred sustain- workers in both the formal and
able development; informal sectors and adopt specif-
ic measures to address women’s
(d) 
Restructure and target the allo- unemployment, in particular their
cation of public expenditures to long-term unemployment;
promote women’s economic op-
portunities and equal access to (i) Formulate and implement, when
productive resources and to ad- necessary, specific economic, so-
dress the basic social, educational cial, agricultural and related poli-
and health needs of women, par- cies in support of female-headed
ticularly those living in poverty; households;

(e) 
Develop agricultural and fishing (j) Develop and implement antipov-
sectors, where and as necessary, erty programmes, including em-
in order to ensure, as appropriate, ployment schemes, that improve
household and national food se- access to food for women living in
curity and food self-sufficiency, by poverty, including through the use
allocating the necessary financial, of appropriate pricing and distri-
technical and human resources; bution mechanisms;

(f) Develop policies and programmes (k) Ensure the full realization of the hu-
to promote equitable distribution man rights of all women migrants,
of food within the household; including women migrant workers,
and their protection against vio-
(g) Provide adequate safety nets and lence and exploitation; introduce
strengthen State-based and com- measures for the empowerment of
munity-based support systems, as documented women migrants, in-
an integral part of social policy, in cluding women migrant workers; fa-
order to enable women living in cilitate the productive employment 37
 of documented migrant women order to increase women’s incomes
through greater recognition of their and promote household food secu-
skills, foreign education and creden- rity, especially in rural areas and,
tials, and facilitate their full integra- where appropriate, encourage the
tion into the labour force; development of producer-owned,
market-based cooperatives;
(l) 
Introduce measures to integrate
or reintegrate women living in (o) 
Create social security systems
poverty and socially marginalized wherever they do not exist, or re-
women into productive employ- view them with a view to placing
ment and the economic main- individual women and men on an
stream; ensure that internally equal footing, at every stage of
displaced women have full access their lives;
to economic opportunities and
that the qualifications and skills (p) Ensure access to free or low-cost
of immigrant and refugee women legal services, including legal lit-
are recognized; eracy, especially designed to reach
women living in poverty;
(m) Enable women to obtain afford-
able housing and access to land (q) Take particular measures to pro-
by, among other things, remov- mote and strengthen policies and
ing all obstacles to access, with programmes for indigenous wom-
special emphasis on meeting the en with their full participation and
needs of women, especially those respect for their cultural diversity,
living in poverty and female heads so that they have opportunities
of household; and the possibility of choice in
the development process in or-
(n) Formulate and implement policies der to eradicate the poverty that
and programmes that enhance affects them.
the access of women agricultural
and fisheries producers (including 59. By multilateral financial and de-
subsistence farmers and produc- velopment institutions, including
ers, especially in rural areas) to fi- the World Bank, the Internation-
nancial, technical, extension and al Monetary Fund and regional
marketing services; provide access development institutions, and
to and control of land, appropriate through bilateral development
38 infrastructure and technology in cooperation:
 Platform for Action

(a) 
In accordance with the commit- social development programmes
ments made at the World Sum- and projects in conformity with
mit for Social Development, seek the priorities of the Platform for
to mobilize new and additional Action;
financial resources that are both
adequate and predictable and mo- (d) 
Invite the international financial
bilized in a way that maximizes the institutions to examine innovative
availability of such resources and approaches to assisting low-income
uses all available funding sources countries with a high proportion of
and mechanisms with a view to multilateral debt, with a view to al-
contributing towards the goal of leviating their debt burden;
poverty eradication and targeting
women living in poverty; (e) 
Ensure that structural adjust-
ment programmes are designed
(b) 
Strengthen analytical capacity to minimize their negative effects
in order to more systematically on vulnerable and disadvantaged
strengthen gender perspectives groups and communities and to
and integrate them into the de- assure their positive effects on
sign and implementation of lend- such groups and communities by
ing programmes, including struc- preventing their marginalization
tural adjustment and economic in economic and social activities
recovery programmes; and devising measures to ensure
that they gain access to and con-
(c) Find effective development-oriented trol over economic resources and
and durable solutions to external economic and social activities;
debt problems in order to help them take actions to reduce inequality
to finance programmes and projects and economic disparity;
targeted at development, including
the advancement of women, inter (f) 
Review the impact of structural
alia, through the immediate imple- adjustment programmes on social
mentation of the terms of debt for- development by means of gen-
giveness agreed upon in the Paris der-sensitive social impact assess-
Club in December 1994, which en- ments and other relevant meth-
compassed debt reduction, includ- ods, in order to develop policies to
ing cancellation or other debt relief reduce their negative effects and
measures and develop techniques improve their positive impact, en-
of debt conversion applied to suring that women do not bear a 39
 disproportionate burden of tran- the Platform for Action and aimed
sition costs; complement adjust- at ensuring accountability and
ment lending with enhanced, tar- transparency from the State and
geted social development lending; private sectors;

(g) Create an enabling environment (c) Include in their activities women

that allows women to build and with diverse needs and recognize
maintain sustainable livelihoods. that youth organizations are in-
creasingly becoming effective part-
60. By national and international ners in development programmes;
non-governmental organizations
and women’s groups: (d) 
In cooperation with the govern-
ment and private sectors, par-
(a) Mobilize all parties involved in the ticipate in the development of a
development process, including comprehensive national strategy
academic institutions, non-gov- for improving health, education
ernmental organizations and and social services so that girls
grass-roots and women’s groups, and women of all ages living in
to improve the effectiveness of poverty have full access to such
antipoverty programmes direct- services; seek funding to secure
ed towards the poorest and most access to services with a gender
disadvantaged groups of wom- perspective and to extend those
en, such as rural and indigenous services in order to reach the rural
women, female heads of house- and remote areas that are not cov-
hold, young women and older ered by government institutions;
women, refugees and migrant
women and women with disabil- (e) In cooperation with Governments,
ities, recognizing that social devel- employers, other social partners
opment is primarily the responsi- and relevant parties, contribute
bility of Governments; to the development of education
and training and retraining pol-
(b) 
Engage in lobbying and estab- icies to ensure that women can
lish monitoring mechanisms, as acquire a wide range of skills to
appropriate, and other relevant meet new demands;
activities to ensure implementa-
tion of the recommendations on
40 poverty eradication outlined in
 Platform for Action

(f) Mobilize to protect women’s right

to full and equal access to eco- Strategic objective A.3.
nomic resources, including the Provide women with access to savings
right to inheritance and to own- and credit mechanisms and institutions
ership of land and other property,
credit, natural resources and ap- Actions to be taken
propriate technologies.
62. By Governments:

 trategic objective A.2.

S (a) Enhance the access of disadvan-
Revise laws and administrative prac- taged women, including women
tices to ensure women’s equal rights entrepreneurs, in rural, remote
and access to economic resources and urban areas to financial ser-
vices through strengthening links
Actions to be taken between the formal banks and in-
termediary lending organizations,
61. By Governments: including legislative support,
training for women and institu-
(a) Ensure access to free or low-cost tional strengthening for interme-
legal services, including legal lit- diary institutions with a view to
eracy, especially designed to reach mobilizing capital for those insti-
women living in poverty; tutions and increasing the avail-
ability of credit;
(b) Undertake legislative and admin-
istrative reforms to give women (b) 
Encourage links between finan-
full and equal access to economic cial institutions and non-govern-
resources, including the right to mental organizations and support
inheritance and to ownership of innovative lending practices, in-
land and other property, credit, cluding those that integrate credit
natural resources and appropriate with women’s services and train-
technologies; ing and provide credit facilities to
rural women.
(c) Consider ratification of Convention
No. 169 of the International Labour
Organization (ILO) as part of their
efforts to promote and protect the
rights of indigenous people. 41
 63. By commercial banks, specialized fi- 65. By Governments and multilateral fi-
nancial institutions and the private nancial institutions, as appropriate:
sector in examining their policies:

Support institutions that meet
(a) Use credit and savings methodol- performance standards in reach-
ogies that are effective in reaching ing large numbers of low-income
women in poverty and innovative women and men through capi-
in reducing transaction costs and talization, refinancing and insti-
redefining risk; tutional development support in
forms that foster self-sufficiency.
(b) Open special windows for lending
to women, including young wom- 66. By international organizations:
en, who lack access to traditional
sources of collateral; Increase funding for programmes
and projects designed to pro-
(c) Simplify banking practices, for ex- mote sustainable and productive
ample by reducing the minimum entrepreneurial activities for in-
deposit and other requirements come-generation among disad-
for opening bank accounts; vantaged women and women liv-
ing in poverty.
(d) 
Ensure the participation and joint
ownership, where possible, of wom-
en clients in the decision-making of  trategic objective A.4.
S
institutions providing credit and fi- Develop gender-based methodolo-
nancial services. gies and conduct research to address
the feminization of poverty
64. By multilateral and bilateral devel-
opment cooperation organizations: Actions to be taken

Support, through the provision of 67. By Governments, intergovernmen-

capital and/or resources, financial tal organizations, academic and re-
institutions that serve low-in- search institutions and the private
come, small-scale and microscale sector:
women entrepreneurs and pro-
ducers, in both the formal and in- (a) Develop conceptual and practical
formal sectors. methodologies for incorporat-
42 ing gender perspectives into all
 Platform for Action

aspects of economic policy-mak-

ing, including structural adjust-
ment planning and programmes;

(b) Apply these methodologies in con-

ducting gender-impact analyses
of all policies and programmes,
including structural adjustment
programmes, and disseminate the
research findings.

68. By national and international sta-

tistical organizations:

(a) 
Collect gender and age-disaggre-
gated data on poverty and all as-
pects of economic activity and de-
velop qualitative and quantitative
statistical indicators to facilitate
the assessment of economic perfor-
mance from a gender perspective;

(b) Devise suitable statistical means

to recognize and make visible the
full extent of the work of women
and all their contributions to the
national economy, including their
contribution in the unremuner-
ated and domestic sectors, and
examine the relationship of wom-
en’s unremunerated work to the
incidence of and their vulnerabil-
ity to poverty.

43
 B. Education and training has been made in secondary ed-
of women ucation, where equal access of
girls and boys has been achieved
69. Education is a human right and in some countries. Enrolment of
an essential tool for achieving the girls and women in tertiary edu-
goals of equality, development cation has increased considerably.
and peace. Non-discriminatory In many countries, private schools
education benefits both girls and have also played an important
boys and thus ultimately contrib- complementary role in improving
utes to more equal relationships access to education at all levels.
between women and men. Equal- Yet, more than five years after the
ity of access to and attainment World Conference on Education
of educational qualifications is for All (Jomtien, Thailand, 1990)
necessary if more women are to adopted the World Declaration on
become agents of change. Litera- Education for All and the Frame-
cy of women is an important key work for Action to Meet Basic
to improving health, nutrition and Learning Needs,12 approximately
education in the family and to em- 100 million children, including
powering women to participate at least 60 million girls, are with-
in decision-making in society. In- out access to primary school-
vesting in formal and non-formal ing and more than two thirds of
education and training for girls the world’s 960 million illiterate
and women, with its exception- adults are women. The high rate
ally high social and economic re- of illiteracy prevailing in most de-
turn, has proved to be one of the veloping countries, in particular
best means of achieving sustain- in sub-Saharan Africa and some
able development and economic Arab States, remains a severe im-
growth that is both sustained and pediment to the advancement of
sustainable. women and to development.

70. 
On a regional level, girls and 71. Discrimination in girls’ access to
boys have achieved equal access education persists in many areas,
to primary education, except in owing to customary attitudes,
some parts of Africa, in particular early marriages and pregnancies,
sub-Saharan Africa, and Central inadequate and gender-biased
Asia, where access to education fa- teaching and educational materi-
44 cilities is still inadequate. Progress als, sexual harassment and lack of
 Platform for Action

adequate and physically and oth- volunteer activity, unremunerated

erwise accessible schooling facili- work and traditional knowledge.
ties. Girls undertake heavy domes-
tic work at a very early age. Girls 74. Curricula and teaching materials
and young women are expected remain gender-biased to a large
to manage both educational and degree, and are rarely sensitive
domestic responsibilities, often to the specific needs of girls and
resulting in poor scholastic per- women. This reinforces traditional
formance and early drop-out from female and male roles that deny
the educational system. This has women opportunities for full and
long-lasting consequences for all equal partnership in society. Lack
aspects of women’s lives. of gender awareness by educators
at all levels strengthens existing
72. Creation of an educational and so- inequities between males and fe-
cial environment, in which wom- males by reinforcing discrimina-
en and men, girls and boys, are tory tendencies and undermining
treated equally and encouraged girls’ self-esteem. The lack of sex-
to achieve their full potential, re- ual and reproductive health edu-
specting their freedom of thought, cation has a profound impact on
conscience, religion and belief, women and men.
and where educational resources
promote non-stereotyped imag- 75. Science curricula in particular are
es of women and men, would be gender-biased. Science textbooks
effective in the elimination of the do not relate to women’s and girls’
causes of discrimination against daily experience and fail to give
women and inequalities between recognition to women scientists.
women and men. Girls are often deprived of basic
education in mathematics and
73. 
Women should be enabled to science and technical training,
benefit from an ongoing acquisi- which provide knowledge they
tion of knowledge and skills be- could apply to improve their daily
yond those acquired during youth. lives and enhance their employ-
This concept of lifelong learning ment opportunities. Advanced
includes knowledge and skills study in science and technology
gained in formal education and prepares women to take an ac-
training, as well as learning that tive role in the technological and
occurs in informal ways, including industrial development of their 45
 countries, thus necessitating a di- values, attitudes and percep-
verse approach to vocational and tions of women and girls in both
technical training. Technology is positive and negative ways. It is
rapidly changing the world and therefore essential that educators
has also affected the develop- teach critical judgement and ana-
ing countries. It is essential that lytical skills.
women not only benefit from
technology, but also participate 78. Resources allocated to education,
in the process from the design to particularly for girls and women,
the application, monitoring and are in many countries insufficient
evaluation stages. and in some cases have been fur-
ther diminished, including in the
76. Access for and retention of girls context of adjustment policies
and women at all levels of edu- and programmes. Such insuffi-
cation, including the higher lev- cient resource allocations have a
el, and all academic areas is one long-term adverse effect on hu-
of the factors of their continued man development, particularly on
progress in professional activities. the development of women.
Nevertheless, it can be noted that
girls are still concentrated in a lim- 79. In addressing unequal access to
ited number of fields of study. and inadequate educational op-
portunities, Governments and
77. The mass media are a powerful other actors should promote an
means of education. As an edu- active and visible policy of main-
cational tool the mass media can streaming a gender perspective
be an instrument for educators into all policies and programmes,
and governmental and non-gov- so that, before decisions are taken,
ernmental institutions for the an analysis is made of the effects
advancement of women and for on women and men, respectively.
development. Computerized ed-
ucation and information systems
are increasingly becoming an im-
portant element in learning and
the dissemination of knowledge.
Television especially has the great-
est impact on young people and,
46 as such, has the ability to shape
 Platform for Action

(d) Create a gender-sensitive educa-

Strategic objective B.1. tional system in order to ensure
Ensure equal access to education equal educational and training
opportunities and full and equal
Actions to be taken participation of women in educa-
tional administration and policy-
80. By Governments: and decision-making;

(a) Advance the goal of equal access (e) 

Provide - in collaboration with
to education by taking measures parents, non-governmental orga-
to eliminate discrimination in ed- nizations, including youth organi-
ucation at all levels on the basis zations, communities and the pri-
of gender, race, language, religion, vate sector - young women with
national origin, age or disability, academic and technical training,
or any other form of discrimina- career planning, leadership and
tion and, as appropriate, consider social skills and work experience
establishing procedures to ad- to prepare them to participate
dress grievances; fully in society;

(b) By the year 2000, provide univer- (f) Increase enrolment and retention
sal access to basic education and rates of girls by allocating appro-
ensure completion of primary ed- priate budgetary resources; by en-
ucation by at least 80 per cent of listing the support of parents and
primary school-age children; close the community, as well as through
the gender gap in primary and campaigns, flexible school sched-
secondary school education by ules, incentives, scholarships and
the year 2005; provide universal other means to minimize the costs
primary education in all countries of girls’ education to their families
before the year 2015; and to facilitate parents’ ability to
choose education for the girl child;
(c) 
Eliminate gender disparities in and by ensuring that the rights
access to all areas of tertiary ed- of women and girls to freedom
ucation by ensuring that women of conscience and religion are re-
have equal access to career de- spected in educational institutions
velopment, training, scholarships through repealing any discrimina-
and fellowships, and by adopting tory laws or legislation based on
positive action when appropriate; religion, race or culture; 47
 (g) 
Promote an educational setting Social and Cultural Rights13 where
that eliminates all barriers that they have not already done so.
impeded the schooling of preg-
nant adolescents and young
mothers, including, as appropri- trategic objective B.2.
S
ate, affordable and physically ac- Eradicate illiteracy among women
cessible child-care facilities and
parental education to encourage Actions to be taken
those who are responsible for
the care of their children and sib- 81. By Governments, national, region-
lings during their school years, to al and international bodies, bilat-
return to or continue with and eral and multilateral donors and
complete schooling; non-governmental organizations:

(h) 
Improve the quality of educa- (a) Reduce the female illiteracy rate
tion and equal opportunities to at least half its 1990 level, with
for women and men in terms of emphasis on rural women, mi-
access in order to ensure that grant, refugee and internally dis-
women of all ages can acquire placed women and women with
the knowledge, capacities, ap- disabilities;
titudes, skills and ethical values
needed to develop and to partici- (b) 
Provide universal access to, and
pate fully under equal conditions seek to ensure gender equality in
in the process of social, econom- the completion of, primary educa-
ic and political development; tion for girls by the year 2000;

(i) 
Make available non-discrimina- (c) Eliminate the gender gap in basic
tory and gender-sensitive pro- and functional literacy, as recom-
fessional school counselling and mended in the World Declaration
career education programmes on Education for All (Jomtien);
to encourage girls to pursue aca-
demic and technical curricula in (d) Narrow the disparities between de-
order to widen their future career veloped and developing countries;
opportunities;
(e) 
Encourage adult and family en-
(j) Encourage ratification of the Inter- gagement in learning to promote
48 national Covenant on Economic, total literacy for all people;
 Platform for Action

(f) 
Promote, together with literacy, benefits of vocational training,
life skills and scientific and tech- training programmes in science
nological knowledge and work to- and technology and programmes
wards an expansion of the defini- of continuing education;
tion of literacy, taking into account
current targets and benchmarks. (d) Design educational and training pro-
grammes for women who are un-
employed in order to provide them
Strategic objective B.3. with new knowledge and skills that
Improve women’s access to vocation- will enhance and broaden their em-
al training, science and technology, ployment opportunities, including
and continuing education self-employment, and development
of their entrepreneurial skills;
Actions to be taken
(e) 
Diversify vocational and technical
82. 
By Governments, in cooperation training and improve access for and
with employers, workers and trade retention of girls and women in ed-
unions, international and non-gov- ucation and vocational training in
ernmental organizations, includ- such fields as science, mathemat-
ing women’s and youth organiza- ics, engineering, environmental sci-
tions, and educational institutions: ences and technology, information
technology and high technology, as
(a) Develop and implement education, well as management training;
training and retraining policies for
women, especially young women (f) 
Promote women’s central role in
and women re-entering the labour food and agricultural research, ex-
market, to provide skills to meet tension and education programmes;
the needs of a changing socio-eco-
nomic context for improving their (g) Encourage the adaptation of curric-
employment opportunities; ula and teaching materials, encour-
age a supportive training environ-
(b) Provide recognition to non-formal ed- ment and take positive measures to
ucational opportunities for girls and promote training for the full range
women in the educational system; of occupational choices of nontradi-
tional careers for women and men,
(c) 
Provide information to women including the development of mul-
and girls on the availability and tidisciplinary courses for science and 49
 mathematics teachers to sensitize and displaced women to improve
them to the relevance of science and their work opportunities.
technology to women’s lives;

(h) 
Develop curricula and teaching Strategic objective B.4.
materials and formulate and take Develop non-discriminatory education
positive measures to ensure wom- and training
en better access to and participa-
tion in technical and scientific Actions to be taken
areas, especially areas where they
are not represented or are under- 83. By Governments, educational au-
represented; thorities and other educational
and academic institutions:
(i) Develop policies and programmes
to encourage women to participate (a) 
Elaborate recommendations and
in all apprenticeship programmes; develop curricula, textbooks and
teaching aids free of gender-
(j) 
Increase training in technical, based stereotypes for all levels
managerial, agricultural extension of education, including teacher
and marketing areas for women in training, in association with all
agriculture, fisheries, industry and concerned - publishers, teachers,
business, arts and crafts, to in- public authorities and parents’
crease income-generating oppor- associations;
tunities, women’s participation
in economic decision-making, in (b) Develop training programmes and
particular through women’s orga- materials for teachers and educa-
nizations at the grass-roots level, tors that raise awareness about
and their contribution to produc- the status, role and contribution
tion, marketing, business, and sci- of women and men in the family,
ence and technology; as defined in paragraph 29 above,
and society; in this context, pro-
(k) Ensure access to quality educa- mote equality, cooperation, mutual
tion and training at all appro- respect and shared responsibilities
priate levels for adult women between girls and boys from pre-
with little or no education, for school level onward and develop,
women with disabilities and for in particular, educational modules
50 documented migrant, refugee to ensure that boys have the skills
 Platform for Action

necessary to take care of their level of academic institutions, and

own domestic needs and to share apply them in the development of
responsibility for their household curricula, including university cur-
and for the care of dependants; ricula, textbooks and teaching aids,
and in teacher training;
(c) 
Develop training programmes
and materials for teachers and (h) Develop leadership training and
educators that raise awareness of opportunities for all women to
their own role in the educational encourage them to take leader-
process, with a view to providing ship roles both as students and as
them with effective strategies for adults in civil society;
gender-sensitive teaching;
(i) 
Develop appropriate education
(d) Take actions to ensure that female and information programmes with
teachers and professors have the due respect for multilingualism,
same opportunities as and equal particularly in conjunction with
status with male teachers and pro- the mass media, that make the
fessors, in view of the importance public, particularly parents, aware
of having female teachers at all of the importance of non-discrim-
levels and in order to attract girls to inatory education for children and
school and retain them in school; the equal sharing of family respon-
sibilities by girls and boys;
(e) Introduce and promote training in
peaceful conflict resolution; (j) Develop human rights education
programmes that incorporate the
(f) 
Take positive measures to increase gender dimension at all levels of
the proportion of women gaining education, in particular by encour-
access to educational policy and de- aging higher education institu-
cision-making, particularly women tions, especially in their graduate
teachers at all levels of education and and postgraduate juridical, social
in academic disciplines that are tradi- and political science curricula, to
tionally male-dominated, such as the include the study of the human
scientific and technological fields; rights of women as they appear in
United Nations conventions;
(g) Support and develop gender studies
and research at all levels of educa- (k) Remove legal, regulatory and so-
tion, especially at the postgraduate cial barriers, where appropriate, 51
 to sexual and reproductive health (n) Recognize and support the right
education within formal educa- of indigenous women and girls
tion programmes regarding wom- to education and promote a mul-
en’s health issues; ticultural approach to education
that is responsive to the needs,
(l) Encourage, with the guidance and aspirations and cultures of indig-
support of their parents and in co- enous women, including by devel-
operation with educational staff oping appropriate education pro-
and institutions, the elaboration grammes, curricula and teaching
of educational programmes for aids, to the extent possible in the
girls and boys and the creation languages of indigenous people,
of integrated services in order to and by providing for the partici-
raise awareness of their respon- pation of indigenous women in
sibilities and to help them to as- these processes;
sume those responsibilities, tak-
ing into account the importance (o) Acknowledge and respect the ar-
of such education and services to tistic, spiritual and cultural activ-
personal development and self-es- ities of indigenous women;
teem, as well as the urgent need
to avoid unwanted pregnancy, the (p) Ensure that gender equality and
spread of sexually transmitted cultural, religious and other diver-
diseases, especially HIV/AIDS, and sity are respected in educational
such phenomena as sexual vio- institutions;
lence and abuse;
(q) Promote education, training and rel-
(m) 
Provide accessible recreational evant information programmes for
and sports facilities and establish rural and farming women through
and strengthen gender-sensitive the use of affordable and appropri-
programmes for girls and women ate technologies and the mass me-
of all ages in education and com- dia - for example, radio programmes,
munity institutions and support cassettes and mobile units;
the advancement of women in all
areas of athletics and physical ac- (r) Provide non-formal education, es-
tivity, including coaching, training pecially for rural women, in order
and administration, and as partici- to realize their potential with re-
pants at the national, regional and gard to health, micro-enterprise,
52 international levels; agriculture and legal rights;
 Platform for Action

(s) Remove all barriers to access to 85. By Governments and, as appropri-
formal education for pregnant ate, private and public institutions,
adolescents and young mothers, foundations, research institutes and
and support the provision of child non-governmental organizations:
care and other support services
where necessary. (a) 
When necessary, mobilize ad-
ditional funds from private and
public institutions, foundations,
Strategic objective B.5. research institutes and non-gov-
Allocate sufficient resources for and ernmental organizations to en-
monitor the implementation of edu- able girls and women, as well as
cational reforms boys and men on an equal ba-
sis, to complete their education,
Actions to be taken with particular emphasis on un-
der-served populations;
84. By Governments:
(b) 
Provide funding for special pro-
(a) 
Provide the required budgetary grammes, such as programmes in
resources to the educational sec- mathematics, science and comput-
tor, with reallocation within the er technology, to advance opportu-
educational sector to ensure in- nities for all girls and women.
creased funds for basic education,
as appropriate; 86. By multilateral development insti-
tutions, including the World Bank,
(b) Establish a mechanism at appro- regional development banks, bilat-
priate levels to monitor the imple- eral donors and foundations:
mentation of educational reforms
and measures in relevant minis- (a) Consider increasing funding for the
tries, and establish technical as- education and training needs of
sistance programmes, as appropri- girls and women as a priority in de-
ate, to address issues raised by the velopment assistance programmes;
monitoring efforts.
(b) 
Consider working with recipient
Governments to ensure that fund-
ing for women’s education is main-
tained or increased in structural
adjustment and economic recovery 53
 programmes, including lending (d) Allocate a substantial percentage
and stabilization programmes. of their resources to basic educa-
tion for women and girls.
87. By international and intergovern-
mental organizations, especially
the United Nations Educational, Strategic objective B.6.
Scientific and Cultural Organiza- Promote life-long education and train-
tion, at the global level: ing for girls and women

(a) 
Contribute to the evaluation of Actions to be taken
progress achieved, using educa-
tional indicators generated by na- 88. By Governments, educational insti-
tional, regional and international tutions and communities:
bodies, and urge Governments,
in implementing measures, to (a) Ensure the availability of a broad
eliminate differences between range of educational and training
women and men and boys and programmes that lead to ongoing
girls with regard to opportunities acquisition by women and girls of
in education and training and the knowledge and skills required
the levels achieved in all fields, for living in, contributing to and
particularly in primary and literacy benefiting from their communi-
programmes; ties and nations;

(b) Provide technical assistance upon (b) Provide support for child care and
request to developing countries to other services to enable mothers
strengthen the capacity to moni- to continue their schooling;
tor progress in closing the gap be-
tween women and men in educa- (c) Create flexible education, training
tion, training and research, and in and retraining programmes for
levels of achievement in all fields, life-long learning that facilitate
particularly basic education and transitions between women’s ac-
the elimination of illiteracy; tivities at all stages of their lives.

(c) 
Conduct an international cam-
paign promoting the right of
women and girls to education;
54
 Platform for Action

C. Women and health* prevention and treatment of

childhood diseases, malnutrition,
89. Women have the right to the enjoy- anaemia, diarrhoeal diseases,
ment of the highest attainable stan- communicable diseases, malaria
dard of physical and mental health. and other tropical diseases and tu-
The enjoyment of this right is vital berculosis, among others. Women
to their life and well-being and their also have different and unequal
ability to participate in all areas of opportunities for the protection,
public and private life. Health is a promotion and maintenance of
state of complete physical, mental their health. In many developing
and social well-being and not merely countries, the lack of emergency
the absence of disease or infirmity. obstetric services is also of par-
Women’s health involves their emo- ticular concern. Health policies
tional, social and physical well-being and programmes often perpetu-
and is determined by the social, po- ate gender stereotypes and fail to
litical and economic context of their consider socioeconomic dispari-
lives, as well as by biology. However, ties and other differences among
health and well-being elude the women and may not fully take
majority of women. A major barrier account of the lack of autonomy
for women to the achievement of of women regarding their health.
the highest attainable standard of Women’s health is also affected
health is inequality, both between by gender bias in the health sys-
men and women and among wom- tem and by the provision of inad-
en in different geographical regions, equate and inappropriate medical
social classes and indigenous and services to women.
ethnic groups. In national and in-
ternational forums, women have 91. 
In many countries, especially de-
emphasized that to attain optimal veloping countries, in particular
health throughout the life cycle, the least developed countries, a
equality, including the sharing of decrease in public health spend-
family responsibilities, development ing and, in some cases, structural
and peace are necessary conditions.

90. 
Women have different and un- * The Holy See expressed a general reservation on this
section. The reservation is to be interpreted in terms of
equal access to and use of ba- the statement made by the representative of the Holy
See at the 4th meeting of the Main Committee, on
sic health resources, including 14 September 1995 (see chap. V of A/CONF.177/20/
primary health services for the Rev.1, para. 11). 55
 adjustment, contribute to the dete- inequitable distribution of food
rioration of public health systems. for girls and women in the house-
In addition, privatization of health- hold, inadequate access to safe
care systems without appropriate water, sanitation facilities and
guarantees of universal access to fuel supplies, particularly in rural
affordable health care further re- and poor urban areas, and defi-
duces health-care availability. This cient housing conditions, all over-
situation not only directly affects burden women and their families
the health of girls and women, and have a negative effect on their
but also places disproportionate health. Good health is essential to
responsibilities on women, whose leading a productive and fulfilling
multiple roles, including their roles life, and the right of all women to
within the family and the commu- control all aspects of their health,
nity, are often not acknowledged; in particular their own fertility, is
hence they do not receive the nec- basic to their empowerment.
essary social, psychological and
economic support. 93. Discrimination against girls, often
resulting from son preference, in
92. Women’s right to the enjoyment access to nutrition and health-care
of the highest standard of health services endangers their current
must be secured throughout the and future health and well-being.
whole life cycle in equality with Conditions that force girls into
men. Women are affected by many early marriage, pregnancy and
of the same health conditions as child-bearing and subject them to
men, but women experience them harmful practices, such as female
differently. The prevalence among genital mutilation, pose grave
women of poverty and economic health risks. Adolescent girls need,
dependence, their experience of but too often do not have, access
violence, negative attitudes to- to necessary health and nutrition
wards women and girls, racial and services as they mature. Coun-
other forms of discrimination, the selling and access to sexual and
limited power many women have reproductive health information
over their sexual and reproductive and services for adolescents are
lives and lack of influence in de- still inadequate or lacking com-
cision-making are social realities pletely, and a young woman’s right
which have an adverse impact to privacy, confidentiality, respect
56 on their health. Lack of food and and informed consent is often not
 Platform for Action

considered. Adolescent girls are therefore implies that people are

both biologically and psychoso- able to have a satisfying and safe
cially more vulnerable than boys to sex life and that they have the ca-
sexual abuse, violence and prosti- pability to reproduce and the free-
tution, and to the consequences of dom to decide if, when and how
unprotected and premature sexual often to do so. Implicit in this last
relations. The trend towards early condition are the right of men and
sexual experience, combined with women to be informed and to have
a lack of information and services, access to safe, effective, affordable
increases the risk of unwanted and and acceptable methods of family
too early pregnancy, HIV infection planning of their choice, as well as
and other sexually transmitted dis- other methods of their choice for
eases, as well as unsafe abortions. regulation of fertility which are not
Early childbearing continues to be against the law, and the right of
an impediment to improvements access to appropriate health-care
in the educational, economic and services that will enable women to
social status of women in all parts go safely through pregnancy and
of the world. Overall, for young childbirth and provide couples with
women early marriage and early the best chance of having a healthy
motherhood can severely curtail infant. In line with the above defi-
educational and employment op- nition of reproductive health, re-
portunities and are likely to have productive health care is defined
a longterm, adverse impact on the as the constellation of methods,
quality of their lives and the lives of techniques and services that con-
their children. Young men are often tribute to reproductive health and
not educated to respect women’s well-being by preventing and solv-
self-determination and to share ing reproductive health problems.
responsibility with women in mat- It also includes sexual health, the
ters of sexuality and reproduction. purpose of which is the enhance-
ment of life and personal relations,
94. Reproductive health is a state of and not merely counselling and
complete physical, mental and so- care related to reproduction and
cial well-being and not merely the sexually transmitted diseases.
absence of disease or infirmity, in
all matters relating to the repro- 95. 
Bearing in mind the above defi-
ductive system and to its functions nition, reproductive rights em-
and processes. Reproductive health brace certain human rights that 57
 are already recognized in national their sexuality. Reproductive health
laws, international human rights eludes many of the world’s people
documents and other consensus because of such factors as: inade-
documents. These rights rest on quate levels of knowledge about
the recognition of the basic right human sexuality and inappropri-
of all couples and individuals to ate or poor-quality reproductive
decide freely and responsibly the health information and services;
number, spacing and timing of the prevalence of high-risk sexual
their children and to have the in- behaviour; discriminatory social
formation and means to do so, practices; negative attitudes to-
and the right to attain the highest wards women and girls; and the
standard of sexual and reproduc- limited power many women and
tive health. It also includes their girls have over their sexual and
right to make decisions concern- reproductive lives. Adolescents are
ing reproduction free of discrim- particularly vulnerable because of
ination, coercion and violence, as their lack of information and ac-
expressed in human rights docu- cess to relevant services in most
ments. In the exercise of this right, countries. Older women and men
they should take into account the have distinct reproductive and sex-
needs of their living and future ual health issues which are often
children and their responsibilities inadequately addressed.
towards the community. The pro-
motion of the responsible exercise 96. The human rights of women in-
of these rights for all people should clude their right to have control
be the fundamental basis for gov- over and decide freely and respon-
ernment- and community-sup- sibly on matters related to their
ported policies and programmes sexuality, including sexual and
in the area of reproductive health, reproductive health, free of coer-
including family planning. As part cion, discrimination and violence.
of their commitment, full atten- Equal relationships between
tion should be given to the pro- women and men in matters of
motion of mutually respectful and sexual relations and reproduction,
equitable gender relations and including full respect for the in-
particularly to meeting the educa- tegrity of the person, require mu-
tional and service needs of adoles- tual respect, consent and shared
cents to enable them to deal in a responsibility for sexual behaviour
58 positive and responsible way with and its consequences.
 Platform for Action

97. 
Further, women are subject to with the best chance of having a
particular health risks due to in- healthy infant. These problems
adequate responsiveness and lack and means should be addressed on
of services to meet health needs the basis of the report of the Inter-
related to sexuality and reproduc- national Conference on Population
tion. Complications related to preg- and Development, with particular
nancy and childbirth are among reference to relevant paragraphs
the leading causes of mortality and of the Programme of Action of the
morbidity of women of reproduc- Conference.14 In most countries,
tive age in many parts of the de- the neglect of women’s reproduc-
veloping world. Similar problems tive rights severely limits their op-
exist to a certain degree in some portunities in public and private
countries with economies in tran- life, including opportunities for
sition. Unsafe abortions threat- education and economic and po-
en the lives of a large number of litical empowerment. The ability of
women, representing a grave pub- women to control their own fertili-
lic health problem as it is primari- ty forms an important basis for the
ly the poorest and youngest who enjoyment of other rights. Shared
take the highest risk. Most of these responsibility between women
deaths, health problems and inju- and men in matters related to sex-
ries are preventable through im- ual and reproductive behaviour is
proved access to adequate health- also essential to improving wom-
care services, including safe and en’s health.
effective family planning methods
and emergency obstetric care, rec- 98. 
HIV/AIDS and other sexually
ognizing the right of women and transmitted diseases, the trans-
men to be informed and to have mission of which is sometimes a
access to safe, effective, affordable consequence of sexual violence,
and acceptable methods of family are having a devastating effect
planning of their choice, as well on women’s health, particularly
as other methods of their choice the health of adolescent girls and
for regulation of fertility which are young women. They often do not
not against the law, and the right have the power to insist on safe
of access to appropriate healthcare and responsible sex practices and
services that will enable women have little access to information
to go safely through pregnancy and services for prevention and
and childbirth and provide couples treatment. Women, who represent 59
 half of all adults newly infected health issues of growing concern
with HIV/AIDS and other sexually to women. Women throughout
transmitted diseases, have em- the world, especially young wom-
phasized that social vulnerability en, are increasing their use of to-
and the unequal power relation- bacco with serious effects on their
ships between women and men health and that of their children.
are obstacles to safe sex, in their Occupational health issues are
efforts to control the spread of also growing in importance, as a
sexually transmitted diseases. The large number of women work in
consequences of HIV/AIDS reach lowpaid jobs in either the formal or
beyond women’s health to their the informal labour market under
role as mothers and caregivers tedious and unhealthy conditions,
and their contribution to the eco- and the number is rising. Cancers
nomic support of their families. of the breast and cervix and other
The social, developmental and cancers of the reproductive sys-
health consequences of HIV/AIDS tem, as well as infertility affect
and other sexually transmitted growing numbers of women and
diseases need to be seen from a may be preventable, or curable, if
gender perspective. detected early.

99. Sexual and gender-based violence, 101. With the increase in life expec-
including physical and psycholog- tancy and the growing number
ical abuse, trafficking in women of older women, their health
and girls, and other forms of abuse concerns require particular at-
and sexual exploitation place girls tention. The longterm health
and women at high risk of physical prospects of women are influ-
and mental trauma, disease and enced by changes at menopause,
unwanted pregnancy. Such situa- which, in combination with life-
tions often deter women from us- long conditions and other fac-
ing health and other services. tors, such as poor nutrition and
lack of physical activity, may in-
100. Mental disorders related to mar- crease the risk of cardiovascular
ginalization, powerlessness and disease and osteoporosis. Other
poverty, along with overwork and diseases of ageing and the inter-
stress and the growing incidence relationships of ageing and dis-
of domestic violence as well as ability among women also need
60 substance abuse, are among other particular attention.
 Platform for Action

102. Women, like men, particularly in and reliable data on the mortal-
rural areas and poor urban areas, ity and morbidity of women and
are increasingly exposed to envi- conditions and diseases partic-
ronmental health hazards owing ularly affecting women are not
to environmental catastrophes available in many countries. Rel-
and degradation. Women have a atively little is known about how
different susceptibility to various social and economic factors affect
environmental hazards, contam- the health of girls and women of
inants and substances and they all ages, about the provision of
suffer different consequences health services to girls and wom-
from exposure to them. en and the patterns of their use of
such services, and about the value
103. 
The quality of women’s health of disease prevention and health
care is often deficient in various promotion programmes for wom-
ways, depending on local circum- en. Subjects of importance to
stances. Women are frequently women’s health have not been
not treated with respect, nor are adequately researched and wom-
they guaranteed privacy and con- en’s health research often lacks
fidentiality, nor do they always funding. Medical research, on
receive full information about the heart disease, for example, and
options and services available. epidemiological studies in many
Furthermore, in some countries, countries are often based solely
over-medicating of women’s life on men; they are not gender spe-
events is common, leading to un- cific. Clinical trials involving wom-
necessary surgical intervention en to establish basic information
and inappropriate medication. about dosage, side-effects and
effectiveness of drugs, including
104. Statistical data on health are often contraceptives, are noticeably ab-
not systematically collected, dis- sent and do not always conform
aggregated and analysed by age, to ethical standards for research
sex and socioeconomic status and and testing. Many drug thera-
by established demographic crite- py protocols and other medical
ria used to serve the interests and treatments and interventions ad-
solve the problems of subgroups, ministered to women are based
with particular emphasis on the on research on men without any
vulnerable and marginalized and investigation and adjustment for
other relevant variables. Recent gender differences. 61
 105. In addressing inequalities in health Social Development15 and the ob-
status and unequal access to and ligations of States parties under
inadequate health-care services the Convention on the Elimina-
between women and men, Gov- tion of All Forms of Discrimination
ernments and other actors should against Women and other relevant
promote an active and visible international agreements, to meet
policy of mainstreaming a gen- the health needs of girls and wom-
der perspective in all policies and en of all ages;
programmes, so that, before de-
cisions are taken, an analysis is (b) 
Reaffirm the right to the enjoy-
made of the effects for women ment of the highest attainable
and men, respectively. standards of physical and mental
health, protect and promote the
attainment of this right for wom-
trategic objective C.1.
S en and girls and incorporate it in
Increase women’s access throughout national legislation, for example;
the ife cycle to appropriate, affordable review existing legislation, includ-
and quality health care, information ing health legislation, as well as
and related services policies, where necessary, to reflect
a commitment to women’s health
Actions to be taken and to ensure that they meet the
changing roles and responsibilities
106. By Governments, in collaboration of women wherever they reside;
with non-governmental organiza-
tions and employers’ and workers’ (c) 
Design and implement, in coop-
organizations and with the sup- eration with women and com-
port of international institutions: munity-based organizations, gen-
der-sensitive health programmes,
(a) Support and implement the com- including decentralized health
mitments made in the Programme services, that address the needs
of Action of the International Con- of women throughout their lives
ference on Population and De- and take into account their multi-
velopment, as established in the ple roles and responsibilities, the
report of that Conference and the demands on their time, the special
Copenhagen Declaration on Social needs of rural women and women
Development and Programme of with disabilities and the diversity
62 Action of the World Summit for of women’s needs arising from age
 Platform for Action

and socioeconomic and cultural (g) Ensure that all health services and
differences, among others; include workers conform to human rights
women, especially local and indig- and to ethical, professional and
enous women, in the identification gender-sensitive standards in the
and planning of health-care prior- delivery of women’s health ser-
ities and programmes; remove all vices aimed at ensuring respon-
barriers to women’s health ser- sible, voluntary and informed
vices and provide a broad range of consent; encourage the devel-
health-care services; opment, implementation and
dissemination of codes of ethics
(d) Allow women access to social secu- guided by existing international
rity systems in equality with men codes of medical ethics as well as
throughout the whole life cycle; ethical principles that govern oth-
er health professionals;
(e) Provide more accessible, available
and affordable primary health- (h) 
Take all appropriate measures
care services of high quality, in- to eliminate harmful, medically
cluding sexual and reproductive unnecessary or coercive medical
health care, which includes fam- interventions, as well as inappro-
ily planning information and ser- priate medication and over-medi-
vices, and giving particular atten- cation of women, and ensure that
tion to maternal and emergency all women are fully informed of
obstetric care, as agreed to in the their options, including likely ben-
Programme of Action of the Inter- efits and potential side-effects, by
national Conference on Popula- properly trained personnel;
tion and Development;
(i) Strengthen and reorient health ser-
(f) 
Redesign health information, vices, particularly primary health
services and training for health care, in order to ensure universal
workers so that they are gen- access to quality health services
der-sensitive and reflect the user’s for women and girls; reduce ill
perspectives with regard to inter- health and maternal morbidity and
personal and communications achieve world wide the agreed-up-
skills and the user’s right to privacy on goal of reducing maternal mor-
and confidentiality; these services, tality by at least 50 per cent of the
information and training should 1990 levels by the year 2000 and a
be based on a holistic approach; further one half by the year 2015; 63
 ensure that the necessary services every attempt should be made to
are available at each level of the eliminate the need for abortion.
health system and make reproduc- Women who have unwanted
tive health care accessible, through pregnancies should have ready
the primary health-care system, to access to reliable information
all individuals of appropriate ages and compassionate counselling.
as soon as possible and no later Any measures or changes relat-
than the year 2015; ed to abortion within the health
system can only be determined
(j) 
Recognize and deal with the at the national or local level ac-
health impact of unsafe abortion cording to the national legislative
as a major public health concern, process. In circumstances where
as agreed in paragraph 8.25 of abortion is not against the law,
the Programme of Action of the such abortion should be safe. In
International Conference on Pop- all cases, women should have
ulation and Development;14 access to quality services for the
management of complications
(k) In the light of paragraph 8.25 of arising from abortion. Postabor-
the Programme of Action of the tion counselling, education and
International Conference on Pop- family-planning services should
ulation and Development, which be offered promptly, which will
states: “In no case should abor- also help to avoid repeat abor-
tion be promoted as a method of tions”, consider reviewing laws
family planning. All Governments containing punitive measures
and relevant intergovernmental against women who have under-
and non-governmental organi- gone illegal abortions;
zations are urged to strengthen
their commitment to women’s (l) Give particular attention to the
health, to deal with the health needs of girls, especially the promo-
impact of unsafe abortion16 as tion of healthy behaviour, includ-
a major public health concern ing physical activities; take specific
and to reduce the recourse to measures for closing the gender
abortion through expanded and gaps in morbidity and mortali-
improved family-planning ser- ty where girls are disadvantaged,
vices. Prevention of unwanted while achieving internationally ap-
pregnancies must always be proved goals for the reduction of in-
64 given the highest priority and fant and child mortality  specifically,
 Platform for Action

by the year 2000, the reduction of with attention to pregnant and

mortality rates of infants and chil- lactating women;
dren under five years of age by one
third of the 1990 level, or 50 to 70 (q) Integrate mental health services
per 1,000 live births, whichever is into primary health-care systems
less; by the year 2015 an infant or other appropriate levels, develop
mortality rate below 35 per 1,000 supportive programmes and train
live births and an under-five mor- primary health workers to recog-
tality rate below 45 per 1,000; nize and care for girls and women
of all ages who have experienced
(m) Ensure that girls have continuing any form of violence especially do-
access to necessary health and mestic violence, sexual abuse or
nutrition information and ser- other abuse resulting from armed
vices as they mature, to facilitate and non-armed conflict;
a healthful transition from child-
hood to adulthood; (r) Promote public information on
the benefits of breastfeeding; ex-
(n) Develop information, programmes amine ways and means of imple-
and services to assist women to menting fully the WHO/UNICEF
understand and adapt to changes International Code of Marketing
associated with ageing and to ad- of Breast-milk Substitutes, and
dress and treat the health needs of enable mothers to breast-feed
older women, paying particular at- their infants by providing legal,
tention to those who are physically economic, practical and emo-
or psychologically dependent; tional support;

(o) Ensure that girls and women of (s) Establish mechanisms to support
all ages with any form of disabili- and involve non-governmental or-
ty receive supportive services; ganizations, particularly women’s
organizations, professional groups
(p) Formulate special policies, de- and other bodies working to im-
sign programmes and enact the prove the health of girls and wom-
legislation necessary to alleviate en, in government policy-making,
and eliminate environmental and programme design, as appropriate,
occupational health hazards as- and implementation within the
sociated with work in the home, health sector and related sectors
in the workplace and elsewhere at all levels; 65
 (t) Support non-governmental or- attention to the gender gap in
ganizations working on women’s nutrition, and a reduction in iron
health and help develop networks deficiency anaemia in girls and
aimed at improving coordination women by one third of the 1990
and collaboration between all sec- levels by the year 2000;
tors that affect health;
(x) Ensure the availability of and
(u) Rationalize drug procurement universal access to safe drinking
and ensure a reliable, continuous water and sanitation and put in
supply of high-quality pharma- place effective public distribution
ceutical, contraceptive and other systems as soon as possible;
supplies and equipment, using
the WHO Model List of Essen- (y) Ensure full and equal access to
tial Drugs as a guide, and ensure health-care infrastructure and
the safety of drugs and devices services for indigenous women.
through national regulatory drug
approval processes;
trategic objective C.2.
S
(v) 
Provide improved access to ap- Strengthen preventive programmes
propriate treatment and rehabil- that promote women’s health
itation services for women sub-
stance abusers and their families; Actions to be taken

(w) Promote and ensure household 107. 

By Governments, in cooperation
and national food security, as with non-governmental organiza-
appropriate, and implement pro- tions, the mass media, the private
grammes aimed at improving sector and relevant international
the nutritional status of all girls organizations, including United
and women by implementing the Nations bodies, as appropriate:
commitments made in the Plan of
Action on Nutrition of the Interna- (a) Give priority to both formal and
tional Conference on Nutrition,17 informal educational programmes
including a reduction world wide that support and enable women
of severe and moderate malnu- to develop self-esteem, acquire
trition among children under the knowledge, make decisions on and
age of five by one half of 1990 lev- take responsibility for their own
66 els by the year 2000, giving special health, achieve mutual respect in
 Platform for Action

matters concerning sexuality and and to provide their share of fi-

fertility and educate men regard- nancial support for their families,
ing the importance of women’s even if they do not live with them;
health and well-being, placing
special focus on programmes for (d) Reinforce laws, reform institutions
both men and women that em- and promote norms and practic-
phasize the elimination of harmful es that eliminate discrimination
attitudes and practices, includ- against women and encourage
ing female genital mutilation, both women and men to take re-
son preference (which results in sponsibility for their sexual and
female infanticide and prenatal reproductive behaviour; ensure
sex selection), early marriage, in- full respect for the integrity of the
cluding child marriage, violence person, take action to ensure the
against women, sexual exploita- conditions necessary for wom-
tion, sexual abuse, which at times en to exercise their reproductive
is conducive to infection with HIV/ rights and eliminate coercive laws
AIDS and other sexually transmit- and practices;
ted diseases, drug abuse, discrimi-
nation against girls and women in (e) 
Prepare and disseminate acces-
food allocation and other harmful sible information, through public
attitudes and practices related health campaigns, the media, re-
to the life, health and well-being liable counselling and the educa-
of women, and recognizing that tion system, designed to ensure
some of these practices can be vio- that women and men, particularly
lations of human rights and ethical young people, can acquire knowl-
medical principles; edge about their health, especial-
ly information on sexuality and
(b) 
Pursue social, human devel- reproduction, taking into account
opment, education and em- the rights of the child to access to
ployment policies to eliminate information, privacy, confidential-
poverty among women in or- ity, respect and informed consent,
der to reduce their susceptibility as well as the responsibilities,
to ill health and to improve rights and duties of parents and le-
their health; gal guardians to provide, in a man-
ner consistent with the evolving
(c) Encourage men to share equally capacities of the child, appropri-
in child care and household work ate direction and guidance in the 67
 exercise by the child of the rights and the community by provid-
recognized in the Convention on ing them with adequate support
the Rights of the Child, and in con- and programmes from health
formity with the Convention on and social services;
the Elimination of All Forms of Dis-
crimination against Women; en- (i) Adopt regulations to ensure that the
sure that in all actions concerning working conditions, including remu-
children, the best interests of the neration and promotion of women
child are a primary consideration; at all levels of the health system, are
non-discriminatory and meet fair
(f) 
Create and support programmes and professional standards to en-
in the educational system, in the able them to work effectively;
workplace and in the community
to make opportunities to partici- (j) Ensure that health and nutrition-
pate in sport, physical activity and al information and training form
recreation available to girls and an integral part of all adult liter-
women of all ages on the same acy programmes and school cur-
basis as they are made available to ricula from the primary level;
men and boys;
(k) 
Develop and undertake media
(g) Recognize the specific needs of campaigns and information and
adolescents and implement spe- educational programmes that in-
cific appropriate programmes, form women and girls of the health
such as education and informa- and related risks of substance
tion on sexual and reproductive abuse and addiction and pursue
health issues and on sexually strategies and programmes that
transmitted diseases, including discourage substance abuse and
HIV/AIDS, taking into account addiction and promote rehabilita-
the rights of the child and the tion and recovery;
responsibilities, rights and duties
of parents as stated in paragraph (l) 
Devise and implement com-
107 (e) above; prehensive and coherent pro-
grammes for the prevention,
(h) Develop policies that reduce the diagnosis and treatment of osteo-
disproportionate and increasing porosis, a condition that predomi-
burden on women who have nantly affects women;
68 multiple roles within the family
 Platform for Action

(m) Establish and/or strengthen pro- comprehensive and mandatory

grammes and services, including courses on women’s health;
media campaigns, that address
the prevention, early detection (q) Adopt specific preventive mea-
and treatment of breast, cervical sures to protect women, youth
and other cancers of the repro- and children from any abuse - 
ductive system; sexual abuse, exploitation, traf-
ficking and violence, for exam-
(n) 
Reduce environmental hazards ple - including the formulation
that pose a growing threat to and enforcement of laws, and pro-
health, especially in poor regions vide legal protection and medical
and communities; apply a pre- and other assistance.
cautionary approach, as agreed
to in the Rio Declaration on En-
vironment and Development, Strategic objective C.3.
adopted by the United Nations Undertake gender-sensitive initiatives
Conference on Environment and that address sexually transmitted
Development,18 and include re- diseases, HIV/AIDS, and sexual and
porting on women’s health risks reproductive health issues
related to the environment in
monitoring the implementation Actions to be taken
of Agenda 21;19
108. By Governments, international
(o) 
Create awareness among wom- bodies including relevant United
en, health professionals, policy Nations organizations, bilater-
makers and the general public al and multilateral donors and
about the serious but preventable non-governmental organizations:
health hazards stemming from
tobacco consumption and the (a) Ensure the involvement of wom-
need for regulatory and education en, especially those infected
measures to reduce smoking as with HIV/AIDS or other sexually
important health promotion and transmitted diseases or affected
disease prevention activities; by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, in
all decision-making relating to
(p) Ensure that medical school cur- the development, implementa-
ricula and other health-care tion, monitoring and evaluation
training include gender-sensitive, of policies and programmes on 69
 HIV/AIDS and other sexually of women and girls and to ensure
transmitted diseases; their social and economic em-
powerment and equality; facili-
(b) 
Review and amend laws and tate promotion of programmes
combat practices, as appropriate, to educate and enable men to
that may contribute to women’s assume their responsibilities to
susceptibility to HIV infection prevent HIV/AIDS and other sex-
and other sexually transmitted ually transmitted diseases;
diseases, including enacting leg-
islation against those sociocul- (f) 
Facilitate the development of
tural practices that contribute community strategies that will
to it, and implement legislation, protect women of all ages from
policies and practices to protect HIV and other sexually transmit-
women, adolescents and young ted diseases; provide care and
girls from discrimination related support to infected girls, women
to HIV/AIDS; and their families and mobilize
all parts of the community in re-
(c) Encourage all sectors of society, sponse to the HIV/AIDS pandem-
including the public sector, as ic to exert pressure on all respon-
well as international organiza- sible authorities to respond in a
tions, to develop compassionate timely, effective, sustainable and
and supportive, non-discrimi- gender-sensitive manner;
natory HIV/AIDS-related policies
and practices that protect the (g) Support and strengthen national
rights of infected individuals; capacity to create and improve
gender-sensitive policies and
(d) Recognize the extent of the HIV/ programmes on HIV/AIDS and
AIDS pandemic in their countries, other sexually transmitted dis-
taking particularly into account its eases, including the provision of
impact on women, with a view to resources and facilities to wom-
ensuring that infected women do en who find themselves the prin-
not suffer stigmatization and dis- cipal caregivers or economic sup-
crimination, including during travel; port for those infected with HIV/
AIDS or affected by the pandem-
(e) 
Develop gender-sensitive multi- ic, and the survivors, particularly
sectoral programmes and strat- children and older persons;
70 egies to end social subordination
 Platform for Action

(h) Provide workshops and special- (l) 

Design specific programmes for
ized education and training to men of all ages and male adoles-
parents, decision makers and cents, recognizing the parental roles
opinion leaders at all levels of referred to in paragraph  107  (e)
the community, including reli- above, aimed at providing com-
gious and traditional authori- plete and accurate information on
ties, on prevention of HIV/AIDS safe and responsible sexual and
and other sexually transmitted reproductive behaviour, including
diseases and on their repercus- voluntary, appropriate and effective
sions on both women and men male methods for the prevention of
of all ages; HIV/AIDS and other sexually trans-
mitted diseases through, inter alia,
(i) Give all women and health work- abstinence and condom use;
ers all relevant information and
education about sexually trans- (m) Ensure the provision, through the
mitted diseases including HIV/ primary health-care system, of
AIDS and pregnancy and the im- universal access of couples and
plications for the baby, including individuals to appropriate and
breast-feeding; affordable preventive services
with respect to sexually trans-
(j) 
Assist women and their formal mitted diseases, including HIV/
and informal organizations to AIDS, and expand the provision
establish and expand effective of counselling and voluntary and
peer education and outreach pro- confidential diagnostic and treat-
grammes and to participate in ment services for women; ensure
the design, implementation and that high-quality condoms as
monitoring of these programmes; well as drugs for the treatment
of sexually transmitted diseases
(k) Give full attention to the promo- are, where possible, supplied and
tion of mutually respectful and distributed to health services;
equitable gender relations and,
in particular, to meeting the edu- (n) 
Support programmes which ac-
cational and service needs of ad- knowledge that the higher risk
olescents to enable them to deal among women of contracting HIV
in a positive and responsible way is linked to high-risk behaviour,
with their sexuality; including intravenous substance
use and substance-influenced 71
 unprotected and irresponsible sex-
ual behaviour, and take appropri- trategic objective C.4.
S
ate preventive measures; Promote research and disseminate
information on women’s health
(o) 
Support and expedite action-
oriented research on affordable Actions to be taken
methods, controlled by women,
to prevent HIV and other sexual- 109. By Governments, the United Na-
ly transmitted diseases, on strat- tions system, health professions,
egies empowering women to research institutions, non-gov-
protect themselves from sexually ernmental organizations, donors,
transmitted diseases, including pharmaceutical industries and
HIV/AIDS, and on methods of care, the mass media, as appropriate:
support and treatment of women,
ensuring their involvement in all (a) Train researchers and introduce
aspects of such research; systems that allow for the use
of data collected, analysed and
(p) 
Support and initiate research disaggregated by, among other
which addresses women’s needs factors, sex and age, other estab-
and situations, including re- lished demographic criteria and
search on HIV infection and oth- socioeconomic variables, in poli-
er sexually transmitted diseases cy-making, as appropriate, plan-
in women, on women-controlled ning, monitoring and evaluation;
methods of protection, such
as nonspermicidal microbicides, (b) 
Promote gender-sensitive and
and on male and female risk-tak- women-centred health research,
ing attitudes and practices. treatment and technology and
link traditional and indigenous
knowledge with modern medi-
cine, making information avail-
able to women to enable them
to make informed and responsi-
ble decisions;

(c) Increase the number of women in

leadership positions in the health
72 professions, including researchers
 Platform for Action

and scientists, to achieve equality etiology, epidemiology, provision

at the earliest possible date; and utilization of services and
eventual outcome of treatment;
(d) Increase financial and other sup-
port from all sources for preven- (g) 
Support health service systems
tive, appropriate biomedical, be- and operations research to
havioural, epidemiological and strengthen access and improve
health service research on wom- the quality of service delivery, to
en’s health issues and for research ensure appropriate support for
on the social, economic and po- women as health-care providers
litical causes of women’s health and to examine patterns with
problems, and their consequenc- respect to the provision of health
es, including the impact of gender services to women and use of
and age inequalities, especially such services by women;
with respect to chronic and non-
communicable diseases, particu- (h) 
Provide financial and institu-
larly cardiovascular diseases and tional support for research on
conditions, cancers, reproductive safe, effective, affordable and
tract infections and injuries, HIV/ acceptable methods and tech-
AIDS and other sexually transmit- nologies for the reproductive
ted diseases, domestic violence, and sexual health of women and
occupational health, disabilities, men, including more safe, effec-
environmentally related health tive, affordable and acceptable
problems, tropical diseases and methods for the regulation of
health aspects of ageing; fertility, including natural family
planning for both sexes, meth-
(e) Inform women about the factors ods to protect against HIV/AIDS
which increase the risks of de- and other sexually transmitted
veloping cancers and infections diseases and simple and inex-
of the reproductive tract, so that pensive methods of diagnosing
they can make informed deci- such diseases, among others;
sions about their health; this research needs to be guided
at all stages by users and from
(f) Support and fund social, econom- the perspective of gender, partic-
ic, political and cultural research ularly the perspective of women,
on how gender-based inequalities and should be carried out in strict
affect women’s health, including conformity with internationally 73
 accepted legal, ethical, medical and disseminate information
and scientific standards for bio- and results of studies conducted
medical research; in accordance with accepted eth-
ical standards.
(i) Since unsafe abortion16 is a ma-
jor threat to the health and life of
women, research to understand trategic objective C.5.
S
and better address the deter- Increase resources and monitor fol-
minants and consequences of low-up for women’s health
induced abortion, including its
effects on subsequent fertility, Actions to be taken
reproductive and mental health
and contraceptive practice, should 110. By Governments at all levels and,
be promoted, as well as research where appropriate, in coopera-
on treatment of complications of tion with non-governmental or-
abortions and postabortion care; ganizations, especially women’s
and youth organizations:
(j) 
Acknowledge and encourage
beneficial traditional health care, (a) 
Increase budgetary allocations
especially that practised by in- for primary health care and social
digenous women, with a view to services, with adequate support
preserving and incorporating the for secondary and tertiary levels,
value of traditional health care in and give special attention to the
the provision of health services, reproductive and sexual health of
and support research directed to- girls and women and give priori-
wards achieving this aim; ty to health programmes in rural
and poor urban areas;
(k) Develop mechanisms to evaluate
and disseminate available data (b) Develop innovative approaches to
and research findings to research- funding health services through
ers, policy makers, health pro- promoting community participa-
fessionals and women’s groups, tion and local financing; increase,
among others; where necessary, budgetary al-
locations for community health
(l) Monitor human genome and re- centres and community-based pro-
lated genetic research from the grammes and services that address
74 perspective of women’s health women’s specific health needs;
 Platform for Action

(c) 
Develop local health services, 111. By Governments, the United
promoting the incorporation of Nations and its specialized agen-
gender-sensitive community-based cies, international financial insti-
participation and selfcare and spe- tutions, bilateral donors and the
cially designed preventive health private sector, as appropriate:
programmes;
(a) Formulate policies favourable to
(d) 
Develop goals and timeframes, investment in women’s health
where appropriate, for improving and, where appropriate, increase
women’s health and for plan- allocations for such investment;
ning, implementing, monitoring
and evaluating programmes, (b) Provide appropriate material, fi-
based on gender-impact assess- nancial and logistical assistance
ments using qualitative and to youth non-governmental orga-
quantitative data disaggregated nizations in order to strengthen
by sex, age, other established de- them to address youth concerns
mographic criteria and socioeco- in the area of health, including
nomic variables; sexual and reproductive health;

(e) Establish, as appropriate, minis- (c) Give higher priority to women’s

terial and inter-ministerial mech- health and develop mechanisms
anisms for monitoring the im- for coordinating and implement-
plementation of women’s health ing the health objectives of the
policy and programme reforms Platform for Action and relevant
and establish, as appropriate, international agreements to en-
high-level focal points in nation- sure progress.
al planning authorities respon-
sible for monitoring to ensure
that women’s health concerns
are mainstreamed in all relevant
government agencies and pro-
grammes.

75
 D. Violence against women liberty, whether occurring in public
or private life. Accordingly, violence
112. 
Violence against women is an against women encompasses but
obstacle to the achievement of is not limited to the following:
the objectives of equality, de-
velopment and peace. Violence (a) 
Physical, sexual and psychological
against women both violates and violence occurring in the family, in-
impairs or nullifies the enjoyment cluding battering, sexual abuse of
by women of their human rights female children in the household,
and fundamental freedoms. The dowry-related violence, marital rape,
long-standing failure to protect female genital mutilation and oth-
and promote those rights and er traditional practices harmful to
freedoms in the case of violence women, non-spousal violence and
against women is a matter of con- violence related to exploitation;
cern to all States and should be
addressed. Knowledge about its (b) 
Physical, sexual and psycholog-
causes and consequences, as well ical violence occurring within
as its incidence and measures to the general community, includ-
combat it, have been greatly ex- ing rape, sexual abuse, sexual
panded since the Nairobi Confer- harassment and intimidation at
ence. In all societies, to a greater work, in educational institutions
or lesser degree, women and girls and elsewhere, trafficking in
are subjected to physical, sexual women and forced prostitution;
and psychological abuse that cuts
across lines of income, class and (c) Physical, sexual and psychological
culture. The low social and eco- violence perpetrated or condoned
nomic status of women can be by the State, wherever it occurs.
both a cause and a consequence
of violence against women. 114. 
Other acts of violence against
women include violation of the
113. The term “violence against wom- human rights of women in situa-
en” means any act of gender-based tions of armed conflict, in partic-
violence that results in, or is likely to ular murder, systematic rape, sex-
result in, physical, sexual or psycho- ual slavery and forced pregnancy.
logical harm or suffering to wom-
en, including threats of such acts, 115. Acts of violence against women
76 coercion or arbitrary deprivation of also include forced sterilization
 Platform for Action

and forced abortion, coercive/ and economic costs to the indi-

forced use of contraceptives, fe- vidual and society are associated
male infanticide and prenatal with violence against women.
sex selection. Violence against women is one
of the crucial social mechanisms
116. Some groups of women, such as by which women are forced into
women belonging to minority a subordinate position compared
groups, indigenous women, refu- with men. In many cases, violence
gee women, women migrants, in- against women and girls occurs
cluding women migrant workers, in the family or within the home,
women in poverty living in rural where violence is often tolerated.
or remote communities, destitute The neglect, physical and sexual
women, women in institutions abuse, and rape of girl children
or in detention, female children, and women by family members
women with disabilities, elderly and other members of the house-
women, displaced women, repa- hold, as well as incidences of
triated women, women living in spousal and non-spousal abuse,
poverty and women in situations often go unreported and are thus
of armed conflict, foreign occu- difficult to detect. Even when
pation, wars of aggression, civil such violence is reported, there is
wars, terrorism, including hos- often a failure to protect victims
tage-taking, are also particularly or punish perpetrators.
vulnerable to violence.
118. Violence against women is a man-
117. Acts or threats of violence, wheth- ifestation of the historically un-
er occurring within the home or in equal power relations between
the community, or perpetrated or men and women, which have led
condoned by the State, instil fear to domination over and discrim-
and insecurity in women’s lives ination against women by men
and are obstacles to the achieve- and to the prevention of wom-
ment of equality and for devel- en’s full advancement. Violence
opment and peace. The fear of against women throughout the
violence, including harassment, life cycle derives essentially from
is a permanent constraint on the cultural patterns, in particular
mobility of women and limits the harmful effects of certain
their access to resources and ba- traditional or customary prac-
sic activities. High social, health tices and all acts of extremism 77
 linked to race, sex, language or free of violence against women is
religion that perpetuate the low- necessary and achievable. Equality,
er status accorded to women in partnership between women and
the family, the workplace, the men and respect for human digni-
community and society. Violence ty must permeate all stages of the
against women is exacerbated socialization process. Educational
by social pressures, notably the systems should promote self-re-
shame of denouncing certain spect, mutual respect, and coop-
acts that have been perpetrated eration between women and men.
against women; women’s lack of
access to legal information, aid 120. 
The absence of adequate gen-
or protection; the lack of laws der-disaggregated data and
that effectively prohibit violence statistics on the incidence of vi-
against women; failure to reform olence makes the elaboration of
existing laws; inadequate efforts programmes and monitoring of
on the part of public authorities changes difficult. Lack of or in-
to promote awareness of and adequate documentation and
enforce existing laws; and the research on domestic violence,
absence of educational and oth- sexual harassment and violence
er means to address the causes against women and girls in pri-
and consequences of violence. vate and in public, including the
Images in the media of violence workplace, impede efforts to de-
against women, in particular sign specific intervention strate-
those that depict rape or sex- gies. Experience in a number of
ual slavery as well as the use of countries shows that women and
women and girls as sex objects, men can be mobilized to over-
including pornography, are fac- come violence in all its forms and
tors contributing to the contin- that effective public measures
ued prevalence of such violence, can be taken to address both the
adversely influencing the com- causes and the consequences of
munity at large, in particular chil- violence. Men’s groups mobiliz-
dren and young people. ing against gender violence are
necessary allies for change.
119. 
Developing a holistic and multi-
disciplinary approach to the chal- 121. Women may be vulnerable to vi-
lenging task of promoting families, olence perpetrated by persons
78 communities and States that are in positions of authority in both
 Platform for Action

conflict and nonconflict situations. trafficking for the purposes of the

Training of all officials in humani- sex trade, as well as the issues of
tarian and human rights law and forced prostitution, rape, sexual
the punishment of perpetrators of abuse and sex tourism. Women
violent acts against women would and girls who are victims of this
help to ensure that such violence international trade are at an in-
does not take place at the hands creased risk of further violence, as
of public officials in whom women well as unwanted pregnancy and
should be able to place trust, in- sexually transmitted infection, in-
cluding police and prison officials cluding infection with HIV/AIDS.
and security forces.
123. 
In addressing violence against
122. 
The effective suppression of women, Governments and other
trafficking in women and girls actors should promote an active
for the sex trade is a matter of and visible policy of mainstream-
pressing international concern. ing a gender perspective in all
Implementation of the 1949 Con- policies and programmes so that
vention for the Suppression of before decisions are taken an anal-
the Traffic in Persons and of the ysis may be made of their effects
Exploitation of the Prostitution on women and men, respectively.
of Others,20 as well as other rel-
evant instruments, needs to be
reviewed and strengthened. The Strategic objective D.1.
use of women in international Take integrated measures to prevent
prostitution and trafficking net- and eliminate violence against women
works has become a major focus
of international organized crime. Actions to be taken
The Special Rapporteur of the
Commission on Human Rights 124. By Governments:
on violence against women, who
has explored these acts as an (a) Condemn violence against women
additional cause of the violation and refrain from invoking any cus-
of the human rights and funda- tom, tradition or religious consider-
mental freedoms of women and ation to avoid their obligations with
girls, is invited to address, within respect to its elimination as set out
her mandate and as a matter of in the Declaration on the Elimina-
urgency, the issue of international tion of Violence against Women; 79
 (b) Refrain from engaging in violence against women, including those
against women and exercise due contained in the Universal Dec-
diligence to prevent, investigate laration of Human Rights,21 the
and, in accordance with nation- International Covenant on Civil
al legislation, punish acts of vio- and Political Rights,13 the Interna-
lence against women, whether tional Covenant on Economic, So-
those acts are perpetrated by the cial and Cultural Rights,13 and the
State or by private persons; Convention against Torture and
Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrad-
(c) Enact and/or reinforce penal, civil, ing Treatment or Punishment;22
labour and administrative sanc-
tions in domestic legislation to (f) 
Implement the Convention on
punish and redress the wrongs the Elimination of All Forms of
done to women and girls who are Discrimination against Women,
subjected to any form of violence, taking into account general rec-
whether in the home, the work- ommendation 19, adopted by the
place, the community or society; Committee on the Elimination of
Discrimination against Women at
(d) 
Adopt and/or implement and its eleventh session;23
periodically review and analyse
legislation to ensure its effec- (g) 
Promote an active and visible
tiveness in eliminating violence policy of mainstreaming a gen-
against women, emphasizing the der perspective in all policies
prevention of violence and the and programmes related to vi-
prosecution of offenders; take olence against women; actively
measures to ensure the protec- encourage, support and imple-
tion of women subjected to vio- ment measures and programmes
lence, access to just and effective aimed at increasing the knowl-
remedies, including compensa- edge and understanding of the
tion and indemnification and causes, consequences and mech-
healing of victims, and rehabili- anisms of violence against wom-
tation of perpetrators; en among those responsible for
implementing these policies,
(e) 
Work actively to ratify and/or such as law enforcement offi-
implement international hu- cers, police personnel and judi-
man rights norms and instru- cial, medical and social workers,
80 ments as they relate to violence as well as those who deal with
 Platform for Action

minority, migration and refugee patterns of conduct of men and

issues, and develop strategies to women, and to eliminate preju-
ensure that the revictimization of dices, customary practices and all
women victims of violence does other practices based on the idea
not occur because of gender-in- of the inferiority or superiority of
sensitive laws or judicial or en- either of the sexes and on stereo-
forcement practices; typed roles for men and women;

(h) Provide women who are subject- (l) Create or strengthen institution-
ed to violence with access to the al mechanisms so that women
mechanisms of justice and, as and girls can report acts of vio-
provided for by national legisla- lence against them in a safe and
tion, to just and effective reme- confidential environment, free
dies for the harm they have suf- from the fear of penalties or re-
fered and inform women of their taliation, and file charges;
rights in seeking redress through
such mechanisms; (m) Ensure that women with disabil-
ities have access to information
(i) 
Enact and enforce legislation and services in the field of vio-
against the perpetrators of prac- lence against women;
tices and acts of violence against
women, such as female genital (n) Create, improve or develop as ap-
mutilation, female infanticide, propriate, and fund the training
prenatal sex selection and dow- programmes for judicial, legal,
ry-related violence, and give vig- medical, social, educational and
orous support to the efforts of police and immigrant person-
non-governmental and commu- nel, in order to avoid the abuse
nity organizations to eliminate of power leading to violence
such practices; against women and sensitize
such personnel to the nature of
(j) 
Formulate and implement, at all gender-based acts and threats of
appropriate levels, plans of action to violence so that fair treatment of
eliminate violence against women; female victims can be assured;

(k) Adopt all appropriate measures, (o) Adopt laws, where necessary, and
especially in the field of education, reinforce existing laws that pun-
to modify the social and cultural ish police, security forces or any 81
 other agents of the State who Rapporteur of the Commission on
engage in acts of violence against Human Rights on summary, extra-
women in the course of the per- judiciary and arbitrary executions, in
formance of their duties; review relation to violence against women;
existing legislation and take effec-
tive measures against the perpe- (s) Recommend that the Commission
trators of such violence; on Human Rights renew the man-
date of the Special Rapporteur on
(p) Allocate adequate resources with- violence against women when her
in the government budget and term ends in 1997 and, if warrant-
mobilize community resources for ed, to update and strengthen it.
activities related to the elimina-
tion of violence against women, 125. By Governments, including local
including resources for the imple- governments, community organi-
mentation of plans of action at all zations, non-governmental orga-
appropriate levels; nizations, educational institutions,
the public and private sectors, par-
(q) Include in reports submitted in ticularly enterprises, and the mass
accordance with the provisions media, as appropriate:
of relevant United Nations hu-
man rights instruments, infor- (a) Provide well-funded shelters and
mation pertaining to violence relief support for girls and wom-
against women and measures en subjected to violence, as well
taken to implement the Decla- as medical, psychological and
ration on the Elimination of Vio- other counselling services and
lence against Women; free or low-cost legal aid, where it
is needed, as well as appropriate
(r) Cooperate with and assist the Spe- assistance to enable them to find
cial Rapporteur of the Commis- a means of subsistence;
sion on Human Rights on violence
against women in the performance (b) 
Establish linguistically and cul-
of her mandate and furnish all in- turally accessible services for
formation requested; cooperate migrant women and girls, in-
also with other competent mecha- cluding women migrant workers,
nisms, such as the Special Rappor- who are victims of gender-based
teur of the Commission on Human violence;
82 Rights on torture and the Special
 Platform for Action

(c) Recognize the vulnerability to vi- (g) 

Organize and fund information
olence and other forms of abuse campaigns and educational and
of women migrants, including training programmes in order
women migrant workers, whose to sensitize girls and boys and
legal status in the host country women and men to the personal
depends on employers who may and social detrimental effects of
exploit their situation; violence in the family, communi-
ty and society; teach them how
(d) Support initiatives of women’s or- to communicate without vio-
ganizations and non-governmen- lence and promote training for
tal organizations all over the world victims and potential victims so
to raise awareness on the issue of that they can protect themselves
violence against women and to and others against such violence;
contribute to its elimination;
(h) Disseminate information on the
(e) Organize, support and fund com- assistance available to women
munity-based education and train- and families who are victims of
ing campaigns to raise awareness violence;
about violence against women
as a violation of women’s enjoy- (i) 
Provide, fund and encourage
ment of their human rights and counselling and rehabilitation
mobilize local communities to use programmes for the perpetrators
appropriate gender-sensitive tradi- of violence and promote research
tional and innovative methods of to further efforts concerning
conflict resolution; such counselling and rehabilita-
tion so as to prevent the recur-
(f) 
Recognize, support and pro- rence of such violence;
mote the fundamental role of
intermediate institutions, such (j) Raise awareness of the respon-
as primary health-care centres, sibility of the media in promot-
family-planning centres, existing ing non-stereotyped images of
school health services, mother women and men, as well as in
and baby protection services, eliminating patterns of media
centres for migrant families presentation that generate vio-
and so forth in the field of infor- lence, and encourage those re-
mation and education related sponsible for media content to
to abuse; establish professional guidelines 83
 and codes of conduct; also raise particularly those in vulnerable
awareness of the important role situations, such as young women,
of the media in informing and refugee, displaced and internally
educating people about the caus- displaced women, women with
es and effects of violence against disabilities and women migrant
women and in stimulating public workers, including enforcing any
debate on the topic. existing legislation and developing,
as appropriate, new legislation for
126. By Governments, employers, trade women migrant workers in both
unions, community and youth or- sending and receiving countries.
ganizations and non-governmen-
tal organizations, as appropriate: 127. By the Secretary-General of the
United Nations:
(a) 
Develop programmes and pro-
cedures to eliminate sexual ha- 
Provide the Special Rapporteur
rassment and other forms of of the Commission on Human
violence against women in all Rights on violence against wom-
educational institutions, work- en with all necessary assistance,
places and elsewhere; in particular the staff and re-
sources required to perform all
(b) 
Develop programmes and proce- mandated functions, especially
dures to educate and raise aware- in carrying out and following up
ness of acts of violence against on missions undertaken either
women that constitute a crime separately or jointly with other
and a violation of the human special rapporteurs and working
rights of women; groups, and adequate assistance
for periodic consultations with
(c) Develop counselling, healing and the Committee on the Elimina-
support programmes for girls, tion of Discrimination against
adolescents and young women Women and all treaty bodies.
who have been or are involved
in abusive relationships, particu- 128. By Governments, international
larly those who live in homes or organizations and non-govern-
institutions where abuse occurs; mental organizations:

(d) 
Take special measures to elim- Encourage the dissemination and
84 inate violence against women, implementation of the UNHCR
 Platform for Action

Guidelines on the Protection of (c) Support and initiate research on

Refugee Women and the UNHCR the impact of violence, such as
Guidelines on the Prevention of rape, on women and girl children,
and Response to Sexual Violence and make the resulting informa-
against Refugees. tion and statistics available to
the public;

Strategic objective D.2. (d) Encourage the media to examine

Study the causes and consequences the impact of gender role stereo-
of violence against women and the types, including those perpetuat-
effectiveness of preventive measures ed by commercial advertisements
which foster gender-based vio-
Actions to be taken lence and inequalities, and how
they are transmitted during the
129. By Governments, regional orga- life cycle, and take measures to
nizations, the United Nations, eliminate these negative images
other international organizations, with a view to promoting a vio-
research institutions, women’s lence-free society.
and youth organizations and
non-governmental organizations,
as appropriate: Strategic objective D.3.
Eliminate trafficking in women and
(a) 
Promote research, collect data assist victims of violence due to pros-
and compile statistics, espe- titution and trafficking
cially concerning domestic vio-
lence relating to the prevalence Actions to be taken
of different forms of violence
against women, and encourage 130. By Governments of countries of
research into the causes, nature, origin, transit and destination,
seriousness and consequences regional and international orga-
of violence against women and nizations, as appropriate:
the effectiveness of measures
implemented to prevent and re- (a) Consider the ratification and en-
dress violence against women; forcement of international con-
ventions on trafficking in persons
(b) Disseminate findings of research and on slavery;
and studies widely; 85
 (b) Take appropriate measures to ad- (e) 
Develop educational and train-
dress the root factors, including ing programmes and policies
external factors, that encourage and consider enacting legislation
trafficking in women and girls for aimed at preventing sex tourism
prostitution and other forms of and trafficking, giving special
commercialized sex, forced mar- emphasis to the protection of
riages and forced labour in order young women and children.
to eliminate trafficking in wom-
en, including by strengthening
existing legislation with a view
to providing better protection
of the rights of women and girls
and to punishing the perpetra-
tors, through both criminal and
civil measures;

(c) 
Step up cooperation and con-
certed action by all relevant law
enforcement authorities and in-
stitutions with a view to disman-
tling national, regional and inter-
national networks in trafficking;

(d) Allocate resources to provide com-

prehensive programmes designed
to heal and rehabilitate into soci-
ety victims of trafficking, includ-
ing through job training, legal as-
sistance and confidential health
care, and take measures to co-
operate with non-governmental
organizations to provide for the
social, medical and psychological
care of the victims of trafficking;

86
 Platform for Action

E. Women and armed conflict occupation and alien domination,

xenophobia, poverty, hunger and
131. 
An environment that maintains other denials of economic, social
world peace and promotes and and cultural rights, religious intol-
protects human rights, democra- erance, terrorism, discrimination
cy and the peaceful settlement of against women and lack of the
disputes, in accordance with the rule of law. International human-
principles of non-threat or use of itarian law, prohibiting attacks on
force against territorial integri- civilian populations, as such, is at
ty or political independence and times systematically ignored and
of respect for sovereignty as set human rights are often violated
forth in the Charter of the United in connection with situations of
Nations, is an important factor armed conflict, affecting the civil-
for the advancement of women. ian population, especially women,
Peace is inextricably linked with children, the elderly and the dis-
equality between women and abled. Violations of the human
men and development. Armed rights of women in situations of
and other types of conflicts and armed conflict are violations of
terrorism and hostage-taking still the fundamental principles of
persist in many parts of the world. international human rights and
Aggression, foreign occupation, humanitarian law. Massive viola-
ethnic and other types of conflicts tions of human rights, especially
are an ongoing reality affecting in the form of genocide, ethnic
women and men in nearly every cleansing as a strategy of war and
region. Gross and systematic vio- its consequences, and rape, in-
lations and situations that consti- cluding systematic rape of women
tute serious obstacles to the full in war situations, creating a mass
enjoyment of human rights con- exodus of refugees and displaced
tinue to occur in different parts of persons, are abhorrent practices
the world. Such violations and ob- that are strongly condemned and
stacles include, as well as torture must be stopped immediately,
and cruel, inhuman and degrad- while perpetrators of such crimes
ing treatment or punishment, must be punished. Some of these
summary and arbitrary execu- situations of armed conflict have
tions, disappearances, arbitrary their origin in the conquest or co-
detentions, all forms of racism lonialization of a country by an-
and racial discrimination, foreign other State and the perpetuation 87
 of that colonization through state and arbitrary detention, all forms
and military repression. of racism, racial discrimination,
xenophobia, denial of economic,
132. The Geneva Convention relative social and cultural rights and re-
to the Protection of Civilian Per- ligious intolerance.
sons in Time of War, of 1949, and
the Additional Protocols of 197724 133. 
Violations of human rights in
provide that women shall espe- situations of armed conflict and
cially be protected against any military occupation are violations
attack on their honour, in par- of the fundamental principles of
ticular against humiliating and international human rights and
degrading treatment, rape, en- humanitarian law as embodied
forced prostitution or any form of in international human rights
indecent assault. The Vienna Dec- instruments and in the Gene-
laration and Programme of Ac- va Conventions of 1949 and the
tion, adopted by the World Con- Additional Protocols thereto.
ference on Human Rights, states Gross human rights violations
that “violations of the human and policies of ethnic cleansing
rights of women in situations of in war-torn and occupied areas
armed conflict are violations of continue to be carried out. These
the fundamental principles of practices have created, inter alia,
international human rights and a mass flow of refugees and oth-
humanitarian law”.25 All viola- er displaced persons in need of
tions of this kind, including in international protection and in-
particular murder, rape, including ternally displaced persons, the
systematic rape, sexual slavery majority of whom are women,
and forced pregnancy require a adolescent girls and children.
particularly effective response. Civilian victims, mostly women
Gross and systematic violations and children, often outnumber
and situations that constitute casualties among combatants. In
serious obstacles to the full en- addition, women often become
joyment of human rights contin- caregivers for injured combat-
ue to occur in different parts of ants and find themselves, as a
the world. Such violations and result of conflict, unexpectedly
obstacles include, as well as tor- cast as sole manager of house-
ture and cruel, inhuman and de- hold, sole parent, and caretaker
88 grading treatment or summary of elderly relatives.
 Platform for Action

134. In a world of continuing instabil- women of all ages, who suffer
ity and violence, the implemen- displacement, loss of home and
tation of cooperative approaches property, loss or involuntary dis-
to peace and security is urgently appearance of close relatives, pov-
needed. The equal access and full erty and family separation and
participation of women in power disintegration, and who are vic-
structures and their full involve- tims of acts of murder, terrorism,
ment in all efforts for the preven- torture, involuntary disappear-
tion and resolution of conflicts ance, sexual slavery, rape, sexual
are essential for the maintenance abuse and forced pregnancy in
and promotion of peace and se- situations of armed conflict, espe-
curity. Although women have be- cially as a result of policies of eth-
gun to play an important role in nic cleansing and other new and
conflict resolution, peace-keeping emerging forms of violence. This
and defence and foreign affairs is compounded by the life-long
mechanisms, they are still under- social, economic and psychologi-
represented in decision-making cally traumatic consequences of
positions. If women are to play an armed conflict and foreign occu-
equal part in securing and main- pation and alien domination.
taining peace, they must be em-
powered politically and economi- 136. 
Women and children consti-
cally and represented adequately tute some 80  per  cent of the
at all levels of decision-making. world’s millions of refugees and
other displaced persons, including
135. 
While entire communities suf- internally displaced persons. They
fer the consequences of armed are threatened by deprivation of
conflict and terrorism, women property, goods and services and
and girls are particularly affected deprivation of their right to return
because of their status in society to their homes of origin as well as
and their sex. Parties to conflict by violence and insecurity. Partic-
often rape women with impuni- ular attention should be paid to
ty, sometimes using systematic sexual violence against uproot-
rape as a tactic of war and ter- ed women and girls employed
rorism. The impact of violence as a method of persecution in
against women and violation of systematic campaigns of terror
the human rights of women in and intimidation and forcing
such situations is experienced by members of a particular ethnic, 89
 cultural or religious group to flee negatively by conflict and exces-
their homes. Women may also sive military spending are people
be forced to flee as a result of a living in poverty, who are deprived
well-founded fear of persecution because of the lack of investment
for reasons enumerated in the in basic services. Women living in
1951 Convention relating to the poverty, particularly rural women,
Status of Refugees and the 1967 also suffer because of the use of
Protocol, including persecution arms that are particularly injuri-
through sexual violence or other ous or have indiscriminate effects.
gender-related persecution, and There are more than 100 million
they continue to be vulnerable to anti-personnel land-mines scat-
violence and exploitation while in tered in 64 countries globally. The
flight, in countries of asylum and negative impact on development
resettlement and during and after of excessive military expendi-
repatriation. Women often expe- tures, the arms trade, and invest-
rience difficulty in some countries ment for arms production and
of asylum in being recognized as acquisition must be addressed.
refugees when the claim is based At the same time, maintenance
on such persecution. of national security and peace is
an important factor for economic
137. Refugee, displaced and migrant growth and development and the
women in most cases display empowerment of women.
strength, endurance and re-
sourcefulness and can contribute 139. During times of armed conflict
positively to countries of resettle- and the collapse of communities,
ment or to their country of origin the role of women is crucial. They
on their return. They need to be often work to preserve social or-
appropriately involved in deci- der in the midst of armed and
sions that affect them. other conflicts. Women make an
important but often unrecog-
138. Many women’s non-governmen- nized contribution as peace edu-
tal organizations have called for cators both in their families and
reductions in military expendi- in their societies.
tures world wide, as well as in
international trade and traffick- 140. Education to foster a culture of
ing in and the proliferation of peace that upholds justice and
90 weapons. Those affected most tolerance for all nations and
 Platform for Action

peoples is essential to attain- Secretariat with due regard to eq-

ing lasting peace and should be uitable geographical distribution
begun at an early age. It should in accordance with Article 101 of
include elements of conflict res- the Charter of the United Nations;
olution, mediation, reduction of
prejudice and respect for diversity. (b) Integrate a gender perspective in
the resolution of armed or oth-
141. In addressing armed or other con- er conflicts and foreign occupa-
flicts, an active and visible policy tion and aim for gender balance
of mainstreaming a gender per- when nominating or promoting
spective into all policies and pro- candidates for judicial and other
grammes should be promoted so positions in all relevant interna-
that before decisions are taken an tional bodies, such as the United
analysis is made of the effects on Nations International Tribunals
women and men, respectively. for the former Yugoslavia and for
Rwanda and the International
Court of Justice, as well as in oth-
Strategic objective E.1. er bodies related to the peaceful
Increase the participation of women settlement of disputes;
in conflict resolution at decision-mak-
ing levels and protect women living (c) Ensure that these bodies are able
in situations of armed and other con- to address gender issues properly
flicts or under foreign occupation by providing appropriate training
to prosecutors, judges and other
Actions to be taken officials in handling cases involving
rape, forced pregnancy in situations
142. By Governments and internation- of armed conflict, indecent assault
al and regional intergovernmen- and other forms of violence against
tal institutions: women in armed conflicts, includ-
ing terrorism, and integrate a gen-
(a) Take action to promote equal par- der perspective into their work.
ticipation of women and equal
opportunities for women to par-
ticipate in all forums and peace
activities at all levels, particular-
ly at the decision-making level,
including in the United Nations 91
 perpetrate acts of violence against
Strategic objective E.2. women, violations of international
Reduce excessive military expendi- humanitarian law and violations
tures and control the availability of of the human rights of women in
armaments situations of armed conflict;

Actions to be taken (d) 

While acknowledging legitimate
national defence needs, recognize
143. By Governments: and address the dangers to society
of armed conflict and the negative
(a) Increase and hasten, as appropri- effect of excessive military expen-
ate, subject to national security ditures, trade in arms, especially
considerations, the conversion those arms that are particularly
of military resources and related injurious or have indiscriminate
industries to development and effects, and excessive investment
peaceful purposes; for arms production and acquisi-
tion; similarly, recognize the need
(b) Undertake to explore new ways to combat illicit arms trafficking,
of generating new public and violence, crime, the production
private financial resources, inter and use of and trafficking in illicit
alia, through the appropriate drugs, and trafficking in women
reduction of excessive military and children;
expenditures, including global
military expenditures, trade in (e) 
Recognizing that women and
arms and investment for arms children are particularly affected
production and acquisition, tak- by the indiscriminate use of an-
ing into consideration national ti-personnel land-mines:
security requirements, so as to
permit the possible allocation (i) Undertake to work actively to-
of additional funds for social wards ratification, if they have
and economic development, in not already done so, of the
particular for the advancement 1981 Convention on Prohibi-
of women; tions or Restrictions on the Use
of Certain Conventional Weap-
(c) Take action to investigate and pun- ons Which May Be Deemed to
ish members of the police, security Be Excessively Injurious or to
92 and armed forces and others who Have Indiscriminate Effects,
 Platform for Action

particularly the Protocol on moratoriums on the export,

Prohibitions or Restrictions on transfer or sale of such mines;
the Use of Mines, Booby Traps
and Other Devices (Protocol (vi) Undertake to encourage further
II),26 with a view to universal international efforts to seek solu-
ratification by the year 2000; tions to the problems caused by
anti-personnel land-mines, with
(ii) 
Undertake to strongly consider a view to their eventual elimina-
strengthening the Convention to tion, recognizing that States can
promote a reduction in the casual- move most effectively towards
ties and intense suffering caused this goal as viable and humane
to the civilian population by the alternatives are developed;
indiscriminate use of land-mines;
(f) Recognizing the leading role that
(iii) 
Undertake to promote assis- women have played in the peace
tance in mine clearance, nota- movement:
bly by facilitating, in respect of
the means of mine-clearing, the (i) Work actively towards general
exchange of information, the and complete disarmament
transfer of technology and the under strict and effective inter-
promotion of scientific research; national control;

(iv) Within the United Nations con- (ii) 

Support negotiations on the
text, undertake to support ef- conclusion, without delay, of a
forts to coordinate a common universal and multilaterally and
response programme of assis- effectively verifiable compre-
tance in demining without un- hensive nuclear-test-ban treaty
necessary discrimination; that contributes to nuclear dis-
armament and the prevention
(v) Adopt at the earliest possible of the proliferation of nuclear
date, if they have not already weapons in all its aspects;
done so, a moratorium on the
export of anti-personnel land- (iii) Pending the entry into force of
mines, including to non-gov- a comprehensive nuclear-test-
ernmental entities, noting ban treaty, exercise the utmost
with satisfaction that many restraint in respect of nuclear
States have already declared testing. 93
 of women at all decision-making
trategic objective E.3.
S levels in national and internation-
Promote nonviolent forms of conflict al institutions which may make
resolution and reduce the incidence of or influence policy with regard to
human rights abuse in conflict situations matters related to peace-keep-
ing, preventive diplomacy and
Actions to be taken related activities and in all stages
of peace mediation and negotia-
144. By Governments: tions, taking note of the specific
recommendations of the Secre-
(a) Consider the ratification of or ac- tary-General in his strategic plan
cession to international instru- of action for the improvement of
ments containing provisions rel- the status of women in the Sec-
ative to the protection of women retariat (1995-2000) (A/49/587,
and children in armed conflicts, sect. IV).
including the Geneva Convention
relative to the Protection of Civilian 145. By Governments and internation-
Persons in Time of War, of 1949, al and regional organizations:
the Protocols Additional to the
Geneva Conventions of 1949 re- (a) 
Reaffirm the right of self-deter-
lating to the Protection of Victims mination of all peoples, in partic-
of International Armed Conflicts ular of peoples under colonial or
(Protocol I) and to the Protection other forms of alien domination
of Victims of Non-International or foreign occupation, and the
Armed Conflicts (Protocol II);24 importance of the effective reali-
zation of this right, as enunciated,
(b) 
Respect fully the norms of in- inter alia, in the Vienna Declara-
ternational humanitarian law tion and Programme of Action,2
in armed conflicts and take all adopted by the World Conference
measures required for the pro- on Human Rights;
tection of women and children,
in particular against rape, forced (b) 
Encourage diplomacy, negotia-
prostitution and any other form tion and peaceful settlement of
of indecent assault; disputes in accordance with the
Charter of the United Nations, in
(c) 
Strengthen the role of women particular Article 2, paragraphs 3
94 and ensure equal representation and 4 thereof;
 Platform for Action

(c) Urge the identification and con- during war, including rape, in
demnation of the systematic particular systematic rape, forced
practice of rape and other forms prostitution and other forms of
of inhuman and degrading treat- indecent assault and sexual slav-
ment of women as a deliberate ery; prosecute all criminals re-
instrument of war and ethnic sponsible for war crimes against
cleansing and take steps to en- women and provide full redress
sure that full assistance is provid- to women victims;
ed to the victims of such abuse
for their physical and mental re- (f) Call upon the international com-
habilitation; munity to condemn and act
against all forms and manifesta-
(d) Reaffirm that rape in the conduct tions of terrorism;
of armed conflict constitutes
a war crime and under certain (g) 
Take into account gender-sen-
circumstances it constitutes a sitive concerns in developing
crime against humanity and an training programmes for all rele-
act of genocide as defined in the vant personnel on international
Convention on the Prevention humanitarian law and human
and Punishment of the Crime of rights awareness and recommend
Genocide;27 take all measures re- such training for those involved in
quired for the protection of wom- United Nations peacekeeping and
en and children from such acts humanitarian aid, with a view to
and strengthen mechanisms to preventing violence against wom-
investigate and punish all those en, in particular;
responsible and bring the perpe-
trators to justice; (h) Discourage the adoption of and re-
frain from any unilateral measure
(e) Uphold and reinforce standards not in accordance with interna-
set out in international humani- tional law and the Charter of the
tarian law and international hu- United Nations, that impedes the
man rights instruments to pre- full achievement of economic and
vent all acts of violence against social development by the popu-
women in situations of armed lation of the affected countries, in
and other conflicts; undertake a particular women and children,
full investigation of all acts of vio- that hinders their well-being and
lence against women committed that creates obstacles to the full 95
 enjoyment of their human rights, (b) 
Encourage the further develop-
including the right of everyone ment of peace research, involv-
to a standard of living adequate ing the participation of women,
for their health and well-being and to examine the impact of armed
their right to food, medical care conflict on women and children
and the necessary social services. and the nature and contribution
This Conference reaffirms that of women’s participation in na-
food and medicine must not be tional, regional and internation-
used as a tool for political pressure; al peace movements; engage in
research and identify innovative
(i) 
Take measures in accordance mechanisms for containing vio-
with international law with a lence and for conflict resolution
view to alleviating the negative for public dissemination and for
impact of economic sanctions on use by women and men;
women and children.
(c) 
Develop and disseminate re-
search on the physical, psycholog-
Strategic objective E.4. ical, economic and social effects of
Promote women’s contribution to armed conflicts on women, par-
fostering a culture of peace ticularly young women and girls,
with a view to developing policies
Actions to be taken and programmes to address the
consequences of conflicts;
146. By Governments, international
and regional intergovernmental (d) Consider establishing education-
institutions and non-governmen- al programmes for girls and boys
tal organizations: to foster a culture of peace, fo-
cusing on conflict resolution by
(a) 
Promote peaceful conflict reso- nonviolent means and the pro-
lution and peace, reconciliation motion of tolerance.
and tolerance through education,
training, community actions and
youth exchange programmes, in
particular for young women;

96
 Platform for Action

(b) Offer adequate protection and as-

Strategic objective E.5. sistance to women and children
Provide protection, assistance and displaced within their country and
training to refugee women, other find solutions to the root causes
displaced women in need of interna- of their displacement with a view
tional protection and internally dis- to preventing it and, when appro-
placed women priate, facilitate their return or
resettlement;
Actions to be taken
(c) Take steps to protect the safety
147. By Governments, intergovernmen- and physical integrity of refugee
tal and non-governmental orga- women, other displaced women
nizations and other institutions in need of international protection
involved in providing protection, and internally displaced women
assistance and training to refugee during their displacement and
women, other displaced women upon their return to their com-
in need of international protection munities of origin, including pro-
and internally displaced women, grammes of rehabilitation; take ef-
including the Office of the United fective measures to protect from
Nations High Commissioner for violence women who are refugees
Refugees and the World Food Pro- or displaced; hold an impartial
gramme, as appropriate: and thorough investigation of any
such violations and bring those
(a) Take steps to ensure that women responsible to justice;
are fully involved in the planning,
design, implementation, monitor- (d) While fully respecting and strictly
ing and evaluation of all short-term observing the principle of non-re-
and long-term projects and pro- foulement of refugees, take all
grammes providing assistance to the necessary steps to ensure the
refugee women, other displaced right of refugee and displaced
women in need of international women to return voluntarily to
protection and internally displaced their place of origin in safety and
women, including the manage- with dignity, and their right to
ment of refugee camps and re- protection after their return;
sources; ensure that refugee and
displaced women and girls have di- (e) Take measures, at the national lev-
rect access to the services provided; el with international cooperation, 97
 as appropriate, in accordance (h) 
Apply international norms to
with the Charter of the United ensure equal access and equal
Nations, to find lasting solutions treatment of women and men
to questions related to internally in refugee determination pro-
displaced women, including their cedures and the granting of
right to voluntary and safe return asylum, including full respect
to their home of origin; and strict observation of the
principle of non-refoulement
(f) 
Ensure that the international through, inter alia, bringing na-
community and its international tional immigration regulations
organizations provide financial into conformity with relevant
and other resources for emergen- international instruments, and
cy relief and other longer-term as- consider recognizing as refugees
sistance that takes into account those women whose claim to
the specific needs, resources and refugee status is based upon the
potentials of refugee women, well-founded fear of persecution
other displaced women in need for reasons enumerated in the
of international protection and 1951 Convention28 and the 1967
internally displaced women; in Protocol29 relating to the Status of
the provision of protection and Refugees, including persecution
assistance, take all appropriate through sexual violence or other
measures to eliminate discrimi- gender-related persecution, and
nation against women and girls provide access to specially trained
in order to ensure equal access to officers, including female officers,
appropriate and adequate food, to interview women regarding
water and shelter, education, and sensitive or painful experiences,
social and health services, includ- such as sexual assault;
ing reproductive health care and
maternity care and services to (i) 
Support and promote efforts by
combat tropical diseases; States towards the development
of criteria and guidelines on re-
(g) Facilitate the availability of educa- sponses to persecution specifically
tional materials in the appropri- aimed at women, by sharing infor-
ate language - in emergency situ- mation on States’ initiatives to de-
ations also - in order to minimize velop such criteria and guidelines
disruption of schooling among and by monitoring to ensure their
98 refugee and displaced children; fair and consistent application;
 Platform for Action

(j) Promote the self-reliant capacities countries of the increasing require-

of refugee women, other displaced ments of large refugee popula-
women in need of international tions and the need to widen the
protection and internally displaced donor base and to achieve greater
women and provide programmes burden-sharing;
for women, particularly young
women, in leadership and deci- (m) 
Raise public awareness of the
sion-making within refugee and contribution made by refugee
returnee communities; women to their countries of reset-
tlement, promote understanding
(k) Ensure that the human rights of of their human rights and of their
refugee and displaced women needs and abilities and encour-
are protected and that refugee age mutual understanding and
and displaced women are made acceptance through educational
aware of these rights; ensure programmes promoting cross-
that the vital importance of fam- cultural and interracial harmony;
ily reunification is recognized;
(n) 
Provide basic and support ser-
(l) 
Provide, as appropriate, women vices to women who are dis-
who have been determined ref- placed from their place of origin
ugees with access to vocational/ as a result of terrorism, violence,
professional training programmes, drug trafficking or other reasons
including language training, small- linked to violence situations;
scale enterprise development
training and planning and coun- (o) Develop awareness of the human
selling on all forms of violence rights of women and provide, as
against women, which should in- appropriate, human rights ed-
clude rehabilitation programmes ucation and training to military
for victims of torture and trauma; and police personnel operating in
Governments and other donors areas of armed conflict and areas
should contribute adequately to where there are refugees.
assistance programmes for ref-
ugee women, other displaced 148. By Governments:
women in need of international
protection and internally displaced (a) Disseminate and implement the
women, taking into account in UNHCR Guidelines on the Protec-
particular the effects on the host tion of Refugee Women and the 99
 UNHCR Guidelines on Evaluation (b) Raise public awareness, as appro-
and Care of Victims of Trauma priate, through the mass media,
and Violence, or provide similar education at all levels and special
guidance, in close cooperation programmes to create a better
with refugee women and in all understanding of the situation
sectors of refugee programmes; of women of the colonies and
non-self-governing territories.
(b) Protect women and children who
migrate as family members from
abuse or denial of their human
rights by sponsors and consider
extending their stay, should the
family relationship dissolve, within
the limits of national legislation.

Strategic objective E.6.

Provide assistance to the women of
the colonies and nonself-governing
territories

Actions to be taken

149. By Governments and intergovern-

mental and non-governmental
organizations:

(a) 
Support and promote the imple-
mentation of the right of self-de-
termination of all peoples as enun-
ciated, inter alia, in the Vienna
Declaration and Programme of
Action by providing special pro-
grammes in leadership and in train-
ing for decision-making;

100
 Platform for Action

F. Women and the economy continue to work in agriculture

and fisheries, they have also be-
150. There are considerable differenc- come increasingly involved in
es in women’s and men’s access micro, small and medium-sized
to and opportunities to exert enterprises and, in some cases,
power over economic structures have become more dominant in
in their societies. In most parts the expanding informal sector.
of the world, women are virtu- Due to, inter alia, difficult eco-
ally absent from or are poorly nomic situations and a lack of
represented in economic deci- bargaining power resulting from
sion-making, including the for- gender inequality, many women
mulation of financial, monetary, have been forced to accept low
commercial and other economic pay and poor working conditions
policies, as well as tax systems and thus have often become
and rules governing pay. Since it preferred workers. On the other
is often within the framework of hand, women have entered the
such policies that individual men workforce increasingly by choice
and women make their deci- when they have become aware
sions, inter alia, on how to divide of and demanded their rights.
their time between remuner- Some have succeeded in enter-
ated and unremunerated work, ing and advancing in the work-
the actual development of these place and improving their pay
economic structures and policies and working conditions. How-
has a direct impact on women’s ever, women have been partic-
and men’s access to economic ularly affected by the economic
resources, their economic power situation and restructuring pro-
and consequently the extent of cesses, which have changed the
equality between them at the in- nature of employment and, in
dividual and family levels as well some cases, have led to a loss of
as in society as a whole. jobs, even for professional and
skilled women. In addition, many
151. In many regions, women’s partic- women have entered the infor-
ipation in remunerated work in mal sector owing to the lack of
the formal and nonformal labour other opportunities. Women’s
market has increased signifi- participation and gender con-
cantly and has changed during cerns are still largely absent from
the past decade. While women and should be integrated in the 101
 policy formulation process of Women’s income is becoming
the multilateral institutions that increasingly necessary to house-
define the terms and, in cooper- holds of all types. In some regions,
ation with Governments, set the there has been a growth in wom-
goals of structural adjustment en’s entrepreneurship and other
programmes, loans and grants. self-reliant activities, particularly
in the informal sector. In many
152. Discrimination in education and countries, women are the ma-
training, hiring and remunera- jority of workers in nonstandard
tion, promotion and horizontal work, such as temporary, casual,
mobility practices, as well as in- multiple part-time, contract and
flexible working conditions, lack home-based employment.
of access to productive resources
and inadequate sharing of family 154. Women migrant workers, includ-
responsibilities, combined with ing domestic workers, contribute
a lack of or insufficient services to the economy of the sending
such as child care, continue to country through their remittanc-
restrict employment, economic, es and also to the economy of
professional and other oppor- the receiving country through
tunities and mobility for wom- their participation in the labour
en and make their involvement force. However, in many receiving
stressful. Moreover, attitudinal countries, migrant women ex-
obstacles inhibit women’s partic- perience higher levels of unem-
ipation in developing economic ployment compared with both
policy and in some regions re- non-migrant workers and male
strict the access of women and migrant workers.
girls to education and training
for economic management. 155. 
Insufficient attention to gender
analysis has meant that wom-
153. Women’s share in the labour force en’s contributions and concerns
continues to rise and almost ev- remain too often ignored in eco-
erywhere women are working nomic structures, such as finan-
more outside the household, cial markets and institutions,
although there has not been a labour markets, economics as an
parallel lightening of responsi- academic discipline, economic
bility for unremunerated work in and social infrastructure, taxa-
102 the household and community. tion and social security systems,
 Platform for Action

as well as in families and house- production of goods and services

holds. As a result, many policies for the market and household
and programmes may continue consumption, in agriculture, food
to contribute to inequalities be- production or family enterprises.
tween women and men. Where Though included in the United
progress has been made in inte- Nations System of National Ac-
grating gender perspectives, pro- counts and therefore in inter-
gramme and policy effectiveness national standards for labour
has also been enhanced. statistics, this unremunerated
work - particularly that related to
156. Although many women have ad- agriculture - is often undervalued
vanced in economic structures, and under-recorded. On the other
for the majority of women, par- hand, women still also perform
ticularly those who face addi- the great majority of unremuner-
tional barriers, continuing obsta- ated domestic work and commu-
cles have hindered their ability nity work, such as caring for chil-
to achieve economic autonomy dren and older persons, preparing
and to ensure sustainable liveli- food for the family, protecting the
hoods for themselves and their environment and providing vol-
dependants. Women are active untary assistance to vulnerable
in a variety of economic areas, and disadvantaged individuals
which they often combine, rang- and groups. This work is often not
ing from wage labour and subsis- measured in quantitative terms
tence farming and fishing to the and is not valued in national
informal sector. However, legal accounts. Women’s contribution
and customary barriers to owner- to development is seriously un-
ship of or access to land, natural derestimated, and thus its social
resources, capital, credit, technol- recognition is limited. The full
ogy and other means of produc- visibility of the type, extent and
tion, as well as wage differentials, distribution of this unremunerat-
contribute to impeding the eco- ed work will also contribute to a
nomic progress of women. Wom- better sharing of responsibilities.
en contribute to development not
only through remunerated work 157. Although some new employment
but also through a great deal of opportunities have been created
unremunerated work. On the one for women as a result of the glo-
hand, women participate in the balization of the economy, there 103
 are also trends that have exacer- 159. In countries that are undergoing
bated inequalities between wom- fundamental political, economic
en and men. At the same time, and social transformation, the
globalization, including economic skills of women, if better utilized,
integration, can create pressures could constitute a major contri-
on the employment situation of bution to the economic life of
women to adjust to new circum- their respective countries. Their
stances and to find new sources of input should continue to be de-
employment as patterns of trade veloped and supported and their
change. More analysis needs to be potential further realized.
done of the impact of globaliza-
tion on women’s economic status. 160. Lack of employment in the private
sector and reductions in public
158. These trends have been charac- services and public service jobs
terized by low wages, little or no have affected women dispro-
labour standards protection, poor portionately. In some countries,
working conditions, particularly women take on more unpaid
with regard to women’s occupa- work, such as the care of children
tional health and safety, low skill and those who are ill or elderly,
levels, and a lack of job security compensating for lost household
and social security, in both the for- income, particularly when public
mal and informal sectors. Wom- services are not available. In many
en’s unemployment is a serious cases, employment creation strat-
and increasing problem in many egies have not paid sufficient at-
countries and sectors. Young tention to occupations and sec-
workers in the informal and rural tors where women predominate;
sectors and migrant female work- nor have they adequately promot-
ers remain the least protected ed the access of women to those
by labour and immigration laws. occupations and sectors that are
Women, particularly those who traditionally male.
are heads of households with
young children, are limited in 161. For those women in paid work,
their employment opportunities many experience obstacles that
for reasons that include inflexi- prevent them from achieving
ble working conditions and inad- their potential. While some are
equate sharing, by men and by increasingly found in lower lev-
104 society, of family responsibilities. els of management, attitudinal
 Platform for Action

discrimination often prevents they gain access to and control

them from being promoted fur- over capital, credit and other re-
ther. The experience of sexual ha- sources, technology and training,
rassment is an affront to a work- women can increase production,
er’s dignity and prevents women marketing and income for sustain-
from making a contribution com- able development.
mensurate with their abilities.
The lack of a family-friendly work 163. 
Taking into account the fact
environment, including a lack of that continuing inequalities and
appropriate and affordable child noticeable progress coexist, re-
care, and inflexible working hours thinking employment policies is
further prevent women from necessary in order to integrate
achieving their full potential. the gender perspective and to
draw attention to a wider range
162. 
In the private sector, including of opportunities as well as to
transnational and national en- address any negative gender im-
terprises, women are largely plications of current patterns of
absent from management and work and employment. To realize
policy levels, denoting discrimina- fully equality between women
tory hiring and promotion policies and men in their contribution to
and practices. The unfavourable the economy, active efforts are
work environment as well as the required for equal recognition
limited number of employment and appreciation of the influence
opportunities available have led that the work, experience, knowl-
many women to seek alternatives. edge and values of both women
Women have increasingly become and men have in society.
self-employed and owners and
managers of micro, small and 164. 
In addressing the economic po-
medium-scale enterprises. The ex- tential and independence of
pansion of the informal sector, in women, Governments and other
many countries, and of self-orga- actors should promote an active
nized and independent enterpris- and visible policy of mainstream-
es is in large part due to women, ing a gender perspective in all
whose collaborative, self-help and policies and programmes so that
traditional practices and initiatives before decisions are taken, an
in production and trade represent analysis is made of the effects on
a vital economic resource. When women and men, respectively. 105
 leave or women reentering the
Strategic objective F.1. labour market after childbearing
Promote women’s economic rights are not discriminated against;
and independence, including access
to employment, appropriate working (d) 
Devise mechanisms and take
conditions and control over economic positive action to enable women
resources to gain access to full and equal
participation in the formulation
Actions to be taken of policies and definition of struc-
tures through such bodies as
165. By Governments: ministries of finance and trade,
national economic commissions,
(a) Enact and enforce legislation to economic research institutes
guarantee the rights of women and other key agencies, as well
and men to equal pay for equal as through their participation in
work or work of equal value; appropriate international bodies;

(b) 
Adopt and implement laws (e) Undertake legislation and admin-
against discrimination based on istrative reforms to give women
sex in the labour market, espe- equal rights with men to econom-
cially considering older women ic resources, including access to
workers, hiring and promotion, ownership and control over land
the extension of employment and other forms of property, cred-
benefits and social security, and it, inheritance, natural resources
working conditions; and appropriate new technology;

(c) Eliminate discriminatory practic- (f) Conduct reviews of national in-

es by employers and take appro- come and inheritance tax and so-
priate measures in consideration cial security systems to eliminate
of women’s reproductive role and any existing bias against women;
functions, such as the denial of
employment and dismissal due (g) Seek to develop a more comprehen-
to pregnancy or breast-feeding, sive knowledge of work and em-
or requiring proof of contracep- ployment through, inter alia, efforts
tive use, and take effective mea- to measure and better understand
sures to ensure that pregnant the type, extent and distribution of
106 women, women on maternity unremunerated work, particularly
 Platform for Action

work in caring for dependants and codes, social security regulations, ap-
unremunerated work done for fam- plicable international agreements,
ily farms or businesses, and encour- instruments and conventions, in-
age the sharing and dissemination cluding those related to the environ-
of information on studies and expe- ment, and other relevant laws;
rience in this field, including the de-
velopment of methods for assess- (m) Adjust employment policies to fa-
ing its value in quantitative terms, cilitate the restructuring of work
for possible reflection in accounts patterns in order to promote the
that may be produced separate- sharing of family responsibilities;
ly from, but consistent with, core
national accounts; (n) Establish mechanisms and other
forums to enable women entre-
(h) Review and amend laws govern- preneurs and women workers to
ing the operation of financial contribute to the formulation of
institutions to ensure that they policies and programmes being
provide services to women and developed by economic minis-
men on an equal basis; tries and financial institutions;

Facilitate, at appropriate levels,


(i) (o) Enact and enforce equal opportu-
more open and transparent bud- nity laws, take positive action and
get processes; ensure compliance by the public
and private sectors through vari-
(j) 
Revise and implement national ous means;
policies that support the tradi-
tional savings, credit and lending (p) Use gender-impact analyses in the
mechanisms for women; development of macro and mi-
cro-economic and social policies in
(k) Seek to ensure that national policies order to monitor such impact and
related to international and regional restructure policies in cases where
trade agreements do not have an harmful impact occurs;
adverse impact on women’s new
and traditional economic activities; (q) 
Promote gender-sensitive poli-
cies and measures to empower
(l) 
Ensure that all corporations, in- women as equal partners with
cluding transnational corporations, men in technical, managerial and
comply with national laws and entrepreneurial fields; 107
 (r) Reform laws or enact national poli- (c) Enhance, at the national and local
cies that support the establishment levels, rural women’s income-gen-
of labour laws to ensure the protec- erating potential by facilitating
tion of all women workers, includ- their equal access to and control
ing safe work practices, the right to over productive resources, land,
organize and access to justice. credit, capital, property rights, de-
velopment programmes and co-
operative structures;
Strategic objective F.2.
Facilitate women’s equal access to (d) Promote and strengthen microen-
resources, employment, markets and terprises, new small businesses,
trade cooperative enterprises, expanded
markets and other employment
Actions to be taken opportunities and, where appro-
priate, facilitate the transition
166. By Governments: from the informal to the formal
sector, especially in rural areas;
(a) 
Promote and support women’s
self-employment and the devel- (e) 
Create and modify programmes
opment of small enterprises, and and policies that recognize and
strengthen women’s access to strengthen women’s vital role in
credit and capital on appropri- food security and provide paid and
ate terms equal to those of men unpaid women producers, espe-
through the scaling-up of insti- cially those involved in food pro-
tutions dedicated to promoting duction, such as farming, fishing
women’s entrepreneurship, in- and aquaculture, as well as urban
cluding, as appropriate, nontradi- enterprises, with equal access to
tional and mutual credit schemes, appropriate technologies, trans-
as well as innovative linkages with portation, extension services, mar-
financial institutions; keting and credit facilities at the
local and community levels;
(b) Strengthen the incentive role of
the State as employer to develop (f) Establish appropriate mechanisms
a policy of equal opportunities and encourage intersectoral in-
for women and men; stitutions that enable women’s
cooperatives to optimize access to
108 necessary services;
 Platform for Action

(g) Increase the proportion of wom- prohibition of forced labour and

en extension workers and other child labour, freedom of associa-
government personnel who pro- tion and the right to organize and
vide technical assistance or ad- bargain collectively, equal remu-
minister economic programmes; neration for men and women for
work of equal value and non-dis-
(h) 
Review, reformulate, if necessary, crimination in employment, fully
and implement policies, including implementing the conventions of
business, commercial and contract the International Labour Organiza-
law and government regulations, tion in the case of States Parties to
to ensure that they do not discrim- those conventions and, taking into
inate against micro, small and me- account the principles embodied
dium-scale enterprises owned by in the case of those countries that
women in rural and urban areas; are not parties to those conven-
tions in order to achieve truly sus-
(i) 
Analyse, advise on, coordinate tained economic growth and sus-
and implement policies that in- tainable development.
tegrate the needs and interests
of employed, self-employed and 167. By Governments, central banks
entrepreneurial women into sec- and national development banks,
toral and interministerial poli- and private banking institutions,
cies, programmes and budgets; as appropriate:

(j) Ensure equal access for women (a) Increase the participation of women,
to effective job training, retrain- including women entrepreneurs, in
ing, counselling and placement advisory boards and other forums to
services that are not limited to enable women entrepreneurs from
traditional employment areas; all sectors and their organizations
to contribute to the formulation and
(k) Remove policy and regulatory ob- review of policies and programmes
stacles faced by women in social being developed by economic minis-
and development programmes tries and banking institutions;
that discourage private and individ-
ual initiative; (b) Mobilize the banking sector to in-
crease lending and refinancing
(l) Safeguard and promote respect for through incentives and the devel-
basic workers’ rights, including the opment of intermediaries that serve 109
 the needs of women entrepreneurs 168. By Governments and non-govern-
and producers in both rural and mental organizations:
urban areas, and include women
in their leadership, planning and (a) 
Pay special attention to wom-
decision-making; en’s needs when disseminating
market, trade and resource infor-
(c) Structure services to reach rural mation and provide appropriate
and urban women involved in mi- training in these fields;
cro, small and medium-scale en-
terprises, with special attention to (b) 
Encourage community economic
young women, low-income wom- development strategies that build
en, those belonging to ethnic and on partnerships among Govern-
racial minorities, and indigenous ments, and encourage members of
women who lack access to capital civil society to create jobs and ad-
and assets; and expand women’s dress the social circumstances of in-
access to financial markets by dividuals, families and communities.
identifying and encouraging fi-
nancial supervisory and regulato- 169. By multilateral funders and re-
ry reforms that support financial gional development banks, as
institutions’ direct and indirect well as bilateral and private fund-
efforts to better meet the credit ing agencies, at the international,
and other financial needs of the regional and subregional levels:
micro, small and medium-scale
enterprises of women; (a) 
Review, where necessary refor-
mulate, and implement policies,
(d) Ensure that women’s priorities are programmes and projects, to en-
included in public investment pro- sure that a higher proportion of
grammes for economic infrastruc- resources reach women in rural
ture, such as water and sanitation, and remote areas;
electrification and energy conser-
vation, transport and road construc- (b) Develop flexible funding arrange-
tion; promote greater involvement ments to finance intermediary
of women beneficiaries at the proj- institutions that target women’s
ect planning and implementation economic activities, and promote
stages to ensure access to jobs and self-sufficiency and increased
contracts. capacity in and profitability of
110 women’s economic enterprises;
 Platform for Action

(c) 
Develop strategies to consoli- 172. By international organizations:
date and strengthen their as-
sistance to the micro, small and 
Provide adequate support for
medium-scale enterprise sector, programmes and projects de-
in order to enhance the oppor- signed to promote sustainable
tunities for women to partici- and productive entrepreneurial
pate fully and equally and work activities among women, in par-
together to coordinate and en- ticular the disadvantaged.
hance the effectiveness of this
sector, drawing upon expertise
and financial resources from Strategic objective F.3.
within their own organizations Provide business services, training
as well as from bilateral agen- and access to markets, informa-
cies, Governments and non-gov- tion and technology, particularly to
ernmental organizations. low-income women

170. By international, multilateral and Actions to be taken

bilateral development coopera-
tion organizations: 173. 
By Governments in cooperation
with non-governmental organi-
Support, through the provision of zations and the private sector:
capital and/or resources, financial
institutions that serve low-income, (a) 
Provide public infrastructure to
small and micro-scale women en- ensure equal market access for
trepreneurs and producers in both women and men entrepreneurs;
the formal and informal sectors.
(b) 
Develop programmes that pro-
171. By Governments and/or multilat- vide training and retraining,
eral financial institutions: particularly in new technologies,
and affordable services to wom-
Review rules and procedures of en in business management,
formal national and internation- product development, financing,
al financial institutions that ob- production and quality control,
struct replication of the Grameen marketing and the legal aspects
Bank prototype, which provides of business;
credit facilities to rural women. 111
 (c) 
Provide outreach programmes provide training for women in
to inform low-income and poor nontraditional areas;
women, particularly in rural and
remote areas, of opportunities for (g) 
Provide affordable support ser-
market and technology access, vices, such as high-quality, flexible
and provide assistance in taking and affordable child-care services,
advantage of such opportunities; that take into account the needs
of working men and women.
(d) 
Create non-discriminatory sup-
port services, including investment 174. By local, national, regional and inter-
funds for women’s businesses, and national business organizations and
target women, particularly low-in- non-governmental organizations
come women, in trade promotion concerned with women’s issues:
programmes;

Advocate, at all levels, for the
(e) 
Disseminate information about promotion and support of wom-
successful women entrepreneurs en’s businesses and enterprises,
in both traditional and nontradi- including those in the informal
tional economic activities and the sector, and the equal access of
skills necessary to achieve success, women to productive resources.
and facilitate networking and the
exchange of information;
Strategic objective F.4.
(f) 
Take measures to ensure equal Strengthen women’s economic ca-
access of women to ongoing pacity and commercial networks
training in the workplace, includ-
ing unemployed women, single Actions to be taken
parents, women reentering the
labour market after an extended 175. By Governments:
temporary exit from employment
owing to family responsibilities (a) Adopt policies that support busi-
and other causes, and women ness organizations, non-govern-
displaced by new forms of pro- mental organizations, coopera-
duction or by retrenchment, and tives, revolving loan funds, credit
increase incentives to enterprises unions, grass-roots organizations,
to expand the number of voca- women’s self-help groups and
112 tional and training centres that other groups in order to provide
 Platform for Action

services to women entrepreneurs (f) 

Support the economic activities
in rural and urban areas; of indigenous women, taking into
account their traditional knowl-
(b) Integrate a gender perspective edge, so as to improve their situ-
into all economic restructuring ation and development;
and structural adjustment pol-
icies and design programmes (g) Adopt policies to extend or maintain
for women who are affected by the protection of labour laws and so-
economic restructuring, includ- cial security provisions for those who
ing structural adjustment pro- do paid work in the home;
grammes, and for women who
work in the informal sector; (h) 
Recognize and encourage the
contribution of research by wom-
(c) Adopt policies that create an en- en scientists and technologists;
abling environment for women’s
self-help groups, workers’ organi- Ensure that policies and regula-
(i)
zations and cooperatives through tions do not discriminate against
non-conventional forms of sup- micro, small and medium-scale
port and by recognizing the right enterprises run by women.
to freedom of association and the
right to organize; 176. By financial intermediaries, na-
tional training institutes, credit
(d) Support programmes that enhance unions, non-governmental orga-
the self-reliance of special groups nizations, women’s associations,
of women, such as young women, professional organizations and
women with disabilities, elderly the private sector, as appropriate:
women and women belonging to
racial and ethnic minorities; (a) Provide, at the national, regional and
international levels, training in a vari-
(e) Promote gender equality through ety of business-related and financial
the promotion of women’s stud- management and technical skills
ies and through the use of the to enable women, especially young
results of studies and gender re- women, to participate in economic
search in all fields, including the policy-making at those levels;
economic, scientific and techno-
logical fields;
113
 (b) 
Provide business services, in- services, training and retraining
cluding marketing and trade in- for women connected with the
formation, product design and entry to the market economy;
innovation, technology transfer
and quality, to women’s business (h) Support credit networks and in-
enterprises, including those in novative ventures, including tra-
export sectors of the economy; ditional savings schemes;

(c) Promote technical and commer- (i) 

Provide networking arrange-
cial links and establish joint ven- ments for entrepreneurial wom-
tures among women entrepre- en, including opportunities for
neurs at the national, regional the mentoring of inexperienced
and international levels to sup- women by the more experienced;
port community-based initiatives;
(j) 
Encourage community organiza-
(d) 
Strengthen the participation of tions and public authorities to es-
women, including marginalized tablish loan pools for women en-
women, in production and market- trepreneurs, drawing on successful
ing cooperatives by providing mar- small-scale cooperative models.
keting and financial support, espe-
cially in rural and remote areas; 177. By the private sector, including
transnational and national corpo-
(e) Promote and strengthen women’s rations:
microenterprises, new small busi-
nesses, cooperative enterprises, (a) 
Adopt policies and establish
expanded markets and other em- mechanisms to grant contracts
ployment opportunities and, where on a non-discriminatory basis;
appropriate, facilitate the transition
from the informal to the formal sec- (b) Recruit women for leadership, de-
tor, in rural and urban areas; cision-making and management
and provide training programmes,
(f) Invest capital and develop invest- all on an equal basis with men;
ment portfolios to finance wom-
en’s business enterprises; (c) Observe national labour, environ-
ment, consumer, health and safe-
(g) Give adequate attention to provid- ty laws, particularly those that af-
114 ing technical assistance, advisory fect women.
 Platform for Action

(c) Enact and enforce laws and de-

Strategic objective F.5. velop workplace policies against
Eliminate occupational segregation gender discrimination in the la-
and all forms of employment discrim- bour market, especially consid-
ination ering older women workers, in
hiring and promotion, and in the
Actions to be taken extension of employment bene-
fits and social security, as well as
178. By Governments, employers, em- regarding discriminatory work-
ployees, trade unions and wom- ing conditions and sexual harass-
en’s organizations: ment; mechanisms should be
developed for the regular review
(a) 
Implement and enforce laws and monitoring of such laws;
and regulations and encourage
voluntary codes of conduct that (d) 
Eliminate discriminatory prac-
ensure that international labour tices by employers on the basis
standards, such as International of women’s reproductive roles
Labour Organization Convention and functions, including refusal
No. 100 on equal pay and work- of employment and dismissal of
ers’ rights, apply equally to fe- women due to pregnancy and
male and male workers; breast-feeding responsibilities;

(b) 
Enact and enforce laws and in- (e) 
Develop and promote employ-
troduce implementing measures, ment programmes and services
including means of redress and ac- for women entering and/or re-
cess to justice in cases of noncom- entering the labour market, es-
pliance, to prohibit direct and indi- pecially poor urban, rural and
rect discrimination on grounds of young women, the self-employed
sex, including by reference to mar- and those negatively affected by
ital or family status, in relation to structural adjustment;
access to employment, conditions
of employment, including training, (f) 
Implement and monitor positive
promotion, health and safety, as public- and private-sector employ-
well as termination of employment ment, equity and positive action pro-
and social security of workers, in- grammes to address systemic dis-
cluding legal protection against crimination against women in the
sexual and racial harassment; labour force, in particular women 115
 with disabilities and women belong- (j) 
Ensure access to and develop
ing to other disadvantaged groups, special programmes to enable
with respect to hiring, retention and women with disabilities to ob-
promotion, and vocational training tain and retain employment,
of women in all sectors; and ensure access to education
and training at all proper levels,
(g) 
Eliminate occupational segrega- in accordance with the Standard
tion, especially by promoting the Rules on the Equalization of Op-
equal participation of women in portunities for Persons with Dis-
highly skilled jobs and senior man- abilities;30 adjust working condi-
agement positions, and through tions, to the extent possible, in
other measures, such as counsel- order to suit the needs of women
ling and placement, that stimulate with disabilities, who should be
their on-the-job career develop- assured legal protection against
ment and upward mobility in the unfounded job loss on account of
labour market, and by stimulating their disabilities;
the diversification of occupation-
al choices by both women and (k) Increase efforts to close the gap
men; encourage women to take between women’s and men’s
up non-traditional jobs, especially pay, take steps to implement
in science and technology, and en- the principle of equal remuner-
courage men to seek employment ation for equal work of equal
in the social sector; value by strengthening legisla-
tion, including compliance with
(h) 
Recognize collective bargaining international labour laws and
as a right and as an important standards, and encourage job
mechanism for eliminating wage evaluation schemes with gen-
inequality for women and to im- der-neutral criteria;
prove working conditions;
(l) Establish and/or strengthen mech-
(i) Promote the election of women anisms to adjudicate matters re-
trade union officials and ensure lating to wage discrimination;
that trade union officials elected
to represent women are given job (m) Set specific target dates for elim-
protection and physical security inating all forms of child labour
in connection with the discharge that are contrary to accepted in-
116 of their functions; ternational standards and ensure
 Platform for Action

the full enforcement of relevant to labour market training that in-

existing laws and, where appro- corporates language training.
priate, enact the legislation nec-
essary to implement the Conven-
tion on the Rights of the Child Strategic objective F.6.
and International Labour Orga- Promote harmonization of work and
nization standards, ensuring the family responsibilities for women
protection of working children, and men
in particular, street children,
through the provision of appro- Actions to be taken
priate health, education and oth-
er social services; 179. By Governments:

(n) Ensure that strategies to elim- (a) Adopt policies to ensure the appro-
inate child labour also address priate protection of labour laws and
the excessive demands made social security benefits for part-time,
on some girls for unpaid work temporary, seasonal and home-
in their household and other based workers; promote career
households, where applicable; development based on work condi-
tions that harmonize work and fam-
(o) Review, analyse and, where ap- ily responsibilities;
propriate, reformulate the wage
structures in female-dominated (b) 
Ensure that full and part-time
professions, such as teaching, work can be freely chosen by wom-
nursing and child care, with a en and men on an equal basis, and
view to raising their low status consider appropriate protection
and earnings; for atypical workers in terms of ac-
cess to employment, working con-
(p) 
Facilitate the productive employ- ditions and social security;
ment of documented migrant
women (including women who (c) 
Ensure, through legislation, in-
have been determined refugees centives and/or encouragement,
according to the 1951 Convention opportunities for women and
relating to the Status of Refugees) men to take job-protected pa-
through greater recognition of for- rental leave and to have paren-
eign education and credentials and tal benefits; promote the equal
by adopting an integrated approach sharing of responsibilities for 117
 the family by men and women, socially useful forms of work, rest
including through appropriate and leisure.
legislation, incentives and/or en-
couragement, and also promote 180. By Governments, the private sec-
the facilitation of breast-feeding tor and non-governmental orga-
for working mothers; nizations, trade unions and the
United Nations, as appropriate:
(d) Develop policies, inter alia, in ed-
ucation to change attitudes that (a) 
Adopt appropriate measures
reinforce the division of labour involving relevant governmen-
based on gender in order to pro- tal bodies and employers’ and
mote the concept of shared fam- employees’ associations so that
ily responsibility for work in the women and men are able to take
home, particularly in relation to temporary leave from employ-
children and elder care; ment, have transferable employ-
ment and retirement benefits
(e) Improve the development of, and and make arrangements to mod-
access to, technologies that facili- ify work hours without sacrific-
tate occupational as well as domes- ing their prospects for develop-
tic work, encourage self-support, ment and advancement at work
generate income, transform gen- and in their careers;
der-prescribed roles within the pro-
ductive process and enable women (b) 
Design and provide education-
to move out of low-paying jobs; al programmes through innova-
tive media campaigns and school
(f) Examine a range of policies and and community education pro-
programmes, including social grammes to raise awareness on
security legislation and taxation gender equality and non-stereo-
systems, in accordance with na- typed gender roles of women and
tional priorities and policies, to men within the family; provide sup-
determine how to promote gen- port services and facilities, such as
der equality and flexibility in the on-site child care at workplaces and
way people divide their time be- flexible working arrangements;
tween and derive benefits from
education and training, paid (c) Enact and enforce laws against
employment, family responsibil- sexual and other forms of harass-
118 ities, volunteer activity and other ment in all workplaces.
 Platform for Action

G. Women in power and general process of the advance-

decision-making ment of women. Women’s equal
participation in decision-making
181. 
The Universal Declaration of is not only a demand for simple
Human Rights states that every- justice or democracy but can also
one has the right to take part be seen as a necessary condition
in the Government of his/her for women’s interests to be tak-
country. The empowerment and en into account. Without the ac-
autonomy of women and the tive participation of women and
improvement of women’s social, the incorporation of women’s
economic and political status is perspective at all levels of deci-
essential for the achievement of sion-making, the goals of equal-
both transparent and account- ity, development and peace can-
able government and adminis- not be achieved.
tration and sustainable develop-
ment in all areas of life. The power 182. 
Despite the widespread move-
relations that prevent women ment towards democratization
from leading fulfilling lives op- in most countries, women are
erate at many levels of society, largely underrepresented at most
from the most personal to the levels of government, especially
highly public. Achieving the goal in ministerial and other execu-
of equal participation of wom- tive bodies, and have made little
en and men in decision-making progress in attaining political
will provide a balance that more power in legislative bodies or in
accurately reflects the composi- achieving the target endorsed by
tion of society and is needed in the Economic and Social Coun-
order to strengthen democracy cil of having 30 per cent women
and promote its proper func- in positions at decision-making
tioning. Equality in political de- levels by 1995. Globally, only
cision-making performs a lever- 10 per cent of the members of
age function without which it is legislative bodies and a lower per-
highly unlikely that a real integra- centage of ministerial positions
tion of the equality dimension in are now held by women. Indeed,
government policy-making is some countries, including those
feasible. In this respect, wom- that are undergoing fundamen-
en’s equal participation in politi- tal political, economic and social
cal life plays a pivotal role in the changes, have seen a significant 119
 decrease in the number of wom- socialization and negative ste-
en represented in legislative reotyping of women and men, in-
bodies. Although women make cluding stereotyping through the
up at least half of the electorate media, reinforces the tendency
in almost all countries and have for political decision-making to
attained the right to vote and remain the domain of men. Like-
hold office in almost all States wise, the underrepresentation of
Members of the United Nations, women in decision-making posi-
women continue to be seriously tions in the areas of art, culture,
underrepresented as candidates sports, the media, education, reli-
for public office. The traditional gion and the law have prevented
working patterns of many po- women from having a significant
litical parties and government impact on many key institutions.
structures continue to be barri-
ers to women’s participation in 184. Owing to their limited access to
public life. Women may be dis- the traditional avenues to power,
couraged from seeking political such as the decision-making bod-
office by discriminatory attitudes ies of political parties, employer
and practices, family and child- organizations and trade unions,
care responsibilities, and the women have gained access to
high cost of seeking and holding power through alternative struc-
public office. Women in politics tures, particularly in the non-gov-
and decision-making positions ernmental organization sector.
in Governments and legislative Through non-governmental orga-
bodies contribute to redefining nizations and grass-roots organi-
political priorities, placing new zations, women have been able to
items on the political agenda articulate their interests and con-
that reflect and address women’s cerns and have placed women’s
gender-specific concerns, values issues on the national, regional
and experiences, and providing and international agendas.
new perspectives on mainstream
political issues. 185. Inequality in the public arena can
often start with discriminatory
183. Women have demonstrated con- attitudes and practices and un-
siderable leadership in communi- equal power relations between
ty and informal organizations, as women and men within the fam-
120 well as in public office. However, ily, as defined in paragraph 29
 Platform for Action

above. The unequal division of including those in the United

labour and responsibilities with- Nations system, do not make full
in households based on unequal use of women’s talents as top-
power relations also limits wom- level managers, policy makers, dip-
en’s potential to find the time lomats and negotiators.
and develop the skills required for
participation in decision-making 187. 
The equitable distribution of
in wider public forums. A more power and decision-making at
equal sharing of those respon- all levels is dependent on Gov-
sibilities between women and ernments and other actors un-
men not only provides a better dertaking statistical gender
quality of life for women and analysis and mainstreaming a
their daughters but also enhanc- gender perspective in policy de-
es their opportunities to shape velopment and the implemen-
and design public policy, practice tation of programmes. Equality
and expenditure so that their in- in decision-making is essential
terests may be recognized and to the empowerment of women.
addressed. Non-formal networks In some countries, affirmative
and patterns of decision-making action has led to 33.3 per cent or
at the local community level that larger representation in local and
reflect a dominant male ethos national Governments.
restrict women’s ability to par-
ticipate equally in political, eco- 188. National, regional and internation-
nomic and social life. al statistical institutions still have
insufficient knowledge of how to
186. 
The low proportion of women present the issues related to the
among economic and political equal treatment of women and
decision makers at the local, na- men in the economic and social
tional, regional and international spheres. In particular, there is insuf-
levels reflects structural and at- ficient use of existing databases
titudinal barriers that need to be and methodologies in the import-
addressed through positive mea- ant sphere of decision-making.
sures. Governments, transnation-
al and national corporations, the 189. 
In addressing the inequality be-
mass media, banks, academic and tween men and women in the shar-
scientific institutions, and regional ing of power and decision-making
and international organizations, at all levels, Governments and 121
 other actors should promote an and nonelective public positions
active and visible policy of main- in the same proportion and at
streaming a gender perspective the same levels as men;
in all policies and programmes so
that before decisions are taken, an (c) 
Protect and promote the equal
analysis is made of the effects on rights of women and men to en-
women and men, respectively. gage in political activities and to
freedom of association, including
membership in political parties
Strategic objective G.1. and trade unions;
Take measures to ensure women’s
equal access to and full participation in (d) 
Review the differential impact
power structures and decision-making of electoral systems on the po-
litical representation of women
Actions to be taken in elected bodies and consider,
where appropriate, the adjust-
190. By Governments: ment or reform of those systems;

(a) Commit themselves to establish- (e) 

Monitor and evaluate progress
ing the goal of gender balance in in the representation of women
governmental bodies and com- through the regular collection,
mittees, as well as in public ad- analysis and dissemination of
ministrative entities, and in the quantitative and qualitative data
judiciary, including, inter alia, set- on women and men at all levels
ting specific targets and imple- in various decision-making po-
menting measures to substantial- sitions in the public and private
ly increase the number of women sectors, and disseminate data
with a view to achieving equal on the number of women and
representation of women and men employed at various lev-
men, if necessary through positive els in Governments on a yearly
action, in all governmental and basis; ensure that women and
public administration positions; men have equal access to the full
range of public appointments
(b) Take measures, including, where and set up mechanisms with-
appropriate, in electoral systems in governmental structures for
that encourage political parties monitoring progress in this field;
122 to integrate women in elective
 Platform for Action

(f) Support non-governmental orga- 191. By political parties:

nizations and research institutes
that conduct studies on women’s (a) Consider examining party struc-
participation in and impact on tures and procedures to remove
decision-making and the deci- all barriers that directly or indi-
sion-making environment; rectly discriminate against the
participation of women;
(g) 
Encourage greater involvement
of indigenous women in deci- (b) 
Consider developing initiatives
sion-making at all levels; that allow women to participate
fully in all internal policy-making
(h) Encourage and, where appropriate, structures and appointive and
ensure that government-funded electoral nominating processes;
organizations adopt non-discrim-
inatory policies and practices in (c) 
Consider incorporating gender
order to increase the number and issues in their political agenda,
raise the position of women in taking measures to ensure that
their organizations; women can participate in the
leadership of political parties on
(i) Recognize that shared work and an equal basis with men.
parental responsibilities between
women and men promote wom- 192. 
By Governments, national bod-
en’s increased participation in ies, the private sector, political
public life, and take appropriate parties, trade unions, employers’
measures to achieve this, includ- organizations, research and aca-
ing measures to reconcile family demic institutions, subregional
and professional life; and regional bodies and non-
governmental and international
(j) 
Aim at gender balance in the organizations:
lists of national candidates nom-
inated for election or appoint- (a) 
Take positive action to build a
ment to United Nations bodies, critical mass of women leaders,
specialized agencies and other executives and managers in stra-
autonomous organizations of tegic decision-making positions;
the United Nations system,
particularly for posts at the (b) Create or strengthen, as appro-
senior level. priate, mechanisms to monitor 123
 women’s access to senior levels ages that include career plan-
of decision-making; ning, tracking, mentoring, coach-
ing, training and retraining;
(c) 
Review the criteria for recruit-
ment and appointment to advi- (h) Encourage and support the par-
sory and decision-making bodies ticipation of women’s non-gov-
and promotion to senior posi- ernmental organizations in Unit-
tions to ensure that such criteria ed Nations conferences and their
are relevant and do not discrimi- preparatory processes;
nate against women;
(i) Aim at and support gender bal-
(d) 
Encourage efforts by non-gov- ance in the composition of del-
ernmental organizations, trade egations to the United Nations
unions and the private sector to and other international forums.
achieve equality between wom-
en and men in their ranks, includ- 193. By the United Nations:
ing equal participation in their
decision-making bodies and in (a) 
Implement existing and adopt
negotiations in all areas and at new employment policies and
all levels; measures in order to achieve
overall gender equality, particu-
(e) Develop communications strate- larly at the Professional level and
gies to promote public debate on above, by the year 2000, with
the new roles of men and women due regard to the importance
in society, and in the family as de- of recruiting staff on as wide a
fined in paragraph 29 above; geographical basis as possible,
in conformity with Article 101,
(f) 
Restructure recruitment and ca- paragraph 3, of the Charter of the
reer-development programmes to United Nations;
ensure that all women, especially
young women, have equal access (b) 
Develop mechanisms to nomi-
to managerial, entrepreneurial, nate women candidates for ap-
technical and leadership training, pointment to senior posts in the
including on-the-job-training; United Nations, the specialized
agencies and other organiza-
(g) 
Develop career advancement tions and bodies of the United
124 programmes for women of all Nations system;
 Platform for Action

(c) Continue to collect and dissem- to Governments, regional and

inate quantitative and qualita- international organizations and
tive data on women and men private enterprise, political par-
in decision-making and analyse ties and other relevant bodies.
their differential impact on deci-
sion-making and monitor prog-
ress towards achieving the Sec- Strategic objective G.2.
retary-General’s target of having Increase women’s capacity to partici-
women hold 50 per cent of man- pate in decision-making and leadership
agerial and decision-making posi-
tions by the year 2000. Actions to be taken

194. By women’s organizations, non- 195. By Governments, national bodies,
governmental organizations, trade the private sector, political par-
unions, social partners, producers, ties, trade unions, employers’ or-
and industrial and professional ganizations, subregional and re-
organizations: gional bodies, non-governmental
and international organizations
(a) 
Build and strengthen solidarity and educational institutions:
among women through informa-
tion, education and sensitization (a) 
Provide leadership and self-es-
activities; teem training to assist women
and girls, particularly those with
(b) 
Advocate at all levels to enable special needs, women with dis-
women to influence political, eco- abilities and women belonging
nomic and social decisions, pro- to racial and ethnic minorities to
cesses and systems, and work to- strengthen their self-esteem and
wards seeking accountability from to encourage them to take deci-
elected representatives on their sion-making positions;
commitment to gender concerns;
(b) Have transparent criteria for deci-
(c) 
Establish, consistent with data sion-making positions and ensure
protection legislation, databases that the selecting bodies have a
on women and their qualification gender-balanced composition;
for use in appointing women to
senior decision-making and advi- (c) 
Create a system of mentoring
sory positions, for dissemination for inexperienced women and, in 125
 particular, offer training, including
training in leadership and deci-
sion-making, public speaking and
self-assertion, as well as in politi-
cal campaigning;

(d) Provide gender-sensitive training

for women and men to promote
non-discriminatory working rela-
tionships and respect for diversity
in work and management styles;

(e) Develop mechanisms and train-

ing to encourage women to par-
ticipate in the electoral process,
political activities and other lead-
ership areas.

126
 Platform for Action

H. Institutional mechanisms for account in policy and programme

the advancement of women planning. However, in many in-
stances this has not been done.
196. National machineries for the ad-
vancement of women have been 199. 
Regional bodies concerned with
established in almost every Mem- the advancement of women have
ber State to, inter alia, design, pro- been strengthened, together with
mote the implementation of, exe- international machinery, such as
cute, monitor, evaluate, advocate the Commission on the Status of
and mobilize support for policies Women and the Committee on
that promote the advancement the Elimination of Discrimination
of women. National machineries against Women. However, the
are diverse in form and uneven in limited resources available con-
their effectiveness, and in some tinue to impede full implementa-
cases have declined. Often mar- tion of their mandates.
ginalized in national government
structures, these mechanisms are 200. 
Methodologies for conducting
frequently hampered by unclear gender-based analysis in policies
mandates, lack of adequate staff, and programmes and for dealing
training, data and sufficient re- with the differential effects of
sources, and insufficient support policies on women and men have
from national political leadership. been developed in many organi-
zations and are available for ap-
197. 
At the regional and international plication but are often not being
levels, mechanisms and institu- applied or are not being applied
tions to promote the advancement consistently.
of women as an integral part of
mainstream political, economic, so- 201. A national machinery for the ad-
cial and cultural development, and vancement of women is the cen-
of initiatives on development and tral policy-coordinating unit inside
human rights, encounter similar government. Its main task is to
problems emanating from a lack of support government-wide main-
commitment at the highest levels. streaming of a gender-equality
perspective in all policy areas. The
198. 
Successive international con- necessary conditions for an effec-
ferences have underscored the tive functioning of such national
need to take gender factors into machineries include: 127
 (a) Location at the highest possible
level in the Government, falling Strategic objective H.1.
under the responsibility of a Create or strengthen national ma-
Cabinet minister; chineries and other governmental
bodies
(b) Institutional mechanisms or pro-
cesses that facilitate, as appro- Actions to be taken
priate, decentralized planning,
implementation and monitoring 203. By Governments:
with a view to involving non-gov-
ernmental organizations and (a) Ensure that responsibility for the
community organizations from advancement of women is vest-
the grass-roots upwards; ed in the highest possible level of
government; in many cases, this
(c) 
Sufficient resources in terms of could be at the level of a Cabinet
budget and professional capacity; minister;

(d) Opportunity to influence develop- (b) Based on a strong political com-

ment of all government policies. mitment, create a national ma-
chinery, where it does not exist,
202. In addressing the issue of mech- and strengthen, as appropriate,
anisms for promoting the ad- existing national machineries, for
vancement of women, Govern- the advancement of women at
ments and other actors should the highest possible level of gov-
promote an active and visible ernment; it should have clearly
policy of mainstreaming a gen- defined mandates and authority;
der perspective in all policies and critical elements would be ade-
programmes so that, before de- quate resources and the ability and
cisions are taken, an analysis is competence to influence policy
made of the effects on women and formulate and review legisla-
and men, respectively. tion; among other things, it should
perform policy analysis, undertake
advocacy, communication, coordi-
nation and monitoring of imple-
mentation;

128
 Platform for Action

(c) Provide staff training in design- their impact on women and men,
ing and analysing data from a respectively, is carried out;
gender perspective;
(b) Regularly review national policies,
(d) 
Establish procedures to allow the programmes and projects, as well
machinery to gather information on as their implementation, evalu-
government-wide policy issues at an ating the impact of employment
early stage and continuously use it in and income policies in order to
the policy development and review guarantee that women are direct
process within the Government; beneficiaries of development and
that their full contribution to de-
(e) Report, on a regular basis, to leg- velopment, both remunerated
islative bodies on the progress of and unremunerated, is considered
efforts, as appropriate, to main- in economic policy and planning;
stream gender concerns, taking
into account the implementation (c) Promote national strategies and
of the Platform for Action; aims on equality between wom-
en and men in order to eliminate
(f) 
Encourage and promote the ac- obstacles to the exercise of wom-
tive involvement of the broad and en’s rights and eradicate all forms
diverse range of institutional ac- of discrimination against women;
tors in the public, private and vol-
untary sectors to work for equality (d) Work with members of legisla-
between women and men. tive bodies, as appropriate, to
promote a gender perspective in
all legislation and policies;
Strategic objective H.2.
Integrate gender perspectives in leg- (e) Give all ministries the mandate to
islation, public policies, programmes review policies and programmes
and projects from a gender perspective and in
the light of the Platform for Ac-
Actions to be taken tion; locate the responsibility for
the implementation of that man-
204. By Governments: date at the highest possible level;
establish and/or strengthen an in-
(a) Seek to ensure that before policy terministerial coordination struc-
decisions are taken, an analysis of ture to carry out this mandate, to 129
 monitor progress and to network (d) 
Promote the increased partici-
with relevant machineries. pation of women as both active
agents and beneficiaries of the
205. By national machinery: development process, which
would result in an improvement
(a) Facilitate the formulation and im- in the quality of life for all;
plementation of government pol-
icies on equality between women (e) Establish direct links with nation-
and men, develop appropriate al, regional and international bod-
strategies and methodologies, and ies dealing with the advancement
promote coordination and coop- of women;
eration within the central Gov-
ernment in order to ensure main- (f) Provide training and advisory as-
streaming of a gender perspective sistance to government agencies
in all policy-making processes; in order to integrate a gender
perspective in their policies and
(b) 
Promote and establish coopera- programmes.
tive relationships with relevant
branches of government, centres
for women’s studies and research, Strategic objective H.3.
academic and educational institu- Generate and disseminate gender-
tions, the private sector, the media, disaggregated data and information
non-governmental organizations, for planning and evaluation
especially women’s organizations,
and all other actors of civil society; Actions to be taken

(c) 
Undertake activities focusing on 206. By national, regional and interna-
legal reform with regard, inter alia, tional statistical services and rel-
to the family, conditions of employ- evant governmental and United
ment, social security, income tax, Nations agencies, in cooperation
equal opportunity in education, with research and documentation
positive measures to promote the organizations, in their respective
advancement of women, and the areas of responsibility:
perception of attitudes and a culture
favourable to equality, as well as pro- (a) Ensure that statistics related to in-
mote a gender perspective in legal dividuals are collected, compiled,
130 policy and programming reforms; analysed and presented by sex and
 Platform for Action

age and reflect problems, issues and (i) 

Improving data collection on
questions related to women and the unremunerated work which
men in society; is already included in the Unit-
ed Nations System of National
(b) Collect, compile, analyse and pres- Accounts, such as in agriculture,
ent on a regular basis data disaggre- particularly subsistence agri-
gated by age, sex, socioeconomic culture, and other types of non-
and other relevant indicators, in- market production activities;
cluding number of dependants, for
utilization in policy and programme (ii) Improving measurements that at
planning and implementation; present underestimate women’s
unemployment and underem-
(c) Involve centres for women’s stud- ployment in the labour market;
ies and research organizations in
developing and testing appropriate (iii) Developing methods, in the ap-
indicators and research methodolo- propriate forums, for assessing
gies to strengthen gender analysis, the value, in quantitative terms,
as well as in monitoring and eval- of unremunerated work that
uating the implementation of the is outside national accounts,
goals of the Platform for Action; such as caring for dependants
and preparing food, for possi-
(d) 
Designate or appoint staff to ble reflection in satellite or oth-
strengthen gender-statistics pro- er official accounts that may
grammes and ensure coordina- be produced separately from
tion, monitoring and linkage to all but are consistent with core
fields of statistical work, and pre- national accounts, with a view
pare output that integrates statis- to recognizing the economic
tics from the various subject areas; contribution of women and
making visible the unequal dis-
(e) Improve data collection on the full tribution of remunerated and
contribution of women and men to unremunerated work between
the economy, including their partic- women and men;
ipation in the informal sector(s);
(g) 
Develop an international clas-
(f) 
Develop a more comprehensive sification of activities for time-
knowledge of all forms of work use statistics that is sensitive to
and employment by: the differences between women 131
 and men in remunerated and un- morbidity; and improve data
remunerated work, and collect collection on access to health
data disaggregated by sex. At the services, including access to com-
national level, subject to national prehensive sexual and reproduc-
constraints: tive health services, maternal
care and family planning, with
(i) Conduct regular time-use stud- special priority for adolescent
ies to measure, in quantitative mothers and for elder care;
terms, unremunerated work,
including recording those activ- (j) 
Develop improved gender-disag-
ities that are performed simul- gregated and age-specific data on
taneously with remunerated or the victims and perpetrators of all
other unremunerated activities; forms of violence against women,
such as domestic violence, sexual
(ii) Measure, in quantitative terms, harassment, rape, incest and sex-
unremunerated work that is ual abuse, and trafficking in wom-
outside national accounts and en and girls, as well as on violence
work to improve methods to by agents of the State;
assess its value, and accurately
reflect its value in satellite or (k) 
Improve concepts and methods
other official accounts that are of data collection on the partic-
separate from but consistent ipation of women and men with
with core national accounts; disabilities, including their access
to resources.
(h) Improve concepts and methods
of data collection on the mea- 207. By Governments:
surement of poverty among
women and men, including their (a) 
Ensure the regular production
access to resources; of a statistical publication on
gender that presents and inter-
(i) 
Strengthen vital statistical sys- prets topical data on women and
tems and incorporate gender men in a form suitable for a wide
analysis into publications and range of nontechnical users;
research; give priority to gender
differences in research design (b) Ensure that producers and users
and in data collection and anal- of statistics in each country reg-
132 ysis in order to improve data on ularly review the adequacy of the
 Platform for Action

official statistical system and its (c) Prepare a new issue of The World’s
coverage of gender issues, and Women at regular five-year inter-
prepare a plan for needed im- vals and distribute it widely;
provements, where necessary;
(d) Assist countries, upon request, in
(c) Develop and encourage the devel- the development of gender poli-
opment of quantitative and qual- cies and programmes;
itative studies by research organi-
zations, trade unions, employers, (e) 
Ensure that the relevant reports,
the private sector and non-gov- data and publications of the Statis-
ernmental organizations on the tical Division of the United Nations
sharing of power and influence in Secretariat and the International
society, including the number of Research and Training Institute for
women and men in senior deci- the Advancement of Women on
sion-making positions in both the progress at the national and inter-
public and private sectors; national levels are transmitted to
the Commission on the Status of
(d) Use more gender-sensitive data Women in a regular and coordinat-
in the formulation of policy and ed fashion.
implementation of programmes
and projects. 209. By multilateral development in-
stitutions and bilateral donors:
208. By the United Nations:
Encourage and support the de-
(a) 
Promote the development of velopment of national capaci-
methods to find better ways to col- ty in developing countries and
lect, collate and analyse data that in countries with economies in
may relate to the human rights of transition by providing resources
women, including violence against and technical assistance so that
women, for use by all relevant countries can fully measure the
United Nations bodies; work done by women and men,
including both remunerated and
(b) 
Promote the further develop- unremunerated work, and, where
ment of statistical methods to appropriate, use satellite or other
improve data that relate to wom- official accounts for unremuner-
en in economic, social, cultural ated work.
and political development; 133
 I. Human rights of women human rights globally, in a fair
and equal manner, on the same
210. Human rights and fundamental footing, and with the same em-
freedoms are the birthright of all phasis. The Platform for Action
human beings; their protection reaffirms the importance of en-
and promotion is the first re- suring the universality, objectivity
sponsibility of Governments. and non-selectivity of the consid-
eration of human rights issues.
211. 
The World Conference on Hu-
man Rights reaffirmed the sol- 213. The Platform for Action reaffirms
emn commitment of all States that all human rights - civil, cul-
to fulfil their obligation to pro- tural, economic, political and
mote universal respect for, and social, including the right to de-
observance and protection of, all velopment - are universal, indivis-
human rights and fundamental ible, interdependent and interre-
freedoms for all, in accordance lated, as expressed in the Vienna
with the Charter of the United Declaration and Programme of
Nations, other instruments relat- Action adopted by the World
ing to human rights, and interna- Conference on Human Rights.
tional law. The universal nature The Conference reaffirmed that
of these rights and freedoms is the human rights of women and
beyond question. the girl child are an inalienable,
integral and indivisible part of
212. 
The promotion and protection universal human rights. The full
of all human rights and funda- and equal enjoyment of all hu-
mental freedoms must be con- man rights and fundamental
sidered as a priority objective of freedoms by women and girls is a
the United Nations, in accordance priority for Governments and the
with its purposes and principles, United Nations and is essential
in particular with the purpose of for the advancement of women.
international cooperation. In the
framework of these purposes and 214. Equal rights of men and women
principles, the promotion and are explicitly mentioned in the
protection of all human rights is Preamble to the Charter of the
a legitimate concern of the inter- United Nations. All the major in-
national community. The inter- ternational human rights instru-
134 national community must treat ments include sex as one of the
 Platform for Action

grounds upon which States may enjoyment derives from a lack

not discriminate. of commitment by Governments
to promoting and protecting
215. Governments must not only re- those rights and the failure of
frain from violating the human Governments to inform wom-
rights of all women, but must en and men alike about them.
work actively to promote and The lack of appropriate recourse
protect these rights. Recognition mechanisms at the national and
of the importance of the human international levels, and inade-
rights of women is reflected in quate resources at both levels,
the fact that three quarters of compound the problem. In most
the States Members of the Unit- countries, steps have been taken
ed Nations have become parties to reflect the rights guaranteed
to the Convention on the Elim- by the Convention on the Elim-
ination of All Forms of Discrimi- ination of All Forms of Discrim-
nation against Women. ination against Women in na-
tional law. A number of countries
216. 
The World Conference on Hu- have established mechanisms to
man Rights reaffirmed clearly strengthen women’s ability to
that the human rights of wom- exercise their rights.
en throughout the life cycle are
an inalienable, integral and in- 218. 
In order to protect the human
divisible part of universal hu- rights of women, it is necessary
man rights. The International to avoid, as far as possible, re-
Conference on Population and sorting to reservations and to
Development reaffirmed wom- ensure that no reservation is in-
en’s reproductive rights and the compatible with the object and
right to development. Both the purpose of the Convention or
Declaration of the Rights of the is otherwise incompatible with
Child31 and the Convention on international treaty law. Unless
the Rights of the Child11 guaran- the human rights of women, as
tee children’s rights and uphold defined by international human
the principle of non-discrimina- rights instruments, are fully rec-
tion on the grounds of gender. ognized and effectively protect-
ed, applied, implemented and
217. The gap between the existence enforced in national law as well
of rights and their effective as in national practice in family, 135
 civil, penal, labour and commer- also perpetuated by the lack of
cial codes and administrative enforcement of, inter alia, fam-
rules and regulations, they will ily, civil, penal, labour and com-
exist in name only. mercial laws or codes, or admin-
istrative rules and regulations
219. In those countries that have not intended to ensure women’s full
yet become parties to the Con- enjoyment of human rights and
vention on the Elimination of All fundamental freedoms.
Forms of Discrimination against
Women and other internation- 220. Every person should be entitled to
al human rights instruments, participate in, contribute to and
or where reservations that are enjoy cultural, economic, political
incompatible with the object or and social development. In many
purpose of the Convention have cases women and girls suffer dis-
been entered, or where national crimination in the allocation of
laws have not yet been revised economic and social resources.
to implement international This directly violates their eco-
norms and standards, women’s nomic, social and cultural rights.
de jure equality is not yet se-
cured. Women’s full enjoyment 221. 
The human rights of all wom-
of equal rights is undermined by en and the girl child must form
the discrepancies between some an integral part of United Na-
national legislation and inter- tions human rights activities.
national law and international Intensified efforts are needed to
instruments on human rights. integrate the equal status and
Overly complex administrative the human rights of all women
procedures, lack of awareness and girls into the mainstream
within the judicial process and of United Nations system-wide
inadequate monitoring of the activities and to address these is-
violation of the human rights of sues regularly and systematically
all women, coupled with the un- throughout relevant bodies and
derrepresentation of women in mechanisms. This requires, inter
justice systems, insufficient in- alia, improved cooperation and
formation on existing rights and coordination between the Com-
persistent attitudes and practic- mission on the Status of Women,
es perpetuate women’s de facto the United Nations High Com-
136 inequality. De facto inequality is missioner for Human Rights, the
 Platform for Action

Commission on Human Rights, 223. Bearing in mind the Programme

including its special and the- of Action of the International
matic rapporteurs, independent Conference on Population and
experts, working groups and its Development14 and the Vienna
Subcommission on Prevention of Declaration and Programme of
Discrimination and Protection of Action2 adopted by the World
Minorities, the Commission on Conference on Human Rights,
Sustainable Development, the the Fourth World Conference on
Commission for Social Develop- Women reaffirms that reproduc-
ment, the Commission on Crime tive rights rest on the recognition
Prevention and Criminal Justice, of the basic right of all couples
and the Committee on the Elim- and individuals to decide free-
ination of Discrimination against ly and responsibly the number,
Women and other human rights spacing and timing of their chil-
treaty bodies, and all relevant dren and to have the information
entities of the United Nations and means to do so, and the right
system, including the special- to attain the highest standard of
ized agencies. Cooperation is also sexual and reproductive health. It
needed to strengthen, rationalize also includes their right to make
and streamline the United Na- decisions concerning reproduc-
tions human rights system and tion free of discrimination, coer-
to promote its effectiveness and cion and violence, as expressed
efficiency, taking into account in human rights documents.
the need to avoid unnecessary
duplication and overlapping of 224. Violence against women both vi-
mandates and tasks. olates and impairs or nullifies the
enjoyment by women of human
222. If the goal of full realization of rights and fundamental free-
human rights for all is to be doms. Taking into account the
achieved, international human Declaration on the Elimination
rights instruments must be ap- of Violence against Women and
plied in such a way as to take the work of Special Rapporteurs,
more clearly into consideration gender-based violence, such as
the systematic and systemic na- battering and other domestic
ture of discrimination against violence, sexual abuse, sexual
women that gender analysis has slavery and exploitation, and in-
clearly indicated. ternational trafficking in women 137
 and children, forced prostitution their human rights as well as by
and sexual harassment, as well the obstacles they meet in gain-
as violence against women, re- ing access to information and
sulting from cultural prejudice, recourse mechanisms in cases of
racism and racial discrimination, violation of their rights.
xenophobia, pornography, ethnic
cleansing, armed conflict, foreign 226. The factors that cause the flight of
occupation, religious and anti-re- refugee women, other displaced
ligious extremism and terrorism women in need of internation-
are incompatible with the dignity al protection and internally dis-
and the worth of the human per- placed women may be different
son and must be combated and from those affecting men. These
eliminated. Any harmful aspect women continue to be vulnerable
of certain traditional, customary to abuses of their human rights
or modern practices that violates during and after their flight.
the rights of women should be
prohibited and eliminated. Gov- 227. While women are increasingly us-
ernments should take urgent ac- ing the legal system to exercise
tion to combat and eliminate all their rights, in many countries lack
forms of violence against women of awareness of the existence of
in private and public life, wheth- these rights is an obstacle that pre-
er perpetrated or tolerated by the vents women from fully enjoying
State or private persons. their human rights and attaining
equality. Experience in many coun-
225. 
Many women face addition- tries has shown that women can be
al barriers to the enjoyment of empowered and motivated to as-
their human rights because of sert their rights, regardless of their
such factors as their race, lan- level of education or socioeconomic
guage, ethnicity, culture, reli- status. Legal literacy programmes
gion, disability or socio-economic and media strategies have been
class or because they are indige- effective in helping women to un-
nous people, migrants, including derstand the link between their
women migrant workers, dis- rights and other aspects of their
placed women or refugees. They lives and in demonstrating that
may also be disadvantaged and cost-effective initiatives can be un-
marginalized by a general lack dertaken to help women obtain
138 of knowledge and recognition of those rights. Provision of human
 Platform for Action

rights education is essential for 229. In addressing the enjoyment of

promoting an understanding of human rights, Governments and
the human rights of women, in- other actors should promote an
cluding knowledge of recourse active and visible policy of main-
mechanisms to redress violations streaming a gender perspective
of their rights. It is necessary for all in all policies and programmes
individuals, especially women in so that, before decisions are
vulnerable circumstances, to have taken, an analysis is made of
full knowledge of their rights and the effects on women and men,
access to legal recourse against vi- respectively.
olations of their rights.

228. Women engaged in the defence Strategic objective I.1.

of human rights must be protect- Promote and protect the human
ed. Governments have a duty to rights of women, through the full
guarantee the full enjoyment of implementation of all human rights
all rights set out in the Universal instruments, especially the Conven-
Declaration of Human Rights, tion on the Elimination of All Forms of
the International Covenant on Discrimination against Women
Civil and Political Rights and the
International Covenant on Eco- Actions to be taken
nomic, Social and Cultural Rights
by women working peacefully 230. By Governments:
in a personal or organization-
al capacity for the promotion (a) 
Work actively towards ratifica-
and protection of human rights. tion of or accession to and imple-
Non-governmental organiza- ment international and regional
tions, women’s organizations human rights treaties;
and feminist groups have played
a catalytic role in the promotion (b) Ratify and accede to and ensure
of the human rights of women implementation of the Conven-
through grass-roots activities, tion on the Elimination of All
networking and advocacy and Forms of Discrimination against
need encouragement, support Women so that universal ratifi-
and access to information from cation of the Convention can be
Governments in order to carry achieved by the year 2000;
out these activities. 139
 (c) Limit the extent of any reserva- (f) Develop a comprehensive human
tions to the Convention on the rights education programme to
Elimination of All Forms of Dis- raise awareness among women
crimination against Women; for- of their human rights and raise
mulate any such reservations as awareness among others of the
precisely and as narrowly as pos- human rights of women;
sible; ensure that no reservations
are incompatible with the object (g) If they are States parties, imple-
and purpose of the Convention ment the Convention by review-
or otherwise incompatible with ing all national laws, policies, prac-
international treaty law and reg- tices and procedures to ensure
ularly review them with a view that they meet the obligations set
to withdrawing them; and with- out in the Convention; all States
draw reservations that are con- should undertake a review of all
trary to the object and purpose national laws, policies, practices
of the Convention on the Elimi- and procedures to ensure that
nation of All Forms of Discrimi- they meet international human
nation against Women or which rights obligations in this matter;
are otherwise incompatible with
international treaty law; (h) Include gender aspects in report-
ing under all other human rights
(d) 
Consider drawing up national conventions and instruments, in-
action plans identifying steps to cluding ILO conventions, to ensure
improve the promotion and pro- analysis and review of the human
tection of human rights, includ- rights of women;
ing the human rights of women,
as recommended by the World (i) Report on schedule to the Commit-
Conference on Human Rights; tee on the Elimination of Discrim-
ination against Women regarding
(e) 
Create or strengthen indepen- the implementation of the Conven-
dent national institutions for tion, following fully the guidelines
the protection and promotion of established by the Committee and
these rights, including the hu- involving non-governmental organi-
man rights of women, as recom- zations, where appropriate, or taking
mended by the World Conference into account their contributions in
on Human Rights; the preparation of the report;
140
 Platform for Action

(j) 
Enable the Committee on the done so are urged to become par-
Elimination of Discrimination ties in order to realize universal
against Women fully to discharge implementation of the Conven-
its mandate by allowing for ad- tion on the Rights of the Child by
equate meeting time through the year 2000;
broad ratification of the revision
adopted by the States parties to (m) 
Address the acute problems of
the Convention on the Elimina- children, inter alia, by supporting
tion of All Forms of Discrimination efforts in the context of the United
against Women on 22 May 1995 Nations system aimed at adopting
relative to article 20, paragraph efficient international measures
1,32 and by promoting efficient for the prevention and eradica-
working methods; tion of female infanticide, harmful
child labour, the sale of children
(k) Support the process initiated by and their organs, child prostitu-
the Commission on the Status tion, child pornography and other
of Women with a view to elabo- forms of sexual abuse and consid-
rating a draft optional protocol er contributing to the drafting of
to the Convention on the Elim- an optional protocol to the Con-
ination of All Forms of Discrim- vention on the Rights of the Child;
ination against Women that
could enter into force as soon (n) Strengthen the implementation of
as possible on a right of petition all relevant human rights instru-
procedure, taking into consid- ments in order to combat and elim-
eration the Secretary-General’s inate, including through interna-
report on the optional protocol, tional cooperation, organized and
including those views related to other forms of trafficking in women
its feasibility; and children, including trafficking
for the purposes of sexual exploita-
(l) Take urgent measures to achieve tion, pornography, prostitution and
universal ratification of or acces- sex tourism, and provide legal and
sion to the Convention on the social services to the victims; this
Rights of the Child before the end should include provisions for inter-
of 1995 and full implementation national cooperation to prosecute
of the Convention in order to en- and punish those responsible for
sure equal rights for girls and organized exploitation of women
boys; those that have not already and children; 141
 (o) Taking into account the need to protection of all human rights -
ensure full respect for the human civil, cultural, economic, political
rights of indigenous women, con- and social rights, including the
sider a declaration on the rights right to development;
of indigenous people for adop-
tion by the General Assembly (b) Ensure the implementation of the
within the International Decade recommendations of the World
of the World’s Indigenous Peo- Conference on Human Rights for the
ple and encourage the participa- full integration and mainstreaming
tion of indigenous women in the of the human rights of women;
working group elaborating the
draft declaration, in accordance (c) 
Develop a comprehensive poli-
with the provisions for the par- cy programme for mainstream-
ticipation of organizations of in- ing the human rights of women
digenous people. throughout the United Nations
system, including activities with
231. By relevant organs, bodies and regard to advisory services, techni-
agencies of the United Nations sys- cal assistance, reporting method-
tem, all human rights bodies of the ology, gender-impact assessments,
United Nations system, as well as coordination, public information
the United Nations High Commis- and human rights education, and
sioner for Human Rights and the play an active role in the imple-
United Nations High Commission- mentation of the programme;
er for Refugees, while promoting
greater efficiency and effectiveness (d) 
Ensure the integration and full
through better coordination of the participation of women as both
various bodies, mechanisms and agents and beneficiaries in the
procedures, taking into account the development process and reit-
need to avoid unnecessary duplica- erate the objectives established
tion and overlapping of their man- for global action for women to-
dates and tasks: wards sustainable and equitable
development set forth in the Rio
(a) Give full, equal and sustained at- Declaration on Environment and
tention to the human rights of Development;18
women in the exercise of their
respective mandates to pro- (e) 
Include information on gen-
142 mote universal respect for and der-based human rights violations
 Platform for Action

in their activities and integrate (h) 

Establish effective cooperation
the findings into all of their pro- between the United Nations
grammes and activities; High Commissioner for Human
Rights and the United Nations
(f) Ensure that there is collaboration High Commissioner for Refugees
and coordination of the work of all and other relevant bodies, within
human rights bodies and mecha- their respective mandates, taking
nisms to ensure that the human into account the close link be-
rights of women are respected; tween massive violations of hu-
man rights, especially in the form
(g) 
Strengthen cooperation and co- of genocide, ethnic cleansing,
ordination between the Commis- systematic rape of women in war
sion on the Status of Women, the situations and refugee flows and
Commission on Human Rights, other displacements, and the fact
the Commission for Social De- that refugee, displaced and re-
velopment, the Commission on turnee women may be subject to
Sustainable Development, the particular human rights abuse;
Commission on Crime Prevention
and Criminal Justice, the United (i) Encourage incorporation of a gen-
Nations human rights treaty mon- der perspective in national pro-
itoring bodies, including the Com- grammes of action and in human
mittee on the Elimination of Dis- rights and national institutions,
crimination against Women, and within the context of human rights
the United Nations Development advisory services programmes;
Fund for Women, the Internation-
al Research and Training Institute (j) 
Provide training in the human
for the Advancement of Women, rights of women for all United
the United Nations Development Nations personnel and officials,
Programme, the United Nations especially those in human rights
Children’s Fund and other organi- and humanitarian relief activi-
zations of the United Nations sys- ties, and promote their under-
tem, acting within their mandates, standing of the human rights of
in the promotion of the human women so that they recognize
rights of women, and improve co- and deal with violations of the
operation between the Division for human rights of women and can
the Advancement of Women and fully take into account the gender
the Centre for Human Rights; aspect of their work; 143
 (k) In reviewing the implementation through law and other appropri-
of the plan of action for the United ate means, the practical realiza-
Nations Decade for Human Rights tion of this principle;
Education (1995-2004), take into
account the results of the Fourth (d) Review national laws, including
World Conference on Women. customary laws and legal prac-
tices in the areas of family, civil,
penal, labour and commercial
Strategic objective I.2. law in order to ensure the im-
Ensure equality and non-discrimination plementation of the principles
under the law and in practice and procedures of all relevant
international human rights in-
Actions to be taken struments by means of national
legislation, revoke any remaining
232. By Governments: laws that discriminate on the ba-
sis of sex and remove gender bias
(a) 
Give priority to promoting and in the administration of justice;
protecting the full and equal en-
joyment by women and men of all (e) 
Strengthen and encourage the
human rights and fundamental development of programmes
freedoms without distinction of to protect the human rights of
any kind as to race, colour, sex, lan- women in the national institu-
guage, religion, political or other tions on human rights that carry
opinions, national or social origins, out programmes, such as human
property, birth or other status; rights commissions or ombud-
spersons, according them appro-
(b) 
Provide constitutional guaran- priate status, resources and ac-
tees and/or enact appropriate cess to the Government to assist
legislation to prohibit discrimi- individuals, in particular women,
nation on the basis of sex for all and ensure that these institu-
women and girls of all ages and tions pay adequate attention to
assure women of all ages equal problems involving the violation
rights and their full enjoyment; of the human rights of women;

(c) 
Embody the principle of the (f) 
Take action to ensure that the
equality of men and women human rights of women, in-
144 in their legislation and ensure, cluding the rights referred to in
 Platform for Action

paragraphs 94 to 96 above, are (k) 

Establish effective mechanisms
fully respected and protected; for investigating violations of the
human rights of women perpe-
(g) Take urgent action to combat and trated by any public official and
eliminate violence against women, take the necessary punitive le-
which is a human rights violation, gal measures in accordance with
resulting from harmful traditional national laws;
or customary practices, cultural
prejudices and extremism; (l) 
Review and amend criminal
laws and procedures, as neces-
(h) Prohibit female genital mutilation sary, to eliminate any discrimi-
wherever it exists and give vigorous nation against women in order
support to efforts among non-gov- to ensure that criminal law and
ernmental and community organi- procedures guarantee women
zations and religious institutions to effective protection against, and
eliminate such practices; prosecution of, crimes directed
at or disproportionately affecting
(i) 
Provide gender-sensitive human women, regardless of the rela-
rights education and training to tionship between the perpetra-
public officials, including, inter tor and the victim, and ensure
alia, police and military person- that women defendants, victims
nel, corrections officers, health and/or witnesses are not revic-
and medical personnel, and social timized or discriminated against
workers, including people who in the investigation and prosecu-
deal with migration and refugee tion of crimes;
issues, and teachers at all levels of
the educational system, and make (m) 
Ensure that women have the
available such education and same right as men to be judges,
training also to the judiciary and advocates or other officers of the
members of parliament in order court, as well as police officers
to enable them to better exercise and prison and detention offi-
their public responsibilities; cers, among other things;

(j) 
Promote the equal right of (n) Strengthen existing or establish
women to be members of trade readily available and free or af-
unions and other professional fordable alternative administra-
and social organizations; tive mechanisms and legal aid 145
 programmes to assist disadvan-
taged women seeking redress for Strategic objective I.3.
violations of their rights; Achieve legal literacy

(o) 
Ensure that all women and Actions to be taken
non-governmental organizations
and their members in the field of 233. By Governments and non-govern-
protection and promotion of all hu- mental organizations, the United
man rights - civil, cultural, econom- Nations and other international
ic, political and social rights, includ- organizations, as appropriate:
ing the right to development - enjoy
fully all human rights and freedoms (a) 
Translate, whenever possible,
in accordance with the Universal into local and indigenous lan-
Declaration of Human Rights and guages and into alternative for-
all other human rights instruments mats appropriate for persons
and the protection of national laws; with disabilities and persons at
lower levels of literacy, publicize
(p) 
Strengthen and encourage the and disseminate laws and in-
implementation of the recom- formation relating to the equal
mendations contained in the status and human rights of all
Standard Rules on the Equaliza- women, including the Universal
tion of Opportunities for Persons Declaration of Human Rights, the
with Disabilities,30 paying special International Covenant on Civil
attention to ensure non-discrimi- and Political Rights, the Interna-
nation and equal enjoyment of all tional Covenant on Economic, So-
human rights and fundamental cial and Cultural Rights, the Con-
freedoms by women and girls with vention on the Elimination of All
disabilities, including their access Forms of Discrimination against
to information and services in the Women, the International Con-
field of violence against women, as vention on the Elimination of All
well as their active participation in Forms of Racial Discrimination,33
and economic contribution to all the Convention on the Rights of
aspects of society; the Child, the Convention against
Torture and Other Cruel, Inhu-
(q) 
Encourage the development of man or Degrading Treatment or
gender-sensitive human rights Punishment, the Declaration on
146 programmes. the Right to Development34 and
 Platform for Action

the Declaration on the Elimina- existence of national, regional

tion of Violence against Women, and international mechanisms for
as well as the outcomes of rele- seeking redress when the human
vant United Nations conferences rights of women are violated;
and summits and national re-
ports to the Committee on the (f) 
Encourage, coordinate and co-
Elimination of Discrimination operate with local and region-
against Women; al women’s groups, relevant
non-governmental organizations,
(b) 
Publicize and disseminate such educators and the media, to im-
information in easily understand- plement programmes in human
able formats and alternative for- rights education to make women
mats appropriate for persons with aware of their human rights;
disabilities, and persons at low
levels of literacy; (g) 
Promote education on the hu-
man and legal rights of women
(c) 
Disseminate information on na- in school curricula at all levels of
tional legislation and its impact on education and undertake public
women, including easily accessible campaigns, including in the most
guidelines on how to use a justice widely used languages of the
system to exercise one’s rights; country, on the equality of women
and men in public and private life,
(d) Include information about inter- including their rights within the
national and regional instruments family and relevant human rights
and standards in their public in- instruments under national and
formation and human rights edu- international law;
cation activities and in adult edu-
cation and training programmes, (h) 
Promote education in all coun-
particularly for groups such as the tries in human rights and inter-
military, the police and other law national humanitarian law for
enforcement personnel, the ju- members of the national secu-
diciary, and legal and health pro- rity and armed forces, including
fessionals to ensure that human those assigned to United Nations
rights are effectively protected; peace-keeping operations, on
a routine and continuing basis,
(e) 
Make widely available and ful- reminding them and sensitizing
ly publicize information on the them to the fact that they should 147
 respect the rights of women at all
times, both on and off duty, giv-
ing special attention to the rules
on the protection of women and
children and to the protection
of human rights in situations of
armed conflict;

(i) 
Take appropriate measures to
ensure that refugee and dis-
placed women, migrant women
and women migrant workers
are made aware of their human
rights and of the recourse mech-
anisms available to them.

148
 Platform for Action

J. Women and the media contributions to society in a chang-

ing world. In addition, violent and
234. During the past decade, advanc- degrading or pornographic media
es in information technology products are also negatively affect-
have facilitated a global com- ing women and their participation
munications network that tran- in society. Programming that re-
scends national boundaries and inforces women’s traditional roles
has an impact on public policy, can be equally limiting. The world-
private attitudes and behaviour, wide trend towards consumerism
especially of children and young has created a climate in which
adults. Everywhere the potential advertisements and commercial
exists for the media to make a far messages often portray women
greater contribution to the ad- primarily as consumers and target
vancement of women. girls and women of all ages inap-
propriately.
235. More women are involved in ca-
reers in the communications sec- 237. 
Women should be empowered
tor, but few have attained posi- by enhancing their skills, knowl-
tions at the decision-making level edge and access to information
or serve on governing boards and technology. This will strengthen
bodies that influence media pol- their ability to combat negative
icy. The lack of gender sensitiv- portrayals of women interna-
ity in the media is evidenced by tionally and to challenge in-
the failure to eliminate the gen- stances of abuse of the power
der-based stereotyping that can of an increasingly important
be found in public and private industry. Self-regulatory mecha-
local, national and international nisms for the media need to be
media organizations. created and strengthened and
approaches developed to elim-
236. 
The continued projection of neg- inate gender-biased program-
ative and degrading images of ming. Most women, especially
women in media communica- in developing countries, are not
tions - electronic, print, visual and able to access effectively the ex-
audio - must be changed. Print and panding electronic information
electronic media in most countries highways and therefore can-
do not provide a balanced pic- not establish networks that will
ture of women’s diverse lives and provide them with alternative 149
 sources of information. Women (c) 
Promote women’s full and equal
therefore need to be involved in participation in the media, including
decision-making regarding the management, programming, edu-
development of the new technol- cation, training and research;
ogies in order to participate fully
in their growth and impact. (d) Aim at gender balance in the ap-
pointment of women and men to
238. In addressing the issue of the mobi- all advisory, management, regula-
lization of the media, Governments tory or monitoring bodies, includ-
and other actors should promote ing those connected to the private
an active and visible policy of main- and State or public media;
streaming a gender perspective in
policies and programmes. (e) 
Encourage, to the extent con-
sistent with freedom of expres-
sion, these bodies to increase
Strategic objective J.1. the number of programmes for
Increase the participation and access and by women to see to it that
of women to expression and decision- women’s needs and concerns are
making in and through the media and properly addressed;
new technologies of communication
(f) 
Encourage and recognize wom-
Actions to be taken en’s media networks, including
electronic networks and other
239. By Governments: new technologies of communica-
tion, as a means for the dissemi-
(a) Support women’s education, train- nation of information and the ex-
ing and employment to promote change of views, including at the
and ensure women’s equal access international level, and support
to all areas and levels of the media; women’s groups active in all me-
dia work and systems of commu-
(b) Support research into all aspects nications to that end;
of women and the media so as to
define areas needing attention (g) Encourage and provide the means
and action and review existing or incentives for the creative use of
media policies with a view to in- programmes in the national media
tegrating a gender perspective; for the dissemination of informa-
150 tion on various cultural forms of
 Platform for Action

indigenous people and the devel- experimental efforts, and the use
opment of social and educational of the new technologies of com-
issues in this regard within the munication, cybernetics space and
framework of national law; satellite, whether public or private;

(h) 
Guarantee the freedom of the (b) Encourage the use of communica-
media and its subsequent pro- tion systems, including new tech-
tection within the framework of nologies, as a means of strength-
national law and encourage, con- ening women’s participation in
sistent with freedom of expres- democratic processes;
sion, the positive involvement of
the media in development and (c) Facilitate the compilation of a di-
social issues. rectory of women media experts;

240. By national and international (d) Encourage the participation of wom-
media systems: en in the development of profession-
al guidelines and codes of conduct
Develop, consistent with freedom or other appropriate self-regulatory
of expression, regulatory mecha- mechanisms to promote balanced
nisms, including voluntary ones, and non-stereotyped portrayals of
that promote balanced and di- women by the media.
verse portrayals of women by the
media and international commu- 242. By non-governmental organiza-
nication systems and that pro- tions and media professional as-
mote increased participation by sociations:
women and men in production
and decision-making. (a) 
Encourage the establishment
of media watch groups that can
241. By Governments, as appropriate, monitor the media and consult
or national machinery for the ad- with the media to ensure that
vancement of women: women’s needs and concerns are
properly reflected;
(a) 
Encourage the development of
educational and training pro- (b) Train women to make greater use
grammes for women in order of information technology for
to produce information for the communication and the media, in-
mass media, including funding of cluding at the international level; 151
 (c) Create networks among and de-
velop information programmes Strategic objective J.2.
for non-governmental organiza- Promote a balanced and non-stereo-
tions, women’s organizations and typed portrayal of women in the media
professional media organizations
in order to recognize the specific Actions to be taken
needs of women in the media, and
facilitate the increased participa- 243. By Governments and interna-
tion of women in communication, tional organizations, to the ex-
in particular at the international tent consistent with freedom of
level, in support of South-South expression:
and North-South dialogue among
and between these organizations, (a) 
Promote research and imple-
inter alia, to promote the human mentation of a strategy of in-
rights of women and equality be- formation, education and com-
tween women and men; munication aimed at promoting
a balanced portrayal of women
(d) Encourage the media industry and and girls and their multiple roles;
education and media training insti-
tutions to develop, in appropriate (b) Encourage the media and adver-
languages, traditional, indigenous tising agencies to develop specif-
and other ethnic forms of media, ic programmes to raise aware-
such as story-telling, drama, poetry ness of the Platform for Action;
and song, reflecting their cultures,
and utilize these forms of commu- (c) Encourage gender-sensitive train-
nication to disseminate information ing for media professionals, includ-
on development and social issues. ing media owners and managers,
to encourage the creation and
use of non-stereotyped, balanced
and diverse images of women in
the media;

(d) Encourage the media to refrain

from presenting women as infe-
rior beings and exploiting them
as sexual objects and commodi-
152 ties, rather than presenting them
 Platform for Action

as creative human beings, key (d) 

Increase women’s participation
actors and contributors to and in decision-making at all levels of
beneficiaries of the process of the media.
development;
245. By the media, non-governmental
(e) Promote the concept that the sex- organizations and the private sec-
ist stereotypes displayed in the tor, in collaboration, as appropri-
media are gender discriminatory, ate, with national machinery for
degrading in nature and offensive; the advancement of women:

(f) Take effective measures or insti- (a) Promote the equal sharing of fam-
tute such measures, including ily responsibilities through media
appropriate legislation against campaigns that emphasize gender
pornography and the projection equality and non-stereotyped gen-
of violence against women and der roles of women and men with-
children in the media. in the family and that disseminate
information aimed at eliminating
244. By the mass media and advertis- spousal and child abuse and all
ing organizations: forms of violence against women,
including domestic violence;
(a) Develop, consistent with freedom of
expression, professional guidelines (b) Produce and/or disseminate me-
and codes of conduct and other dia materials on women leaders,
forms of self-regulation to promote inter alia, as leaders who bring
the presentation of non-stereotyped to their positions of leadership
images of women; many different life experienc-
es, including but not limited to
(b) Establish, consistent with freedom of their experiences in balancing
expression, professional guidelines work and family responsibilities,
and codes of conduct that address as mothers, as professionals, as
violent, degrading or pornographic managers and as entrepreneurs,
materials concerning women in the to provide role models, particu-
media, including advertising; larly to young women;

(c) Develop a gender perspective on (c) 

Promote extensive campaigns,
all issues of concern to communi- making use of public and pri-
ties, consumers and civil society; vate educational programmes, to 153
 disseminate information about
and increase awareness of the
human rights of women;

(d) Support the development of and

finance, as appropriate, alternative
media and the use of all means of
communication to disseminate
information to and about women
and their concerns;

(e) 
Develop approaches and train
experts to apply gender anal-
ysis with regard to media pro-
grammes.

154
 Platform for Action

K. Women and the environment in industrialized countries, which

is a matter of grave concern, ag-
246. Human beings are at the centre gravating poverty and imbalanc-
of concern for sustainable devel- es. Rising sealevels as a result of
opment. They are entitled to a global warming cause a grave and
healthy and productive life in har- immediate threat to people living
mony with nature. Women have in island countries and coastal
an essential role to play in the areas. The use of ozone-deplet-
development of sustainable and ing substances, such as products
ecologically sound consumption with chlorofluorocarbons, halons
and production patterns and ap- and methyl bromides (from which
proaches to natural resource man- plastics and foams are made), are
agement, as was recognized at the severely affecting the atmosphere,
United Nations Conference on En- thus allowing excessive levels of
vironment and Development and harmful ultraviolet rays to reach
the International Conference on the Earth’s surface. This has severe
Population and Development and effects on people’s health such
reflected throughout Agenda 21. as higher rates of skin cancer, eye
Awareness of resource depletion, damage and weakened immune
the degradation of natural sys- systems. It also has severe effects
tems and the dangers of polluting on the environment, including
substances has increased marked- harm to crops and ocean life.
ly in the past decade. These wors-
ening conditions are destroying 247. All States and all people shall coop-
fragile ecosystems and displacing erate in the essential task of erad-
communities, especially women, icating poverty as an indispens-
from productive activities and are able requirement for sustainable
an increasing threat to a safe and development, in order to decrease
healthy environment. Poverty and the disparities in standards of liv-
environmental degradation are ing and better meet the needs of
closely interrelated. While pover- the majority of the people of the
ty results in certain kinds of envi- world. Hurricanes, typhoons and
ronmental stress, the major cause other natural disasters and, in ad-
of the continued deterioration of dition, the destruction of resourc-
the global environment is the un- es, violence, displacements and
sustainable pattern of consump- other effects associated with war,
tion and production, particularly armed and other conflicts, the 155
 use and testing of nuclear weap- 248. 
Through their management and
onry, and foreign occupation can use of natural resources, women
also contribute to environmental provide sustenance to their fam-
degradation. The deterioration ilies and communities. As con-
of natural resources displaces sumers and producers, caretakers
communities, especially women, of their families and educators,
from income-generating activi- women play an important role in
ties while greatly adding to un- promoting sustainable develop-
remunerated work. In both urban ment through their concern for the
and rural areas, environmental quality and sustainability of life for
degradation results in negative present and future generations.
effects on the health, well-being Governments have expressed
and quality of life of the popula- their commitment to creating a
tion at large, especially girls and new development paradigm that
women of all ages. Particular at- integrates environmental sustain-
tention and recognition should ability with gender equality and
be given to the role and special justice within and between gener-
situation of women living in rural ations as contained in chapter 24
areas and those working in the of Agenda 21.19
agricultural sector, where access
to training, land, natural and pro- 249. 
Women remain largely absent
ductive resources, credit, devel- at all levels of policy formulation
opment programmes and coop- and decision-making in natural
erative structures can help them resource and environmental man-
increase their participation in agement, conservation, protec-
sustainable development. Envi- tion and rehabilitation, and their
ronmental risks in the home and experience and skills in advocacy
workplace may have a dispropor- for and monitoring of proper
tionate impact on women’s health natural resource management
because of women’s different too often remain marginalized
susceptibilities to the toxic effects in policy-making and decision-
of various chemicals. These risks making bodies, as well as in
to women’s health are particular- educational institutions and en-
ly high in urban areas, as well as vironment-related agencies at
in low-income areas where there the managerial level. Women
is a high concentration of pollut- are rarely trained as professional
156 ing industrial facilities. natural resource managers with
 Platform for Action

policy-making capacities, such women’s contributions to en-

as land-use planners, agricultur- vironmental management, in-
alists, foresters, marine scien- cluding through grass-roots and
tists and environmental lawyers. youth campaigns to protect the
Even in cases where women are environment, have often taken
trained as professional natural place at the local level, where
resource managers, they are of- decentralized action on environ-
ten underrepresented in formal mental issues is most needed
institutions with policy-making and decisive. Women, especially
capacities at the national, region- indigenous women, have par-
al and international levels. Often ticular knowledge of ecological
women are not equal partici- linkages and fragile ecosystem
pants in the management of fi- management. Women in many
nancial and corporate institutions communities provide the main
whose decision-making most labour force for subsistence pro-
significantly affects environmen- duction, including production
tal quality. Furthermore, there of seafood; hence, their role is
are institutional weaknesses in crucial to the provision of food
coordination between women’s and nutrition, the enhancement
non-governmental organizations of the subsistence and informal
and national institutions dealing sectors and the preservation of
with environmental issues, de- the environment. In certain re-
spite the recent rapid growth and gions, women are generally the
visibility of women’s non-govern- most stable members of the
mental organizations working on community, as men often pursue
these issues at all levels. work in distant locations, leaving
women to safeguard the natural
250. Women have often played lead- environment and ensure ade-
ership roles or taken the lead quate and sustainable resource
in promoting an environmental allocation within the household
ethic, reducing resource use, and and the community.
reusing and recycling resources
to minimize waste and exces- 251. The strategic actions needed for
sive consumption. Women can sound environmental manage-
have a particularly powerful role ment require a holistic, multi-
in influencing sustainable con- disciplinary and intersectoral
sumption decisions. In addition, approach. Women’s participation 157
 and leadership are essential to including, as appropriate, an anal-
every aspect of that approach. ysis of the effects on women and
The recent United Nations glob- men, respectively, before deci-
al conferences on development, sions are taken.
as well as regional preparatory
conferences for the Fourth World
Conference on Women, have Strategic objective K.1.
all acknowledged that sustain- Involve women actively in environ-
able development policies that mental decision-making at all levels
do not involve women and men
alike will not succeed in the long Actions to be taken
run. They have called for the ef-
fective participation of women 253. By Governments, at all levels, in-
in the generation of knowledge cluding municipal authorities, as
and environmental education in appropriate:
decision-making and manage-
ment at all levels. Women’s expe- (a) 
Ensure opportunities for women,
riences and contributions to an including indigenous women, to
ecologically sound environment participate in environmental deci-
must therefore be central to the sion-making at all levels, including as
agenda for the twenty-first cen- managers, designers and planners,
tury. Sustainable development and as implementers and evaluators
will be an elusive goal unless of environmental projects;
women’s contribution to envi-
ronmental management is rec- (b) 
Facilitate and increase women’s
ognized and supported. access to information and educa-
tion, including in the areas of sci-
252. In addressing the lack of adequate ence, technology and economics,
recognition and support for wom- thus enhancing their knowledge,
en’s contribution to conservation skills and opportunities for partici-
and management of natural re- pation in environmental decisions;
sources and safeguarding the
environment, Governments and (c) Encourage, subject to national leg-
other actors should promote an islation and consistent with the
active and visible policy of main- Convention on Biological Diversi-
streaming a gender perspective ty,35 the effective protection and
158 in all policies and programmes, use of the knowledge, innovations
 Platform for Action

and practices of women of indig- Rio Declaration on Environment

enous and local communities, in- and Development;18
cluding practices relating to tradi-
tional medicines, biodiversity and (e) Take measures to integrate a gen-
indigenous technologies, and en- der perspective in the design and
deavour to ensure that these are implementation of, among other
respected, maintained, promoted things, environmentally sound and
and preserved in an ecologically sustainable resource management
sustainable manner, and promote mechanisms, production tech-
their wider application with the niques and infrastructure develop-
approval and involvement of the ment in rural and urban areas;
holders of such knowledge; in ad-
dition, safeguard the existing in- (f) 
Take measures to empower
tellectual property rights of these women as producers and con-
women as protected under na- sumers so that they can take ef-
tional and international law; work fective environmental actions,
actively, where necessary, to find along with men, in their homes,
additional ways and means for communities and workplaces;
the effective protection and use of
such knowledge, innovations and (g) Promote the participation of local
practices, subject to national leg- communities, particularly women,
islation and consistent with the in identification of public service
Convention on Biological Diversi- needs, spatial planning and the
ty and relevant international law, provision and design of urban in-
and encourage fair and equitable frastructure.
sharing of benefits arising from
the utilization of such knowledge, 254. By Governments and internation-
innovation and practices; al organizations and private sec-
tor institutions, as appropriate:
(d) Take appropriate measures to re-
duce risks to women from iden- (a) Take gender impact into consid-
tified environmental hazards at eration in the work of the Com-
home, at work and in other envi- mission on Sustainable Devel-
ronments, including appropriate opment and other appropriate
application of clean technologies, United Nations bodies and in the
taking into account the precau- activities of international finan-
tionary approach agreed to in the cial institutions; 159
 (b) Promote the involvement of wom- and provide information to con-
en and the incorporation of a tribute to resource mobilization
gender perspective in the design, for environmental protection and
approval and execution of projects conservation;
funded under the Global Environ-
ment Facility and other appropri- (b) Facilitate the access of women ag-
ate United Nations organizations; riculturists, fishers and pastoral-
ists to knowledge, skills, market-
(c) Encourage the design of projects ing services and environmentally
in the areas of concern to the sound technologies to support
Global Environment Facility that and strengthen their crucial roles
would benefit women and proj- and their expertise in resource
ects managed by women; management and the conserva-
tion of biological diversity.
(d) Establish strategies and mecha-
nisms to increase the proportion of
women, particularly at grass-roots Strategic objective K.2.
levels, involved as decision makers, Integrate gender concerns and per-
planners, managers, scientists and spectives in policies and programmes
technical advisers and as benefi- for sustainable development
ciaries in the design, development
and implementation of policies and Actions to be taken
programmes for natural resource
management and environmental 256. By Governments:
protection and conservation;
(a) 
Integrate women, including
(e) Encourage social, economic, political indigenous women, their per-
and scientific institutions to address spectives and knowledge, on an
environmental degradation and the equal basis with men, in deci-
resulting impact on women. sion-making regarding sustain-
able resource management and
255. By non-governmental organiza- the development of policies and
tions and the private sector: programmes for sustainable de-
velopment, including in partic-
(a) Assume advocacy of environmen- ular those designed to address
tal and natural resource manage- and prevent environmental deg-
160 ment issues of concern to women radation of the land;
 Platform for Action

(b) 
Evaluate policies and pro- coastal zone and marine resource
grammes in terms of environ- management, integrated pest
mental impact and women’s management, land-use planning,
equal access to and use of natu- forest conservation and communi-
ral resources; ty forestry, fisheries, natural disas-
ter prevention, and new and renew-
(c) 
Ensure adequate research to able sources of energy, focusing
assess how and to what extent particularly on indigenous wom-
women are particularly suscepti- en’s knowledge and experience;
ble or exposed to environmental
degradation and hazards, includ- (g) Develop a strategy for change to
ing, as necessary, research and eliminate all obstacles to wom-
data collection on specific groups en’s full and equal participation
of women, particularly women in sustainable development and
with low income, indigenous equal access to and control over
women and women belonging resources;
to minorities;
(h) 
Promote the education of girls
(d) 
Integrate rural women’s tradi- and women of all ages in science,
tional knowledge and practices technology, economics and other
of sustainable resource use and disciplines relating to the natu-
management in the development ral environment so that they can
of environmental management make informed choices and offer
and extension programmes; informed input in determining
local economic, scientific and
(e) Integrate the results of gender- environmental priorities for the
sensitive research into main- management and appropriate
stream policies with a view to use of natural and local resources
developing sustainable human and ecosystems;
settlements;
(i) Develop programmes to involve
(f) Promote knowledge of and sponsor female professionals and sci-
research on the role of women, par- entists, as well as technical, ad-
ticularly rural and indigenous wom- ministrative and clerical workers,
en, in food gathering and production, in environmental management,
soil conservation, irrigation, wa- develop training programmes for
tershed management, sanitation, girls and women in these fields, 161
 expand opportunities for the hir- 257. By international organizations,
ing and promotion of women in non-governmental organizations
these fields and implement spe- and private sector institutions:
cial measures to advance wom-
en’s expertise and participation (a) 
Involve women in the commu-
in these activities; nication industries in raising
awareness regarding environ-
(j) 
Identify and promote environ- mental issues, especially on the
mentally sound technologies that environmental and health im-
have been designed, developed pacts of products, technologies
and improved in consultation and industry processes;
with women and that are appro-
priate to both women and men; (b) 
Encourage consumers to use
their purchasing power to pro-
(k) 
Support the development of mote the production of envi-
women’s equal access to housing ronmentally safe products and
infrastructure, safe water, and encourage investment in envi-
sustainable and affordable en- ronmentally sound and produc-
ergy technologies, such as wind, tive agricultural, fisheries, com-
solar, biomass and other renew- mercial and industrial activities
able sources, through participa- and technologies;
tory needs assessments, energy
planning and policy formulation (c) 
Support women’s consumer
at the local and national levels; initiatives by promoting the
marketing of organic food and
(l) Ensure that clean water is avail- recycling facilities, product in-
able and accessible to all by formation and product label-
the year 2000 and that environ- ling, including labelling of toxic
mental protection and conser- chemical and pesticide contain-
vation plans are designed and ers with language and symbols
implemented to restore pollut- that are understood by consum-
ed water systems and rebuild ers, regardless of age and level
damaged watersheds. of literacy.

162
 Platform for Action

the management and conser-

Strategic objective K.3. vation of natural resources for
Strengthen or establish mechanisms incorporation in the databases
at the national, regional and interna- and information systems for
tional levels to assess the impact of sustainable development;
development and environmental pol-
icies on women (ii) The impact on women of envi-
ronmental and natural resource
Actions to be taken degradation, deriving from,
inter alia, unsustainable pro-
258. By Governments, regional and duction and consumption pat-
international organizations and terns, drought, poor quality
non-governmental organizations, water, global warming, deserti-
as appropriate: fication, sealevel rise, hazardous
waste, natural disasters, toxic
(a) 
Provide technical assistance to chemicals and pesticide resi-
women, particularly in develop- dues, radioactive waste, armed
ing countries, in the sectors of conflicts and its consequences;
agriculture, fisheries, small en-
terprises, trade and industry to (iii) Analysis of the structural links
ensure the continuing promotion between gender relations, en-
of human resource development vironment and development,
and the development of environ- with special emphasis on par-
mentally sound technologies and ticular sectors, such as agricul-
of women’s entrepreneurship; ture, industry, fisheries, forestry,
environmental health, biologi-
(b) 
Develop gender-sensitive data- cal diversity, climate, water re-
bases, information and monitor- sources and sanitation;
ing systems and participatory
action-oriented research, meth- (iv) 
Measures to develop and in-
odologies and policy analyses, clude environmental, econom-
with the collaboration of academ- ic, cultural, social and gen-
ic institutions and local women der-sensitive analyses as an
researchers, on the following: essential step in the develop-
ment and monitoring of pro-
(i) Knowledge and experience on grammes and policies;
the part of women concerning 163
 (v) 
Programmes to create rural inter alia, requesting the Com-
and urban training, research mission on Sustainable Devel-
and resource centres that will opment, through the Economic
disseminate environmentally and Social Council, to seek input
sound technologies to women; from the Commission on the
Status of Women when review-
(c) 
Ensure the full compliance with ing the implementation of Agen-
relevant international obligations, da 21 with regard to women and
including where relevant, the Basel the environment.
Convention and other conventions
relating to the transboundary
movements of hazardous wastes
(which include toxic wastes) and
the Code of Practice of the Inter-
national Atomic Energy Agency
relating to the movement of ra-
dioactive waste; enact and enforce
regulations for environmentally
sound management related to
safe storage and movements; con-
sider taking action towards the
prohibition of those movements
that are unsafe and insecure; en-
sure the strict control and man-
agement of hazardous wastes and
radioactive waste, in accordance
with relevant international and
regional obligations and eliminate
the exportation of such wastes
to countries that, individually or
through international agreements,
prohibit their importation;

(d) 
Promote coordination within
and among institutions to im-
plement the Platform for Action
164 and chapter 24 of Agenda 21 by,
 Platform for Action

L. The girl child 260. Girls are often treated as inferior

and are socialized to put them-
259. The Convention on the Rights of selves last, thus undermining
the Child recognizes that “States their self-esteem. Discrimination
Parties shall respect and ensure and neglect in childhood can
the rights set forth in the present initiate a lifelong downward spi-
Convention to each child within ral of deprivation and exclusion
their jurisdiction without discrim- from the social mainstream. Ini-
ination of any kind, irrespective of tiatives should be taken to pre-
the child’s or his or her parent’s pare girls to participate actively,
or legal guardian’s race, colour, effectively and equally with boys
sex, language, religion, political at all levels of social, economic,
or other opinion, national, ethnic political and cultural leadership.
or social origin, property, disabil-
ity, birth or status” (art. 2, para. 261. 
Gender-biased educational pro-
1).11 However, in many countries cesses, including curricula, edu-
available indicators show that the cational materials and practices,
girl child is discriminated against teachers’ attitudes and class-
from the earliest stages of life, room interaction, reinforce exist-
through her childhood and into ing gender inequalities.
adulthood. In some areas of the
world, men outnumber women 262. 
Girls and adolescents may re-
by 5 in every 100. The reasons for ceive a variety of conflicting and
the discrepancy include, among confusing messages on their
other things, harmful attitudes gender roles from their parents,
and practices, such as female teachers, peers and the media.
genital mutilation, son prefer- Women and men need to work
ence - which results in female together with children and youth
infanticide and prenatal sex se- to break down persistent gender
lection - early marriage, including stereotypes, taking into account
child marriage, violence against the rights of the child and the
women, sexual exploitation, sex- responsibilities, rights and duties
ual abuse, discrimination against of parents as stated in paragraph
girls in food allocation and other 267 below.
practices related to health and
well-being. As a result, fewer girls 263. Although the number of educat-
than boys survive into adulthood. ed children has grown in the past 165
 20 years in some countries, boys about the social, economic and
have proportionately fared much political functioning of society,
better than girls. In 1990, 130 mil- with the result that they are
lion children had no access to pri- not offered the same opportuni-
mary school; of these, 81 million ties as boys to take part in deci-
were girls. This can be attributed sion-making processes.
to such factors as customary atti-
tudes, child labour, early marriages, 266. 
Existing discrimination against
lack of funds and lack of adequate the girl child in her access to nu-
schooling facilities, teenage preg- trition and physical and mental
nancies and gender inequalities health services endangers her
in society at large as well as in the current and future health. An es-
family as defined in paragraph 29 timated 450 million adult wom-
above. In some countries the short- en in developing countries are
age of women teachers can inhibit stunted as a result of childhood
the enrolment of girls. In many cas- protein-energy malnutrition.
es, girls start to undertake heavy
domestic chores at a very early age 267. The International Conference on
and are expected to manage both Population and Development
educational and domestic respon- recognized, in paragraph 7.3 of
sibilities, often resulting in poor the Programme of Action,14 that
scholastic performance and an ear- “full attention should be given
ly drop-out from schooling. to the promotion of mutually re-
spectful and equitable gender re-
264. The percentage of girls enrolled lations and particularly to meet-
in secondary school remains sig- ing the educational and service
nificantly low in many countries. needs of adolescents to enable
Girls are often not encouraged or them to deal in a positive and re-
given the opportunity to pursue sponsible way with their sexuali-
scientific and technological train- ty”, taking into account the rights
ing and education, which limits of the child to access to informa-
the knowledge they require for tion, privacy, confidentiality, re-
their daily lives and their employ- spect and informed consent, as
ment opportunities. well as the responsibilities, rights
and duties of parents and legal
265. G
 irls are less encouraged than guardians to provide, in a man-
166 boys to participate in and learn ner consistent with the evolving
 Platform for Action

capacities of the child, appro- employment opportunities and

priate direction and guidance in are likely to have a long-term ad-
the exercise by the child of the verse impact on their and their
rights recognized in the Conven- children’s quality of life.
tion on the Rights of the Child,
and in conformity with the Con- 269. 
Sexual violence and sexually
vention on the Elimination of All transmitted diseases, including
Forms of Discrimination against HIV/AIDS, have a devastating ef-
Women. In all actions concerning fect on children’s health, and girls
children, the best interests of the are more vulnerable than boys to
child shall be a primary consid- the consequences of unprotected
eration. Support should be given and premature sexual relations.
to integral sexual education for Girls often face pressures to en-
young people with parental sup- gage in sexual activity. Due to
port and guidance that stresses such factors as their youth, social
the responsibility of males for pressures, lack of protective laws,
their own sexuality and fertility or failure to enforce laws, girls are
and that help them exercise their more vulnerable to all kinds of vio-
responsibilities. lence, particularly sexual violence,
including rape, sexual abuse, sex-
268. More than 15 million girls aged ual exploitation, trafficking, pos-
15 to 19 give birth each year. sibly the sale of their organs and
Motherhood at a very young tissues, and forced labour.
age entails complications during
pregnancy and delivery and a 270. The girl child with disabilities fac-
risk of maternal death that is es additional barriers and needs
much greater than average. The to be ensured non-discrimination
children of young mothers have and equal enjoyment of all human
higher levels of morbidity and rights and fundamental freedoms in
mortality. Early child-bearing accordance with the Standard Rules
continues to be an impediment on the Equalization of Opportuni-
to improvements in the educa- ties for Persons with Disabilities.30
tional, economic and social sta-
tus of women in all parts of the 271. Some children are particularly vul-
world. Overall, early marriage nerable, especially the abandoned,
and early motherhood can se- homeless and displaced, street chil-
verely curtail educational and dren, children in areas in conflict, 167
 and children who are discriminated exhortation made at the World
against because they belong to an Conference on Human Rights to
ethnic or racial minority group. sign it before the end of 1995,
and by States that have signed
272. 
All barriers must therefore be and ratified the Convention,
eliminated to enable girls without ensure its full implementation
exception to develop their full po- through the adoption of all nec-
tential and skills through equal ac- essary legislative, administrative
cess to education and training, nu- and other measures and by fos-
trition, physical and mental health tering an enabling environment
care and related information. that encourages full respect for
the rights of children;
273. 
In addressing issues concern-
ing children and youth, Govern- (b) Consistent with article 7 of the
ments should promote an active Convention on the Rights of the
and visible policy of mainstream- Child,11 take measures to ensure
ing a gender perspective into all that a child is registered immedi-
policies and programmes so that ately after birth and has the right
before decisions are taken, an from birth to a name, the right to
analysis is made of the effects on acquire a nationality and, as far
girls and boys, respectively. as possible, the right to know and
be cared for by his or her parents;

Strategic objective L.1. (c) Take steps to ensure that children

Eliminate all forms of discrimination receive appropriate financial
against the girl child support from their parents, by,
among other measures, enforc-
Actions to be taken ing child-support laws;

274. By Governments: (d) Eliminate the injustice and obsta-

cles in relation to inheritance faced
(a) By States that have not signed by the girl child so that all children
or ratified the Convention on may enjoy their rights without
the Rights of the Child, take ur- discrimination, by, inter alia, enact-
gent measures towards signing ing, as appropriate, and enforcing
and ratifying the Convention, legislation that guarantees equal
168 bearing in mind the strong right to succession and ensures
 Platform for Action

equal right to inherit, regardless of (a) 

Disaggregate information and
the sex of the child; data on children by sex and age,
undertake research on the sit-
(e) Enact and strictly enforce laws to uation of girls and integrate, as
ensure that marriage is only en- appropriate, the results in the for-
tered into with the free and full mulation of policies, programmes
consent of the intending spous- and decision-making for the ad-
es; in addition, enact and strictly vancement of the girl child;
enforce laws concerning the min-
imum legal age of consent and (b) Generate social support for the
the minimum age for marriage enforcement of laws on the min-
and raise the minimum age for imum legal age for marriage, in
marriage where necessary; particular by providing educa-
tional opportunities for girls.
(f) 
Develop and implement compre-
hensive policies, plans of action and
programmes for the survival, pro- Strategic objective L.2.
tection, development and advance- Eliminate negative cultural attitudes
ment of the girl child to promote and practices against girls
and protect the full enjoyment of
her human rights and to ensure Actions to be taken
equal opportunities for girls; these
plans should form an integral part 276. By Governments:
of the total development process;
(a) Encourage and support, as appro-
(g) Ensure the disaggregation by sex priate, non-governmental orga-
and age of all data related to chil- nizations and community-based
dren in the health, education and organizations in their efforts to
other sectors in order to include promote changes in negative atti-
a gender perspective in planning, tudes and practices towards girls;
implementation and monitoring
of such programmes. (b) 
Set up educational programmes
and develop teaching materials and
275. By Governments and internation- textbooks that will sensitize and
al and non-governmental organi- inform adults about the harmful
zations: effects of certain traditional or cus-
tomary practices on girl children; 169
 (c) 
Develop and adopt curricula, pornography and degrading and
teaching materials and text- violent portrayals of the girl child;
books to improve the self-image,
lives and work opportunities of (c) 
Eliminate all forms of discrimi-
girls, particularly in areas where nation against the girl child and
women have traditionally been the root causes of son preference,
underrepresented, such as math- which result in harmful and un-
ematics, science and technology; ethical practices such as prenatal
sex selection and female infanti-
(d) Take steps so that tradition and cide; this is often compounded by
religion and their expressions the increasing use of technologies
are not a basis for discrimination to determine foetal sex, resulting
against girls. in abortion of female foetuses;

277. By Governments and, as appropri- (d) Develop policies and programmes,
ate, international and non-gov- giving priority to formal and infor-
ernmental organizations: mal education programmes that
support girls and enable them
(a) 
Promote an educational setting to acquire knowledge, develop
that eliminates all barriers that self-esteem and take responsibility
impede the schooling of married for their own lives; and place spe-
and/or pregnant girls and young cial focus on programmes to edu-
mothers, including, as appropri- cate women and men, especially
ate, affordable and physically ac- parents, on the importance of girls’
cessible child-care facilities and physical and mental health and
parental education to encourage well-being, including the elimina-
those who have responsibilities for tion of discrimination against girls
the care of their children and sib- in food allocation, early marriage,
lings during their school years to violence against girls, female gen-
return to, or continue with, and ital mutilation, child prostitution,
complete schooling; sexual abuse, rape and incest.

(b) 
Encourage educational institu-
tions and the media to adopt and
project balanced and non-ste-
reotyped images of girls and
170 boys, and work to eliminate child
 Platform for Action

partnership between girls and

Strategic objective L.3. boys;
Promote and protect the rights of
the girl child and increase awareness (d) 
Facilitate the equal provision of
ofher needs and potential appropriate services and devices
to girls with disabilities and pro-
Actions to be taken vide their families with related
support services, as appropriate.
278. By Governments and internation-
al and non-governmental organi-
zations: Strategic objective L.4.
Eliminate discrimination against girls
(a) Generate awareness of the disad- in education, skills development and
vantaged situation of girls among training
policy makers, planners, admin-
istrators and implementors at all Actions to be taken
levels, as well as within house-
holds and communities; 279. By Governments:

(b) 
Make the girl child, particularly (a) 
Ensure universal and equal ac-
the girl child in difficult circum- cess to and completion of primary
stances, aware of her own poten- education by all children and elim-
tial, educate her about the rights inate the existing gap between
guaranteed to her under all in- girls and boys, as stipulated in
ternational human rights instru- article 28 of the Convention on
ments, including the Convention the Rights of the Child;11 similarly,
on the Rights of the Child, leg- ensure equal access to secondary
islation enacted for her and the education by the year 2005 and
various measures undertaken by equal access to higher education,
both governmental and non-gov- including vocational and tech-
ernmental organizations working nical education, for all girls and
to improve her status; boys, including the disadvantaged
and gifted;
(c) 
Educate women, men, girls and
boys to promote girls’ status (b) 
Take steps to integrate func-
and encourage them to work to- tional literacy and numeracy
wards mutual respect and equal programmes, particularly for 171
 out-of-school girls in develop- (a) Provide education and skills train-
ment programmes; ing to increase girls’ opportunities
for employment and access to de-
(c) Promote human rights education cision-making processes;
in educational programmes and
include in human rights education (b) 
Provide education to increase
the fact that the human rights of girls’ knowledge and skills related
women and the girl child are an to the functioning of economic,
inalienable, integral and indivisible financial and political systems;
part of universal human rights;
(c) Ensure access to appropriate ed-
(d) 
Increase enrolment and improve ucation and skills-training for girl
retention rates of girls by allocating children with disabilities for their
appropriate budgetary resources full participation in life;
and by enlisting the support of the
community and parents through (d) Promote the full and equal par-
campaigns and flexible school ticipation of girls in extracurricu-
schedules, incentives, scholarships, lar activities, such as sports, dra-
access programmes for out-of- ma and cultural activities.
school girls and other measures;

(e) 
Develop training programmes Strategic objective L.5.
and materials for teachers and ed- Eliminate discrimination against girls
ucators, raising awareness about in health and nutrition
their own role in the educational
process, with a view to providing Actions to be taken
them with effective strategies for
gender-sensitive teaching; 281. By Governments and internation-
al and non-governmental organi-
(f) Take actions to ensure that female zations:
teachers and professors have the
same possibilities and status as (a) 
Provide public information on
male teachers and professors. the removal of discriminatory
practices against girls in food al-
280. By Governments and internation- location, nutrition and access to
al and non-governmental organi- health services;
172 zations:
 Platform for Action

(b) Sensitize the girl child, parents, especially adolescent girls, re-
teachers and society concern- garding the physiology of re-
ing good general health and nu- production, reproductive and
trition and raise awareness of sexual health, as agreed to in
the health dangers and other the Programme of Action of the
problems connected with early International Conference on Pop-
pregnancies; ulation and Development and as
established in the report of that
(c) 
Strengthen and reorient health Conference, responsible family
education and health services, planning practice, family life, re-
particularly primary health care productive health, sexually trans-
programmes, including sexual mitted diseases, HIV infection and
and reproductive health, and de- AIDS prevention, recognizing the
sign quality health programmes parental roles referred to in para-
that meet the physical and men- graph 267;
tal needs of girls and that attend
to the needs of young, expectant (f) 
Include health and nutritional
and nursing mothers; training as an integral part of liter-
acy programmes and school cur-
(d) 
Establish peer education and ricula starting at the primary level
outreach programmes with a for the benefit of the girl child;
view to strengthening individ-
ual and collective action to re- (g) Emphasize the role and responsi-
duce the vulnerability of girls bility of adolescents in sexual and
to HIV/AIDS and other sexually reproductive health and behaviour
transmitted diseases, as agreed through the provision of appro-
to in the Programme of Action priate services and counselling, as
of the International Conference discussed in paragraph 267;
on Population and Development
and as established in the report (h) Develop information and training
of that Conference, recognizing programmes for health planners
the parental roles referred to in and implementors on the special
paragraph 267 of the present health needs of the girl child;
Platform for Action;
(i) Take all the appropriate measures
(e) 
Ensure education and dissem- with a view to abolishing tradi-
ination of information to girls, tional practices prejudicial to the 173
 health of children, as stipulated (i) A minimum age or ages for ad-
in article 24 of the Convention on mission to employment;
the Rights of the Child.11
(ii) Strict monitoring of work condi-
tions (respect for work time, pro-
Strategic objective L.6. hibition of work by children not
Eliminate the economic exploitation provided for by national legisla-
of child labour and protect young girls tion, and monitoring of hygiene
at work and health conditions at work);

Actions to be taken (iii) 

Application of social security
coverage;
282. By Governments:
(iv) 
Establishment of continuous
(a) 
In conformity with article 32 of training and education;
the Convention on the Rights of
the Child,11 protect children from (d) 
Strengthen, where necessary, leg-
economic exploitation and from islation governing the work of
performing any work that is like- children and provide for appropri-
ly to be hazardous or to interfere ate penalties or other sanctions
with the child’s education, or to to ensure effective enforcement of
be harmful to the child’s health or the legislation;
physical, mental, spiritual, moral or
social development; (e) Use existing international labour
standards, including, as appropri-
(b) Define a minimum age for a child’s ate, ILO standards for the protec-
admission to employment in na- tion of working children, to guide
tional legislation, in conformity the formulation of national la-
with existing international labour bour legislation and policies.
standards and the Convention on
the Rights of the Child, including
girls in all sectors of activity;

(c) Protect young girls at work, inter

alia, through:

174
 Platform for Action

information, support and train-

Strategic objective L.7. ing for such girls;
Eradicate violence against the girl child
(d) 
Enact and enforce legislation
Actions to be taken protecting girls from all forms of
violence, including female infan-
283. By Governments and, as appropri- ticide and prenatal sex selection,
ate, international and non-gov- genital mutilation, incest, sex-
ernmental organizations: ual abuse, sexual exploitation,
child prostitution and child por-
(a) 
Take effective actions and mea- nography, and develop age-ap-
sures to enact and enforce legis- propriate safe and confidential
lation to protect the safety and programmes and medical, social
security of girls from all forms of and psychological support ser-
violence at work, including train- vices to assist girls who are
ing programmes and support subjected to violence.
programmes, and take measures
to eliminate incidents of sexual
harassment of girls in educational Strategic objective L.8.
and other institutions; Promote the girl child’s awareness of
and participation in social, economic
(b) 
Take appropriate legislative, ad- and political life
ministrative, social and educa-
tional measures to protect the girl Actions to be taken
child, in the household and in so-
ciety, from all forms of physical or 284. By Governments and internation-
mental violence, injury or abuse, al and non-governmental organi-
neglect or negligent treatment, zations:
maltreatment or exploitation, in-
cluding sexual abuse; (a) Provide access for girls to train-
ing, information and the media
(c) 
Undertake gender sensitization on social, cultural, economic and
training for those involved in political issues and enable them
healing and rehabilitation and to articulate their views;
other assistance programmes for
girls who are victims of violence (b) 
Support non-governmental or-
and promote programmes of ganizations, in particular youth 175
 non-governmental organizations, (c) 
Educate and encourage par-
in their efforts to promote the ents and caregivers to treat girls
equality and participation of girls and boys equally and to ensure
in society. shared responsibilities between
girls and boys in the family, as de-
fined in paragraph 29 above.
Strategic objective L.9.
Strengthen the role of the family* in
improving the status of the girl child

Actions to be taken

285. By Governments, in cooperation

with non-governmental organi-
zations:

(a) 
Formulate policies and pro-
grammes to help the family, as
defined in paragraph 29 above, in
its supporting, educating and nur-
turing roles, with particular em-
phasis on the elimination of in-
tra-family discrimination against
the girl child;

(b) Provide an environment conducive

to the strengthening of the family,
as defined in paragraph 29 above,
with a view to providing support-
ive and preventive measures which
protect, respect and promote the
potential of the girl child;

176 * As defined in para. 29 above.

 Platform for Action

Chapter V along with the Commission on the

Status of Women and its secretar-
Institutional iat, the Division for the Advance-

Arrangements ment of Women, became the main

institutions in the United Nations
specifically devoted to women’s
286. 
The Platform for Action estab- advancement globally. At the na-
lishes a set of actions that should tional level, a number of countries
lead to fundamental change. established or strengthened na-
Immediate action and account- tional mechanisms to plan, advo-
ability are essential if the targets cate for and monitor progress in
are to be met by the year 2000. the advancement of women.
Implementation is primarily the
responsibility of Governments, 288. Implementation of the Platform
but is also dependent on a wide for Action by national, subre-
range of institutions in the pub- gional/regional and internation-
lic, private and non-governmen- al institutions, both public and
tal sectors at the community, na- private, would be facilitated by
tional, subregional/regional and transparency, by increased linkag-
international levels. es between networks and organi-
zations and by a consistent flow of
287. During the United Nations Decade information among all concerned.
for Women (1976-1985), many Clear objectives and accountabili-
institutions specifically devoted ty mechanisms are also required.
to the advancement of women Links with other institutions at
were established at the national, the national, subregional/region-
regional and international levels. al and international levels and
At the international level, the In- with networks and organizations
ternational Research and Training devoted to the advancement of
Institute for the Advancement of women are needed.
Women (INSTRAW), the United
Nations Development Fund for 289. N
 on-governmental and grass-
Women (UNIFEM), and the Com- roots organizations have a spe-
mittee to monitor the Convention cific role to play in creating a
on the Elimination of All Forms of social, economic, political and
Discrimination against Women intellectual climate based on
were established. These entities, equality between women and 177
 men. Women should be actively should promote an active and visi-
involved in the implementation ble policy of mainstreaming a gen-
and monitoring of the Platform der perspective, inter alia, in the
for Action. monitoring and evaluation of all
policies and programmes.
290. 
Effective implementation of the
Platform will also require changes A. National level
in the internal dynamics of institu-
tions and organizations, including 293. 
Governments have the primary
values, behaviour, rules and pro- responsibility for implementing
cedures that are inimical to the the Platform for Action. Commit-
advancement of women. Sexual ment at the highest political level
harassment should be eliminated. is essential to its implementation,
and Governments should take a
291. National, subregional/regional leading role in coordinating, mon-
and international institutions itoring and assessing progress
should have strong and clear man- in the advancement of women.
dates and the authority, resources The Fourth World Conference on
and accountability mechanisms Women is a conference of nation-
needed for the tasks set out in the al and international commitment
Platform for Action. Their meth- and action. This requires com-
ods of operation should ensure ef- mitment from Governments and
ficient and effective implementa- the international community. The
tion of the Platform. There should Platform for Action is part of a
be a clear commitment to inter- continuing process and has a cat-
national norms and standards alytic effect as it will contribute to
of equality between women and programmes and practical out-
men as a basis for all actions. comes for girls and women of all
ages. States and the international
292. 
To ensure effective implemen- community are encouraged to re-
tation of the Platform for Action spond to this challenge by mak-
and to enhance the work for the ing commitments for action. As
advancement of women at the part of this process, many States
national, subregional/regional and have made commitments for ac-
international levels, Governments, tion as reflected, inter alia, in their
the United Nations system and national statements.
178 all other relevant organizations
 Platform for Action

294. 
National mechanisms and in- appropriate intra and intermin-
stitutions for the advancement isterial procedures and staffing,
of women should participate in and other institutions with the
public policy formulation and en- mandate and capacity to broad-
courage the implementation of en women’s participation and in-
the Platform for Action through tegrate gender analysis into pol-
various bodies and institutions, icies and programmes. The first
including the private sector, and, step in this process for all insti-
where necessary, should act as a tutions should be to review their
catalyst in developing new pro- objectives, programmes and
grammes by the year 2000 in ar- operational procedures in terms
eas that are not covered by exist- of the actions called for in the
ing institutions. Platform. A key activity should
be to promote public awareness
295. The active support and participa- and support for the goals of the
tion of a broad and diverse range Platform for Action, inter alia,
of other institutional actors through the mass media and
should be encouraged, including public education.
legislative bodies, academic and
research institutions, profes- 297. As soon as possible, preferably by
sional associations, trade unions, the end of 1995, Governments, in
cooperatives, local community consultation with relevant insti-
groups, non-governmental orga- tutions and non-governmental
nizations, including women’s or- organizations, should begin to
ganizations and feminist groups, develop implementation strate-
the media, religious groups, gies for the Platform and, prefer-
youth organizations and cultural ably by the end of 1996, should
groups, as well as financial and have developed their strategies
nonprofit organizations. or plans of action. This plan-
ning process should draw upon
296. In order for the Platform for Ac- persons at the highest level of
tion to be implemented, it will authority in government and
be necessary for Governments relevant actors in civil society.
to establish or improve the effec- These implementation strate-
tiveness of national machineries gies should be comprehensive,
for the advancement of wom- have time-bound targets and
en at the highest political level, benchmarks for monitoring, and 179
 include proposals for allocating 300. 
Regional and international or-
or reallocating resources for im- ganizations, in particular devel-
plementation. Where necessary, opment institutions, especially
the support of the international INSTRAW, UNIFEM and bilateral
community could be enlisted, in- donors, should provide finan-
cluding resources. cial and advisory assistance to
national machinery in order to
298. Non-governmental organizations increase its ability to gather in-
should be encouraged to contrib- formation, develop networks and
ute to the design and implementa- carry out its mandate, in addition
tion of these strategies or national to strengthening international
plans of action. They should also mechanisms to promote the ad-
be encouraged to develop their vancement of women through
own programmes to complement their respective mandates, in co-
government efforts. Women’s or- operation with Governments.
ganizations and feminist groups, in
collaboration with other non-gov- B. Subregional/regional level
ernmental organizations, should be
encouraged to organize networks, 301. 
The regional commissions of
as necessary, and to advocate for the United Nations and other
and support the implementation subregional/regional structures
of the Platform for Action by Gov- should promote and assist the
ernments and regional and inter- pertinent national institutions
national bodies. in monitoring and implement-
ing the global Platform for Ac-
299. 
Governments should commit tion within their mandates. This
themselves to gender balance, should be done in coordination
inter alia, through the creation with the implementation of the
of special mechanisms, in all respective regional platforms or
government-appointed commit- plans of action and in close col-
tees, boards and other relevant laboration with the Commission
official bodies, as appropriate, on the Status of Women, taking
as well as in all international into account the need for a co-
bodies, institutions and organi- ordinated follow-up to United
zations, notably by presenting Nations conferences in the eco-
and promoting more women nomic, social, human rights and
180 candidates. related fields.
 Platform for Action

302. In order to facilitate the regional 304. 

Regional offices of the special-
implementation, monitoring and ized agencies of the United Na-
evaluation process, the Economic tions system should, as appropri-
and Social Council should con- ate, develop and publicize a plan
sider reviewing the institutional of action for implementing the
capacity of the United Nations Platform for Action, including the
regional commissions within identification of time-frames and
their mandates, including their resources. Technical assistance
women’s units/focal points, and operational activities at the
to deal with gender issues in regional level should establish
the light of the Platform for well-identified targets for the
Action, as well as the regional advancement of women. To this
platforms and plans of action. end, regular coordination should
Consideration should be given, be undertaken among United
inter alia, and, where appropri- Nations bodies and agencies.
ate, to strengthening capacity in
this respect. 305. Non-governmental organizations
within the region should be sup-
303. Within their existing mandates ported in their efforts to develop
and activities, the regional com- networks to coordinate advocacy
missions should mainstream and dissemination of information
women’s issues and gender about the global Platform for Ac-
perspectives and should also tion and the respective regional
consider the establishment of platforms or plans of action.
mechanisms and processes to
ensure the implementation and C. International level
monitoring of both the Plat-
form for Action and the regional 1. United Nations
platforms and plans of ac-
tion. The regional commissions 306. 
The Platform for Action needs
should, within their mandates, to be implemented through
collaborate on gender issues the work of all of the bodies
with other regional intergovern- and organizations of the Unit-
mental organizations, non-gov- ed Nations system during the
ernmental organizations, finan- period 1995-2000, specifically
cial and research institutions and and as an integral part of wid-
the private sector. er programming. An enhanced 181
 framework for international co- United Nations system must rest
operation for gender issues must at the highest levels.
be developed during the period
1995-2000 in order to ensure the 309. 
To improve the system’s effi-
integrated and comprehensive ciency and effectiveness in pro-
implementation, follow-up and viding support for equality and
assessment of the Platform for women’s empowerment at the
Action, taking into account the national level and to enhance
results of global United Nations its capacity to achieve the objec-
summits and conferences. The tives of the Platform for Action,
fact that at all of these summits there is a need to renew, reform
and conferences, Governments and revitalize various parts of
have committed themselves to the United Nations system. This
the empowerment of women would include reviewing and
in different areas, makes coordi- strengthening the strategies
nation crucial to the follow-up and working methods of differ-
strategies for this Platform for ent United Nations mechanisms
Action. The Agenda for Develop- for the advancement of women
ment and the Agenda for Peace with a view to rationalizing and,
should take into account the as appropriate, strengthening
Platform for Action of the Fourth their advisory, catalytic and mon-
World Conference on Women. itoring functions in relation to
mainstream bodies and agen-
307. The institutional capacity of the cies. Women/gender units are
United Nations system to carry important for effective main-
out and coordinate its respon- streaming, but strategies must
sibility for implementing the be further developed to prevent
Platform for Action, as well as its inadvertent marginalization as
expertise and working methods opposed to mainstreaming of
to promote the advancement of the gender dimension through-
women, should be improved. out all operations.

308. 
Responsibility for ensuring the 310. In following up the Fourth World
implementation of the Platform Conference on Women, all enti-
for Action and the integration ties of the United Nations system
of a gender perspective into all focusing on the advancement of
182 policies and programmes of the women should have the necessary
 Platform for Action

resources and support to carry out the follow-up to the Conference,

follow-up activities. The efforts of taking into account the recom-
gender focal points within organi- mendations of the Conference.
zations should be well integrated The General Assembly should
into overall policy, planning, pro- include the follow-up to the Con-
gramming and budgeting. ference as part of its continuing
work on the advancement of
311. 
Action must be taken by the women. In 1996, 1998 and 2000,
United Nations and other inter- it should review the implemen-
national organizations to elim- tation of the Platform for Action.
inate barriers to the advance-
ment of women within their Economic and Social Council
organizations in accordance with
the Platform for Action. 313. 
The Economic and Social Coun-
cil, in the context of its role under
General Assembly the Charter of the United Nations
and in accordance with Gener-
312. 
The General Assembly, as the al Assembly resolutions 45/264,
highest intergovernmental body 46/235 and 48/162, would over-
in the United Nations, is the prin- see system-wide coordination
cipal policymaking and appraisal in the implementation of the
organ on matters relating to the Platform for Action and make
follow-up to the Conference, and recommendations in this regard.
as such, should integrate gender The Council should be invited to
issues throughout its work. It review the implementation of
should appraise progress in the the Platform for Action, giving
effective implementation of the due consideration to the reports
Platform for Action, recognizing of the Commission on the Status
that these issues cut across so- of Women. As coordinating body,
cial, political and economic poli- the Council should be invited to
cy. At its fiftieth session, in 1995, review the mandate of the Com-
the General Assembly will have mission on the Status of Women,
before it the report of the Fourth taking into account the need for
World Conference on Women. In effective coordination with other
accordance with its resolution related commissions and Confer-
49/161, it will also examine a re- ence follow-up. The Council should
port of the Secretary-General on incorporate gender issues into its 183
 discussion of all policy questions, how its participating entities might
giving due consideration to rec- best coordinate their activities, inter
ommendations prepared by the alia, through existing procedures at
Commission. It should consider the inter-agency level for ensuring
devoting at least one high-level systemwide coordination to imple-
segment before the year 2000 to ment and help follow up the objec-
the advancement of women and tives of the Platform for Action.
implementation of the Platform
for Action with the active involve- Commission on the Status of Women
ment and participation, inter alia,
of the specialized agencies, includ- 317. 
The General Assembly and the
ing the World Bank and IMF. Economic and Social Council, in
accordance with their respective
314. The Council should consider de- mandates, are invited to review
voting at least one coordination and strengthen the mandate of
segment before the year 2000 to the Commission on the Status of
coordination of the advancement Women, taking into account the
of women, based on the revised Platform for Action as well as the
system-wide medium-term plan need for synergy with other relat-
for the advancement of women. ed commissions and Conference
follow-up, and for a system-wide
315. The Council should consider de- approach to its implementation.
voting at least one operational
activities segment before the 318. 
As a functional commission as-
year 2000 to the coordination of sisting the Economic and Social
development activities related to Council, the Commission on the
gender, based on the revised sys- Status of Women should have a
tem-wide medium-term plan for central role in monitoring, within
the advancement of women, with the United Nations system, the
a view to instituting guidelines implementation of the Platform
and procedures for implementa- for Action and advising the Coun-
tion of the Platform for Action by cil thereon. It should have a clear
the funds and programmes of the mandate with sufficient human
United Nations system. and financial resources, through
the reallocation of resources with-
316. The Administrative Committee on in the regular budget of the United
184 Coordination (ACC) should consider Nations to carry the mandate out.
 Platform for Action

319. The Commission on the Status Committee on the Elimination of

of Women should assist the Eco- Discrimination against Women and
nomic and Social Council in its other treaty bodies
coordination of the reporting on
the implementation of the Plat- 322. The Committee on the Elimina-
form for Action with the relevant tion of Discrimination against
organizations of the United Na- Women, in implementing its
tions system. The Commission responsibilities under the Con-
should draw upon inputs from vention on the Elimination of All
other organizations of the Unit- Forms of Discrimination against
ed Nations system and other Women, should, within its man-
sources, as appropriate. date, take into account the Plat-
form for Action when consid-
320. The Commission on the Status of ering the reports submitted by
Women, in developing its work States parties.
programme for the period 1996-
2000, should review the critical ar- 323. States parties to the Convention
eas of concern in the Platform for on the Elimination of All Forms
Action and consider how to inte- of Discrimination against Wom-
grate in its agenda the follow-up to en are invited, when reporting
the World Conference on Women. under article 18 of the Conven-
In this context, the Commission on tion, to include information on
the Status of Women could con- measures taken to implement
sider how it could further develop the Platform for Action in order
its catalytic role in mainstreaming to facilitate the work of the Com-
a gender perspective in United mittee on the Elimination of Dis-
Nations activities. crimination against Women in
monitoring effectively women’s
Other functional commissions ability to enjoy the rights guaran-
teed by the Convention.
321. 
Within their mandates, other
functional commissions of the 324. The ability of the Committee on
Economic and Social Council the Elimination of Discrimina-
should also take due account of tion against Women to monitor
the Platform for Action and en- implementation of the Conven-
sure the integration of gender tion should be strengthened
aspects in their respective work. through the provision of human 185
 and financial resources within Nations, taking into account the
the regular budget of the United mandates of the bodies con-
Nations, including expert legal cerned. The Secretary-General
assistance and, in accordance should consider specific mea-
with General Assembly resolu- sures for ensuring effective coor-
tion 49/164 and the decision dination in the implementation
made by the meeting of States of these objectives. To this end,
parties to the Convention held the Secretary-General is invited
in May 1995, sufficient meet- to establish a high-level post in
ing time for the Committee. The the office of the Secretary-Gen-
Committee should increase its eral, using existing human and
coordination with other human financial resources, to act as the
rights treaty bodies, taking into Secretary-General’s adviser on
account the recommendations in gender issues and to help ensure
the Vienna Declaration and Pro- system-wide implementation of
gramme of Action. the Platform for Action in close
cooperation with the Division for
325. 
Within their mandate, other the Advancement of Women.
treaty bodies should also take
due account of the implemen- Division for the Advancement
tation of the Platform for Action of Women
and ensure the integration of the
equal status and human rights of 327. The primary function of the Di-
women in their work. vision for the Advancement of
Women of the Department for
United Nations Secretariat Policy Coordination and Sustain-
able Development is to provide
Office of the Secretary-General substantive servicing to the Com-
mission on the Status of Wom-
326. The Secretary-General is request- en and other intergovernmental
ed to assume responsibility for bodies when they are concerned
coordination of policy within the with the advancement of wom-
United Nations for the imple- en, as well as to the Committee
mentation of the Platform for Ac- on the Elimination of Discrimina-
tion and for the mainstreaming tion against Women. It has been
of a systemwide gender perspec- designated a focal point for the
186 tive in all activities of the United implementation of the Nairobi
 Platform for Action

Forward-looking Strategies for the non-governmental organizations

Advancement of Women. In the with regard to implementation of
light of the review of the mandate the Platform for Action.
of the Commission on the Status
of Women, as set out in para- ther units of the United Nations
O
graph 313 above, the functions of Secretariat
the Division for the Advancement
of Women will also need to be as- 329. 
The various units of the Unit-
sessed. The Secretary-General is ed Nations Secretariat should
requested to ensure more effec- examine their programmes to
tive functioning of the Division determine how they can best
by, inter alia, providing sufficient contribute to the coordinated im-
human and financial resources plementation of the Platform for
within the regular budget of the Action. Proposals for implemen-
United Nations. tation of the Platform need to be
reflected in the revision of the
328. The Division should examine the systemwide medium-term plan
obstacles to the advancement of for the advancement of women
women through the application for the period 1996-2001, as well
of gender-impact analysis in poli- as in the proposed United Nations
cy studies for the Commission on medium-term plan for the period
the Status of Women and through 1998-2002. The content of the
support to other subsidiary bodies. actions will depend on the man-
After the Fourth World Confer- dates of the bodies concerned.
ence on Women it should play a
coordinating role in preparing the 330. Existing and new linkages should
revision of the systemwide me- be developed throughout the
dium-term plan for the advance- Secretariat in order to ensure
ment of women for the period that the gender perspective is in-
1996-2001 and should continue troduced as a central dimension
serving as the secretariat for in- in all activities of the Secretariat.
ter-agency coordination for the
advancement of women. It should 331. The Office of Human Resources
continue to maintain a flow of Management should, in collab-
information with national com- oration with programme man-
missions, national institutions for agers world wide, and in accor-
the advancement of women and dance with the strategic plan 187
 of action for the improvement 333. The Statistical Division of the De-
of the status of women in the partment for Economic and So-
Secretariat (1995-2000), con- cial Information and Policy Anal-
tinue to accord priority to the ysis should have an important
recruitment and promotion of coordinating role in international
women in posts subject to geo- work in statistics, as described
graphical distribution, particu- above in chapter IV, strategic
larly in senior policy-level and objective H.3.
decision-making posts, in order
to achieve the goals set out in International Research and Training
General Assembly resolutions Institute for the Advancement
45/125 and 45/239 C and reaf- of Women
firmed in General Assembly res-
olutions 46/100, 47/93, 48/106 334. I NSTRAW has a mandate to pro-
and 49/167. The training service mote research and training on
should design and conduct regu- women’s situation and develop-
lar gender-sensitivity training or ment. In the light of the Platform
include gender-sensitivity train- for Action, INSTRAW should re-
ing in all of its activities. view its work programme and
develop a programme for im-
332. The Department of Public Infor- plementing those aspects of
mation should seek to integrate a the Platform for Action that fall
gender perspective in its general within its mandate. It should
information activities and, with- identify those types of research
in existing resources, strengthen and research methodologies
and improve its programmes on to be given priority, strength-
women and the girl child. To this en national capacities to carry
end, the Department should for- out women’s studies and gen-
mulate a multimedia communi- der research, including that on
cations strategy to support the the status of the girl child, and
implementation of the Platform develop networks of research
for Action, taking new technol- institutions that can be mobi-
ogy fully into account. Regu- lized for that purpose. It should
lar outputs of the Department also identify those types of edu-
should promote the goals of the cation and training that can be
Platform, particularly in develop- effectively supported and pro-
188 ing countries. moted by the Institute.
 Platform for Action

United Nations Development Fund resources to meet the global pri-

for Women orities identified in the Platform
for Action. There should be a clear
335. UNIFEM has the mandate to in- delineation of responsibility and
crease options and opportunities accountability. These proposals
for women’s economic and social should in turn be reflected in the
development in developing coun- system-wide medium-term plan
tries by providing technical and for the advancement of women
financial assistance to incorpo- for the period 1996-2001.
rate the women’s dimension into
development at all levels. There- 337. Each organization should commit
fore, UNIFEM should review and itself at the highest level and, in
strengthen, as appropriate, its pursuing its targets, should take
work programme in the light of steps to enhance and support the
the Platform for Action, focusing roles and responsibilities of its fo-
on women’s political and eco- cal points on women’s issues.
nomic empowerment. Its advo-
cacy role should concentrate on 338. In addition, specialized agencies
fostering a multilateral policy with mandates to provide tech-
dialogue on women’s empow- nical assistance in developing
erment. Adequate resources for countries, particularly in Africa
carrying out its functions should and the least developed coun-
be made available. tries, should cooperate more to
ensure the continuing promotion
Specialized agencies and other of the advancement of women.
organizations of the United Nations
system 339. The United Nations system should
consider and provide appropriate
336. To strengthen their support for technical assistance and other
actions at the national level and forms of assistance to the coun-
to enhance their contributions tries with economies in transition
to coordinated follow-up by the in order to facilitate solution of
United Nations, each organiza- their specific problems regarding
tion should set out the specif- the advancement of women.
ic actions they will undertake,
including goals and targets to 340. 
Each organization should ac-
realign priorities and redirect cord greater priority to the 189
 recruitment and promotion of procedures and staffing to en-
women at the Professional lev- sure that investments and pro-
el to achieve gender balance, grammes benefit women and
particularly at decision-making thus contribute to sustainable
levels. The paramount consider- development. They are also en-
ation in the employment of the couraged to increase the number
staff and in the determination of of women in high-level positions,
the conditions of service should increase staff training in gender
be the necessity of securing the analysis and institute policies and
highest standards of efficiency, guidelines to ensure full consid-
competence and integrity. Due eration of the differential impact
regard should be paid to the im- of lending programmes and other
portance of recruiting the staff activities on women and men. In
on as wide a geographical ba- this regard, the Bretton Woods in-
sis as possible. Organizations stitutions, the United Nations, as
should report regularly to their well as its funds and programmes
governing bodies on progress to- and the specialized agencies,
wards this goal. should establish regular and sub-
stantive dialogue, including dia-
341. Coordination of United Nations logue at the field level, for more
operational activities for de- efficient and effective coordina-
velopment at the country level tion of their assistance in order
should be improved through the to strengthen the effectiveness of
resident coordinator system in their programmes for the benefit
accordance with relevant reso- of women and their families.
lutions of the General Assembly,
in particular General Assembly 343. 
The General Assembly should
resolution 47/199, to take full ac- give consideration to inviting the
count of the Platform for Action. World Trade Organization to con-
sider how it might contribute to
2. Other international institutions the implementation of the Plat-
and organizations form for Action, including activi-
ties in cooperation with the Unit-
342. 
In implementing the Platform ed Nations system.
for Action, international finan-
cial institutions are encouraged 344. International non-governmental
190 to review and revise policies, organizations have an important
 Platform for Action

role to play in implementing the

Platform for Action. Consider-
ation should be given to estab-
lishing a mechanism for collab-
orating with non-governmental
organizations to promote the
implementation of the Platform
at various levels.

191
 Chapter VI some policy changes may not
necessarily have financial im-
Financial plications. Mobilization of addi-

Arrangements tional resources, both public and

private, including resources from
innovative sources of funding,
345. 
Financial and human resources may also be necessary.
have generally been insufficient
for the advancement of women. A. National level
This has contributed to the slow
progress to date in implement- 346. 
The primary responsibility for
ing the Nairobi Forward-looking implementing the strategic ob-
Strategies for the Advancement jectives of the Platform for Ac-
of Women. Full and effective im- tion rests with Governments. To
plementation of the Platform for achieve these objectives, Govern-
Action, including the relevant ments should make efforts to sys-
commitments made at previ- tematically review how women
ous United Nations summits benefit from public sector expen-
and conferences, will require a ditures; adjust budgets to ensure
political commitment to make equality of access to public sector
available human and financial expenditures, both for enhancing
resources for the empowerment productive capacity and for meet-
of women. This will require the ing social needs; and achieve the
integration of a gender perspec- gender-related commitments
tive in budgetary decisions on made in other United Nations
policies and programmes, as summits and conferences. To
well as the adequate financing develop successful national im-
of specific programmes for se- plementation strategies for the
curing equality between wom- Platform for Action, Governments
en and men. To implement the should allocate sufficient resourc-
Platform for Action, funding will es, including resources for under-
need to be identified and mobi- taking gender-impact analysis.
lized from all sources and across Governments should also encour-
all sectors. The reformulation of age non-governmental organi-
policies and reallocation of re- zations and private-sector and
sources may be needed within other institutions to mobilize ad-
192 and among programmes, but ditional resources.
 Platform for Action

347. Sufficient resources should be al- organizations and networks, fem-

located to national machineries inist groups, the private sector
for the advancement of women and other actors of civil society,
as well as to all institutions, as to enable them to contribute to-
appropriate, that can contribute wards this end. The capacity of
to the implementation and mon- non-governmental organizations
itoring of the Platform for Action. in this regard should be strength-
ened and enhanced.
348. Where national machineries for
the advancement of women do B. Regional level
not yet exist or where they have
not yet been established on a 351. Regional development banks, re-
permanent basis, Governments gional business associations and
should strive to make available other regional institutions should
sufficient and continuing re- be invited to contribute to and
sources for such machineries. help mobilize resources in their
lending and other activities for
349. To facilitate the implementation the implementation of the Plat-
of the Platform for Action, Gov- form for Action. They should also
ernments should reduce, as ap- be encouraged to take account
propriate, excessive military ex- of the Platform for Action in their
penditures and investments for policies and funding modalities.
arms production and acquisition,
consistent with national security 352. 
The subregional and regional
requirements. organizations and the United
Nations regional commissions
350. Non-governmental organizations, should, where appropriate and
the private sector and other ac- within their existing mandates,
tors of civil society should be en- assist in the mobilization of
couraged to consider allocating funds for the implementation of
the resources necessary for the the Platform for Action.
implementation of the Platform
for Action. Governments should C. International level
create a supportive environment
for the mobilization of resourc- 353. 
Adequate financial resourc-
es by non-governmental orga- es should be committed at
nizations, particularly women’s the international level for the 193
 implementation of the Platform 355. The United Nations system should
for Action in the developing coun- provide technical cooperation and
tries, particularly in Africa and other forms of assistance to the
the least developed countries. developing countries, in particu-
Strengthening national capacities lar in Africa and the least devel-
in developing countries to imple- oped countries, in implementing
ment the Platform for Action will the Platform for Action.
require striving for the fulfilment
of the agreed target of 0.7 per 356. Implementation of the Platform
cent of the gross national product for Action in the countries with
of developed countries for overall economies in transition will re-
official development assistance quire continued international
as soon as possible, as well as in- cooperation and assistance. The
creasing the share of funding for organizations and bodies of the
activities designed to implement United Nations system, including
the Platform for Action. Further- the technical and sectoral agen-
more, countries involved in de- cies, should facilitate the efforts
velopment cooperation should of those countries in designing
conduct a critical analysis of their and implementing policies and
assistance programmes so as to programmes for the advance-
improve the quality and effective- ment of women. To this end, the
ness of aid through the integra- International Monetary Fund
tion of a gender approach. and the World Bank should be in-
vited to assist those efforts.
354. 
International financial institu-
tions, including the World Bank, 357. The outcome of the World Sum-
the International Monetary mit for Social Development re-
Fund, the International Fund for garding debt management and
Agricultural Development and reduction as well as other United
the regional development banks, Nations world summits and con-
should be invited to examine ferences should be implemented
their grants and lending and to in order to facilitate the realiza-
allocate loans and grants to pro- tion of the objectives of the Plat-
grammes for implementing the form for Action.
Platform for Action in developing
countries, especially in Africa and 358. 
To facilitate implementation of
194 the least developed countries. the Platform for Action, interested
 Platform for Action

developed and developing coun- development efforts, the resources

try partners, agreeing on a mutual provided by the international com-
commitment to allocate, on aver- munity need to be sufficient and
age, 20 per cent of official develop- should be maintained at an ade-
ment assistance and 20 per cent quate level.
of the national budget to basic so-
cial programmes should take into 361. 
To improve the efficiency and
account a gender perspective. effectiveness of the United Na-
tions system in its efforts to pro-
359. 
Development funds and pro- mote the advancement of wom-
grammes of the United Nations en and to enhance its capacity
system should undertake an im- to further the objectives of the
mediate analysis of the extent to Platform for Action, there is a
which their programmes and proj- need to renew, reform and revi-
ects are directed to implementing talize various parts of the United
the Platform for Action and, for the Nations system, especially the
next programming cycle, should Division for the Advancement of
ensure the adequacy of resources Women of the United Nations
targeted towards eliminating dis- Secretariat, as well as other units
parities between women and men and subsidiary bodies that have a
in their technical assistance and specific mandate to promote the
funding activities. advancement of women. In this
regard, relevant governing bodies
360. 
Recognizing the roles of United within the United Nations sys-
Nations funds, programmes and tem are encouraged to give spe-
specialized agencies, in particular cial consideration to the effective
the special roles of UNIFEM and implementation of the Platform
INSTRAW, in the promotion of the for Action and to review their
empowerment of women, and policies, programmes, budgets
therefore in the implementation of and activities in order to achieve
the Platform for Action within their the most effective and efficient
respective mandates, inter alia, in use of funds to this end. Alloca-
research, training and information tion of additional resources from
activities for the advancement within the United Nations regu-
of women as well as technical lar budget in order to implement
and financial assistance to incor- the Platform for Action will also
porate a gender perspective in be necessary. 195
 Notes The Legal Texts (Geneva, GATT secre-
tariat, 1994).

1/ Report of the World Conference to 11/ General Assembly resolution 44/25,

Review and Appraise the Achieve- annex.
ments of the United Nations
Decade for Women: Equality, 12/ Final Report of the World Confer-
Development and Peace, Nairobi, ence on Education for All: Meeting
15-26 July 1985 (United Nations Basic Learning Needs, Jomtien, Thai-
publication, Sales No. E.85.IV.10), land, 5-9 March 1990, Inter-Agen-
chap. I, sect. A. cy Commission (UNDP, UNESCO,
UNICEF, World Bank) for the World
2/ Report of the World Conference on Conference on Education for All,
Human Rights, Vienna, 14-25 June New York, 1990, appendix 1.
1993 (A/CONF.157/24 (Part I)),
chap. III. 13/ General Assembly resolution 2200
A (XXI), annex.
3/ General Assembly resolution 34/180,
annex. 14/ Report of the International Confer-
ence on Population and Develop-
4/ General Assembly resolution 45/164. ment, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994
(United Nations publication, Sales
5/ General Assembly resolution 44/82. No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution
1, annex.
6/ General Assembly resolution 48/126.
15/ Report of the World Summit for
7/ A/47/308-E/1992/97, annex. Social Development, Copenhagen,
6-12 March 1995 (A/CONF.166/9),
8/ General Assembly resolution 48/104. chap. I, resolution 1, annexes I and II.

9/ 
Vienna Declaration and Pro- 16/ 
Unsafe abortion is defined as a
gramme of Action, Report of the procedure for terminating an un-
World Conference on Human wanted pregnancy either by per-
Rights..., chap III, para. 5. sons lacking the necessary skills
or in an environment lacking
10/ See The Results of the Uruguay Round the minimal medical standards
196 of Multilateral Trade Negotiations: or both (based on World Health
 Platform for Action

Organization, The Prevention and 25/ Report of the World Conference on

Management of Unsafe Abortion, Human Rights ..., chap. III, sect. II,
Report of a Technical Working para. 38.
Group, Geneva, April 1992 (WHO/
MSM/92.5)). 26/ See The United Nations Disarma-
ment Yearbook, vol. 5: 1980 (Unit-
17/ Final Report of the International ed Nations publication, Sales No.
Conference on Nutrition, Rome, E.81.IX.4), appendix VII.
5-11 December 1992 (Rome, Food
and Agriculture Organization of 27/ General Assembly resolution 260
the United Nations, 1993), Part II. A (III), annex.

18/ Report of the United Nations Con- 28/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol.
ference on Environment and Devel- 189, No. 2545.
opment, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June
1992, vol. I, Resolutions Adopted 29/ Ibid., vol. 606, No. 8791.
by the Conference (United Nations
publication, Sales No. E.93.I.8 and 30/ General Assembly resolution 48/96,
corrigenda), resolution 1, annex I. annex.

19/ Ibid., resolution 1, annex II. 31/ General Assembly resolution 1386

(XIV).
20/ General Assembly resolution 317
(IV), annex. 32/ See CEDAW/SP/1995/2.

21/ General Assembly resolution 217 33/ General Assembly resolution 2106
A (III). A (XX), annex.

22/ General Assembly resolution 39/46, 34/ General Assembly resolution 41/128,
annex. annex.

23/ Official Records of the General As- 35/ United Nations Environment Pro-
sembly, Forty-seventh Session, Sup- gramme, Convention on Biological
plement No. 38 (A/47/38), chap. I. Diversity (Environmental Law and
Institutions Programme Activity
24/ United Nations, Treaty Series, vol. Centre), June 1992.
75, No. 973, p. 287. 197
Beijing+5

Outcome of the twenty-third special session of the

General Assembly entitled “Women 2000: gender equality,
development and peace for the twenty-first century”,
5 - 9 June 2000
Political
Declaration
 We the Governments participating 3. Recognize that we have primary
in the special session of the General responsibility for the full imple-
Assembly mentation of the Nairobi For-
ward-looking Strategies for the
1. Reaffirm our commitment to the Advancement of Women, the Bei-
goals and objectives contained jing Declaration and Platform for
in the Beijing Declaration1 and Action and all the relevant com-
Platform for Action,2 adopted in mitments for the advancement
1995 at the Fourth World Confer- of women, and, in this connec-
ence on Women, and the Nairobi tion, call for continued interna-
Forward-looking Strategies for tional cooperation, including the
the Advancement of Women to reaffirmation to strive to fulfil the
the year 2000 as the culmination yet to be attained international-
of the United Nations Decade for ly agreed target of 0.7 per cent
Women, 1976 to 1985;3 of the gross national product of
developed countries for overall of-
2. Also reaffirm our commitment to ficial development assistance as
the implementation of the twelve soon as possible;
critical areas of concern in the Bei-
jing Platform for Action, which are 4. Welcome the progress made
women and poverty, education and thus far towards gender equal-
training of women, women and ity and the implementation of
health, violence against women, the Beijing Platform for Action
women and armed conflict, women and reaffirm our commitment to
and the economy, women in power accelerate the achievement of
and decision-making, institutional universal ratification of the Con-
mechanisms for the advancement vention on the Elimination of All
of women, human rights of wom- Forms of Discrimination against
en, women and the media, women Women4 and in this regard ac-
and the environment, and the girl knowledge the efforts at all lev-
child; and call for the implementa- els of Governments, the United
tion of the agreed conclusions and Nations system, and intergov-
resolutions on the follow-up to the ernmental, other international
Fourth World Conference on Wom- and regional organizations and
en adopted by the Commission on urge continued efforts for the full
the Status of Women since the for- implementation of the Beijing
202 tieth session of the Commission; Platform for Action;
 Political Declaration

5. Recognize the role and contribu- of Women and to strengthening

tion of civil society, in particular and safeguarding a national and
non-governmental organizations international enabling environ-
and women’s organizations, in ment, and to this end pledge to
the implementation of the Beijing undertake further action to en-
Declaration and Platform for Ac- sure their full and accelerated im-
tion, and encourage their partici- plementation, inter alia, through
pation in further implementation the promotion and protection
and assessment processes; of all human rights and funda-
mental freedoms, mainstream-
6. Emphasize that men must involve ing a gender perspective into all
themselves and take joint respon- policies and programmes and
sibility with women for the pro- promoting full participation and
motion of gender equality; empowerment of women and en-
hanced international cooperation
7. Reaffirm the importance of main- for the full implementation of the
streaming a gender perspective in Beijing Platform for Action;
the process of implementation of
the outcome of other major United 9. Agree to assess regularly further
Nations conferences and summits implementation of the Beijing
and the need for a coordinated Platform for Action with a view
follow-up to all major conferences to bringing together all parties
and summits by Governments, involved in 2005 to assess prog-
regional organizations, and all of ress and consider new initiatives,
the bodies and organizations of as appropriate, ten years after the
the United Nations system within adoption of the Beijing Platform
their respective mandates. for Action and twenty years after
the adoption of the Nairobi For-
We the Governments, at the beginning ward-looking Strategies for the
of the new millennium, Advancement of Women;

8. Reaffirm our commitment to 10. Pledge to ensure the realization

overcoming obstacles encoun- of societies in which both women
tered in the implementation of and men work together towards a
the Beijing Platform for Action world where every individual can
and the Nairobi Forward-looking enjoy equality, development and
Strategies for the Advancement peace in the twenty-first century. 203
Further actions
and initiatives to
implement the
Beijing Declaration
and Platform
for Action
 Chapter I 2. 
The Beijing Platform for Action
identified twelve critical areas
Introduction of concern for priority action to
achieve the advancement and
empowerment of women. The
1. The Governments which came to- Commission on the Status of
gether at the special session of the Women has reviewed progress in
General Assembly have reaffirmed each of the twelve critical areas
their commitment to the goals of concern and since 1996 has
and objectives contained in the adopted agreed conclusions and
Beijing Declaration5 and Platform recommendations for accelerat-
for Action6 adopted at the Fourth ed implementation. The Platform
World Conference on Women in for Action, together with these
1995 as contained in the report of agreed conclusions and recom-
the Conference. The Beijing Decla- mendations, forms the basis for
ration and Platform for Action set further progress towards the
as goals gender equality, develop- achievement of gender equality,
ment and peace and constituted development and peace in the
an agenda for the empowerment twenty-first century.
of women. The Governments re-
viewed and appraised progress 3. The objective of the Platform for
and identified obstacles and cur- Action, which is in full conformi-
rent challenges in the implemen- ty with the purposes and princi-
tation of the Platform for Action. ples of the Charter of the United
They recognized that the goals Nations and international law, is
set and commitments made in the empowerment of all women.
the Platform for Action have not The full realization of all human
been fully achieved and imple- rights and fundamental freedoms
mented, and have agreed upon of all women is essential for the
further actions and initiatives empowerment of women. While
at the local, national, regional the significance of national and
and international levels to accel- regional particularities and var-
erate the implementation of the ious historical, cultural and reli-
Platform for Action and to ensure gious backgrounds must be borne
that commitments for gender in mind, it is the duty of States,
equality, development and peace regardless of their political, eco-
206 are fully realized. nomic and cultural systems, to
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

promote and protect all human because of such factors as their

rights and fundamental freedoms. race, age, language, ethnicity, cul-
The implementation of the Plat- ture, religion or disability, because
form for Action, including through they are indigenous women or of
national laws and the formula- other status. Many women en-
tion of strategies, policies, pro- counter specific obstacles related
grammes and development priori- to their family status, particular-
ties, is the sovereign responsibility ly as single parents, and to their
of each State, in conformity with socio-economic status, including
all human rights and fundamen- their living conditions in rural,
tal freedoms, and the significance isolated or impoverished areas.
of and full respect for various re- Additional barriers also exist for
ligious and ethical values, cultural refugee women, other displaced
backgrounds and philosophical women, including internally dis-
convictions of individuals and placed women, as well as for
their communities should contrib- immigrant women and migrant
ute to the full enjoyment by wom- women, including women mi-
en of their human rights and the grant workers. Many women are
achievement of equality, develop- also particularly affected by envi-
ment and peace. ronmental disasters, serious and
infectious diseases and various
4. 
The Platform for Action empha- forms of violence against women.
sizes that women share com-
mon concerns that can only be
addressed by working together
and in partnership with men to-
wards the common goal of gender
equality around the world. It re-
spects and values the full diversity
of women’s situations and condi-
tions and recognizes that some
women face particular barriers to
their empowerment.

5. The Platform for Action recogniz-

es that women face barriers to
full equality and advancement 207
 Chapter II can therefore constitute a global
framework for the identification
Achievements in of further actions and initiatives to

and obstacles to the overcome obstacles and to achieve

the full and accelerated implemen-
implementation of tation of the Platform for Action at
all levels and in all areas.
the twelve critical
areas of concern of A. Women and poverty

the Beijing Platform 7. Achievements. Considerable prog-

for Action ress has been achieved in increasing
recognition of gender dimensions of
poverty and in the recognition that
6. Assessment of achievements and gender equality is one of the factors
obstacles must be made in rela- of specific importance for eradicat-
tion to the commitments made in ing poverty, particularly in relation to
the Beijing Platform for Action and the feminization of poverty. Efforts
its twelve critical areas of concern, have been made to integrate a gen-
namely by looking into the actions der perspective into poverty eradi-
taken and the results attained, cation policies and programmes by
as indicated in national reports, Governments, in cooperation with
as well as by taking note of the non-governmental organizations.
reports of the Secretary-General Multilateral, international and re-
and of the results, conclusions and gional financial institutions are
agreements of the five regional also giving increased attention to
meetings held in preparation for the incorporation of a gender per-
the special session of the General spective into their policies. Progress
Assembly and other relevant sourc- has been made by pursuing a two-
es. Such assessment shows that, pronged approach of promoting
even though significant positive employment and income-generat-
developments can be identified, ing activities for women and pro-
barriers remain and that the goals viding access to basic social services,
set and commitments made in Bei- including education and health
jing need to implemented further. care. Microcredit and other finan-
The summary of achievements cial instruments for women have
208 and of persistent or new obstacles emerged as a successful strategy for
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

economic empowerment and have efficient use of resources, among

widened economic opportunities other factors, can constrain na-
for some women living in poverty, tional efforts to combat poverty.
in particular in rural areas. Policy de- In addition, gender inequalities
velopment has taken account of the and disparities in economic pow-
particular needs of female-headed er-sharing, unequal distribution
households. Research has enhanced of unremunerated work between
the understanding of the differing women and men, lack of techno-
impacts of poverty on women and logical and financial support for
men and tools have been developed women’s entrepeneurship, un-
to assist with this assessment. equal access to, and control over,
capital, particularly land and cred-
8. Obstacles. Many factors have con- it and access to labour markets,
tributed to widening economic as well as all harmful traditional
inequality between women and and customary practices, have
men, including income inequality, constrained women’s economic
unemployment and the deepen- empowerment and exacerbated
ing of poverty levels of the most the feminization of poverty. Fun-
vulnerable and marginalized damental economic restructuring
groups. Debt burdens, excessive experienced by the countries with
military spending, inconsistent economies in transition has led to
with national security require- lack of resources for poverty-erad-
ments, unilateral coercive mea- ication programmes aimed at em-
sures at variance with interna- powerment of women.
tional law and the Charter of the
United Nations, armed conflict, B. Education and training of women
foreign occupation, terrorism, low
levels of official development as- 9. Achievements. There is an in-
sistance and the unfulfilled com- creased awareness that education
mitment to strive to fulfil the yet to is one of the most valuable means
be attained internationally agreed of achieving gender equality and
target of 0.7 per cent of the gross the empowerment of women.
national product of developed Progress was achieved in wom-
countries for overall official devel- en’s and girls’ education and
opment assistance and 0.15 to 0.2 training at all levels, especially
per cent for the least developed where there was sufficient polit-
countries, as well as the lack of ical commitment and resource 209
 allocation. Measures were taken attracting and retaining teaching
in all regions to initiate alternative professionals difficult and can re-
education and training systems sult in lower quality education. Ad-
to reach women and girls in in- ditionally, in a number of countries,
digenous communities and other economic, social and infrastruc-
disadvantaged and marginalized tural barriers, as well as tradition-
groups to encourage them to pur- al discriminatory practices, have
sue all fields of study, in particu- contributed to lower enrolment
lar non-traditional fields of study, and retention rates for girls. Little
and to remove gender biases from progress has been made in eradi-
education and training. cating illiteracy in some develop-
ing countries, aggravating wom-
10. Obstacles. In some countries, ef- en’s inequality at the economic,
forts to eradicate illiteracy and social and political levels. In some
strengthen literacy among women of these countries, the inappro-
and girls and to increase their ac- priate design and application of
cess to all levels and types of ed- structural adjustment policies has
ucation were constrained by the had a particularly severe impact
lack of resources and insufficient on the education sector since they
political will and commitment to resulted in declining investment in
improve educational infrastruc- education infrastructure.
ture and undertake educational
reforms; persisting gender dis- C. Women and health
crimination and bias, including in
teacher training; gender-based oc- 11. Achievements. Programmes have
cupational stereotyping in schools, been implemented to create
institutions of further education awareness among policy mak-
and communities; lack of childcare ers and planners of the need
facilities; persistent use of gender for health programmes to cover
stereotypes in educational materi- all aspects of women’s health
als; and insufficient attention paid throughout women’s life cycle,
to the link between women’s enrol- which have contributed to an in-
ment in higher educational institu- crease in life expectancy in many
tions and labour market dynamics. countries. There is: increased at-
The remote location of some com- tention to high mortality rates
munities and, in some cases, inad- among women and girls as a
210 equate salaries and benefits make result of malaria, tuberculosis,
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

water-borne diseases, communi- the specific health needs of older

cable and diarrhoeal diseases and women. At its twenty-first special
malnutrition; increased atten- session, held in New York from 30
tion to sexual and reproductive June to 2 July 1999, the General
health and reproductive rights Assembly reviewed achievements
of women as contained in para- and adopted key actions7 in the
graphs 94 and 95 of the Platform field of women’s health for the
for Action, as well as in some further implementation of the
countries increased emphasis on Programme of Action of the Inter-
implementing paragraph 96 of national Conference on Popula-
the Platform for Action; increased tion and Development.8
knowledge and use of family plan-
ning and contraceptive methods 12. Obstacles. Worldwide, the gap be-
as well as increased awareness tween and within rich and poor
among men of their responsibili- countries with respect to infant
ty in family planning and contra- mortality and maternal mortali-
ceptive methods and their use; ty and morbidity rates, as well as
increased attention to sexually with respect to measures address-
transmitted infections, including ing the health of women and girls,
human immunodeficiency virus/ given their special vulnerability re-
acquired immunodeficiency syn- garding sexually transmitted infec-
drome (HIV/AIDS) among women tions, including HIV/AIDS and oth-
and girls, and methods to protect er sexual and reproductive health
against such infections; increased problems, together with endemic,
attention to breastfeeding, nutri- infectious and communicable dis-
tion, infants’ and mothers’ health; eases, such as malaria, tubercu-
the introduction of a gender per- losis, diarrhoeal and water-borne
spective in health and health-re- diseases and chronic non-trans-
lated educational and physical missible diseases, remains unac-
activities, and gender-specific ceptable. In some countries, such
prevention and rehabilitation pro- endemic, infectious and commu-
grammes on substance abuse, nicable diseases continue to take
including tobacco, drugs and a toll on women and girls. In oth-
alcohol; increased attention to er countries, non-communicable
women’s mental health, health diseases, such as cardiopulmonary
conditions at work, environmental diseases, hypertension and degen-
considerations and recognition of erative diseases, remain among 211
 the major causes of mortality and developed countries. Poverty and
morbidity among women. Despite the lack of development contin-
progress in some countries, the ue to affect the capacity of many
rates of maternal mortality and developing countries to provide
morbidity remain unacceptably and expand quality health care. A
high in most countries. Investment shortage of financial and human
in essential obstetric care remains resources, in particular in develop-
insufficient in many countries. The ing countries, as well as restructur-
absence of a holistic approach to ing of the health sector and/or the
health and health care for women increasing trend to privatization
and girls based on women’s right of health-care systems in some
to the enjoyment of the highest cases, has resulted in poor quality,
attainable standard of physical reduced and insufficient health-
and mental health throughout the care services, and has also led to
life cycle has constrained progress. less attention to the health of the
Some women continue to encoun- most vulnerable groups of women.
ter barriers to their right to the en- Such obstacles as unequal pow-
joyment of the highest attainable er relationships between women
standard of physical and mental and men, in which women often
health. The predominant focus of do not have the power to insist on
health-care systems on treating safe and responsible sex practic-
illness rather than maintaining es, and a lack of communication
optimal health also prevents a ho- and understanding between men
listic approach. There is, in some and women on women’s health
countries, insufficient attention needs, inter alia, endanger wom-
to the role of social and economic en’s health, particularly by increas-
determinants of health. A lack of ing their susceptibility to sexually
access to clean water, adequate transmitted infections, including
nutrition and safe sanitation, a lack HIV/AIDS, and affect women’s ac-
of gender-specific health research cess to health care and education,
and technology and insufficient especially in relation to prevention.
gender sensitivity in the provision Adolescents, particularly adoles-
of health information and health cent girls, continue to lack access
care and health services, including to sexual and reproductive health
those related to environmental information, education and ser-
and occupational health hazards, vices. Women who are recipients
212 affect women in developing and of health care are frequently not
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

treated with respect nor guaran- gender-specific risks from tobacco

teed privacy and confidentiality, and environmental tobacco smoke.
and do not receive full information
about options and services avail- D. Violence against women
able. In some cases, health services
and workers still do not conform 13. Achievements. It is widely accepted
to human rights and to ethical, that violence against women and
professional and gender-sensitive girls, whether occurring in public
standards in the delivery of wom- or private life, is a human rights
en’s health services, nor do they issue. It is accepted that violence
ensure responsible, voluntary and against women, where perpetrat-
informed consent. There contin- ed or condoned by the State or
ues to be a lack of information on its agents, constitutes a human
availability of and access to appro- rights violation. It is also accepted
priate, affordable, primary health- that States have an obligation to
care services of high quality, in- exercise due diligence to prevent,
cluding sexual and reproductive investigate and punish acts of vi-
health care, insufficient attention olence, whether those acts are
to maternal and emergency ob- perpetrated by the State or by pri-
stetric care as well as a lack of pre- vate persons, and provide protec-
vention, screening and treatment tion to victims. There is increased
for breast, cervical and ovarian can- awareness of and commitment
cers and osteoporosis. The testing to preventing and combating vi-
and development of male contra- olence against women and girls,
ceptives is still insufficient. While including domestic violence, which
some measures have been taken violates and impairs or nullifies
in some countries, the actions set the enjoyment of their human
out in paragraphs 106 (j) and (k) of rights and fundamental freedoms,
the Platform for Action regarding through, inter alia, improved legis-
the health impact of unsafe abor- lation, policies and programmes.
tion and the need to reduce the Governments have initiated policy
recourse to abortion have not been reforms and mechanisms, such
fully implemented. The rising inci- as interdepartmental committees,
dence of tobacco use among wom- guidelines and protocols, national,
en, particularly young women, has multidisciplinary and coordinat-
increased their risk of cancer and ed programmes to address vio-
other serious diseases, as well as lence. Some Governments have 213
 also introduced or reformed laws society, in particular women’s orga-
to protect women and girls from nizations and non-governmental
all forms of violence and laws to organizations, has had an import-
prosecute the perpetrators. There ant role, inter alia, in promoting
is an increasing recognition at all awareness-raising campaigns and
levels that all forms of violence in the provision of support services
against women seriously affect to women victims of violence. Ef-
their health. Health- care providers forts towards the eradication of
are seen to have a significant role harmful traditional practices, in-
to play in addressing this matter. cluding female genital mutilation,
Some progress has been made in which is a form of violence against
the provision of services for abused women, have received national,
women and children, including le- regional and international poli-
gal services, shelters, special health cy support. Many Governments
services and counselling, hotlines have introduced educational and
and police units with special train- outreach programmes, as well as
ing. Education for law enforcement legislative measures criminalizing
personnel, members of the judicia- these practices. In addition, this
ry, health-care providers and wel- support includes the appointment
fare workers is being promoted. of the Special Ambassador for
Educational materials for women the Elimination of Female Genital
and public awareness campaigns Mutilation by the United Nations
have been developed as well as Population Fund.
research on the root causes of vi-
olence. Research into and special- 14. Obstacles. Women continue to be
ized studies on gender roles are victims of various forms of vio-
increasing, in particular on men’s lence. Inadequate understanding
and boys’ roles, and all forms of of the root causes of all forms of
violence against women, as well violence against women and girls
as on the situation of and impact hinders efforts to eliminate vio-
on children growing up in families lence against women and girls.
where violence occurs. Successful There is a lack of comprehensive
cooperation has been achieved be- programmes dealing with the per-
tween governmental and non-gov- petrators, including programmes,
ernmental organizations in the where appropriate, which would
field of preventing violence against enable them to solve problems
214 women. The active support of civil without violence. Inadequate
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

data on violence further impedes and child pornography, are weak

informed policy-making and anal- in many countries. Prevention
ysis. Sociocultural attitudes which strategies also remain fragment-
are discriminatory and economic ed and reactive and there is a lack
inequalities reinforce women’s of programmes on these issues. It
subordinate place in society. This is also noted that, in some coun-
makes women and girls vulner- tries, problems have arisen from
able to many forms of violence, the use of new information and
such as physical, sexual and psy- communication technologies for
chological violence occurring in trafficking in women and children
the family, including battering, and for purposes of all forms of
sexual abuse of female children in economic and sexual exploitation.
the household, dowry-related vio-
lence, marital rape, female genital E. Women and armed conflict
mutilation and other tradition-
al practices harmful to women, 15. Achievements. There is a wider
non-spousal violence and violence recognition that the destructive
related to exploitation. In many impact of armed conflict is differ-
countries, a coordinated multidis- ent on women and men and that
ciplinary approach to responding a gender-sensitive approach to the
to violence which includes the application of international human
health system, the workplace, the rights law and international hu-
media, the education system, as manitarian law is important. Steps
well as the justice system, is still have been taken at the national
limited. Domestic violence, includ- and international levels to address
ing sexual violence in marriage, is abuses against women, including
still treated as a private matter increased attention to ending im-
in some countries. Insufficient punity for crimes against women
awareness of the consequences of in situations of armed conflict. The
domestic violence, how to prevent work of the International Tribu-
it and the rights of victims still ex- nals for the former Yugoslavia9 and
ists. Although improving, the legal Rwanda10 has been an important
and legislative measures, espe- contribution to address violence
cially in the criminal justice area, against women in the context of
to eliminate different forms of armed conflict. Also of historical
violence against women and chil- significance is the adoption of the
dren, including domestic violence Rome Statute of the International 215
 Criminal Court,11 which provides social and health services, includ-
that rape, sexual slavery, enforced ing reproductive health care and
prostitution, forced pregnancy, maternity care. There is greater
enforced sterilization and other recognition of the need to inte-
forms of sexual violence are war grate a gender perspective in the
crimes when committed in the planning, design and implemen-
context of armed conflict and tation of humanitarian assistance
also under defined circumstances, and to provide adequate resources.
crimes against humanity. The con- Humanitarian relief agencies and
tribution of women in the areas civil society, including non-govern-
of peace-building, peacemaking mental organizations, have played
and conflict resolution is being in- an increasingly important role in
creasingly recognized. Education the provision of humanitarian as-
and training in non-violent conflict sistance, as well as in the design,
resolution have been introduced. where appropriate, and implemen-
Progress has been made in the dis- tation of programmes to address
semination and implementation the needs of women and girls,
of the guidelines for the protection including refugee and displaced
of refugee women, and in address- women and girls in humanitarian
ing the needs of displaced wom- emergencies, and in conflict and
en. Gender-based persecution has post-conflict situations.
been accepted as a basis for refu-
gee status in some countries. There 16. Obstacles. Peace is inextricably
is recognition by Governments, the linked to equality between wom-
international community and or- en and men and development.
ganizations, in particular the Unit- Armed conflicts and conflicts of
ed Nations, that women and men other types, wars of aggression,
experience humanitarian emer- foreign occupation, colonial or oth-
gencies differently, and there is a er alien domination, as well as ter-
need for a more holistic support rorism, continue to cause serious
for refugee and displaced women, obstacles to the advancement of
including those who have suffered women. The targeting of civilians,
all forms of abuse, including gen- including women and children, the
der-specific abuse, to ensure equal displacement of people, and the
access to appropriate and adequate recruitment of child soldiers in vi-
food and nutrition, clean water, olation of national or internation-
216 safe sanitation, shelter, education, al law, by State and/or non-State
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

actors, which occur in armed con- such as a shortage of specific pro-

flicts, have had a particularly ad- grammes that address the healing
verse impact on gender equality of women from trauma and skills
and women’s human rights. Armed training, remains a problem.
conflict creates or exacerbates the
high level of female-headed house- 17. Excessive military expenditures, in-
holds, which in many cases are liv- cluding global military expenditures,
ing in poverty. The underrepresen- trade in arms and investment for
tation, at all levels, of women in arms production, taking into con-
decision-making positions, such as sideration national security require-
special envoys or special represen- ments, direct the possible allocation
tatives of the Secretary-General, of funds away from social and eco-
in peacekeeping, peace-building, nomic development, in particular for
post-conflict reconciliation and the advancement of women. In sev-
reconstruction, as well as lack of eral countries, economic sanctions
gender awareness in these areas, have had social and humanitarian
presents serious obstacles. There impacts on the civilian population, in
has been a failure to provide suf- particular women and children.
ficient resources, to distribute ad-
equately resources and to address 18. In some countries, the advancement
the needs of increasing numbers of women is adversely affected by
of refugees, who are mostly wom- unilateral measures at variance with
en and children, particularly in de- international law and the Charter
veloping countries hosting large of the United Nations that create
numbers of refugees; international obstacles to trade relations among
assistance has not kept pace with States, impede the full realization of
the increasing number of refugees. social and economic development
The growing number of internally and jeopardize the well-being of the
displaced persons and the provi- population in the affected countries,
sion for their needs, in particular with particular consequences for
women and children, continue women and children.
to represent a double burden to
the affected countries and their 19. 
In situations of armed conflict,
financial resources. Inadequate there are continued violations of
training of personnel dealing with human rights of women, which
the needs of women in situations are violations of fundamental
of armed conflict or as refugees, principles of international human 217
 rights law and international hu- the need to reconcile employment
manitarian law. There has been and family responsibilities and of
an increase in all forms of violence the positive effect of such mea-
against women, including sexual sures as maternity and paternity
slavery, rape, systematic rape, sex- leave and also parental leave, and
ual abuse and forced pregnancies, child and family care services and
in situations of armed conflict. benefits. Some Governments have
Displacement compounded by made provisions to address dis-
loss of home and property, pover- criminatory and abusive behaviour
ty, family disintegration and sepa- in the workplace and to prevent
ration and other consequences of unhealthy working conditions, and
armed conflict are severely affect- have established funding mecha-
ing the populations, especially nisms to promote women’s roles
women and children. Girls are also in entrepreneurship, education and
abducted or recruited, in violation training, including scientific and
of international law, into situa- technical skills and decision-mak-
tions of armed conflict, including ing. Research has been conducted
as combatants, sexual slaves or on barriers to economic empower-
providers of domestic services. ment faced by women, including
the relationship between remuner-
F. Women and the economy ated and unremunerated work, and
tools are being developed to assist
20. Achievements. There is increased with this assessment.
participation of women in the la-
bour market and subsequent gain 21. Obstacles. The importance of a
in economic autonomy. Some Gov- gender perspective in the devel-
ernments have introduced a variety opment of macroeconomic pol-
of measures that address women’s icy is still not widely recognized.
economic and social rights, equal Many women still work in rural
access to and control over economic areas and the informal economy
resources and equality in employ- as subsistence producers, and in
ment. Other measures include the the service sector with low levels
ratification of international labour of income and little job and social
conventions as well as enacting or security. Many women with com-
strengthening legislation to make it parable skills and experience are
compatible with these conventions. confronted with a gender wage
218 There is increased awareness of gap and lag behind men in income
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

and career mobility in the formal of tasks and responsibilities by

sector. Equal pay for women and men. It is still also women who
men for equal work, or work of perform the larger part of unre-
equal value, has not yet been fully munerated work.
realized. Gender discrimination in
hiring and promotion and related G. Women in power and
to pregnancy, including through decision-making
pregnancy testing, and sexual ha-
rassment in the workplace persist. 22. Achievements. There has been
In some countries, women’s full growing acceptance of the im-
and equal rights to own land and portance to society of the full
other property, including through participation of women in deci-
the right to inheritance, is not rec- sion-making and power at all lev-
ognized yet in national legislation. els and in all forums, including the
Progression in the professions, intergovernmental, governmental
in most cases, is still more diffi- and non-governmental sectors. In
cult for women, due to the lack some countries, women have also
of structures and measures that attained higher positions in these
take into account maternity and spheres. An increasing number of
family responsibilities. In some countries applied affirmative and
cases, persistent gender stereo- positive action policies, includ-
typing has led to a lower status of ing quota systems or voluntary
male workers who are fathers and agreements in some countries
to insufficient encouragement and measurable goals and targets,
for men to reconcile professional developed training programmes
and family responsibilities. Lack of for women’s leadership, and in-
family-friendly policies regarding troduced measures to reconcile
the organization of work increas- family and work responsibilities
es these difficulties. Effective im- of both women and men. Nation-
plementation of legislation and al mechanisms and machineries
practical support systems is still for the advancement of women
inadequate. The combination of as well as national and interna-
remunerated work and caregiving tional networks of women politi-
within families, households and cians, parliamentarians, activists
communities still leads to a dis- and professionals in various fields
proportionate burden for women have been established or upgrad-
since there is insufficient sharing ed and strengthened. 219
 23. Obstacles. Despite general accep- training and advocacy for politi-
tance of the need for a gender cal careers; gender-sensitive atti-
balance in decision-making bodies tudes towards women in society;
at all levels, a gap between de jure awareness of women to engage
and de facto equality has persist- in decision-making in some cases;
ed. Notwithstanding substantial accountability of elected officials
improvement of de jure equality and political parties for promot-
between women and men, the ing gender equality and women’s
actual participation of women at participation in public life; social
the highest levels of national and awareness of the importance of
international decision-making has balanced participation of wom-
not significantly changed since the en and men in decision-making;
time of the Fourth World Confer- willingness on the part of men to
ence on Women in 1995, and gross share power; sufficient dialogue
underrepresentation of women in and cooperation with women’s
decision-making bodies in all areas, non-governmental organizations,
including politics, conflict preven- along with organizational and po-
tion and resolution mechanisms, litical structures, which enable all
the economy, the environment and women to participate in all spheres
the media, hinders the inclusion of of political decision-making.
a gender perspective in these crit-
ical spheres of influence. Women H. Institutional mechanisms for the
continue to be underrepresented advancement of women
at the legislative, ministerial and
sub-ministerial levels, as well as at 24. Achievements. National machin-
the highest levels of the corporate eries have been instituted or
sector and other economic and strengthened and recognized as
social institutions. Traditionally as- the institutional base acting as
signed gender roles limit women’s catalysts for promoting gender
choices in education and careers equality, gender mainstreaming
and compel women to assume the and monitoring of the implemen-
burden for household responsibil- tation of the Platform for Action
ities. Initiatives and programmes and in many instances of the Con-
aimed at women’s increased vention on the Elimination of All
participation in decision-making Forms of Discrimination against
have been hindered by a lack of Women.12 In many countries,
220 human and financial resources for progress has been achieved in
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

terms of the visibility, status, out- among government structures, as

reach and coordination of activi- well as prevailing gender stereo-
ties of these machineries. Gender types, discriminatory attitudes,
mainstreaming has been widely competing government priorities
acknowledged as a strategy to and, in some countries, unclear
enhance the impact of policies mandates, a marginalized lo-
to promote gender equality. The cation within the national gov-
goal of the strategy is to incorpo- ernment structures, lack of data
rate a gender perspective in all disaggregated by sex and age
legislation, policies, programmes in many areas and insufficiently
and projects. These machineries, applied methods for assessing
despite their limited financial re- progress, in addition to paucity of
sources, have made a significant authority and insufficient links to
contribution to the development civil society. The activities of the
of human resources in the field of national machineries have been
gender studies and have also con- also hindered by structural and
tributed to the growing efforts for communication problems within
the generation and dissemination and among government agencies.
of data disaggregated by sex and
age, gender-sensitive research I. Human rights of women
and documentation. Within the
United Nations system, much 26. Achievements. Legal reforms have
progress has been made in the been undertaken to prohibit all
mainstreaming of a gender per- forms of discrimination and dis-
spective, including through the criminatory provisions have been
development of tools and the cre- eliminated in civil, penal and per-
ation of gender focal points. sonal status law governing mar-
riage and family relations, all forms
25. Obstacles. In a number of coun- of violence, women’s property and
tries, inadequate financial and ownership rights and women’s
human resources and a lack of political, work and employment
political will and commitment are rights. Steps have been taken to re-
the main obstacles confronting alize women’s de facto enjoyment
national machineries. This is fur- of their human rights through the
ther exacerbated by insufficient creation of an enabling environ-
understanding of gender equal- ment, including the adoption of
ity and gender mainstreaming policy measures, the improvement 221
 of enforcement and monitoring system, including into the work of
mechanisms and the implemen- the Office of the United Nations
tation of legal literacy and aware- High Commissioner for Human
ness campaigns at all levels. The Rights and of the Commission on
Convention on the Elimination Human Rights.
of All Forms of Discrimination
against Women12 has been ratified 27. Obstacles. Gender discrimination
or acceded to by one hundred and and all other forms of discrimi-
sixty-five countries and its full im- nation, in particular racism, racial
plementation has been promoted discrimination, xenophobia and re-
by the Committee on the Elimi- lated intolerance continue to cause
nation of Discrimination against threat to women’s enjoyment of
Women. At its fifty-fourth session, their human rights and funda-
the General Assembly adopted the mental freedoms. In situations of
Optional Protocol to the Conven- armed conflict and foreign occupa-
tion,13 allowing women claiming tion, human rights of women have
to be victims of a violation of any been extensively violated. Even
of the rights set forth in the Con- though a number of countries
vention by a State party to submit have ratified the Convention on
their claims to the Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Dis-
the Elimination of Discrimination crimination against Women,8 the
against Women, to which non-gov- goal of universal ratification by the
ernmental organizations contrib- year 2000 has not been achieved,
uted by raising awareness and gen- and there continue to be a large
erating support for its adoption. number of reservations to the Con-
Women’s non-governmental orga- vention. While there is an increas-
nizations have also contributed to ing acceptance of gender equality,
raising awareness that women’s many countries have not yet im-
rights are human rights. They also plemented fully the provisions of
generated support for the inclu- the Convention. Discriminatory
sion of a gender perspective in the legislation as well as harmful tradi-
elaboration of the Rome Statute of tional and customary practices and
the International Criminal Court.7 negative stereotyping of women
Progress has also been made to in- and men still persist. Family, civil,
tegrate the human rights of wom- penal, labour and commercial laws
en and mainstream a gender per- or codes, or administrative rules
222 spective into the United Nations and regulations, still have not fully
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

integrated a gender perspective. J. Women and the media

Legislative and regulatory gaps,
as well as lack of implementation 28. Achievements. The establishment
and enforcement of legislation of local, national and interna-
and regulations, perpetuate de jure tional women’s media networks
as well as de facto inequality and has contributed to global infor-
discrimination, and in a few cases, mation dissemination, exchange
new laws discriminating against of views and support to women’s
women have been introduced. In groups active in media work. The
many countries, women have insuf- development of information and
ficient access to the law, resulting communication technologies, es-
from illiteracy, lack of legal literacy, pecially the Internet, has provided
information and resources, insen- improved communication oppor-
sitivity and gender bias, and lack tunities for the empowerment
of awareness of the human rights of women and girls, which has
of women by law enforcement enabled an increasing number of
officials and the judiciary, who women to contribute to knowl-
in many cases fail to respect the edge sharing, networking and
human rights of women and the electronic commerce activities.
dignity and worth of the human The number of women’s media or-
person. There is insufficient recog- ganizations and programmes has
nition of women’s and girls’ repro- increased, facilitating the aims of
ductive rights, as well as barriers increased participation and pro-
to their full enjoyment of those motion of positive portrayals of
rights, which embrace certain women in the media. Progress has
human rights as defined in para- been made to combat negative
graph 95 of the Beijing Platform images of women by establishing
for Action. Some women and girls professional guidelines and volun-
continue to encounter barriers to tary codes of conduct, encourag-
justice and the enjoyment of their ing fair gender portrayal and the
human rights because of such fac- use of non-sexist language in me-
tors as their race, language, ethnic- dia programmes.
ity, culture, religion, disability or so-
cio-economic class or because they 29. Obstacles. Negative, violent and/or
are indigenous people, migrants, degrading images of women, in-
including women migrant workers, cluding pornography and stereo-
displaced women or refugees. typed portrayals, have increased 223
 in different forms using new com- 31. Obstacles. There is still a lack of pub-
munication technologies in some lic awareness about environmental
instances, and bias against wom- risks faced by women and of the
en remains in the media. Poverty, benefits of gender equality for pro-
the lack of access and opportuni- moting environmental protection.
ties, illiteracy, lack of computer lit- Women’s limited access to technical
eracy and language barriers, pre- skills, resources and information, in
vent some women from using the particular in developing countries,
information and communication due to, inter alia, gender inequali-
technologies, including the Inter- ty, has impeded women’s effective
net. Development of and access to participation in decision-making,
Internet infrastructure is limited, regarding the sustainable environ-
especially in developing countries ment, including at the internation-
and particularly for women. al level. Research, action, targeted
strategies and public awareness
K. Women and the environment remain limited regarding the dif-
ferential impacts and implications
30. Achievements. Some national envi- of environmental problems for
ronment policies and programmes women and men. Real solutions to
have incorporated gender per- environmental problems, including
spectives. In recognition of the link environmental degradation, need
between gender equality, poverty to address the root causes of these
eradication, sustainable develop- problems, such as foreign occupa-
ment and environment protec- tion. Environmental policies and
tion, Governments have included programmes lack a gender perspec-
income-generating activities for tive and fail to take into account
women, as well as training in nat- women’s roles and contributions to
ural resource management and environmental sustainability.
environmental protection in their
development strategies. Projects L. The girl child
have been launched to preserve
and utilize women’s traditional eco- 32. Achievements. Some progress was
logical knowledge, including the made in primary and, to a lesser ex-
traditional ecological knowledge of tent, secondary and tertiary educa-
indigenous women, in the manage- tion for girls, owing to the creation
ment of natural resources and the of a more gender-sensitive school
224 preservation of biodiversity. environment, improved educational
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

infrastructure, increased enrolment access to health services, and lack of

and retention, support mechanisms finance, which often prevent them
for pregnant adolescents and ado- from pursuing and completing their
lescent mothers, increased non-for- education and training, have contrib-
mal education opportunities and uted to a lack of opportunities and
enhanced attendance at science possibilities for girls to become con-
and technology classes. Increased fident and self-reliant, and indepen-
attention was given to the health dent adults. Poverty, lack of parental
of the girl child, including the sex- support and guidance, lack of infor-
ual and reproductive health of ad- mation and education, abuse and
olescents. An increasing number of all forms of exploitation of, and vio-
countries introduced legislation to lence against, the girl child in many
ban female genital mutilation and cases result in unwanted pregnan-
imposed heavier penalties on those cies and transmission of HIV, which
involved in sexual abuse, traffick- may also lead to a restriction of edu-
ing and all other forms of exploita- cational opportunities. Programmes
tion of the girl child, including for for the girl child were hindered by a
commercial ends. A recent achieve- lack of or an insufficient allocation
ment has been the adoption of of financial and human resources.
the optional protocols to the Con- There were few established national
vention on the Rights of the Child mechanisms to implement policies
on involvement of children in and programmes for the girl child
armed conflict14 and on the sale of and, in some cases, coordination
children, child prostitution and among responsible institutions was
child pornography.15 insufficient. The increased aware-
ness of the health needs, including
33. Obstacles. The persistence of pover- the sexual and reproductive health
ty, discriminatory attitudes towards needs, of adolescents has not yet
women and girls, negative cultural resulted in sufficient provision of
attitudes and practices against girls, necessary information and services.
as well as negative stereotyping of Despite advances in legal protection,
girls and boys, which limits girls’ there is increased sexual abuse and
potential, and inadequate aware- sexual exploitation of the girl child.
ness of the specific situation of the Adolescents continue to lack the
girl child, child labour and the heavy education and service needed to en-
burden of domestic responsibilities able them to deal in a positive and
on girls, inadequate nutrition and responsible way with their sexuality. 225
 Chapter III of the goals of the Fourth World
Conference on Women. The glo-
Current challenges balization process has, in some

affecting the full countries, resulted in policy shifts

in favour of more open trade and
implementation financial flows, privatization of
State-owned enterprises and in
of the Beijing many cases lower public spending,
Declaration and particularly on social services. This
change has transformed patterns
Platform for Action of production and accelerated
technological advances in infor-
34. The review and appraisal of the im- mation and communication and af-
plementation of the Beijing Decla- fected the lives of women, both as
ration and Platform for Action oc- workers and consumers. In a large
curred in a rapidly changing global number of countries, particularly
context. Since 1995, a number of in developing and least developed
issues have gained prominence countries, these changes have also
and acquired new dimensions adversely impacted on the lives
which pose additional challenges of women and have increased
to the full and accelerated imple- inequality. The gender impact of
mentation of the Beijing Platform these changes has not been sys-
for Action and the realization of tematically evaluated. Globaliza-
gender equality, development and tion also has cultural, political and
peace by Governments, intergov- social impacts affecting cultural
ernmental bodies, international values, lifestyles and forms of com-
organizations, the private sector munication as well as implications
and non-governmental organiza- for the achievement of sustain-
tions as appropriate. Continued able development. The benefits of
political commitment to gender the growing global economy have
equality at all levels is needed for been unevenly distributed, lead-
the full implementation of the ing to wider economic disparities,
Platform for Action. the feminization of poverty, in-
creased gender inequality, includ-
35. 
Globalization has presented new ing through often deteriorating
challenges for the fulfilment of the work conditions and unsafe work-
226 commitments and the realization ing environments, especially in the
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

informal economy and rural areas. with a heavy impact on the lives
While globalization has brought of women. These difficulties have
greater economic opportunities affected the ability of States to
and autonomy to some women, provide social protection and so-
many others have been marginal- cial security as well as funding
ized and deprived of the benefits for the implementation of the
of this process, owing to deepen- Platform for Action. Such difficul-
ing inequalities among and with- ties are also reflected in the shift
in countries. Although in many of the cost of social protection,
countries the level of participation social security and other welfare
of women in the labour force has provisions from the public sector
risen, in other cases the application to the household. The decreas-
of certain economic policies has ing levels of funding available
had such a negative impact that through international coopera-
increases in women’s employment tion has contributed to further
often have not been matched by marginalization of a large number
improvements in wages, promo- of developing countries and coun-
tions and working conditions. In tries with economies in transition
many cases, women continue to within which women are among
be employed in low-paid part-time the poorest. The agreed target of
and contract jobs marked by in- 0.7 per cent of the gross national
security and by safety and health product of developed countries
hazards. In many countries, wom- for overall official development
en, especially new entrants into assistance has not been achieved.
the labour market, continue to be These factors have contributed
among the first to lose jobs and to the increasing feminization of
the last to be rehired. poverty, which has undermined
efforts to achieve gender equality.
36. 
Increasing economic disparities Limited funding at the State level
among and within countries, cou- makes it imperative that innova-
pled with a growing economic in- tive approaches to the allocation
terdependence and dependence of existing resources be employed,
of States on external factors as not only by Governments but also
well as financial crises have, in by non-governmental organiza-
recent years, altered prospects tions and the private sector. One
for growth and caused econom- such innovation is the gender
ic instability in many countries, analysis of public budgets, which 227
 is emerging as an important tool severely constrained their capaci-
for determining the differential ty to promote social development
impact of expenditures on wom- and provide basic services and has
en and men to help ensure equi- affected full implementation of
table use of existing resources. the Platform for Action.
This analysis is crucial to promote
gender equality. 39. In countries with economies in
transition, women are bearing
37. 
The impact of globalization most of the hardships induced
and structural adjustment pro- by the economic restructuring
grammes, the high costs of exter- and are the first to lose jobs in
nal debt servicing and declining times of recession. They are being
terms of international trade in squeezed out from fast-growth
several developing countries have sectors. Loss of childcare facilities
worsened the existing obstacles due to elimination or privatization
to development, aggravating the of State work places, increased
feminization of poverty. Negative need for older care without the
consequences of structural ad- corresponding facilities and con-
justment programmes, stemming tinuing inequality of access to
from inappropriate design and ap- training for finding re-employ-
plication, have continued to place ment and to productive assets for
a disproportionate burden on entering or expanding business-
women, inter alia, through bud- es are current challenges facing
get cuts in basic social services, women in these countries.
including education and health.
40. Science and technology, as funda-
38. There is a greater acceptance that mental components of develop-
the increasing debt burden faced ment, are transforming patterns
by most developing countries is of production, contributing to the
unsustainable and constitutes creation of jobs and new job classi-
one of the principal obstacles to fications, and ways of working, and
achieving progress in people-cen- contributing to the establishment
tred sustainable development of a knowledge-based society. Tech-
and poverty eradication. For many nological change can bring new
developing countries, as well as opportunities for all women in all
countries with economies in tran- fields, if they have equal access and
228 sition, excessive debt servicing has adequate training. Women should
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

also be actively involved in the defi- enjoyment of their human rights

nition, design, development, imple- and, in some cases, constitute vio-
mentation and gender impact eval- lations of human rights.
uation of policies related to these
changes. Many women worldwide 42. While recognizing that Govern-
are yet to use effectively these new ments have the primary responsibili-
communications technologies for ty to develop and implement policies
networking, advocacy, exchange of to promote gender equality, partner-
information, business, education, ships between Governments and
media consultation and e-com- different actors of civil society are in-
merce initiatives. For instance, mil- creasingly recognized as an import-
lions of the world’s poorest women ant mechanism to achieve this goal.
and men still do not have access to Additional innovative approaches
and benefits from science and tech- can be further developed to foster
nology and are currently excluded this collaboration.
from this new field and the oppor-
tunities it presents. 43. In some countries, current demo-
graphic trends show that lowered
41. The patterns of migratory flows of fertility rates, increased life expec-
labour are changing. Women and tancy and lower mortality rates
girls are increasingly involved in have contributed to the ageing
internal, regional and international of the population, and increase
labour migration to pursue many in chronic health conditions has
occupations, mainly in farm labour, implications for health-care sys-
domestic work and some forms tems and spending, informal care
of entertainment work. While this systems and research. Given the
situation increases their earning gap between male and female
opportunities and self-reliance, life expectancy, the number of
it also exposes them, particularly widows and older single women
the poor, uneducated, unskilled has increased considerably, often
and/or undocumented migrants, leading to their social isolation
to inadequate working conditions, and other social challenges. Soci-
increased health risk, the risk of eties have much to gain from the
trafficking, economic and sexual knowledge and life experience of
exploitation, racism, racial discrim- older women. On the other hand,
ination and xenophobia, and other the current generation of young
forms of abuse, which impair their people is the largest in history. 229
 Adolescent girls and young wom- of HIV, breastfeeding, informa-
en have particular needs which tion and education in particular of
will require increasing attention. youth, curbing high-risk behaviour,
intravenous drug users, support
44. The rapid progression of the HIV/ groups, counselling and voluntary
AIDS pandemic, particularly in the testing, partner notification and
developing world, has had a devas- provision and high cost of essential
tating impact on women. Responsi- drugs have not been sufficiently ad-
ble behaviour and gender equality dressed. There are positive signs in
are among the important prereq- the fight against HIV/AIDS in some
uisites for its prevention. There is countries that behavioural chang-
also the need for more effective es have occurred among young
strategies to empower women to people, and experience shows that
have control over and decide freely educational programmes for young
and responsibly on matters related people can lead to a more positive
to their sexuality, to protect them- view on gender relations and gen-
selves from high risk and irrespon- der equality, delayed sexual initi-
sible behaviour leading to sexually ation and reduced risk of sexually
transmitted infections, including transmitted infections.
HIV/AIDS, and to promote respon-
sible, safe and respectful behaviour 45. 
Growing drug and substance
by men and to also promote gen- abuse among young women and
der equality. HIV/AIDS is an urgent girls, both in developed and de-
public health issue, is outstripping veloping countries, has raised the
efforts to contain it and, in many need for increased efforts towards
countries, is reversing hard-won demand reduction and fight
gains of development. The burden against illicit production, supply
of care for people living with HIV/ and trafficking of narcotic drugs
AIDS and for children orphaned and psychotropic substances.
by HIV/AIDS falls particularly on
women as infrastructures are inad- 46. 
The increase in casualties and
equate to respond to the challenges damage caused by natural disas-
being posed. Women with HIV/AIDS ters has raised awareness of the
often suffer from discrimination inefficiencies and inadequacies
and stigma and are often victims of of the existing approaches and in-
violence. Issues related to preven- tervention methods in responding
230 tion, mother-to-child transmission to such emergency situations, in
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

which women, more often than remunerated work and caregiving

men, are burdened with the re- will lead to the continued dispro-
sponsibility of meeting the imme- portionate burden for women in
diate daily needs of their families. comparison to men.
This situation has raised aware-
ness that a gender perspective
must be incorporated whenever
disaster prevention, mitigation
and recovery strategies are being
developed and implemented.

47. The changing context of gender

relations, as well as the discussion
on gender equality, has led to an
increased reassessment of gender
roles. This has further encouraged
a discussion on the roles and re-
sponsibilities of women and men
working together towards gender
equality and the need for chang-
ing those stereotypical and tra-
ditional roles that limit women’s
full potential. There is a need for
balanced participation between
women and men in remunerated
and unremunerated work. Fail-
ure to recognize and measure in
quantitative terms unremuner-
ated work of women, which is
often not valued in national ac-
counts, has meant that women’s
full contribution to social and
economic development remains
underestimated and undervalued.
As long as there is insufficient
sharing of tasks and responsibili-
ties with men, the combination of 231
 Chapter IV and are essential for realizing gender
equality, development and peace in
Actions and the twenty-first century.

initiatives to over- 9. Organizations of the United Nations

4
come obstacles and system and the Bretton Woods insti-
tutions, as well as the World Trade
to achieve the full Organization, other international
and accelerated and regional intergovernmental
bodies, parliaments and civil soci-
implementation of ety, including the private sector and
the Beijing Platform non-governmental organizations,
trade unions and other stakehold-
for Action ers, are called upon to support
government efforts and, where ap-
48. 
In view of the evaluation of prog- propriate, develop complementary
ress made in the five years since the programmes of their own to achieve
Fourth World Conference on Women full and effective implementation of
in implementing the Beijing Dec- the Platform for Action.
laration and Platform for Action, as
contained in section II above, as well 50. Governments and intergovern-
as the current challenges affecting mental organizations recognize the
its full realization, as outlined in sec- contribution and complementary
tion III above, Governments now role of non-governmental organi-
recommit themselves to the Beijing zations, with full respect for their
Declaration and Platform for Action autonomy, in ensuring the effective
and also commit themselves to fur- implementation of the Platform
ther actions and initiatives to over- for Action, and should continue
come the obstacles and address the to strengthen partnerships with
challenges. Governments, in taking non-governmental organizations,
continued and additional steps to particularly women’s organizations,
achieve the goals of the Platform in contributing to the effective im-
for Action, recognize that all human plementation of and follow-up to
rights - civil, cultural, economic, polit- the Platform for Action.
ical and social, including the right to
development - are universal, indivis- 51. 
Experience has shown that the
232
ible, interdependent and interrelated, goal of gender equality can be
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

fully achieved only in the context promotion and protection of all

of renewed relations among dif- human rights and fundamen-
ferent stakeholders at all levels. tal freedoms. Policies and pro-
The full, effective participation of grammes should be formulated to
women on the basis of equality in achieve the goal of people-centred
all spheres of society is necessary sustainable development, secure
to contribute to this goal. livelihoods and adequate social
protection measures, including
52. Achieving gender equality and em- safety nets, strengthened support
powerment of women requires systems for families, equal access
redressing inequalities between to and control over financial and
women and men and girls and boys economic resources, and to elim-
and ensuring their equal rights, re- inate increasing and dispropor-
sponsibilities, opportunities and tionate poverty among women.
possibilities. Gender equality im- All economic policies and institu-
plies that women’s needs, inter- tions as well as those responsi-
ests, concerns, experiences and ble for resource allocation should
priorities as well as men’s are an adopt a gender perspective to en-
integral dimension of the design, sure that development dividends
implementation, national moni- are shared on equal grounds.
toring, and follow-up and evalua-
tion, including at the international 54. Given the persistent and increas-
level, of all actions in all areas. ing burden of poverty on women in
many countries, particularly in de-
53. By adopting the Platform for Ac- veloping countries, it is essential to
tion, Governments and the inter- continue from a gender perspective
national community agreed to a to review, modify and implement
common development agenda integrated macroeconomic and
with gender equality and wom- social policies and programmes, in-
en’s empowerment as underlying cluding those related to structural
principles. The efforts towards en- adjustment and external debt prob-
suring women’s participation in lems, to ensure universal and equi-
development have expanded and table access to social services, in
need to combine a focus on wom- particular to education and afford-
en’s conditions and basic needs able quality health-care services
with a holistic approach based and equal access to and control over
on equal rights and partnerships, economic resources. 233
 55. 
Increased efforts are needed to scarce resources, including small
provide equal access to education, island developing States, is critical-
health and social services and to ly dependent on the preservation
ensure women’s and girls’ rights and protection of the environment.
to education and the enjoyment Women’s customary knowledge,
of the highest attainable standard management and sustainable use
of physical and mental health and of biodiversity should be recognized.
well-being throughout the life
cycle, as well as adequate, afford- 8. Political will and commitment at all
5
able and universally accessible levels are crucial to ensure main-
health care and services, including streaming of a gender perspective
sexual and reproductive health, in the adoption and implemen-
particularly in the face of the HIV/ tation of comprehensive and ac-
AIDS pandemic; they are also nec- tion-oriented policies in all areas.
essary with regard to the growing Policy commitments are essential
proportion of older women. for further developing the neces-
sary framework which ensures
6. 
5 Given that a majority of the women’s equal access to and con-
world’s women are subsistence trol over economic and financial
producers and users of environ- resources, training, services and in-
mental resources, there is a need stitutions as well as their participa-
to recognize and integrate wom- tion in decision-making and man-
en’s knowledge and priorities in agement. Policy-making processes
the conservation and manage- require the partnership of women
ment of such resources to ensure and men at all levels. Men and boys
their sustainability. Programmes should also be actively involved and
and infrastructures that are gen- encouraged in all efforts to achieve
der-sensitive are needed in order the goals of the Platform for Action
to respond effectively to disaster and its implementation.
and emergency situations that
threaten the environment, live- 59. Violence against women and girls
lihood security, as well as the is a major obstacle to the achieve-
management of the basic require- ment of the objectives of gender
ments of daily life. equality, development and peace.
Violence against women both vio-
57. 
Sustaining the livelihoods of pop- lates and impairs or nullifies the en-
234 ulations in States with limited or joyment by women of their human
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

rights and fundamental freedoms. and paternity continue to be inad-

Gender-based violence, such as bat- equately addressed. Motherhood
tering and other domestic violence, and fatherhood and the role of
sexual abuse, sexual slavery and ex- parents and legal guardians in
ploitation, international trafficking the family and in the upbringing
in women and children, forced pros- of children and the importance of
titution and sexual harassment, as all family members to the family’s
well as violence against women well-being are also acknowledged
resulting from cultural prejudice, and must not be a basis for dis-
racism and racial discrimination, crimination. Women also continue
xenophobia, pornography, ethnic to bear a disproportionate share
cleansing, armed conflict, foreign of the household responsibilities
occupation, religious and anti-reli- and the care of children, the sick
gious extremism and terrorism are and the elderly. Such imbalance
incompatible with the dignity and needs to be consistently addressed
worth of the human person and through appropriate policies and
must be combated and eliminated. programmes, in particular those
geared towards education, and
60. Women play a critical role in the through legislation where ap-
family. The family is the basic unit propriate. In order to achieve full
of society and is a strong force for partnership, both in public and in
social cohesion and integration private spheres, both women and
and, as such, should be strength- men must be enabled to reconcile
ened. The inadequate support to and share equally work responsi-
women and insufficient protection bilities and family responsibilities.
and support to their respective
families affect society as a whole 61. 
Strong national machineries for
and undermine efforts to achieve the advancement of women and
gender equality. In different cul- promotion of gender equality re-
tural, political and social systems, quire political commitment at the
various forms of the family exist highest level and all necessary
and the rights, capabilities and re- human and financial resources
sponsibilities of family members to initiate, recommend and facil-
must be respected. Women’s so- itate the development, adoption
cial and economic contributions and monitoring of policies, legis-
to the welfare of the family and lation, programmes and capaci-
the social significance of maternity ty-building for the empowerment 235
 of women and to act as catalysts 63. Girls and women of all ages with
for open public dialogue on gen- any form of disability are general-
der equality as a societal goal. This ly among the more vulnerable and
would enable them to promote marginalized of society. There is
the advancement of women and therefore need to take into account
mainstream a gender perspective and to address their concerns in all
in policies and programmes in all policy-making and programming.
areas, to play an advocacy role Special measures are needed at all
and to ensure equal access to all levels to integrate them into the
institutions and resources, as well mainstream of development.
as enhanced capacity-building for
women in all sectors. Reforms to 64. 
Effective and coordinated plans
meet the challenges of the chang- and programmes for the full im-
ing world are essential to ensure plementation of the Platform for
women’s equal access to institu- Action require a clear knowledge
tions and organizations. Institu- of the situation of women and
tional and conceptual changes are girls, clear research-based knowl-
a strategic and important aspect edge and data disaggregated by
of creating an enabling environ- sex, short- and long-term time-
ment for the implementation of bound targets and measurable
the Platform for Action. goals, and follow-up mechanisms
to assess progress. Efforts are
62. 
Programme support to enhance needed to ensure capacity-build-
women’s opportunities, potentials ing for all actors involved in the
and activities need to have a dual achievement of these goals. Ef-
focus: on the one hand, programmes forts are also needed at the na-
aimed at meeting the basic as well tional level to increase transpar-
as the specific needs of women for ency and accountability.
capacity-building, organizational de-
velopment and empowerment, and 65. The realization and the achieve-
on the other, gender mainstreaming ment of the goals of gender equal-
in all programme formulation and ity, development and peace need
implementation activities. It is par- to be supported by the allocation
ticularly important to expand into of necessary human, financial and
new areas of programming to ad- material resources for specific and
vance gender equality in response to targeted activities to ensure gen-
236 current challenges. der equality at the local, national,
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

regional and international levels work, negative societal attitudes

as well as by enhanced and in- and stereotypes.
creased international cooperation.
Explicit attention to these goals 67. (a) Ensure policies that guarantee
in the budgetary processes at the equal access to education and the
national, regional and interna- elimination of gender disparities
tional levels is essential. in education, including vocational
training, science and technology
A. Actions to be taken at the and completion of basic education
national level for girls, especially for those living in
rural and deprived areas, and oppor-
By Governments: tunities for continuing education at
all levels for all women and girls;
66. (a) Set and encourage the use
of explicit short- and long-term (b) 
Support the implementation of
time-bound targets or measurable plans and programmes of action to
goals, including, where appropri- ensure quality education and im-
ate, quotas, to promote progress proved enrolment retention rates
towards gender balance, including for boys and girls and the elimina-
women’s equal access to and full tion of gender discrimination and
participation on a basis of equality gender stereotypes in educational
with men in all areas and at all lev- curricula and materials, as well as
els of public life, especially in deci- in the process of education;
sion- and policy-making positions,
in political parties and political (c) 
Accelerate action and strengthen
activities, in all government minis- political commitment to close the
tries and at key policy-making insti- gender gap in primary and second-
tutions, as well as in local develop- ary education by 2005 and to en-
ment bodies and authorities; sure free compulsory and universal
primary education for both girls and
(b) 
Address the barriers faced by boys by 2015, as advocated by sev-
women, particularly by indigenous eral global conferences, and elimi-
and other marginalized women, nate policies that have been proven
in accessing and participating in to worsen and perpetuate the gap;
politics and decision-making, in-
cluding lack of training, women’s (d) 
Develop a gender-sensitive cur-
double burden of paid and unpaid riculum from kindergarten to 237
 elementary schools to vocational on the Elimination of All Forms of
training and universities in order Discrimination against Women;13
to address gender stereotyping as
one of the root causes of segrega- (e) Consider signing and ratifying the
tion in working life. Rome Statute of the International
Criminal Court;11
68. (a) Design and implement pol-
icies that promote and protect (f) 
Develop, review and implement
women’s enjoyment of all human laws and procedures to prohibit
rights and fundamental freedoms and eliminate all forms of discrim-
and create an environment that ination against women and girls;
does not tolerate violations of the
rights of women and girls; (g) 
Take measures, including pro-
grammes and policies, to ensure
(b) Create and maintain a non-discrim- that maternity, motherhood and
inatory and gender-sensitive legal parenting and the role of wom-
environment by reviewing legisla- en in procreation are not used
tion with a view to striving to re- as a basis for discrimination nor
move discriminatory provisions as restrict the full participation of
soon as possible, preferably by 2005, women in society;
and eliminating legislative gaps
that leave women and girls without (h) 
Ensure that national legislative
protection of their rights and with- and administrative reform pro-
out effective recourse against gen- cesses, including those linked to
der-based discrimination; land reform, decentralization and
reorientation of the economy, pro-
(c) Ratify the Convention on the Elimi- mote women’s rights, particularly
nation of All Forms of Discrimination those of rural women and women
against Women,12 limit the extent of living in poverty, and take mea-
any reservations to it, and withdraw sures to promote and implement
reservations that are contrary to the those rights through women’s
object and purpose of the Conven- equal access to and control over
tion or otherwise incompatible with economic resources, including
international treaty law; land, property rights, right to in-
heritance, credit and traditional
(d) Consider signing and ratifying the saving schemes, such as women’s
238 Optional Protocol to the Convention banks and cooperatives;
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

(i) 
Mainstream a gender perspective appropriately, and introduce actions
into national immigration and asy- aimed at helping and motivating
lum policies, regulations and prac- perpetrators to break the cycle of vi-
tices, as appropriate, in order to olence and take measures to provide
promote and protect the rights of all avenues for redress to victims;
women, including the consideration
of steps to recognize gender-related (c) Treat all forms of violence against
persecution and violence when as- women and girls of all ages as a
sessing grounds for granting refugee criminal offence punishable by
status and asylum; law, including violence based on
all forms of discrimination;
(j) 
Take all appropriate measures to
eliminate discrimination and vio- (d) 
Establish legislation and/or
lence against women and girls by any strengthen appropriate mecha-
person, organization or enterprise; nisms to handle criminal matters
relating to all forms of domestic
(k) Take necessary measures for the violence, including marital rape
private sector and education- and sexual abuse of women and
al establishments to facilitate girls, and ensure that such cases
and strengthen compliance with are brought to justice swiftly;
non-discriminatory legislation.
(e) 
Develop, adopt and fully imple-
69. (a) As a matter of priority, review ment laws and other measures,
and revise legislation, where ap- as appropriate, such as policies
propriate, with a view to introduc- and educational programmes, to
ing effective legislation, including eradicate harmful customary or
on violence against women, and traditional practices, including
take other necessary measures to female genital mutilation, early
ensure that all women and girls and forced marriage and so-called
are protected against all forms of honour crimes, which are viola-
physical, psychological and sex- tions of the human rights of wom-
ual violence, and are provided re- en and girls and obstacles to the
course to justice; full enjoyment by women of their
human rights and fundamental
(b) 
Prosecute the perpetrators of all freedoms, and intensify efforts,
forms of violence against wom- in cooperation with local wom-
en and girls and sentence them en’s groups, to raise collective 239
 and individual awareness on how (j) Adopt and promote a holistic ap-
these harmful traditional or cus- proach to respond to all forms of
tomary practices violate women’s violence and abuse against girls
human rights; and women of all ages, including
girls and women with disabilities,
(f) 
Continue to undertake research as well as vulnerable and margin-
to develop a better understanding alized women and girls in order
of the root causes of all forms of to address their diverse needs,
violence against women in order including education, provision of
to design programmes and take appropriate health care and ser-
measures towards eliminating vices and basic social services;
those forms of violence;
(k) 
Approve and promote a holis-
(g) Take measures to address through tic approach to combat violence
policies and programmes, racism against women during all their
and racially motivated violence life cycle and circumstances.
against women and girls;
70. (a) Take appropriate measures to
(h) Take concrete steps, as a priority address the root factors, including
and with their full and voluntary external factors, that encourage
participation, to address the im- trafficking in women and girls for
pact of violence on indigenous prostitution and other forms of
women in order to implement ap- commercialized sex, forced mar-
propriate, effective programmes riages and forced labour in order to
and services to eliminate all forms eliminate trafficking in women, in-
of violence; cluding by strengthening existing
legislations with a view to provid-
(i) Promote women’s and girls’ men- ing better protection of the rights
tal well-being, integrate mental of women and girls and to punish-
health services into primary health- ing the perpetrators, through both
care systems, develop gender- criminal and civil measures;
sensitive supportive programmes
and train health workers to rec- (b) Devise, enforce and strengthen effec-
ognize gender-based violence and tive measures to combat and elimi-
provide care for girls and women nate all forms of trafficking in women
of all ages who have experienced and girls through a comprehensive
240 any form of violence; anti-trafficking strategy consisting
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

of, inter alia, legislative measures, pre- the knowledge, innovations and
vention campaigns, information ex- practices of women in indigenous
change, assistance and protection and local communities relating to
for and reintegration of the victims traditional medicines, biodiversity
and prosecution of all the offenders and indigenous technologies;
involved, including intermediaries;
(b) Adapt environmental and agricultur-
(c) Consider preventing, within the le- al policies and mechanisms, when
gal framework and in accordance necessary, to incorporate a gender
with national policies, victims of perspective, and in cooperation with
trafficking, in particular women civil society, support farmers, par-
and girls, from being prosecuted ticularly women farmers and those
for their illegal entry or residence, living in rural areas, with education
taking into account that they are and training programmes.
victims of exploitation;
72. (a) Adopt policies and implement
(d) Consider setting up or strengthen- measures to address, on a priori-
ing a national coordinating mech- tized basis, the gender aspects of
anism, for example, a national rap- emerging and continued health
porteur or an inter-agency body, challenges, such as malaria, tu-
with the participation of civil so- berculosis, HIV/AIDS and other
ciety, including non-governmental diseases having a disproportionate
organizations, to encourage the impact on women’s health, includ-
exchange of information and to ing those resulting in the highest
report on data, root causes, fac- mortality and morbidity rates;
tors and trends in violence against
women, in particular trafficking; (b) Ensure that the reduction of maternal
morbidity and mortality is a health
(e) Provide protection and support to sector priority and that women have
women and their respective fam- ready access to essential obstetric
ilies and develop and strengthen care, well-equipped and adequately
policies to support family security. staffed maternal health-care ser-
vices, skilled attendance at delivery,
71. (a) Consider adopting, where ap- emergency obstetric care, effective
propriate, national legislation referral and transport to higher levels
consistent with the Convention of care when necessary, post-partum
on Biological Diversity16 to protect care and family planning in order 241
 to, inter alia, promote safe moth- (g) 
Adopt, enact, review and revise,
erhood, and give priority attention where necessary or appropriate,
to measures to prevent, detect and and implement health legislation,
treat breast, cervical and ovarian policies and programmes, in consul-
cancer and osteoporosis, and sexu- tation with women’s organizations
ally transmitted infections, including and other actors of civil society, and
HIV/AIDS; allocate the necessary budgetary re-
sources to ensure the highest attain-
(c) Take measures to meet the unmet able standard of physical and men-
needs in good quality family plan- tal health, so that all women have
ning services and in contraception, full and equal access to compre-
namely regarding the existing gap hensive, high-quality and affordable
in services, supplies and use; health care, information, education
and services throughout their life
(d) 
Collect and disseminate updated cycle; reflect the new demands for
and reliable data on mortality and service and care by women and girls
morbidity of women and conduct as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic
further research regarding how so- and new knowledge about women’s
cial and economic factors affect the needs for specific mental and occu-
health of girls and women of all pation health programmes and for
ages, as well as research about the the ageing process; and protect and
provision of health-care services to promote human rights by ensuring
girls and women and the patterns of that all health services and workers
use of such services and the value of conform to ethical, professional and
disease prevention and health pro- gender-sensitive standards in the de-
motion programmes for women; livery of women’s health services, in-
cluding by establishing or strength-
(e) Ensure universal and equal access ening, as appropriate, regulatory and
for women and men throughout enforcement mechanisms;
the life-cycle, to social services re-
lated to health care, including ed- (h) 
Eliminate discrimination against
ucation, clean water and safe sani- all women and girls in the access to
tation, nutrition, food security and health information, education and
health education programmes; health care and health services;

(f) Ensure the provision of safe working (i) Reproductive health is a state of
242 conditions for health-care workers; complete physical, mental and
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

social well-being, and not merely not merely counselling and care
the absence of disease or infirmi- related to reproduction and sexu-
ty, in all matters relating to the ally transmitted diseases;
reproductive system and to its
functions and processes. Repro- (j) Given the above definition, repro-
ductive health therefore implies ductive rights embrace certain
that people are able to have a sat- human rights that are already
isfying and safe sex life and that recognized in national laws, in-
they have the capability to repro- ternational human rights docu-
duce and the freedom to decide ments and other consensus doc-
if, when and how often to do so. uments. These rights rest on the
Implicit in this last condition is the recognition of the basic right of
right of men and women to be in- all couples and individuals to de-
formed and to have access to safe, cide freely and responsibly the
effective, affordable and accept- number, spacing and timing of
able methods of family planning their children and to have the
of their choice, as well as other information and means to do so,
methods of their choice for reg- and the right to attain the high-
ulation of fertility which are not est standard of sexual and repro-
against the law, and the right of ductive health. They also include
access to appropriate health-care their right to make decisions
services that will enable women concerning reproduction free of
to go safely through pregnancy discrimination, coercion and vi-
and childbirth and provide cou- olence, as expressed in human
ples with the best chance of hav- rights documents. In the exercise
ing a healthy infant. In line with of these rights, they should take
the above definition of reproduc- into account the needs of their liv-
tive health, reproductive health ing and future children and their
care is defined as the constella- responsibilities towards the com-
tion of methods, techniques and munity. The promotion of the re-
services that contribute to repro- sponsible exercise of these rights
ductive health and well-being by for all people should be the fun-
preventing and solving reproduc- damental basis for government
tive health problems. It also in- - and community-supported poli-
cludes sexual health, the purpose cies and programmes in the area
of which is the enhancement of of reproductive health, includ-
life and personal relations, and ing family planning. As part of 243
 their commitment, full attention discrimination and violence. Equal
should be given to the promo- relationships between women and
tion of mutually respectful and men in matters of sexual relations
equitable gender relations and and reproduction, including full re-
particularly to meeting the edu- spect for the integrity of the person,
cational and service needs of ad- require mutual respect, consent
olescents to enable them to deal and shared responsibility for sexual
in a positive and responsible way behaviour and its consequences;
with their sexuality. Reproductive
health eludes many of the world’s (l) Design and implement programmes
people because of such factors as to encourage and enable men to
inadequate levels of knowledge adopt safe and responsible sexual
about human sexuality and inap- and reproductive behaviour, and to
propriate or poor-quality repro- use effectively methods to prevent
ductive health information and unwanted pregnancies and sexual-
services; the prevalence of high- ly transmitted infections, including
risk sexual behaviour; discrimi- HIV/AIDS;
natory social practices; negative
attitudes towards women and (m) 
Take all appropriate measures
girls; and the limited power many to eliminate harmful, medically
women and girls have over their unnecessary or coercive medical
sexual and reproductive lives. In interventions as well as inappro-
most countries, adolescents are priate medication and overmedi-
particularly vulnerable because cation of women and ensure that
of their lack of information and all women are properly informed
access to relevant services. Older of their options, including likely
women and men have distinct benefits and potential side effects,
reproductive and sexual health by properly trained personnel;
issues which are often inade-
quately addressed; (n) 
Adopt measures to ensure
non-discrimination against and
(k) 
The human rights of women in- respect for the privacy of those
clude their right to have control living with HIV/AIDS and sexually
over and decide freely and respon- transmitted infections, including
sibly on matters related to their women and young people, so that
sexuality, including sexual and re- they are not denied the informa-
244 productive health, free of coercion, tion needed to prevent further
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

transmission of HIV/AIDS and sex- the law, such abortion should be

ually transmitted diseases and are safe. In all cases, women should
able to access treatment and care have access to quality services for
services without fear of stigmati- the management of complica-
zation, discrimination or violence; tions arising from abortion. Post-
abortion counselling, education
(o) In the light of paragraph 8.25 of the and family-planning services
Programme of Action of the Inter- should be offered promptly, which
national Conference on Population will also help to avoid repeat abor-
and Development,8 which states: tions”, consider reviewing laws
“In no case should abortion be pro- containing punitive measures
moted as a method of family plan- against women who have under-
ning. All Governments and relevant gone illegal abortions;
intergovernmental and non-gov-
ernmental organizations are urged (p) Promote and improve comprehen-
to strengthen their commitment sive gender-specific tobacco pre-
to women’s health, to deal with vention and control strategies for
the health impact of unsafe abor- all women, particularly adolescent
tion17 as a major public health con- girls and pregnant women, which
cern and to reduce the recourse would include education, prevention
to abortion through expanded and cessation programmes and ser-
and improved family-planning vices, and the reduction of people’s
services. Prevention of unwanted exposure to environmental tobacco
pregnancies must always be giv- smoke, and support the develop-
en the highest priority and every ment of the World Health Organi-
attempt should be made to elimi- zation international framework con-
nate the need for abortion. Women vention on tobacco control;
who have unwanted pregnancies
should have ready access to reli- (q) Promote or improve information
able information and compassion- programmes and measures in-
ate counselling. Any measures or cluding treatment for the elimina-
changes related to abortion with- tion of the increasing substance
in the health system can only be abuse among women and ado-
determined at the national or lo- lescent girls, including informa-
cal level according to the national tion campaigns about the risks to
legislative process. In circumstanc- health and other consequences
es where abortion is not against and its impact on families. 245
 73. (a) Mainstream a gender perspec- 74. (a) Undertake socio-economic pol-
tive into key macroeconomic and icies that promote sustainable de-
social development policies and na- velopment and support and ensure
tional development programmes; poverty eradication programmes,
especially for women, by, inter alia,
(b) 
Incorporate a gender perspective providing skills training, equal ac-
into the design, development, cess to and control over resources,
adoption and execution of all bud- finance, credit, including microcre-
getary processes, as appropriate, dit, information and technology,
in order to promote equitable, ef- and equal access to markets to
fective and appropriate resource benefit women of all ages, in par-
allocation and establish adequate ticular those living in poverty and
budgetary allocations to support marginalized women, including
gender equality and development rural women, indigenous women
programmes that enhance wom- and female-headed households;
en’s empowerment and develop
the necessary analytical and meth- (b) Create and ensure access to social
odological tools and mechanisms protection systems, taking into ac-
for monitoring and evaluation; count the specific needs of all wom-
en living in poverty, demographic
(c) Increase, as appropriate, and effec- changes and changes in society,
tively utilize financial and other to provide safeguards against the
resources in the social sector, par- uncertainties and changes in con-
ticularly in education and health, to ditions of work associated with glo-
achieve gender equality and wom- balization, and strive to ensure that
en’s empowerment as a central new, flexible and emerging forms
strategy for addressing development of work are adequately covered by
and poverty eradication; social protection;

(d) Strive to reduce the disproportion- (c) 

Continue to review, modify and
ate number of women living in implement macroeconomic and
poverty, in particular rural women, social policies and programmes,
by implementing national poverty inter alia, through an analysis
eradication programmes with a from a gender perspective of
focus on a gender perspective and those related to structural adjust-
the empowerment of women, in- ment and external debt problems,
246 cluding short- and long-term goals. in order to ensure women’s equal
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

access to resources and universal exploring innovative funding

access to basic social services. schemes, so that gender main-
streaming is integrated into all pol-
75. Facilitate employment for wom- icies, programmes and projects;
en through, inter alia, promotion
of adequate social protection, (d) 
Consider establishing effective
simplification of administrative commissions or other institutions
procedures, removal of fiscal ob- to promote equal opportunities;
stacles, where appropriate, and
other measures, such as access (e) 
Strengthen efforts to implement
to risk capital, credit schemes, fully national action plans devel-
microcredit and other funding, oped for the implementation of
facilitating the establishment of the Beijing Platform for Action and,
microenterprises and small and when necessary, adjust or develop
medium-sized enterprises. national plans for the future;

76. (a) Establish or reinforce existing in- (f) Ensure that the design of all gov-
stitutional mechanisms at all levels ernment information policies and
to work with national machineries strategies is gender-sensitive.
to strengthen societal support for
gender equality, in cooperation with 77. (a) Provide national statistical offic-
civil society, particularly women’s es with institutional and financial
non-governmental organizations; support so that they may collect,
compile and disseminate data dis-
(b) Take action at the highest levels aggregated by sex, age and other
for the continued advancement of factors, as appropriate, in formats
women, in particular by strength- that are accessible to the public
ening national machineries to and to policy makers for, inter alia,
mainstream the gender perspec- gender-based analysis, monitor-
tive to accelerate the empower- ing and impact assessment, and
ment of women in all areas and support new work to develop
to ensure commitment to gender statistics and indicators, especial-
equality policies; ly in areas where information is
particularly lacking;
(c) Provide national machineries with
the necessary human and finan- (b) 
Regularly compile and publish
cial resources, including through crime statistics, and monitor 247
 trends in law enforcement con- human person and equal rights for
cerning violations of the rights women and men;
of women and girls to increase
awareness in order to develop (c) Encourage cooperation between gov-
more effective policies; ernmental authorities, parliamentar-
ians and other relevant authorities
(c) Develop national capacity to un- and women’s organizations, includ-
dertake policy-oriented and gen- ing non-governmental organizations,
der-related research and impact as appropriate, in ensuring that legis-
studies by universities and na- lation is non-discriminatory;
tional research/training institutes
to enable gender-specific knowl- (d) 
Provide gender-sensitive train-
edge-based policy-making. ing to all actors, including police,
prosecutors and the judiciary, in
B. Further actions to be taken at the dealing with victims of violence,
national level particularly women and girls, in-
cluding sexual violence.
By Governments, the private sector,
non-governmental organizations and 79. (a) Adopt a holistic approach to
other actors of civil society: women’s physical and mental
health throughout the life cycle,
78. (a) Encourage the creation of train- take further measures to rede-
ing and legal literacy programmes sign health information, services
which build and support the capac- and training for health workers in
ities of women’s organizations to ad- order to make them gender-sen-
vocate for women’s and girls’ human sitive, promote gender balance
rights and fundamental freedoms; at all levels of the health-care
system, and reflect women’s
(b) 
Encourage collaboration, where perspective and right to privacy,
appropriate, among Governments, confidentiality, voluntary and in-
non-governmental organizations, formed consent;
grass-roots organizations and tra-
ditional and community leaders (b) Reinforce efforts to ensure univer-
for the promotion and protection sal access to high quality primary
of all human rights and funda- health care throughout the life cy-
mental freedoms of women and cle, including sexual and reproduc-
248 girls, the dignity and worth of the tive health care, no later than 2015;
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

(c) 
Review and revise national poli- impact of health-sector reform
cies, programmes and legislation initiatives on women’s health and
to implement the key actions7 for their enjoyment of human rights,
the further implementation of the in particular with regard to rural
Programme of Action of the Inter- and urban health service delivery
national Conference on Population to women living in poverty, and
and Development8 adopted by the ensure that reforms secure full
General Assembly at its twenty-first and equal access to available, af-
special session, paying particular fordable and high-quality health
attention to achieving the specific care and services for all women,
benchmarks to reduce maternal taking into account the diverse
mortality, to increase the propor- needs of women;
tion of births assisted by skilled
attendants, to provide the widest (f) 
Design and implement pro-
achievable range of safe and effec- grammes with the full involvement
tive family planning and contracep- of adolescents, as appropriate, to
tive methods and to reduce young provide them with education, in-
people’s risk of HIV/AIDS; formation and appropriate, spe-
cific, user-friendly and accessible
(d) Strengthen measures to improve services, without discrimination,
the nutritional status of all girls to address effectively their repro-
and women, recognizing the ef- ductive and sexual health needs,
fects of severe and moderate mal- taking into account their right to
nutrition, the lifelong implications privacy, confidentiality, respect and
of nutrition and the link between informed consent, and the respon-
mother and child health, by pro- sibilities, rights and duties of par-
moting and enhancing support ents and legal guardians to provide
for programmes to reduce malnu- in a manner consistent with the
trition, such as school meal pro- evolving capacities of the child ap-
grammes, mother-child-nutrition propriate direction and guidance
programmes and micronutrient in the exercise by the child of the
supplementation, giving special rights recognized in the Conven-
attention to bridging the gender tion on the Rights of the Child,18
gap in nutrition; in conformity with the Convention
on the Elimination of All Forms of
(e) 
Review with the full participa- Discrimination against Women12
tion of women and monitor the and ensuring that in all actions 249
 concerning children, the best in- mainstreaming, including gen-
terests of the child are a primary der-based research, analytical tools
consideration. These programmes and methodologies, training, case
should, inter alia, build adolescent studies, statistics and information.
girls’ self-esteem and help them
take responsibility for their own 81. (a) Provide equal opportunities and
lives; promote gender equality and favourable conditions for women
responsible sexual behaviour; raise of all ages and backgrounds on
awareness about, prevent and treat equal terms with men by encour-
sexually transmitted infections, in- aging their entry into politics and
cluding HIV/AIDS, and sexual vio- their participation at all levels;
lence and abuse; and counsel ado-
lescents on avoiding unwanted and (b) 
Encourage the nomination of
early pregnancies; more women candidates, inter
alia, through political parties, quo-
(g) Design and implement programmes tas or measurable goals or other
to provide social services and sup- appropriate means for election to
port to pregnant adolescents and parliaments and other legislative
adolescent mothers, in particular to structures, to increase their share
enable them to continue and com- and contribution in the formula-
plete their education; tion of public policy;

(h) 
Give particular attention to de- (c) 
Develop and maintain consulta-
veloping and improving access to tive processes and mechanisms, in
improved and new technologies partnership with women’s organi-
and to safe and affordable drugs zations, including non-governmen-
and treatments to meet women’s tal organizations and community
health needs, including cardiopul- groups, to ensure that all women,
monary diseases, hypertension, with particular attention to those
osteoporosis, breast, cervical and who face particular barriers to their
ovarian cancer and family plan- participation in public life, are fully
ning and contraceptive methods, involved in and informed about de-
for both women and men. cisions that impact their lives.

80. Develop and use frameworks, guide- 82. (a) Promote and protect the rights
lines and other practical tools and of women workers and take ac-
250 indicators to accelerate gender tion to remove structural and
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

legal barriers as well as stereotyp- accessible and quality care ser-

ical attitudes to gender equality at vices for children and other de-
work, addressing, inter alia, gen- pendants, parental and other
der bias in recruitment; working leave schemes and campaigns to
conditions; occupational segrega- sensitize public opinion and other
tion and harassment; discrimina- relevant actors on equal sharing of
tion in social protection benefits; employment and family responsi-
women’s occupational health and bilities between women and men;
safety; unequal career opportuni-
ties and inadequate sharing, by (e) Develop policies and programmes
men, of family responsibilities; to enhance the employability of
women and their access to quality
(b) 
Promote programmes to enable jobs, through improving access to
women and men to reconcile their formal, non-formal and vocational
work and family responsibilities training, lifelong learning and re-
and to encourage men to share training, long-distance education,
equally with women household including in information and com-
and child-care responsibilities; munications technology and en-
trepreneurial skills, particularly in
(c) Develop or strengthen policies and developing countries, to support
programmes to support the multi- women’s empowerment in the dif-
ple roles of women in contributing ferent stages of their lives;
to the welfare of the family in its var-
ious forms, which acknowledge the (f) 
Take action to increase women’s
social significance of maternity and participation and to bring about a
motherhood, parenting, the role of balanced representation of wom-
parents and legal guardians in the en and men in all sectors and occu-
upbringing of children and caring for pations in the labour market, inter
other family members. Such policies alia, by encouraging the creation
and programmes should also pro- or expansion of institutional net-
mote shared responsibility of par- works to support the career devel-
ents, women and men and society opment and promotion of women;
as a whole in this regard;
(g) 
Develop and/or strengthen pro-
(d) 
Design, implement and pro- grammes and policies to support
mote family friendly policies and women entrepreneurs, including
services, including affordable, those engaged in new enterprises, 251
 through access to information, women may be affected different-
training, including vocational train- ly by the process of job creation
ing, new technologies, networks, and retrenchment associated with
credit and financial services; economic transition and structural
transformation of the economy, in-
(h) Initiate positive steps to promote cluding globalization;
equal pay for equal work or work
of equal value and to diminish (m) Promote gender-sensitivity and social
differentials in incomes between responsibility of the private sector,
women and men; inter alia, through the management
of work time and dissemination of
(i) Encourage and support the educa- gender-sensitive information and ad-
tion of girls in science, mathematics, vocacy campaigns.
new technologies, including infor-
mation technologies, and technical 83. (a) Strengthen or establish, where
subjects, and encourage women, in- appropriate, national collabora-
cluding through career advising, to tive and regular reporting mech-
seek employment in high-growth anisms, with the participation of
and high-wage sectors and jobs; non-governmental organizations,
especially women’s organizations,
(j) 
Develop policies and implement to monitor progress in the imple-
programmes, particularly for men mentation of national policies,
and boys, on changing stereo- programmes and benchmarks for
typical attitudes and behaviours achieving gender equality;
concerning gender roles and re-
sponsibilities to promote gender (b) Support the work of non-govern-
equality and positive attitudes mental organizations and com-
and behaviour; munity-based organizations in
helping disadvantaged women, in
(k) Strengthen gender-awareness cam- particular rural women, in gaining
paigns and gender equality training access to financial institutions in
among women and men, girls and establishing businesses and other
boys to eliminate the persistence of sustainable means of livelihood;
harmful stereotypes;
(c) Take measures to enable all old-
(l) Analyse and respond, as necessary, er women to be actively engaged
252 to the major reasons why men and in all aspects of life, as well as to
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

assume a variety of roles in com- the implementation of the Plat-

munities, public life and deci- form for Action;
sion-making, and develop and im-
plement policies and programmes (b) 
Support non-governmental orga-
to ensure their full enjoyment of nizations, especially women’s orga-
human rights and quality of life, nizations, to build their capacity to
as well as to address their needs, advocate for, implement, assess and
with a view to contributing to the follow up the Platform for Action;
realization of a society for all ages;
(c) 
Allocate sufficient resources to re-
(d) Design and implement policies and gional and national programmes to
programmes to address fully specif- implement the Platform for Action
ic needs of women and girls with in its twelve critical areas of concern;
disabilities, to ensure their equal
access to education at all levels, (d) 
Assist Governments in countries
including technical and vocational with economies in transition to
training and adequate rehabilita- further develop and implement
tion programmes, health care and plans and programmes aimed at
services and employment oppor- economic and political empower-
tunities, to protect and promote ment of women;
their human rights and, where
appropriate, to eliminate existing (e) 
Encourage the Economic and
inequalities between women and Social Council to request the re-
men with disabilities. gional commissions, within their
respective mandates and resourc-
C. Actions to be taken at the es, to build up a database to be
international level updated regularly, in which all
programmes and projects carried
By the United Nations system and out in their respective regions by
international and regional organiza- agencies or organizations of the
tions, as appropriate: United Nations system are listed,
and to facilitate their dissemi-
84. (a) Assist Governments, at their nation, as well as the evaluation
request, in building institutional of their impact on the empow-
capacity and developing nation- erment of women through the
al action plans or further imple- implementation of the Platform
menting existing action plans for for Action. 253
 85. (a) Continue to implement and dissemination, including through
evaluate and follow up the man- the Gender Awareness Informa-
dated work of the United Nations tion and Networking System devel-
agencies, drawing on the full oped by the International Research
range of expertise available with- and Training Institute for the Ad-
in the United Nations system, as vancement of Women, while at the
well as agreed conclusions of the same time supporting traditional
Economic and Social Council and methods of information dissemi-
other programmes and initiatives, nation, research and training;
to mainstream a gender perspec-
tive into all policies, programmes (d) 
Ensure that all United Nations
and planning of the United personnel and officials at Head-
Nations system, including through quarters and in the field, espe-
the integrated and coordinated cially in field operations, receive
follow-up to all major United Na- training in order to mainstream a
tions conferences and summits, gender perspective in their work,
as well as to ensure the allocation including gender impact analysis,
of sufficient resources and main- and ensure appropriate follow-up
tenance of gender units and focal to such training;
points to achieve this end;
(e) Support the Commission on the
(b) 
Assist countries, upon their re- Status of Women, within its man-
quest, in developing methods for date, in assessing and advanc-
and compiling statistics on the ing the implementation of the
contributions of women and men Beijing Platform for Action and
to society and the economy, and the follow-up thereto;
the socio-economic situation of
women and men, in particular in (f) 
Assist Governments, upon their
relation to poverty and paid and request, in incorporating a gender
unpaid work in all sectors; perspective as a dimension of de-
velopment into national develop-
(c) 
Support national efforts, particu- ment planning;
larly in developing countries, for
enlarged access to new informa- (g) 
Assist States parties, upon their
tion technology as part of the ef- request, in building capacity to
forts to develop collaborative re- implement the Convention on
254 search, training and information the Elimination of All Forms of
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

Discrimination against Women,12 and in pursuing good offices on

and in this regard encourage States behalf of the Secretary-General,
parties to pay attention to the con- inter alia, in matters relating to
cluding comments as well as the peacekeeping, peace-building and
general recommendations of the in operational activities, including
Committee on the Elimination of as resident coordinators;
Discrimination against Women.
(d) 
Provide gender-sensitive training to
86. (a) Assist Governments, upon re- all actors, as appropriate, in peace-
quest, in developing gender-sen- keeping missions in dealing with vic-
sitive strategies for the delivery tims, particularly women and girls, of
of assistance and, where appro- violence, including sexual violence;
priate, responses to humanitarian
crises resulting from armed con- (e) Take further effective measures to
flict and natural disasters; remove the obstacles to the real-
ization of the right of peoples to
(b) Ensure and support the full partici- self-determination, in particular
pation of women at all levels of de- peoples living under colonial and
cision-making and implementation foreign occupation, that continue
in development activities and peace to adversely affect their economic
processes, including conflict preven- and social development.
tion and resolution, post-conflict re-
construction, peacemaking, peace- 87. (a) Support activities aimed at the
keeping and peace-building, and in elimination of all forms of violence
this regard, support the involvement against women and girls, including
of women’s organizations, com- by providing support for the ac-
munity-based organizations and tivities of women’s networks and
non-governmental organizations; organizations within the United
Nations system;
(c) 
Encourage the involvement of
women in decision-making at all (b) 
Consider launching an interna-
levels and achieve gender balance tional “zero tolerance” campaign
in the appointment of women and on violence against women.
men, with full respect for the prin-
ciple of equitable geographical 88. Encourage the implementation of
distribution, including, as special measures designed to achieve the
envoys and special representatives goal of 50/50 gender balance in all 255
 posts, including at the Professional 90. 
Take steps with a view to the
level and above, in particular at the avoidance of and refrain from any
higher levels in their secretariats, in- unilateral measure at variance
cluding in peacekeeping missions, with international law and the
peace negotiations and in all activ- Charter of the United Nations that
ities, and report thereon, as appro- impedes the full achievement of
priate, and enhance management economic and social development
accountability mechanisms. by the population of the affected
countries, in particular women
89. Take measures, with the full par- and children, that jeopardizes
ticipation of women, to create, their well-being and that creates
at all levels, an enabling environ- obstacles to the full enjoyment of
ment conducive to the achieve- their human rights, including the
ment and maintenance of world right of everyone to a standard of
peace, for democracy and peaceful living adequate for their health
settlement of disputes, with full and well-being and their right to
respect for the principles of sov- food, medical care and the nec-
ereignty, territorial integrity and essary social services. Ensure that
political independence of States food and medicine are not used as
and non-intervention in matters tools for political pressure.
which are essentially within the
jurisdiction of any State, in ac- 91. 
Take urgent and effective mea-
cordance with the Charter of the sures in accordance with inter-
United Nations and international national law with a view to al-
law, as well as the promotion and leviating the negative impact of
protection of all human rights, in- economic sanctions on women
cluding the right to development, and children.
and fundamental freedoms.
92. (a) Promote international cooper-
D. Actions to be taken at the national ation to support regional and na-
and international levels tional efforts in the development
and use of gender-related analysis
By Governments, regional and inter- and statistics by, inter alia, pro-
national organizations, including the viding national statistical offices,
United Nations system, and interna- upon their request, with institu-
tional financial institutions and other tional and financial support in or-
256 actors, as appropriate: der to enable them to respond to
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

requests for data disaggregated with due regard for their human
by sex and age for use by national rights, and in strict conformity with
Governments in the formulation internationally accepted legal, eth-
of gender-sensitive statistical in- ical, medical, safety, and scientif-
dicators for monitoring and policy ic standards, and gather, analyse
and programme impact assess- and make available to appropriate
ments, as well as to undertake institutions and to end-users gen-
regular strategic surveys; der-specific information about dos-
age, side-effects and effectiveness
(b) Develop with the full participation of drugs, including contraceptives
of all countries an internation- and methods that protect against
al consensus on indicators and sexually transmitted infections.
ways to measure violence against
women, and consider establish- 93. (a) Develop and support the ca-
ing a readily accessible database pacity of universities, national re-
on statistics, legislation, training search and training institutes and
models, good practices, lessons other relevant research institutes
learned and other resources with to undertake gender-related and
regard to all forms of violence policy-oriented research in order
against women, including women to inform policy makers and to
migrant workers; promote full implementation of
the Platform for Action and the
(c) 
In partnership, as appropriate, follow-up thereto;
with relevant institutions, pro-
mote, improve, systemize and (b) 
Develop a South-South cooper-
fund the collection of data dis- ation programme with a view to
aggregated by sex, age and other assisting in the capacity-building
appropriate factors, on health and of national machineries on wom-
access to health services, includ- en through, inter alia, the shar-
ing comprehensive information ing of expertise, experiences and
on the impact of HIV/AIDS on knowledge of national machiner-
women, throughout the life-cycle; ies on women’s empowerment,
gender issues and gender main-
(d) Eliminate gender biases in bio-med- streaming methodologies and
ical, clinical and social research, in- approaches on the twelve critical
cluding by conducting voluntary areas of concern of the Platform
clinical trials involving women, for Action; 257
 (c) 
Support Governments in their Declaration on Fundamental Prin-
efforts to institute action-orient- ciples and Rights at Work and its
ed programmes and measures Follow-up,19 and strongly consider
to accelerate the full implemen- ratification and full implementa-
tation of the Platform for Action, tion of International Labour Or-
with time-bound targets and/or ganization conventions which are
measurable goals and evaluation particularly relevant to ensuring
methods, including gender im- women’s rights at work;
pact assessments, with full partic-
ipation of women for measuring (c) 
Encourage the strengthening of
and analysing progress; existing and emerging microcre-
dit institutions and their capacity,
(d) 
Undertake appropriate data col- including through the support of
lection and research on indig- international financial institu-
enous women, with their full tions, so that credit and related
participation, in order to foster services for self-employment and
accessible, culturally and linguis- income-generating activities may
tically appropriate policies, pro- be made available to an increasing
grammes and services; number of people living in poverty,
in particular women, and to fur-
(e) Continue research on all current ther develop, where appropriate,
trends that may be creating new other microfinance instruments;
gender disparities in order to pro-
vide a basis for policy action. (d) 
Reaffirm commitment to gen-
der-sensitive development and
94. (a) Take measures to develop and support women’s role in sustain-
implement gender-sensitive pro- able and ecologically sound con-
grammes aimed at stimulating sumption and production pat-
women’s entrepreneurship and terns and approaches to natural
private initiative, and assist wom- resource management;
en-owned business in participat-
ing in and benefiting from, inter (e) 
Adopt measures to ensure that
alia, international trade, techno- the work of rural women, who
logical innovation and investment; continue to play a vital role in
providing food security and nutri-
(b) Respect, promote and realize the tion and are engaged in agricul-
258 principles contained in the ILO tural production and enterprises
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

related to farming, fishing and (e) With the full voluntary participa-
resource management and home- tion of indigenous women, develop
based work, especially in the in- and implement educational and
formal sector, is recognized and training programmes that respect
valued in order to enhance their their history, culture, spirituality,
economic security, their access languages and aspirations and
to and control over resources and ensure their access to all levels of
credit schemes, services and ben- formal and non-formal education,
efits, and their empowerment. including higher education;

95. (a) Encourage and implement cur- (f) Continue to support and strengthen
riculum changes in training for national, regional and international
public officials to make them fully adult literacy programmes with
gender-sensitive; international cooperation in order
to achieve a 50 per cent improve-
(b) 
Strengthen and promote pro- ment in the levels of adult literacy
grammes to support the participa- by 2015, especially for women, and
tion of young women in youth or- equitable access to basic and con-
ganizations and encourage dialogue tinuing education for all adults;
among youth between and among
developed and developing countries; (g) Continue to examine the decline in
enrolment rates and the increase
(c) 
Support national efforts to pro- in the drop-out rates of girls and
mote formal and non-formal boys at the primary and secondary
education and mentoring pro- education levels in some countries,
grammes for women and girls in and, with international coopera-
order to enable them to acquire tion, design appropriate national
knowledge, develop self-esteem programmes to eliminate the root
and skills in leadership, advocacy causes and support lifelong learn-
and conflict resolution; ing for women and girls, with a
view to ensuring achievement of
(d) Undertake comprehensive actions relevant international targets on
to provide skills training for wom- education set by the relevant inter-
en and girls at all levels, in order to national conferences;
eradicate poverty, in particular the
feminization of poverty, through (h) 
Ensure equal opportunities for
national and international efforts; women and girls in cultural, 259
 recreational and sports activities, as commercial sexual exploitation, as
well as in participation in athletics well as economic exploitation, in-
and physical activities at the nation- cluding trafficking in women and
al, regional and international levels, children, female infanticide, crimes
such as access, training, competi- committed in the name of honour,
tion, remuneration and prizes; crimes committed in the name of
passion, racially motivated crimes,
(i) Continue to design efforts for the abduction and sale of children,
promotion of respect for cultural dowry-related violence and deaths,
diversity and dialogue among and acid attacks and harmful tradition-
within civilizations in a manner al or customary practices, such as
which contributes to the implemen- female genital mutilation, early and
tation of the Platform for Action, forced marriages;
which aims at the empowerment
of women and the full realization (b) Increase awareness and knowledge
of all human rights and fundamen- of the Rome Statute of the Interna-
tal freedoms for all women, and in tional Criminal Court,7 which affirms
a manner which ensures that gen- that rape, sexual slavery, enforced
der equality and the full enjoyment prostitution, forced pregnancy, en-
of all human rights by women are forced sterilization and other forms
not undermined; of sexual violence constitute war
crimes and, in defined circumstances,
(j) Apply and support positive mea- crimes against humanity, with the
sures to give all women, particular- aim of preventing such crimes from
ly indigenous women, equal access occurring, and take measures to sup-
to capacity-building and training port the prosecution of all persons
programmes to enhance their par- responsible for such crimes and pro-
ticipation in decision-making in all vide avenues for redress to victims;
fields and at all levels. also increase awareness of the extent
to which such crimes are used as a
96. (a) Increase cooperation, policy weapon of war;
responses, effective implemen-
tation of national legislation and (c) 
Provide support to non-govern-
other protective and preventive mental organizations, in collab-
measures aimed at the elimina- oration with the United Nations
tion of violence against women system, inter alia, through region-
260 and girls, especially all forms of al and international cooperation,
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

including women’s organizations workers, of becoming victims of

and community groups, in ad- trafficking; strengthen national
dressing all forms of violence legislation by further defining the
against women and girls, includ- crime of trafficking in all its ele-
ing for programmes to combat ments and by reinforcing the pun-
race and ethnic-based violence ishment accordingly; enact social
against women and girls; and economic policies and pro-
grammes, as well as informational
(d) Encourage and support public cam- and awareness-raising initiatives,
paigns, as appropriate, to enhance to prevent and combat trafficking in
public awareness of the unaccept- persons, especially women and chil-
ability and social costs of violence dren; prosecute perpetrators of traf-
against women, and undertake ficking; provide measures to sup-
prevention activities to promote port, assist and protect trafficked
healthy and balanced relationships persons in their countries of origin
based on gender equality. and destination; and facilitate their
return to and support their reinte-
97. (a) Intensify cooperation between gration into their countries of origin.
States of origin, transit and des-
tination to prevent, suppress and 98. (a) Improve knowledge and aware-
punish trafficking in persons, es- ness of the remedies available for vi-
pecially women and children; olations of women’s human rights;

(b) Support the ongoing negotiations (b) Promote and protect the human
on a draft protocol to prevent, rights of all migrant women and
suppress and punish trafficking implement policies to address
in persons, especially women and the specific needs of documented
children, to supplement the draft migrant women and, where nec-
United Nations Convention against essary, tackle the existing inequal-
Transnational Organized Crime;20 ities between men and women mi-
grants to ensure gender equality;
(c) As appropriate, pursue and support
national, regional and internation- (c) Promote respect for the right of
al strategies to reduce the risk to women and men to the freedom
women and girls, including those of thought, conscience and reli-
who are refugees and displaced gion. Recognize the central role
persons, as well as women migrant that religion, spirituality and 261
 belief play in the lives of millions 99. (a) Promote comprehensive human
of women and men; rights education programmes,
inter alia, in cooperation, where
(d) Encourage, through the media and appropriate, with education and
other means, a high awareness of human rights institutions, the rele-
the harmful effects of certain tradi- vant actors of civil society, in partic-
tional or customary practices affect- ular non-governmental organiza-
ing the health of women, some of tions and the media networks, to
which increase their vulnerability to ensure widespread dissemination
HIV/AIDS and other sexually trans- of information on human rights
mitted infections, and intensify ef- instruments, in particular those
forts to eliminate such practices; concerning the human rights of
women and girls;
(e) Take necessary measures to protect
individuals, groups and organs of (b) Take measures through, inter alia,
society engaged in promoting and supporting and strengthening
protecting women’s human rights; existing mechanisms entrusted
with prosecuting perpetrators of
(f) Encourage States parties to contin- violations of the human rights of
ue to include a gender perspective women, to eliminate impunity;
in their reports to the treaty bodies;
also encourage these bodies to con- (c) Take measures to eliminate violations
tinue to take into account a gender of international law and the Charter
perspective in the implementation of the United Nations. Many of these
of their mandates, taking into ac- violations have a negative impact on
count the need to avoid unneces- the promotion and protection of the
sary duplication and overlapping of human rights of women;
their work; and further encourage
human rights mechanisms to con- (d) 
Address the root causes of armed
tinue to take into account a gender conflict in a comprehensive and du-
perspective in their work; rable manner, as well as the differ-
ences in the impact of armed conflict
(g) 
Support innovative programmes on women and men, and take them
to empower older women to in- into account in relevant policies and
crease their contribution to and programmes in order to, inter alia,
benefit from development and ef- enhance the protection of civilians,
262 forts to combat poverty. particularly women and children;
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

(e) 
Ensure the release of hostages, provide protection and assistance,
particularly women and children, paying particular attention to the
including those subsequently im- needs of refugees and other dis-
prisoned, in armed conflict; placed women and children;

(f) Develop and support policies and (i) Seek to ensure the full and equal
programmes for the protection of participation of women in the
children, especially girls, in hos- promotion of peace, in particular
tilities, in order to prohibit their through the full implementation
forced recruitment and use by of the Declaration and Programme
all actors and to promote and/or of Action on a Culture of Peace;21
strengthen mechanisms for their
rehabilitation and reintegration, (j) 
Provide support to and empow-
taking into account the specific er women who play an import-
experiences and needs of girls; ant role within their families as
stabilizing factors in conflict and
(g) Improve and strengthen the capac- post-conflict situations;
ity of women affected by situations
of armed conflict, including wom- (k) 
Strengthen efforts towards gen-
en refugees and displaced women, eral and complete disarmament
by, inter alia, involving them in the under strict and effective interna-
design and management of hu- tional control, based on the pri-
manitarian activities so that they orities established by the United
benefit from these activities on an Nations in the field of disarma-
equal basis with men; ment, so that released resources
could be used for, inter alia, social
(h) 
Invite the Office of the United and economic programmes which
Nations High Commissioner for benefit women and girls;
Refugees, other relevant United
Nations agencies, within their re- (l) 
Explore new ways of generating
spective mandates, and other rel- new public and private financial
evant humanitarian organizations resources, inter alia, through the
as well as Governments to contin- appropriate reduction of excessive
ue to provide adequate support to military expenditures and the arms
countries hosting large numbers trade and investment for arms pro-
of refugees and those with dis- duction and acquisition, includ-
placed persons, in their efforts to ing global military expenditures, 263
 taking into consideration national information and communications
security requirements, so as to technology, including through the
permit the possible allocation of establishment and support of pro-
additional funds for social and eco- grammes to build the capacity of
nomic development, inter alia, for women’s non-governmental orga-
the advancement of women; nizations in this regard;

(m) Take measures to ensure the protec- (c) 

Capitalize on the new informa-
tion of refugees, especially women tion technologies, including the
and girls, and their access to and the Internet, to improve the global
provision of gender-sensitive appro- sharing of information, research,
priate basic social services, including strengths, lessons learned from
education and health. women’s experiences, including
“Herstories”22 related to achieving

100. (a) Cooperate and work with pri- gender equality, development and
vate sector partners and media peace, and study other roles that
networks at the national and these technologies can play to-
international levels to promote wards that goal.
equal access for women and
men as producers and consum- 101. (a) Take effective measures to ad-
ers, particularly in the area of in- dress the challenges of global-
formation and communications ization, including through the
technologies, including through enhanced and effective partici-
encouraging the media and the pation of developing countries in
information industry consistent the international economic policy
with freedom of expression to decision-making process, in order
adopt, or develop further codes to, inter alia, guarantee the equal
of conduct, professional guide- participation of women, in particu-
lines and other self-regulatory lar those from developing countries,
guidelines to remove gender ste- in the process of macroeconomic
reotypes and promote balanced decision-making;
portrayals of women and men;
(b) 
Take measures, with the full and
(b) 
Develop programmes that sup- effective participation of women,
port women’s ability to create, ac- to ensure new approaches to in-
cess and promote networking, in ternational development cooper-
264 particular through the use of new ation, based on stability, growth
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

and equity, with the enhanced and (e) 

Recognizing the mutually rein-
effective participation and the in- forcing links between gender
tegration of developing countries equality and poverty eradication,
in the globalizing world economy, elaborate and implement, where
geared towards poverty eradication appropriate, in consultation with
and the reduction of gender-based civil society, comprehensive gen-
inequality within the overall frame- der-sensitive poverty eradication
work of achieving people-centred strategies addressing social, struc-
sustainable development; tural and macroeconomic issues;

(c) 
Design and strengthen poverty (f) 
Encourage the establishment, in
eradication strategies, with the full partnership with private financial
and effective participation of wom- institutions, where appropriate,
en, that reduce the feminization of of “lending windows” and oth-
poverty and enhance the capacity er accessible financial services
of women and empower them to with simplified procedures that
meet the negative social and eco- are specifically designed to meet
nomic impacts of globalization; the savings, credit and insurance
needs of all women;
(d) 
Intensify efforts to implement
poverty eradication programmes (g) 
Undertake comprehensive actions
and evaluate, with the partici- to provide and support quality skills
pation of women, the extent to training for women and girls at all
which these programmes have levels, on the basis of strategies
an impact on the empowerment developed with their full and effec-
of women living in poverty, in tive participation, to achieve agreed
terms of access to quality train- targets to eradicate poverty, in par-
ing and education as well as ticular the feminization of poverty,
physical and mental health care, through national, regional and in-
employment, basic social ser- ternational efforts. National efforts
vices, inheritance and access to need to be complemented by in-
and control over land, housing, tensified regional and international
income, microcredit and other fi- cooperation in order to tackle the
nancial instruments and services, risks, overcome the challenges and
and introduce improvements to ensure that opportunities created
such programmes in the light of by globalization benefit women,
the above assessment; particularly in developing countries; 265
 (h) Establish, with the full and effec- anti-poverty programmes that ad-
tive participation of women and dress gender dimensions;
in consultation with civil society,
particularly non-governmental or- (k) Promote and accelerate the imple-
ganizations, in a timely manner, mentation of the 20/20 initiative,
social development funds, where which integrates a gender per-
appropriate, to alleviate the nega- spective to fully benefit all, partic-
tive effects on women associated ularly women and girls;
with structural adjustment pro-
grammes and trade liberalization (l) 
Call for continued international
and the disproportionate burden cooperation, including the reaffir-
borne by women living in poverty; mation to strive to fulfil the yet to
be attained internationally agreed
(i) 
Identify and implement develop- target of 0.7 per cent of the gross
ment-oriented and durable solu- national product of developed
tions which integrate a gender countries for overall official devel-
perspective to external debt and opment assistance as soon as pos-
debt-servicing problems of devel- sible, thereby increasing the flow
oping countries, including least of resources for gender equality,
developed countries, inter alia, development and peace;
through debt relief, including the
option of official development (m) Facilitate the transfer to developing
assistance debt cancellation, in countries and countries with econ-
order to help them to finance omies in transition of appropriate
programmes and projects target- technology, particularly new and
ed at development, including the modern technology, and encourage
advancement of women; efforts by the international com-
munity to eliminate restrictions
(j) Support the Cologne initiative for on such transfers, as an effective
the reduction of debt, particularly means of complementing nation-
the speedy implementation of the al efforts for further acceleration
enhanced Heavily Indebted Poor in achieving the goals of gender
Countries Debt Initiative; ensure equality, development and peace;
the provision of adequate funds
for its implementation and im- (n) Recommend that the Preparatory
plement the provision that funds Committee for the Millennium As-
266 saved should be used to support sembly make an effort, within the
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

context of gender mainstreaming organizations, communications and

in the United Nations system, to media systems in support of the
integrate a gender perspective in goals of the Fourth World Confer-
all activities and documents re- ence on Women;
lated to the Millennium Assembly
and Summit, including in the con- (c) 
Encourage partnerships and co-
sideration of poverty eradication; operation among Governments,
international organizations, in
(o) Create an enabling environment particular international financial
and design and implement poli- institutions, and multilateral or-
cies that promote and protect the ganizations, private sector insti-
enjoyment of all human rights - tutions and civil society, including
civil, cultural, economic, political non-governmental organizations,
and social rights, including the especially women’s and commu-
right to development - and fun- nity-based organizations, to sup-
damental freedoms, as part of the port poverty eradication initia-
efforts to achieve gender equality, tives focused on women and girls;
development and peace.
(d) Recognize the crucial role of and

102. (a) Create and strengthen an en- support women and women’s
abling environment, in accordance non-governmental organizations
with national laws, to support the and community-based organiza-
capacity of women’s non-govern- tions in the implementation of
mental organizations to mobilize Agenda 21,23 by integrating a gen-
resources to ensure the sustainabil- der perspective in the formulation,
ity of their development activities; design and implementation of
sustainable environmental and re-
(b) 
Encourage the establishment and source management mechanisms,
strengthening of multi-stakehold- programmes and infrastructure.
er partnerships/cooperation at all
levels among international 103. and ( a) Promote programmes for healthy

intergovernmental organizations, active ageing that stress the
with relevant actors of civil society, independence, equality, participa-
including non-governmental organi- tion and security of older women
zations, the private sector and trade and undertake gender-specific
unions, and women’s organiza- research and programmes to ad-
tions and other non-governmental dress their needs; 267
 (b) As a matter of priority, especially including during pregnancy and
in those countries most affected, breastfeeding; assist boys and
and in partnership with non-gov- girls orphaned as a result of the
ernmental organizations, wher- HIV/AIDS pandemic; and provide
ever possible, intensify education, gender-sensitive support systems
services and community-based for women and other family mem-
mobilization strategies to pro- bers who are involved in caring for
tect women of all ages from HIV persons affected by serious health
and other sexually transmitted conditions, including HIV/AIDS;
infections, including through the
development of safe, affordable, (d) 
Take effective and expeditious
effective and easily accessible fe- measures to mobilize interna-
male-controlled methods, includ- tional and national public opinion
ing such methods as microbicides concerning the effects of differ-
and female condoms that protect ent dimensions of the world drug
against sexually transmitted in- problem on women and girls and
fections and HIV/AIDS; voluntary ensure that appropriate resources
and confidential HIV testing and are provided to this end.
counselling; the promotion of
responsible sexual behaviour, 104.
in- Encourage partnerships between
cluding abstinence and condom Governments and non-govern-
use; and the development of vac- mental organizations in the imple-
cines, simple low-cost diagnosis mentation of commitments made
and single dose treatments for at the Fourth World Conference
sexually transmitted infections; on Women and at other United
Nations world conferences and
(c) 
Provide access to adequate and summits in order to promote gen-
affordable treatment, monitoring der equality, development and
and care for all people, especially peace in the twenty-first century.
women and girls, infected with
sexually transmitted diseases or
living with life-threatening dis-
eases, including HIV/AIDS and as-
sociated opportunistic infections,
such as tuberculosis. Provide oth-
er services, including adequate
268 housing and social protection,
 Further actions and initiatives to implement the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

Notes 9/ International Tribunal for the Pros-

ecution of Persons Responsible for
Serious Violations of International
1/ Report

of the Fourth World Confer- Humanitarian Law Committed in
ence on Women, Beijing, 4-15 Sep- the Territory of the Former Yugosla-
tember 1995 (United Nations pub- via since 1991.
lication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap.
I, resolution 1, annex I. 10/ International

Criminal Tribunal
for the Prosecution of Persons Re-
2/ Ibid.,

annex II. sponsible for Genocide and Other
Serious Violations of Internation-
3/ Report

of the World Conference to al Humanitarian Law Committed
Review and Appraise the Achieve- in the Territory of Rwanda and
ments of the United Nations Decade Rwandan Citizens Responsible for
for Women: Equality, Development Genocide and Other Such Viola-
and Peace, Nairobi, 15-26 July 1985 tions Committed in the Territory
(United Nations publication, Sales of Neighbouring States between 1
No. E.85.IV.10), chap. I, sect. A. January and 31 December 1994.

4/ Resolution

34/180, annex. 11/ A/CONF.183/9.


5/ Report of the Fourth World Confer- 12/ Resolution


34/180, annex.
ence on Women, Beijing, 4-15 Sep-
tember 1995 (United Nations pub- 13/ Resolution

54/4, annex.
lication, Sales No. E.96.IV.13), chap.
I, resolution 1, annex I. 14/ Resolution

54/263, annex I.

6/ Ibid., annex II. 15/ Ibid.,


annex II.

7/ See resolution S-21/2, annex. 16/ See


United Nations Environment
Programme, Convention on Bio-
8/ Report of the International Confer- logical Diversity (Environmental
ence on Population and Develop- Law and Institute Programme
ment, Cairo, 5-13 September 1994 Activity Centre), June 1992.
(United Nations publication, Sales
No. E.95.XIII.18), chap. I, resolution
1, annex. 269
 17/ “Unsafe abortion is defined as a 20/ See

resolution 54/126.
procedure for terminating an un-
wanted pregnancy either by per- 21/ Resolutions

53/243 A and B.
sons lacking the necessary skills
or in an environment lacking the 22/ “Herstories”

is a widely used
minimal medical standards or term denoting the recounting of
both (based on World Health Or- events, both historical and con-
ganization, The Prevention and temporary, from a woman’s point
Management of Unsafe Abortion, of view.
Report of a Technical Working
Group, Geneva, April 1992 (WHO/ 23/ Report

of the United Nations Con-
MSM/92.5)”. ference on Environment and Devel-
opment, Rio de Janeiro, 3-14 June
18/ Resolution 44/25, annex. 1992 (United Nations publication,
Sales No. E.93.I.8 and corrigenda),
19/ Adopted on 18 June 1998 by the vol. I, Resolutions adopted by the
International Labour Conference Conference, resolution 1, annex II.
at its eighty-sixth session.

270
UN Women is the UN organization dedicated to gender
equality and the empowerment of women. A global champion
for women and girls, UN Women was established to accelerate
progress on meeting their needs worldwide.

UN Women supports UN Member States as they set global

standards for achieving gender equality, and works with
governments and civil society to design laws, policies,
programmes and services needed to implement these
standards. It stands behind women’s equal participation in
all aspects of life, focusing on five priority areas: increasing
women’s leadership and participation; ending violence against
women; engaging women in all aspects of peace and security
processes; enhancing women’s economic empowerment;
and making gender equality central to national development
planning and budgeting. UN Women also coordinates and
promotes the UN system’s work in advancing gender equality.

220 East 42nd Street

New York, New York 10017, USA

www.unwomen.org
www.facebook.com/unwomen
www.twitter.com/un_women
www.youtube.com/unwomen
www.flickr.com/unwomen