From kimo@pipeline.comThu Sep  7 23:12:51 1995
Date: Thu, 7 Sep 1995 13:48:36 -0400
From: Langston James Goree VI <kimo@pipeline.com>
To: enb@igc.apc.org
Subject: ENB Vol. 14 No. 14 FWCW

               EARTH NEGOTIATIONS BULLETIN <enb@igc.apc.org>
                                     
   PUBLISHED BY THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE
                 DEVELOPMENT (IISD)<iisd@web.apc.org>
                                    
                         WRITTEN AND EDITED BY:
                   Peter Doran <foeeire@iol.ie>
                        Virginia Hulme
,              Yang Wanhua <whyang@iisdpost.iisd.ca>
,                 Lynn Wagner <grund@usc.edu> 
                   Steve Wise <swise@vps.com>.

.                   FRENCH TRANSLATION BY:
              Mongi Gadhoum <gad@tunisia.eu.net>.

                        INTERNET COORDINATION BY:
              Barbara Ann O'Leary <vsister@igc.apc.org>.

                    Managing Editor      
      Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" <kimo@pipeline.com>
                   

A DAILY REPORT ON THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN

Vol. 14 No. 14 Friday, 8 September 1995

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN 

 THURSDAY, 7 SEPTEMBER 1995

Delegates to the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) 
continued to make slow but steady progress through the draft 
Platform for Action and Declaration. Working Group I 
reviewed agreements from informal meetings on Chapter V 
(Institutional Arrangements) and proceeded to examine the 
first two chapters. Working Group II examined the section on 
armed conflict. Contact Group I continued its review of the 
section on health during the morning, and Contact Group II 
briefly considered the draft Declaration during the evening. 
The Plenary continued to hear statements under Agenda Item 
8, General Exchange of Views.

WORKING GROUP I

The Working Group, chaired by Nana Ama Yeboa (Ghana), met 
during the afternoon to consider work done by an informal 
group and to begin consideration of Chapters I (Mission 
Statement) and II (Global Framework).

In paragraph 293 (conference of commitments), delegates 
agreed to note that the FWCW is a conference of national and 
international commitment and action, that States and the 
international community have been encouraged to make 
commitments, and that many have done so at the FWCW. In 309 
(high-level post), States will invite the S-G to establish a 
high-level post in his office to address gender concerns.

The four paragraphs related to the CSW were agreed as 
follows: 318, the GA and ECOSOC are invited to review and 
strengthen the CSW's  mandate; 319 notes that the CSW should 
have sufficient human and financial resources; 320 states 
that the CSW should assist ECOSOC in its coordination of the 
reporting on the Platform for Action; and 321 calls for the 
CSW to review the critical areas of concern in developing 
its work programme.

Delegates engaged in a lengthy discussion on resources in 
connection with  5 (strong commitment required). The 
G77/China supported the reference to "new and additional" 
and the EU supported the reference to "adequate." In 27 (NGO 
role), delegates removed brackets from the reference to the 
inability of NGOs to operate freely in some countries. In 30 
(women and family), the Holy See, Kenya, and the Philippines 
supported the text, the US supported including the points in 
the document, and the EU proposed an alternative. In 31 
(women and religion), the Holy See, Guatemala, Ecuador and 
others supported retaining the paragraph; the EU, Mexico and 
others desired to delete it; and Benin, Egypt, India, the US 
and others proposed a redraft.

In 35 (global communication and mass media), several 
delegates proposed that the reference to the mass media's 
lack of commitment to promoting human values and dignity be 
reformulated,  others proposed moving the reference, and 
some proposed deleting it. The Group will take it up during 
discussion of the section on the mass media. Delegates met 
during an evening, informal session to negotiate outstanding 
paragraphs.  

 CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP I

The Contact Group of Working Group I (health) met on 
Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. In 98 (women's 
health risks), brackets were removed and specific ICPD 
paragraphs were replaced with a general reference. In 99 
(HIV/AIDS), brackets were removed from safe sex, "mothers," 
and "gender." In 100 (gender violence), "prostitution" was 
replaced by "sex exploitation." In 104 (local 
circumstances), brackets were removed from respect, privacy, 
information and services. Paragraph 105 (statistics), was 
amended: effectiveness "of drugs" including contraceptives. 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE C.1. (life cycle): The amended 108 
(agents), refers to governments "with the appropriate 
support of " NGOs and other organizations "whenever 
appropriate." In (c) (gender-sensitive programmes), 
"barriers" was removed from brackets. Sub-paragraph (d) 
(equal access), was removed from brackets. Sub-paragraph (e) 
(increase provision), was amended: "universal access by the 
year 2015, "which includes" information and services. In (f) 
(services and training), brackets were removed from "gender" 
and a reference to WHO deleted. In (h) (medical 
interventions), "properly trained personnel" was included. 
In (j) (unsafe abortion), reference to paragraph 8.25 of 
ICPD was included. In (p) (environmental hazards), "special" 
was deleted. Sub-paragraph (u) (drug procurement), was 
removed from brackets.

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE C.2 (preventive programmes): In sub-
paragraph (a) (prioritize education), "prostitution" was 
replaced by "sexual exploitation" and "child marriage" was 
added. In (d) (discrimination laws), "physical" was deleted. 
 "Where possible" was deleted from the removal of coercive 
laws. In (e) (information), ICPD was deleted. In (g) 
(information for adolescents), education was added, and 
brackets removed from "boys and girls" and "sexual and 
reproductive health." In (h) (disproportionate burden), 
"mothers" was removed from brackets. In (m) (preventive 
programmes), brackets were removed from reproductive 
cancers. In (p) (medical curricula), "gender-sensitive" was 
introduced, and reference to paragraph 91 of the FWCW 
Platform deleted. In (q) (protection from abuse), brackets 
were removed from "children."

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVE C.3 (HIV/AIDS and STDs): Brackets were 
removed from "gender-sensitive" and "sexual and reproductive 
health" in the chapeau. In (b) (reducing susceptibility), 
"combat" harmful practices was added. In (d) 
(stigmatization), brackets were removed from "including 
during travel." In (e) (empowerment), (f) (community 
strategies), and (g) (national strategies), brackets were 
removed from the term "gender sensitive." In (h) (special 
education), parental responsibility was deleted. In (i) 
(implications for pregnancy and child), information for 
health workers and STDs were added. In (j) (peer education), 
women "of all ages" and parental responsibility were 
deleted. In (k) (adolescent education), brackets were  
removed from "gender relations" and reference to ICPD 
deleted. In (m) (universal access), brackets were removed 
from "condom use." In (n) (high risk behaviour), brackets 
were removed from "unprotected" and "irresponsible." 
Brackets were removed from (p) (initiate research).

WORKING GROUP II

Chair Irene Freudenschuss (Austria) opened the Group's 
consideration of bracketed text in the section on armed 
conflict. In 144(b) (peace keeping), the EU proposed 
deleting the reference to observer missions. The G77/China 
accepted references to peace keeping, all stages of peace 
monitoring and negotiations. The EU, supported by Canada, 
objected to a reference to equitable geographical 
distribution in peace keeping missions. Cuba objected to a 
reference to the S-G's plan to improve the status of women 
in the Secretariat. In 144(c) (gender balance in 
international judicial bodies), delegates lifted the outer 
brackets, but maintained brackets around references to 
foreign occupation and war crime tribunals. India's proposed 
reference to terrorism was bracketed. An Israeli call for 
gender balance in "nominating" as well as promoting 
candidates was accepted. In 144(d) (training of officials), 
India proposed a reference to terrorism. The US bracketed 
India's proposal and retained brackets on "foreign 
occupation." The EU removed brackets from integrating a 
gender perspective into the work of officials handling cases 
involving violence against women.

 In 145(a) (conversion of military resources), a G77/China 
proposal to use "development and peaceful" purposes was 
accepted. Cuba proposed a reformulation of 145(c) (UN 
Register of Conventional Arms). The EU, supported by the US 
and others, proposed deleting the paragraph. Botswana and 
others objected. In 145(d) (military expenditures and 
trade), the bracketed text was deleted because it was 
repetitious. In 145(e) (land-mines), the EU proposed 
ratification of the referenced Convention and Protocol, 
promotion of assistance in mine clearance, and adoption of a 
moratorium on the export of land-mines. References were 
suggested to: promote scientific research (Japan); transfer 
mine clearance technology (Cuba); eventually eliminate land-
mines and strengthen the Convention (Canada); and avoid 
stockpiling (Mexico). In 145(f) (elimination of weapons of 
mass destruction), Morocco proposed references to chemical, 
radiological and bacteriological weapons. The EU, supported 
by the US, proposed a new formulation. The G77/China 
supported the original. India proposed a reference to the 
greater adverse effect of such weapons on women and 
children. Cuba proposed references to prohibition, 
elimination and safe international control. South Africa 
objected to EU references to specific conventions. Syria 
proposed a reference to prohibiting the production of such 
weapons.

In 147(b) (peaceful settlement of disputes), the G77/China 
proposed deleting the reference to preventive diplomacy and 
lifting the brackets. The EU agreed to delete the outer  
brackets, but retained the reference to preventive 
diplomacy.

Delegates deleted 147(c) (UN unit for conflict prevention 
and resolution) and accepted the G77/China reformulation of 
147(e) (rape as a war crime), with references to crimes 
against humanity and acts of genocide.

In 147(g) (terrorism), Turkey, supported by Cuba and others, 
proposed replacing the paragraph with Vienna language. The 
EU, the US and G77/China preferred the original wording. The 
original version with an added reference to "all forms" of 
terrorism was accepted. The phrase "and legitimacy" and 
brackets were removed from 147(k) (effect of economic 
sanctions). A G77/China reformulation of 148(e) (peace 
education programmes) was accepted, referring to a culture 
of peace and focusing on conflict resolution and tolerance.

In 149(d) (right of refugees to return), the G77/China 
amended a reference to "safe and voluntary return." An 
alternative proposed by Norway and supported by Canada, 
adding the principle of non-refoulement of refugees and 
their safety and dignity, was accepted. In 149(f) (resources 
for refugees) Norway, supported by Canada and Slovenia, 
proposed a shortened alternative to bracketed text. The 
G77/China supported the original paragraph.

In 149(i) (persecution aimed at women), the G77/China 
proposal to lift brackets from "support and promote efforts" 
and delete "consider" was accepted. The G77/China proposed 
unbracketing 149(l) (training and rehabilitation for 
refugees). Canada, supported by the EU and the US, proposed 
deleting a reference to increasing contributions to refugee 
programmes. The G77/China opposed. The US deleted a 
reference to providing special measures. The G77/China 
proposed unbracketing 149(n) (support services for displaced 
women). The EU, supported by Australia, bracketed references 
to the causes of displacement.

IN THE CORRIDORS

Some delegates are expressing concern that they are falling 
behind on the proposed timetable for the work of the 
Conference. Although brackets are being removed in most of 
the groups at a steady pace, it is not matching the 25 or 
more resolutions-per-day rate that Chair Freudenschuss noted 
would be necessary for Working Group II alone. Informal 
consultations have made progress on issues that the working 
groups found difficult to resolve. Even so, Saturday and 
Sunday sessions are expected to allow time to settle all 
outstanding issues by the close of the Conference.

THINGS TO LOOK FOR TODAY

PLENARY: The general exchange of views will continue during 
morning, afternoon and evening sessions of the Plenary in 
Hall No. 1.

WORKING GROUP I: The Working Group is expected to meet 
during an afternoon session in Hall No. 16, where it will 
complete Chapter II (Global Framework) and then take up the 
section on mass media.

CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP I: The Contact Group will 
meet at 10:00 am in Hall No. 16 during a morning session to  
continue discussion on the section on health.

WORKING GROUP II: The Working Group is expected to meet 
during morning, afternoon and evening sessions in Hall No. 
15, where it will take up section G (participation in power 
structure and decision-making).

CONTACT GROUP OF WORKING GROUP II: The Contact Group will 
met in Hall No. 6 at 3:00 pm and at 7:00 pm in Hall No. 16 
to consider the draft Declaration.


This issue of the  Earth Negotiations Bulletin (c) 
<enb@igc.apc.org> is written and edited by Peter Doran 
<foeeire@iol.ie>, Virginia Hulme, Yang Wanhua 
<whyang@iisdpost.iisd.ca>, Lynn Wagner <grund@usc.edu> and 
Steve Wise <swise@vps.com>. French translation by Mongi 
Gadhoum <gad@Tunisia.EU.net>. The Managing Editor of the 
Bulletin is Langston James Goree VI "Kimo" 
<kimo@pipeline.com>. 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. General support for the 
Bulletin during 1995 is provided by the United Kingdom, 
Switzerland, GTZ and the World Bank. Partial funding for 
this volume of the Bulletin has been provided by the Ford 
Foundation, CIDA, Denmark, UNFPA, the Rockefeller Foundation 
and UNIFEM. The authors can be contacted in Beijing at the 
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at +86 10 491 0107. IISD can be contacted at 161 Portage 
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