ENB:14:03
[Next] .
[Previous] .
[Contents]
SUB-DRAFTING GROUP
CHAPTER II. GLOBAL FRAMEWORK
In paragraph 18 (UN conferences and activities), the G-77/China added references to several UN conferences and declarations. In paragraph 19 (global challenges), Australia redrafted the paragraph and included its call for the FWCW to be a conference of commitment and action by States. China called for commitments from Governments and the international community.
In paragraph 20 (disproportionate impact of economic developments), the G-77/China noted the impact economic situations in developing countries have had on women. The EU noted that structural adjustment, while "beneficial in the long term," has induced cuts in social programmes. The EU deleted the reference to declining commodity prices.
Lithuania added a paragraph 20(bis), noting the problem of unemployment in countries with economies in transition and that the process of change has caused many women to lose jobs, social services and health and child care. The US added a reference to the loss of employment and reproductive rights.
In paragraph 21 (causes and manifestations of poverty), the G-77/China noted the adverse impact of macroeconomic policies and programmes in the context of SAPs, and the problems of countries in recession. The G-77/China also called for consideration of the plight of rural women. The US added two sentences noting that women are often driven into undesirable employment situations and face diminishing social security systems. The EU deleted the reference to the impact of macrolevel economic policies and added a reference to the negative impact of economic recession. The Holy See introduced a paragraph 21(bis), regarding the recognition of human rights of women and girls.
In paragraph 22 (female headed households), the G-77/China added a reference to internal and external migration. The EU replaced the paragraph, noting that some women have reached economic independence, but in other cases, female headed households can be the consequence of war, HIV/AIDS and family disintegration. The US altered the EU"s reasons for the poverty of female maintained households. The Holy See added a reference to the role the family, the basic unit of society, plays in shaping culture and society. Kenya objected to the implication that the role of women would be confined to the family. The Holy See proposed a paragraph 22(bis), regarding the role of religion in the lives of women and calling for a moral and ethical climate that would prevent corruption and exploitation.
In paragraph 23 (world population), the G-77/China noted that, by 2025, 70% of the population over 60 years of age will be living in developing countries, more than half of which will be women. Both the G-77/China and the EU called for short term as well as long term measures for sharing family responsibilities. Canada called for gender-sensitive based analysis in the design of policies. The US proposed paragraph 23(bis), noting the impacts of global trends on women who belong to minority groups.
In paragraph 24 (changes in communications), the G-77/China called for women"s equal participation in media. In paragraph 25 (health effects of environmental degradation), the G-77/China added a reference to drought and depletion of soil, coastal and marine resources, and emphasized the impact of these on indigenous and rural women. The EU deleted the references to pollution, toxic wastes, deforestation, desertification and soil depletion. The US added a reference to the threat of "nuclear, chemical, and other forms of pollution." The G-77/China offered a paragraph 25(bis), noting the environmental impact of unsustainable patterns of production and consumption, especially in industrialized countries.
In paragraph 26 (family survival), the EU added a reference to the sexual exploitation of women. The US added two paragraphs after 26, the first recognizing the challenges for the world"s adolescents, and the second regarding the concerns and challenges that young women face.
In paragraph 27 (HIV pandemic), the G-77/China added statistics from WHO regarding HIV, and expanded the paragraph to encompass STDs. The EU altered the draft, and noted that women are twice as likely to be infected than men. In paragraph 28 (discrimination over the woman"s life cycle), the G-77/China noted restrictions imposed by "unjust economic and social" structures and noted that discrimination begins "even before birth." The EU noted women"s lack of resources "in most countries" and added a reference to the practice of prenatal sex-selection.
In paragraph 29 (expanding opportunities for women), the G-77/China deleted "reduction and," calling only for the eradication of poverty. The EU proposed deleting the paragraph. New Zealand added a paragraph 29(bis), which referred to the barriers faced by indigenous women. Norway proposed diversifying the paragraph.
In paragraph 30 (NGO contributions), the EU added two references to feminist movements and noted that many countries have developed measures to strengthen the promotion of women. Australia proposed altering the feminist movement references to "women"s organizations and others who support feminist ideals." The US added references to Governments" increasing recognition of NGO"s role and to the restrictions placed in some countries on NGOs" ability to operate freely. The US added a 31(bis), noting the lack of women"s participation in the growing number of multilateral interventions. In paragraph 31 (lack of women decision-makers), the G- 77/China noted the "lack of awareness of women"s equality." The EU proposed deleting the paragraph.
In paragraph 32 (Nairobi Strategies), the EU added a reference to the interdependence of public and private behaviors and the responsibility of Governments to establish a framework and incentives to achieve equality, and deleted the reference to the home as the place where girls and boys first learn their rights and responsibilities. The Holy See noted that the home is where, "largely through parental example," girls and boys learn of the "equal dignity of women and men."
The US added two paragraphs, one calling for commitment to inspire a new generation of leaders, and the other noting the demographics of youth, the need for developing life skills and the need for intergenerational cooperation. The G-77/China announced their intention to introduce a new paragraph regarding the girl-child.
In paragraph 33 (racism), the EU noted that international solidarity "contributed" to the end of institutionalized racism. The G-77/China added a reference to colonialism. The US noted that the end to institutionalized racism "is not yet here."
The G-77/China added a new paragraph 34, noting that the Platform conforms with the UN Charter and International Law and that implementation is the responsibility of each country, with full recognition for each nation"s situation and background.
The Chair then opened the floor for delegates to return to previously discussed paragraphs. In paragraph 12 (women"s role in peace movement), the Holy See added "women"s role, whether as mothers or in wider roles in society." In paragraph 8 (global recession), China noted that the issue of unemployment is not restricted to industrialized nations. The G-77/China added a paragraph 6(bis)(bis), noting the social dimension of development and calling for holistic alternatives.