EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN (enb@igc.apc.org) PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (IISD) WRITTEN AND EDITED BY: Peter Doran Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" Virginia Hulme Lynn Wagner A PERIODIC REPORT ON THE 39TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Vol. 14 No. 5 Monday, 3 April 1995 CSW HIGHLIGHTS 31 MARCH - 2 APRIL The CSW, as preparatory committee for the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW), continued work on the draft Platform for Action on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The Plenary, chaired by Ms. Patricia Licuanan (Philippines), met Friday morning and afternoon to discuss draft resolutions. The Committee of the Whole, chaired by Ms. Irene Freudenschuss (Austria), met Friday and Saturday afternoon to endorse work that the informal-informal groups had completed. The closed informal-informal groups worked throughout the weekend. PLENARY The Plenary first considered draft resolutions under Agenda Item 5, "Monitoring the Implementation of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women." The Russian Federation requested a vote on draft resolution E/CN.6/1995/L.7, "Relief to women and children who have been taken as hostages and imprisoned in armed conflict, to be provided by the beginning of the FWCW." The vote was: 27 for, 0 against, 14 abstentions and 2 not participating. Draft resolutions E/CN.6/1995/L.9, "Integration of women in the Middle East peace process," E/CN.6/1995/L.11, "Mainstreaming the human rights of women," E/CN.6/1995/L.12, "Palestinian Women," E/CN.6/1995/L.13, "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women," and E/CN.6/1995/L.15, "Violence against women migrant workers," were adopted. Two draft resolutions on Agenda Item 6 (Priority Themes) were also discussed. Peru noted translation problems in E/CN.6/1995/L.16, "Integration of displaced women into development processes." Delegates adopted E/CN.6/1995/L.18, "Women working in agriculture and rural development," after which Belgium said she would interpret the reference to "equity" in the wage system as "equality." Namibia, who had introduced the resolution, offered to change the text, but Iran objected. Pakistan suggested sending the proposed change with the resolution to the substantive session of ECOSOC. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE Delegates endorsed the informal-informal group's work on Chapter III (Critical Areas of Concern) and Sections A (The persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women) and B (Unequal access to and inadequate educational opportunities) in Chapter IV (Strategic Objectives and Actions) on Friday afternoon. On Saturday, they endorsed work on Chapters I (Mission Statement) and II (Global Framework) and Section D (Violence against women) in Chapter IV. CHAPTER I: China bracketed the sentence in paragraph 2 (human rights) reaffirming the Vienna Declaration. In paragraph 4 (immediate action required), Iran offered to drop the bracketed reference to an "equitable" world if the brackets were removed from the reference to the principle of equality "and equity," but the EU objected. CHAPTER II: The Holy See bracketed paragraph 9 (respect for national situations). Honduras insisted on bracketing the word "gender" throughout the text, pending a satisfactory definition. In paragraph 17 (move towards democratization), Lithuania, supported by the Russian Federation, bracketed the sentences regarding changes in Central and Eastern Europe. The US requested brackets around the first sentence of paragraph 38 (unsustainable patterns of consumption and production). CHAPTER III: The Chair noted that, in paragraph 37 (list of critical areas of concern), delegates will decide on titles after the corresponding sections in Chapter IV are completed. Norway noted that the order is open to change. The G-77/China added a reference to family responsibilities in the critical concern regarding sharing power and decision-making. CHAPTER IV: The Chair noted that agreement has not been reached on the introductory paragraphs in Chapter IV. Section A: In paragraph 39 (introduction to section on poverty), the US bracketed references to the "uncertain global climate" and to the undermining of Government capacity to meet basic needs. The Chair noted that a new paragraph regarding implementation of sound macroeconomic policies had been drafted to replace paragraphs 46(a), (a bis) and (a ter). The Holy See stated that they had not been consulted about the change, and reinserted [sustainable development centered on human beings]. The EU proposed retaining all four sub-paragraphs. The Holy See bracketed [community-based support systems] in sub-paragraph 46(d) (safety nets). The US bracketed i(bis) (integrate marginalized women). The Chair noted that New Zealand was coordinating text regarding indigenous people. The EU removed brackets around sub-paragraph 47(e) (create an enabling environment). Fiji bracketed a reference to ownership of land in sub-paragraph 48(b) (reform laws to give access to economic resources). Section B: In paragraph 56 (introduction to education section), the US bracketed education as a basic [human] right. The US bracketed paragraphs 62 (educational resources and SAPs) and 69(b) (educational funding in SAPs), pending discussions on structural adjustment. In sub-paragraph 63(d) (enrollment and retention of girls), Cameroon bracketed [flexible school schedules]. Canada stated that sub- paragraph 70(bis)(a) (range of educational programmes) made no sense as amended and proposed deleting the reference to skills required to live in, contribute to and benefit from communities and nations. The G-77/China bracketed it. Section D: Paragraph 88(d) (vulnerable groups) was bracketed. Australia replaced a reference to women migrant workers in poverty with references to women migrant workers and women in poverty. Malta bracketed [forced pregnancy] throughout the text. Egypt requested that Copenhagen language be used for [foreign occupation] throughout the text. In paragraph 89 (violence within the home), the Holy See added a reference to non-spousal abuse. In paragraph 92 (human rights violation), Australia bracketed references to vulnerable groups, to different forms of violence and to the statement that these forms of violence constitute human rights violations. In replacement paragraph 93 (trafficking in women and girls), Iran re-introduced a reference to the Special Rapporteur's exploration of international prostitution and trafficking networks "as additional causes of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls." Canada bracketed the addition. The Holy See withdrew "unplanned" pregnancy and maintained brackets around "unwanted" pregnancy. In sub-paragraph 94(c.ter) (plans of action), the G-77/China, with EU agreement, inserted a reference to "national and local" Government. The G-77/China changed dowry deaths to "dowry related violence." In sub-paragraph 94(f) (training for personnel), the opening reference to "improve" was bracketed. In sub-paragraph 94(g.quinquies) (community resources), the US bracketed an amended reference to "national and local" implementation. In paragraph 94(h.quater) (mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women), Mexico added a reference to updating the mandate. In paragraph 95(c) (education about the effects of violence), the EU added a reference to the work place. The US bracketed paragraph 95(a.bis) (media responsibility). In paragraph 97(bis) (actions to be taken by S-G), Cuba bracketed references to missions taken with other Special Rapporteurs and working groups. In paragraph 98(c) (media and stereotypes), the US bracketed a reference to advertisements that foster gender-based violence. STATUS OF THE PLATFORM The status of informal-informal work on each part of the Platform is as follows: DECLARATION: The G-77/China circulated a draft Declaration on Friday. Delegates seem willing to have a Declaration and some may offer their own drafts, but discussion is not expected until Beijing. I. MISSION STATEMENT: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Saturday. II. GLOBAL FRAMEWORK: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Saturday. III. CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Friday. IV. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND ACTIONS: A. The persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Friday. B. Unequal access to and inadequate educational opportunities: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Friday. C. Inequalities in health status and unequal access to and inadequate health care services: Informal-informal discussions are expected to begin Monday. D. Violence against women: Work was endorsed by the Committee of the Whole on Saturday. E. Effects of armed or other kinds of conflict on women: Consideration of this text was completed on Sunday, although it is reported that many brackets remain. The Committee of the Whole will possibly review it on Monday. F. Inequality in women's access to and participation in the definition of economic structures and policies and the productive process itself: Work was completed on this section over the weekend, and the Committee of the Whole is expected to review it on Monday. G. Inequality between men and women in the sharing of power and decision-making at all levels: Consideration of this text was completed over the weekend, and the Committee of the Whole is expected to review it on Monday. H. Insufficient mechanisms at all levels to promote the advancement of women: This section is expected to be discussed by the informal-informal group that discussed Chapter V (Institutional arrangements); some delegates have noted that the two texts overlap. I. Lack of awareness of and commitment to internationally and nationally recognized women's human rights: Discussion of this section is to begin in an informal-informal once consideration of Section J (mass media) is completed. J. Insufficient mobilization of the mass media to promote women's positive contributions to society: Delegates began discussing this section in an informal-informal on Sunday afternoon. K. Lack of adequate recognition and support for women's contribution to managing natural resources and safeguarding the environment: Discussion on this section has been delayed. As of Sunday, no compilation text had been produced. (L.) Persistent discrimination against and violation of the rights of the girl-child: The G-77/China circulated their draft for this new section and suggest adding it as Strategic Objective E. Some delegates have requested delaying discussion until all original sections are completed. CHAPTER V. INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS: Delegates reported slow but steady progress as they discussed this section in an informal-informal on Sunday. CHAPTER VI. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: The informal-informal completed its consideration of this text, which is reported to be relatively bracket-free and will possibly be considered by the Committee of the Whole on Monday. IN THE CORRIDORS An alliance of NGOs and delegations, with the backing of Secretary-General Mongella, is lining up behind the Australian initiative for a "Conference of Commitments." The delegations support references to the initiative in the order of business for Beijing and in Chapter V. Governments will commit to draw up programmes with practical outcomes for women. The initiative is being viewed as a "key instrument for political mobilization, in advance of the FWCW, among Governments and civil society." For some NGO representatives, the importance of the initiative has grown as a number of commitments in the draft Platform have been "dropped through a glass ceiling." On the issue of NGO accreditation, no final decision on procedures is expected before the end of conference, but key delegates believe that a number of issues have been cleared up. A bilateral involving the US and China Friday morning was the culmination of a process of high-level diplomatic exchanges. The meeting will be followed-up with a draft resolution Monday, requesting the CSW Secretariat to invite NGOs who had not received accreditation by March 15 to submit further information, and that the Secretariat forward their recommendations to ECOSOC. THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY PLENARY: A Plenary is expected this morning, during which draft resolutions and rules of procedure are expected to be discussed. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE: The Committee of the Whole is expected to meet during the afternoon to endorse the work of the informal-informal groups. INFORMAL-INFORMAL: Negotiations on the Platform will continue in closed sessions. This issue of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) is written and edited by Peter Doran , Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" , Virginia Hulme and Lynn Wagner . The sustaining donors of the Bulletin are the International Institute for Sustainable Development (iisd@web.apc.org), the United Nations Environment Programme and the Pew Charitable Trusts through the Pew Global Stewardship Initiative. General support for the Bulletin during 1995 is provided by the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and the World Bank. Partial funding for this volume of the Bulletin has been provided by the Rockefeller Foundation. 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