From DEBRA@OLN.comlink.apc.orgTue Sep 12 08:22:46 1995 Date: Sat, 09 Sep 1995 08:22:00 +0100 From: Debra Guzman Reply to: beijing-conf@tristram.edc.org To: beijing95-l@netcom.com, beijing-conf@tristram.edc.org Subject: WCW: Bella Abzug on post-Beijing goals [The following text is in the "ISO-8859-1" character set] [Your display is set for the "US-ASCII" character set] [Some characters may be displayed incorrectly] ## Original in: /HRNET/WOMEN ## author : theearthtime@igc.apc.org ## date : 05.09.95 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bella Abzug on post-Beijing goals By Bella S. Abzug Earth Times News Service The thousands of hardy women and men participating in the NGO Forum in Huairou have succeeded in spite of the litany of obstacles including the rainy weather. Now, after the opening day of the Fourth World Conference on Women, filled with Chinese cultural extravaganzas and opening speeches by Heads of States, the 3,000 accredited NGOs are now turning our energy to the official government Conference. Sunday's UN orientation session for NGOs was overflow capacity as several thousand women filled the halls in search of details on how work would proceed over the next two weeks. For more than two years, thousands have participated in creating the Platform for Action. Women own this document. And we care about the bracketed text. This is what we want: Stop the violence. The Women in Black action at the NGO Forum dramatized the increasing international momentum to stop violence against women and protect human rights. Ten years after Nairobi, violence against women during war has emerged as the critical issue to be addressed, brought finally to the world's attention by the massive incidence of rape being used as instrument of war in Bosnia, Rwanda and elsewhere. Women are also calling on all countries to reduce military expenditures, to adopt a comprehensive nuclear test ban and permanently ban the production of landmines. The Platform addresses all forms of violence against women including taboo subjects such as incest, child abuse, female genital mutilation, forced prostitution and rape. It also calls for elimination of all forms of discrimination including that based on sexual orientation. Economic justice. There is clear evidence of structural problems in the global economy as shown by the deepening inequities among people. The ten million or more who die each year from hunger is the equivalent of 100 jumbo jet crashes every day. There are dozens of practical action steps to end hunger and reduce poverty such as credit, housing and land and property inheritance rights. The Platform. Recognize the legitimacy of women's work and count unpaid work in the home by mothers and housewives and in the community. Health. A lifecycle approach to health will revolutionize our thinking and reorient our health care systems to prevent illness and promote well being. While affirming women's health needs as mothers, the Platform also addresses the diversity of women's needs based on their age, physical ability as well as environmental health needs. This is the first time that environmental links to women's health are detailed including breast and other cancers. Education. The condition of women around the world is directly related to their access to education. many governments are expected to make commitments to increase support for female education, to reduce the gender gap in enrollment and graduation, and to increase support for science and technology education. Decision-making. The call for equal roles for women and men in decision- making lies at the heart of the Platform. Women demand a 50-50 share of political and economic decision-making roles and power as well as equal opportunities in social, cultural and religious institutions. Wise governments will not ignore the voices of the thousands of women gathered here to witness their deliberations. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Bella S. Abzug is Co-Chair of the Women's Environment and Development Organization.