Voices 2000 and Beyond

We are 60% of the World's women

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The steering committee of Asia Pacific Women's Watch (APWW) wishes to thank the Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program (SEAGEP) of CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency), and UNIFEM New York, who have funded the production and distribution of this book. Their generous assistance and support will facilitate a well trained and well prepared regional lobby team to attend the preparatory Committee meeting for the Special Sitting of the General Assembly to Review the Beijing Platform for Action, CSW 44, and the meeting itself.

It will enable women across the region to participate in a meaningful way in the review, through understanding and discussing the issues, and lobbying their Governments to support important initiatives for women.

We also wish to acknowledge the generous contributions of SEAGEP, Asia Development Bank (ADB) and UNIFEM who provided funding and support for a Lobby Training Workshop, held in Nepal in January 2000. This workshop produced a team of skilled lobbyists, who will use this booklet as a major tool in their lobbying work.

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REGIONAL PRIORITIES

This book is based on the report of the Asia Pacific NGO Symposium, Women 2000, held in Thailand, September 1999. The draft was the focus of work at the Lobbying Training Workshop organised by Asia Pacific Women's Watch (APWW) in Kathmandu January 2000, and amendments were made following that workshop, in the context of the original text.

At the workshop in Kathmandu, women from across the region identified five priority areas which they wish address at CSW and Beijing plus Five (Women 2000). They are:

1. Women and the Economy: addressing the negative effects of globalisation, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Policy, and the burden of debt on many women in the region, which has led to the increasing feminisation of poverty, in particular with rural, indigenous and migrant women.
2. The Continuing Human Rights Abuses of Women: addressing violence against women, rape, trafficking, forced prostitution, honour killings, the marginalisation of minority groups and denial of land rights and reproductive rights.
3. Women in Armed Conflict: addressing the increase of militarisation, and involvement of women in situations of conflict across the region. Issues of major concern are the systematic use of rape and sexual torture in conflict situations, and the conditions of refugee and displaced women and their children
4. Institutional Mechanisms to Promote Equality for Women: addressing the need for a much stronger focus on strategies such as gender mainstreaming, educational reform and curricula to ensure access and equity for women to enable their participation in mainstream institutions
5. Political Participation and Decision making: addressing the continued low participation of women in politics and decision making roles. This participation is crucial to the empowerment of women, and to their ability to achieve equal status in all aspects of life.

Recommendations to address these priorities are presented in the Chapter Language for Lobbying under the twelve Critical Areas of Concern

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SUMMARY OF THE DECLARATION FROM THE ASIA PACIFIC SYMPOSIUM IN PREPARATION FOR BEIJING PLUS FIVE

"Asia-Pacific Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace"

We, the women of the Asia Pacific declare our determination to strive for a world in which:

• Women are fully empowered and participate equally in the structures, systems and policies that determine the framework of our lives;
• Resources are sustainably used, equally shared between women and men and equitably distributed within and between States;
• Militarism is replaced by peace and mutual respect between nations ensures that measures are taken to rectify the gross inequalities and disparities resulting from globalisation;
• Societies are based on individual and social dignity and
• As women we can express ourselves and move about freely and confidently without fear of violence.

Recognising the impetus given by the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) to achieving this vision and the important contribution of NGOs and the vibrant women's movement, we reaffirm our commitment to the BPFA principles and framework for the achievement of equality, development and peace. We deplore the lack of comprehensive, integrated implementation of the BPFA by governments in our region and view with concern the persistence of:

• Regressive elements and attitudes towards women's empowerment in our region;
• The failure to provide high quality, affordable services addressing women's primary health needs and persistent, narrow approaches to reproductive and sexual health;
• The lack of comprehensive, gender sensitive educational policies that would empower women;
• A culture of violence against women and the escalating commodification and exploitation of women and girl-children;
• The degradation and depletion of the environment and the failure to develop effective national, regional and international policies to protect natural resources and ensure their sustainability;
• The actual and potential negative effects of modern biotechnology and information and communications technology,
• The inadequate attention given to the needs of women and girls marginalised by virtue of their disability, or because of their race, language, ethnicity, culture, religion or socio-economic status or because they are indigenous people, refugees or displaced persons, migrants or migrant workers, or because of their sexuality, reproductive choices or marital status
• The inadequate mechanisms for ensuring that governments fulfil their international obligations to implement commitments that involve, benefit and empower women, eradicate poverty and safeguard natural resources;
• The lack of political will to empower women beyond statements of policy and legislation and to truly redress systemic and structural imbalances.

New challenges include:

• The negative impact of globalisation and structural adjustment programs on all the Critical Areas of Concern that threaten gains and increase the feminisation of poverty;
• The increasing influence of multi- and trans-national corporations in all arenas and the failure of the international community to develop mechanisms for their regulation and accountability;
• The wresting of economic, legal and political control from local and indigenous communities and the progressive control of natural resources, science and technology including the patenting of life forms by multinational and transnational actors;
• The alarming increase in armed and other forms of violent conflict and the perpetuation of the systematic use of violence particularly sexual violence against women by State, para-State and non-State actors;
• The increasing militarisation and nuclearisation of the region;
• The escalating use of religious, ethnic, cultural and other identity-based constructs to deny women equality, enjoyment of rights, access to resources and a voice, particularly through the use and threat of violence.

Yet, we draw strength from:

• A growing acceptance and commitment to women's needs in civil society, governments and international organisations;
• The growth of NGOs and citizens' movements working to empower women, the variety and creativity of their initiatives, strengthened alliances and networks amongst them, and;
• The BPFA facilitated partnerships between NGOs working for women's empowerment, other civil society actors, governments and the UN system.

To translate our vision into reality, we commit ourselves to finding the means to ensure the full participation of all women in our movement, to enhance the solidarity among us and to ensure that:

• Our differing realities are the basis for and reflected in legislation, policies and interventions and in the articulation of human rights issues;
• A holistic approach to women's human rights informs initiatives in each area of concern;
• Women have access to the power of science and technology;
• States and civil societies recognise women's entitlement to the full range of personal and social rights available to men;
• Governments, societies and individuals adhere to non-violent forms of conflict resolution and respect the human dignity and rights of women affected by conflict and violence.

We call upon governments, the UN system and civil society to:

• Reaffirm their commitment to equality, development and peace through the effective implementation of the BPFA, CEDAW and other human rights instruments;
• Ensure that women have control over all aspects of their lives including their sexuality as well as equal representation in decision-making at all levels and in all spheres,
including leadership positions and governance structures;
• Re-examine and re-orient macro economic and development policies to ensure the protection of women's human rights and to redress the growing feminisation of poverty.

As we leave this century of turmoil, rapid change and development, we call upon the governments of the world to have the courage and commitment to translate the high hopes of the Beijing Platform for Action into concrete actions that help us move from the conflict, inequality and injustices which characterise our region towards the principles of mutual respect, equality and justice reflected in the vision shared by the women of the Asia Pacific region.

ADOPTED ON THIS 3RD DAY OF SEPTEMBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE IN NAKHON PATHOM, THAILAND.

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DRAFT SUMMARY OF MAJOR RECOMMENDATIONS

This section summarises the major recommendations from the 12 Critical Areas of Concern (CAC) set out in the Beijing Platform for Action. For each CAC, key issues are briefly stated followed by recommendations.

OVERALL RECOMMENDATION - BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION

The Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) contains a comprehensive set of strategies to address the 12 CAC. Implementation of the BPFA has however, been inadequate across all 12 CAC.

RECOMMENDATION

That Governments, the UN, NGO's and civil society accelerates implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the BPFA.

WOMEN AND POVERTY

The Asia Pacific region has seen an increase in the number of women living in poverty. This has largely been caused by the impact of international influences including globalisation and the policies and practices of bodies such as the World Trade Organisation, World Bank, International Monetary Fund and multi-national corporations. For many women, these policies and practices have resulted in unemployment, a deterioration in wages and working conditions, the shift of labour from the formal to the informal sector and from regulated to unprotected, sub contracted labour.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments, UN and international financial institutions:

• Undertake comprehensive assessments of the links between international trade, financial and economic policies and the creation of poverty particularly poverty among women.
• Invest resources in infrastructure that can alleviate poverty, such as clean water, primary health care and education.
• Develop and implement strategies to address poverty (including debt cancellation and debt reduction programs, enforcement of compliance with laws governing worker rights and conditions, monitoring of economic and labour policies).

EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF WOMEN

Women continue to experience inadequate access to education particularly higher education, and higher levels of illiteracy than men. The development of gender sensitive curricula remains an outstanding issue to be addressed.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments:

• Increase commitment to eliminating current gender-based inequalities in access to education particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, indigenous and rural women, ethnic and religious minorities and internally and externally displaced groups.
• Eliminate the gender gap in basic and functional literacy
• Ensure the development of non-discriminatory, gender-sensitive education at all levels including the revision of textbooks to remove gender based stereotyping

WOMEN AND HEALTH

The feminisation of poverty and the globalisation of economies has reduced women's access to affordable, quality health care in the Asia Pacific Region including basic primary health care. Women continue to experience numerous, significant difficulties in relation to reproductive health care. These difficulties reflect a common framework of denial of women's right to control their own reproduction. Health care provision also continues to lack gender sensitivity.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments:

• Increase public expenditure on primary health care and ensure equitable access to appropriate, affordable, quality primary healthcare services for women
• Adopt a rights-based framework for health services to women which supports and enables women to develop self esteem, acquire knowledge, make decisions on and take responsibility for their own health, sexual and reproductive behaviour.
• Ensure affordable access to safe, high quality reproductive and sexual healthcare services including developing models of service delivery to rural and remote areas
• Reorient health service program development and provision towards a gender sensitive framework which includes respect for privacy, dignity and the right to be fully informed
• Work towards removing the conditionalities imposed by the World Bank/IMF so that governments can increase public sector support for health programs.
• Ensure that donor support for health programs is not withdrawn but is increased

WOMEN AND VIOLENCE

The lack of political will shown by many governments in the region to effectively address violence against women is an ongoing concern. There continues to be an absence of resources to support programs or develop mechanisms to address all forms of violence against women including domestic violence, sexual violence, trafficking of women for forced prostitution or pornography, honour killings and violence based on culture, religion or other identity based constructs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Government:

• Ensure that legal measures are taken against the perpetrators of all forms of violence against women
• Develop, resource and support comprehensive national action plans to eliminate all forms of violence against women

That the UN:

• Develop mechanisms to support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women which will enable a more systematic approach to monitoring the performance of governments in preventing and redressing violence against women.

WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT

Warfare in the Asia Pacific region is increasingly characterised by intra-state conflicts, the displacement and targeting of civilian populations and the destruction of entire communities. In a number of countries in the region, women living in situations of armed conflict are frequently subjected to sexual violence by armed forces including State actors and other persons in positions of authority. Women are often taken hostage in conflict situations or become refugees or displaced persons to escape these situations. In all of these circumstances they are frequently raped and sexually tortured.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments:

• Implement effective measures to stop the use of rape and sexual torture by armed forces and other persons in positions of authority
• Assist voluntary repatriation and integration of refugee women and internally displaced persons including restoration with their families and protection of their human rights

That governments and UN systems:

• Initiate the provision of medical treatment and trauma counselling for victims of rape and sexual torture
• Establish victims and witness protection programs
• Prosecute the perpetrators of rape and sexual torture at both national levels and
through international processes including the International Criminal Court
• Ratify the statute for the establishment of the International Criminal Court
• Ensure that the Rules of Procedure for the International Criminal Court adopt a gender sensitive perspective in all areas, allow for testimony regarding rape and sexual torture and following the precedent set in the proposed Optional protocol to CEDAW, allow for women to be represented in absentia by non government organisations.
• Ensure that the interpretation of the 1967 Refugee protocol by governments includes the recognition of rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict situations as grounds for refugee status

WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

The globalisation of economies continues to exacerbate inequalities between women and men in employment opportunities, wages and occupational categories. Women continue to be pushed into the informal sector of the economy and excluded from social security protection. Secure land rights are a key factor in the economic empowerment of women. Existing traditional and cultural stereotypes deny women the right to own and inherit land and property.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments, UN Agencies and multilateral bodies:

• Develop policies and programs, to be implemented through government or civil society channels, to address the disproportionate effect on women of the globalisation of economies and structural adjustment programs

That Governments:

• Ratify ILO Conventions providing protection for workers, particularly women workers
• Adopt domestic enforcement mechanisms for the provisions contained in ILO conventions.
• Adopt and enforce legislation which protects and promotes women's rights to own, inherit, lease or rent land and housing

WOMEN AND POWER AND DECISION MAKING

Across the Asia Pacific region, women's representation in power and decision making processes remains low and in some cases is in decline. Women, especially women from marginalised groups, are inadequately represented in political processes, in civil society decision-making and in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments and the UN:

• Develop monitoring and participatory mechanisms for the achievement of increased participation by women including quotas (at least 30%) in political and other decision-making processes
• Establish and fund education and awareness raising campaigns, leadership training, and capacity building programs to enable women to equally participate in decision-making processes.
• Promote and monitor women's active and equal participation as governmental and civil society representatives, Special Rapporteurs and envoys in all initiatives and activities of the UN system, including as mediators for peacekeeping and peace-building
• Convene an international forum on Women and Politics.

INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

Lack of political will continues to inhibit the adoption of effective national machineries for the advancement of women and for the systematic mainstreaming of gender perspectives throughout government policies and programs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments:

• Increase and maintain political and financial commitment to the development and strengthening of national machineries for the advancement of women
• Ensure that effective accountability mechanisms for national machineries for the advancement of women are implemented at all appropriate levels of government.
• Ensure the adoption of a gender perspective by government ministries, bodies and institutions for all policies, programs, monitoring and evaluation
• Ensure that national machineries for the advancement of women act as the central coordinating unit for gender mainstreaming and that these machineries are located within the highest level of governments

HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN

A number of countries in the region have failed to ratify or implement the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). The region has also seen a backlash against civil society actors, particularly women's and human rights NGOs, which has placed activists at risk in their own countries. There has also been a resurgence of conservative forces where women's rights are denied in the name of culture, religion or other identity-based constructs.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments:

• Ratify and ensure implementation of CEDAW. Universal ratification must be achieved by 2005.
• Establish effective mechanisms for investigating violations of the human rights of women perpetrated by any State or non-State actor and implement punitive legal measures in accordance with national laws and international legal standards.

That Governments and the UN:

• Support the establishment of a Special Rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights with a mandate to monitor, document and intervene on behalf of human rights defenders subjected to human rights violations

WOMEN AND THE MEDIA

Women continue to have limited participation and access to decision-making in the communications industry and in governing bodies that influence media policy. Women experience barriers in accessing new information and communication technologies as well as employment in these industries. Negative and stereotyped representations of women in the media continue while the cultural diversity and varying realities of women's lives remains absent from media representations of women.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments, regulatory bodies, media and communication industries:

• Ensure an increase in the representation of women in policy development and decision-making bodies in the media and communications industries
• Promote the participation of women in all aspects of the media and communications industries including management, programming, education, training and research
• Develop strategies to overcome barriers for women in relation to new information and communication technologies

That Governments, NGOs and other civil society actors:

• Develop self-regulatory professional guidelines and codes of conduct guided by contemporary values of social justice to promote balanced and non stereotyped images of women in the media

That Governments and UN bodies:

• Co-ordinate the implementation of WTO policies with the BPFA to ensure gender justice in the process of media globalisation.

WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Women live in environments which continue to be exposed to pollution, degradation, poor sanitation, industrial hazards, toxic chemicals and pesticide residues but there is little data on the impact of these elements on women's health. The lack of such data inhibits the development and delivery of gender sensitive environmental programs. Women continue to be excluded from environmental decision making at all levels and in all areas of environmental management.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments, the UN system and civil society:

• Identify through appropriate research, environmental hazards to which women are particularly exposed and/or susceptible and conduct analyses of the impact of environmental degradation on women's health and well being
• Ensure that effective punitive measures are taken against developed countries responsible for global warming and environmental degradation

That Governments:

• Implement effective measures to reduce risks to women from identified environmental hazards at home, work and other environments
• Ensure the increased participation of women, including indigenous and rural women, in management and decision making bodies on environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development

THE GIRL CHILD

The BPFA does not recognise that girl children fall into distinct age and demographic groupings, each with its own set of needs. The distinct rights of the girl child are not specifically mentioned in the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

RECOMMENDATIONS

That Governments, the UN system and civil society:

• Ensure that targeted strategies are developed to address the needs of girl children according to groupings based on age and other demographic characteristics
• Ensure that national budgetary allocations for programs serving girl children are equivalent to the proportion of the population that they represent

That the UN system:

• The Committee on the Rights of the Child be asked consider issuing a General Comment elaborating the relationship of the girl child to the rights contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child

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HOW TO USE THIS BOOKLET

This booklet is designed to assist women from the Asia Pacific Region in their lobbying and advocacy work in relation to the review of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA).

It is based on the report of the Regional NGO Symposium in preparation for Beijing plus Five, or Women 2000 which was held in Thailand in September 1999.

It contains a summary of the Symposium Declaration and the major issues of concern identified by the women NGO's who took part. These drew on country and regional reports on the local implementation of the BPFA.

The most important part of this document is the section entitled The Critical Areas of Concern.

Under each of the twelve critical areas, we have identified the main areas of concern, or problems, as specified by women of the region. These have been presented in a format which can be used for lobbying at the United Nations. For each concern we have prepared a recommendation which we want included in the document which is generated from these meetings. These have been written in what is called 'the language' of the UN, in other words, it written in a way in which it is most likely to be sponsored by, accepted and voted for by Governments. For each issue, we have also included a short statement of why we think this "language" should be included.

While primarily designed for use at the UN, this booklet is also an excellent tool for lobbying Governments and other NGO's to support the suggested solutions to the concerns. It can be used either as a whole document or separate sections can be used to target specific people or Governments or meetings around particular issues.

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BACKGROUND TO "VOICES 2000"

WHAT IS THE BEIJING + FIVE REVIEW

The Beijing +5 Review will be a Special Session of the UN General Assembly to be convened from 5-9 June 2000. The purpose of the Special Session is to appraise and assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, and the Beijing Platform for Action five years after its adoption.

Year 2000 marks the fifth anniversary of the UN Fourth World Conference on Women. The Conference, held in Beijing, China, was the largest UN conference ever. 189 Governments and 2,600 NGOs participated; more than 30,000 women and men attended the parallel NGO forum. Delegates from 189 countries endorsed the Beijing Platform for Action, which calls upon Governments to take action in the 12 critical areas of concern.

The General Assembly decided to convene, from 5-9 June 2000, a Special Session to appraise and assess the progress achieved in the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and the Beijing Platform for Action, five years after its adoption. The Assembly also decided that it would consider further actions and initiatives during that Special Session. It established the format for the preparatory process, and designated the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) as the preparatory committee for the review. (The major preparatory committee meeting for the Special Session will be held following CSW 44, New York, March 2000)

The United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women encourages non-governmental organisations, including women's groups and other organisations of civil society to contribute to the preparatory process at national, regional and international level. Non-governmental organisations, including women's groups and other organisations of civil society are encouraged to address in their forthcoming meetings or events the appraisal of progress achieved since the Beijing Conference, within the context of the interest and expertise of each organisation.

These organisations are urged to identify further actions or initiatives that might be required to fully implement the Beijing Platform for Action beyond the year 2000.

Two of the objectives of the Fourth World Conference on Women were

• to address the key issues which have been identified as representing a fundamental obstacle to the advancement of the majority of women, such as effective participation in decision making, poverty, health, education, violence, women's human rights and peace,
• to create impetus in society for women to move forward, well equipped to meet the challenges and demands of the 21st Century for political, economic, scientific and technological development.

(United Nations Guidelines to Governments and NGO's in relation to preparation for the Fourth World Conference on Women, 1995, issues September 12, 1993)

The Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) aimed to provide the blue-print for feasible, effective and immediate action in order to achieve women's equality, development and peace.

The BPFA was agreed on and signed by all member states of the United Nations although some nations placed reservations on certain paragraphs of the Declaration.

In Preparation For Beijing

The preparation for the Conference and Forum an officially sponsored International NGO Committee was convened and a Forum Secretariat established at the United Nations. Regional NGO Planning Groups were convened by the UN, and Thanpuying Sumalee Chartikavanij, International President of the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women's Association (PPSEAWA) was invited to serve as focal point for Asia and the Pacific. In this capacity, Thanpuying Sumalee brought together a group of NGO's and started a series of consultative meetings in the Asia and Pacific region to prepare for the Fourth World Conference on Women. The group became known as the Asia and Pacific Non Government Organisation Working Group. (APNGOWG)

The main objective of the working group was to consolidate the Asian and Pacific NGO's position on issues confronting women in the region and to ensure that these were accurately reflected in the document produced at the Beijing Conference.

APNGOWG took part in a number of Regional planning meetings and at CSW. Their recommendations from these meeting were summarised into "The Yellow Book", which became the major NGO lobbying tool at the Beijing meetings. At the conference, APNGOWG played a leading role in various caucuses, and in lobbying Governments to ensure that issues of concern to women in this region were addressed in the Beijing Platform for Action. The lobbying was so successful that many so the recommendations from "The Yellow Book" can be found in the BPFA.

The Role of Asia Pacific Women's Watch

The formation of Asian Pacific Women's Watch is an example of different Asia Pacific partners coming together in co-alition to work jointly on regional issues. After the Beijing conference, the efforts of APNGOWG were directed towards the monitoring of the BPFA. At first it was convened under the title of Asia Pacific Watch (APW). At the 1997 CSW meeting in New York a formation referred to as the Asia Caucus was established to consolidate input from the Asia region at this meeting. It was convened by Isis International. At the 1998 CSW meeting, Luz Martinez from Isis instigated daily meetings of the Asia Caucus, and during the course of the CSW meeting the two groups decided to meet together in coalition as Asia Partners. Isis International acted as secretariat for the Asia Caucus, and in 1998 Isis International and Asia Pacific Women Law and Development (APWLD) organised a lobby training workshop in Kathmandu, which was also attended by members of APW.

At the 1999 meeting of CSW, APW and Isis rotated the chairing of the meetings of the Asia Caucus, and at this CSW meeting, the Asia Caucus coordinating body was formed, comprised of APWLD, APW, SEAWatch and Isis International. This body was charged with the responsibility of leading the regional NGO review process. At this meeting, membership of the Asia Caucus was expanded to acknowledge the membership of Pacific partners. The meeting supported the suggestion that a NGO Regional Symposium to be held in Thailand, as Thai Women's Watch and PPSEAWA had already begun preparations for such a meeting. A regional planning meeting was held for the symposium, including women from each of the sub-regions, and a planning committee was formed.

In preparation for Women 2000, high level government meetings were held in each region of the world. The Asia Pacific Regional meeting took place from October 26 - 29, 1999 convened by ESACP. The Asia Pacific Regional NGO Symposium was held in September 1999 to prepare our regional NGO input to both the ESACP meeting, and to the special sitting of the General Assembly (Women 2000). It was an exceptionally successful meeting, attended by over 385 women from 28 countries in the Region. The atmosphere was positive, the energy levels and enthusiasm was high, and women worked together across national boundaries and across ethnic and cultural differences to focus on issues of mutual concern and solutions to problems which affect us all.

The outcomes of that meeting are contained in the report Asia-Pacific Women 2000: Gender Equality, Development and Peace for the Twenty First Century referred to as "The Big Blue Book" This can be accessed on the Asian Women's Resource Exchange (AWORC) Beijing +5 website http://www.jca.apc.org/aworc/bpfa/ngo/bangkok99/reports/ngoreport.html. This lobby document is based on that report.

The Regional Symposium was organised by a management committee, consisting of representative from each of the sub-regions, and from Isis International, APW, SEAWatch, and APWLD. It was co-chaired by Thanpuying Sumalee Chartikavanij and Patricia Licuanan. At the end of the Symposium it was decided to consolidate and expand the management committee and co-alition into Asia Pacific Women's Watch (APWW), with three members from each subregion and key organisational representation. A list of committee members and contact details can be found at the end of this booklet. The Convenor of APWW is Patricia Licuanan, and the co-convenor Eileen Pittaway. Patricia and Eileen have been appointed as regional focal points on the CONGO Consultative Committee for Beijing plus Five. Isis International continues to play a pivotal role in maintaining e-mail lists for the steering committee and via lists and web pages provides an information clearing house for women in the region.

The formation of Asia Pacific Women's Watch is an example of how women can cross national boundaries and sectorial interests to work together for a common cause. Our thanks are due to the women from APW, Isis International, SEAWatch, APWLD, PPSEAWA, Thai Women's Watch and many other regional organisations, regional focal points and national bodies, whose willingness to work together has made APWW a strong and co-hesive body.

"Voices 2000" (The Little Blue Book) has been prepared to assist women NGO's from the region to lobby more effectively and to work together productively as part of a team, linked by a common concern for women's rights and a desire to fulfil the promise of the objectives of the Fourth world Conference on Women.

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REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS

Wide ranging communication between NGO's in preparation for Beijing plus Five has been made possible thanks to ISIS, Manila, who have worked tirelessly to ensure that information is available on the web page almost instantaneously, and who have facilitated e-mail lists which have allowed us to ask and answer questions, share information and plan our work. You can find the web page at www.isiswomen.org and join the major list apwomen2000 by contacting owner-apwomen2000@isiswomen.org.

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USEFUL DOCUMENTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM

The following documents are invaluable to help you prepare your lobbying language.

You can find them and many others at http://www.un.org/womenwatch, http://www.un.org/rights and http://www.jca.apc.org/aworc/bpfa/ngo/bangkok99/reports/ngoreport.html

• The Beijing Platform for Action
• The Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies
• The Universal Declaration on Human Rights
• CEDAW
• The Convention on the Rights of the Child
• The Big Blue Book (Regional Symposium Report)

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LANGUAGE FOR LOBBYING

Lobbying language and arguments for the Twelve Critical Areas of Concern:

CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN A: WOMEN AND POVERTY

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Despite clear and effective actions in the Beijing Platform for Action which, if implemented, would reduce the incidence of women living in poverty, in fact poverty among women in the Asia Pacific region is increasing.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

WORLD TRADE ORGANISATION

The agreements and practices of the World Trade Organisation continue to adversely contribute to the number of women living in poverty through the fostering of deregulated economies and the existence of export processing zones.

Reference in BPFA

There is no reference (WTO established in 1995)

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By the World Trade Organisation

• Develop a formal process for civil society involvement in WTO meetings, access to documents and participation in the WTO dispute settlement system.
• Conduct a comprehensive, in-depth review and assessment of existing WTO agreements to address the WTO's impact on marginalised communities, development, democracy, environment, health, human rights, labour rights and the rights of women and children. The review must be conducted with civil society's full participation. Mechanisms must be in place to ensure that the findings of the review are implemented.

INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The policies and practices of international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank and International Monetary Fund continue to adversely affect the number of women living in poverty through the imposition of socially regressive loan conditions, the reduction of budgetary allocations to social programs and increased reliance on cash crops in place of food production. Insufficient funds are being allocated to micro-credit programs.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective A.1 Action 59; Strategic Objective A.3 Actions 63, 64 and 65

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By international financial institutions

• Accelerate implementation of the recommendations of the BPFA
• Adopt and implement policies which provide breakthrough credits to women as a means of increasing their income on a continuous basis

By Governments, particularly creditor nations and international financial institutions

• Cancel the backlog of un-repayable debts owed by the most impoverished nations
• Take effective steps to prevent the accumulation of high levels of debt among impoverished nations
• Adopt fair and transparent processes to ensure the full participation of debtors in negotiations on debt relief.

MULTI NATIONAL CORPORATIONS

The policies and practices of multi national corporations continue to adversely contribute to the number of women living in poverty. These policies and practices have resulted in poor working environments, inadequate salaries and the displacement of women from employment by new technologies.

Reference in BPFA

Not specifically mentioned in Poverty chapter

Referred to in Economy Chapter, Strategic Objective F.1 Action 165 l

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and corporations

• Ensure compliance by corporations, including multi national corporations, with national laws and codes, social security regulations, applicable international agreements, instruments and conventions including those related to the environment and other relevant laws

By the ILO and UN system

• Develop mechanisms to monitor the compliance of corporations and multi national corporations with international and domestic laws addressing worker rights and conditions.

POLICIES ASSOCIATED WITH GLOBALISATION

The implementation of policies which favour the privatisation of public services, trade liberalisation, deregulation of economies, withdrawal of subsidies, downsizing of Governments, substitution of food production by cash crops and the inflow of foreign capital and enterprise has increased the number of women living in poverty. These policies have resulted in unemployment, under-employment, retrenchment and the shift of labour from the formal to the informal sector and from regulated to unprotected, sub-contracted labour.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective A.1 Action 58

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, international financial and trade organisations

• Accelerate implementation of the BPFA
• Adopt a global, holistic definition of poverty to enable international benchmarks to be established

By the UN system

• Conduct research into the links between the shift of labour from the formal to the informal sector and from regulated to unprotected, sub-contracted labour and the incidence of women living in poverty
• Develop mechanisms to monitor government and institutional economic and labour policies

IMPACT OF NATURAL DISASTERS ON WOMEN LIVING IN POVERTY

Natural disasters (in part caused by environmental degradation resulting from export driven natural resource policies) have a devastating effect on communities. Communities living in poverty are disproportionately affected by natural disasters.

Reference in BPFA

Not mentioned in the context of women and poverty

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Include strategies in poverty alleviation programs to assist communities recovering from natural disasters.

By donor countries

• Provide emergency and long-term assistance to communities living in poverty and affected by natural disasters.

ANTI-CORRUPTION MEASURES

Lack of good governance, transparency and accountability has increased corruption leading to ineffective implementation of poverty programs at the local level. The UN Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention's Global Programme Against Corruption has found that corruption threatens social, political and economic development.

Reference in BPFA

Not mentioned in the context of Women and Poverty

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Adopt comprehensive government-wide programs to combat corruption

By international financial institutions and donor agencies

• Introduce and/or strengthen measures to ensure that aid programs are not weakened by corruption in recipient countries
• Support the work of the Global Program Against Corruption

EFFECT OF MILITARISATION ON WOMEN LIVING IN POVERTY

Nuclearisation, increasing militarisation and the growing violence caused by fundamentalism, ethnicity and communalism have led to increasing defence budgets and the reduction of resources for social and human development. The delivery of anti-poverty programs in the region have been adversely affected by these measures.

Reference in BPFA

Not mentioned in context of Women and Poverty; see Women and Armed Conflict

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Reduce budgetary allocations on military spending and redirect funds to the implementation of poverty alleviation programs.

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN B: EDUCATION AND TRAINING OF WOMEN

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Increased poverty due to globalisation, the Asian economic crisis, national structural adjustment programs and ongoing armed conflict within the region are acting to undermine previous gains made in relation to educational opportunities for women and girls.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

ACCESS TO EDUCATION

Despite the efforts of Governments and other actors within the region to address gender-based inequalities in education, women continue to experience inadequate access to education, particularly higher education. Gender-based inequalities in access to education and levels of illiteracy are heightened among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, indigenous and rural women, women with disabilities, ethnic and religious minorities and internally and externally displaced groups.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective B.1 Action 80a, c; Action 81 a,c; Strategic Objective B.3 Action 82k; Strategic Objective B.4 Action 83n; Strategic Objective B.5 Action 87a

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increased commitment to eliminating current gender-based inequalities in access to education particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged groups, indigenous and rural women, ethnic and religious minorities and internally and externally displaced groups.
• Eliminate the gender gap in basic and functional literacy with particular emphasis on rural and migrant women, refugees and internally displaced women
• Eliminate gender disparities in all areas of tertiary education by ensuring that women have equal access to career development, training, scholarships and fellowships

By UNESCO and other international bodies

• Monitor progress in the achievement by Governments of measures to eliminate gender disparities in access to education at all levels and to remove the gender gap in illiteracy

CURRICULA

The development of gender sensitive curricula at all educational levels remains an outstanding issue to be addressed. Additionally, indigenous traditional knowledge continues to be suppressed and devalued within curricula.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective B.1 Action 80 d; Strategic Objective B. 3 Action 82 g, h; Strategic Objective B.4 Action 83 a, g

Suggested language

Action to be taken

By Governments:

• Ensure the development of non-discriminatory, gender-sensitive education at all levels
• Revise textbooks at all levels of education to remove gender based stereotyping
• Revise and reform curricula to ensure recognition of cultural diversity and the balancing of content on modern sciences and technology with indigenous knowledge
• Develop curricula and teaching materials which promote the participation of women in technical and scientific areas and in other fields where they are under-represented
• Increase funding and support for gender studies and ensure that research outcomes inform the development of curricula, textbooks, teaching aids and teacher training
• Include NGOs as advisers to gender studies programs

By UN and donor agencies

• Provide funding and support for regional/sub-regional gender studies programs

RESOURCE COMMITMENTS

Decreasing budgetary allocations to education by many Governments are contributing to a decline in the quality of education. Inadequate resources are being committed to the formulation and monitoring of educational reforms. Lack of coordination among many ministries handling/responsible for education results in ineffective programs.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective B. 1 Action 80 f; Strategic Objective B. 5 Action 84 a, b

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increased expenditure on education including the formulation, implementation and monitoring of educational reforms.
• Improved coordination of government administration and policy development in education.

VOCATIONAL AND BUSINESS TRAINING

There is an increasing rural-urban gap in vocational training opportunities for girls and women. Lack of training for women in business skills is undermining attempts to support women's involvement in business enterprises. Women have limited access to training in information technology.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective B.1 Action 80e; Strategic Objective B.3 Action 82 e, g, j,

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Develop comprehensive vocational and business training programs for women particularly women in rural communities.
• Develop policies and programs to improve women's access to training in information technology
• Support the participation of women in non traditional occupations by ensuring the provision of a broad range of vocational and technical training opportunities

TEACHER TRAINING

There is an inadequate focus on equity, human rights and gender issues in teacher training programs.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83 b, c, e and j

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and academic institutions

• Provide non discriminatory, gender-sensitive training for teachers from primary to post-graduate level
• Ensure increased focus on human rights, equity and gender issues in teacher training.

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN C: WOMEN AND HEALTH

OVERARCHING CONCERN

The feminisation of poverty and the globalisation of economies has reduced women's access to affordable, quality healthcare in the Asia Pacific region. Decreases in public health spending have reduced health coverage for poor women, home-based and informal sector female workers, female farmers and female heads of households. Government health budgets are decreasing to well below the WHO recommendation of at least 5% of GNP. At the same time, privatisation of the health sector has led to unnecessary medical interventions in women's lives and over-medication of women.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increase public health expenditure and ensure equitable access to affordable, quality healthcare
• Work towards removing the conditionalities imposed by the World Bank/IMF so that governments can increase public sector support for health programs.
• Ensure that donor support for health programs is not withdrawn but is increased
• Assess the impact of privatised health services on women and take measures to remedy negative impacts

INADEQUATE PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

A focus on areas such as contraception, family planning and HIV/AIDS has diverted resources away from basic primary health care services including infectious diseases. This has contributed to a lack of services for older women, adolescents, women with disabilities, indigenous women, women in armed conflict, migrant women and women marginalised due to their sexuality, social or economic status. Women in rural areas also experience more limited access to primary health care compared to women in urban areas. Access to minimum nutrition still remains elusive for many women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 e, i, w; Strategic Objective C.5 110a

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increase public expenditure on primary health care
• Ensure equitable access to appropriate, affordable, quality primary healthcare services for women particularly older women, adolescents, women with disabilities, indigenous women, women in rural areas, women in armed conflict, migrant women and women marginalised due to their sexuality, social or economic status
• Ensure an appropriate balance between promotive, preventive and curative services and between primary, secondary and tertiary care.
• Improve the nutritional status of girls and women by implementing the Plan of Action on Nutrition of the International Conference on Nutrition

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND HEALTHCARE

Women continue to experience numerous, significant difficulties in relation to reproductive health care. Unsafe abortions continue, due to the illegality of abortion in many countries, leading to high rates of maternal mortality. The availability of information on PAP smears is inadequate and barriers to accessing this test exist for unmarried and young women. The availability of emergency obstetric care is still insufficient. Contraceptives continue to produce unpleasant side-effects. Women's access to accurate information on and early detection services for HIV/AIDS is inadequate.

These difficulties reflect a common framework of denial of women's right to control their own reproduction. This is reflected in practices such as forced sterilisation and abortion in situations of conflict, the persistent social pressure on women to either bear or not bear children and the failure of men to take responsibility for safe sex and contraception.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 b, e, k, j; Strategic Objective C.2 107 a, d, m;

Strategic Objective C.3 108; Strategic Objective C.4 109e

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Adopt a rights-based framework for health services to women informed by collaboration with NGOs, health professionals and UN agencies on human rights. This framework must support and enable women to develop self esteem, acquire knowledge, make decisions on and take responsibility for their own health, sexual and reproductive behaviour.
• Review existing health care plans to ensure they reflect a rights-based approach to health services.
• Ensure affordable access to safe, high quality reproductive and sexual healthcare services including developing models of service delivery to rural and remote areas
• Reduce recourse to abortion through expanded and improved family planning services
• Recognise unsafe abortions as a major health concern and take steps to ensure that abortions are performed safely
• Ensure comprehensive sex education for both women and men particularly in the areas of contraception, HIV/AIDS and safe sex.

By health professionals

• Adopt a right's based framework for the provision of health services to women

GENDER SENSITIVE HEALTH CARE

Health care provision continues to lack gender sensitivity. Health care programs continue to be uninformed by the realities of women's lives including their low incomes, lack of mobility and limited access to information and decision-making.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 c, f, g; Strategic Objective C. 2 107p

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and health professionals

• Reorient health service program development and provision towards a gender sensitive framework which includes respect for privacy, dignity and the right to be fully informed
• Ensure that medical and other health care training includes gender sensitive education

MONITORING, RESEARCH AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

There is inadequate research and monitoring of the impact of gender inequalities and economic conditions on women's health. Little use has been made of qualitative data on women's health to undertake gender-sensitive health impact assessments. The experience and expertise of women's health NGOs has been inadequately utilised by Governments in the planning and monitoring of women's health services.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 s, t; Strategic Objective C.4 109 a, b, d, f, h;

Strategic Objective C.5 110 d.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure documentation of women's experiences of their health problems and access to health services
• Ensure the conduct of research into how gender based inequalities affect women's health including aetiology, epidemiology, the provision and use of health services and treatments
• Provide support for research into safe, affordable and effective means of ensuring sexual and reproductive health
• Ensure that health-related data is disaggregated by sex, caste, religion, class, race, age and geographical location and that such data informs gender-sensitive health impact assessments, program development and evaluation
• Undertake more effective collaboration with women's health NGOs in the planning and monitoring of women's health programs.
• Monitor resource allocations to individual forms of health care service

HEALTH CARE FOR SPECIAL NEEDS

Policies, programs and legislation on women's occupational health and safety are inadequate. Services for aging women and osteoporosis are under-developed. There are insufficient female healthcare providers in remote areas. Mental health care and services for women who are victims of domestic violence are inadequate.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 c, n, p, q; Strategic Objective C.2 107 l

Strategic Objective C.4 g

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Integrate mental health services into primary health care systems
• Develop effective policies, programs and regulatory mechanisms in relation to women's occupational health and safety
• Ensure the development and delivery of health care services for aging women particularly in the area of osteoporosis and women who are victims of domestic violence
• Increase the number of female healthcare providers in remote areas

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Research indicates that physical activity acts to prevent or greatly reduce the incidence of almost all major health problems and diseases affecting women such as osteoporosis, breast and ovarian cancers, diabetes, stroke, heart disease and obesity. In many countries however, women are actively discouraged or prevented from playing sport or taking part in other forms of physical activity in public.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective C.1 106 l, Strategic Objective C.2 l07 f

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure the increased participation of women and girls in sports and other forms of physical activity by strengthening inter-sectoral partnerships across government and with the non government sector, developing appropriate policies and strategies, and creating supportive environments in the community, school and workplace.
• Ensure that health policies and programs promote and resource physical activity for women as a key element of health promotion and illness prevention

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN D: VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Despite clear and effective actions in the BPFA which, if implemented, would reduce the incidence of violence against women in the Asia Pacific region, there is evidence to suggest that such violence is increasing. There is a lack of political will and absence of resources to implement and support mechanisms addressing violence against women.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system, and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The work of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women is a vital part of the UN response to the incidence of violence against women. The mandate of the Special Rapporteur needs to be supported through the development of mechanisms to enable a more systematic approach to monitoring the performance of Governments in preventing and redressing violence against women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective D.1 Action 124 r, s; Action 127

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By the United Nations

• To support the work of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women, develop mechanisms to enable comprehensive reviews and monitoring of State responses to violence against women. Such processes should set benchmarks by which Governments and civil society are measured in relation to their responses to violence against women; establish comprehensive definitions of violence; develop strategies for the prevention and redress of past and present violence; provide guidelines to assist Governments in the implementation of policies preventing violence against women

STATE MECHANISMS TO ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

The lack of political will by many Governments in the region to effectively address violence against women is an ongoing concern. There continues to be an absence of resources to support programs or develop mechanisms to address violence against women. Domestic violence is still not recognised as a form of violence by some Governments. Gender bias in legal systems acts to deter women from seeking legal redress for rape and other forms of violence against them.

There is a particular need to address violence perpetrated by State actors including sexual violence against women in situations of conflict. Violence against rural and indigenous women and violence based on real or perceived sexual orientation also need to be specifically addressed. There is also a need to develop culturally appropriate responses to violence against women.

Reference in BPFA

Paragraph 116; Strategic Objective D.1

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure that punitive legal measures are taken against the perpetrators of violence against women
• Develop, resource and support comprehensive national action plans to eliminate violence against women
• Implement systems to monitor national progress in eradicating violence against women
• Ensure effective victim protection and health care programs for women survivors of violence
• Ensure that national action plans to eliminate violence against women include strategies that are culturally appropriate
• Ensure that special programs are developed to assist women with special needs including elderly, indigenous, rural and migrant women; ethnic minorities; women with disabilities; adolescents girls; women in situations of armed conflict; and women marginalised because of their sexuality, economic or cultural status.

By Governments, UN agencies and funding agencies

• Provide funding to programs which support women survivors of violence and assist the work of NGOs working in this areas
• Support the conduct of research into the adoption of culturally appropriate strategies to eliminate violence against women in culturally diverse communities

INCREASE IN TRAFFICKING OF WOMEN FOR PURPOSES OF FORCED PROSTITUTION AND PORNOGRAPHY

The Asia Pacific region has seen an increase in the number of women and girls being trafficked for forced prostitution or pornography including cyber-pornography. Forced prostitution or pornography must be recognised as a form of violence against women.

Reference in BPFA

Paragraph 113
Strategic Objective D.3, Action 130b an e

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure effective implementation of the 1949 Convention on the Suppression of Trafficking in Persons and the Prostitution of Others, Article 6 of the Women's Convention and Articles 34, 35 and 36 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• Support the speedy finalisation of the Optional Protocol on Trafficking of Persons, especially women and children, of the Convention Against Transnational Organised Crime.
• Ensure that national action plans to eliminate violence against women contain appropriate measures to prevent trafficking of women and provide protection and rehabilitation of trafficked women and girls including those trafficked on the internet
• Develop and effectively enforce legislation on trafficking particularly the punishment of traffickers in accordance with the principles of the BPFA
• Prevent forced repatriation of women by recipient countries and provide social, economic, legal , psychological and humanitarian assistance, including the granting of permanent resident status for returnees of trafficking.
• Develop bilateral, subregional, regional and international agreements and protocols to combat all forms of trafficking in women and girls.
• Develop an appropriate compensation mechanism for victims of violence resulting from prostitution and trafficking and ensure effective implementation.
• Improve international information exchange on trafficking in women and girls by establishing data-collection centres within Interpol, regional law enforcement agencies and national police forces
• Ensure gender-sensitive training of frontline law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, and the criminal justice system.
• Ensure the effective implementation of actions identified in Strategic Objectives C.3 of the BPFA

HONOUR KILLINGS

In the last five years the incidence of honour killings and violence against women based on culture, religion or other identity based constructs has increased in the Asia Pacific region. Strategies to address these issues need to be placed within the context of national action plans to eliminate violence against women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective D.1 Action 124b

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure that punitive legal measures are taken against the perpetrators of honour killings and violence against women based on culture, religion or other identity based constructs
• Include strategies to eliminate honour killings and violence against women based on culture, religion or other identity based constructs in national action plans addressing violence against women

By the UN system, government and civil society

• Develop, fund and implement strategies to be delivered by the UN, Governments or civil society, to eliminate honour killings and violence against women based on culture, religion or other identity based constructs

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN E: WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Since 1995, the Asia Pacific region has seen an increase in militarisation.. Frequently, warfare in the region is characterised by intra-state conflicts, the displacement and targeting of civilian populations and the destruction of entire communities. The majority of the casualties of armed conflict are civilians, particularly women and children. The international community must develop effective mechanisms to halt the proliferation of conflicts; meet the needs of civilian casualties; and implement effective and responsive conflict resolution mechanisms. Nuclearisation continues to pose a major threat in the region.

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Decrease military spending and increase funding to social development and the reconstruction of communities

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate the implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS

The changing nature of armed conflict has a disproportionate impact on women civilians. Women and children constitute 80% of the world's refugees and displaced persons. Women are often taken hostage in conflict situations or become refugees or displaced persons to escape these situations. In all of these circumstances they are frequently raped and sexually tortured. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees estimates that 80% of refugee women are raped as part of the refugee experience. Many countries however, do not recognise rape as an acceptable ground for the granting of refugee status and therefore reject applications for entry from refugee women on this basis.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective E.5 Action 147 h

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and the UN

• Ensure that the interpretation of the 1967 Refugee protocol by Governments includes the recognition of rape and other forms of sexual violence in conflict situations as grounds for refugee status.
• Adopt gender-sensitive guidelines on the treatment of refugees and internally displaced persons
• Assist voluntary repatriation and integration of refugee women and internally displaced persons including restoration with their families and protection of their human rights

SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

In a number of countries in the Asia Pacific region, women living in situations of armed conflict are frequently subjected to sexual violence by armed forces including State actors and other persons in positions of authority. Forms of sexual violence include rape, forced pregnancy, sexual slavery and sexual torture. This violence is often denied by Governments and consequently, no assistance or support is provided to victims and little action is taken to punish the perpetrators.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective E3 Action 145 d, e

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Implement effective measures to stop the use of rape and sexual torture by armed forces other persons in positions of authority

By Governments and UN systems

• Initiate the provision of medical treatment and trauma counselling for victims of rape and sexual torture
• Establish victims and witness protection programs
• Prosecute the perpetrators of rape and sexual torture at both national levels and through international processes including the International Criminal Court
• Ratify the statute for the establishment of the International Criminal Court
• Ensure that the Rules of Procedure for the International Criminal Court adopt a gender sensitive perspective in all areas, allow for testimony regarding rape and sexual torture and following the precedent set in the proposed Optional protocol to CEDAW, allow for women to be represented in absentia by non government organisations.

BREACHES OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN AND HUMAN RIGHTS LAWS

During times of armed conflict, breaches of international humanitarian and human rights laws are commonplace. These include the forced labour of women, recruitment of children into armies and para military groups and the failure of both State and non-State actors to adhere to the norms of international humanitarian laws with regard to the treatment of civilians in conflict, especially women and children.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective E.3 Action 144 b and 145 h

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and the UN

• Ensure that armed forces including peace keeping forces comply with international humanitarian and human rights laws
• Prosecute through international processes those responsible for breaches of humanitarian and human rights laws

CONFLICT RESOLUTION PROCESSES

At all levels of decision making in the area of conflict resolution women continue to be under-represented. Recent events have also seen the UN marginalised from conflict-resolution processes.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective E.1 Action 142 a

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Reaffirm the role of the Security Council in international conflict resolution, peace making and peace keeping

By the UN

• Reform the UN Security Council to enable it to operate more effectively in conflict resolution, peace making and peace keeping
• Develop transparent mechanisms for civil society participation in Security Council processes
• Increase the participation of women in conflict resolution processes at all levels

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN F: WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Women of the Asia Pacific region continue to struggle for economic security and control over resources at macro, micro and national levels. Globalisation and structural adjustment programs have led to an increase in poverty and the economic displacement of women.

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS ON WOMEN'S ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

Recent financial failures in the region have resulted in a number of regressive trends including the erosion of protection's on wage levels and labour conditions which has exposed women to a range of work-related risks including physical and sexual abuse. Decreased rural employment opportunities has led to increased migration of workers to urban areas and the saturation of the labour market. Increasingly harsh working conditions are being experienced such as low pay, long working hours and inadequate occupational health and safety protections.

At the macro level, prevailing business practices even in industrialised economies continue to marginalise women's enterprises and small businesses from sources of capital and information. The access of low income women in particular to capital, credit and technology remains poor despite the claimed success of micro credit programs.

The globalisation of economies continues to exacerbate inequalities between women and men in employment opportunities, wages and occupational categories. Women continue to be pushed into the informal sector of the economy and excluded from social security protection.

Reference in BPFA

Paragraph 157

Strategic Objective F.1 Action 165 a, d, e, k, l, n, p, r

Strategic Objective F.2

Suggested language

Action to be taken

By Governments, UN Agencies and multilateral bodies

• Develop policies and programs, to be implemented through government or civil society channels, to address the disproportionate effect on women of the globalisation of economies and structural adjustment programs
• Re-examine the impact of micro-credit and income generating programs in genuinely empowering women economically and socially and implement necessary reforms to these programs
• Expand micro-credit programs through the allocation of additional funds
• Rapidly expand the provision of credit and capital to the poorest women and provide appropriate infrastructure support

By Governments

• Ratify ILO Conventions providing protection for workers, particularly women workers
• Adopt domestic enforcement mechanisms for the provisions contained in ILO conventions.
• Ensure that industrial relations legislation does not infringe upon workers' rights to belong to trade unions and to engage in collective bargaining

By civil society, particularly trade unions

• Continue to advocate for a human-centred development paradigm at all levels and in all important forums of world leaders
• Organise labour in all sectors including agriculture, fisheries and commerce as well as informal sectors

DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF GLOBAL TRADE AND FINANCIAL ORGANISATIONS

The policies and practices of international financial institutions, particularly the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organisation continue to adversely effect women's participation in the formal economy and increasingly force women to participate in the informal sector.

Reference in BPFA

Not clearly stated in Women and Economy section.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By creditor countries and international financial institutions including the Bretton Woods institutions

• Continue to implement effective, equitable, development-oriented and durable solutions to the external debt and debt-servicing problems of developing countries particularly countries affected by globalisation and structural adjustment programs through debt relief and reduction mechanisms including grants and concessional financial flows

By Governments and donor organisations

• Ensure that development policies focus on the economic empowerment of women.
• Identify linkages between macro level national policies and micro level economic/social gender roles in order to make development policies more effective.
• Assess the impact on women of liberalisation policies including privatisation, financial and trade policies

By the World Trade Organisation

• Safeguard and respect the economic sovereignty of developing countries and their right to research and develop their own resources
• Establish mechanisms to prevent the patenting of life forms and biological processes

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS HARMFUL TO INDIGENOUS WOMEN'S ECONOMIC PARTICIPATION

Indigenous women's economic participation is being detrimentally affected by a number of factors. These include new land development programs which have further displaced indigenous communities and the introduction of trade-related intellectual property rights. The latter "facilitates and legitimises the piracy of our biological, cultural, and intellectual resources and heritage by transnational corporations" (Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women).

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective F.4 Action 175f

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system, and civil society

• Ensure that the rights of indigenous peoples to their intellectual and cultural heritage are recognised and respected
• Ensure that government policy and practice with regard to indigenous peoples' intellectual and cultural heritage rights are in accordance with the provisions of the Biodiversity Convention.

By the World Trade Organisation

• Recognise the intellectual and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and ensure that these rights are not diminished or compromised by agreements adopted by the WTO
• Develop a formal process for civil society involvement in WTO meetings, access to documents and participation in the WTO dispute settlement system.

By corporations

• Recognise the intellectual and cultural rights of indigenous peoples and ensure that these rights are not diminished or compromised by the practices and policies of corporations

INHERITANCE AND PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

Secure land rights are a key factor in the economic empowerment of women. Existing traditional and cultural stereotypes deny women the right to own and inherit land and property. International, regional and local trade, finance and investment policies often increase gender inequality in access to land, housing and other productive resources and undermine women's capacity to gain and retain these resources.

Reference in BPFA

Paragraph 156

Strategic Objective F1 Action 165 e

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Adopt and enforce legislation which protects and promotes women's rights to own, inherit, lease or rent land and housing
• Amend policies which restrict women's rights to own, inherit, lease or rent land and housing
• Provide support for the transformation of customs and traditions which discriminate against women and deny women security of tenure
• Develop economic platforms which support women's access to and control over financial resources including credit and capital

By international financial institutions, housing finance institutions and other credit facilities

• Eliminate policies which discriminate against women
• Provide additional support to single women and households headed by women

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN G: WOMEN AND POWER AND DECISION MAKING

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Persistent patriarchal attitudes, traditional gender-specific roles, religious fundamentalism, the increase in violence and corruption in the electoral process and inequitable distribution of resources remain the major obstacles to women's equal and full political participation and representation.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system, and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

PROGRAMS FOR MARGINALISED WOMEN

Programs to facilitate the political participation of women who are marginalised because they are indigenous or live in rural areas or because of their low income, disability, age, sexuality or other minority status have been ad hoc and ineffective. In some cases these programs have had a detrimental impact on these women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective G.2 Action 195 a

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Establish and fund comprehensive, integrated programs to be conducted by government or non government organisations to facilitate the political participation of women who are marginalised because they are indigenous or live in rural areas or because of their low income, disability, age, sexuality or other minority status

PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN POWER AND DECISION MAKING

Across the Asia Pacific region, women's representation in power and decision making processes remains low and in some cases is in decline. Women are inadequately represented in political processes, in civil society decision-making and in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building .All decision making institutions including government and political bodies have failed to meet quotas for women's representation or to develop platforms for the full participation of women. The private sector continues to impose barriers to women's participation in senior management. There is a lack of appropriate leadership training and capacity building programs for women; a lack of community education to enable women's participation in decision making processes; and a lack of government, community and family support for such participation.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective G.1; Strategic Objective G.2

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and the UN

• Develop monitoring and participatory mechanisms for the achievement of increased participation by women including quotas (at least 30%) in political and other decision-making processes
• Establish and fund education and awareness raising campaigns, leadership training and capacity building programs to enable women to equally participate in decision making processes.
• Promote and monitor women's active and equal participation as governmental and civil society representatives, Special Rapporteurs and envoys in all initiatives and activities of the UN system, including as mediators for peacekeeping and peace-building
• Convene an international forum on Women and Politics

By Governments, the UN and civil society

• Actively encourage the sustained participation and equal representation of women in civic movements including decision-making processes related to conflict prevention, conflict resolution and rehabilitation with a view to creating an enabling environment for peace, reconciliation and reconstruction of communities.
• Develop public education campaigns encouraging women to participate in decision making processes and reinforcing the value of women's political participation

FACTORS INHIBITING WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION

The rise in religious fundamentalism and the threat of and use of violence intimidates and/or prevents women from participating in decision making structures.

Reference in BPFA

Not specifically mentioned

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure that the perpetrators of violence against women participating in decision-making structures, whether State or non State actors, are bought to justice
• Develop, fund and implement public education campaigns to address negative community perceptions about the participation of women in decision making structures.

By Governments and civil society

• Ensure that interpretations of religious teachings do not inhibit the participation of women in power and decision making processes.

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN H: INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Lack of political will continues to inhibit the adoption of effective national machineries for the advancement of women and for the systematic mainstreaming of gender perspectives throughout government sectoral ministries, policies and programs particularly those concerned with implementation of the BPFA.

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system, and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL MACHINERIES

The economic crisis which has affected the Asia Pacific region has had a detrimental effect on funding levels for national machineries for the advancement of women, in some cases inhibiting their establishment. The effective development of national machineries for the advancement of women also continues to be inhibited by a lack of political will.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective H.1

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increase and maintain political and financial commitment to the development and strengthening of national machineries for the advancement of women
• Ensure that effective accountability mechanisms for national machineries for the advancement of women are implemented at all appropriate levels of government. As part of this process fund the development of accessible mechanisms for grassroots participation in processes for the advancement of women.
• Support the involvement of non-governmental organisations in assisting Governments to implement regional, national and international commitments including the BPFA, CEDAW, ICCPR, ICESCR, CERD, CRC and CAT

By Governments, the UN and civil society

• Strengthen local, national, regional and international information networks for women aimed at the sharing of best practices in institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women

MAINSTREAMING OF GENDER PERSPECTIVES

Increased commitment is required to support the mainstreaming of gender perspectives in all areas of government and the development of accountability and monitoring mechanisms for such practices.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic objective H.2; Strategic objective H.3

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure the adoption of a gender perspective by government ministries, bodies and institutions for all policies, programs, monitoring and evaluation
• Allocate a minimum of 5% of the national annual budget to support policies which mainstream gender perspectives through government
• Ensure that national machineries for the advancement of women act as the central coordinating unit for gender mainstreaming and that these machineries are located within the highest level of governments
• Allocate funding for the development of effective modules for gender sensitisation training across government and the development of strategies to effectively mainstream women's issues in all areas of national and local government
• Ensure that government sectoral ministries and institutions generate and disseminate gender disaggregated data and that such data informs planning and evaluation of programs for the advancement of women and is regularly published by the national statistics office
• Strengthen women's studies at universities to ensure the availability of appropriate expertise in gender issues and gender mainstreaming
• Ensure that research is undertaken into the factors both enabling and impeding women's advancement

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Develop and implement qualitative and quantitative indicators for gender equality

CAPACITY OF NATIONAL MACHINERIES TO PROVIDE FOR THE DIVERSE NEEDS OF WOMEN

National machineries must specifically address the diversity of women's experiences in order to effectively represent and promote the interests of all women to government and civil society.

Reference in BPFA

Not specifically mentioned.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Government

• Create and strengthen programs which recognise the diversity of women's experiences of discrimination

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN I: HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Since 1995 two detrimental trends have emerged in the area of women's human rights in the Asia Pacific region. There has been a backlash against civil society actors, particularly women's and human rights NGOs, which has placed activists at risk in their own countries. There has also been a resurgence of conservative forces where women's rights are denied in the name of culture, religion or other identity-based constructs.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

FAILURE TO RATIFY CEDAW

Ratification and implementation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is a cornerstone of achieving women's human rights in this region. Three Asian countries and six Pacific countries have however, not yet ratified CEDAW. A number of other countries have maintained substantive reservations to it. Governments have also failed to adopt legislation giving effect to the provisions of CEDAW in domestic settings or failed to implement such legislation. In particular, accountability mechanisms to ensure the implementation of such legislation is absent in a number of cases. Additionally, the Optional Protocol to CEDAW is yet to be ratified by many countries.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective I.1 Actions 230a, b, c, g, k

Strategic Objective I.2 Actions 232a, b, c, d, i

Suggested Language

Action to be Taken

By Governments:

• Ratify and ensure implementation of CEDAW. Universal ratification must be achieved by 2005.
• Reaffirm the commitment made in the BPFA to fully implement CEDAW at a domestic level
• Withdraw reservations contrary to the objectives and purpose of CEDAW
• Adopt and amend domestic legislation to enable compliance with the obligations set out in CEDAW
• Ratify the Optional Protocol to CEDAW
• Enable the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women to discharge fully its responsibilities under the mandate of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW by allocating adequate meeting time and additional resources to the Committee

BACKLASH AGAINST ACTIVISTS

Monitoring by international NGOs has clearly demonstrated that intimidation, reprisals, attacks and even extrajudicial killings of human rights defenders have continued unabated throughout the world since the adoption of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

Reference in BPFA

Preamble paragraph 228, no specific reference in strategic objectives

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and the UN

• Support the establishment of a Special Rapporteur to the Commission on Human Rights with a mandate to monitor, document and intervene on behalf of human rights defenders subjected to human rights violations; devise effective strategies to protect human rights defenders; and develop monitoring mechanisms on implementation of the Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS BASED ON CULTURAL, RELIGIOUS OR OTHER IDENTITY-BASED CONSTRUCTS

Since the adoption of the BPFA, the region has seen a resurgence of conservative forces where women's rights are denied in the name of culture, religion or other identity-based constructs. There has been a documented increase in the practice of honour killings by non-State actors; boy preference and associated practices continue to occur (eg. abandonment of girl children and denial of their access to opportunities available to boys; sex selection practices) and discriminatory practices on the basis of religion, ethnic identity and sexuality continues.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective I.2 Action 232.1

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Give the highest priority to promoting and protecting the full and equal enjoyment by women of all human rights and fundamental freedoms without distinction of any kind as to race, colour, sexuality, language, religion, political or other opinions, national or social origins, property, birth or other status
• Establish effective mechanisms for investigating violations of the human rights of women perpetrated by any State or non-State actor and implement punitive legal measures in accordance with national laws and international legal standards.

By Governments

• Repeal legislation which acts to discriminate on the basis of gender, religion, ethnic identity and sexuality
• Introduce legislation to ensure the protection of human rights irrespective of gender, religion, ethnic identity and sexuality

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Eliminate discrimination on the basis of gender, religion, ethnic identity and sexuality
• Develop and implement campaigns to change discriminatory community attitudes and practices based on gender, religion, ethnic identity and sexuality

DETRIMENTAL IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS

In the period since 1995 the impact of global economic trends and policies have negatively impacted on the promotion and protection of women's human rights. Actions by Governments and civil society have resulted in practices which infringe their obligations under international human rights law for example, trafficking for purposes of prostitution (in contravention of CEDAW) and lapses in the implementation of labour laws in export processing zones (in contravention of ILO agreements).

Reference in PFA

No specific reference

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, international financial institutions and trade organisations

• Ensure that economic policies, practices and agreements integrate international human rights obligations

By the UN system

• Ensure that the special Rapporteurs on poverty, structural adjustment and foreign debt integrate a gender perspective into their work.
• Develop system wide monitoring mechanisms to ensure that international and domestic economic policies and agreements do not impact negatively on the human rights of women.

INTERSECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS

Many women experience human rights violations as a result of intersecting oppressions. For example, the intersection of race and gender is seen in discriminatory practices against indigenous women such as the refusal to recognise sacred women's sites and land rights. The intersection of religion and gender is seen in discriminatory practices which restrict women's inheritance rights.

Reference in BPFA

There is a general recognition of the additional barriers that women face [paragraph 225] and while there are references to women with disabilities and indigenous women, increased focus on the intersecting oppressions that women experience is required.

• Women with disabilities [identified in the context of health care needs - Strategic Objective C.1 Action 106c; and human rights in Strategic Objective I.2 Action 232p]
• Indigenous women [indigenous issues raised only in the context of the Draft Declaration of Indigenous Peoples - Strategic Objective 1.1 Action 230o]; and health care needs identified in Strategic Objective C.1 Action 106c]
• Migrant women including migrant women workers [raised in VAW context - Strategic Objective D.1 Actions 125b and c]; raised in legal literacy context [Strategic Objective I.3 Action 233i]; recognised in Paragraph 225]
• Discrimination on the basis of sexuality [sexuality issues raised in the context of health concerns: Paragraph 96 and Strategic Objective I.2 Action 232f]
• Internally displaced persons and refugees [covered in Critical Area of Concern E]
• Marginalised women (ie Dalit women) [not recognised]; minority women (ie religious and ethnic groups) [recognised in Paragraph 225, no Strategic Objective reference]

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Develop a more comprehensive understanding of women's human rights issues which addresses the wide range of discrimination and forms of oppression faced by women, because of factors such as race, language, ethnicity, culture, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexuality, status as refugees or internally displaced peoples or because they are indigenous people and live in rural areas.
• Ensure that this understanding is integrated into all human rights policies and practices.
• Ensure that all thematic and country Rapporteurs for the Commission on Human Rights adequately and effectively address gender concerns within their mandate

INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT

The Statute of the International Criminal Court, adopted in July 1998, provides for the establishment of a permanent International Criminal Court with jurisdiction over genocide, other crimes against humanity and war crimes, in both international and non-international conflicts.

Reference in BPFA

No specific reference

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Support efforts to establish the International Criminal Court at the earliest possible date
• Ensure the Court is provided with adequate resources
• Ensure that all States and parties cooperate fully and promptly with the Court
• Ensure that a gender perspective is fully incorporated into the rules and operation of the International Criminal Court

STRENGTHENING DOMESTIC HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

Formal institutions have gone some way to addressing the need to promote and protect women's human rights. Much work is however, required to institutionalise a gender perspective in existing human rights mechanisms.

Reference in the BPFA

Strategic Objective I.1 Action 231

Strategic Objective I.1 Action 230 d, e

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure 50% representation of women in machineries and mechanisms for human rights at the local, national, regional and international level through the adoption of affirmative action legislation and policies; the provision of training programs for women including mentoring programs; and the development of career paths for women in these fields.
• Member states of the Commission on the Status of Women and the Commission on Human Rights must develop independent national human rights machineries, improve accountability mechanisms for existing machineries and strategies and establish national targets for the achievement of these objectives. These targets should be included in the Beijing Plus Five Action Plan to be adopted at the June 2000 review.

By the UN

• Develop an effective UN mechanism for reviewing the achievement of these targets for use by the CSW and HCR.

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN J: WOMEN AND MEDIA

OVERARCHING CONCERN

Globalisation is acting to transform the nature and structure of the media from a public service to a transnational business enterprise. The process of globalisation is also acting to concentrate media ownership and control patterns, thereby limiting the ability of many sections of society including women, to influence, utilise and hold the media accountable.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives of the Beijing Platform for Action
• Examine the impact of a globalised media industry on the status of women
• Coordinate the implementation of WTO policies with the BPFA to ensure gender justice in media globalisation processes

PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING

Women continue to have limited participation and access to decision-making in the communications industry and in governing bodies that influence media policy. The absence of a critical mass of women results in a lack of gender sensitive analysis of media issues and policy.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective J.1 Action 239 c

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By governments, regulatory bodies, media and communication industries

• Ensure and increase the representation of women in policy development and decision-making in the media and communications institutions
• Promote the participation of women in all aspects of the media and communications industries including management, programming, education, training and research

ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES

Women continue to experience barriers in accessing new information and communication technologies, participating in technologies development and policy making as well as safe and equitable employment in these industries.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective J.1 Action 239 a: Action 241 a

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Develop strategies to overcome barriers for women in relation to new information and communication technologies including access, use, design, and implementation
• Ensure improved access and participation of women to new information and communication technologies through education in science and technology
• Ensure the safe and equitable employment of women in information and communication technology industries
• Continue to support affordable community based and public access forms of radio, television, computer networking and internet use

By Governments, regulatory bodies, media and communication industries

• Ensure the increased representation of women in mechanisms that develop and regulate new information and communication technologies.

MEDIA PORTRAYAL OF WOMEN

Negative and stereotyped representations of women in the media continue while the cultural diversity and varying realities of women's lives remains absent from media representations of women. Media codes of conduct at the national level have not been effective in ensuring positive portrayals of women in the media. The proliferated utilisation of the Internet to connect buyers and sellers in the trafficking in women and pornography has exacerbated the unregulated and unpenalised exploitation of women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective J.2, Action 240, Action 241 d, Action 243a, c, d, e.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, NGOs and other civil society actors

• Develop professional guidelines and codes of conduct to promote the presentation of non stereotyped images of women in the media
• Ensure that all regulatory mechanisms for media at the national and international levels promote balanced and diverse representations of women and are guided by principles of justice and diversity
• Ensure that the development of all regulatory mechanisms of media at national and international levels are consultative, including media practitioners, women's organisations and other civil society actors.

By Governments and UN bodies

• Convene dialogues and examine the feasibility of developing an international agreement on Women and Media to address issues such as cultural and social diversity, globalisation, human rights and gender equality.

STATUS OF WOMEN IN THE MEDIA INDUSTRY

There is a lack of a coordinated effort aimed at improving and changing the status of women within the media industry. Sexual harassment of women in media organisations is widespread as female employees continue to be treated in a sexualised manner by their male colleagues and superiors. This is a denial of women's human rights and acts to hinder women's full participation in the media industry. The treatment of female employees actively discourages women from entering, and occupying key positions within the media industry.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective J.1 Action 239 b

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and media industry bodies

• Document and eliminate the widespread practice of sexual harassment within media organisations.
• Develop programs to ensure that women are able to secure senior and other decision making positions in the media industry.
• Ensure that employment recruitment, induction, training and promotion practices in the media industry are informed by gender sensitive policies

By UN bodies such as UNESCO and UNESCAP

• Ensure the development of an international institute on women, media and communication to coordinate all existing initiatives and achievements of women in the media and ensure the simultaneous pursuit of research, monitoring, training, policy, advocacy, media production and lobbying for the advancement of women in the media.

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN K: WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT

OVERARCHING CONCERN

A number of Governments have not implemented the environmental provisions of the BPFA. Governments must take more effective action to reduce the incidence and impact of environmental degradation on women.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action
• Ensure that effective punitive measures are taken against developed countries responsible for global warming and environmental degradation

By Governments

• Ensure full compliance with international obligations and conventions on the environment

PARTICIPATION IN DECISION MAKING

Women continue to be excluded from environmental decision making at all levels and in all areas of environmental management. This exclusion results in a lack of gender sensitive analysis of environmental issues and the failure to utilise the traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous women to inform environmental protection policies.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective K.1 Action 253 a, c, e; Strategic Objective K.2 Action 256 a

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure the increased participation of women, including indigenous women in management and decision making bodies on environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development
• Integrate a gender sensitive perspective in the design, implementation and management of environmental programs

IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON WOMEN'S HEALTH

Women live in environments which continue to be exposed to pollution, degradation, poor sanitation, industrial hazards, toxic chemicals and pesticide residues but there is little data on the impact of these elements on women's health. The lack of such data inhibits the development and delivery of gender sensitive environmental programs.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective K.1 Action 253d; Action 254 e; Strategic Objective K. 2 Action 256 c

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Identify through appropriate research, environmental hazards to which women are particularly exposed and/or susceptible and conduct analyses of the impact of environmental degradation on women's health and well being

By Governments

• Implement effective measures to reduce risks to women from identified environmental hazards at home, work and other environments
• Collaborate with universities, research institutes and NGOs to develop data bases on gender and the environment. Such data must inform the service delivery of environmental agencies.

REGULATION AND MONITORING

Regulation and monitoring of environmental impacts by Governments is inadequate.

Reference in BPFA

No specific reference

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments and international bodies

• Ensure more effective implementation of regulatory mechanisms for activities with potential negative environmental impacts
• Ensure more effective evaluation of environmental impacts at national and international levels
• Incorporate a gender sensitive analysis into environmental monitoring activities

NEW TECHNOLOGIES

There is inadequate global research into the development of renewable energy sources and waste management technologies. Assessment of the impact of new technologies on the environment is inadequate.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective K.2 Action 256 g

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Identify, develop and promote environmentally sound technologies
• Increase budgetary allocations to the development of renewable sources of energy and waste management technologies.
• Conduct rigorous assessments of the impact of new technologies on the environment

By Governments, NGOs and UN agencies

• Undertake more effective collaboration in the promotion and conduct of training in renewable sources of energy and waste management technologies

COORDINATION

Lack of coordination among NGOs and between NGOs and Governments acts to limit effective action on environmental issues of concern to women.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective K.3 Action 258 d

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Increased collaboration and coordination with NGOs on environmental issues and in the promotion of environmental education and awareness

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CRITICAL AREA OF CONCERN L: THE GIRL CHILD

OVERARCHING CONCERN

The concerns of the girl child (comprising 40% of females in the region) have received insufficient attention in national plans of action.

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system, and civil society

• Accelerate implementation of the strategic objectives contained in the Beijing Platform for Action

MECHANISMS TO ADDRESS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE GIRL CHILD

The BPFA does not recognise that girl children fall into distinct age groupings, each with its own set of needs and that girl children also fall into specific demographic groups such as child workers, migrants, refugees, victims of armed conflict, street children, children in prostitution, minorities, ethnic groups, children with disabilities or children facing special risks due to exploitation or abuse. Targeted approaches are needed to address the specific needs of these groups.

The rights of the girl child are also not specifically mentioned in the Convention of the Rights of the Child.

Reference in BPFA

Not specifically mentioned

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments, the UN system and civil society

• Ensure that targeted strategies are developed to address the needs of girl children according to groupings based on age and other demographic characteristics
• Ensure that national budgetary allocations for programs serving girl children are equivalent to the proportion of the population that they represent
• Ensure the collection of gender and age disaggregated data to inform policy and program development for girl children

By the UN system

• The Committee on the Rights of the Child be asked consider issuing a General Comment elaborating the relationship of the girl child to the rights contained in the Convention on the Rights of the Child

IMPACT OF GLOBAL ECONOMIC TRENDS ON GIRL CHILDREN

Global economic trends and policies in the Asia Pacific region have negatively impacted on the situation and status of girl children, reflected in the increase in child prostitution and trafficking, child labour, child homelessness and culturally sanctioned child marriages and child sexual exploitation.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective L.6

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure the effective implementation of legislation to prevent child prostitution, child trafficking, child labour and child marriages
• Provide effective programs to respond to the needs of children who are victims of sexual and economic exploitation

By Governments, the UN system, and donor agencies

• Provide funding to programs aimed at the elimination of sexual and economic exploitation of the girl child

VIOLENCE AGAINST THE GIRL CHILD

Violence against girl children in the name of culture, religion or other identity-based constructs is increasing in the Asia Pacific region.

Reference in BPFA

Strategic Objective L.7 Action 283 b

Suggested language

Action to be Taken

By Governments

• Ensure that punitive legal measures are taken against the perpetrators of violence against girl
• Include strategies to address the issue of violence against girl children in national action plans to eliminate violence against women

By the UN system, government and civil society

• Develop, fund and implement strategies, to be delivered by the UN, Governments or civil society, to address violence against the girl child based on culture, religion or other identity-based constructs

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CONCLUSION - SUMMARY OF FUTURE ACTIONS

This book is intended to assist NGO's in successful lobbying at CSW 44 and Beijing plus Five. If the issue on which you are working is not included and you would like assistance with the wording of your lobbying document, please contact the apwomen2000 list on owner-apwomen2000@isiswomen.org

At the APWW Lobbying Workshop held in Kathmandu, January 28 and 29 2000, the following plans and strategies were decided:

The proposed Political Declaration from the Beijing plus Five Review

Please contact your Government before CSW and strongly suggest that the wording of the Declaration from the Asia Pacific NGO Symposium be taken into account in the drafting of the final Declaration. The summary version of this declaration is in this booklet. The full version is available on www.jca.apc.org/aworc/bpfa

Suggested Language on Issues of Concern

Submit all or some sections of this booklet to your Government prior to CSW to encourage them to consider and whenever possible, to sponsor the language recommended by regional NGO's.

The Proposed Outcome Document

Access the Proposed outcomes document for Beijing plus Five on www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/outcome.htm and prepare suggested amendments and wording based on Voices 2000. If possible submit these to your Government before CSW. Otherwise, bring them with you.

At CSW

Join the daily APWW briefings, help plan our lobbying strategies, work as part of the APWW team and use this book to suggest language to Governments for inclusion in the Outcomes Document.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS AT CSW AND APWW INVOLVEMENT

The following important meetings will be held before and during CSW. Ensure that a representative of your group attends all of these meetings. Details are correct as of the time of printing, but please check for notices advertising times and places when you arrive.

March 4	CONGO NGO Strategy Meeting - 10 - 4 pm, The Church Centre
March 5	APWW Strategy Meeting - 10 - 1pm, Place to be advised.
March 5	CONGO NGO Orientation to CSW 1 - 5pm The Church Centre
March 6 - 17	The Beijing plus Five Review (Women 2000) Prepcom
W/B March 6	APWW Workshop, Look for notices

Daily APWW Briefing meetings. Look for notices advising time and place.

APWW COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Central Asia

Nurgul Djanaeva
Forum of Women's NGOs of Krygyzstan,
147 Isanova Street, apt.7, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan 720033
Phone : 996 - 3312 - 214585
E-mail: dnurgul@yahoo.com

Elmira Suleymanova,
Azerbaijan Women and Development Centre,
3/6 S.Rustamou St., Baku 370001 Azerbaijan
Phone: 994-129-27920
Fax : 994-129-72073
E-mail: elmira@awdc.caku.az

South Asia

Pam Rajput
Convener, South Asia Watch,
E1-14 Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh 160014 India.
Phone: 0091-172-545425
Fax.: 0091-172-545425
E-mail: rajput%pol@puniv.chd.nic.in

Shagufta Alizai,
Co Convenor, South Asia Watch, Shirkat Gah,
F-25/A, Block 9, Clifton, Karachi 75600 Pakistan
Telefax: (office) 021-5832754
Telefax: (Home) 92-21-58633333005
E-mail: alizai@ctber.net.pk
Office: shirkat@cyber.net.pk

Anjana Shakhya,
Member-Core Committee, South Asia Watch,
P.O. Box 12684, Inar, Pulchowk, Lalitpur, Nepal
Phone: 0977-1-520054 (OFFICE),
Fax: 0977-1-520042.
E-mail: info@inhured.wlink.com.np; bodhisattva@unlimit.com

Pacific

Eileen Pittaway,
Asian Pacific Human Rights Council,
C/O 11 Vallet Road Forestville, NSW 2087
Phone 61 2 9975 5027
E-mail: Tuckway@nsw.bigpond.net.au

Amelia Rokotuivuna,
Pacific Regional YWCA, 15 Denison Road,
P.O. Box 3940 Samabula - Fiji
Phone: (679) 301-352/304-9651
Fax: ( 679) 301-222
E-mail: pac-ywca@mailhost.sopac.org.fj

Jane Prichard,
Association of Presbyterian Women of Aotearoa New Zealand,
P.O.Box99-464.Newmarket, Auckland - New Zealand.
Phone: 64-9-528-3727
Fax: 64-9-528-7616
E-mail: janeprichard@clear.net.nz

East Asia

Heisoo Shin, President,
Korea Women's HotLine,
5th Floor, Ulji Bldg, 236-509 Shindang 1-Dong, Jung-Ku, Seoul 100-451 Korea.
Tel: 82-2-22377-1924/1025/1026/1027
Fax: 82-2-2237-1028 E-mail: heisoo@peacenet.or.kr

Mitchiko Nakamura,
Japan NGO Report Committee,
6-22-12 Seijo, Satagaya-ku, Tokyo 157-0066
Tel: 813-3482-1476
Fax: 813-3482-1454
E-mail: seijo-mitchiko@mvb.biglobe.ne.jp

South East Asia

Patricia B. Licuanan,
Chairperson, SEAWatch,
c/o President's Office Miriam College,
Katipunan Roada, Loyola Heights, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines.
Phone: 632-426-0169
Fax.: 632-924-6769
E-mail: licuanan@mc.edu.ph

Thanpuying Chartikavanij Sumalee,
Thai Women Watch and PPSEAWA Thailand,
2234 New Petchburi Road, Bangkok 10320.
Phone: 314-4316
Fax: 718-0372
E-mail: tw2a@asianet.co.th

Siti Hertati Hartono,

Indonesian Women's Kongress,
Jl. Imam Bonjon No.58, Jakarta 10310 Indonesia.
Phone (6221) 315-27877 / 315-2785
Fax: (62-21)315-2784
E-mail: hartono@jakarta.wasantara.net.id

Regional Organisational Representatives on the APWW Management Committee are:

APWLD
Regional Co-ordinator Jennifer S. Thambayah
Santitham YMCA Building,
3rd Floor, 11 Sermsuk Road Mengrairasmi, Chiangmai 50300 Thailand
Phone 66 53 404 613
Fax 66 53 404 615
E-mail: apwld@loxinfo.co.th

Isis International-Manila
Contacts - Susanna George and Luz Martinez
# 3 Marunong Street Brgy. Central Quezon City, 1100 Philippines
Tel: 632-435-3405/435 - 3408/436-0312
Fax 632-924-1065
E-mail: isis@isiswomen.org
Website: http://www.isiswomen.org

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CONTACTS IN NEW YORK

If you wish to contact any member of the Asia Pacific Women's Watch (APWW) Committee while in New York, you can contact Eileen Pittaway at the Pickwick Arms, 239 East Street, New York, 10022 Hotel, phone 212-355-0300 from February 25 until March 17. Leave a message with your contact details and a committee member will get back to you. A list of New York addresses for committee members will be made available for the meeting.

Also look for notices advertising daily APWW briefing meetings, and for the APWW Workshop which will be held during the first week of the PrepCom.

We wish you successful lobbying.

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Produced by Asia Pacific Women's Watch

Generously funded by SEAGEP (Southeast Asia Gender Equity Program, a project of the Canadian International Development Agency - CIDA) and UNIFEM.