Mr. Chairman,
Allow me first to thank the
Secretariat, the Director of the International Research and Training
Institute for the Advancement of Women, and the Chairperson of the
Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for their
enlightening presentations.
The Universal declaration of human rights proclaims that all human beings
are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled
to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction
of any kind, including distinction between men and women.
The adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and
of the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly
constituted an overall process that allowed the international community
to address various challenges, trends and patterns affecting the status
of women whose causes and consequences are different and vary from region
to region. During the Fourth World Conference on Women and its review
process the improvement of the living conditions of women all over the
world was the issue at the heart of the collective efforts of the international
community.
In assessing and evaluating the achievements of the international community
in the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome
document of the 23rd Special Session, the Group of 77 and China is of
the view that despite the progress made thus far on these endeavors,
there are still serious challenges and obstacles that remain to be addressed
and surmounted.
Among these challenges is poverty eradication. Globalization, as well
as the transformations in the world economy associated with it, have
had a deep impact on the livelihood of women and, in many instances,
have worsened the conditions in which millions of people live around
the world, particularly in developing countries. Unfortunately, women,
particularly in rural areas, are the most affected by the consequences
of poverty which leads to the feminization of poverty.
The Group 77 and China wholeheartedly believes that women, when using
their full potential, would play a major role in supporting national
and international efforts for the realization of the internationally
agreed commitments towards poverty eradication, combating diseases and
to stimulate sustainable development in general.
The Group of 77 and China also believes that equality between women
and men is a necessary and basic pre-requisite for development and peace.
Jobs and meaningful work and educational opportunities are essential
for this equality. These two pillars ensure that both women and men can
influence, participate in and benefit from development processes. It
is in this sphere and context that there is a need for further investments
in jobs and education.
Mr. Chairman,
Violence against women is one of the worst violations of their basic
rights and fundamental freedoms. Fighting and eliminating such a degrading
phenomenon which unfortunately exists in all societies under different
forms, should be at the center of national and international efforts
for the advancement and empowerment of women.
Multidimensional and multisectoral approaches and strategies should
be adopted to this end at all levels with the participation of the United
Nations and other relevant stakeholders. The Media and civil society
among others have also an important role in this regard by raising awareness
among the population as to the severe consequences of violence on the
physical and mental health of women and on their capacity to participate
positively in all activities of the society and also by providing help
and assistance to the victims.
Mr. Chairman,
While we recognize that the responsibility for the implementation of
the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome of the
twenty-third special session rests primarily at the national level, we
stress that enhanced international cooperation is also essential for
the effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform
for Action and the outcome of the twenty-third special session.
In this context, the Group of 77 and China emphasizes the need for adequate
mobilization of resources at the national and international levels, as
well as new and additional resources for the developing countries, including
the least developed countries and countries with economies in transition,
from all available funding mechanisms, including multilateral, bilateral
and private sources.
Mr. Chairman,
The Group of 77 and China notes with satisfaction the recent progress
in the revitalization of the International Research and Training Institute
for the Advancement of Women (INSTRAW). However, the full implementation
and success of the revitalization process of INSTRAW is dependent on
the broad support of Governments, including the availability of the necessary
financial resources for the operation of INSTRAW. This is especially
important now since the implementation of the Institute's work programme
and strategic plan may contribute to the review and appraisal of the
implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and
the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General
Assembly.
Mr. Chairman,
It is a great source of satisfaction to the Group of 77 and China that
the recent UN Conferences and Summits such as the Millennium Summit,
the International Conference on Financing for Development, the Second
World Assembly on Ageing and the World Summit on Sustainable Development
have integrated a gender perspective in their outcomes and have reaffirmed
the necessity of gender equality and the imperative role of women in
all developmental efforts. Such integration should be translated into
action in the policies and programs at the national, regional and international
levels. We would like to see these efforts reaffirmed and emphasized
in the context of the high-level event planned for 2005, and in particular,
in the context of the review of the implementation of the Fourth World
Conference on Women and the outcome of the twenty-third special session.
Thank you.
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