UN Human Rights Treaties

A/CONF.94/35 REPORT OF THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN: EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE Copenhagen, 14 to 30 July 1980 UNITED NATIONS A/CONF.94/35 REPORT OF THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN: EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE Copenhagen, 14 to 30 July 1980 UNITED NATIONS New York, 1980 NOTE Symbols of United Nations documents are composed of capital letters combined with figures. Mention of such a symbol indicates a reference to a United Nations document. A/CONF.94/35 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.80.IV.3 Price: $U.S. 18.00 /Original: Arabic/Chinese/English/ French/Russian/Spanish/ /19 September 1980.7 CONTENTS Chapter Paragraphs Page I. Decisions of the Conference 1 2 A. Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women 2 B. Resolutions and decision adopted by the Conference 60 1. Family planning 60 2. Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages 61 3. Migrant women ..... 63 4. Elderly women and economic security 66 5. Battered women and violence in the family 67 6. Review and evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at the national level 68 7. The role of women in the preparation of societies for life in peace 69 8. Gathering of data concerning women through census questionnaires 71 9. Intensification of drought control in the Sahel 72 10. Assistance to Lebanese women 72 11. Women's participation in the strengthening of international peace and security and in the struggle against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination 74 12. The situation of women refugees and displaced women the world over 74 13. The situation of displaced and refugee women the world over 76 14. Integrated approach to the health and welfare of women 78 15. International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries 79 16. International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa 80 CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Paragraph Page 17. International legislation to prevent the abandonment of families 80 18. Situation of women in Chile 81 19. Situation of women in El Salvador 82 20. Control of illicit traffic in drugs 83 ® 21. Strengthening the women's programmes and appointment of women in the secretariat of the regional commissions and agencies of the United Nations 83 » 22. Co-ordination of issues relating to the status of women within the United Nations system 84 23. Question of missing and disappeared persons ........ 85 24. Women in the United Nations Secretariat 86 25. International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade 87 26. On the right of all countries to seek development assistance from any and all sources, free from threats and attacks 88 27. Special measures in favour of young women 88 28. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 89 29. Women living in conditions of extreme poverty 90 30. Promotion of equality in education and training 91 31. Women and discrimination based on race 94 32. Condemnation of South African aggression against the People's Republic of Angola 94 33. Question of convening another world conference on women in 1985 95 34. Assistance to Sahrawi women 96 35. International assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua 97 36. Women and development assistance programmes 97 37. Health and well-being of the women of the Pacific 90 38. The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women • • 99 39. Establishment and strengthening of machinery for the integration of women in development 100 CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Paragraphs Page 40. Strengthening the role of the Commission on the Status of Women 101 41. Women and nutritional self-sufficiency 101 42. Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women „ 102 43. Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons 103 44. Women in agriculture and rural areas 105 45. Apartheid and women in South Africa and Namibia 107 46. The situation in Bolivia 109 47. Implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the new international economic order 110 48. Expression of thanks to the host country 111 Decision. Credentials of the representatives to the Conference 112 II. Origins of the Conference 2-19 113 III. Attendance and organization of work 20-56 117 A. Date and place of the Conference . 20 117 B. Pre-Conference consultations 21 117 C. Attendance 22-31 117 D. Opening of the Conference and- election of its President 32 - 41 120 E. Messages from Heads of State or Government ...... 43 123 P. Other messages 44 123 G. Adoption of the rules of procedure . 45 123 H. Adoption of the agenda 46 123 I. Election of officers other than the President .... 47 - 51 125 J. Other organizational matters . .... 52 - 54 125 1. Allocation of items to the Main Committees and organization of work 125 2. Credentials of representatives to the Conference 126 K. Tribute to the memory of the late President of Botswana 55 126 L. Implications of Conference decisions for the programme "budget of the United Nations 56 126 CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Paragraph Page IV. Summary of the general debate 57 - 146 127 V. Reports of subsidiary 'bodies and action taken on these reports "by the Conference 147 ... 441 146 A. Report of the First Committee ].1*7 - 200 l46 1. Organization of work 147 - 152 145 2. Consideration of Part Two of the draft Programme of Action 153-171 147 3. Effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa: review of the situation 172 - 180 149 4. Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: a review of the social and economic needs of Palestinian women l8l - 189 151 5- Consideration of draft resolutions by the First Committee 190 153 6. Recommendations of the First Committee .... 191 157 7- Action taken in plenary on the report of the First Committee 192 - 200 157 B. Report of the Second Committee 201 - 331 160 1. Organization of work 201 - 20l* 160 2. Consideration of Part Three of the draft Programme of Action 205 - 209 161 3. Measures of assistance to women in southern Africa 210-218 162 4. Review and evaluation of regional and global programmes of the United Nations system of organizations aimed at promoting the objectives of the Decade 219-247 163 5. The situation of women refugees the world over 21*8-259 169 6. Special measures of assistance to Palestinian women 260-270 171 7. Consideration of draft resolutions by the Second Committee 271 173 8. Recommendations of the Second Committee . . . 272 182 9. Action taken in plenary on the report of the Second Committee 273-331 182 C. Report of the Committee of the Whole 332-1*13 192 1. Organizational matters 332 - 334 192 CONTENTS (continued) Chapter Paragraphs Page 2. Consideration of the introduction and chapters I and II of the draft Programme of Action 335-340 192 3. Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole 341 193 4. Action taken in plenary on the report of the Committee of the Whole 342 - 407 193 5. Reservations 408 - 413 208 D. Action by the Conference with respect to draft resolutions considered without reference to a Committee 414 - 422 210 E. Report of the Credentials Committee 423 - 442 211 VI, Adoption of the report of the Conference 443 - 449 2l6 ANNEX List of documents 217 ABBREVIATIONS ACC Administrative Committee on Co-ordination ECA Economic Commission for Africa ECE Economic Commission for Europe ECLA Economic Commission for Latin America ECWA Economic Commission for Western Asia ESCAP Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) ILO International Labour Organisation IMF International Monetary Fund INSTRAW International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development UNCTAD United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNFPA United Nations Fund for Population Activities UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNTTAR United Nations Institute for Training and Research UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East WFP World Food Programme WHO World Health Organization WIPO World Intellectual Property Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization Chapter I DECISIONS OF THE CONFERENCE 1. At its 20th and 21st (closing) plenary meetings the Conference adopted the Programme of Action (sect. A below) and the resolutions and decision (sect. B below) the text of which is set out in this chapter. A. PROGRAMME OF ACTION FOR THE SECOND HALF OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN: EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE CONTENTS Paragraphs Part One: Background and framework Introduction 1-9 A. Legislative mandates ....... 1 B. Objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace 2-5 C. Nature and scope of the Programme of Action ......... 6-9 I. Historical perspective 10 - 42 A. The roots of inequality of women: the problems of development and equality of participation of women and men in development 10-16 B. Review of progress achieved in the first half of the Decade: lessons for the future 17-42 II. Conceptual framework 43 - 46 A. The need to include new data and strategies concerning the participation of women in development in the third United Nations Development Decade ...... 46-45 B. The interrelationship of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women and the subtheme of the World Conference: 'Employment, health and education" ....... 1*6 Part Two: The Programme of Action at the national level III. National targets and strategies for the full participation of women in economic and social development 1*7 - 211 A. National strategies for accelerating the full participation of women in economic and social development 47 - 105 1. National plans and development policies 51 2. National machinery 52-58 3. Legislative measures 59-68 Paragraphs 4. Participation of women in the political and other decision-making processes, and participation in efforts to promote international co-operation and strengthen peace ..... 69-82 5. Measures relating to education and the dissemination of information 83-91 6. Improvement of the data base 92-99 7. Role of non-governmental organizations 100 ~ 105 B. Objectives and priority areas for action taken in connexion with the subtheme of the World Conference: "Employment, health and education' 106 - 194 1. Employment 109 - 140 2. Health 141 - l64 3. Education and training 165 - 194 C. Priority areas requiring special attention 195 1. Pood . 195 - 197 2. Rural women 198 - 200 3. Child care 201 - 203 4. Migrant women . 204 - 205 5. Unemployed women . 206 - 207 6. Women who alone are responsible for their families .... 200 - 209 7. Young women 210 - 211 Part Three: The Programme of Action at the international and regional levels IV. International targets and strategies 212 - 2l8 V. International policies and programmes 219 - 248 A. Technical co-operation, training and advisory services .... 231 - 251 1. Mobilization of human resources . 236 - 240 2. Assistance to women in southern Africa 24l - 243 3. Assistance to the Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories ... 244 4. Assistance to women refugees and displaced women the world over 245 - 251 B. Elaboration and review of international standards 252 - 256 C. Research, data collection and analysis 257 - 263 D. Dissemination of information and experience 264 - 272 E. Review and appraisal 273 - 284 VI. Regional policies and programmes 285 - 287 Part One: Background and framework INTRODUCTION A. Legislative mandates 1. The mandates for the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women; Equality, Development and Peace are as follows: (a) General Assembly resolution 3520 (XXX) of 15 December 1975, in which the Assembly decided that' in 1980, at the mid-point of the Decade, a world conference would be convened to review and evaluate progress made in implementing the recommendations of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, held in 1975. and to readjust programmes for the second half of the Decade in the light of new data and research; (b) Economic and Social Council resolution 2062 (LXII) of 12 May 1977, in which the Council requested the Secretary-General to prepare for the consideration of the Commission on the Status of Women, at its twenty-eighth session, a report outlining a programme of concrete action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace; (c) General Assembly resolution 33/185 of 29 January 1979, in which the Assembly decided upon the subtheme ; ''Employment., Health and Education'1, for the World Conference and recommended that the Conference should place emphasis on elaborating action-oriented plans for integrating women into the developmental process a particularly by promoting economic activities and employment opportunities on an equal footing with men, through, inter alia, the provision of adequate health and educational facilities; (d) General Assembly resolution 33/191 of 29 January 1979 by which it was decided that the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace would be held in Copenhagen. B. Objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace 2. In 1975 International Women's Year, a World Conference was held in Mexico City which adopted the World Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality,. Development and Peace, 1976-1985, and the Declaration on the Equality of Women and their Contribution to Development and Peace. The principles and objectives proclaimed at the Mexico City Conference for the Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace are still relevant today and constitute the basis of action for the Decade. They were further reaffirmed by a number of United Nations regional, sectoral and international meetings as well as by the social and economic recommendations of the Conference of Non-Aligned and Developing Countries on the Role of Women in Development held in Baghdad in May 1979, which were endorsed by the sixth summit of Heads of State and Government of Non-Aligned Countries. 3. Equality is here interpreted as meaning not only legal equality, the elimination of de jure discrimination, but also equality of rights, responsibility and opportunities for the participation of women in development, both as beneficiaries and as active agents. The issue of inequality as it affects the was majority of women of the world is closely related to the problem of underdevelopment which exists mainly as a result of unjust international economic relations. The attainment of equality pre-supposes equality of access to resources and the power to participate equally and effectively in their allocation and in decision-making at various levels. Accordingly, it should be recognized that the attainment of equality by women long disadvantaged may demand compensatory activities to correct accumulated injustices. The joint responsibility of men and women for the welfare of the family in general and the care of their children in particular should be reaffirmed. 4. Development is here interpreted to mean total development, including development in the political, economic, social, cultural and other dimensions of human life,, as also the development of economic and other material resources and also the physical, moral, intellectual and cultural growth of the human person. The improvement of the status of women requires action at the national and local levels and within the family. It also requires a change in the attitudes and roles of both men and women. Women's development should not only be viewed as an issue in social development but should be seen as an essential component in every dimension of development. To improve the status of women and their role in the process of development, such development should be an integral part of the global project for the establishment of a New International Economic Order based on equity sovereign equality, interdependence, common interest and co-operation among all States. 5. Without peace and stability there can be no development. Peace is thus a prerequisite to development. Moreover, peace will not be lasting without development and the elimination of inequalities and discrimination at all levels. Equality of participation in the development of friendly relations and co-operation among States will contribute to the strengthening of peace, to the development of women themselves and to equality of rights at all levels and in all spheres of life, as well as to the struggle to eliminate imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism: Zionism., racism., racial discrimination, apartheid, hegemonist, and foreign occupation, domination and oppression as well as full respect for the dignity of the peoples and their right to self-determination and independence without foreign interference or intervention and to promote guarantees of fundamental freedoms and human rights. C. Nature and scope of the Programme of Action 6. In compliance with the mandates given above, the present Programme of Action has been drawn up for the second half of the Decade, 1980-1985, to promote the attainment of the three objectives of equality, development and peace, with special emphasis on the subtheme - namely, employment, health and education - as significant components of development, taking into account that human resources cannot achieve their full potential without integrated socio-economic development. The Programme aims at strengthening comprehensive and effective strategies to remove obstacles and constraints on women's full and equal participation in development, including actions to solve the problems of underdevelopment and of the socio-economic structure which places women in an inferior position and to increase their contribution to the strengthening of world peace. 7. The following Programme of Action, formulated at the mid-point of the Decade., recognizes that considerable efforts have been made by the majority of countries in furtherance of the objectives of the Decade, hut that progress has been insufficient to bring about the desired quantitative or qualitative improvements in the status of women. On the assumption that the three main objectives of the Decade Equality, Development and Peace - are closely interlinked with one another, the purpose of this Programme of Action is to refine and strengthen practical measures for advancing the status of women, and to ensure that women's concerns are taken into account in the formulation and implementation of the International Development Strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade. 8. The present Programme focuses on ensuring women's increased participation in the realization of the objectives of the World Plan of Action. The recommendations seek to indicate the interrelated nature of actions that need to be taken simultaneously on several fronts such as those related to world economic issues for the International Development Strategies for the Third United Nations Development Decade and the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Establishment of the New International Economic Order thus elaborating the approach adopted in the World Plan of Action. In particular, the World Plan of Action gives high priority to improving the conditions of the most disadvantaged groups of women - especially the rural and urban poor and the vast group of women workers in the tertiary sector. This Programme gives high priority to improving the conditions of the most disadvantaged groups of women, particularly those disadvantaged because of socio-economic and historic conditions, with emphasis on rural and urban poor and on the subtheme: employment, education and health. An attempt has also been made to recommend practical measures to be incorporated in all aspects of the development of society. 9. Although the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year 1/ already contains a comprehensive list of measures necessary to achieve those objectives, it is evident, and has been further borne out by the review of progress made over the past five years, that they cannot be achieved in such a short span of time and that periodic reviews are needed to strengthen the strategies and objectives of the Plan in line with major world developments. Therefore, the possibility of a second decade could be envisaged for the period 1985-1995. The recommendation to hold another conference in 1985 has already been made by two of the regional preparatory meetings - those of the Economic Commission for Western Asia and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. 1/ See Report of the World Conference on International Women's Year, Mexico City,-19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, document E/CONF.66/34, chap. II, sect. A. I. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE A. The roots of inequality of women: the problems of development and equality of participation of women and men in development 10. The causes of the inequality between women and men are directly linked with a complex historical process. The inequality also derives from political., economic, social and cultural factors. The form in which this inequality manifests itself is as varied as the economic, social and cultural conditions of the world community. 11. Throughout history and in many societies women have been sharing similar experiences. One of the basic factors causing the unequal share of women in development relates to the division of labour between the sexes. This division of labour has been justified on the basis of the childbearing function of women, which is inherent in womanhood. Consequently;, the distribution of tasks and responsibilities of women and men in society has mainly restricted women to the domestic sphere and has unduly burdened them. As a result, women have often been regarded and treated as inferior and unequal in their activities outside the domestic sphere and have suffered violations of their human rights. They have been given only limited access to resources and participation in all spheres of life, notably in decision-making, and in many instances institutionalized inequality in the status of women and men has also resulted. 12. The inequality of women in most countries stems to a very large extent from mass poverty and general backwardness of the majority of the world's population caused by underdevelopment which is a product of imperialism, colonialism,. neo-colonialism and also of unjust international economic relations. The unfavorable status of women is aggravated in many countries, developed and underdeveloped by de facto discrimination on the grounds of sex. 2/ 13. It can be argued that the predominant economic analyses of labour and capital insufficiently trace the linkages between production systems in world economics and women's work as producers and reproducers; nor is the subjection, exploitation, oppression and domination of women by men, sufficiently explained in history. Women are not simply discriminated against by the productive systems, but subject to the discrimination that arises by virtue of being the reproductive force. 14. While women's childbearing function and their traditional nurturing roles are respected, in many countries there has been little recognition of women's actual or potential contribution to economic activity. The role of women within the family, combined with a high level of unemployment and underemployment of the population in general, often results in priority being given to the employment of men in economic activities outside the family household. 15. These cumulative processes of discrimination within and outside the family characterize the dual oppression that women suffer on the basis of their sex and 2/ Which in a group of countries is called sexism. social class. Poverty and underdevelopment have sharpened and continue to sharpen these inequities. 16. The effects of these long-term cumulative processes of discrimination have "been accentuated by under-development and are strikingly apparent in the present "world profile of women: while they represent 50 per cent of the world adult ' population and one third of the official labour force, they perform nearly two thirds of all working hours, receive only one tenth of the world income and own less than 1 per cent of world property. B. Review of progress achieved in the first half of the Decade: lessons for the future 17. The review and appraisal of progress achieved during the past five years indicates that the integration of women into development has been formally accepted "by most Governments as a desirable planning objective. Many countries have made significant efforts, undertaken a number of activities and measures and established institutional and administrative mechanisms to integrate women in development. 18. The accomplishments of the first half of the Decade include sensitizing planners and decision-makers to women's needs and problems, conducting research and building a data base on women, and promoting legislation safeguarding women's rights. However, with the general exception of the countries with advanced social services 9 serious problems, such as inadequate allocation of financial resources, lack of skilled personnel, and so on, continue to exist in many countries. This constraint is to a considerable extent - especially in developing countries - due to the general economic problems, such as scarcity of resources and/or under-utilization of existing resources. In many cases it reflects the priority Governments accord to issues concerning women. Another major constraint facing such mechanisms is their limited mandates. Thus, several existing mechanisms do not have strong executive and implementing authority. Similarly, the terms of reference given to such mechanisms tend to restrict them to welfare activities traditionally associated with women and thereby reinforcing stereotyping of women's roles and attitudinal prejudices. The sensitizing task of these special mechanisms has, as yet, insufficiently resulted in an actual integration into policy planning and implementation by Governments and international organizations of the question of sharing all responsibilities between the sexes. 19. The review of legislative enactments and provisions reveals that a significant number of Governments reported new constitutional and legislative provisions which guarantee or promote equal rights of women and men. However, legislative provisions are not always matched by adequate enforcement measures and machinery. In many countries specific measures have been taken to redress past discrimination and to promote equal opportunities for women, especially in the fields of education and employment. 20. In the developed market-economy countries significant progress has been made in establishing national machineries, while achievements in the subtheme areas of education, health and employment are impressive. In many countries, new legislation has ensured the legal rights of women in social, economic and political aspects of national life. The percentage of women in positions of policy formulation has increased significantly. Women have joined the labour force in increasing numbers; enrolments have achieved parity in secondary, university and graduate education in many nations, and expansion of primary health care has reached most rural areas of the various market-economy countries. Current studies on work of comparable value, occupational segregation and valuation of household work are positive signs of further progress in the second half of the Decade, Acknowledgement of the double burden has enabled women and men to move forward to challenge existing stereotypes and to develop social programmes aimed at effecting full equality of women and men. 21. In the developing countries, despite their resource constraints and the adverse effect of the world economic structure and the world economic situation, initiatives have been taken for integrating women into development, including the establishment of national machineries and legislative enactments and efforts to overcome prejudices against women, The economic contribution of rural women to agriculture and national development is increasingly being recognized in national and rural development plans and policies. Research and studies have been undertaken to identify the critical needs of women and to formulate and implement programmes and projects for them. In many developing countries efforts have been made in the public sector to increase the participation of women and representation at the decision-making levels. There has been an increase in the enrolment of girls in educational institutions at different levels, an increase in the availability of health care to women and efforts have been made to improve the work conditions and the employment needs of women. 22. In the countries with centrally planned economies a further advancement of women took place in various fields. Women in those countries actively participated in social and economic development and in all other fields of public life of their countries, including the active struggle for peace, disarmament, detente and international co-operation. A high level of employment, health, education and political participation of women was achieved in countries with centrally planned economies, in which national mechanisms are already in existence with adequate financial allocations and sufficient skilled personnel. 23. Women in all countries love peace and women all over the world have conducted active struggles for peace, disarmament, detente and international co-operation against foreign aggression and all forms of foreign domination and hegemony. Women have played and can play an active role at the national and international level to strive for detente and to make it a continuing and universal process of an all-embracing scope so that the goals of the Decade might be achieved. 24. The review and appraisal of progress achieved during the past five years indicates that in many countries the situation of women in the so-called "backward" sectors has worsened. In particular, it has worsened with respect to the conditions of employment and education for women in the rural and the so-called marginal urban sectors. In many countries the actual number of female illiterates is increasing. In fact, illiteracy rates for the female population appear to have increased and are projected to increase in several countries. In terms of the percentage of enrolment that women constitute of the total enrolment, at the first, second and third levels of education, progress in the participation of women has been made in most countries; however, declines have been reported by several in female participation at the second level. It appears that, in many countries, only in the higher and middle socio-economic strata did women gain come significant increases in educational opportunities. However, this improvement has not been followed by a parallel increase in levels of employment, even in certain developed countries and in those developing countries with higher induct realization rates. In employment, there is evidence of increasing numbers of women being -forced into unemployment or being; transferred outside the formal sectors of the economy into the peripheral labour market in the developed countries and into the informal sectors of subsistence agriculture, handicrafts, and so on. This move from the formal to the informal market is evidenced by estimates of the International Labour Organisation and projections for over-all activity rates in the economies of the developing countries. 25. In many instances, transfer of inappropriate technology has worsened the employment and health conditions of women; displacement of labour occurs, and foreign models of consumption accompany such transfer. In certain large industries, some of them operated by transnational corporations, new discriminatory labour practices have appeared in both rural and urban areas, while in the urban areas increases in the employment of women have been largely the result of an increase in the exploitation of cheap, semi-skilled labour of young and unmarried women, related to increases in the migration of young women to the cities. 26. In many countries, women have not been integrated into national development plans. Where special programmes have existed, they have failed for the most part in achieving significant results, owing to their narrow focus on stereotyped sex roles which have further increased segregation based on sex. 27. Finally, the current world economic crisis has contributed to the worsening of the situation of women in general. Women's employment in industries which have high levels of female labour has been negatively affected by protectionist measures. In developing countries the negative impact on women is even greater than in developed countries. 28) There have been some significant achievements in the implementation of a number of recommendations of the World Plan of Action both at the regional and at global levels in the first half of the Decade. Of particular significance was the establishment of the Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women and the preparatory work leading to the establishment of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. A joint interagency programme for the advancement of women was prepared and regional programmes were implemented in accordance with the regional plans of action adopted in Mexico. Several United Nations organizations were involved in these activities, including the United Nations, regional commissions, UNICEF, UNDP, UNCTAD, UNIDO, UNFPA, ILO, FAO, UNESCO and WHO, It is apparent that such programmes can be strengthened and that greater efforts could be made to introduce a more multidisciplinary approach in these programmes. In a number of conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations system, linkages were established between women's status and the priority areas of concern, including population, food, water, primary health care, education, rural development and agrarian reform, employment, industrialization and over-all development. 29. The review of implementation of the objectives of the second United Nations Development Decade as well as of the progress of negotiations on the establishment of the New International Economic Order shows that hopes and expectations in connexion with the International Development Strategy and establishment of the New International Economic Order have not been fulfilled. Instead of a gradual resolution of the world economic situation and encouragement of accelerated economic development of developing countries, the crisis in the world economy has become more acute. This has affected developing countries in particular and., because of the real economic and social situation in these countries, it is women who are most adversely affected. The international development conditions have deteriorated and "become an even more limiting factor for the development of developing countries, specially restricting the implementation of the objectives of the World Plan of Action. 30. The lessons for the future to be learnt from this review are many. First, it proves that any measures for women isolated from the major priorities, strategies and sectors of development cannot result in any substantial progress toward attaining the goals of the Decade. Second, legislative and developmental action, unless accompanied by positive and concerted action to change attitudes and prejudices, cannot be fully effective. Third, mere provision of equal rights, development services and opportunities will not, by themselves , help women to benefit from them without simultaneous special supportive measures, e.g. legal aid, earmarking of benefits, information and knowledge, institutional innovation etc. 31. The three main objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women - equality, development and peace - are closely interlinked with one another. Progress towards any one of these has a beneficial effect on the others. In turn, failure in one sphere has a negative impact on the others. Since the primary objective of development is to bring about a sustained improvement in the well-being of the individual and of society and to bestow benefits on all, development should be seen not only as a desirable goal in itself but also as a most important means of maintaining peace and of furthering equality of the sexes. However, the present world is by no means tranquil and there exist factors detrimental to peace. Women in some countries are still suffering from wars of aggression. 32. Thus, the universal strengthening of world peace and international security, struggle against foreign interference, aggression and military occupation, respect for national independence and sovereignty, the curbing of the arms race, the achievement of the goals of general and complete disarmament and a reduction of military budgets, the achievement of detente, the establishment of the New International Economic Order and increased co-operation among States, on the basis of equality, will advance the economic, social and cultural development of countries and the situation of women, while still recognizing their special vulnerability. Consequently, it is only under conditions of peace that it is possible to move forward to the full implementation of the other two objectives of the Decade. 33. In accordance with their obligations under the Charter to maintain peace and security and to achieve international co-operation in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, bearing in mind, in this respect, the right to live in peace, States should help women to participate in promoting international co-operation for the sake of the preparation of societies for a life in peace. 34. Similarly, a close relation exists between the world economic situation, development and the strengthening of international peace and security, disarmament and a relaxation of international tension. It is imperative that resources released as a result of disarmament be used for promoting the well-being of all nations and contribute to bridging the gap between developed and developing countries, thus increasing favourable conditions for improving the situation of all members of society. In this context particular attention should be given to the advancement of women and the protection of mother and child. 35. The lack of progress in the establishment of the New International Economic Order has had a direct effect on the socio-economic situation of women. Recent studies on the impact of international economic problems on the employment and working conditions of women show that in fact the adverse effects on the wage levels and job stability of women are more extensive than on those of men. For example, women are the first to lose their jobs on plantations that produce crops for export and in the textile, clothing and electronics industries, which are more sensitive to price fluctuations and to protectionist measures recently introduced by some developed countries. 36. The realization of all the aims mentioned above would provide new possibilities for a more intensive promotion of the status of women. An improvement in the status of women is of over-all national importance, and responsibility for this rests upon the State and all sectors of society. Such an improvement can be realized only if it is carried out in accordance with national needs and conditions, as a sovereign right of each country, without any country imposing its own model. 37. In the traditional and agricultural sectors, the effects of such factors, when associated with rapid displacement and changes in women's basic tertiary activities and a lack of appropriate compensatory measures and especially with the lack of corresponding efforts for the integrated development of rural areas and more intensive integration of women in such development, are even more detrimental. In other words, the lack of access to land, credit and financial and technological resources worsens the impact of rapid displacements in the work activities of women. 38. On the one hand, the recent expansion of capital- and technology-intensive and large-scale agricultural estates, often operated by transnational corporations, adversely affects -women's work in basic tertiary activities, such as those related to small-scale urban, semi-rural and agricultural trade, which are crucial income- generating activities and are essential for community self-reliance. Indeed, in many cases this process has actually jeopardized food production and the distribution of food and basic subsistence goods. On the other hand, in the modern sectors of developing economies, although the expansion of industries operated by transnational corporations has in certain cases increased employment opportunities for women, it has nevertheless also brought new problems both for women and for over-all development. Care should be taken so that the redeployment of industry in the developing countries is not used as a means of providing a cheap labour force, especially women, or that the redeployment of obsolete and "dirty" industries is not carried out in the developing countries. Industrialization should be carried out in accordance with the over-all national aims, priorities and aspirations of the developing countries, as a part of a process which will contribute to the transfer of technology to the developing countries. Women's right to participate in and benefit from the industrialization process on equal terms with men must "be secured. 39. In fact, there has been some concern about future trends in export oriented industries and their impact on employment in developing countries. Such industries are said to be more sensitive to the needs of the international market than to those of the host countries. Although important for creating employment and providing foreign exchange earnings, in other respects their impact on the domestic economy is minimal, since virtually all their input is imported and all their output exported. The Governments of host countries seem to view such enterprises, for the most part, as short' run solutions to the problem of generating employment, but for B. The interrelationship of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women and the subtheme of the World Conference: "Employment, Health and Education" 46. The experience of the Decade has clearly revealed that the objectives of equality and peace cannot be realized without an unequivocal commitment at national, regional and global levels to women's integration in all aspects of development. The objective of development, which incorporates the principle of socio-economic and political equality, is closely related to stability and peace, which is more than an absence of violence within or between countries. In selecting the subtheme of the World Conference: employment, health and education, it was recognized that these interrelated aspects of development are of crucial concern to the advancement of women. The principles of the right of women to work, to receive equal pay for work of equal value, to be provided with equal opportunities for training and education were clearly stated in the World Plan of Action. It was also stressed that the full participation of women in development required that they should be given adequate and equitable access to health, nutrition and other social services including family planning and child care facilities. In all countries there is need for continuing attention to the implementation of these principles. For the remainder of the Decade, they should be given a high priority in Governments' planning and programmes. The level of development depends upon international conditions and national efforts towards integrated development particularly in the fields of employment, health and education, these being fields of exceptional significance for the under-developed sectors, of which women constitute the major segment. In fact, the sectors of employment, health and education, especially for women workers in the agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy, offer a stark index of the levels and quality of development in any given country. As reproducers of the labour force, women's socio-economic and health conditions are crucial determinants of the prospects for development. Their employment and educational opportunities not only reflect the extent to which a given society offers women the possibility to develop their full potential and eliminates inequalities but also the extent to which countries are maximizing their endogenous technical and economic resources, especially in times of acute economic crisis which threaten world stability. The strengthening of regional commissions by adequate institutional arrangements which would also ensure intersectional programming and co-ordination of activities for women is essential. The improvement of linkages among the organizations of the United Nations system with a view to coordinating implementation where there are separate programmes is also essential. Part Two; The Programme of Action at the national level III. NATIONAL TARGETS AND STRATEGIES FOR THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF WOMEN IN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT A. National strategies for accelerating the full participation of women in economic and social development 47 . The improvement of the status of women requires action at the national, local and family levels. It also requires a change of men's and women's attitudes towards their roles and responsibilities in society. The joint responsibility of men and women for the welfare of the family in general and the care of their children in particular should be reaffirmed. 48 . Governments should explicitly state their firm commitment to accord high priority to legislative and other measures for accelerating the equal and full participation of women in economic and social development with a view to eliminating the existing inequalities between men and women in all sectors. 49 . National strategies should as a matter of urgency integrate women into their efforts towards the New International Economic Order and a new international development strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade by: (a) Studying and identifying new areas for national projects that would accelerate socio-economic growth and at the same time enhance the socio-economic participation of women by fostering economic and technical co-operation among countries; (b) Providing advisory services for accelerating national self-reliance in co-operation with United Nations organizations; also ensuring that women assist in determining that technology transfer has a positive impact on the socio-economic situation and health of women, as well as on their working conditions; (c) Providing women in the most disadvantaged sectors of the population with the ways and means of increasing their access to infrastructure, "basic services and appropriate technology in order to alleviate the heavy workload imposed by the basic requirements and demands of their families and communities, women should also be provided with opportunities to gain new skills and with job opportunities in the construction and maintenance of the above-mentioned services, as well as in other sectors ; (d) Adopting measures to make equal opportunities for development and services available to women in rural areas and to women in urban areas by reversing processes of unequal economic growth, implementing special investment and incentive programmes in disadvantaged sectors, controlling mechanisms for the transfer of resources from one sector to another and, where possible, preventing the rural sector from being impoverished to the advantage of the urban sector. 50. Governments should, where appropriate, design certain special transitional strategies and establish, compensatory mechanisms aimed at achieving equality of opportunity in education, employment and health as a means of overcoming existing inequalities in national administration, the educational system, employment, health services and the like, it being clearly understood that the special strategies are designed to correct imbalances and discrimination and will be phased out when such imbalances and discrimination no longer exist. 1. National development plans and policies 51. Governments should undertake the following: (a) The establishment of qualitative and quantitative targets for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace; projections for the planning cycles of 1985-1995 should be made where appropriate, and reviews conducted in 1985 and 1990. These should especially seek to remove the gap between the attainments of men and women, between rural and urban women and between all women in underprivileged population groups, and other women in all sectors and particularly in the fields of employment, health and education; (b) Systematic and sustained linking of efforts to integrate women into national development planning and policies, particularly in the sectors of employment, education and health, and in the allocation of adequate material, technical and personnel resources within each sector of national development; (c) The establishment of appropriate arrangements for monitoring and evaluating the extent to which women participate in and benefit from both general and sectoral development programmes. Reliable data should be collected and technical services provided for periodic reviews of the progress made at all levels of society in every major sector of the national development programmes; targets should be established along with the allocation of physical and financial resources in every development programme, in order to ensure a more just distribution of benefits to women; (d) The development and improvement of infrastructural technology, basic services and incentives, particularly for the rural sectors of the population and the urban poor; women should be given equal rights of land ownership, equal access to credit and financing, basic sanitation, safe water and energy resources, and the skills to maintain and build community self-reliance. Special attention and additional services should be given to women in the area of health; (e) Initiate where necessary, as a result of socio-economic conditions, processes of integral agrarian reform, which will subsequently make it possible to implement measures for promoting the development of women in rural areas: (i) To mobilize women, particularly poor women, in rural and urban areas; (ii) To organize learning and productive activity and access to needed developmental services and inputs (e.g., education, primary health and child care, skill development, credit and marketing facilities); (iii) To organize working women, including those in the unorganized sectors, for protection against exploitation, for socio-occupational mobility through education and training and necessary supportive services for children; (f) Systematic efforts to promote and assist grass-roots level organizations as one of the instruments of development; (g) The establishment of incentives and concrete programmes for increasing the participation of women in decision-making processes at all levels and in all spheres of national development; (h) Wherever possible time-tables should "be established for the achievement of particular objectives; (i) Where appropriate, initiate consultations "between government and employer and employee organizations as well as community groups to examine and improve conditions for women workers. 2. National machinery 52. Where it does not exist, national machinery preferably at the highest level of government, where appropriate, should be established. By national machinery should be understood not only the establishment of central institutions at the national level but furthermore, where appropriate, the establishment of a comprehensive network of extensions in the form of commissions, offices or posts at different levels, including the local administrative level because of its better capacity for dealing with specific local situations, as well as working units in the relevant branches of administration, in order to ensure the effective implementation of action programmes ensuring the equality of men and women with a view to: (a) Upgrading its capacity and role in national development plans; (b) Achieving a more central location within the existing institutional arrangements for the formulation and planning of and strict compliance with policies and programmes and for monitoring their implementation and evaluation; (c) Conceptualizing women's problems in an integrated manner within each sector of development and at the same time developing effective methodologies, policies and mechanisms for affirmative action, where appropriate, to ensure an integrated approach; (d) Ensuring the full participation of women in measures taken by government or other agencies. 53- Effective institutional links between national machinery and national planning units as well as national women's organizations, should be established with a view to: (a) Increasing their decision-making powers; (b) Increasing their technical, financial and personnel resources; (c) Advising on new approaches to accelerate the full participation of women in every sector of the development process, according to national priorities; (a) Drawing up national programmes for women in the priority areas of employment, health and education so as to make possible their full participation at the national level. These should also aim at intensifying over-all efforts to promote technical co-operation among countries and development in the areas of science and technology, water and energy resources among others, in line with the strategy for the Third United Nations Development Decade and the programme of action for the New International Economic Order. 54. Women should lie represented on the basis of equality in all bodies and institutions dealing with development so as to be able to influence national policies at their inception - all this with a view to advancing the status of women and their participation in development. 55. The national machinery should increase the participation of grass-roots organizations, such as women's and youth associations, rural workers' organizations, community organizations, religious groups, neighborhood associations, as well as trade unions, both in decision-making and in the implementation of projects and in this regard should serve as a liaison unit between appropriate government agencies and grass-roots organizations. 56. The national machinery should implement effective programmes aimed at ensuring that women participate in and benefit from the implementation, at the national, regional and international levels, of the relevant recommendations of such major conferences as the World Employment Conference, the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development, 3/ the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, 4/ and the International Conference on Primary Health Care. 5/ 57• The national machinery should also provide appropriate channels of communication between women's organizations and other organizations„ in order to: (a) Help women's groups to obtain financial and technical assistance from international and bilateral funding sources; (b) Provide reliable data on the socio-economic and political participation of women to both governmental and non-governmental organizations, including those that act as formal and non-formal educational agencies, with a view to sensitizing society to the importance of the contribution to be made by women to development and informing the public of the obstacles to equality of opportunity. 58. To ensure that the national machinery serves its purpose, it is advisable to carry out studies and interdisciplinary research on the actual status of women, drawing on the experience already acquired in some countries with women's studies programmes. 3. Legislative measures 59. All remaining discriminatory legislative provisions in the social, economic and political spheres and in penal and civil codes should be examined with a view to 3/ See Report of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (WCAARD/REP), transmitted to the General Assembly "by a note by the Secretary-General (A/34/485). 4/ Report of the United Nations Conference on Science and Technology for Development, Vienna, 20-31 August 1979 (United Nations publication, Sales No. E.79.1.21). 5/ Report of the International Conference on Primary Health Care, Alma-Ata, 6-12 September 1978 (UNIDO/IOD.255). repealing all laws and regulations discriminating against women with regard to rights concerning nationality„ inheritance, the ownership and control of property, the freedom of movement of married women, the custody of children and the like, or which inhibit their effective participation in or planning, implementation and evaluation of economic transactions. 60. Governments should develop programmes to inform women of their legal rights and should point out ways in which women can use these rights. Where appropriate, Governments should establish commissions to assess women's legal rights and the establishment of priorities for legislative measures and to identify, specify and classify the necessary legislative measures that have not yet been enacted. 61. In countries where large sections of the population are governed by customary law, Governments should carry out investigations into the degree of protection or oppression and amount of discrimination experienced by women under customary law, in order to deal with or reject such practices by statutory legislation at an appropriate time. 62. Governments should implement the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. 63. Procedures should be provided - or, where they already exist, strengthened -for effectively implementing social legislation, especially that affecting parents. 6k. The protection of the social function of parenthood and of maternity should "be guaranteed in legislation. Both in the public and in the private sector, the definition of maternity leave should be understood to be the period which is required by expectant mothers for the protection of their health before childbirth and by mothers for the recovery of their health after childbirth. Recognizing that the raising of children is a joint responsibility of parents and the community at large, efforts should be made to provide for parental leave, available to either parent. 65. Legislation should also be enacted and implemented in order to prevent domestic and sexual violence against women. All appropriate measures, including legislative ones , should be taken to allow victims to be fairly treated in all criminal procedures. 66. Educational and informational programmes on the socio-economic implications of laws should be launched among various professional groups, especially the legal and judicial professions, in order to prevent, where possible, the law from being applied inequitably. 67. Programmes of counseling and legal aid should be developed and implemented to enable women, especially those in the disadvantaged sectors, to have effective protection through legislation. Broad programmes to publicize legislation should also be implemented to make women and, in particular, those in the poorest sectors aware of their rights and obligations and of the institutional guarantees therefore. 68. The necessary steps should be taken to ratify or accede to all international instruments of the United Nations and its specialized agencies that deal with women's rights, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women. Those affecting the poor, such as those concerning the rights of rural and agricultural women workers, are particularly important. 4. Participation in the political and other decision-making processes, and participation in efforts to promote international co-operation and strengthen peace Participation in the political and other decision-making processes 69. Every effort should be made to enact, before the end of the Decade, legislation guaranteeing women the right to vote, to be eligible for election or appointment to public office and to exercise public functions on equal terms with men., wherever such legislation does not already exist. In particular, political parties should be encouraged to nominate women candidates to positions that give them the possibility equally with men to be elected. 70. Governments and the organizations concerned should foster knowledge of civil and political rights, promote and encourage political organizations which carry out programmes involving the participation of women and implement broad programmes for the training of political officials. 71. Governments and political parties should, where appropriates establish goals, strategies and time-tables and undertake special activities for increasing, by certain percentages, the number of women in elective and appointive public offices and public functions at all levels, in order that women should be equitably represented. 72. Special governmental instructions should be issued for achieving equitable representation of women in the different branches of Government and in departments at the national, state and local levels. Special activities should be undertaken to increase the recruitment, nomination and promotion of women, especially to decision-making and policy-making positions, by publicizing posts more widely, increasing upward mobility and so on, until equitable representation of women is achieved. Reports should be compiled periodically on the numbers of women in public service and the levels of responsibility in their areas of work. 73. Women should be equitably represented at all levels, especially the senior levels, in delegations to international bodies, conferences and committees dealing with political, economic and legal questions, disarmament and other similar issues. Governments should encourage and support increased employment of women at all levels, technical and professional, in the Secretariat of the United Nations and its subsidiary organs and specialized agencies. 74. Where special qualifications for holding public office are required, they should apply to both sexes equally and should relate only to the expertise necessary for performing the specific functions of the office. 75. Special attention should be given to ensuring that formal or informal practices which result in de facto discrimination against women in the selection of candidates for political office or in their exclusion from formal decision-making, particularly in bodies such as public councils, boards or informal committees, should be eliminated. Participation of women in efforts to promote international co-operation and strengthen peace 76. Women of the entire world should participate in the broadest way in the struggle to strengthen international peace and security, to broaden international co-operation and develop friendly relations among nations, to achieve detente in international relations and disarmament, to establish a new economic order in international relations, to promote guarantees of fundamental freedoms and human rights, and in the struggle against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid, foreign domination, foreign oppression, foreign occupation. High priority should be given to providing training and educational opportunities at all levels. These might include university or college courses, lectures on international affairs, panel discussions, conferences, seminars and other educational activities. 77. Solidarity campaigns with women struggling against colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, racial discrimination and apartheid and for national independence and liberation should be intensified; such women should receive all possible assistance, including support from agencies of the United Nations system as well as other organizations. 78. The efforts of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to strengthen international peace and security should be intensified in every way. The active participation of women in the activities of such organizations should be supported. Exchanges between the national organizations of different countries in favour of international co-operation and the strengthening of peace should be promoted. 79. Intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations should examine more comprehensively the consequences of disarmament for social and economic development in general and for improving the status of women in particular. The results of such studies should be made available to as many women and men as possible and must be given practical effect. 80. In view of the importance of eliminating international inequities, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations should continue to study the impact of the activities of transnational corporations on the status of women and to make use of the results of such studies in practical programmes. 81. Governments should also be made aware of the results of such studies so that they realize and prevent the negative effects on the status of women which are caused by the activities of transnational corporations, as is the case in South Africa where transnational corporations sustain the system of apartheid by their investments. 82. Support should be provided by all women of the world in proclaiming solidarity with and support for the Palestinian women and people in their struggle for their fundamental rights. Moral and material assistance should be extended by the United Nations system to help Palestinian women. Specific programmes and projects should be carried out to fulfil that aim. 5. Measures relating to education and the dissemination of information 83. Independent organizations, including women's organizations at the national, regional and international levels, should study the ways in which the mass communications media, including the news media and advertising, treat the status of women and women's issues. Evidence that women are being treated in a sexist or demeaning way should be brought to the attention of the media concerned for correction. 84. Every effort should be made to encourage the fullest and most active participation of women at all levels of policy-making and decision-making within media organizations. Governments should use the opportunities they have by way of appointments to regulatory bodies and broadcasting networks to ensure that women are equally represented in senior decision-making. 85. Special efforts, for example, training programmes to sensitize media personnel at all levels, should be made to ensure that women are portrayed as persons in their own right and that the portrayal of women and women's issues reflects women's rights, needs and interests. 86. Educational programmes and campaigns using the media should "be instituted in order to eliminate prejudices and traditional attitudes that limit the full participation of women in society. Such campaigns should also inform women and men of their rights and ways of exercising them. Women's organizations and other non-governmental organizations, political parties and trade unions should play an active role in the process of educating women politically in order to increase their capacities for participation in decision-making bodies. Special attention should be given to the role the media can play in reaching the migrant women. Women should also have access to training in the use of various forms of the media, in order to be able to present to as wide a public as possible their own perceptions of their needs, ideas and aspirations. 87. Governments should encourage the mass media to support the increased involvement of women in efforts to strengthen international co-operation and peace and to broadcast programmes that make women more aware of the activities and positions of their Governments in vital questions of international affairs, thus enabling them to fulfil their roles in strengthening international peace and security and in opposing colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination. 88. Special campaigns should be undertaken to encourage the increased participation of women and girls in rural community and youth development programmes and in political activities. 89. The mass media should promote the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, as well as other international, regional and national programmes for women, so that the public is made aware of such programmes and thus participate to a greater extent in their implementation. 90. Bearing in mind the fact that one of the impediments to promoting the status of women lies in social attitudes and the evaluation of women in society, the mass media offer great possibilities as one means of promoting social change. They can help remove prejudices and stereotypes, accelerate the acceptance of the new role of women in society and promote their role as equal partners in the process of development. 91. In all fields of activity, the mass media should "become one of the "basic means in society of overcoming the contradiction in, on the one hand, the presentation of women as passive, inferior beings having no social significance and, on the other hand, an accurate picture of their increasing role and contribution to society at large. The mass media should also recognize that both parents have equal duties and responsibilities for the training and education of children and for household duties. Governments , as communicators, in preparing communications to or about their countries should ensure that the contents reflect government commitment to status of women issues and concerns. 6. Improvement of the data base 92. All data-collecting agencies should give a sex and age breakdown of any information they gather, wherever relevant. 93. Some of the concepts and analytical tools of research, particularly those relating to economic processes - evaluation, labour, work, employment, social productivity, household, family and the like - should be re-examined so as to improve tools for the analysis and conceptualization of the economic and social roles of women within the home and outside. 9k. Priority should be given to research concerning those groups of women that have been neglected in social research - namely, rural workers in agriculture and allied activities and working women in the underprivileged sectors of society. These are women who, far from being the dependants they have generally been assumed to be, have always had to perform multiple roles in order to ensure the survival of their families. For better evaluation of development programmes, access to and utilization of data need to be ensured. 95- National and regional indicators should be developed and improved for determining the degree to which women have actually been participating in development, as a means of measuring their actual contribution to the development process. A set of statistical indicators should be established by which progress towards equality between the sexes can be monitored. In establishing such a set of indicators. Governments will need to take into account the current state of their country's statistical development as well as their individual policy priorities. A system should be devised for placing a monetary value on unpaid work, in order to facilitate its reflection in the gross national product. 96. The level of economic growth in general and the sectoral structure of that growth should be established so as to determine employment openings. Data on the composition of populations (e.g. , age structure and the relation between rural and other sectors of a population) should be collected so that the need for employment openings, health services and education can be identified. 97. Current statistical operations and practices should be reviewed to ensure that they are free from sex-based stereotypes. 98. Where appropriate, permanent advisory committees to national statistical authorities should be established to improve the quantity and relevance of data pertaining to the situation of women, their participation in development and equality between the sexes. The work of such advisory committees may be supplemented from time to time "by the organization of larger meetings of users and producers of statistics to address specific issues of mutual concern. 99. Research and testing of new or revised concepts and classifications should be designed or expanded to improve the usefulness and relevance of the statistics needed to describe the role and status of women, their participation in the development process and equality between the sexes. Such research and testing, whether carried out by the national statistical services or by university or other research groups, would need to involve both the users and producers of such statistics and would need to encompass both methods and procedures for data collection and those for the analysis and presentation of data. 7. Role of non-governmental organizations 100. There should be mutual co-operation between Governments and non-governmental organizations, women's and youth groups, employers and workers unions, voluntary agencies, community organizations, including religious groups, the mass communication media, political parties and the like, in implementing the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade. 101. Governments should take account of the activities of non-governmental organizations and should support, where appropriate, the efforts of all relevant institutions and other associations concerned with the welfare and status of women. 102. Governments should recognize the importance of the role of women's organizations, encourage and assist them and provide them with financial and other assistances particularly at the grass-roots level, to enable them to perform their functions which include activities such as: (a) The mass mobilization of women and, in particular, poor women in rural and urban areas; (b) The provision of all development services and facilities (education, health and child care, expansion of credit and marketing capabilities and facilities, information on social, political and economic rights, etc.); (c) The establishment of organizations for women workers in non-trade-union occupations both in rural and urban areas as a means of protecting them against exploitation and providing the necessary auxiliary child care services. 103. With regard to the follow-up of the World Conference of the United Rations Decade for Women, Governments should: (a) Make possible the publication and dissemination of the results of the World Conference and of the Forum of non-governmental organizations; (b) Enable non-governmental groups to become involved in the realization of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade; (c) Consider the role and resources of non-governmental groups in the implementation of international, regional and national plans for the improvement of the situation of women > (d) Consider as a plan for the future, and establish strategies for their implementation, the input and particular recommendations of non-governmental groups. (e) Give financial resources to non-governmental groups so that these groups can make a contribution towards the implementation of the Programme of Action. 14. Non-governmental organizations should support governmental efforts by: (a) Investigating the problems of different groups of women; (b) Assisting and promoting organizations of women at the grass-roots levels especially those established among poor and uneducated women to promote learning and productive and other developmental activities; (c) Providing liaison services for such groups with educational and other development agencies; (d) Promoting attitudinal change among men and women; (e) Promoting solidarity among women's groups; (f) Influencing and informing the mass media and political groups; (g) Developing new analytical methodology; (h) Launching programmes and activities to serve, in particular, rural women; (i) Promoting public acceptance of family planning, including sex education; (j) Informing their members of government policies and development plans as well as of international standards and programmes for improving the situation of women. Grass-roots organizations 105. In accordance with the regional plans of action and with a view to implementing the World Plan of Action, Governments and agencies on other levels should, where appropriate, promote the establishment of grass-roots organizations of women as an integral part of their over-all development efforts and should provide adequate financial and personnel resources for such efforts to succeed. Such grass-roots organizations of women will serve as forums for women to develop self-reliance and will eventually enable women to obtain real access to resources and power and to shoulder greater socio-economic and political responsibilities within their communities and their societies. B. Objectives and priority areas for action taken in connexion with the subtheme of the World Conference, "Employment, health and education" Introduction 106. The objectives and priority areas of action for improving the employment, health and education status of women in every country should be promoted within the over-all context of national planning and development for the whole population. Improvement in the condition of women in these areas is also instrumental in the development of the country. Furthermore, the improvements in any one of these sectors also affect the situation in other sectors. Recognition of this interrelated nature of the programmes is essential if their effectiveness is to be maximized. Socio-cultural values should not suffer as a result of physical economic development. Therefore, integrated and innovative programmes and new methodologies should be explored. 107. The programmes should also invariably include measures for building the capacities of women themselves by their training and information programmes and by their organizing themselves, with the assistance of Government and other socio-political forces, to make full use of new opportunities, policies and programmes. 108. Labour policies and action taken in favour of women workers should form part of over-all employment policies and measures for the entire working population, men and women alike, with a view to overcoming the problems that affect women only and preventing measures of protection which discriminate against them. Employment policies for underprivileged population groups, such as urban fringe groups, the low-income sector and indigenous population groups, should include references to the specific situation of women workers. 1. Employment Objectives 109. To promote full and equal opportunities and treatment for women in employment, bearing in mind that this requires that "both women and men have the possibility to combine paid work with household responsibilities and the caring for children. To ensure that women and men receive equal remuneration for work of equal value and equal educational and training opportunities in both rural and urban areas, so that women may obtain more highly skilled employment and become integrated into the development of their countries with a view to more rapid and balanced growth in agriculture, industry and other non-traditional sectors, with the aim of ensuring better over-all working conditions for women, achieving more rapid and balanced growth in both agriculture and industry and integrating women in development. 110. To increase and promote employment opportunities for women as part of national efforts to bring about a more just international economic order, with a view to achieving national self-reliance, increasing economic and technical co-operation among developing countries and the full utilization of the labour force for their own benefit and promoting the socio-economic development of their own countries. 111. To improve the working conditions and occupational mobility of women workers in the lower and middle levels of the sectors in which the majority of women work. 112. To ensure equal rights and opportunities for the gainful employment of rural women 'both in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs under proper working conditions j improve the capabilities and productivity of rural -women workers,, increase food production, diminish migration in countries where this is necessary and whose population policies contain explicit provisions to this effect, promote rural development and strengthening of self-reliance programmes; to extend labour and social security legislation to women working in agriculture. 113. To promote effective policies for increasing employment opportunities, to improve existing ones and enable women to obtain jobs involving more skills and responsibility, particularly at the managerial level, in all sectors of the economy, to promote occupational mobility for women, in both rural and urban areas, by encouraging the provision of maternity protection, child-care facilities, technical training and health protection, with a view to achieving the industrialization targets for the third United Nations Development Decade. 114 . To facilitate paid employment of women by encouraging increased involvement of males in sharing domestic and child care responsibilities. 115. To take measures for the implementation of legislation relating to working conditions for women. 116. To formulate and implement national and local training and employment programmes and projects which take particular account of the need to give women access to gainful economic activity and to improve their employment situation in priority areas for the economic and social development of their countries. 117. To adopt measures for ensuring that women's entry into certain sectors of the labour market does not result in lowering the working conditions, remuneration and status of those sectors. 118. To promote technology that will improve the labour productivity of women while decreasing their work time and to guarantee that women workers are the ones who benefit from such an improvement. 119. To review implicit and explicit job evaluation criteria with a view to overcoming difficulties and obstacles to the job advancement and careers of women. 120. To ensure that, in all sectors, the economic returns from women's work accrue directly to them. Priority areas for action 121 Special action should be taken to institute programmes which would inform women workers of their rights under legislation and other remedial measures. The importance of freedom of association and the protection of the right to organize should be emphasized, this being particularly relevant to the position of women in employment. Special measures should be taken to ratify and implement in national legislation the relevant conventions and recommendations of the International Labour Organisation concerning the rights of women as regards access to equal employment opportunities, equal pay for work of equal value, working conditions, job security and maternity protection. 122. Information programming should "be instituted aimed at making women, especially those in the rural areas and in socio-economically disadvantaged groups, aware of employment opportunities and of the opportunities for education, training and skill acquisition. 123. Measures should be taken to ensure that development agencies in different sectors of national planning include larger numbers of women in their staff as a matter of policy and, as part of that policy, allocate resources to programmes for women's employment and training, the provision of supporting services and other essential inputs. 124. Legislative and/or other measures should be adopted and implemented which guarantee women protection against any sexually-oriented practice that endangers a women's access to or maintenance of employment, that undermines her job) performance and thus threatens her economic livelihood. 125. Legislative and/or other measures should be adopted and implemented "to secure for men and women the same right to work and to unemployment benefits, as well as to prohibit, through inter alia the imposition of sanctions, dismissal on the grounds of pregnancy or of maternity leave and discrimination in dismissals on "the basis of marital status. Legislative and other measures should be adopted and implemented to facilitate the return to the labour market of women who have left: it for family reasons and to guarantee the right of women to return to work after maternity leave. 126. Measures should be taken to ensure on a basis of equality of men and women the right to protection of health and to safety in working conditions, including the safeguarding of the function of reproduction. Special protection should "be provided to women during pregnancy in types of work proved to be harmful to them. 127. Measures should be taken to ensure that migrant workers enjoy equal treatment and access to vocational training as nationals of the host country, and to improve the status of women who, in the process of migration, accompany the migrant workers as members of their family. 128. Ways should be investigated in which the unpaid work in the household and in agricultural tasks which women and men perform can be recognized and reflected in official statistical data collections. [129/ Urgently needed infrastructure services should be developed and provided, such as adequate housing, safe water, energy and child care centres, for families and poor communities in rural areas and urban slums, in order to alleviate the workload traditionally imposed on women in their performance of tasks essential for the survival of their communities, and to increase their levels of gainful employment and productivity, it being understood that the benefits of higher productivity should accrue to women workers and their families. 130. Where appropriate, flexible formal or informal training programmes should be designed and implemented for women in non-traditional areas in order to widen their employment opportunities and to enable them to generate income through the production of goods and services. 131. The access of women to special technical training programmes should be increased and women so qualified should be helped to obtain jobs suited to their individual skills; legislative measures should be enacted and appropriate legal assistance provided to prevent exploitation based on sex, race, age, marital status or motherhood in both the traditional and modern sectors. In addition, measures should be taken to ensure that women are introduced, on the same footing as men, to new types of training in the advanced technologies which are now being widely developed. 132. Measures should be taken to provide for part-time workers levels of remuneration and social security benefits which are proportional to those of full-time workers, and the same levels of working conditions and standards of protection. 133. Where necessary, measures should be taken to develop and/or accelerate much-needed changes in policies in the tertiary sector, which includes the informal subsectors of small-scale trading, domestic services and the like in both urban and rural areas, especially by (a) extending the coverage of labour legislation, in particular for domestic services workers; (b) guaranteeing the right to organize trade unions and other appropriate organizations, such as credit and marketing co-operatives controlled by the women concerned; and (c) increasing access to managerial and technical training and to financial resources, credit facilities and other inputs in order to improve the working conditions of women and increase their occupational and educational mobility as well as their productivity and economic returns. 134. Measures should be adopted which guarantee that, when transfers of technology-take place, account is taken of the factors of production available in the country to which the transfers are made in order to avoid any labour force disruptions, which usually affect women more severely. Research should be promoted on appropriate endogenous technology which takes account of national characteristics and, in particular, those of developing countries. New programmes and appropriate policies should be developed concerning industrialization and the transfer of technology aimed at maximizing benefits and preventing adverse effects from the transfer of technology on both the employment, training, health and nutrition of women and over-all development. Standards should be instituted to ensure that technologies transferred are safe for utilization and recipient countries are alerted to the hazards of particular forms of technology. 135. Studies should be carried out on the policies, programmes of action and expanding operations of transnational corporations to ensure that they offer greater employment opportunities for women and to prevent their negative effects, 136. The access of women workers to recreation and culture should be increased since their double workload prevents them from having enough necessary free time; it is therefore essential that household chores and family care should be shared by men, and special emphasis should be placed on the obligation of couples to share household tasks with a view to facilitating the access of women to gainful employment. 137. Measures should be taken to ensure that in economic recessions the employment market is not less accessible to women than to men. Measures taken under social legislation concerning unemployment should not directly or indirectly lead to inequality between women and men. Retraining facilities should be provided for unemployed women, preferably in growth sectors. 138. To ensure that women and men are able to harmonize their occupational activities with their family life, child-care facilities and amenities for adolescents should be provided, the length of the working day reduced, and flexible working hours introduced. 139- The number of women at the decision-making level in both national and international workers' organizations and advisory bodies should be increased at least until the proportion corresponds to the number of women carrying on an occupation. 140. Equal employment opportunity programmes should be developed to promote the access of women to all levels of management and decision-making positions and effective programmes should be devised that will promote the access of women and girls to non-traditional skilled trades. 2. Health Objectives 141. To improve the physical and mental health of all members of society through: (a) An improvement in the health status of girls and women, as a necessary aspect of over-all socio-economic development; (b) The formulation of demographic policies; (c) An improvement in health care for women throughout their life cycles; (d) The increased participation of women and men, not only as beneficiaries of the promotion of health but also in the formulation and implementation of policy decisions regarding health at community and national levels; (e) Studies of the causes of diseases, the establishment of clinical and epidemiological research programmes and the organization of services to deal with national problems; (f) The development of policies and programmes aimed at the elimination of all forms of violence against women and children and the protection of women of all ages from the physical and mental abuse resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual exploitation and any other form of abuses; (g) Training human resources for health programmes of the required quantity and quality; (h) The inclusion of the mental health aspect, as well as programmes for curbing the abuse of alcohol and drugs, in over-all health programmes for women. Priority areas for action 142. Promote primary health care with the participation of the communities as the overriding health priority and as a fundamental vehicle for achieving the health goals and objectives of the World Plan of Action. 143 . Give high priority to meeting the health needs of women within primary health care, with particular attention to the special needs of women in rural and depressed urban areas and monitor health programmes in order to secure that women's health needs are properly met. 144. Formulate official policies to involve women in the planning and execution of health programmes at all levels, particularly to increase the participation of women at decision-making levels. 145. Ensure accessibility for all women to maternal health care (including care during pregnancy and childbirth and post-natal care)9 nutrition (including measures to control nutritional anemia’s), family planning, prevention and treatment of infectious diseases - including sexually transmitted and non-communicable diseases - and parasitic diseases, through the establishment of a comprehensive family health, nutrition, and health education network, in order to give women better access to health care. 146. Develop,, implement and strengthen child welfare and family planning programmes and family planning information for inclusion also in school curricula for girls and boys on safe and acceptable fertility regulation methods so that both men and women can take the responsibility for family planning, to promote the health, safety and welfare of mothers and infants and to enable women to exercise the right to decide freely and responsibly for the number and spacing of their children. Family planning should be facilitated as one means of reducing maternal and infant mortality where high risk factors prevail, such as high parity, too frequent pregnancies, Pregnancies at the extremes of the reproductive age, and the frequency and danger of Secretly performed abortions. 147. To promote the physical and mental well-being of women, provision should be made for additional research over the next few years to facilitate analysis and assessment of the status of women. 148. Develop programmes to improve the training and utilization of community health workers, especially women, traditional medical practitioners and birth attendants and elderly village women; support women in their contribution to primary health care both within the family and the community, particularly with reference to self-care and self-reliance in health. 149 . Draw the attention of doctors and other health professionals to the health needs of women in general, not only in relation to pregnancy and childbirth; emphasize preventive medicine and the need to share responsibility and decision-making with professionals in other disciplines and with women themselves. 150. Establish official incentive policies to give women greater access to training in the medical professions and in health-related research in accordance with local and national needs. 151. Develop simple economic , social and cultural indicators in order to obtain better data on trends in morbidity and mortality among women and their access to and utilization of health services. Establish a national basic health information system to provide up-to-date and reliable indicators of prevailing conditions, future trends and resource productivity. 152. Give high priority to the formulation and implementation of food and nutrition policies based on the needs of women, particularly pregnant and lactating women, and those of women and children of lower socio-economic status in both rural and depressed urban areas; establish educational programmes through vocational schools and community agencies to improve the quality, availability, preparation, preservation, rational use of and distribution of food, especially locally grown food. 153. Protect the health and safety of women and their families from contamination, spoilage and adulteration of foods, harmful additives and preservatives, mislabeling, deceptive packaging and irresponsible promotion of foods of low nutritional value and of breast milk substitutes. High priority should be given to the enactment and enforcement of comprehensive legislation, where appropriate, and the creation of appropriate standards of safety, health, product information and quality, including standards for the preparation, preservation, packaging and labeling of foods and other products sold in the markets. Women and men should be instructed as to the right and hygienic use of such products. Information as to the right to such protection should be widely disseminated through schools, the media, and village and community organizations. 154. Develop explicit programmes at national and local levels to improve hygiene, sanitation and access to safe water supplies and shelter as fundamental bases for good health. 155. Develop policies to ensure a safe working environment both in the home and in the work place and provide appropriate technology to relieve the workload of women. Carry out specific studies on labour hygiene and safety, particularly in branches of activity in which the health of women might be affected. 156. Introduce legislation aimed at eliminating occupational health hazards likely to affect reproductive functions, reducing environmental pollution, and controlling disposal of toxic chemicals and radioactive waste. 157. Promote extensive health education programmes, including special efforts to encourage positive traditional practices, especially breastfeeding, and to combat negative practices detrimental to women's health. 158. Formulate specific programmes for the prevention of maternal and infant mortality, giving priority to depressed rural and urban areas and to most vulnerable population groups. 159. Encourage the formulation and implementation of social support measures such as maternity and parental leave, child care, breastfeeding breaks etc. to enable women and men to carry out parental roles in the optimal and healthiest manner. 160. Direct special attention to the needs of elderly women, women living alone and disabled women. 161. Establish programmes giving full medical attention to adolescent women, since adolescence is a critical time in women's "biological and psychological development and also involves a change in their relationship to the social environment in which they live. 162. Prevent mutilation practices which damage women's bodies and health. 163. Promote research into the extent and the causes of domestic violence with a view to eliminating it; take measures to eliminate glorification of violence against and sexual exploitation of women in the mass media, literature and advertising; provide effective help for women and children who are victims of violence, e.g. by the establishment of centres for treatment, shelter and counselling victims of violence and sexual assault. l64. Formulate a plan of action for the protection of women against abuse of alcohol, tobacco and drugs and also excessive use of certain medicaments, principally by informing them of the hazards these substances present for them and their children. 3. Education and training Objectives 165. To provide equal access to educational and training opportunities at all levels of all types for girls and women in all sectors of society, thus enabling them fully to develop their personalities and to participate on an equal footing with men in furthering the socio-economic aims of national planning and to achieve self-reliance, family well-being and improve the quality of life. 166. To contribute to a change in attitudes by abolishing traditional stereotypes of men's and women's roles and stimulating the creation of new and more positive images of women's participation in the family, the labour market and in social and public life. 167. To take into consideration in educational programmes and methodologies the special perspective of education for non-violence, mainly with regard to relationships between women and men. 168. Include in educational programmes and methodologies a special emphasis on education against violence, particularly violence in relationships between women and men. 169. To provide for women and girls innovative programmes and methodologies which stimulate creative development, promote the right to freedom and develop the ability to communicate through the eradication of illiteracy, while at the same time upgrading functional skills and basic information about employment and health-related matters as well as their political, economic and social rights. 170. To establish transitional links between school life, apprenticeship and working life, whenever possible, in order to ensure for women and girls better interaction between education, training and employment. 171. Formulate and implement education programmes with final-year courses adapted to the specific needs of the economic and social development of the country, designed to improve and increase the access of women to gainful employment and give them opportunities to take part in non-traditional activities. 172. To increase the opportunities and facilities which promote participation of women in science and technology through education and training in these fields. 173 To devise means of encouraging girls to stay at school longer and to ensure that courses chosen "by girls are in a range of fields including the professions, management, economics and the sciences which will enable them to achieve positions of influence in the decision-making process. Priority areas for action 174. Education, specifically literacy, being a key to national development and a major requisite for improving the status of women, efforts should be made to establish targets for the abolition of differentials in the literacy and educational stainment rates for girls and boys within over-all national efforts to increase literacy and education for the whole population. 175. National educational accreditation and equivalency programmes should be designed to encourage the return of women and girls who have dropped out into the formal education system. 176. Promote education programmes for children, particularly those of pre-school age, as well as young people, aimed at strengthening women's contribution to society and at changing the traditional roles assigned by social and cultural norms to women and men. 177. Establish targets for the expansion of educational opportunities and facilities for women, including courses and institutions with adequate personnel and materials, for which resources have been earmarked. 173• Provide new formal and extracurricular education to enable women to combine their household duties with the opportunity to improve their educational level. 19. Encourage, through legislation, free and compulsory education for girls and Toys at the primary level, with the provision of assistance to establish co-education 'hen possible. Provide trained teachers of both sexes and, if necessary, transportation and boarding facilities. 180. Increase the enrolment of female students in education courses and, in particular, in science, mathematics and technical courses, and in management training courses in the areas of science and technology, especially by encouraging them to enroll in such courses. 181. Provide for equal access to all levels of general education, vocational education, and training for all types of occupations, including those traditionally accessible to men, and to new training schemes and other facilities such as on-the-job training, scholarships, inexpensive boarding and lodging facilities and accessible child care arrangements, ensuring equal job opportunities after completion of vocational education or training for both entry and re-entry, after a period of absence, into occupational activities. 182. Examine curricula and learning materials with a view to removing sex-"bias and the stereotyped portrayal of the roles of girls and women and promote the development of non-sexist resources and curricular materials. 183. Establish targets for the nation-wide implementation of the learning materials developed to optimize the potential of women for countries which have started the work since 1975. 184. Include courses on women's issues in university degree programmes. 185. Develop programmes at the secondary, tertiary and adult education levels to encourage a basic understanding of human rights, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant instruments. Such courses should stress the fundamental importance of the elimination of discrimination on the "basis of race and sex. 186. Train guidance counselors and teachers to assist girls and boys in choosing occupations according to their personal capacities and not according to stereotyped sex roles. 187. Design and promote teacher training courses to alert teachers to the stereotyped assumptions which inhibit choice in school subjects and to the need to widen the options available to women and girls in their future training and occupational choices. Provide, whenever possible, counseling services for the benefit of parents, teachers and pupils as well as for workers and employers. 188. Encourage parity of men and women in teaching and administrative positions at all levels of education. 189. Identify the situational constraints on different culturally or socially underprivileged target groups (e.g. girls of school age who are not attending school, illiterate adults or adults who are engaged in home responsibilities and need additional or diversified education, working women of different age groups in rural and urban areas, mature women and immigrant women) and formulate and implement programmes for such groups. 190. Monitor programmes and take measures for improving the data on drop-out rates of girls and women and their causes, and on course content and levels of skills acquired, in order to facilitate the introduction of remedial or accelerated measures and to generate greater commitment to the policy objectives within the system. 191. Where appropriate, provide for particular target groups, giving priority to those needing them most, counseling and supportive services and certain necessities (child care, earning and learning schemes, transport, clothing, books, supplementary nutrition, reading centres, special tuition in basic subjects such as mathematics, scholarships and stipends and the like), on the basis of situational analyses, and include resources for such services as priority items in educational budgets. 192. Provide for education for women in the context of life-long education in all major development sectors, in developed and developing countries, and take specific measures for obtaining the necessary funds and personnel. 193. Promote instruction and interdisciplinary research on women and the implications of the goals of the Decade as an input to the educational process, particularly in institutions of higher and teacher education, in order to draw on the experience acquired in some countries with women's status and to eliminate all attitudinal and conceptual biases and prejudices, especially those relating to class, that hinder understanding of the role and situation of women. 194. Urge Governments to encourage women to enroll in all their technical institutes and to promote, through every means available to them, the establishment of intermediate technical courses. C Priority areas requiring special attention 1. Food Objectives 195. To enhance and stimulate the key role performed by women in all phases of the process of food production and their contribution to the economic and social development of their countries, at the same time raising their status. 196. To ensure proper planning of the agricultural production sector so that the agricultural output covers as a matter of priority the supply of products that are socially and nationally necessary for the nutrition and food requirements of women in rural areas . Priority areas for action 197. Governments should adopt the necessary measures to: (a) Promote the incorporation of women in all phases of the agricultural productive process, including post-harvesting processing, up to and including the marketing of products; (b) Provide women with the necessary skills and appropriate technology to enable them to participate better in the process of subsistence food production; (c) Establish a link between food production and food consumption processes by providing information on the nutrients required for the development of the population and in particular of children and by making rural women aware of the need for proper nourishment. Eliminate inappropriate consumption patterns which have developed as a result of ignorance or manipulation by commercial advertising;, (d) Promote the participation of women, especially in rural areas, in agricultural policy-making, leading to the production of basic foods for family and national consumption; (e) Ensure access to and use of appropriate technological model of agricultural production for both sexes without distinction: (f) Stimulate the participation and full voting rights of women in co-operatives and other forms of organization relating to the production, processing, distribution, marketing and consumption of basic food products; (g) Ensure access for women in conditions of equality with men to financing mechanisms covering all phases of production, up to and including the marketing of food, products ; (h) Support forms of marketing of basic foods for family consumption which will be conducive to the opening up of priority markets for the sale of their products. 2. Rural women Objectives 198. Enhance the effective contribution of rural women to the economic and social development of their countries in cases where they are hampered by their inadequate access to appropriate technology, by the inadequate social infrastructures in rural areas and by the double workload they bear through their participation in working the land and their performance of household duties. 199. Improve the living conditions of women in rural areas, and to this end: (a) Acknowledge the contribution which women make to the economic and social development of their countries , and take steps to ensure that rural women participate equally and effectively in the development process as beneficiaries and as agents for change by affording them participation as policy-makers, organizers and implementers of development programmes; (b) Give rural women at all levels access to formal and non-formal courses in leadership and decision-making, as well as to programmes that teach skills appropriate to their lifestyle and skills which could be utilized, if necessary, for paid employment; (c) Provide rural women with basic human needs, including clean water supplies, effective sanitation, adequate food and nutrition, basic health services, shelter and appropriate fuel supplies. They should have access to formal and non-formal education programmes, which should be available at minimum cost and inconvenience to already overburdened women. They should also have assured access to technology at all levels , particularly in relation to food storage and preservation, transport and marketing and labour-saving tools and devices; (d) Provide rural women with access to improved transport and communication systems, and to all forms of media; (e) Extend to all rural women free and equal access to credit facilities where these are available; (f) Aid donor countries and recipient Governments should consult on ways of developing programmes at the village level for involving local women in their planning and implementation. Care should be taken to ensure that development assistance programmes do not exclude women from technological training. Priority areas for action 200. Governments should adopt the necessary measures to: (a) Eliminate from legislation on rural development, where necessary, provisions that discriminate against women; (b) Make rural women aware of their rights so that they can exercise and benefit from them; (c) Ensure access for rural women to the use, enjoyment and development of land, in conditions of equality with men, "by according to women the same practical and legal rights as those of men in access to ownership and the use and management of land, in the production of goods from land by means of agriculture or grazing and in the disposal of any such products or of the land itself; (d) Allocate sufficient financial resources to carry out research, especially field research, which will provide a sound basis for initiating, expanding and strengthening concrete and integrated actions aimed at promoting the development of rural women and their integration in economic and social activity in rural areas; (e) Examine carefully the possibility of devising statistics which measure rural women's contribution on an equal basis with men's, including labour in the sphere of agricultural production, unpaid family labour and food production for family consumption, as well as monitor the impact of development so that negative and unforeseen consequences, such as increased workload and loss of income earning opportunities, can be identified; (f) Provide rural women with the appropriate technology and suitable training enabling them to improve and promote their traditional small-scale in-home industries; (g) Encourage the participation of rural women, in all forms of social organization of labour, with a view to their achieving, inter alia, control over their wage levels, participation in the production process and greater equality in working conditions; (h) Foster the effective participation of rural women in the cultural, political, economic and social activities of the community; (i) Create and strengthen the necessary infrastructure to lighten the workload of rural women, through, inter alia, the application of appropriate technology but ensuring that such measures do not result in occupational displacement of women; (j) Design and carry out literacy and training campaigns for specific rural areas, promoting the effective participation of women in such campaigns; (k) Improve employment opportunities for women in agricultural and non-agricultural jobs in rural areas by providing training and ensuring an adequate allocation of material, technical and financial resources, so as to provide an alternative to migration to urban areas and ensure a balanced development in the other social services with a view to narrowing the existing development gap between rural and urban sectors thereby preventing migration and its harmful consequences; (l) Examine and strengthen rural -women's participation and contribution in and benefit from development and diversification of the forest economy; (m) Establish special schemes to provide basic education for children and adults in remote, sparsely populated or very underprivileged rural areas, for examples by setting up children's hostels which provide board and lodging (n) Increase rural women's access to rural services by broadening the range of agricultural training and extension programmes to support women's roles in activities of agricultural production, processing and marketing and by increasing the number of women in the training and extension programmes of development agencies at all levels; (o) Promote the processing of agricultural products by national, community, State or mixed enterprises, create jobs for rural women and families in the agro-industrial sector; and design and implement national plans for the development of the agro-industrial sector and rural industries. \ 3- Child care Objectives I 201. To develop or extend government-supported early childhood services appropriate to the individual family's needs. 202. Enable women, and especially working women, to discharge their responsibilities with regard to their children, and combine their work outside the home with their responsibilities as mothers. Special efforts should also be made to enable fathers to assume their share of family responsibilities. Priority areas for action 203- Governments should adopt the necessary measures to: (a) Include provision of community -based, work-based and work-related child | care services 9 out of school hours and holiday care, crisis care and care for those families engaged in shift work:, (b) Improve the existing services by improving the competence of the persons providing them, the quality of the services provided, health conditions and the material aspects of the services; (c) Create new services suited to the needs and conditions of working women and undertake the necessary studies to determine the real nature of those needs; (d) Provide the necessary services at the lowest cost so as to match the resources and possibilities of women with limited incomes; (e) Involve mothers in the planning of those services , and in their provision and assessment on a continuous basis so that they can be developed . (f) Encourage child care centres in shopping centres to cater for occasional care needs. 4. Migrant women Objective 204. Migrant women, including wage earners and the family of migrant workers, should have the same access to education, training, employment and support and health services as the national population. Priority areas for action 205. Governments should adopt the necessary measures to: (a) Provide language and literacy training facilities in the community and at the work place. Access to these courses should be facilitated by income maintenance and child care services; (b) Provide orientation and information programmes, including information on employment and training to all migrant women, in their own languages where necessary, to assist them in settling into the host country;, (c) Establish vocational training and counseling programmes, where necessary, including interpretation services; (d) Ensure that social support and health services provide interpreters or bilingual workers ; (e) Encourage and assist union and employer organizations to inform migrant women about industrial legislation, procedures and rights\ (f) Provide culturally appropriate child care services to meet the needs of migrant and minority children and their families; (g) Ensure migrant women, on a basis of equality with the national population, general education and vocational/professional training. Measures should be taken to improve the level of education and training of migrant women through language and literacy courses upon arrival in the host country. Special education and training facilities should be provided for marriageable daughters of migrant workers who are of compulsory school age but who for various reasons do not attend school in the host country. Special attention should be given to reaching migrant women, for instance through the mass media, notably radio. Supplementary training and special guidance is necessary for social workers and teachers. In most cases these will, of necessity, have to be women; (h) Ensure, on a basis of equality with the indigenous population, equal health care for migrant women. Measures should be taken to improve the health status of migrant women, paying special attention to stress-related ailments caused by differences in cultural, social and religious conditions. Provide additional training for domestic health care work on the differing cultural and religious attitudes migrant women may have towards health and ill-health. 5. Unemployed women Objective 206. Governments should take steps to ensure that unemployed women have access to secure employment. Priority areas for action 207. Governments should adopt the necessary measures to: (a) Provide formal and non-formal training and retraining to equip unemployed women with marketable employment skills. Such training should include personal and vocational development programmes; (b) Guarantee to unemployed women social security benefits, adequate accommodation, and medical services on the basis of individual need. 6. Women who alone are responsible for their families Objective 208. Governments should ensure that women who alone are responsible for their families receive a level of income sufficient to support themselves and their families in dignity and independence. Priority areas for action 209. Governments should take the necessary measures to: (a) Provide training and retraining for secure employment through programmes which should include income maintenance, child care, parental leave and personal and vocational development programmes; (b) Assist women who alone are responsible for their families to obtain secure and appropriate accommodation; (c) Guarantee favourable access to finance and credit, medical and health services. 7. Young women Objective 210. Promote specific government policies for the education, health and employment of young women so that, in view of the role they play in revitalizing and carrying on systems of behaviour, attitudes and values, they receive the guidance and support they need, during the time when they are planning their future lives, to act wisely in crucial situations, such as the adoption of values and attitudes; the choice of a **********; the birth and raising of which first child; access to their first job; and election to office. Priority areas for action 211. Governments should take the necessary measures to: (a) Give special attention to the education of young women, who are the only human resource with a possibility of bringing about change in the future, with a view to ensuring that they are consciously involved in social and political development; that they enjoy and exercise the right responsibility, deliberately and willingly to found a family; and that they are given more and better opportunities to take part in the process of production; (b) Give priority attention to young women in matters relating to food and health in general in order to improve the living conditions of present and future generations and to permit the exercise of the right to health. Part Three: The Programme of Action at the international and regional levels IV. INTERNATIONAL TARGETS AMD STRATEGIES 212. International targets and strategies both at the regional and the global levels should "be based on a clear recognition that peace, security and national independence are essential prerequisites for an environment wherein the rights, responsibilities and roles of women can be promoted and the three objectives of the Decade - equality, development and peace - can be attained. 213. The perpetuation of global economic inequalities and economic dependence, which are the product of an economic system that is unfair and incompatible with the development of countries, slows down the process of development of all nations, particularly of the developing countries, and inhibits the full utilization of the material and human potentials of those countries, including women. The elaboration of an international development strategy for the third United Nations Development Decade, formulated within the framework of the new international economic order and directed towards the achievement of its objectives, is thus of fundamental importance for the achievement of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women. It is essential to establish goals envisaging the assumption by women of full economic, political, cultural and social responsibility. 214. Progress towards disarmament can greatly contribute to the achievement of an adequate economic, social and cultural environment and enhance the development process through the reallocation of resources, particularly to the developing countries. 215. One of the concerns of the international community has been the need to restructure and reformulate the policies of the economic and social sectors of the United Nations system so that it can help speed up the establishment of the New International Economic Order, the development of developing countries, and the promotion of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women. 216. The restructuring has taken into account the need for decentralization of certain activities and the strengthening of regional programmes, particularly in the areas of economic and technical co-operation, in advisory services and training and research, data collection and analysis. The past few years have also witnessed the formulation by the regional commissions of regional plans of action for the integration of women into development and programmes aimed at implementation of some of their provisions. Of utmost importance, however, is the need to integrate women at both regional and global levels into the priority areas mentioned above in a programme of concerted and sustained international action for the second half of the Decade and beyond, until the plans to attain women's integration in development are fully implemented. 217 Member States are increasingly looking to the United Nations and to organizations in the United Nations system to take more dynamic international action in promoting -women's full and equal partnership in development, both as contributors and beneficiaries. This is evidenced by the increasing number of resolutions, plans and policy declarations. Commensurate with the need for more dynamic programmes and policies is the need for co-ordination of activities of the various organizations in the United Nations system as well as the appropriate institutional arrangements, within them, involving, wherever necessary, structural transformations. There is also a need, for the development of relevant methodologies for integration of women in all their programmes and activities. In line with the integrated nature of the development process itself and with the need to reduce both isolated actions and overlapping of activities, the Programme of Action aims also at greater cohesiveness and co-ordination of efforts of the various organizations. 218. The Programme seeks to outline essential strategies and broad areas for international action. International action in this context includes regional action. However, some recommendations are addressed specifically to regional commissions and to other organizations concerned in the United Nations system for action at the regional, sub regional and national levels in order to assist Governments and supplement national programmes. V. INTERNATIONAL POLICIES AID PROGRAMMES 219. All organizations in the United Nations system, in closer co-operation with intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned, should support efforts towards establishing, strengthening and implementing national, regional and global programmes aimed at women's integration in development, revising and redefining, if necessary, development concepts, objectives and policies to achieve it. These programmes at the international level should take into full consideration the essential linkages in the development process at national, subregional and international levels, and with adequate communication between institutions and machineries related to women and major planning units at all these levels. 220. In order to achieve the targets envisaged for the third United Nations Development Decade, all development; planning should take due account of the potential contribution and the interests of women. This consideration will lead to more appropriate development programmes which will increase productivity, whilst at the same time guarding against the possibility of any adverse impact which the' transfer of technology and the redeployment of industry may have. Development projects should strongly emphasize the indigenous capabilities of the developing countries and enhance their creative capacity. 221. New approaches should be developed for increasing the mobilization of women's resources both for advancing their socio-economic status and increasing productivity. To this end, they should offer, inter alia, special incentives to develop co-operative movements, particularly among women of the poorer sectors of society, aimed at developing co-operative technology enterprises for community self-reliance in water, energy, health, sanitation and housing, day care centres, and other basic services. 222. Multilateral and bilateral development and other organizations as well as non-governmental organizations working in the field of development should continue to provide development assistance to programmes and projects of developing countries which promote women's integration and participation in all aspects of the development process, also within the framework of technical co-operation among developing countries. In this connexion efforts should be made to utilize fully locally available expertise in project design and implementation and to ensure greater quality in the project results through, among others, flexible implementation procedures. These programmes and projects should inter alia focus on efforts to strengthen developing countries' capabilities to plan and implement programmes for women, including capabilities to develop alternative technology, research and the application of renewable sources of energy. 223. The United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women should continue to intensify its efforts to give special support to women most in need, and to encourage consideration of women in development planning. Contributions to the Voluntary Fund will need to be greatly increased during the second half of the Decade if demands now being made on its resources are to be adequately met. Adequate development funds should be available for activities specific to the acceleration of the full participation of women in economic and social development at national;, regional and international levels. 224. Studies should be undertaken by the United Nations organizations concerned to identify new ways and means of facilitating the integration of women, especially of the poor sectors of society, into the mainstream of development, including women workers in agriculture and industry. The ILO, in co-operation with bodies such as UNCTAD, UNIDO and FAO, should develop studies to assess the working and employment conditions of rural women with a view to assisting Governments to revise national and international policies concerning wage and labour policies, as well as trade agreements and prices of those commodities where women's and men's wages are adversely affected by and also affect the exchange earnings of the developing countries as obtained from-the export of such commodities. UNESCO, in co-operation with other United Nations organs and organizations concerned, should continue to prepare studies and sponsor projects with a view to assisting Governments to assess progress made and obstacles that women face in gaining access to and enjoying primary, secondary and post-secondary educational opportunities and to contribute to the development of research and teaching about women at the university level and in non-formal education. WHO, in co-operation with United Nations organs and organizations concerned should continue to assess progress made and obstacles women face in gaining access to health care, particularly progress in the development of primary health care. \ 225. The United Nations Secretariat should undertake a comparative compilation of national legislative measures which are aimed at promoting sex equality. Such a compilation would assist in the introduction of new laws designed to integrate women into all fields of activities by generating ideas and exerting persuasion. The compilation should be issued within the framework of the United Nations Legislative Series. 226. International and regional organizations should provide assistance, if requested, to national machineries for women, for improving their capabilities and resources to accelerate integration of women in the development process and take up programmes and projects for them. 227. In the framework of bilateral development co-operation efforts should be made, in conformity with national priorities, to strengthen national programmes aimed at the full participation and integration of women in all aspects of development, including participation of women at the grass-roots level. In all bilateral development activities women should participate in the preparation and implementation of programmes and projects. 228. The eleventh special session of the General Assembly on economic development should take into full account the women's role in economic development; the forthcoming United Nations Conference on New and Renewable Sources of Energy, the programmes for the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, and other forthcoming international conferences should also take into account issues of particular interest to women. 229. The United Nations and its organizations should, in co-operation with national Governments, develop strategies for increasing women's participation in the social, economic and political life, ensuring full and effective participation of women in all sectors and at all levels of the development process, including planning, decision-making and implementation, and, in keeping with these objectives, seeking to: (a) Reduce the burden on women of tasks traditionally performed by them in the home and in food production and child care through appropriate technology and a fair division of labour between women and men; (b) Counteract factors which tend to keep girls and women out of schools and training centres; (c) Create new employment and occupational mobility opportunities for women;, (d) Increase the economic returns to women for their labour, and implement the principle of equal pay for work of equal value; (e) Recognize the important contribution of women to economic development, raise the productivity of women's labour for their own benefit and the benefit of their own families, and at the same time undertake appropriate structural changes to prevent women's unemployment; (f) Recognize the vital role of women in agriculture and guarantee them equitable access to land, technology, water, other natural resources, inputs and services and equal opportunities to develop their skills; (g) Promote equal participation of women in the industrialization process, counteract possible negative effects of industrialization, and ensure that scientific and technological development will benefit both women and men; (h) Ensure women's active participation in and access to primary health care, in the light of their specific health needs. 230. International programmes and policies - including regional ones - are grouped into five areas. Each is covered below in a separate section. A. Technical co-operation, training!; and advisory services 231. Technical co-operation programmes for women should be conceived in the context of over-all development and not as welfare programmes. 232. Technical co-operation activities should be directed towards assisting and complementing Governments' efforts aimed at enhancing the development of human resources particularly among the most disadvantaged groups of population with a special emphasis on women. 233. All organizations of the United Nations system, including the regional commissions, should: (a) Review existing and proposed plans and projects in this area with the aim of integrating the issues of concern to women in all programmes and projects in order to improve the effectiveness of those projects as well as to improve the status of women, (b) Encourage and support Governments and non-governmental organizations including research institutions, in elaborating appropriate technology projects ! and in identifying ways in which women can participate in and contribute to the ' 1 effectiveness of development projects and improve their own economic and social condition; (c) Organize seminars and workshops on the issues related to women and development and ensure that the topic of women and development be included in the substantive discussions of international conferences; (d) Assist Governments in organizing more training courses with the assistance of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement' of Women (INSTRAW) for improving women's planning, technical and managerial skills J in different fields, especially of functionaries implementing programmes and policies for women. Promote fellowships and other special educational and training, programmes to increase the capacity of women workers and planners so that they can gain better occupational and social status; (e) Assist national and regional programmes benefiting women in rural areas. Programmes for women should be viewed as an investment in the process of \development and women should be included as active participants in the design, planning and implementation of projects in all sectors and not simply as beneficiaries of services; (f) Ensure that technical co-operation, training and advisory services by the; organizations of the United Nations system are in conformity with national objectives and with policies outlined in the World Plan of Action and the Programme; for the Second Half of the Decade. 234. UNDP should intensify its efforts to encourage and assist Governments to find innovative approaches to achieve their development goals through incorporating and benefiting women by: (a) Instructing resident representatives to advise Governments on issues in country programmes of particular interest to women, and to monitor regularly existing programmes and promote project development, co-ordination and co-operation among United Nations and other organizations so as to further the achievement of the goals of the Decade; (b) Continuing to promote regional, subregional and national projects through regional commissions, national machineries for women and research and training centres, especially activities leading to the introduction and development of new programmes in order to achieve the integration of women in development; (c) Continuing its support for the Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women. 235. Governments should formulate, as part of their development co-operation policies, guidelines for the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United nations Decade for Women. 1. Mobilization of human resources 236, Efforts should be intensified within the programmes of organizations of the United Nations system to involve more men in programmes for attitudinal change in all the relevant sectors, particularly employment, health, education, rural development and political participation. Men should be involved in health programmes to ensure that the responsibility for improving the situation of their families and communities is not the sole responsibility of women. 237' The effective participation of women, particularly in the developing countries, in the programmes of organizations in the United Nations system should be encouraged, including their participation in interregional and regional seminars and meetings. 238. Women at all levels, especially those from grass-roots organizations, should be encouraged to play a more effective role at the decision-making level in international organizations. 239. United Nations organizations and Member States are urged to take the necessary measures to increase the proportion of women by nominating and appointing women, particularly from developing countries, for posts in decision-making levels in secretariats and expert bodies. Member States are also urged to increase the proportion of women on their delegations to all United Nations meetings, including meetings of preparatory committees for international conferences and to prepare women to take an active role in such conferences. In this regard, Member States in co-operation with United Nations bodies should make arrangements for the inclusion of items on women' sinuses in the agenda of such conferences, 240. Measures should be taken to reinforce efforts of Member States, specially developing ones, to develop and strengthen endogenous capabilities and capacities for the .elaboration of policies for science and technology and for their application to the solution of problems of development, with special emphasis on the disparities in the access of women to scientific and technical education and training. 2. Assistance to women in southern Africa 241. The recommendations are addressed to United Nations organizations, the specialized agencies, Governments, international and regional intergovernmental organizations, women's and anti-apartheid groups, non-governmental organizations and other groups. 242, The assistance provided will be channeled through the southern African liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity. It is divided into the following categories of assistance: (a) Legal, humanitarian, moral and political assistance to women inside South Africa and Namibia persecuted under repressive and discriminatory legislation and practices and to their families and to women in refugee camps; (b) Training and assistance to integrate women into positions of leadership and support within the national liberation movements in the struggle for liberation; (c) Training and assistance for women to play roles in all areas after liberation in the reconstruction of their respective countries; (d) International support for and co-operation with the southern African women's struggle; (e) To disseminate information about apartheid and racism and its effects on women in southern Africa in particular, and to involve all women in efforts to eradicate apartheid and racism and to promote and maintain peace; (f) To assist in the strengthening of women's sections where they already exist in the national liberation movements and the creation of such sections where they do not currently exist as a means of accelerating the achievement of equal opportunity for women and their full integration in national life. Such women's sections through the national liberation movements should, in consultations with the United Nations organizations, the specialized agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, determine and make known their policy and programme priorities. 243. To call on Member States of the United Nations which have not yet done so to ratify the 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. 3. Assistance to the Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories 244. The United Nations organizations, the specialized agencies, United Nations organs and funds, Governments, international and regional intergovernmental organizations and other groups are called upon to provide assistance in consultation and co-operation with the Palestine Liberation Organization, the representative of the Palestinian people: (a) To undertake studies and research pertinent to the social and economic | conditions of the Palestinian women with a view to identifying their specific | needs and to formulate and implement relevant programmes to meet their needs and to develop resources and potentialities of women; (b) To provide legal, humanitarian and political assistance to Palestinian women in order to allow them to exercise their human rights; \ (c) To establish, expand, and diversify educational and training programmes for Palestinian women with particular emphasis on expanding technical and vocational training; (d) To safeguard and promote the Palestinian heritage and values as the core of the educational content with a view to preserving the Palestinian national identity. (e) To eliminate all restrictive legal and social measures that hinder Palestinian women from having access to available employment opportunities and equal pay for equal work, and to provide them with equal training and employment opportunities so that they can contribute effectively to the formation of an integrated Palestinian labour force; (f) To assist materially and technically women's organizations and associations, and to provide support to the General Union of Palestinian women with a view to develop their institutional capabilities to undertake extension programmes, adult education and literacy programmes for women and child care services; (g) To formulate and implement integrated health and nutrition programmes; to train Palestinian women in the various medical and paramedical professions and to strengthen existing health services provided by the Palestinian Red Crescent, particularly those related to maternal and child care; (h) To collect and disseminate information and data about the effect of Israeli occupation on the social and economic conditions of the Palestinian women and their struggle for achieving self-determination, right of return, and right to national independence and sovereignty. 4. Assistance to women refugees and displaced women the world over 245. Humanitarian assistance to and resettlement of refugees, regardless of sex, race, religion or national origin, and wherever they may find themselves, is an international responsibility which all nations concerned should help bear. Because the overwhelming proportion of refugees are women, who generally suffer more radical changes in role and status than male refugees, the United Nations and other international organizations are urged to address themselves specifically to the problems and vulnerabilities of women. 246. The following recommendations are addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and, within their competence or special interest, the organizations of the United Nations system, specialized agencies, international, regional and intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, women's groups and all other relevant institutions, competent associations, and Governments. 247. The United Nations High Commissioner and other bodies mentioned in paragraph 246, as appropriate, in assisting women refugees, are requested to formulate specific programmes relevant to them in all phases of refugee life: relief, local integration, resettlement, and voluntary return to their homes. All Governments concerned are invited to help, thereby easing the burden on countries of first asylum in particular. Third countries should be urged to receive refugees for resettlement without discrimination on the basis of sex or lack of qualifications. There is a particularly urgent need for senior level responsibility for the special needs of refugee women, including monitoring, in the UNHCR and other agencies and organizations involved in refugee relief. These programmes should also apply to displaced women, wherever appropriate. 248. It should be recognized that in refugee situations and of displaced persons, women and children from the bulk of the refugees and have particular needs. Therefore special efforts are necessary to ensure their survival and well-being, and to prevent their abuse and exploitation. The traditional disadvantages of many women in society are intensified in refugee situations as well as for displaced persons. This must be recognized in formulating any programmes of assistance. The assistance provided through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees or through bilateral intergovernmental channels as far as resources permit should include the following categories of assistance: (a) Legal, humanitarian and moral assistance to women refugees ensuring for them the fullest respect for their human rights in accordance with the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to prevent exploitation of their ignorance of their rights and of their comparatively weak position; (b) Special relief efforts directed to refugee women and children, and particularly to handicapped persons, to ensure that available aid reaches them; (c) Assistance and counseling to women refugees at an early phase of their arrival in the country of asylum, with emphasis on the development of self-reliance; (d) Special health care measures and health counseling, including family planning services on a nationally acceptable and voluntary basis for women refugees, as well as supplemental feeding programmes for pregnant and lactating women, provided through means relevant to their culture and traditions, and by women medical workers where necessary; (e) Training and educational programmes, including orientation, language and job training, designed to facilitate the necessary adjustments of women refugees to their new life and the preservation of their cultural links with their country of origin; (f) Special national and international efforts to facilitate family reunion and support; for tracing programmes (g) Skill development programmes for refugee women so that they may learn to employ their potential for income-earning activity; (h) The UNHCR should encourage Governments in whose territory abuses of women refugees take place to bring to justice the perpetrators of such abuses. Host country Governments should be encouraged to allow sufficient international personnel in refugee camps to discourage exploitation or any attacks upon women refugees. 249- Assistance should be provided in strengthening the counseling programme for women refugees, both in rural settlements and urban centres, and the design of special social work programmes to reach women refugees, where such programmes do not at present exist. Special orientation programmes should be provided for women refugees awaiting resettlement in third countries. 250. The role of women refugees in the operation and administration of refugee camps should be substantially expanded, including distribution of food and other supplies, and the design of training and orientation programmes. The UNHCR is urged to develop policies which actively involve refugee women in self-help programmes in an effort to utilize their skills and talents fully. 251. The United Nations system should give high priority in its public information activities to the need to assist refugee women and children the world over. B. Elaboration and review of international standards 252. Every effort should be made by the United Nations and organizations in the United Nations system to encourage Governments: (a) To sign and ratify or accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/180, of 18 December 1979, so that it will come into force at an early date within the period, of this Programme; (b) To sign and ratify or accede to, if they have not yet done so, all conventions of the United Nations and specialized agencies which relate to women. 6/ 253. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women should keep under review the reporting systems under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women once it comes into force. The Commission on the Status of Women should keep under review the reporting system for the implementation of the World Plan of Action and the implementation of the Programme for the Second Half of the Decade. 254. The United Nations and organizations in the United Nations system should, in the formulation of international standards in areas where they do not exist , take into account the needs of women. 255. The specialized agencies should submit reports on the implementation of the Convention in areas falling within the scope of their activities, when requested to do so, and should attend the meeting of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women when invited to do so. 256 Measures should be taken by bodies and organizations in the United Nations system, particularly UNCTAD, UN1DO, the Centre on Transnational Corporations, the International Labour Organisation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, to include specific provisions relating to women in the international codes of conduct for transnational corporations and on the transfer of technology aimed at diminishing any adverse effects of redeployment of industry and technology. C. Research, data collection and analysis 257 The United Nations, the specialized agencies, and the regional commissions should give high priority to undertaking multispectral and interdisciplinary action-oriented research in relevant and important areas where information does not already exist on the ways of integrating women in development, with a view to formulating development objectives, strategies and policy measures responsive 6/ See, for example, Human Rights: A Compilation of International Instruments, New York, United Nations, 19?8; and International Labour Organisation, International Labour Conventions and Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, United Nations, New York, 1979 and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. to the needs of women and men. Such research should utilize existing institutions such as the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women as well as more use of joint institutions which deal with questions concerning status of women. The research should "be aimed at developing effective methodologies of planning for women's development and at evaluating the participation of women in the informal sectors of the economy; the health status of women; the double burden of working women and data on the degree of absence of women because of maternity, educational opportunities or lack thereof for women, in particular factors contributing to illiteracy, full access of women, including drop-outs among the female population, to all types and all levels of education; the conditions of the female-headed household; the participation in the formal sectors of the economy; political participation and the nature of the contributions of women's organizations. Emphasis should also be given to fuller and more systematic analysis of all the interrelationships between women's roles in development and demographic phenomena. Research should also be conducted on employment opportunities projected for a period of five or ten years after the Decade for Women, and on training/educational programmes that will meet the need for the specific work force so identified. 258. Taking into consideration that international migration has become an enduring process in the labour market, the special problems of migrant women, as related to their economic functions, legal and social status, difficulties arising from language barriers and the education of the second generation deserve special attention. The ILO, in co-operation with bodies such as UNESCO, FAO and WHO, should continue and develop studies to assess the employment, health and educational conditions of migrant women with a view to assisting Governments in reviewing their national and international policies concerning employment, social security, housing, social welfare policies, and the preservation of the cultural heritage as well as the use of mass media as supportive channels of information for migrant women. 259 The United Nations, in close collaboration with specialized agencies and regional commissions and on the basis of the work done by INSTRAW, should prepare and make available compendiums of statistics on women, containing the most recent data, time-trend analyses where available, as well as national and international measures designed to improve the situation of women. The Directory of International Statistics, prepared by the Statistical Office, Department of International Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, should include a special section indicating where relevant data exist by which progress toward equality between the sexes can be monitored. 260.;The Sub-Committee on Statistical Activities of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, in agreement with INSTRAW, should, as soon as possible, include in its programme of work consideration of statistics relating to women and develop short- and long-range goals for improving the quality and relevance of data pertaining to the conditions of women. Such discussions should include plans to update data concerning women with a particular emphasis on the development, evaluation and updating of estimates and projections of the participation of women in all areas of national life. 261 The United Nations should, in close collaboration with the specialized _ agencies the regional commissions and national Governments encourage statistical operations and practices that are free from sex-based stereotypes and appropriate research methodology that would have relevance to the participation of women in development and equality "between the sexes. 262. The United Nations, with the concerned specialized agencies, should pay special attention to the industries in which the overwhelming majority of employees are female, analyze the causes of their existence and the possibilities of new technological patterns leading to deep changes in the respective branches. 263. At the regional level the regional commissions, in collaboration with the specialized agencies, should: (a) Assist the countries of the region to establish indicators by which progress toward equality between the sexes can be monitored. In establishing such a set of indicators, Governments should be advised to take into account the social and cultural realities of the country, the current state of the country's statistical development as veil as their individual policy priorities; (b) Prepare for each region an inventory of social9 economic and demographic indicators relevant to the analysis of the status of women in the region. For a better evaluation of development programmes, the utilization of, and access to, such data should be ensured; (c) Assist countries in the development of surveys carried out as part of the national household surveys capability programme, including batteries of questions of special relevance to the participation of women in development and equality between the sexes \ (d) Increase their level of investment in long-range fundamental research on women and development, without violation of national priorities so as to provide a sound scientific base for development planning. D. Dissemination of information and experience 264. The respective specialized agencies of the United Nations, during the second part of this Decade, should give special consideration to the conditions of work of women, including the problems of working hours and working norms for women, and bring their conclusions to the attention of member States. 265. The United Nations and UNESCO should ensure the inclusion of women in the current work undertaken in preparation for the new international information order as both recipients and participants in information systems in which their problems and issues are considered. In the definition of new communication policies the participation of women and their positive and dynamic image must be emphasized, 266. The United Nations system should ensure that women's issues form an integral part of the existing international information systems and data banks (such as AGRIS, INRES, INTIB, DIS) , particularly the Information System Unit within the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, in order to facilitate free exchange of experience and knowledge among international organizations and their member States, 267. The Joint United Nations Information Committee in carrying out its responsibilities for programmes of social and economic information should: (a) Ensure that its annual plans of action take into consideration issues and topics of particular interest to women, matters which particularly affect women, as well as their participation in information activities such as press, publications, radio programmes, film and television projects, reportage of field trips, seminars, etc. ; (b) Advocate that an information component be built into projects such as those assisted by the Voluntary Fund for the Decade and by other organizations of the United Nations system, and which would be disseminated by the Department of Public Information, specialized agencies etc.; (c) Ensure that guides and directories of the United Nations Information Centres contain relevant data and information about programmes and activities of the United Nations relating to women. 268. The United Nations and other organizations in the United Nations system such as UNCTAD, UNDP, UNPPA, UNEP, UNIDO, UNICEF, UNITAR, the ILO, FAO, UNESCO, WHO, and WFP. should include in their publications, media support activities, training programmes and seminars etc., specific guidelines on issues and topics of particular interest to women and those in which women could be successfully integrated. In particular, United Nations agencies concerned with development, education, employment, health, population, food production etc, should increase their information output on matters affecting women, especially in developing countries, with emphasis on reaching mass audiences in rural and isolated regions and countries where women tend to be cut off from the main media channels. 269. In its programme on major political, economic and social issues as well as on human interest stories, United Nations radio should include contributions and participation of women in all these areas. The present weekly radio programme on women should be continued through the Decade or longer as the need may be, with adequate provision being made to adapt it in different languages and distribute it more extensively. Co-production agreements between United Nations visual service and local networks to expand the number of films on United Nations topics should include co-production with women producers in developing countries on films related to women's issues. 270. The United Nations should issue booklets, pamphlets and publications with periodic progress reports on Decade activities and encourage the exchange of information and experience between women in Member States through study visits and the distribution of publications. The United Nations Handbook on the New International Economic Order should include data and information on aspects of women's participation. The Development Forum and other publications should contain items related to the Decade. The United Nations Information Centres 3hould improve their library materials on women and disseminate information on women more actively, especially in developing countries. Information on women should be on the agenda of meetings of the directors of the Centres throughout the Decade. 271. The United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system dealing with development should strengthen their information components relating to women in development and highlight the communication component of development projects. Well-documented and built-in communication components should be included in all development programmes or projects for the integration of women in development, and more adequate evaluation of the uses of media in development support to spread knowledge and increase the possibility of transfer. The United Nations and organizations of the United Nations system should collect and disseminate information on training programmes in development communication with special reference to programmes for women. 272. Information including detailed bibliographies of studies and other materials produced "by the United Nations and its specialized agencies on women in the development process should be widely distributed to member nations and appropriate private research organizations to facilitate access to such information. E. Review and appraisal 273. The United Nations system should continue to carry out a comprehensive and critical biennial review and appraisal of progress achieved in implementing the provisions of the World Plan of Action and of the Programme for the Second Half of the Decade. The central role in the carrying out of this review and appraisal should "be played by the Commission on the Status of Women. The reporting system as well as the measures for dissemination of information should be designed for the effective use of the result of monitoring by all bodies concerned. 274. The Commission on the Status of Women and the Branch for the Advancement of Women should be strengthened by resetting priorities within existing budgetary resources. The integrated reporting system should be improved, as should the Commission's ability to consider communications and the capacity for publicizing its work. 275. With a view to achieving the full integration of women into the over-all development planning of the United Nations, the review and appraisal of progress made in implementing the World Plan of Action and the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade should be part of the procedures for the review and appraisal of progress made in the implementation of international development strategy for the third United Nations Development Decade. 276. The specialized agencies and organizations of the United Nations system as well as other intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned should consider the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade and assist in its implementation. 277. The existing special mechanisms within the United Nations bodies and existing specialized agencies should be strengthened to implement the Programme of Action, to increase the incorporation of women's needs into all their programmes and activities and also to increase women's participation in and benefit from those programmes and activities. 278. The secretariats of all organizations within the United Nations system as veil as of intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations concerned should amend their recruitment, training, promotion and remuneration policies as necessary in order to ensure equal treatment and status for men and women employed by the organizations whether as temporary, fixed-term or permanent employees or as consultants. Such organizations should, when requesting data on women's employment from member countries with a view to publication, provide and publish comparable data on the situation as regards women's employment within the organization concerned. 279. Guidelines should be established wherever they do not already exist for the study of programmes and projects in respect of their likely impact on women;, and measures should be taken for monitoring and evaluating such programmes with respect to their benefits to women, 280. Co-ordination and co-operation among the specialized agencies and United nations bodies should be effected by increasing use of the Inter-Agency Programme for the Decade for Women and of the Branch for the Advancement of Women. 281. The regional commissions in their periodic reviews and appraisals submitted to the Economic and Social Council should report fully on specific aspects of the situation of women in every sector of their development programmes on the basis of replies to the questionnaire on the implementation of the World Plan of Action and the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade. These should be supplemented by appraisals of specific sectors undertaken by the regional commissions and specialized agencies, reports of relevant regional meetings of the United Nations and other documents and independent research. 282. Regional commissions should submit reports regularly to the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat on this Programme as part of the over-all review and appraisal of the World Plan of Action. There should be a close co-ordination of the regional programmes for the advancement of women with United Nations Headquarters to ensure a better use of resources. 283. Regional commissions should ensure that the high-level regional intergovernmental and expert meetings which they periodically convene should include, in their over-all periodic appraisal, an assessment of the situation of women as a fundamental prerequisite for planning action programmes to meet the objectives of the third development decade and the New International Economic Order. 284. Special efforts should be made by the United Nations and regional commissions to assist Governments of Member States which have difficulty in providing resources to complete the questionnaire and submit data required for the review and appraisal. VI. REGIONAL POLICIES AND PROGRAMMES 285. The international policies and programmes outlined above have clear application at the regional level and should also be regarded as regional priorities. In addition, the regional commissions, in co-operation with the regional offices of the specialized agencies have specific responsibilities to provide assistance to Governments and non-governmental organizations for developing policies, strategies and programmes for the second half of the Decade in the light of the review and appraisal of progress achieved in the first half. 286. The strengthening of appropriate regional action programmes for women should be based on the development of co-operation between the countries of the region with the aim of promoting the principle of self-reliance. The formulation of regional policies and programmes is a multidimensional process requiring the adoption of action-oriented measures that are both bilateral and multilateral in scope and which require an increase in financial, technical and personnel resources to implement effectively regional programmes and priorities. To this end, regional commissions should adopt the following measures: (a) Integrate the recommendations of this Programme into the work programme of their respective sectoral units so that its implementation contributes to the development strategy of the third United Nations Development Decade; (b) Promote fellowship and other special training programmes, particularly in the tertiary sectors which comprise the majority of the female labour force both in rural and urban areas, so that women can improve and/or gain occupational and socio-economic status; (c) Strengthen the information and data collection systems with a view to providing better analysis of data on the situation and work of women, including, in particular, improved national, regional and subregional reviews of progress achieved in the implementation of this programme of action; and providing a basis for more effective advisory services to Governments regarding programmes for women; (d) Intensify their activities in promoting adequate national social infrastructure allowing women and men to discharge their dual role in the family and in society; (e) Undertake "skilled womanpower inventories at national, subregional and regional levels so that trained women can have equal opportunities to be recruited in jobs related to main areas of the development process at national, regional and international levels. Institutional arrangements 287. Measures should be taken for: (a) Strengthening the offices of the regional commissions by recruiting women for posts at a high level of decision-making and responsibility. Such posts should include those of programme officers provided for in regular budgets and not only from extra budgetary sources, and responsible for implementing the programmes for the second half of the Decade, The regional commissions should establish posts at a high level to co-ordinate and implement policies and programmes relating specifically to the status of women; (b) The reinforcement of the regional centres for research and training B. RESOLUTIONS AID DECISION ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE 1. Family planning Whereas women constitute half the population of the world hut remain victims of sex discrimination, which is fundamentally unjust, an infringement of human rights and an offence against human dignity, Whereas the International Conference on Human Rights held at Teheran in 1968 affirmed for men and women the basic human right to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children", 7/ Whereas the United Nations World Population Conference held at Bucharest in 1974 8/ expanded this right to include access to information, education and means for women to determine their own fertility, Whereas the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year adopted at Mexico City in 1975 9/ reaffirmed this right because it has a decisive impact on the ability of women to take advantage of educational and employment opportunities and to participate fully in community life as responsible citizens, and because of the well-recognized effects of family planning and child spacing on maternal and child health, Whereas, despite these exhortations, millions of women throughout the world are still in need of family planning services, and Whereas, inadequacies of Governments and societies to provide the family planning education and services desired by millions of women is one of the obstacles to the socio-economic development of their countries and the attainment of a better quality of life for their people, Acknowledging that the International Conference of Parliamentarians on Population and Development held at Colombo from 28 August to 1 September 1979 has recommended an annual target of one billion dollars in international assistance to be achieved by 1984, Therefore, the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1. Calls upon Governments to take all appropriate measures, including legislative ones, within the framework of national policies;, to provide information, education and means to enable women and men to exercise freely the right to determine their family size; 2. Recommends that contributing Governments should set aside an appropriate-proportion of their resources for population programmes. 7/ Final Act of the International Conference on Human Rights, Teheran 22 April-13 May 1963, United Nations publication, Sales No. 68.XIV.2, resolution XVIII. 8/ Report of the United Nations World Population Conference, 1974, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.75.XIII.3. 9/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year,, Mexico City* 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication.; Sales No. E.76". IV.1, "pp. 8 et seq.. 2. Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling Economic and Social Council resolution 1921 (LVIII) of 6 May 1975, requesting programmes for preventing disability and rehabilitating disabled persons, Recalling General Assembly resolution 3447 (XXX) of 9 December 1975, proclaiming the Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons, Recalling resolution 13 of the World Conference of the International Women's Year entitled "Social security and family security for women, including the elderly and the handicapped", 10/ Recalling General Assembly resolution 31/123 of 16 December 1976, proclaiming the year 198l "International Year of Disabled Persons", Recalling the Declaration on Social Progress and Development approved by the General Assembly in its resolution 2542 (XXIV), especially its article 19 (d), Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/154 of 17 December 1979 entitled "International Year of Disabled Persons", with the theme "full participation and equality", Recalling resolution 2 (XXVIII) of the Commission on the Status of Women of 4 March 1980, conveying concern over the situation of disabled women to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women held in Copenhagen, Noting with appreciation the activities of Governments, United Nations organizations, the specialized agencies, and non-governmental organizations in connexion with the International Year of Disabled Persons, Bearing in mind the importance of coordinated activities at the international, regional and national levels for the purpose of programmes for disabled persons to prevent disability and for rehabilitation, Recognizing that, while disabled women and men have the same right to enjoy a decent life, including general and vocational training and employment, disabled women of all ages encounter particular difficulties in developing their individual abilities and skills to the maximum, in becoming as self-reliant as possible and in participating, fully in social life, Bearing in mind that certain countries, at their present stage of development, can devote only limited efforts to this end, 1. Appeals to all women and men of the world to support and contribute to the success of the International Year of Disabled Persons 198l and the implementation of the Plan of Action for the Year.; 10/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City/19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations Duplication, Sales N0. E.76.IV.I, 0. 85. 2. Requests Governments the United Nations and other concerned United Nations organizations, in order to ensure the implementation of the Plan of Action for the International Year of Disabled Persons, 11/ to give special attention to disabled women in order to promote their full participation and integration in all fields of normal life and to provide them with recreational activities; 3. Requests that programmes of all Member States of the United Nations for the International Year of Disabled Persons should explicitly take into consideration the special needs of disabled women of all ages for medical, social and vocational rehabilitation with the object of: (a) Assuring the prevention of disability through education, particularly of parents so as to avoid disablement caused by genetic, congenital and accidental factors.; (b) Providing general, vocational and health education for disabled women, including adequate assistance, care and guidance; (c) Enlarging the scale of vocational skills and training facilities in order to enable disabled women to perform jobs requiring qualifications, including non-traditional jobs; (d) Providing conveniently situated training and employment facilities, wherever possible, in the proximity of the family's home, in order that parents may more easily arrange for the training of disabled children and that disabled women with family responsibilities can participate in such programmes and activities; (e) Providing technical and financial support and social services to assist disabled persons in their domestic responsibilities and to enable disabled mothers to bring up their children; (f) Acknowledging the special needs of women who have disabled children or provide full-time care for disabled relatives for appropriate support services, including relief programmes; (g) Encouraging special attention to the particular problems of disabled women of all ages in study and research projects designed to facilitate their practical participation in daily life as well as in training and on the labour market; (h) Facilitating the immigration and care of disabled refugees and disabled displaced persons; (i) Encouraging and supporting research on appropriate technological aids needed by disabled women with the aim of making these aids available at low cost; 4. Requests the specialized agencies, in particular the World Health Organization, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, the High Commissioner for Refugees and other United Nations bodies 11/ See document A/34/158. and programmes concerned to take into consideration, in their activities and programmes, the needs of disabled women of all ages and the necessity to improve their situation through preventive and rehabilitative measures, and to co-ordinate their activities in this area: 5. Welcomes the efforts of nongovernmental organizations, particularly those organizations of disabled persons themselves and their families, and asks for public and financial assistance- 6. Decides that, in implement inn: the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, the needs of disabled women of all ages should be taken fully into account internationally, regionally and nationally; 7. Requests the Advisory Committee for the International Year of Disabled Persons in drafting the long-term World Programme of Action related to the Year, to take into account the special needs of disabled women of all apes. 3. Migrant women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Affirming the need to establish international co-operation by resolving international problems of an economic, social, intellectual or humanitarian nature and by developing and encouraging human rights and fundamental freedom for all without distinction as to race, sex, language or religion, Recalling the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Recognizing above all the economic and social contributions of migrant women workers as well "as men to the economic and social rehabilitation and development of the host country, Considering the Migrant Workers Convention, 1975, and the Recommendation concerning Migrant Workers, 1975, adopted by the General Conference of the International Labour Organisation, Aware of the special problems which confront migrant women and which call for special attention in addressing the general problems of migrant workers, Expressing its deep concern at the fact that, despite the general effort made by the Member States of the United Nations, the regional intergovernmental organizations and the various agencies of the United nations, migrant workers, and particularly women, are still not entitled in many countries to exercise their fundamental rights, Recalling that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State and that, in that context, the families of migrant workers - both men and women - are entitled to the same protection as the migrant workers themselves, Noting with appreciation the efforts of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in the field of education of migrant workers and their families, Bearing in mind the need for the Governments of host countries and of countries of origin to co-operate with a view to finding satisfactory solutions to the problems of migrant workers, and migrant women particularly, and taking note of the efforts being made to achieve that goal "by many countries, Having taken note of General Assembly resolution 34/172 of 17 December 1979 on measures to improve the situation and ensure the human rights and dignity of all migrant workers and their families, 1. Calls upon all States, taking into account the provisions of the relevant instruments adopted "by the International Labour Organisation, of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, to take all necessary measures to prevent and put an end to all discrimination against migrants and to ensure the implementation of such measures; 2. Recommends that all States concerned should adopt the following principles as a basis for their action relating to migrant women: (a) The Governments of host countries should devote particular attention to the problems of migrant women when defining and implementing the measures aimed at eliminating all discriminations between man and woman as regards their access to the labour market (b) All appropriate measures should, be adopted for preventing any and all discrimination, also de facto, against migrant women in connexion with the conditions of their stay and employment; (c) The Governments of host countries should guarantee to migrant women equal rights to accede to orientation, vocational training and permanent education courses: they should furthermore enable migrant women to benefit, to the same extent as national women workers, from the facilities for vocational qualification and retraining granted by the competent national bodies; (d) The Governments of host countries should promote, in co-operation with the countries of origin under bilateral agreements, all measures aimed at fostering the professional advancement of migrant women, should they change their type of employment in the host country and their reintegration upon their return to their country of origin; (e) Should medical examinations be required as a precondition for entering the country or the employment market, the host country shall ensure that such medical examinations do not discriminate against women and do not affect their dignity; (f) Both the countries of origin and the host countries should, through close co-operation between them, provide to migrant women, in a language understandable to them both before their departure and during their stay, the necessary information on the living and labour conditions in the host country, as well as on the rights and obligations provided for in the national legislation and on the legal and administrative procedures offering, the best protection of their rights; (g) The Governments of host countries should ensure full equality of access for migrants and nationals to health and social services and should furthermore encourage the development of a social service network capable of concretely assisting migrant women to adapt to the local social environment;, (h) Within this framework, the Governments of host countries should facilitate the access of migrant women to the services and facilities granted to unmarried mothers on a basis of full equality with their nationals; (I ) In particular, the host countries should create reception centres, wherever they are necessary and in relation to the size of the communities of migrants, and should provide them with the necessary means for meeting the needs of migrant women; (J ) The Governments of host countries should adopt all necessary measures to make possible in their territories a normal family life for migrant workers, men and women, by reuniting families; (k) The Governments of host countries should ensure to migrants full equality both with their nationals and between men and women, as regards access to social dwellings and to facilities for buying a home, in conformity with the laws of the host country; (l) The Governments of host countries should promote the cultural development of migrant women and their communication with the social environment of the host country, above all through the teaching of the local language in order that they should be able to overcome the particular problems confronting them, and these Governments should make a particular effort to enable migrant workers, both men and women, to meet their educational responsibilities with respect to their children in a different living environment; (m) The Governments of host countries and of the countries of origin should co-operate and adopt the necessary measures for maintaining the social, cultural and linguistic ties between migrant women and their families and their country of origin, also with a view to facilitate their reintegration if they should return to their home country; (n) Within the framework of the measures aimed at protecting the rights of women, the Governments of host countries should actively endeavour to prevent and prosecute all violations of the rights of all migrant women without exception, also as regards violence, exploitation and ill-treatment to which they may "be particularly exposed, (o) All States should give the maximum possible publicity, also through the mass media, to all information aimed at promoting an increased awareness and a better understanding of the specific problems of migrant women, in pursuance of the principles contained in this resolution; (p) The Governments of host countries should adopt, also in co-operation with the countries of origin, all necessary measures for contributing to an improved protection of migrants from the exploitation connected with illegal migration, whose consequences affect particularly migrant women, taking into account the provisions contained in the International Labour Organisation Convention No. 143 and other international instruments of the ILO on the protection of migrant workers. 3. Further recommends , with a view to promoting the implementation of the above principles , that the Working Group to he established by the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session to elaborate a draft convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and their families., should devote particular attention to the problems of migrant women. 4. Elderly women and economic security The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recognizing; that in many societies, because of longer life expectancy, elderly women are a fast growing segment of national populations, Considering that in many States Members of the United Nations this phenomenon has not been dealt with comprehensively 9 Taking: into account the value and worth of the elderly populations of the world and concerned by reports of neglect and denial of basic economic security for the expanding elderly population of the world, including women, Recalling the spirit of resolution 13, "Social security and family security for women.- including the elderly and the handicapped", that was adopted by the World Conference of the International Women's Year in Mexico City in 1975, 12/ Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/153 of 17 December 1979 calling for a World Assembly on the Elderly in 1982 and the request that the Secretary-General and relevant agencies collect data on the elderly, Recalling the conclusions of the study prepared for the Secretariat concerning women and international conferences 13/ discussed at this Conference, 1. Requests States Members of the United nations to ensure that women are included in the planning process for and are appointed as members of their delegations to the World Assembly on the Elderly in 1982; 2. Requests Member States and the Secretary-General of the United Nations to pay, in proceedings of the said World Assembly, special attention to the problems that elderly women face in their societies; 12/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City,-199 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.l, P. 85. 13/ /./CONF.94/19 and Corr.l and 2. 3. Requests, the Secretary-General, in collecting data on the situation of the aging as called for in General Assembly resolution 34/153 to incorporate specifically, data on elderly women; 4- Further requests the Secretary-General, in co-operation with the relevant international agencies, to prepare a comparative study on the availability of social and economic security for elderly women and their need for a minimum standard of social security: 5. Requests that these data should "be submitted to Member States participating in the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, to the World Assembly on the Elderly, to the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-ninth session, with a view to recommending necessary action related to the plight of elderly women throughout the world. 5. Battered women and violence in the family The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling paragraph 131 of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year in section F concerning the family in modern society, 14/ Considering that violence in the home and in the family as well as in institutions, and in particular physical, sexual and other forms of abuse of women, children and the elderly constitutes an intolerable offence to the dignity of human beings as well as a grave problem for the physical and mental health of the family as well as for society, Recognizing that domestic violence is a complex problem for which the causes vary, but whose contributing factors include geographic or social isolation, financial difficulties, irregular employment, alcohol or drug abuse and low self-esteem, Recognizing; that long-held attitudes that diminish the value of women have resulted in virtual immunity from prosecution of persons who commit acts of violence against members of their families and against women in the care of institutions, Believing also that improved communication among and within Member States of the United Nations has drawn increasing attention to this serious problem, Aware that battering of family members must be recognized as a problem of serious social consequences that perpetuates itself from one generation to the next, 1. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in co-operation 14 Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, P. 27. with all the relevant organizations of the United Nations system, to prepare a study on the extent and types of physical, sexual and other forms of abuse in families and institutions and on existing resources available for dealing with this problem; 2. "Recommends that the Secretary-General of the United Nations should submit this study to the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-ninth session for consideration of appropriate further action; 3. Further urges Member States to consider, where appropriate, establishing family courts, staffed wherever possible with personnel, including women., trained in law and in various other relevant disciplines, as well as those with special expertise and experience; 4. Urges Member States to adopt measures to protect the victims of family violence and to implement programmes whose aims are to prevent such abuse as well as to provide centres for the treatment, shelter, and counseling of victims of violence and sexual assault and to provide other services such as alcohol and drug abuse rehabilitation, housing, employment, child care, and health care. 6. Preview and evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at the national level The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Noting; that for the Conference the Secretary-General had prepared under agenda item 8 (a) extensive reports, which were presented as official Conference documents, 15/ Recognizing the valuable work done by the Secretary-General of the Conference in preparing these reports, based on the replies of 93 Governments to the questionnaire on the implementation of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, as well as on other relevant information, Having noted that documents A/C0NF.94/11 and Add.1 and Add.1/Corr.l and 2 do not contain information on existing national machinery and legislation in a number of States Members, Considering that these reports are a useful source to everyone interested in the situation and status of women at the mid-point of the Decade and also serve as baseline data for evaluating the progress during the second part of the Decade, 1. Invites delegations of countries which have not so far provided information on their national machinery and legislation to do so by 31 August 1980: 2, Recommends that the Secretary-General should seek to ensure that the 15/ A/COWF.94/30, A/C0NF.947Rev.l, A/C0NF.949, A/COWF.94/10, 4/COHF.94/11, A/COKF.94/13 and A/CONF.94/25 with addenda and corrigenda. documents on review and evaluation of the progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at the national levels including the statistical annex, are published in a single document as soon as feasible after the Conference in a from easily accessible to the largest possible number of persons. 7. The role of women in the preparation of societies for life in peace The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Proceeding from, the lofty purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations , Reiterating; the validity of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, 16/ Recalling the Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and their Contribution to Development and Peace, 1975, 17/ Welcoming the United Nations Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace 18/ as consonant with the guiding theme of the Conference: Equality, Development and Peace", Recognizing that peace among nations is humankind's paramount value, held in the highest esteem by all principal political, social and religious movements, Convinced that every nation and every human being, regardless of race, conscience, language or sex, has the inherent right to life in peace and that respect for that right, as well as for the other human rights, is in the common interest of all humankind and an indispensable condition of the advancement of all nations, large and snail, in all fields, Reaffirming the increasingly important role of women as agents of national and international political, social and economic changes in building more just rational societies, and in the struggle for fundamental national rights and self-determination of peoples and against wars of aggression, in strengthening peace, detente and security, enhancing disarmament and establishing a new international economic order, Convinced that colonialism, racism, apartheid, alien domination, racial discrimination, acquisition of land by force, foreign occupation, the armaments race and prejudices of all kinds impede the active participation of women in all fields of human endeavour, 16/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico (city, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, p. 8 et seq. 17/ Ibid., p. 2. 18/ General Assembly resolution 33/73 of 15 December 1978. Recognizing the efforts of women as individuals and in groups towards the promotion of friendly relations among nations, international co-operation and the attainment of international peace, as well as their great role, to be played at all levels, in educating, training, advocating and decision-making for peace, Encouraging more active participation by women in international governmental and non-governmental organizations working for the strengthening of international peace and co-operation Noting the importance of the mass communication media and the schooling systems in determining the attitudes and values of the community, as well as their great potential as a vehicle for social change which can exercise a significant influence in helping to remove prejudices and stereotypes, thereby accelerating the acceptance of women's expanding role in society and promoting equality, Believing that the family, as a basic unit of society, remains an important factor of social, political and cultural change, 1. States that peace is a precondition of life and survival and that the preparation of societies for life in peace calls for a special kind of education, the ultimate goal of which is to bring about a situation in which all the future generations will live in lasting peace and in their attitudes towards other nations will not have to overcome the legacies of ignorance and prejudice of the past epochs; 2. Considers that one of the tasks of States and international organizations in their endeavour to make the world involvement of women in all spheres meaningful is to pursue disarmament efforts, eliminate economic inequality, discrimination and exploitation, aggressive wars, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, apartheid, mass and flagrant violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms which contradict the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the very notion of the preparation of societies for life in peace; 3. Recognizes that impeding the economic, social and political participation of women is contrary to the ideals of the preparation of societies for life in peace ; Stresses that preparation for peace starts with and in the family, where women and men should be encouraged to instill in their children the values of mutual respect and understanding for all peoples, tolerance, racial equality, sexual equality, the right of every nation to self-determination and the desire to maintain international co-operation, peace and security in the world; 5 Appeals to all women, including in particular those involved in the public and political life of their respective countries, to make every effort to discourage and eliminate incitement to racial hatred, prejudice, national or other discrimination, injustice or advocacy of violence and war; 6 Appeals also to women artists, writers, journalists educators and civic leaders to act persevere and consistently with a view to implementing which is noble ideas of preparing societies for life in peace an important part of methods 7. Calls upon all States, in a concerted effort, with due regard for the constitutional rights and the role of the family, the institutions and organizations concerned: (a) To provide women with new opportunities to "become more closely involved, both on a national and international plane, in the process of preparing societies for life in peace." (b) To ensure that their relevant policies, including educational processes and teaching methods as well as information activities, incorporate contents compatible with the task of the preparation for peace of entire societies and, in particular, the young generations; (c) To develop various forms of bilateral and multilateral co-operation, also in international governmental and non-governmental organizations, with a view to enhancing the preparation of societies for life in peace; (d) To utilize to the fullest the media channels in continuing the educational process of goodwill and understanding among all peoples: 8. Urges all Governments, national and international organizations, both governmental and non-governmental, the mass media, educational bodies and all individuals concerned, to strengthen their efforts to distribute information on women and their contribution to the promotion of the processes of preparing societies for life in peace; 9. Invites the Secretary-General of the United Nations to take due account in his rport to the General Assembly, under resolution 33/73, of women's contribution to the implementation of the Declaration on the Preparation of Societies for Life in Peace. 8. Gathering of data concerning women through census questionnaires The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that one of the obstacles encountered in the majority of countries in the first five-year period was the difficulty of completing appraisal questionnaires, Considering also that this difficulty has arisen because statistics concerning women are unavailable except in so far as women form part of family units, Considering further that census and survey forms do not contain the necessary breakdown of data for evaluating the progress made by women towards development, Decides to suggest to Governments and, through the Secretary-General of the United Nations, to international organizations that are co-operating in the formulation of generally accepted rules for the taking of censuses and surveys, that they should review and revise the forms and questionnaires so as to provide ' separate data on women that can be used for measuring their progress towards integration in development. 9. Intensification of drought control in the Sahel The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that, in Africa, the phenomenon of desertification and the encroachment of the Sahel are permanent threats to the countries south of the Sahara, Considering also that, "because of the resulting drought, living conditions are becoming steadily worse and thus damaging the health of, and demoralizing, the populations of these regions, Considering; further that, in such circumstances, women are the first to suffer from unemployment, migration and the abandonment of their families, for whom they "become solely responsible, although they do not have the means or education necessary for their care, Convinced that, in such a social and economic context, there can be no progress in the advancement of women in terms of the minimum objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Having regard to resolution CM/RES.808 (XXXV), which was adopted by the summit meeting of the Organization of African Unity held at Freetown (Sierra Leone) from 18 to 28 June 1980 and which called for increased assistance to the African countries suffering the effects of drought, desertification and other natural disasters, 1. Decides to request the United Nations and its specialized agencies to intensify their efforts to combat desertification and drought in the Sahel; 2, Suggests that this aim should be pursued not by the establishment of new bodies, but, rather, by providing the existing regional bodies engaged in this work, such as the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel and the United Nations Sahelian Office, with additional technical and material. resources. 10. Assistance to Lebanese women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Proceeding from the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace and considering the international co-operation necessary to achieve these objectives, Conscious of the problems of destruction, displacement, economic stagnation and social and family dispersion suffered by Lebanon during the last five years, Recalling Security Council and General Assembly resolutions and, in particular) Security Council resolution 425 concerning the repeated Israeli attacks against southern Lebanon. Emphasizing that the effects of such problems on the deteriorating living conditions, including job opportunities, health services and educational conditions, were and still are felt more deeply by Lebanese women in general and by women in southern Lebanon in particular, Having regard to the recommendation concerning assistance to Lebanese women in general and women in southern Lebanon in particular 19/ which was adopted by the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Western Asia, held at Damascus from 10 to 13 December 1979, and which is included in its report to the World Conference, Urges the United Nations and its specialized agencies to give the necessary attention to the needs of Lebanese women in general and women in southern Lebanon in particular, to study means of meeting those needs and to provide financial, material and technical assistance from various international sources. 19/ A/CONF.94/18, sect. III, para. 3 (e). 11. Women's participation in the strengthening of international peace and security and in the struggle against colonialism., racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Reaffirming the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women;, i.e. , equality,, development and peaces the Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and their Contribution to Development and Peace, 1975a the World Plan of Action and other relevant decisions adopted at the World Conference of the International Women's Year, 20/ Taking into account that secure peace and social progress, the establishment of a new international economic order as well as the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms require the active participation of women, their equality and development. Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/158 of 17 December 1979 and Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/36 of 2 May 1900 concerning the question of elaborating a draft declaration on the participation of women in the struggle for the strengthening of international peace and security and against colonialism;, racism, racial discrimination,, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination, Taking into account the views expressed by the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-eighth session, Requests the General Assembly, in conformity with Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/36 of 2 May 1900 to further at its thirty-fifth session the elaboration of a draft declaration on the participation of women in the struggle for the strengthening of international peace and security, against colonialism, racism,, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination on the basis of the views and proposals contained in the Secretary-Genial’s report 21/ concerning the nature and the content of such a draft declaration. 12. The situation of women refugees and displaced women the world over The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace a Noting the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 22/ Recognizing that the problems of refugees and displaced persons affect every continent and place special burdens on developing countries, 20/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.I, pp. 2 et seg 21/ E/CN.6/626 and Add.1. 22/ A/C0NF.94/24. Aware that the substantial majority of refugees in most areas are women and children, Bearing in mind that displaced and refugee women suffer more radical changes in roles and status than refugee men, Recalling the special requirements of women refugees, especially pregnant and lactating women, women with small children and women as heads of families and households, Deeply concerned that existing assistance to refugees and displaced persons does not adequately address the special needs of refugee women and children, Aware of the effects of separation or death on refugee families, especially refugee women and children, Shocked by reports of physical abuse of refugee women and girls, Recalling the principles of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 23/ and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees 24/ and mindful of the need to apply them to refugees wherever they find themselves, without discrimination as to sex, race, age, religion or country of origin, 1. Urges all States to recognize their responsibilities and to share the "burden of refugee assistance, whether in providing first asylum, permanent resettlement opportunities or financial support; 2. Strongly urges all States to co-operate with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in order to assure full implementation of his mandate to protect women and children in particular, and further strongly urges States receiving refugees to protect their well-being and legal rights under international law and national legislation; 3. Strongly urges Governments to bring to justice those who abuse refugee women and children, and to take every possible step to prevent such abuses; 4. Urges the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in co-operation with other concerned United Nations agencies and international and non-governmental organizations, to establish the programmes necessary for dealing with the special needs of displaced and refugee women, especially in the areas of health, education and employment; 5. Recommends that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in collaboration with other organizations within the United Nations system, should establish special health and nutritional programmes, particularly for pregnant and lactating women; 6. Requests that family planning information and methods should be available on a voluntary and nationally acceptable basis to both refugee men and women; T. Urges the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to 23/ United nations, Treaty Series... vol. 189. No. 1545, p. 150. 24/ ibid, . vol. 606, No. 3791, p. 267. work with host-country Governments to encourage the participation of women in the administration of refugee humanitarian assistance programmes, including distribution of food and other supplies in first asylum countries and in the design and management of vocational training and orientation programmes in first-asylum and resettlement countries; 8. Urges "the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, in co-operation with other United nations and non-governmental agencies and the States concerned, to develop and implement programmes of resettlement and family-reunification, including special programmes for reuniting unaccompanied children with their families; 9. Calls upon the organizations of the United Nations system, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in particular, to give high priority in their public information activities to the need to address the special requirements of displaced and refugee "women and children the world over; 10. Recommends that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should increase the number of women at all levels of its staff, and establish a high-level position for a coordinator for women's programmes. In addition to ensuring that refugee programmes meet the needs of displaced and refugee women and children, this Office should co-ordinate the collection and analysis of data and conduct case studies on women refugees. 13. The situation of displaced and refugee women the world over The World Conference of the United nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Noting_ the report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, 25/ Noting also with great concern that more and more refugees and displaced persons are being forced to leave their countries and that women and children constitute a vast majority in most cases, Saddened to note that the influx of refugee women and children and displaced women has been increased by foreign aggression, racism, oppression, apartheid, colonialism, neo-colonialism, the use of inhumane weapons and methods of war and by indiscriminate hostilities, Recognizing that the particular needs of displaced and refugee women, as mothers, emergent heads of single parent families and in the context of many societies, require a constructive recognition by all parties to their relief, repatriation and rehabilitation, Aware that this recognition has not yet been accorded or acted upon because of the change in the pattern of refugee movements and the lack of studies for analysis, 22/ A/CONF.94/24 Recognizing also the particular vulnerability of displaced and refugee women to intimidation, exploitation, physical abuse and rape, Shocked by reports of physical abuse and rape of refugee women and girls, Recognizing that voluntary repatriation in safe and honorable conditions is the best and most humane solution to the problem of refugees, Aware that because displaced and refugee women now are to be found in developing countries in South-East Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, an excessively heavy burden is placed on the economies and the infrastructure of these developing countries, Recognizing that these countries cannot by themselves bear the cost of providing adequate shelter, nutrition, health care, education and employment opportunities, Noting with appreciation the role played by the voluntary humanitarian organizations, the United Nations system and in particular the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme and the United Nations Children's Fund in rendering assistance to the best of their limited resources, Noting also with appreciation the humanitarian aid extended both bilaterally and through the United Nations system by many Member States, 1. Condemns foreign aggression, racism, oppression, apartheid, colonialism, neo-colonialism and the use of inhumane weapons and methods of war, calls for a cessation of their use and for efforts to ensure that women and children are not the target of indiscriminate hostilities; 2. Calls upon all States to implement fully and immediately the relevant United Nations resolutions relating to the solution of various international situations which have given rise to the problem of refugees and by so complying to create conditions enabling the refugees to return to their homes in safety and in honour, 3. Urges all States to extend at the regional and international level, through bilateral and international channels, all possible humanitarian assistance to ensure that the needs and interests of refugees in general and in particular of the majority constituted by women and children refugees are adequately safeguarded; 4. Demands that Governments bring to justice those who abuse refugee women and children and take every possible step to protect them by preventing such atrocities; 5. Urges the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, bearing in mind its overriding commitment to ensure the survival of all refugees, to draw upon the expertise of all concerned United Nations bodies and, in consultation with the host countries, to carry out detailed studies and research leading to special programmes dealing with all facets of the relief effort which should be especially directed to the critical needs of displaced and refugee women; 6. Recommends that the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other United Nations agencies concerned with relief efforts should ensure that the number of women at all levels in their staff, from policy planning to implementation in the field, are increased and equitably distributed. 14. Integrated approach to the health and welfare of women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Bearing in mind that one major aspect of the World Plan of Action for the implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year 26/ concerns the improvement of health, nutrition and other social services for women which are essential to the full participation of women in development activities, to the strengthening of family life, and to a general enhancement of the quality of life, Reaffirming the relevant resolutions adopted at the World Conference of the International Women's Year, in particular resolution 15 entitled "Family planning and the full integration of women in development", 27/ Recalling that the United Nations Water Conference of 1977 set as a target the provision "of an adequate supply of safe drinking water and sanitary conditions for all people by 1990, and further declared the 1980s as the International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade, 28/ Recalling also that the Declaration of Alma Ata 29/ adopted in 1978 states that primary health care is the key to the attainment of the world target of an acceptable level of health by the year 2000 that will enable all people to lead socially and economically productive lives, Bearing in mind the need for equitable sharing of responsibilities between men and women in improving family health and welfare, Recognizing that improved family health and welfare will, in turn, greatly enhance the opportunities for women to participate fully in the social and economic development of their countries, Being concerned, however, that the progress so far achieved in these respects is still far from sufficient in many countries, particularly in under-served rural and urban areas, 26/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June - 2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, pp. 8 et seg. 27/ Ibid, p. 87. 28/ Report of the United Nations Water Conference, Mar Del Plata, 14-25 March 1977, United Nations publication, Sales No. 77,11.A.12. 29/ E/ICEF/L.1387, annex, sect. V. 1. Urges all Governments of the countries that have not yet done so to recognize the necessity to review, improve and co-ordinate all the programmes of action for the attainment of health and welfare of women; 2. Recommends that Governments should seriously consider formulating and implementing the necessary concrete measures to meet the specific requirements of women, including better access to education and training, the supply of safe drinking water, public health services and nutrition programmes; 3. Further recommends that Governments of the countries that have not yet done so should develop, in accordance with their national plans and policies, integrated programmes of family health and welfare, consisting of policies and measures relating to nutrition, environmental hygiene and sanitation, maternal and child health care, prenatal care and family planning, including provision for women and men to exercise their right to decide how many children they will have and the timing and spacing of their children's births. These integrated programmes should be incorporated as appropriate in the national plans of action; 4. Urges the organizations of the United Nations system, Governments and non-governmental organizations, to continue and intensify coordinated efforts to promote all such integrated programmes. 15. International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering the growing role of the public sector which is becoming in some developing countries an ever more important factor of economic and social development, and a very significant device for co-operation among developing countries, Considering also the role and position of women as a factor in development and the responsibilities of public enterprises for improving the situation of women, Recalling the efforts of the International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries, as a joint institution of developing countries, in the field of management policies, education and training of personnel,, planning in public enterprises, financing, participation, transfer and development of technology, and development policies of the public sector in general and public enterprises in particular, in the framework of which the subject of the role and position of women as a factor of development has been integrated, Stressing the importance of research which is oriented towards practical action for the integration of women in development, 1. Emphasizes the importance of co-operation among developing countries through the Center as an institutional form of technical and economic co-operation among developing countries, especially in- furthering the advancement of the role and position of women as a factor of development in public enterprises in developing countries; 2. Requests the organizations and agencies of the United Nations system to continue to co-operate in the activities of the Center, especially in the implementation of the programme of the Center concerning women as a factor of development and the responsibilities of public enterprises in this regard; 3. Urges developed countries which have an interest in the subject of the management of public enterprises or which carry on activities in this regard to continue to co-operate with the International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries also on this particular subject. l6. International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Referring to General Assembly resolution 34/93 C of 12 December 1979 concerning the International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa, Gravely concerned over the status of women in southern Africa, 1. Urges that the proposed International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa should be held as soon as possible with a view to having economic and other sanctions against South Africa, under Chapter VII of the Charter, applied universally; 2. Considers it important that the said International Conference should pay special attention to the grave situation of women and children under the apartheid policy of the Pretoria regime. 17. International legislation to prevent the abandonment of families The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recognizing that freedom to move easily from one country to another in steady migration flows brings about considerable changes in the organization of society and, consequently, in the family, Noting that, in many cases, such migration leads to the abandonment of families and directly affects women by forcing them to assume the responsibility of supporting their households, Aware of the serious problems caused by such migration, which leads to the abandonment of minor children, who are left defenseless, Bearing in mind that the majority of women do not have the necessary financial , resources to appeal to foreign courts in order to claim their rights, Decides to urge Governments to take the necessary measures, by concluding bilateral and multilateral agreements, to ensure that alimony will be paid to the abandoned wife in accordance with procedures decided upon by the Governments parties to the agreements. 18. Situation of women in Chile The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of 10 December 1948, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Eights, all of which raise the fundamental human rights to the category of principles adopted by international law, Further recalling; resolution 34 of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, 30/ Noting that all Governments have an obligation to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the responsibilities they have undertaken under various international instruments;, Bearing in mind General Assembly resolution 34/179 of 17 December 1979, as well as resolution 21 (XXXVI) of the Commission on Human Rights of 29 February 1980, with regard to the violations of human rights in Chile, which, inter alia, noted with deep concern the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur that, in general9 the situation of human rights has not improved and that it even has deteriorated in several spheres 9 Deeply concerned to note that the whereabouts of many persons who have disappeared in Chile since 1973 because of repression for political reasons remain unknown, notwithstanding the fact that the international community has urged the Chilean authorities to put an end to this situation and to punish the guilty people, Also concerned with the violations of human rights to which women are subjected in Chile and particularly the degrading conditions to which imprisoned * and convicted women are subjected, Observing also that Chilean women are denied the most elementary rights, as was made evident by the aggressive acts carried out against them in Santiago de Chile on 8 March 1980 on the occasion of the celebration of International Women's Day, 1. Strongly urges the authorities of Chile to respect and promote human rights in accordance with the obligations they have undertaken under various international instruments; 2. Reiterates the views expressed in the aforesaid resolution 34/174 and specially its deep concern about the violations of human rights to which women in Chile are subjected, in particular the degrading and humiliating conditions of imprisoned and convicted women; 3. Urges the Chilean authorities to investigate and clarify the fate of persons reported to have disappeared for political reasons, to inform relatives of the outcome and to institute criminal proceedings against those responsible for such disappearances and to punish those found guilty; 30/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, 'Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication Sales No. E.76.IV.1, p. 112. -81- 4. Appeals to the Chilean authorities to allow women to exercise their rights fully, in particular the right to carry on the struggle for equality, development and peace as well as to show themselves in favour of solidarity; 5. Invites the General Assembly to continue to pay careful attention to the situation of human rights in Chile and, through the Special Rapporteur, to observe developments in Chile, in particular those concerning the situation of women and children in that country. 19. Situation of women in El Salvador The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Bearing in mind the principles embodied in the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Bearing in mind, in particular. Article 62, paragraph 2, of the United Nations Charter, Considering that the serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms which have taken place in El Salvador as a result of attempts to curb popular unrest have led to the deaths of thousands of persons, including women and children, Convinced that the extremely serious events taking place in that country are creating a climate of insecurity and that the civilian population and, in particular, women and children lack the most basic guarantees, Deeply shocked by reports of the degrading and humiliating conditions to which women and children are being subjected and by the practice of harassing the families of persons who are being sought with a view to forcing the latter to give themselves up, Deeply concerned about the danger faced by a large number of detainees, including women, who do not know what their fate will be, Considering that any international assistance which encourages the arms race and involves the sending of military equipment and advisers to El Salvador aggravates the injustices and repression to which the people of that country are being subjected as they struggle to ensure respect for their most fundamental human, rights , 1. Expresses deep concern about the serious situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in El Salvador ; 2. Urges the Salvadorian authorities to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country; 3. Condemns the murder, rape and repression of women and children in El Salvador; 4. Urges the Salvadorian authorities to provide information on the situation of persons -who have disappeared and, in particular, that of women detained for political reasons; 5. Requests the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session to consider violations of human rights in El Salvador and to adopt measures that will quickly-lead to the restoration of human rights and fundamental freedoms in that country. 20. Control of illicit traffic in drugs The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Mindful of the legal action now being taken to control the illicit drug traffic, Aware of the serious effects which the production and marketing of drugs is having on large sectors of the female population and on young people and children, Convinced that, until now. Governments, international organizations and groups of individuals have had limited success in their efforts to control this traffic, which is harmful to the health of peoples and the security of States and encourages the proliferation of social evils in the most noble sector of society, 1. Calls on Member States to intensify their efforts to control illicit traffic in drugs by means of stringent legal measures at the national level, taking into account the need for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and for increased co-operation at the international level; 2. Invites the Governments of countries where such measures do not yet exist to exercise strict control on the cultivation of narcotic plants and on the manufacture of synthetic drugs. 21. Strengthening the women's programmes and appointment of women in the Secretariat of the regional commissions and agencies of the United Nations The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling General Assembly resolution 3520 (XXX) of 15 December 1975, which emphasized the importance of regular reviews and appraisals of the progress made in meeting the goals of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, Recalling also the declaration by the General Assembly of the period 1976-1965 as the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 3524 (XXX) of 15 December 1975, which recommended that all organs of the United Nations system as well as the specialized agencies should give sustained attention to the integration of women in the formulation, design and implementation of development projects and programmes, Taking account of the efforts made by the regional commissions to promote programmes" and aware of the scope of the programmes undertaken and the limitations imposed on the regional commissions "by the lack of sufficient funds and staff, 1. Urges the General Assembly to provide from the regular "budget of the United Nations increased financial resources for programmes and personnel, including senior women programme officers currently supported by the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women, necessary for the effective implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women and resolutions adopted by this Conference 2. Requests the Secretary-General, as an interim measure, to explore the possibility of redeploying vacant posts within the regional commissions to the women's programmes should resources not be readily available to permit the establishment of the required new posts; 3. Also urges the Secretary-General of the United Nations and the executive heads of United Nations organizations and specialized agencies to appoint more women to regular posts in their organizations, in particular in policy and decision- making positions at the regional level including the United Nations regional commissions and the regional offices of the United Nations Development Programme, the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, the World Health Organization, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the United Nations Children's Fund in accordance with General Assembly resolution 33/143 of 20 December 1978, which requested that the necessary measures should be taken to increase the number of women in regular posts throughout the United Nations system. 22. Co ordination of issues relating to the status of women within the United Nations system The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering the need to strengthen the capacity of United Nations bodies to promote the status of women, particularly for the United Nations Decade for Women and the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade in implement at ion of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, ( . . • V. Recognizing the roles of the Commission on the Status of Women, and also the Centre for Social-Development and Humanitarian Affairs , the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women, Emphasizing the importance of the roles of the specialized agencies and organizations and the regional commissions and other United Nations bodies in implementing the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women, Emphasizing that the concerns of women should be an integral part of the consideration of all issues, policies and programmes in all spheres of United Nations activity,, Recognizing the need for a new approach to the co-ordination of the diverse efforts of all these agencies and the United Nations bodies and for a reordering of priorities within current budgetary allocations in order to further efforts to raise the status of women, Calls on the Secretary-General and heads of specialized agencies and organizations severally and within the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination to consider the implications for organizations within the United Nations system of the Programme of Action adopted at the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace and requests the Secretary-General to report to the thirty-fifth session of the General Assembly on what arrangements should be made to implement the Programme and to ensure efficient co. ordination., monitoring and evaluation of implementation. 23. Question of missing and disappeared persons The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women; Equality, Developments and Peace, Bearing in mind the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on Human Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women, Taking into account the Commission on Human Rights resolution 20 (XXXVI) by which a Working Group was established to examine questions relevant to enforced or involuntary disappearances of persons , Gravely concerned at the increasing number of missing and disappeared persons, including women and children, Stressing that women and children are affected both as direct victims and as relatives of victims, 1. Calls upon all Governments to take whatever measures may be necessary in response to any reliable evidence of the disappearance of a person, including: (a) The provision upon request of all information at their disposal relating to such disappearances; (b) All legal, material and other assistance towards alleviating the situation of relatives and protecting them against persecution and harassment; 2. Bequests all Governments to take the necessary measures to ensure security for all in order to prevent the disappearance of persons,; 3. Urges the Commission on Human Rights to give full effect to its mandate, thus contributing to the solution of the problem of disappeared persons; 4. Drays the attention of the Working Group of the Commission on Human Rights to the effects on women, both as direct victims and as relatives of victims, 5- Appeals to all Governments to co-operate with the Commission on Human Rights' Working Group; 6. Requests the Secretary-General to transmit this resolution to the Working Group at its next meeting and to the Commission on Human Rights at its thirty-seventh session. 24. Women in the United Nations Secretariat The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the realization of the goals of equality, development and peace requires the full participation of women in "both the formulation of policy and the implementation of programmes at all levels of activity of the United Nations and of the Member States, and recognizing that the United Nations cannot lead in this quest for the full participation of women unless it provides a model for such participation,, Remembering that the General Assembly in resolution 33/143 (Part III) established as a target for 1982 that 25 per cent of all professional posts subject to geographical distribution shall be held by women, Noting that considerable progress remains to be made in the implementation of that resolution, 1. Calls on the Secretary-General and the heads of the specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies to designate coordinators in their respective organizations to: (a) Review policies on the recruitment, promotion, career development, training and remuneration of women, with the objective of ensuring equal treatment of women and men in all spheres of activity; (b) Ensure that women employed by the United Nations and its specialized agencies are not subject to sexual harassment in the workplace or otherwise on account of their sex; (c) Receive information on kinds of grievances submitted by women to -the panels or other bodies dealing with discriminatory practices within the United Nation system : (d) Implement the recommendations of the General Assembly and the Joint Inspection Unit and, in particular, promote the recruitment and hiring of women in secretariat professional posts at middle and high levels, whether as permanent, temporary or fixed-term appointees, or as experts and consultants; 2. Urges that, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 33/143, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, all specialized agencies of the United Nations and United Nations bodies should set and pursue targets for the recruitment of staff which will ensure more equitable representation of women in professional posts subject to geographical distribution, in pursuit of the objective of 25 per cent by 1982, progressively raising that target beyond 1982, and giving particular emphasis to increasing the proportion of women at the higher levels; 3. Urges Member States of the United Nations to take into account the efforts of the United Nations to redress the current imbalance in recruitment levels between women and men by all appropriate means, in particular by the dissemination of employment information through formal and informal networks to which women have access• 4. Requests that reports on the situation and the progress made in the implementation of the above measures should be submitted periodically to the General Assembly as well as to the meetings of the governing bodies of the specialized agencies, with specific proposals for the full achievement of the objectives mentioned above. 25. International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the United Nations Decade for Women was proclaimed in order to draw attention to the problems faced by women in their daily lives, Realizing that women of the world may spend as much as one third of their work day locating and transporting water for drinking, agriculture- food production and preparation and family hygiene, Considering that the majority of people of the world have severely limited access to adequate safe drinking water. Deeply concerned that insufficient water and unsafe drinking water and the lack of sanitation "facilities contribute to a high rate of disease and mortality particularly among women and children., Recognizing that to achieve the health and nutrition goals of the United Nations Decade for Women it is essential to meet such basic needs as an adequate daily safe water supply, Considering that success in establishing and maintaining water supply systems can be promoted by encouraging active community participation of women in designing’s establishing, maintaining and utilizing such supplies.; 1. Strongly encourages Member States of the United Nations and international organizations, including specialized agencies as well as non-governmental organizations, to promote the objectives of the United Nations Decade on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation:" 2. Urges Member States to commit funds and programme development efforts to these objectives and to co-ordinate the programme with other related sectors of development in order to make it more effective.; 3. Calls on Member States and United Nations agencies, including specialized agencies, to promote full participation of women in planning., implementation and application of technology for water supply projects; 4. Recommends that the United Nations Development Programme, as coordinator for the United Nations Decade on Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, should review in its annual report the progress in attaining the goals of this resolution, including in particular the extent of community participation by women and their involvement in designing, maintenance and utilization of water supply, 5° Urges_ the World Health Organization to support fully the programmes submitted by countries on drinking water supply and sanitation systems. 26. On the right of all countries to seek development assistance "from any and all sources, free from threats and attacks The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Noting that several developing countries have been subjected to threats 0 destabilization and even violent attacks aimed at preventing their acceptance of development assistance from certain other countries, Considering that such attacks are contrary to the principle of the right of all independent States to determine their own foreign policies and to seek all peaceful means to develop their countries, Being aware that such attacks damage women and children greatly, and seek to deprive them of development assistance which they desperately need, 1. Reaffirms the right of all developing countries to decide freely from which countries and international agencies they will seek development assistance; 2. Condemns all acts of destabilization, economic or political blackmail, threats, sabotage and violence against developing countries used as a method of intimidation in order to prevent them from choosing freely their sources of development assistance. 27. Special measures in favour of young women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Noting that the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year states that national plans and strategies for the implementation of the Plan should be sensitive to the needs and problems of different categories of women and of women of different age groups, 31/ Recalling that the World Plan of Action also states that special measures should be adopted on behalf of women whose legal and social status is the result of particularly discriminatory attitudes, 32/ 31/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nation's publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, p. 14, para. 32. 32/ Ibid , para. 33. Recognizing the importance of the younger age group, both quantitatively as a population group and qualitatively as a political force and agent of change and transformation to a society that is economically independent and socially more equitable, Affirming the importance of ensuring the participation of young people and, in particular,, young women in efforts to establish the New International Economic Order., Urges States to identify the needs of the new generations of women, and to integrate within an all-comprehensive perspective general policies to promote the development of youth in all fields, to promote access by young women to education, health and employment, to stimulate their organization and participation in economic, political, social cultural and professional processes, to promote their integration in the decision-making process to encourage their self-awareness and consciousness regarding their potential for development as human beings possessing equal rights with men and to make possible their active and responsible participation in the development of society. 28. Convention en the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Welcoming the adoption by the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, 33/ Taking into account the fact that a just and durable peace and social progress, establishment of a new international economic order as well as full implementation of human rights and basic freedoms require the active participation of women, their equality and an improvement in their status, Confirming that elimination of apartheid, of all forms of racial discrimination, colonialism, neo-colonialism, foreign occupation and domination, strengthening of international peace and security, general and complete disarmament, and co-operation among the women of the world irrespective of their social and economic systems are necessary for and contribute to the full implementation of the rights of women and men, Highly appreciating the contribution by women to the political, economic and social life of society, Noting however that, despite the resolutions, declarations and recommendations adopted by the United Nations and its specialized agencies for the purposes of promoting the equality of women and men, considerable discrimination against women still persists Convinced that the entry into force of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women will contribute to the attainment of the 33/ General Assembly resolution 34/180 of 18 December 1979. basic objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace., 1. Calls upon all States to sign and ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, and to take all the necessary measures for the effective implementation of its provisions and to publicize it;, 2. Galls upon all States to continue to contribute to the cause of eliminating discrimination against women in order to achieve their full and equal participation in the process of social development 3. Invites specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations to initiate and take part in action to publicize the provisions of the Convention nationally and internationally. 29. Women living in conditions of extreme poverty The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace,, Considering that extreme poverty makes it impossible for the individual to enjoy the fundamental human rights and results in cultural, social and political exclusion., Considering also that in many regions of the world, in developing and developed countries, the poverty of some sections of the population has worsened during the first half of the Decade for Women, depriving the women of all means of personal and communal development • this impoverishment is due mainly to the consequences of colonialism and neo-colonialism, inequitable international relations and the aftermath of uncontrolled industrialization and urbanization;, Recognizing that mankind is thereby denied the collaboration of millions of women capable of making a unique and vital contribution to development, Believing that all national and international institutions and public opinion should be kept informed of the participation of the poorest women and the circumstances which continue to exclude them;, 1. Urgently appeals to all women and all men to concern themselves primarily with the rights of women who, with their families, still live in intolerable conditions of poverty, and to all Governments to study and eliminate the socio-economic causes of their poverty; 2. Urges. women to take more action in support of the efforts made by the poorest women in pursuit of their aspirations and interests and their right to a voice and participation in public affairs., to social progress, to development and to the enjoyment of world peace: 3. Appeals to all Governments to try to associate all under-privileged social groups still living in intolerable poverty with development efforts and to promote social justice through equal opportunity and equitable income distribution: 4. Urges Governments, governmental and non-governmental organizations, the United Nations and its specialized agencies to ensure as a matter of priority that all development programmes and projects allow for the needs of the poorest women , in other words, that such programmes and projects are designed with a view to eliminating that poverty; 5. Recommends that all States Members of the United Nations submit every five years to the Commission on the Status of Women as an item in its programme a detailed report on major socio-economic policies and programmes concerning the status of women and the results achieved, with particular emphasis on the progress made with regard to the poorest women. 30. Promotion of equality in education and training The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the right to education is a fundamental human right which must be guaranteed, irrespective of sex, on the basis of equality, as a prerequisite for cultural, social, technological and economic progress, Recalling that discrimination against women is incompatible with human dignity and with the welfare of the family and of society, prevents their participation, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries and is an obstacle to the full development of potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity, Reaffirming the urgent need to continue to seek and implement effective programmes and objectives which provide women with the same opportunities as men to accede to and enjoy the benefits of education and, thus, contribute more fully to the achievement of the New International Economic Order, Recalling the importance of education as a decisive factor in development a Reaffirming that each country is primarily responsible for its development plans and programmes and, accordingly, for its educational plans and programmes D although it may benefit from international co-operation, Considering that all people irrespective of sex should have equal access to all levels of formal and non-formal education and vocational training in all sectors of urban and rural economy, Acknowledging that the introduction of training in new technology sectors should keep pace with advances in traditional sectors, Noting that in many countries the level of education of girls and women is much lower than that of boys and men, particularly in the technical field, whereas the training of girls and women in new technologies is particularly important 3 Aware that attitudinal and financial constraints constitute major impediments to the achievement of educational equality of the female population in many countries and that teachers and guidance counsellors have a special role to play in promoting a process of attitudinal change, Recognizing the important role international, governmental and non-governmental organizations have to play in the promotion of educational equality, Recognizing that as non-formal education also has an important role to play in the educational process, measures should be taken to ensure that such non-formal education programmes also have the objective of promoting educational equality of girls and "boys, 1. Requests Governments which have not yet done so to adopt programmes for the elimination of illiteracy with the aim of eradicating it before the end of the century and, to that end, to adopt special innovative measures to eliminate the illiteracy among women, who are, in this respect, in the majority; 2. Also requests Governments to try to increase their education budgets up to an adequate percentage and, where they have not yet done so, up to at least 7 or ,8 per cent of their countries' gross national product, whenever possible, according to their national plans and programmes, so that existing short-comings can be eliminated and education can contribute fully to development and become its driving force ; 3. Further requests Governments which have not yet done so to introduce the necessary reforms in their national plans and programmes to ensure that education, and in particular that of girls and women, gives fresh impetus to the teaching of the sciences and to the strengthening of the ties between the educational system and the working world, taking due account of the aspirations and cultural values of each people, and accordingly, to ensure that educational planning promotes the participation and integration of all groups and institutions involved in formal or non-formal educational activities, and invites Governments to work towards ensuring conditions enabling national minorities to receive pre-school and elementary education in their mother tongue; 4. Decides to request Governments to devote particular attention to the promotion, organization and programming of vocational training for girls and women at both the elementary and advanced levels, especially in sectors traditionally-reserved for men in order to ensure effective equality of opportunity, and to permit and encourage equal access to and acquisition of necessary qualifications and skills to enable the full and equal participation of girls and women in the economic and social development of their countries; 5. Urges Governments to develop, in particular, policies and programmes to enhance the enrolment of girls and women in all technical institutes., courses and training programmes, particularly those for the development, operation and management of new technologies; 6. Urges Governments and United Nations agencies concerned to promote, as a matter of priority, the increased and accelerated access of women, particularly in developing countries, to training in economic, scientific and technological fields , in order to facilitate their real and equal participation in the decision-making processes and the economic and social development of their countries, ?• Recommends that Governments should take steps to facilitate the access of women desirous of re-entering professional life to all levels of education., e.g. by developing informal, recurrent, continuing educational programmes together with special counseling and facilities, taking into account the family responsibilities of such women; 8. Recommends that Governments should consider, in co-operation with the specialized agencies of the United Nations system, in particular with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, measures aimed at reducing and eliminating financial barriers to equal education of the sexes, such as free schooling at all levels and at all public educational institutions, free procurement of educational materials and special allowances for poor families, as well as scholarships for girls and women, wherever feasible:, 9- Also requests States which have not yet done so to include in their national objectives and plans measures to increase educational services, in particular, for the most underprivileged sectors of the population in the rural and urban areas where women are primarily affected, such as the introduction of compulsory schooling at the primary level, open systems of education for adults, decentralization and expansion of facilities, promotion of boarding facilities, introduction, whenever possible, or development of free or inexpensive means of transportation and introduction of mobile or travelling schools; 10. Encourages Governments to take into account, in the organization of the educational systems of their countries, special living conditions of the female population, and to consider supporting measures such as the introduction of flexible time-schedules in the educational facilities and the establishment in sufficient number of day care centres for young children; 11. Recommends that Governments should take steps to increase the role of teachers and guidance counsellors in the promotion of educational equality of the sexes by inter alia: (a) increasing the number of teachers, guidance counsellors and administrators at all levels and ensuring a balance of women and men in these positions and increasing in particular the number of female staff, where women are still under-represented; (b) introducing and expanding in-service and pre-service training for teachers and vocational guidance counsellors (including those outside the school system) to sensitize teachers to the problems which impede educational equality, in particular to stereotyped assumptions which inhibit girls' educational opportunities and to enable them to widen educational and vocational choices of girls; 12. Urges Governments to take all necessary measures to eliminate stereotypes on the basis of sex from educational materials at all levels; 13. Urges Governments in a position to do so to provide special assistance to developing countries, if they so desire it, in the implementation of measures designed to promote educational equality, and as necessary to increase such assistance; 14 . Requests the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to make the necessary arrangements to ensure that, at the next General Conference, priority is given to matters relating to the education and technical training of women. 31. Women and discrimination based on race The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Mindful of the particular needs of the majority of the world's female population a "who suffer discrimination based both on race and on sex, Recognizing the significance for women of the Convention en the Elimination, of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, Gravely disturbed by the fact that, because of this discrimination, women suffer disproportionately from poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and poor health, Acknowledging that discrimination due to race as a fundamental cause of the subjugation of women merits singular consideration, Believing that the stress on family members is compounded by the dual forces of racial discrimination and sex discrimination, Considering that the fundamental issue of abolishing discrimination due to race and its impact on economic development, peace and equality is comprehensively expressed in the World Plan of Action adopted in Mexico City in 1975, and in the Declaration adopted in Mexico City in 1975s 1. Reaffirms its condemnation of all racist regimes and of all countries which co-operate with these regimes, mostly in economic, military and nuclear fields, 2. Condemns also countries which practice forms of discrimination based on race other than apartheid- 3. Calls upon the United Nations and its specialized agencies to take positive steps to overcome the dual burden of discrimination based both on race and on sex in all their programmes in developed and in developing countries; 4. Calls upon all Member States to give special consideration to the elimination of discrimination based on race as veil as on sex in development programmes and in all activities that promote women's social, economic and political integration, particularly in areas of health., employment, education and rural development, 5. Urges all countries which still have not done so to subscribe to and ratify the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. 32. Condemnation of South African aggression against the People's Republic of Angola The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the racist South African regime is oppressing the black people of that country "by the odious., inhuman, retrograde and reactionary system of apartheid and is illegally occupying the territory of Namibia, contrary to resolutions adopted by the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity and against the ardent and militant will of the Namibian people fighting under the leadership of the South-West Africa People's Organization. Noting that the People's Republic of Angola is in many ways supporting the Namibian people's fight for liberation under the leadership of the South-West Africa People's Organization, Aware that the People's Republic of Angola has on many occasions been the victim of South African aggression committed under the pretext of the hot pursuit of bands of the South-West Africa People's Organization.; Considering that the victims of those acts of aggression are generally Angolan people and Namibian refugees, and mostly women and children, 1. Decides to denounce the criminal acts of the cynical and reactionary apartheid regime before the international community; 2. Decides to express its solidarity with the Angolan people and its Government, which, in giving assistance to the South-West Africa People's Organization, are subjected to violent, destructive and criminal attacks., murder and pillage by the racist South African regime. 33• Question of convening another world conference on women in 1985 The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality) Development and Peace, Noting the progress achieved and obstacles encountered since 1975 in the attainment of the objectives of the Decade, Noting also with appreciation the valuable expertise offered and the contribution made by intergovernmental organizations., non-governmental organizations and various women's organizations to the achievement of the objectives of the Decade, Taking into consideration the proposals made in the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace 1981-1935, Recommends that the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session should consider the convening in 1985 of another world conference on women to review and appraise the achievements of the Decade. 34. Assistance to Sahrawi women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/37 of 25 November 1979, Reaffirming the principles enunciated in the Charter of the United Nations and particularly the right of all peoples to self-determination, Recalling General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV) of 14 December 1960 containing •the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples, Mindful of the profound concern of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the non-aligned countries about the decolonization of the Western Sahara and the right of its people to self-determination, Seriously concerned about the situation of the people of the Western Sahara, and especially Sahrawi refugee women, resulting from the continuing occupation of their territory, which constitutes a denial of their right to self-determination and independence, Considering that Sahrawi refugee women are forced to live under difficult conditions because of that occupation, 1. Expresses its solidarity with and support for the just cause of the Sahrawi people's self-determination and independence; 2- Reaffirms that the Popular Front for the Liberation of Saguia el Hamra and Rio de Oro (Polisario), representative of the people, of the Western Sahara, participates fully in any search for an equitable, lasting and definitive political solution to the question of the Western Sahara, in accordance with the resolutions and declarations of the United Nations, the Organization of African Unity and the non-aligned countries; 3. Expresses the hope that the efforts made in the Organization of African Unity will contribute to the realization of the inalienable national rights of the people of the Western Sahara and invites the Secretary-General of the Organization of African Unity to keep the Secretary-General of the United Nations informed of the progress made to that end; 4. Also expresses the hope that any settlement of the problem of the Western Sahara will make it possible to alleviate the particularly distressing living conditions of the Sahrawi women refugees; 5. Calls upon women throughout the world to redouble their efforts at the national, regional and international levels to help the Sahrawi women to regain their rights and dignity; 6. Invites the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to include in his assistance programmes practical measures for improving the living conditions of the Sahrawi women refugees and their children; 7. Appeals to the international organizations concerned to initiate assistance programmes for Sahrawi women and their children in the fields of education, training and health. 35. International assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling the priority given "by the Member States of the United Nations and its specialized agencies to the integration and participation of women in development, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 34/8 of 25 October 1979 on international assistance for the rehabilitation, reconstruction and development of Nicaragua, Bearing in mind resolution No. 4 on support for the development of women in Nicaragua adopted by the Second Regional Conference on the Integration of Women into the Economic and Social Development of Latin America, Recognizing the efforts being made by Nicaragua to rebuild the country, overcome the serious economic crisis that affects it and eliminate the enormous foreign debt it inherited from the Somoza dictatorship, Recognizing the outstanding role played by women in Nicaragua during the time when their country was endeavoring to regain its rights and the role they are now playing in the process of its reconstruction, 1. Urges the Member States of the United Nations to provide much-needed support for projects for national reconstruction, economic and social development and the achievement of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women; 2. Urges the international organizations and, in particular, the United Nations Development Programme to provide Nicaragua with financial and technical assistance through their development assistance funds and programmes, placing special emphasis on women. 36. Women and development assistance programmes The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling General Assembly resolution 34/155 of 17 December 1979, Recalling the objectives of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year adopted by the World Conference of the International Women's Year, and subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly at its thirtieth session, 34/ 34/ General Assembly resolution 3520 (XXX) of 15 December 1975 Recognizing that women constitute a vast potential force for positive economic and social change, Reiterating that accelerated development requires the real and effective participation of women and men in all aspects of the development process, Aware that the review and appraisal process of the 1980 World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women has shown clearly that women's potential has "been underutilized in the development of their countries and that the effectiveness of development programmes and projects has been adversely affected as a result-, Emphasizing the need for women to be actively involved in development planning, policy and implementation at all levels, Aware of the importance of multilateral and bilateral development assistance programmes in the development process, Aware furthermore that many programmes have in the past ignored the contribution which women can make as active participants and that such programmes can have a detrimental effect on women's economic, social and political status, Emphasizing that all training programmes should be linked with employment opportunities, particularly in developing countries, 1. Appeals to both recipients and donors to ensure that the interests of women are taken into account in all development programmes and projects and "that such programmes and projects do not adversely affect women; 2. Calls on aid donors to make more resources available for programmes specifically designed to benefit women bearing in mind that women suffer particular disadvantages and that efforts to overcome these disadvantages require sensitive planning of projects, including projects for assisting women to develop decision making and leadership skills; 3. Calls further on aid donors to provide capital funding for the implementation of projects in which women can develop skills while employed, in income-generating activities; 4. Urges both recipients and donors of development assistance to involve women, including women who will be affected by such programmes, from the earliest stages and at all levels of planning and implementation of aid programmes \ 5. Further urges recipients and donors of development assistance to examine and consult on ways to achieve these objectives and to establish mechanisms for their early implementation, such arrangements to be regularly reviewed and evaluated, 37. Health and well-being of the women of the Pacific The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling that the subtheme of the Conference is "Employment, Health and Education", Gravely concerned that the continued testing of nuclear weapons constitutes a serious hazard to the environment and the health of present and future generations of mankind, Reiterating its conviction that the cessation of nuclear-weapon testing in all environments would be a major step towards the attainment of world peace, Considering that the continued nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean constitutes a serious hazard to the health and well-being of the peoples of the Pacific, Recognizing that the health of women and children is of primary importance for the achievement of the aims and objectives of the Decade, Calls upon all nuclear-weapon States to refrain from conducting any testing of nuclear weapons and other nuclear explosive devices in the Pacific and calls upon all States to support the conclusion of the comprehensive test ban treaty to bring about the cessation of all nuclear testing. 38. The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling resolution 26 of the World Conference of the International Women's Year 35/ recommending the creation of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, and the subsequent resolutions of the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council on the matter, Recognizing the importance of the Institute as a centre for the collection and dissemination of information and data about women in their societies and as an international focal point for research and training geared to the full participation of women in development in all its aspects, Recognizing the need for the expansion and strengthening of such an organization in order to assist in identifying, formulating and implementing new approaches in the fields of training, research and information for, by and about women in their societies, 1. Motes with satisfaction the establishment of the Institute in pursuance of resolution 26 mentioned above and the commencement of its operations and implementation of the work programme adopted by its Board of Trustees in October 1979, and the efforts made towards the appointment of the Director and the installation of the Institute in the Dominican Republic; 2. Recommends that: (a) The Institute should identify and undertake research and training programmes in all regions and countries as appropriate thus facilitating the 35] Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City,~T9 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.z1, p. 102. implementation of the relevant parts of the Programme of Action adopted by the Conference and make them known through its information activities; (b) Regional seminars should he instituted by specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies and organizations and by Member States, so that they can carry out training and research programmes on the needs of women, both at the national and regional levels; 3. Urges the specialized agencies and other United Nations bodies to co-operate with and assist the Institute in carrying out research, training and information programmes relevant to the needs of women; 4. Appeals to all Member States and concerned organizations to assist the Institute in its programmes by, inter alia, providing voluntary contributions to its Trust Fund. 39 . Establishment and strengthening of machinery for the integration of women in development The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year provides that interdisciplinary and multisectoral machinery should be established to accelerate the achievement of equal opportunity for women and their full integration in development, 36/ Recalling that the World Plan of Action recommends the establishment within government of machinery with adequate staff and budget for the achievement of the objectives of the World Plan of Action, Considering the report of the Secretary-General on the "Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: national machinery and legislation", 37/ Considering also Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/35, Aware that local, national, subregional and regional machinery has a role of prime importance to play in the integration of women in the development process, Recognizing the need to promote women's organizations and to enable them effectively to play their role, Recommends that: (a) Appropriate machinery should be established wherever it does not yet exist and that financial, technical and human resources should be provided for it by international organizations and government agencies; 36/ Ibid., p. 14, para. 34. 37/ A/CONF.94/II and Corr.l and Add.1 and Add.1/Corr.l and 2. (b) Every effort should be made at the international, regional, subregional, national and local levels to ensure the full co-ordination of the activities undertaken in order to enable the machinery for the integration of women in development to achieve the priority objectives of the World Plan of Action. 40. Strengthening the role of the Commission on the Status of Women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Having considered the institutional aspects of carrying out the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, Aware of the growing role of United Nations bodies whose terms of reference have a bearing on the implementation of the World Plan of Action, Bearing in mind the useful contribution of the Commission on the Status of Women to the attainment of the objectives of the Decade and to the progress made, and the obstacles encountered in that field, 1. Requests the Commission on the Status of Women to pay particular attention to the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women and other recommendations of the Conference and to the formulation of proposals and recommendations for the Economic and Social Council based on all the relevant information, and, for that purpose, to assume responsibility for coordinating the resulting material in conformity with the integrated reporting system; 2. Further requests the Commission on the Status of Women to contribute, through its work, to the establishment of the new international economic order and the formulation of the international development strategy for the third United Nations Development Decade; 3. Requests the Secretary-General to consider appropriate measures enabling the Commission to fulfil that function and strengthening the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs so that it can effectively help the Commission on the Status of Women to carry out the tasks assigned to it in paragraphs 1 and 2 above. 4l. Women and nutritional self-sufficiency The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that 85 per cent of women in many developing countries are engaged in agriculture and are the principal protagonists in the attainment of nutritional self-sufficiency at the family, community and national levels, Considering that rural women produce at least 50 per cent of the world's food output and that the purchase and preparation of food are left to women, Recalling the conclusions of the World Food Conference held in Rome in 1974, Recalling also the Programme of Action as adopted by the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development which was endorsed by the General Assembly in its resolution 34/l4 of 9 November 1979. Recalling also the provisions of the Plan of Action which was adopted at Lagos in April 1980 by the Second Summit Conference of African Heads of State and Government on economic questions and which gives top priority to nutritional self-sufficiency, Invites Governments to: (a) Review the food situation from the point of view of food consumption, quality and distribution and identify nutritional needs at all levels, especially that of the community; (b) Establish priorities and draw up programmes allocating the necessary resources for them in order to increase women's productivity with a view to ensuring adequate and proper food supplies for families and communities ; (c) Provide rural women with the necessary means and access to resources for agricultural production: instruction in appropriate technologies, highly specialized marketing and transformation techniques and practices ensuring optimum utilization of resources; (d) Increase the number of nutrition and food hygiene courses in school, functional literacy and mass education programmes and use the most appropriate mass media to prevent food waste at all levels, from production to consumption; (e) Promote the effective participation of women in rural organizations involved in the system of food production, distribution and utilization; (f) Establish machinery at all levels to monitor and evaluate progress with a view to achieving nutritional self-sufficiency at the family, community and national levels; (g) Strengthen international co-operation to remedy inequalities in food resources . 42 . Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling General Assembly resolution 31/133 of l6 December 1976 containing the criteria and arrangements for the management of the Voluntary Fund, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 34/156 of 17 December 1979, Conscious that, through financial and technical support, the Fund was designed to supplement development activities for women at the national, regional and global levels in co-operation with the appropriate organs of the United Nations system, Recognizing the necessity for continuing financial and technical support to development activities which respond to the specific needs of women in developing countries and the importance of incorporating concern for women in national, subregional and regional development plans, policies and programmes, Noting the advice of the Consultative Committee on the Voluntary Fund that continuation of extra budgetary posts financed from the Fund after 198l is dependent upon the regional commissions making available- senior women's programme officer posts from the regular budget of the United Nations, 1. Expresses its appreciation for the support given by the Fund to projects in developing countries; 2. Expresses its appreciation also to the regional commissions, the United Nations Development Programme and the specialized agencies of the United Nations system for their assistance in project development and execution; 3. Reaffirms the decision of the General Assembly in its resolution 34/156" of 17 December 1979 to review the decision concerning the location of the Fund at its thirty-sixth session on the basis of the report to be submitted by the Secretary-General on his consultations with the Consultative Committee, the Administrator of the United nations Development Programme and other United Nations agencies directly concerned, as well as of the views to be submitted by Member States by 1 June 1981; 4. Expresses its desire that the activities developed by the Fund should continue beyond the United Nations Decade for Women; 5. Appeals urgently to all the regional commissions to make policy-level posts available to the women's programme from the United Nations regular budget; 6. Expresses its appreciation for the voluntary contributions pledged by States Members of the United Nations and appeals to States Members to consider giving or increasing their support to the Fund. 43. Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that traffic in women and children forced into prostitution remains a continuing evil, Considering that women and children (girls and boys) are still all too often victims of physical abuse and sexual exploitation constituting virtual slavery, Noting that the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others was approved by the General Assembly in resolution 317 (IV) of 2 December 1949, Noting that the World Conference of the International Women's Year in Mexico in 1975 adopted a resolution on "Prevention of the exploitation of women and girls" 38/ requesting the Secretary-General of the United Nations, in co-operation with other agencies, to undertake a world-wide survey of prostitution and the maltreatment involved in it, Considering also that, although section II (Specific areas for national action), subsection I (Other social questions), of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year refers to this matter in three different places, 39/ the measures and decisions taken in this [ connexion have not yet had the desired effect, Noting that the Commission on the Status of Women, at its twenty-eighth session, reminded the Secretary-General that a report on the subject should be submitted without delay, Deploring the scant interest shown by Governments and international organizations in this serious problem, Believing that it would be desirable to improve the procedures and expand the activities of organs in the United Nations system, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Committee on Crime Prevention and Control and the Working Group on Slavery of the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities of the Commission on Human Rights, which could help to prevent forced prostitution, suppress its exploitation and facilitate the rehabilitation of its victims, 1. Invites Governments to take appropriate measures with a view to ratifying the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others and to submit to the Secretary-General the information specified in article 21 of that Convention; 2. Urges the Governments of States Members to recognize that women and. children are not a commodity and that every woman and every child has the right to legal protection against abduction, rape and prostitution; 3. Further reminds Governments that women and children prostitutes have the right to legal protection against maltreatment which they may be subjected to for the sole reason of their being prostitutes; 4. Reminds the United Nations, non-governmental organizations in consultative status and all international organizations that they should make concerted efforts to ensure the success of the campaign against this scourge; 5. Invites the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders to make concrete recommendations in regard to the relationship between development, prostitution and exploitation and traffic in persons; 38/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United .Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.I, p. 79, resolution 7. 39/ Ibid.., p. 30. 6. Recommends that the Secretary-General of the United Nations should invite the Governments of States Members to take action against international networks of traffickers and procurers; 7. Requests the Secretary-General to submit to the twenty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women and to the next session of the General Assembly of the United Nations the requested report on prostitution throughout the world, its causes and the social and economic conditions which encourage it. 44. Women in agriculture and rural areas The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women; Equality, Development and Peace, Recalling resolution 21 of the World Conference of the International Women's Year 40/ and General Assembly resolution 3523 (XXX) of 15 December 1975, Understanding the need for rural and peasant women to participate in the development process and the importance of addressing the specific needs of the rural world and particularly rural women, Recognizing that rural women throughout the world must be ensured access to water, to health services, to education, to employment, to transportation and to land on terms of equality with rural men and with urban people, Recalling also General Assembly resolution 31/175 of 21 December 1976 on effective mobilization of women in development, in which the Assembly urged Member States inter alia to ensure that women have equal access in agriculture to co-operatives and credit and loan systems, as well as equal opportunities to participate in policy-making in the economic field, in commerce and trade and in the advanced efforts of industry, Extremely concerned that the review and appraisal of the economic and social situation of rural women contained in the report of the Secretariat 41/ reveals that little or no positive improvements have taken place since the first half of the Decade, Aware that, although in many countries women grow, process and market food, rural women lack production and management skills and access to information and related support services, 1. Urges Governments, United Nations organizations and other funding organizations to give special attention to the needs and priorities of rural women as determined by rural women themselves; 2. Recommends that all development processes and activities should give due regard to community orientation with the aim of making it possible for rural women to remain in their own communities, thus minimizing the flow of migration from rural to urban areas in countries where this is necessary; 40/ Ibid., p. 96. 41/ A/CONF.9V28. 3. Requests Governments to ensure that rural women: (a) Are provided with education, technology and training suitable to their needs, as identified by them in order to improve employment opportunities in rural areas; (b) Have access to credit and financing mechanisms on a basis of equality with men, and flexibility in the institutions which deliver credit services to rural women; (c) Are encouraged and assisted to attain key leadership roles in rural communities and organizations; (d) Are encouraged and adequately trained to participate actively in co-operatives and other organizations concerned with marketing; (e) Have free access to participation in rural industrialization programmes; 4. Further requests Governments to have trained professionals, rurally-oriented and specially concerned with education, health and employment, available in rural areas; 5. Urges Governments to give priority to research and action programmes for landless rural women and their families; 6. Also requests governmental and non-governmental organizations to encourage and support the cultural, economic and technical co-operation between rural women in developed and developing countries and among developing countries; 7. Calls on rural women throughout the world to become aware of their rights in order that they can exercise and benefit from them; 8. Also calls on rural communities to endeavour, in collaboration with the mass media, to reflect a more realistic picture of rural living, its problems and. possibilities; 9. Urges the United Nations and organizations in the United Nations system, in particular the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the International Labour Organisation, to: (a) Assist Governments to train women at the para-professional level in basic agricultural techniques as field workers so that they can travel and exchange appropriate technology as well as remain in their own environment and become direct links of communication with rural women in their fields and homes; (b) Review their funding policies and priorities, especially with respect -to action programmes for women, and in the next five years devote more funds to the unstinting development of rural and agricultural women; (c) Seek to employ many more highly qualified and skilled women in agriculture from all parts of the world at the policy-making level within United. Nations agencies. 45. Apartheid and women in South Africa and Namibia. The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality Development and Peace, Noting with regret that since 1975 the status of women under the apartheid regimes of South Africa and Namibia has deteriorated, Bearing in mind the provisions of the International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid, 42/ Recalling the resolutions adopted and proposals made by the World Conference of the International Women's Year held at Mexico City in 1975, Recalling also resolutions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, in particular resolution 34ll C (XXX) of 28 November 1975, by which the Assembly proclaimed that the United Nations and the international community have a special responsibility towards the oppressed people of South Africa and Namibia, Recalling General Assembly resolution 33/189 of 29 January 1979 placing the effects of apartheid on the status of women in South Africa and Namibia on the agenda of the World Conference, Noting that attempts being made by women throughout the world to implement programmes under the United Nations Decade for Women have not dealt satisfactorily with problems faced by women under the oppressive racist regimes of South Africa and Namibia, Further noting that the Plan of Action for the Integration of Women in Development for the region of the Economic Commission for Africa 43/ did not satisfactorily attend to problems faced by women under the oppressive racist regimes of South Africa and Namibia, Also noting that the peoples of southern Africa and the world are facing the threat of world instability and war because of the rapid militarization of South Africa and the arms race while the avowed principle of the Decade is peace, Taking note of the reports of the Secretary-General on "The effects of apartheid on the status of women in South Africa and Namibia", 44/ "The role of women in the struggle for liberation in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa" 45/ and "Measures of Assistance to Women in Southern Africa" 46/ and the Declarations and recommendations of the Hemispheric Seminar on Women under Apartheid (Montreal) and the International Seminar on women and Apartheid (Helsinki), 42/ See General Assembly resolution 3068 (XXVIII) of 30 November 1973. 43/ Report of the World Conference of the International Women's Year, Mexico City, 19 June-2 July 1975, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.1, pp. 64 et seq. 44/ A/CONF.94/7. 45/ A/CONF.94/5. 46/ A/CONF.94/6. Reaffirming that, unless the peoples in South Africa and Namibia are liberated and are also able to participate in the global struggle for peace, equality and development, the over-all strategy objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women cannot be fully realized, Considering that the observance of the United Nations Decade for Women must lead to an acceleration of concerted action by the women of the world for the complete eradication of apartheid in South Africa and Namibia through the \ assumption of power by the people, Reaffirming that apartheid would have long been destroyed were it not for the economic and military assistance granted by the major Western countries to the regime of South Africa, Again reaffirming that the States which give assistance to the racist regime of South Africa become accomplices in the inhuman practices of racial discrimination, massacres, detentions and death of thousands of women and children in these countries, Further affirming its full solidarity with the women of South Africa and Namibia in their struggle for liberation under the leadership of their national liberation movements, Noting with appreciation the sacrifices of the Frontline States of Africa in their support of the liberation struggles in South Africa and Namibia, 1. Rejects as inhuman and intolerable all policies designed to perpetuate apartheid, racial segregation or other policies based on theories that racial groups are or may be inherently superior or inferior; 2. Strongly condemns the imprisonment, torture and killings of schoolchildren demonstrating for equality in education in South Africa as an outrage to the conscience of the world; 3. Fays tribute to the great sacrifices of the women and children in South Africa and Namibia in the struggle for the inalienable rights and their national liberation; 4. Calls upon the women of the world to pressurize their Governments: (a) To sever all links - political, economic, diplomatic and military - with the apartheid regimes; (b) To disseminate information on the effects of apartheid as widely as possible; 5. Urges the Security Council to enhance and intensify world-wide support for an effective oil embargo and comprehensive economic sanctions against South Africa; 6. Welcomes with gratitude the contribution by the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women to a legal defence fund for women suffering under the system of apartheid and colonial domination; 7. Condemns the vicious acts of aggression of the Pretoria regime against the Frontline States of Africa, and the killings of refugees, including women and children; 8. Urges all organizations of the United Nations system, Governments, international and regional intergovernmental organizations, women's and anti-apartheid groups, non-governmental organizations and other groups to give the highest priority to the questions of measures of assistance to women in South Africa and Namibia during the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women; 9. Endorses the comprehensive programme for measures of assistance to women in South Africa and Namibia as contained in document A/COIF.94/6; 10. Also endorses the Declaration and Recommendations of Helsinki and Montreal International Seminars on Women and Apartheid and commends them for the urgent attention of Governments and intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations; 11. Calls for the immediate release of all political prisoners in South Africa and Namibia; 12. Urges all trade unions to refrain from handling any merchandise, weaponry and any goods of economic value going to South Africa and Namibia; 13. Appeals to all Governments and organizations to support the various projects of the national liberation movements, and front-line States, especially those designated for women and children. More assistance should be channeled through the South African and Namibian liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity; 14. Urges all concerned United Nations organizations to strengthen the existing voluntary fund to be used for the legal defence of political prisoners in South Africa and Namibia and assistance to their families; 15. Commends the Special Committee against Apartheid for giving special attention to the plight of women and children under apartheid; 16. Recommends the full utilization and strengthening of existing machinery to monitor, co-ordinate and follow up on the fullest implementation of the measures of assistance to women in South Africa and Namibia during the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women adopted in Copenhagen; 17. Appeals to all Member States of the United Nations which have not yet done so to ratify the 1973 International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. 46. The situation in Bolivia The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that the objectives of the United Nations"" Decade for Women include the integration of women in development, particularly at the political, economic and social decision-making level, on equal terms in a world of more equitable economic relations, and the full enjoyment by women of their human rights, Considering that, in Bolivia, under the leadership of a woman, Lidia Gueiler de Tejada, the foundations were laid to enable that country democratically to elect a government that was truly representative of the Bolivian people, but that that process was violently interrupted, Resolves to condemn most vigorously any action designed to prevent the Bolivian people from achieving the goal it had freely set for itself and, thus, to hamper the full exercise by Bolivian women of their political rights and delay their participation in their country's development process, 47. Implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the New International Economic Order The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Considering that inequality and the economic dependence of developing countries hamper the development of the national economies of such countries, Emphasizing that the problems of women are also the problems of society as a whole and that they are intimately related to the level, structure and pace of over-all development, which has hindered progress in achieving legal equality of women and that the efforts and actions undertaken in a number of countries to promote the status of women have not produced in practice the expected results, primarily because of the lack of adequate economic and social development, Bearing in mind the position adopted at the World Conference of the International Women's Year, held in Mexico City in 1975 and subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly, that the realization of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women: "Equality, Development and Peace" depends largely on the establishment of just international economic relations as an essential precondition for the comprehensive economic and social development of the developing countries and the world as a whole, Considering that a number of conferences were subsequently held within the United Nations system as well as by the non-aligned and other developing countries at which the recommendations of the Mexico Conference were further elaborated, thus creating a basis for the adoption of political decisions at the national and international level, with a view to improving the economic situation in the world, including improvement of the status of women, Recognizing the need to accelerate the over-all development of developing countries, especially in those areas that will strengthen the basic productive capacity of their national economies, i.e. the development of the food and agro-industrial sectors, basic industries, science and technology, indigenous energy sources, fertilizers, agricultural machinery and transport services, in order to adequately satisfy the nutrition, health and educational needs of all women and men on an equal basis, as well as to provide a high level of employment within the framework of their own national plans and priorities, Concerned about the political as well as the economic and monetary crisis in the world that affects, above all, the developing countries and hence the majority of women, the consequences of which have also been reflected on women in the developed countries, Convinced that current world economic and political problems cannot be resolved by methods used and measures undertaken so far, while the cumulation of these problems endangers international security and world peace, Reaffirming that the international community has accepted joint responsibility for development and therefore has launched co-operative efforts in the two United Nations Development Decades and is now engaged in economic negotiations that will lead to the full achievement of the New International Economic Order, 1. Calls upon all States Members of the United Nations: (a) To integrate, in all plans and programmes, at the national and international level, the aims established by the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year, further elaborated by the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women in the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the Decade-. (b) To create, by utilizing their national resources and promoting collective self-reliance, conditions for economic and social progress, and in that way to improve the economic, social and political status of women, 2. Urges all Governments, especially those of the developed countries, to conduct in the spirit of constructive co-operation the round of economic negotiations related to the international development strategy for the third United Nations development decade and to bring the global negotiations to satisfactory agreements, with the object of restructuring the world economy and eliminating economic causes that threaten world peace, so that the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women can be achieved- Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations to transmit to the eleventh special session of the General Assembly on development and international economic co-operation the final documents of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, as a component part of the documents for this session and for the strategy for the third United Nations Development Decade. 48. Expression of thanks to the host country The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Having met in Copenhagen from 14 to 30 July 1980 at the invitation of the Government of Denmark, Having reviewed and evaluated the progress made and obstacles encountered in the attainment of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women, Having adopted a Programme of Action designed to achieve in the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women the objectives reflecting the aspirations of the women of the world, 1. Respectfully presents its thanks to Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II of Denmark for having: graced the opening meeting of the Conference with her presence and for having made an inaugural address; 2. Expresses its profound gratitude to the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark for having made it possible for the Conference to "be held in Copenhagen and for the excellent facilities generously placed at its disposal0 3. Requests the Government of Denmark to convey to the authorities of the City of Copenhagen and to the Danish people the gratitude of the Conference for the hospitality and warm welcome extended to the participants in the Conference;, 4 Decides that, the Programme of Action adopted "by the Conference shall be known as the "Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality,, Development and Peace". DECISION Credentials of the representatives to the Conference At its 19th plenary meeting on 29 July 1930 the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality Development and Peace approved the report of the Credentials Committee (A/CONF.94/L'24 and Corr.l and 2). Chapter II ORIGINS OF THE CONFERENCE 2. The origins of the Conference are traceable, in the final analysis, to the pre-occupation which has for long teen expressed, in virtually every country and in increasing measure, with questions concerning the position of women in society, in the family, in national economic, cultural and political life and on the international scene. In the United Nations system of organizations the subject of the status of women has been receiving increasing attention at almost every level ever since the establishment of the Organization. The relevant discussions and resolutions of the General Assembly, the Economic and Social Council and its subsidiary bodies, especially the Commission on the Status of Women, the specialized agencies, the regional commissions, ad hoc international conferences and many other bodies affiliated to the system reflect the growth, especially since 1975, of the interest of Governments in the situation of women at the international and national level. In addition, many intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations have for many years been pressing for a greater recognition of the importance of the role of women in all walks of life. 3. It was in response to the great interest manifested throughout the -world in the status of women that the General Assembly adopted, on 18 December 1972, its resolution 3010 (XXVII) by which it proclaimed the year 1975 as "International Women's Year" and recommended certain action to achieve the objectives set out in the resolution. Subsequently, on 16 May 1974, the Economic and Social Council, acting on a recommendation by the Commission on the Status of Women, adopted resolutions l849 (LVI) and 1851 (LVI) concerning the convening of an international conference during the "Year" as a focal point of the international observance of the Year. The General Assembly took action on these proposals at its twenty-ninth session, 1/ and at the invitation of the Government of Mexico the World Conference of the International Women's Year was held in Mexico City from 19 June to 2 July 1975 4. That Conference adopted the "Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and their Contribution to Development and Peace 1975 a "World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year", several regional plans of action, and a number of resolutions and recommendations. 2/ In order to maintain the momentum it had created, the Mexico Conference recommended, inter alia, that the General Assembly should consider at its thirtieth session the convening of another world conference on women in 1980. 3/ 5. In the course of that thirtieth session the Assembly adopted, on 15 December 1975, resolution 3520 (XXX) by which, inter alia, it took note of the 1/ Resolutions 3276 (XXIX) and 3277 (XXIX) of 10 December 1974. 2/ See the report of the Conference., document E/CONF.66/34, United Nations publication, Sales No. E.76.IV.I. 3/ Ibid., p. 113. report of the Mexico Conference and endorsed its proposals for action, proclaimed the period from 1976 to 1985 as the "United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace" to be devoted to effective and sustained national, regional and international action to implement the World Plan of Action and related resolutions of the Conference; and - as recommended by that Conference - decided to convene in 1980, at the mid-term of the "Decade", a world conference of all States "to review and evaluate the progress made in implementing the objectives of the International Women's Year as recommended by the World Conference of the International Women's Year and, where necessary, to readjust existing programmes in the light of new data, and research available". 6. By resolution 32/140 of 16 December 1977 , the General Assembly referred, inter alia., to action taken by the Economic and Social Council 4/ with a view to advancing preparatory work for the 1980 Conference, in particular to the Council's decision to establish a preparatory committee for the Conference. 7. In the course of its next session, the General Assembly adopted several resolutions, all dated 29 January 1979» relating to the Conference. In particular, it adopted resolution 33/189, the annex to which set out the provisional agenda for the Conference and by which, inter alia, it specified the States, organizations, bodies and movements to be invited by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to participate in or to be represented at the Conference, and requested him to appoint the Secretary-General of the Conference and to make the necessary arrangements for the provision of services to the Conference. By the same resolution the Assembly also decided on the organization of the work of the Conference. 8. By resolution 33/185, the Assembly inter alia invited the specialized agencies and other bodies concerned in the United Nations system to review progress made as well as constraints and specific problems encountered in their technical and operational areas in the achievement of the objectives of the "Decade1 and to suggest appropriate programmes for the second half of the "Decade" and called for regional preparatory meetings to suggest such programmes. 9. By resolution 33/191, concerning the venue of the Conference, the Assembly decided to accept with thanks the offer of the Government of Denmark to act as host to the Conference and decided that the Conference would be held in Copenhagen in \ 1980. 5/ 4/ Council resolutions 1999 (LX) of 12 May 1976 and 2062 (LXII) of 12 May 1977 By its resolution 2062 (LXII) the Council established the Preparatory Committee consisting of 23 Member States. The following were designated by the President: Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, German Democratic Republic, India, Iran, Japan, Madagascar, Mexico, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Senegal, Uganda, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Venezuela and Yugoslavia. 5/ It was subsequently decided by Economic and Social Council decision 1979A that the dates of the Copenhagen Conference would be 14 to 30 July 198O. [ 10. On 12 February 1979, the Secretary-General appointed Mrs. Lucille Mair (Jamaica) as Secretary-General of the Conference. She took up her functions officially on 1 April 1979. 11. The Preparatory Committee of the Conference had held its first session in Vienna from 19 to 30 June 1978. 6/ It held its second session at United Nations Headquarters from 27 August to 8 September 1979- 7/ At its first session the Committee elected as its Presiding Officer Mrs. Lena Gueye (Senegal), who was succeeded at the second session "by Mrs. Maimouna Kane (Senegal). 12. At its thirty-fourth regular session the General Assembly took action concerning a number of questions related to the Conference. By resolution 34/l62 of 17 December 1979 it approved the Preparatory Committee's recommendations (in the report on the Committee's second session) concerning activities preparatory to the Conference and inter alia requested the Secretary-General to provide the budgetary funds necessary for certain specified purposes, including the convening of a third session of the Preparatory Committee. By resolutions 34/160 and 34/161 of the same date the Assembly decided to add an item entitled "Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: (a) Review of the social and economic needs of Palestinian women; (b) Special measures for Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories" and a sub-item concerning the situation of women refugees the world over to the provisional agenda which it had settled at its previous session. By resolution 34/158, also of the same date, the Assembly called on all Member States to give their support to the Conference, requested the Preparatory Committee to intensify its work in preparing an effective programme of action, and urged the Commission on the Status of Women "to consider at its twenty-eighth session the question of elaborating a draft declaration on the participation of women in the struggle for the strengthening of international peace and security and against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination, in accordance with General Assembly resolution 32/142, and for the full and effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, taking into account the views of Governments thereon and views expressed during the thirty-fourth session of the Assembly". At its first regular session of 1980 , the Economic and Social Council, acting on resolution IV of the twenty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women, adopted resolution 1980/36 of 2 May 1980 by which it referred to the General Assembly the question of elaborating such a draft declaration and invited the Assembly to consider the question at its thirty-fifth session. 13. The Commission on the Status of Women had earlier, at its twenty-seventh session, given consideration to an item relating to the agenda of the Conference and had recommended., as a subtheme of the Conference, the subjects "Employment, Health and Education", as well as the inclusion of an agenda item concerning "Effects of Apartheid on Women in southern Africa". At its twenty-eighth session the Commission gave extensive consideration to the documents prepared for the Conference. 6/ For the report on that session see document A/CONF.94/PC.4. 7/ For the report on that session see document A/CONF.94/PC12. 14. Another relevant resolution adopted by the Assembly at its thirty-fourth session was resolution 34/204 of 19 December 1979. for in one of its provisions it called upon the Conference to include in the programme of action for the second half of the Decade measures for the integration of women in development. 15. The Preparatory Committee for the Conference held a third session from 7 to 18 April 1980, at United Nations Headquarters, the presiding officer being Mrs. Maimouna Kane (Senegal), at which it considered substantive reports relating to specific Items on the Conference's provisional agenda, reports of regional and sectoral meetings preparatory to the Conference and questions concerning the organization of the Conference and other matters. 8/ 16. Preparatory meetings at which the role of women was considered and certain recommendations were adopted were held in the various regions, under the auspices of the regional commissions. 9/ 17. The Secretariat of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women co-sponsored the following seminars in May 1980 in preparation for the World Conference: the Hemispheric Seminar on Women under Apartheid, in Montreal (with the United Nations Special Committee Against Apartheid); the International Seminar on Women and Apartheid, in Helsinki (with the Special Committee Against Apartheid and UNESCO); and the Seminar on Women and the Media (with UNESCO). 18. A Conference of Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries on the Role of Women in Development was held in Baghdad from 6 to 13 May 1979- 10/ The agenda included, inter alia, items on national development strategies, rural development, the impact of migration, the role of women's organizations, and the participation of women in the political, social and economic life of their countries and their contribution to the consolidation of peace. 19. The OECD organized a high-level meeting on the employment of women in OECD countries which was held in Paris on 16 and 17 April 1980. 8/ For the Committee's report on its third session, see document A/CONF.94-/23. 9/ See: Report of the seminar on the participation of women in the economic evolution of the ECE region (A/C0NF.94/14) Report of the regional preparatory meeting of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (A/CONF.94/15) Report of the regional preparatory meeting of the Economic Commission for Latin America (A/CONF.94/l6) Report of the regional preparatory meeting of the Economic Commission for Africa (A/CONF.94/17) Report of the regional preparatory meeting of the Economic Commission for Western Asia (A/CONF.94/18). 10/ See A/34/321. Chapter III ATTENDANCE AND ORGANIZATION OF WORK A. Date and place of the Conference 20. The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, was held at Copenhagen from 14 to 30 July 1980, in conformity with General Assembly resolution 33/191 of 29 January 1979. During that period the Conference held 21 plenary meetings. B. Pre-Conference consultations 21. Pre-Conference consultations open to all States invited to participate in the Conference were held at Copenhagen on 13 July 1980 to consider a number of procedural and Organizational matters. These and other informal consultations were conducted under presidency of Ms. Maimouna Kane (Senegal), Chairman of the Preparatory Committee for the Conference. The report on the consultations (A\CONF.94/L-2 and Add.1) was submitted to the Conference and was accepted as the basis for the organization of its work. C. Attendance 22. The following 145 States were represented at the Conference: Afghanistan Comoros Albania Congo Algeria Costa Rica Angola Cuba Argentina Cyprus Australia Czechoslovakia Austria Democratic Kampuchea Bahrain Democratic People's Republic of Korea Bangladesh Democratic Yemen Barbados Denmark Belgium Dominican Republic Benin Ecuador Bhutan Egypt Bolivia Ethiopia Botswana Fiji Brazil Finland Bulgaria France Burundi Gabon Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic Gambia Canada German Democratic Republic Cape Verde Germany, Federal Republic of Central African Republic Ghana Chile Greece China Grenada Colombia Guatemala Guinea Paraguay Guinea-Bissau Peru Guyana Philippines Haiti Poland Holy See Portugal Honduras Qatar Hungary Republic of Korea Iceland Romania India Rwanda Indonesia Samoa Iran Saint Lucia Iraq San Marino Ireland Sao Tome and Principe Israel Senegal Italy Seychelles Ivory Coast Singapore Jamaica Somalia Japan Spain Jordan Sri Lanka Kenya Sudan Kuwait Suriname Lao People's Democratic Republic Swaziland Lebanon Sweden Lesotho Switzerland Libyan Arab Jamahiriya Syrian Arab Republic Luxembourg Thailand Madagascar Togo Malawi Trinidad and Tobago Malaysia Tunisia Maldives Turkey Mali Uganda Mauritania Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic Mauritius Union of Soviet Socialist Republics Mexico United Arab Emirates Mongolia United Kingdom of Great Britain and Morocco Northern Ireland Mozambique United Republic of Cameroon Nepal United Republic of Tanzania Netherlands United States of America New Zealand Upper Volta Nicaragua Uruguay Niger Venezuela Nigeria Vietnam Norway Yemen Oman Yugoslavia Pakistan Zaire Panama Zambia Papua New Guinea Zimbabwe 23. The United Nations Council for Namibia and the Special Committee on Apartheid were represented at the Conference. 2k. The Palestine Liberation Organization and the South West Africa People's Organization attended the Conference in the capacity of observers. 25. The following national liberation movements were represented by observers: African National Congress (South Africa), Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. 26". Members of the secretariat of the following United Nations offices were present throughout or during part of the Conference: Office of the Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-Operation Department of International Economic and Social Affairs Department of Technical Co-operation for Development Department of Political and Security Affairs 27. The secretariats of the following regional commissions were represented at the Conference: Economic Commission for Europe Economic Commission for Latin America Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific Economic Commission for Africa Economic Commission for Western Asia 28. The following United Nations bodies and programmes were also represented: United Nations Centre for Human Settlements (Habitat) United Nations Children's Fund United Nations Conference on Trade and Development United Nations Development Programme United Nations Environment Programme United Nations Fund for Population Activities United Nations Industrial Development Organization International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women United Nations Institute for Training and Research United Nations Sudano-Sahelian Office United Nations University-World Food Programme Federation of International Civil Servants Associations 29. Representatives of the following specialized agencies and related organizations participated in the work of the Conference: International Labour Organisation Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization World Health Organization World Bank 30. The following intergovernmental organizations were represented by observers: Caribbean Community Secretariat Commonwealth Secretariat Council for Mutual Economic Assistance Council of Europe European Economic Community International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries League of Arab States Nordic Council Organization of African Unity Organization of American States (Inter-American Commission of Women) 31. A large number of non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council, or on the Roster, attended the Conference. The list of participants is given in document A/CONF.94/INP.3 and Add.1. D. Opening of the Conference and election of its President 32. The Conference was opened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations. In the course of his address he stated that global problems were so interlocked that efforts for their solution must proceed simultaneously along several paths. The three goals of the Decade for Women - "Equality, Development and Peace" - were those of the United Nations itself, and their attainment demanded increased international collaboration. Without peace, there could be no true equality nor genuine development. In a climate of fear, tension and instability like the one prevailing at present, the arms race proceeded a pace at the expense of programmes of social development. Deterioration in international relations was compounded by the somber outlook for the world economy. Such was the gravity of the situation of the Third World that international political stability would be further eroded if rapid changes were not forthcoming in economic co-operation between nations. He urged vigorous efforts to achieve the consensus required for establishing a new international economic order. 33. He said that these were issues in which women were as much involved as men. Issues apparently specific to women could not be dissociated from the broader questions of development and peace. He expected the Conference to make a realistic appraisal of what had been achieved since the Mexico Conference in 1975 and what yet needed to be done to fulfil the goals laid down in the World Plan of Action. The progress that had been made should not be overlooked. There were signs that stereotyped attitudes about the respective roles and positions of the male and female halves of society were being steadily reformed. There was increased recognition on the part of Governments and international institutions that women's participation was critical to the achievement of their goals of progress. Equality between women and men was being better ensured through legislation and various national machineries. At the same time, it was to be recognized that gaps occurred between laws and social practice and that these needed to be prevented through sustained social action, resources and political will. In many respects, women still suffered discrimination in employment and education. In developing countries , they were especially vulnerable to chronic poor health and inadequate nutrition. These realities should encourage a redoubling of the admirable efforts made by women in many parts of the world to help each other and work for the progress of their societies. While acknowledging the support given to these efforts by many Governments, he made an appeal for increased contributions to the Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women. 34. Concluding, the Secretary-General said that humanity had reached a stage where the strengths and energy of women needed to be utilized in the collective domain if universally accepted goals had to be attained. He hoped that the Conference would succeed in formulating programmes motivated by idealism and also achievable in practice. It would thus make a contribution to the international effort for releasing humanity from the bondage of hunger and disease, hate and prejudice, conflict and injustice. 35. In an inaugural address, Her Majesty Queen Margret he II of Denmark said that the Conference was an important event not only for the participants but also for Denmark as the host country. She expressed the hope that women all over the world would benefit from the work of the Conference, which marked the mid-point in the United Nations Decade for Women and which provided an opportunity for reviewing results achieved in the five years that had elapsed since and for planning future action. The Plan of Action adopted at the Mexico Conference envisaged the full and real participation of women in economic, social and political life. People everywhere would now look to the Copenhagen Conference for positive and constructive results in its work for the enhancement of the status of women, especially the least privileged among them. The Conference was taking place at a time when national societies and the international community were developing rapidly, with far-reaching consequences for the structure and balance of societies. Hence it was more imperative than ever that all sectors of the population should be able to participate actively in the shaping of humanity's common future. Efforts to achieve equal rights and opportunities for men and women should take due account of the personal capacity of the individual. Attitudes towards the role of men and women in society should be flexible, and rigid concepts of stereotyped roles for either sex should be avoided. Proceeding., Her Majesty stated that women were experiencing the necessity of establishing their own premises for an active contribution to the development of society. They felt that they must draw up their own demands and themselves specify under what human conditions and in what kind of society they wished to live. They were urging men to take this as a challenge and to realize the possibilities inherent in a new family pattern where the role of each member of the family unit was no longer hampered by fixed ideas. It was equally important that education and employment, both public and private, should offer incentives leading towards the sharing of opportunities and responsibilities, both outside and inside the family. 36. The World Plan of Action adopted in Mexico was based upon the concept that, in a broader perspective, efforts for the advancement of women could not be pursued in a political vacuum, but must be closely related to parallel international efforts for strengthening the plans for international development and peace. Her Majesty expressed the hope that all participants in the Conference would remember that they were dealing with human individuals, each woman or man a separate personality with hopes and fears, joys and sorrows, each one unique. She hoped that the Conference would provide a fresh and strong impetus towards a progressive realization of the objectives of the Decade. 37. His Excellency, Mr. Anker Jorgensen, Prime Minister of Denmark, in an address to the Conference stated that the Conference offered an opportunity to bridge the varied views on the concepts of "Equality, Development and Peace ! which existed in different parts of the world, fie believed that democracy was the system most conducive to the achievement of these three objectives. But also in this system the objectives of equality, development and peace should be pursued consistently and determinedly. Assessing the results during the past few years, he recognized that progress had been slow. Women in the developing countries were faced with by far the greatest difficulties. It was quite natural, therefore, that the Conference should focus first and foremost on the possibilities of women to influence the social and economic development of those countries. He expressed the best wishes of the Danish Government for the successful outcome of the Conference for the benefit of all women of the world.., especially women in the least developed countries, and assured it of his Government's readiness to do its best to help the Conference to fulfil its tasks. 38. The Conference elected by acclamation Mrs. Lise Østergaard, Minister for Cultural Affairs of Denmark and head of the delegation of Denmark, as President of the Conference. 39. In thanking the Conference for her election, the President said that, ever since the establishment of the United Nations, it has been one of the objectives of the Organization to contribute to the advancement of women. The outstanding event in the history of its efforts in that direction had been the adoption of the World Plan of Action at the Mexico Conference in 1975, as a result of which public opinion had become increasingly conscious of the important part women could play in the development process. It was the task of the Copenhagen Conference to take action tending to improve the conditions of poverty under which millions of women were living, the consequences of which were illiteracy, poor health and lack of access to remunerated employment. In stressing that equality was a prerequisite of wholesome social, economic and cultural development, she considered nevertheless that account should be taken of possible differences in concepts of values between women and men. In referring to the economic situation of women, she said that prejudice and other factors still accounted for the inferior and dependent status of women in many societies - a phenomenon not confined to the developing countries. Efforts to estab3.ish a new international economic order should aim, therefore, not only at redressing the balance between rich and poor countries but also at rectifying the inequalities between the sexes. She expressed the hope that the Copenhagen Conference would recommend international action and ensure that decisions concerning development strategies would never more be made without taking into account their effects on the living conditions of women. 40. She emphasized that the conclusions of the Conference ought to be such as to be universally acceptable, for only then would its decisions and recommendations produce effects world-wide. Accordingly, she hoped that the deliberations of the Conference would be conducted in a spirit of dedication to the common cause of ensuring that women took an active part on a par with men, in the shaping of future societies . As President she would spare no effort in seeking consensus on all matters of substance relevant to the agreed subjects of the Conference . 41. An appeal, in the form of a petition signed by more than half a million women of the Nordic countries was presented to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. The petitioners urged prompt action to achieve disarmament and peace , an end to all aggression and to the power struggle of the great Powers, in order that the resources so released might be used for constructive purposes . 42. In responding, the Secretary-General said he had been deeply touched "by the appeal, the sentiments of which he echoed. E. Messages from Heads of State or Government 43. The Conference received messages wishing it success addressed to it by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Congo, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Guyana, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Maldives, Mongolia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Senegal, Syrian Arab Republic, the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Zambia and Zimbabwe. F. Other messages 44. A message for the success of the Conference was received from the Palestine Liberation Organization. G. Adoption of the rules of procedure (agenda item 3) 45. At its first plenary meeting on 14 July 1980 the Conference adopted the provisional rules of procedure recommended by the Preparatory Committee (A/C0NF.94/2) , subject to the amendment of rule 6 to read: "The Conference shall elect the following officers: a President, a Vice-President in charge of co-ordination and 23 other Vice-Presidents and a Rapporteur-General, as well as a Presiding Officer for each of the Main Committees provided for in rule 42. Each Main Committee shall elect three Deputy Presiding Officers and a Rapporteur." H. Adoption of the agenda (agenda item 4) 46. At the same meeting the Conference adopted as its agenda the provisional agenda (A/CONF.94/1) recommended by the Preparatory Committee, viz: 1. Opening of the Conference 2. Election of the President 3. Adoption of the rules of procedure 4. Adoption of the agenda 5. Election of officers other than the President 6. Other organizational matters (a) Allocation of items to the Main Committees and organization of work (b) Credentials of representatives of the Conference (i) Appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee (ii) Report of the Credentials Committee 7. Elects of apartheid on women in southern Africa (a) Review of the situation (b) Special measures for assistance to women in southern Africa 8. Review and evaluation of the progress made and obstacles encountered in attaining the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, at the national, regional and international levels, from 1975 to 1980, in keeping with the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year: (a) Review and evaluation of progress made and obstacles encountered at the national level in attaining the minimum objectives set forth in paragraph 46 of the World Plan of Action (b) Review and evaluation of regional and global programmes of the United Nations system of organizations aimed at promoting the objectives of the Decade 9. Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1981-1985, designed to implement the World Plan of Action (a) National targets and strategies for women's integration and participation in economic and social development, with special emphasis on the subtheme "Employment, Health and Education" (i) Planning and monitoring (ii) National machineries (b) Regional and international targets and strategies, taking into account the subtheme "Employment, Health and Education" (c) The situation of women refugees the world over 10. Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories (a) A review of the social and economic needs of the Palestinian women (b) Special measures for assistance to Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories 11. Adoption of the report of the Conference I. Election of officers other than the President (agenda item 5) 47. At its second plenary meeting on 15 July 1980, the Conference elected Mrs. Helga Horz (German Democratic Republic) Vice-President in charge of co-ordination and the following 23 States as Vice-Presidents: Australia, Austria, Barbados, China, Congo, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Ecuador, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, Iraq., Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United States of America, Venezuela, Zirab abve. 48. Ms. Anasixta Gonzales de Cuadros (Colombia) was elected Rapporteur-General. 49. The Conference elected Mrs. Maimouna Kane (Senegal) Presiding Officer of the First Committee and Mrs. Shiela Kaul (India) Presiding Officer of the Second Committee. 50. The First and Second Committees elected their Deputy Presiding Officers and Rapporteurs: First Committee Deputy Presiding Officers: Ms. Rafidah Aziz (Malaysia) Ms. Leonidas Paez de Virgili (Paraguay) Ms. Maria Groza (Romania) Rapporteur: Ms. M. Van Hemeldonck (Belgium) Second Committee Deputy Presiding Officers: Ms . Maria de Lourdes C. E. S. de Vincenzi (Brazil) Mr. Chavdar Kiuranov (Bulgaria) Ms. Nermin Abadan-Urat (Turkey) Rapporteur: Mr. Ali Benbouchta (Morocco) Officers of the Committee of the Whole 51. The Committee of the Whole established by the Conference 1/ elected as its Presiding Officer Ambassador Ifigenia Martinez (Mexico). It elected Mr. Umayya Tukan (Jordan) as its Deputy Presiding Officer and Ms. Inonga Lewanilca (Zambia) as its Rapporteur. J. Other organizational matters (agenda item 6) 1. Allocation of items to the Main Committees and organization of work 52. At its 1st plenary meeting the Conference further decided: (i) That items 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 11 would be considered in plenary meetings; 1/ In conformity with a recommendation by the pre-Conference consultations (see A/COEF.94/L.2/Add.1). (ii) That items 7 (a), 8 (a), 9 (a) and 10 (a) would be considered by the First Committee:; (iii) That items 7 (b) , 8 (b) , 9 (b) , 9 (c) and 10 (b) would be considered by the Second Committee. 53. In addition, at the same meeting the Conference decided to establish a Committee of the Whole whose terms of reference would be to consider Part One "Background and framework" of the Programme of Action contained in document A/CONF.94/22 and Corr.l, and to report to the plenary. 2. Credentials of representatives to the Conference: Appointment of the members of the Credentials Committee (agenda item 6 (b) (i)) 54. In conformity with rule 4 of the rules of procedure the Conference at its 1st plenary meeting established a Credentials Committee composed of the following States: Belgium, China, Congo, Ecuador, Pakistan, Panama, Senegal, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America. K. Tribute to the memory of the late President of Botswana 55 • At its 2nd plenary meeting on 15 July 1980 the Conference observed one minute's silence in tribute to the memory of Sir Seretse Khama, President of Botswana, whose death had been announced. L. Implications of Conference decisions for the programme budget of the United Nations 56. At the 20th plenary meeting on 30 July 1980, before the consideration of the recommendations made by the Committees and of other draft resolutions , the Secretary of the Conference stated that any provisions of the Programme of Action or draft resolutions that had implications for the programme budget of the United Nations would be brought to the attention of the General Assembly by the Secretariat at the time when the Assembly considered the report of the Conference. Chapter IV SUMMARY OF THE GENERAL DEBATE 57. The general debate, which took place in the course of 18 plenary meetings of the Conference, from 14 to 29 July 1980, covered the whole range of the -topics that were referred for more specific consideration to the Committees established by the Conference, The passages which follow give a brief account of the points that were stressed by speakers in the debate, 58, The representatives of States and the observers who addressed the Conference, as well as the representatives of specialized agencies, regional commissions and other United Nations bodies, programmes and offices who made statements commented on the central issues before the Conference. Some inter governmental organizations also made statements in the plenary. A statement was also made on behalf of a number of non-governmental organizations. In addition, statements were made in the plenary by the representatives of nine non-governmental organizations, 59* Many representatives referred to the adoption by the General Assembly of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women 1/ as an event of great significance, A large number of the representatives who spoke in the general debate announced that they had been authorized by their Governments to sign the Convention on behalf of their countries at the ceremony arranged, in conformity with Economic and Social Council resolution 1980/34, to take place during the Conference, 2/ They added that the signature and ratification of the Convention by as many States as possible and its early entry into force would promote the achievement of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women. 60. In an inaugural statement, the Secretary-General of the Conference said that the 1975 Conference of the International Women's Year, by unanimously approving the World Plan of Action, had affirmed the comprehensive scope of women's concerns. Inherent in the World Plan was the recognition that 9 if women were a critical component in every aspect of national life, it was necessary to involve them in planning and implementation in every sector, including those traditionally perceived as masculine. This was equally true at the international!. level. Accordingly, just as the Conference would consider specific sectors such as employment, health and education, it should also examine what progress had been achieved in making the new vision of women as agents and participants as well as beneficiaries a national and international reality. 61, Responding to a decision of the Mexico Conference, she said the United Nations system had assembled for the mid-Decade review the most complete data yet available 1/ General Assembly resolution 34/l80 of 18 December 1979, 2/ The signing ceremony took place at the Bella Center, Copenhagen, on 17 July I960. on the condition of women. The emerging picture permitted of no complacency, for there was evidence that in the main the targets established in the World Plan were still as elusive as in 1975; however, by its greater detail and clearer focus, this picture should provide the basis for practical, action-oriented strategies for the rest of the Decade, and the motive for mobilizing national and international resources behind them. Improved research and analysis, carried out by experts from a wider range of regions, had also served to confirm the hypothesis that the situation of women in any country was conditioned by global economic and political situations. Both the current world economic crisis and international political tensions were probably having an adverse impact on efforts for the advancement of women. 62. In the field of employment, increased participation of women had not brought increased rewards, for the majority of women were confined to low-paid, sex- stereotyped and insecure jobs. In many instances technological change had actually set women back, and continued failure to redefine economic activity had meant that much of women's productive work remained uncounted and ignored by economists. As regards health, the data revealed widespread chronic ill-health among women, and women's greater vulnerability to certain diseases. As regards education, in spite of increased female enrolment parity had not been achieved; the drop-out rate for girls was high, while women's workloads often precluded their access to adult education programmes where these existed. Moreover, the content of education frequently tended to reinforce, rather than to change, attitudes which inhibited improvement in the status of women. 63. The Secretary-General of the Conference further stated that the General Assembly, recognizing that women were both participants and victims in political struggles, had directed the Conference to consider three issues - the effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa, the effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories, and the situation of women refugees the world over - and to formulate special measures of assistance in each case. Each of these situations was being dealt with in other United Nations bodies; the Conference, therefore, had the responsibility of identifying the special needs of the women involved, and of devising means of aiding them "which neither duplicated nor detracted from existing programmes. 6k, The major part of the Conference's work, she said, would be the adoption of a programme of action at the national, regional and international levels, designed to ensure that the targets of the World Plan were met by the end of the Decade. The review indicated that at all three levels the lack of structural change had impeded efforts. At the national level, mechanisms established had tended to remain advisory, and to be hampered by a lack of resources. At the regional and international levels, there had been some progress: programmes and resource centres had been established within the regional commissions, and in the United Nations and the specialized agencies the growing recognition that women were important to all developmental concerns had been reflected both in their programmes and in intergovernmental meetings. Structural changes at these levels, however, had not been adequate even to carry out the activities recommended in the World Plan, let alone the further initiatives recommended by the regional preparatory meetings for the Conference. There was still too great a tendency to regard programmes for women as a separate exercise within a given institution or department, too great a reliance on extra budgetary sources to fund such programmes, and insufficient co-ordination among them. 65. The object of the draft Programme of Action before the Conference (A/CONF.94/22 and Corr.l) was to suggest priorities for the rest of the Decade. Its thrust was twofold; first, toward integrated planning at all levels and in all sectors, with the provision of necessary resources, and second, toward establishing adequate institutional arrangements "both to implement plans and programmes and to monitor their implementation. The draft Programme of Action further sought to increase the participation of women at all levels and in varied ways, and was intended to be complementary to the efforts of Governments in attaining the objectives of the Decade. 66. The over-all situation, although by no means satisfactory, nevertheless contained positive elements. Governments and international organizations had come to recognize that both women's problems and their potential for problem-solving must be taken seriously, and were beginning to see new possibilities for linking women's advancement to the solution of global problems such as the formulation of a new international development strategy, which the General Assembly would shortly be considering. It was appropriate that the considerations of the Conference should find a place in that process. 67. In opening the general debate the Assistant Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs stressed the historic significance of the preceding eight years when women had made the first meaningful contribution to world affairs at the international, regional and national levels. The Mexico Conference had been the first and only World Conference where women had formed a large majority among the government delegations, most of which had been headed by women. The World Plan of Action adopted at the Mexico Conference was the most comprehensive socio-economic and political programme ever devised in order to improve the situation of human beings. 68. In reviewing the first part of the Decade for Women she singled out the major achievements. In the field of equality the adoption of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women in December 1979 had been a big step forward. In the field of development some visible achievements were: a growing awareness of the important role of women; the increasing realization that the situation of women crucially affected the situation of children and families, including future generations; the concentrated efforts, with considerable results, to enlarge the data base, research and analysis with the object of identifying the linkage between the situation of women and other issues related to the development of society; the significant interest in the implementation of the World Plan of Action and the programme for the Decade as part of the national and international development plans and programmes; the increasing number of non-governmental organizations involved in the implementation of the programme; the growing and concerted commitment by women the world over to becoming a major force in the development of the national and international societies. 69. So far as peace was concerned, she said that successes had been less striking;, but women had contributed to friendly relations among States and to the elimination of threats to peace. 70. Two new programmes for the advancement of women and new contributions to development were direct results of the Mexico Conference: the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women, and the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women. 71. She added that the secretariat unit responsible for implementing the recommendations of the Mexico Conference needed to be strengthened. The second part of the Decade should fully reflect women's increasing participation in all national and international affairs, and women should not let the responsibility for the future remain solely in the hands of male leaders. The desire to create a better future for themselves, their children and families united women all over the world, but they had to be fully involved in all affairs affecting the common destiny of all humanity. 72. The words of Matthew Arnold quoted in the Mexico Conference, "if women of the world will once unite, there will be a power which the world has never seen," had really become true. She hoped the trend would continue towards the creation of a more human world for all. 73. The delegations which spoke in the ensuing debate agreed that the Conference was an important opportunity to assess the progress which had been made since the Conference of the International Women's Year in Mexico. Many representatives stated that the Conference could have a substantial impact on the efforts of Governments to achieve the goals of the Decade, 74. Many participants recognized the close relationship between the three themes of the Conference: equality, development and peace, for in their opinion it was a condition of the realization of these objectives that women should play an important part in their achievement. 75. Other representatives held the opinion that the Conference represented the expressed will of people and Governments to eliminate poverty, all forms of discrimination, injustices and inequalities. They stated that peace, detente, international co-operation, general and complete disarmament, especially nuclear disarmament, and national liberation, as well as respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms constituted the indispensable conditions for the emancipation of women. Equality 76. Almost all representatives supported the principle of the equality of women and men in all fields. They considered that there had been progress and some success in combating the inequality of the sexes. Some speakers stated that more concrete and practical suggestions were needed aiming at ensuring a higher degree of equal opportunities and that equality should be translated into economic and social terms. A number of delegations stressed that education should inculcate a spirit of equality - racial and sexual equality. Many delegations considered that, for deep historical, social and economic reasons, it would probably not be possible to achieve full legal and factual equality of women and men all over the world during the Decade. Other representatives considered that equality for women would become possible if men and women together shared in the construction of a new international economic order. In this connexion one representative stressed that women's efforts to achieve equality in the developing countries were firmly linked to the struggle for the right of national self-determination without any outside intervention or exploitation. Many delegations stated that the recognition of the equal place of women in society was the objective of the most progressive social and political movements in history. They added that nowadays women's movements were not confined to the narrow framework of purely "feminine" matters but constituted an active factor in the achievement of economic and social progress. As a contribution to the attainment of women's equality, many delegations urged that action should he taken to eradicate hunger, disease, unemployment, illiteracy, ignorance and backwardness in countries where these evils still existed. 77- Many delegations referred to the function of the State as the\ultimate guarantor of the rights of all citizens of either sex and to the institutions which in their countries were responsible, under the law, for ensuring the respect of these rights. They said that many of the international instruments and conventions that provided for the equality of the sexes in the matter of employment, social security benefits, health care, education and in other respects had become part of national law, as had certain recommendations of the '. International Labour Organisation and other bodies (including regional bodies) that provided for preferential treatment of women in specific fields. Many representatives stated that the Constitutions, laws and regulations in force in their countries provided material guarantees for the full equality of the sexes in every respect and that there was governmental and other institutional machinery for ensuring the observance of these legislative provisions. 78. The delegations of some other countries stated that economic and social progress, including progress towards full equality of the sexes in so far as it- did not already exist, depended not only on initiatives taken by the State,, but also on the efforts and contributions on the individual: the citizens, female and male, had responsibilities and duties, and it was the task of the State to create conditions propitious for the fulfilment of those duties. Development 79. Most delegations agreed that peace and security, national and international, were essential for progress and development. They also stated that the preconditions for achieving economic and social development on a global scale were the establishment of a more just and equitable economic order. 80. Many speakers referred to the need for a New International Economic Order and to the importance of women as participants and beneficiaries of such an order. One delegation proposed that the results of the Conference should be brought to the attention of the special session of the General Assembly on economic development. 81. Some representatives stated that women did not always share in the fruits of development and that any definition of development should include provision for the concerns and participation of women. One representative stated that there was no question of a separate development strategy for women. Women should be an integral part of every development programme, both at the microeconomic and at the macroeconomic level. They should be treated as a target group in development Plans, and budgetary allocations should be made accordingly. In addition, each development project and programme should have a built-in mechanism for assessing their impact on women. 82. A number of representatives pointed out that the world economic crisis had put additional burdens on women. Others stated that the Conference should emphasize the interdependence of political and economic development more strongly than did the draft programme of action. 83. Many delegations said that, for the purpose of integrating women into the development process in their countries, it would "be necessary to break down attitudinal barriers inherent in the national culture through public enlightenment programmes, including specific programmes for women. In most cases these programmes were sponsored by the Government or a governmental agency and provision was made for them in the national budget. These speakers added that some of these activities received welcome support from international organizations or from aid-giving agencies of donor countries. Moreover, they said, the movement towards the greater participation of women in the development effort of their countries had received a considerable boost from the events organized in connexion with the International Women's Year, 1975, as a result of which women's groups and associations had sprung up in many countries where previously none had existed or where public life had been almost entirely dominated by men. 84. Some delegations, referring to the economic situation in the world in general and in their countries in particular, said that in times of economic recession it was invariably the weaker sectors of the population that were most adversely affected by the hardships which were the consequence of a slackening of industrial and commercial activity. Among the first victims, they said, were the women in occupations hard hit by the downturn of the economy, who swelled the ranks of the unemployed and whose loss of income aggravated the family circumstances, which in many cases were straitened by the simultaneous unemployment of another member of the household. A number of speakers pointed out that the effects of a country's economic stagnation were particularly frustrating for persons who had become accustomed, in earlier periods of affluence, to a certain standard of living and who had come to expect a continuation of their lifestyle: there again, the adjustment to a different way of life often fell hardest upon the women. 85. Other delegations stressed that many of the women in their countries had been influenced by commercial publicity to overestimate the materialistic values of a civilization alien to their national or religious tradition. 86. A few delegations expressed the opinion that one of the causes contributing to the present economic crisis, which was severely hampering the development efforts of many developing countries and which gravely affected the women in these countries, was the rise in the price of fuels, in particular petroleum products. ' They explained that petroleum and its derivatives were indispensable to the daily life of the households in their countries, for cooking and heating, and the high price of the fuel eroded the already meager resources available to families in these countries for buying food and other necessities. In addition, they said, as petroleum was the basis of many synthetic materials, the higher price of the raw material was reflected in the retail price of garments. Transport costs also rose in keeping with the price of petroleum, and hence added to the cost of living of the population, including that of working women. 87. Some delegations considered that the Conference ought to pay special attention to the case of women in the least developed countries. These countries would need sustained and adequate international assistance in order to be able to carry out the quite ambitious provisions of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women. In that connexion a number of speakers pointed out that the Voluntary Fund had provided such assistance in certain cases; they expressed the hope that the Fund would receive generous support from Governments in a position to provide financial resources, Peace 88. Many delegations pointed out that women all over the world accepted peace as an objective necessity and that many supported concrete action in favour of disarmament and an end to the arms race. Other representatives also stressed the necessity to safeguard peace. Some delegations expressed the opinion that peace was the condition for the achievement of equality and development, A number of delegations endorsed the peace initiative of the group of Nordic women as an example of grass roots efforts to influence strategies that would ensure world peace. Other delegations stressed that regional conflicts should be resolved by peaceful means. One delegation stated that, as yet, women's influence on such issues as peace and security, disarmament, detente and the realization of a Mew International Economic Order had been modest. The delegations of several developing countries said that war and the threat of war constituted a particularly serious danger for the daily life of women and children in their countries. Other delegations stated that facts showed that the threat to peace came mainly from hegemonist aggression and expansion. 89. Many delegations pointed out that lasting peace and security were basic preconditions for the achievement of equality and development. They expressed their conviction that the struggle for peace and disarmament, for national independence, against aggression, foreign occupation and all forms of enslavement and dictatorship, colonialism, neo-colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, apartheid was at the same time a struggle for the improvement of the status of women and their equal participation in social and economic development. They also pointed out that a. new war would put in peril the very existence of civilization, and called upon all women of the world to work actively to prevent it. In this connexion, they expressed apprehension about the plans to deploy in some countries of Western Europe medium-range missiles. Some of them referred to proposals aimed at strengthening peace and security and curbing the arms race, in particular the declaration adopted on 15 May by the Political Consultative Committee of the Warsaw Treaty States. Some of these delegations stressed the need to elaborate a declaration on the participation of women in the struggle for international peace and security. One of these delegations proposed that the Conference should adopt a resolution calling upon the General Assembly to consider and accept such a declaration. These delegations pointed in particular to the significance of a broad and continuous process of preparation of societies for life in peace which involved the recognition, in word and deed, that every nation and every human being, regardless of race, conscience, language or sex, has the inherent right to life in peace. Employment 90. A subject to which virtually all speakers addressed themselves in the course of their statements in the general debate was that of the economic position of women, and in particular the employment of women. Many representatives referred to the increasing share of the active labour force that was accounted for by women in the modern economies of the industrialized countries. Women performed in many sectors tasks on a footing of equality with men; in some sectors, particularly in those traditionally reserved for women, female employees outnumbered males, and in certain professions a significant percentage of the posts was now held by women. Many representatives stated that in their countries women enjoyed equal opportunities with men in all fields of economic activity and that special legislative and other measures ensured the employment of all persons, including -women; as a result, a very high percentage of women of working age was gainfully employed, on terms of equal remuneration with men. The importance of the participation of women in economic activity, including agriculture and certain industries, was stressed also by many representatives. 91. Some representatives referred to the increase in the number of women in professional and technical occupations, and one of these representatives stated that there were more professional women than men in her country. It was pointed out that often an excessive burden fell on women who were employed inasmuch as they continued to bear, often alone, the full burden of family responsibilities. In addition, many representatives stated that the principle of "equal pay for equal work", though enshrined in the labour legislation of their countries, was not always respected in practice owing to the prejudices and stereotyped vision of employers. The representatives of some developed market economy countries commented that the phenomenon of discrimination against women as regards their remuneration was observable in their countries as well, and added that it was not an infrequent practice for employers to reserve certain occupations to the one or the other sex, the low paid jobs being commonly given to female workers. The representative of one of these countries considered that what was needed was a redistribution of jobs: in her opinion, men should do less paid work and should share the domestic duties with women so as to relieve women of their double burden. She added that women should participate on a larger scale in the activities at present reserved to men. Other representatives noted that special compensatory measures were necessary to achieve a redistribution of jobs. Women and health 92. Several delegations expressed the view that improvements had taken place in the area of women's health, as indicated by the decline in infant and maternal mortality rates and by figures showing a higher life expectancy for women. Most representatives stressed that adequate health was a prerequisite for the effective participation of women in development, in education, in employment and in political life. 93. Many delegations stated that in their countries medical services for women, particularly maternity and child care, were provided free of charge and were among these countries' basic achievements. They described extensive measures taken in these countries to ensure an appropriate level of health services for women and children, including the further development of a vast network of specialized institutions and clinics. 94. In describing the progress made in the last five years in the health care system of their countries, many other delegations mentioned improvements in primary health care services, with emphasis on maternity and child care clinics. 95. Many delegations referred to the extension of pre-natal and post-natal child care, midwifery services and maternity clinics to the rural areas of their countries. Some representatives noted the increase in the number of women practicing or being trained as doctors, midwives, nurses or officials in the national health system. o6. Several speakers mentioned the need for increased health education for women. In this respect, some representatives considered that the elements of basic nutrition should be taught to women, and pointed out that in countries where nutrition and feeding programmes had been implemented, malnutrition had decreased. Many delegations urged that family planning programmes be included in health education. One speaker stated that family planning was part of her country's family welfare policy. 97. Many delegations, referring to priority areas for action, stated that improvements in water supply and sanitation facilities would benefit the rural areas and contribute to better health for women in developing countries. 98. Several speakers commented on the disquieting incidence of domestic violence, sexual assault and maltreatment of women and urged that in countries where the existing law provided insufficient protection against such offences legislation should be enacted to safeguard the relatively helpless woman and child against abuse, and social services should be provided to offer relief to the victims of abuse. One delegation noted the crucial role that women's organizations played in aiding battered women and in exposing their problems to society. 99. One representative stated that in her continent infant and maternal mortality rates were among the highest in the world, and the life expectancy for women one of the lowest. Environment 100. The delegations of a number of countries, particularly those of the South Pacific region, protested against the use of that region as a testing' ground for nuclear devices. They stated that the periodic tests, and especially the nuclear fall-out and the effects of radiation, constituted a threat to the environment, the resources and the population of their countries. One of these delegations stated that this disregard for the quality of the environment and for the well- being of its country's population, including women and children, prejudiced national efforts to improve health and living conditions. Some speakers appealed to the Governments of countries carrying out nuclear tests to confine such tests to their own territories. They maintained that the continuation of the nuclear tests betokened a lack of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Pacific Island nations. Education 101. It was generally recognized that one of the most serious and most persistent deficiencies from which many developing countries suffered was the widespread illiteracy, especially among the female population. Numerous speakers acknowledged that a principal cause of illiteracy among women was the historical and cultural attitude of society to the education of girls and that what was needed was a transformation of traditional attitudes and prejudices which had contributed to the underprivileged position of women and girls so far as education was concerned. Many representatives referred to action taken or contemplated in their countries to improve the access of the female population to primary and secondary education, In some cases the efforts of the Governments in that direction were supported by multilateral or bilateral assistance. A number of representatives pointed to successes achieved by the literacy campaigns in their countries. Others pointed out that national efforts to promote literacy were hampered by lack of resources, geographical factors, the wide dispersal of population groups, poor transport and communications. It was generally agreed that the status of women in societies., in which illiteracy was still a common phenomenon, could not be raised unless females were admitted to, and encouraged to attend, schools on a footing of equality with males. 102. A considerable number of representatives stated that, although it was true that in many respects women had not achieved parity with men in their countries so far as higher education was concerned, it was no less true that the number of female entrants into institutions of higher learning had increased in recent years and was still rising. Several of these representatives stated that in their countries the conditions governing admission to universities were the same for women and for men. Many representatives reported that in their countries almost equal numbers of women and men graduated from institutions of higher learning, thanks to guarantees provided by the entire social policy pursued by their Governments. Some representatives stated that in their countries a large number of women from urban areas attended courses of higher education, but that the enrolment of rural women in such courses was low. One representative reported that almost half the students enrolled in his country's universities were women, but that the drop-out rate among the female students was high. Several representatives announced action taken or envisaged in their countries to adapt curricula to the special needs of female students and to remove or revise sex- stereotyped textbooks. Some representatives considered that there should be a possibility of choice between coeducational and single-sex schools. Political participation 103. Most representatives indicated that broad national and international objectives could not be achieved without taking account of issues affecting women or without ensuring that women participated in the benefits of policies and programmes. 104, Other speakers referred to the growing realization that the participation of women in political life and in the decision-making process increased the benefits to society as a whole, as well as to women. 105. Many delegations referred to the increase in the number of women occupying both elective and appointive positions in governments since 1975. Several representatives cited figures showing women's participation in different offices. Greater acceptance of women in high government, political, labour union and other posts was noted, as well as growing efforts by women to organize to promote their political interests. Several speakers referred to revolutionary struggle as a means of increasing and consolidating women's political participation. 106. Some representatives cited a drop in the number of women elected to their countries' legislature, which was not explained by the trends of events in those countries, and they expressed the hope that this decline would not continue and would if possible be reversed. Another representative pointed out that the respect of human rights and access to full democratic participation were basic rights of women, and that one of these rights was the right to elect and to be elected. 107. The representatives of several countries in Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Caribbean which had attained independence recently described steps taken by their Governments to enlist the support of their female population in building a new nation. They referred to the participation of women in political and social life at the local and national level, gave particulars of the legislation concerning the electoral franchise and cited examples of cases in which women had been elected to the legislature or to local government bodies. 108. A statement was made on behalf of a group of States participating in the Conference voicing their concern about the situation in Bolivia, the overthrow by undemocratic methods of the administration headed by a woman President in that country and the flouting of the democratically expressed will of the Bolivian people. Women in rural areas 109. Many representatives referred to the conditions under which large numbers of women were living in the rural areas of developing countries. The situation of these women, they said, was distressing in many respects, for they not only had to perform arduous agricultural tasks but also had to look after their children and carry out the household chores. A number of delegations said that in many developing countries women were the main producers of food and cash crops but did not own the means of production. In many of the countries in question, these women were not integrated into the society or into the national economy but lived in isolated regions with little or no contact with the outside world. In certain of these countries the rural population was leaving the countryside and migrating to the cities in search of a better life. Only too often, however, the hopes of these migrants were frustrated by the conditions prevailing in the overcrowded cities where thousands of others were competing for the same menial and poorly-paid jobs. In these circumstances it was the women migrants who were most vulnerable to exploitation and who bore the brunt of the harsh conditions of the urban environment to which they were unaccustomed. Several representatives described measures taken in their countries to relieve the hardships facing those who joined the flow of internal migration. 110. The representative of the Commission of the European Communities noted the interest of the countries members of the Communities in the situation of migrant women. Aside from the disadvantages under which women in general continued to suffer, immigrant women suffered in addition from the fact that they were strangers in the society of the host country. He reported that the Commission has undertaken a study aimed at identifying, within the context of the phenomenon of labour migration in modern society, solutions to the specific problems of women migrants. Legal status and legislation 111. Many representatives of both developed and developing countries stated that the principle of equality between the sexes was enshrined in national constitutional and other legislative provisions currently in force in their countries. 112. Some representatives referred to new constitutions adopted in their countries since 1975 which not only proclaimed the equality of men and women but also contained guarantees of such equality. Several representatives stated that special commissions had been established to give legal assistance and to monitor the effectiveness of legislative measures designed to eliminate discrimination against women. Many speakers expressed concern over the continuing gap between the de jure and the de facto status of women in their countries. 113. Some delegations observed that legislative measures in themselves were insufficient to ensure the equality of the sexes. In order to support such. legislative provisions concurrent changes were needed in the political and economic structures. 114. Some representatives indicated that in their countries it was planned to introduce new legislative measures to deal with cases in which the existing legislation was inadequate to remove discrimination "between the sexes. A number of representatives stated that the review period was insufficient to assess the results of measures currently being implemented. One delegation recommended that periodic reviews should be undertaken to ensure that legislative provisions being implemented were consistent with international standards. Institutional arrangements 115. It was generally agreed that institutional structures, both public and private, had emerged, as means of mobilizing opinion, influencing the acceptance of laws and policies and facilitating the implementation and monitoring progress in the achievement of objectives. 116. Several representatives referred to the creation or reinforcement of ministries responsible for women's affairs, national commissions, ombudsmen, political and private organizations to promote and enforce laws and policies, for equal rights and opportunities at the national and local level. Some of the bodies were attached to government departments, others functioned autonomously. 117. It was agreed that strong institutional support for equality of treatment and equality of opportunity was a necessary but not a sufficient element in the achievement of the national and international objectives. Several speakers noted that such bodies must have broad governmental and public support if they were to be effective. Southern Africa 118. The representatives of a large number of Governments spoke on the involvement of women in the struggle against apartheid. 119. The majority of speakers recognized that apartheid was a matter of concern to humanity as a whole. Most of the delegations expressed their sympathy with the South African women suffering under apartheid and condemned the policy and practice of apartheid. 120. A number of other representatives urged that a concerted campaign should be launched to isolate the South African regime politically, economically, socially, culturally and diplomatically. Other delegations considered that peaceful change could best be brought about by maintaining a dialogue with the South African authorities. 121. Many delegations recommended that measures should be taken to assist women oppressed by apartheid. 122. A large number of delegations expressed deep concern and solidarity for the women in Namibia. Palestinian women 123. Most speakers expressed support for special measures of assistance for Palestinian women. In the view of some of these representatives the rights of Palestinians, including the right to set up an independent State, should he recognized. Many representatives considered that the recognition of these rights should be without prejudice to the territorial integrity of all States in the region. Other delegations urged that Israel should withdraw from all Arab territories occupied in 1967. They stated that only a consistent, universal, permanent and just solution of the Middle East crisis could provide peace and security to all countries of this region. Other expressed the opinion that the Palestine Liberation Organization should "be recognized as the only legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. They stressed that the Palestinian people must he allowed to return to their homeland and determine their future "by themselves. A number of delegations demanded that political oppression and economic exploitation of the Palestinian people, including women, must cease. Many delegations condemned zionism. Other delegations called for assistance to the Palestinian women through medical aid, education and employment within and outside the occupied territories. Refugees 124-. Many delegations stated that the situation of the large and growing numbers of refugees in various parts of the world was extremely distressing, both for the displaced persons themselves and for the countries of temporary asylum and the countries of eventual resettlement. Some delegations noted that women and children constituted the largest proportion of refugees and were often the most seriously affected. Some speakers emphasized that conditions should be created which would enable refugees to return to their homelands in safety and dignity. Other speakers proposed in-depth studies of the situation of refugees. Some representatives demanded increased assistance to refugee women; others stated that solidarity and humanitarian actions were needed and important, the paramount need being to keep the refugees alive, but that it was primarily necessary for the international community to concentrate on eliminating the causes of the refugee situation. Representatives of countries of first asylum expressed concern that the burden of providing assistance to refugees was extremely heavy, and addressed an urgent appeal to the international community for aid for refugee relief and for expediting the process of resettlement for a greater number of refugees, Voluntary Fund 125. Support and appreciation for the work of the Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women were expressed by many delegations. A number of them announced the amounts their Governments intended to pledge to the Voluntary Fund at the Pledging Conference for Development Activities in November 1980, at the same time expressing their hope that other Governments would follow their example. Several recipient countries commented on the usefulness of the Fund, especially in the area of rural women's programmes in their respective countries, and echoed the hope expressed by the General Assembly at its thirty-fourth session that the activities of the Fund would be continued beyond the Decade. One delegation called for higher priority for projects in the Latin American region; other delegations expressed their appreciation for the efficiency and common sense approach of the administration of the Fund. Long-term pledges were considered by one delegation as desirable, in that they allowed for effective planning in the allocation of resources. 126. In accordance with the goal set by the Secretary-General of pledges amounting to $6 million by 1981 and $10 million before the end of the Decade, intentions of making pledges to the Voluntary Fund in November were announced by the following countries: United Republic of Cameroon ($6,000); Iraq ($50,000); Japan ($1 mill.)' Kenya ($20,000); Kuwait ($20,000); Libyan Arab Jamahiriya ($50,000); New Zealand ($10,000); Oman ($10,000); Pakistan ($5,000); Sweden ($200,000); Syrian Arab Republic ($2,000); Upper Volta ($1,000). The United States of America stated that it had deposited $1 million in May 1980. 127. Several countries announced that they would in 1980 commence or augment their contributions to the Fund; these countries included Australia, Austria, Botswana, Finland, Lebanon, the Netherlands and Mexico. Norway reconfirmed its pledge of $200,000 per year until the end of the Decade, and urged other countries to make long-term pledges. Statements by representatives of organizations in the United Nations system 128. The Director-General for Development and International Economic Co-operations speaking in the general debate, said that the basic texts relating to the establishment of a New International Economic Order clearly implied that, in order to realize the development potential of the developing countries, structural changes in the world economy must be accompanied by the full and effective mobilization of domestic resources. It was self-evident that in this process women, who constitute half the population, must be fully involved. Social well- being was not merely a result of but also a contribution to the development process and the final goal of development. Perspectives were changing and must now be fully reflected in policy formulation and implementation. He referred to some illustrative critical areas of development in which more research, analysis and data were required regarding issues of particular relevance to women. These included food and agriculture, industrialization and technology. The subthemes of the Conference - employment, education and health - reflected important components of development which acquired special significance in relation to women, given the fact that women remained on the periphery of the development process. Failure to mobilize women as full and equal partners in development would be a major constraint on the efforts of the international community to move towards a new and equitable international economic order. 129. It was in order to contribute to a fuller and more effective integration of women in the development process that the United Nations family of organizations had established an interagency programme on women and development under the auspices of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination. After the Conference and the adoption of its recommendations by the General Assembly, the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination would consider the best ways and means of implementing those recommendations of the future Programme of Action which required system- vide action and determine its work for the remainder of the Decade for Women. The subsidiary machinery of the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, with the participation of the regional commissions, would ensure that the concerns reflected in the Programme of Action received special focus in all relevant substantive discussions. 130. He added that the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs would continue to provide a focal point within the United Nations Secretariat for implementing activities relating to women and development, particularly the Programme for the second half of the Decade. It was the intention of the Secretary-General to ensure that all departments and units of the United Nations, in particular the Centre, should rethink, reorient and strengthen these long-term programmes and strategies in order to reflect the requirements of the Conference. To carry out its functions more effectively it was envisaged that a small liaison unit should be outposted from the Centre to United Nations Headquarters, which would also assist the Centre in integrating the contributions of other substantive units in New York to the implementation of the Programme of Action for the second half of the Decade. 131. In conclusion he emphasized that the new Programme of Action should make a substantive contribution to a new international development strategy that would ensure fuller participation by all segments of society in development. 132. The Under-Secretary-General for International Economic and Social Affairs emphasized that the problems of women's full and active participation in development were twofold. First, it would be necessary to devise policy measures to ensure greater responsiveness of the over-all development process to the needs and interests of women. Second, and concurrently, ways and means would need to be adopted for enhancing the productivity and effectiveness of women's contribution to the total development effort. Concern should not be limited to sectoral considerations, which may at times only result in marginal adjustments to the existing system, but should comprehend the role of women in the development process as a whole. 133. The Department of International Economic and Social Affairs, had, therefore, undertaken special efforts to deal with issues relating to women in the context of global, over-all strategies for development. It would further reorient and strengthen its research and analysis activities and its publications in response to the recommendations that will emanate from the Conference. He endorsed the view expressed by Ms. Helvi Sipila, the Assistant Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, that the growing recognition of the multispectral nature of the problems of women and development must be translated into action by suitably reorienting, enlarging and strengthening the scope of the programme of work of the Branch for the Advancement of Women within the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, and also of other relevant substantive units within the United Nations. 134. A major responsibility of his Department was to assist the Administrative Committee on Co-ordination, the apex body for co-operation within the United Nations system. The Department had, therefore, a crucial role to play in the implementation of the integrated approach to Women's participation in developments proposed by the draft Programme of Action, which called for greater co-ordination of the relevant activities undertaken by the United Nations system 135. The representatives of the secretariats of the regional~ commissions active in the developing regions stated that since 1975 these commissions had created or reinforced institutional arrangements, both at the intergovernmental and at the secretariat levels, for conducting regional intergovernmental consultations and promoting research and analysis concerning women and development; for sponsoring training activities; and for assisting in the establishment. of genial centres for training and research in cases where the need for such Institutions had been established "by the member Governments. While many of the activities of the regional commissions were regional or subregional in scope, the commissions also contributed to the formulation of regional positions to be taken into account in global United Nations policies and strategies, including those relating to the World Conference; accordingly; they were capable of supporting the implementation of the Programme of Action at the regional level. Some of these representatives added that extra budgetary contributions , including the support received from the Voluntary Fund for the Decade for Women, had greatly facilitated the activities of the commissions for specific projects or purposes. However, a sustained effort to promote the integration of women in development within the framework of the respective work programmes could only be made on the basis of adequate financial support from the regular budget of the United Nations. 136. The Executive Director of UNICEF said that, being committed to improving the lives of children, UNICEF was naturally committed to improving the lives of women. Assistance to women in their roles as mothers was, he noted, non-controversial. However, social advances of the past generation - the extension of health and education services to hitherto deprived social groups - had occurred at a time when the process of modernization had discriminated against women and left many of them poorer than before. Poverty, limited earning capacity, lack of employment and of access to education were indicators of the likelihood that social conditions would not improve until women shared in the fruits of development. He added that planners and policy-makers were beginning to recognize women's productive role, but needed to take it more fully into account in plans and policies, UNICEF was co-operating with developing countries in dealing with the problems arising in the development process that were of particular concern to women and children, especially those living in rural areas and in marginal urban communities. 137. The Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) said that at the mid-point of the Decade no one could be satisfied with the performance as measured against the World Plan of Action, and UNDP certainly had no sense of complacency. Guidelines and training materials on programming for women had been issued to UNDP staff world-wide, and special advocates of women's interests had been designated in each of the regional programme bureau which were supporting a variety of national and regional projects. Under a new agreement, UNDP's support for the innovative Voluntary Fund would be increased and UNDP would become responsible for administering Fund projects at the country level. In terms of staff, 50 per cent of professionals recruited in 1979 were women.; since 1975 UNDP had doubled the proportion of women in professional posts on its staff. UNDP's major contribution to the Conference was a report calling for reliable information about the real functions of women in rural development, and for their access to training, technology, rural industry;, water and sanitation, and credit. Although women were essential to the operation of the world economy, their inputs were all too frequently taken for granted and they were at the mercy of , yet had little influence over, the gyrations of the existing international economic order. 138. He considered that certain terms, like the contribution",,, "participation1', "involvement" and "integration'' of women in development were undesirable, for they were not currently used in relation to men. It was time to sharpen the language and intensify the struggle against the most pervasive of all forms of colonialism, for humanity was denying itself the intelligence, experience sensitivity and vision of half of its members, in decision-making,, negotiation, planning and practical action. 139. The representative of the World Food Programme stated that the Programmer’s assistance was provided exclusively on a project basis, the projects being executed by Governments of recipient countries themselves. The Programme consulted and co-operated with specialized agencies and with other international and non-governmental organizations. With a strong rural development bias, and being concentrated on the poorest and most vulnerable population groups, WFP-supported projects should have a favourable impact on women. Moreover, the assistance of the Programme could support innovative projects for the advancement of women for which more conventional forms of financial assistance were not provided. With the Programmer’s help, national, regional and local authorities could assume increased responsibility for measures for the advancement of women. He referred to a background paper prepared for the Conference on !:The contribution of the World Food Programme to the United Nations Decade for Women:: (A/CONF.94/BP5) which described what could be done for women not as passive receivers of food aid, but as active participants in the design and implementation of projects assisted by the Programme. The Committee on Food Aid Policies and Programmes - the governing body of WFP - had given general endorsement to the recommendations contained in the papery which would be used as a manual for Programme staff and would also be made available to officials of Governments and co-operating aid organizations involved in projects for the benefit of women. 140. The representative of the International Labour Organisation stated that women were permanently working, but not permanently employed in the work force. Most recent calculations based on ILO and United Nations data showed that they received less than 10 per cent of world income,' their income was so low that most women had no margin for savings , and hence minimal ownership of assets. The ILO instruments directly relevant to women workers incorporated provisions to improve their status in society, and related to some important areas, such as equality of remuneration, underground work, night work and, in the case of a new instrument currently under discussion, workers with family responsibility. This proposed Convention and Recommendation, when adopted, would influence national trends and policies at the level of the social infrastructure and working conditions, and would facilitate women's entry and re-entry into the work force. Further, because of the importance of analyzing the economic and social contribution of women in society, the ILO was planning to carry out, inter alia, studies which would provide an insight into the concept of discrimination against women in the labour market and the workplace, during the second half of the Decade for Women. 141. The representative of FAO stated that by the year 2000 about 96 per cent of the world's agricultural labour force would be in developing countries, with women accounting for a large share of this labour force. FAO recognized the existing and potential role of women in agricultural and rural development. The 1979 World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development had emphasized the need for increasing women's participation in rural organizations, for reducing inequalities in the distribution of productive assets and for increasing resources more commensurate with problems of the rural poor. The Programme of Action adopted by that Conference complemented the draft programme of the Copenhagen Conference as far as rural women were concerned. Rural women were also target groups in a broad range of FAO action programmes relating to agriculture, forestry and fisheries, as well as home economics and population education. In carrying out these programmes FAO collaborated with the Governments of Member States and also with other United Nations bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations. 142. The Director-General of UNESCO, referring to the historical and cultural context of the relationship between men and women, said that men even those advocating the equality of the sexes - tended to see an intrinsic difference between the aptitudes and capacities of women and those of men. For that matter, even many women had become so accustomed to the place assigned to them in what was still largely a man's world that they were apprehensive of any radical change. Accordingly, he considered that a profound transformation of received ideas would alone "be capable of opening up the possibility for humanity to attain the ideals of liberty, justice, peace and happiness. For that purpose, the international community would have to make a determined effort to ''demasculinize" the very concepts of universal knowledge and to adopt a scientific approach to the harriers that still obstructed the common understanding of men and women of the unity of the human species. 143. The representative of the World Health Organization (WHO) stated that health was an integral and essential part of development. Governments were committed to achieving the goal of the attainment by all citizens of the world by the year 2000 of a level of health that will permit them to lead a socially and economically productive life;'. Primary health care was the key to attaining this goal and had direct implication for development and for the improvement of the status of women. Its principles and content were relevant to the goals and priorities of the United Nations Decade for Women. Women and women's organizations must play major roles in the planning and implementation of primary health care at the family, community and national levels. The health needs and problems specific to women must be met, particularly those related to the synergistic conditions of malnutrition, infections and the consequences of unregulated fertility. Emphasis should accordingly be placed on preventive health measures, for example, maternal and child health, family planning, nutrition and health education. Intersectoral approaches were required to support women in and to give value to their reproductive role, especially as regards care and nutrition during pregnancy and childbirth; women should be given the means to regulate their own fertility; and women should be enabled to breastfeed their children and have adequate time and resources for child care. 144. The representative of the World Bank stated that the Bank's loans were being granted increasingly for the purpose of relieving poverty in developing countries, and as a consequence the Bank was giving greater attention to the concerns of women, not in isolation but as an integral aspect of the design and implementation of Bank-financed projects. The Bank's adviser on the role of women in development examined project proposals in order to ensure that women's problems were taken into account, that there were opportunities for women to benefit and that consequences which may be detrimental to women were avoided or eliminated. The Bank had also been making special efforts to increase the number of women in higher-level positions on its staff. Bank-financed projects helped to create employment opportunities for women, to improve their productivity and increase their inccme and to benefit family welfare. Other projects were designed to develop human resources, provide better education and improve health and nutrition. The Bank's policy and practice emphasized the links and complementarities among the facets of development. The education of girls, for example, not only offered opportunities for their employment, but had beneficial effects on fertility, child health and nutritional practices. 145. The representative of UNIDO stated that the activities of her organisation had an indirect but important influence on employments health and education* She drew attention to a resolution on ''Women and industrialization' adopted by* the Third General Conference of OTIDO in February 1980., which recognized that the integration and participation of women at all levels of the industrialization process were prerequisites for balanced and equitable development. In order to attain their industrialization goals , the developing countries would have to utilize to the fullest extent their human resources, of which women constituted about half. Particular attention should thus be given to conducting surveys of skill demand and availability, and to identifying training needs and Governments should emphasize comprehensive training development policies and introduce structural adjustments for the integration of women in development. At the same time , decisions relating to industrialization strategies and policies should take into consideration how industrialization affected women and how it meets -women's needs. UUIDO was carrying out some studies to assist Governments in this respect , As far as the problems of rural women were concerned, most, if not all activities of OTIDO had a bearing on rural development and the satisfaction of basic needs of the populations in developing countries. While UNIDO had the structure and capacity to influence the integration of women, the extent to which it could assist would ultimately depend on the attitudes and priorities in each country, 146. The representative of the United Nations Environment Programme stated that UNEP was concerned with the protection and improvement of the physical environment. Accordingly, its activities included those relating to the provision of a sufficient supply of safe domestic water in areas where this was lacking or where water was carried laboriously over long distances -, usually by women. It would "be a noble initiative of the Conference to recommend measures that would ensure , especially at the country level , an adequate supply of safe water for women in rural communities in developing countries. Chapter V REPORTS OF SUBSIDIARY BODIES AND ACTION TAKEN ON THESE REPORTS BY THE CONFERENCE A. Report of the First Committee 1. Organization of work l47. The Conference at its 1st plenary meeting, on 14 July 1980, allocated the following items to the First Committee: Item 7 (a): Effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa: review of the situation; Item 8 (a) : Review and evaluation of the progress made and obstacles encountered in attaining the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, at the national, regional and international levels, from 1975 to 1980, in keeping with the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year: Review and evaluation of progress made and obstacles encountered at the national level in attaining the minimum objectives set forth in paragraph 46 of the World Plan of Action; Item 9 (a) : Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1981 to 1985, designed to implement the World Plan of Action: National targets and strategies for women's integration and participation in economic and social development, with special emphasis on the subtheme "Employment, Health and Education": (i) Planning and Monitoring; (ii) National machineries; Item 10 (a): Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: A review of the social and economic needs of the Palestinian women. 148. The Committee considered these items at meetings held from 15 to 29 July 1980. 1/ 149. The Committee's Presiding Officer was Mrs. Maimouna Kane (Senegal) who was elected by acclamation at the 1st plenary meeting of the Conference on 14 July 1980. 150. At its 1st meeting, on 15 July 1980, the Committee elected the following officers: 1/ For its consideration of the items the Committee had before it the documents mentioned in the relevant sections of the annotations to the provisional agenda (A/CONF.94/1) , which also refers to a number of background documents. Deputy Presiding Officers: Mrs. Rafidah Aziz (Malaysia) Mrs. Leonidas Paez de Virgili (Paraguay) Mrs. Maria Groza (Romania) Rapporteur: Mrs. M„ Van Hemeldonck (Belgium) 151. At its 1st meeting on 15 July the Committee decided to request each regional group to designate two persons to serve as "friends of the Rapporteur" to assist her in her work. 152. At its 2nd meeting, on 16 July, the Committee decided to establish a drafting group, consisting of two representatives from each regional group, to consider amendments proposed to the draft Programme of Action. The membership was as follows: African States: Ms. Farkhonda Hassan (Egypt) Ms. Rokiatousow (Mali) Asian States: Ms. Ginko Sato (Japan) Ms. Dharma Wanita Ghandi (Indonesia) Eastern European States: Mr. Jaroslav Havelka (Czechoslovakia) Ms. Aleksandra Biryukova (USSR) Latin American States: Ms. Shirley Field-Ridley (Guyana) Ms. Ruby Betancourt (Mexico) Western European and Ms. Gabriele Holzer (Austria) other States: Ms. Jacqueline Abitboul (France) 2. Consideration of Part Two of the Draft Programme of Action 153. In connexion with its consideration of item 9 (a) (draft Programme of Action), the Committee decided to deal with the relevant part of the draft Programme (Part Two) paragraph by paragraph and at the same time with amendments proposed to these paragraphs. In addition to written amendments, other amendments were proposed orally. The proposed amendments were considered also in a working group composed of the friends of the Rapporteur and the drafting group. The Working Group was chaired by the Rapporteur. 154. The Committee recommended to the Conference for adoption the text of Part Two, chapter III of the draft Programme of Action, as amended in the course of the Committee's deliberations 2/ (for action by the Conference see para. 194 below). 155. It was agreed that the Committee should consider the items allocated to it without a general debate. It was further agreed that items 8 (a) and 9 (a) would be discussed concurrently. 2/ The text of Part Two, chapter III of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women, as recommended by the First Committee to the Conference for adoption, 'was set out in annex I to the Committee's report (A/C0NF.94/L.21 and L.2l/Add.4). 156. The representative of the Secretary-General of the Conference;, in introducing document A/CONF.94/30 submitted under item 8 (a), noted that it was the basic document for this item. Documents A/CONF.94/8/Rev.l, A/CONF.94/9 and A/CONF.94/10 related, respectively, to employment, health and education, the subthemes of "the Conference. Summary of the debate in the First Committee 157. The essence of the discussion on the basic themes which emerged is reflected in the passages which follow. 158. A majority of delegations expressed concern about the frequently negative impact of technological advances on women's employment opportunities and living conditions. It was noted that in developed market economies and in developing countries women workers in unskilled or semi-skilled jobs were among the first victims of labour-saving technology. 159. It was stressed that, to ensure that benefits of technological advance became accessible to women, women must make a substantial input into technological design;, choice and control. 160. It was also stated that in both developing and developed countries new technologies had too often been introduced without sufficiently careful consideration of their full impact on women. This had therefore also sometimes resulted in the displacement of women from their existing occupations. The introduction of such technology should include built-in arrangements for training women in its use and for their full participation in the new employment opportunities which were thereby made available. 161. With respect to employment in developing countries, a large number of delegations said that the great majority of women worked in the informal, unorganized sector. Employment in this sector needed to be covered by legislative and other measures, in order to ensure the protection of women workers, including improvement in their working conditions, higher wages and increased economic returns. 162. In many developing countries, self-employment accounted and would continue to account for a large percentage of women's participation in the labour force. However, as several delegations noted, women lacked access to the necessary information and training. They also experienced difficulty in obtaining credit. Measures to provide this information and training and to provide access to these facilities would be an important factor in increasing women's participation in economic activity. 163. All delegations which spoke on this point agreed on the overriding need to increase women's participation in decision making, especially in those areas which were of central importance to the planning and governing of their societies . Often important decisions were made in bodies other than popularly elected ones -such as public councils, boards and committees •• and in these the proportion of women members was too often even lower than in elected bodies. 164. Some delegations referred to the role of educated women or women in influential positions. Future efforts to organize and mobilize women should include strategies which would make the most effective use of these valuable human resources. Governments should recognize the importance of these groups. Women's organizations should consider strategies for the best use of their talents and capacities towards the promotion of women in high-level network decision-making positions . 165. There was unanimous agreement on the essential role which education played in the advancement of women, and the urgent need to promote female literacy, which still lagged behind, particularly in the developing countries. There was also a need to abolish existing differentials in the over-all educational attainment rates of boys and girls. 166. Some delegations referred to the importance of educating women to make them aware of existing legislative and other provisions concerning their rights and duties, l6T. A number of delegations referred to the important role of the media in accurately depicting women in present-day society and thereby helping to change the way women are viewed in society. 168. The need to change social attitudes was addressed by many delegations. Social, cultural and ideological, as well as economic factors played a significant part in determining the status of women. Delegations agreed on the importance of comprehensive and integrated programmes for the advancement of women, especially in developing countries. 169. There was a broad measure of agreement on the need to redefine the roles of women and men in relation to their societies, and more especially in the family. Women and men must learn how to share responsibility for their families. Such a redefinition of roles would require not only changes in the attitudes of the individuals and the societies but also structural changes at every level and, most especially, at the family level. 170. Some delegations stressed the need to give higher priority to peace, as one of the aims of the Decade. Peace was a precondition for real equality and development. It was suggested that both educational systems and the mass media should be more involved in the positive promotion of peace. The media should be urged to stop the glorification of "might and power". There should be programmes of education for peace and the respect of human rights at every level, beginning with the primary schools and going on to the universities. 171. A number of representatives stated that the descriptive list of national machineries (A/CONF.94/11/Add.11) was incomplete. The representative of Japan regretted that paragraph 127 of the report on Employment (A/CONF.94/8/Rev.l) did not reflect accurately the current debate in Japan concerning labour legislation. 3. Effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa: Review of the situation 172 In the First Committee's deliberations on agenda item 7 (a): Effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa: Review of the situation five major themes emerged from delegations' statements. The first was the condemnation of apartheid and the affirmation of solidarity with the liberation struggle In general southern African women in particular. The second was the identification of the specific nature of oppression suffered "by "black southern African women as a result of apartheid. The third was recognition of the contribution of the liberation movements to the struggle. The fourth was condemnation of the international links with and support of the Republic of South Africa, and the fifth and last was the need for a new approach in international assistance. 173. Delegations unanimously condemned the apartheid policy of the Republic of South Africa. They reaffirmed their solidarity with the struggle against apartheid and racism and many welcomed the newly independent State of Zimbabwe as a participant for the first time in a United Nations Conference. The oppressive effects of apartheid on all black men, women and children were generally recognized, and it was agreed that the black women of southern Africa were one of the most oppressed groups. Many delegations emphasized that the time had come to take concrete and practical measures to alleviate the plight of these women. The hope was expressed that the Conference would succeed where others had failed by agreeing on significant measures of assistance for black women in southern Africa, 174. Referring to the documents before them, many delegations described different aspects of the situation of the black women in southern Africa. Reference was made to the detrimental implications for women of the migrant labour system, pass laws, mass population removals and the relegation of wives and children to the homelands, which together had contributed to the break-up of many families. 175. All delegations who spoke on this item expressed their admiration for the courage of the black women of southern Africa in their struggle for fundamental rights. The Special Committee against Apartheid made special mention of the outstanding leadership of women in the trade union movement and in the struggle for national liberation, and assured the Committee that it would do all in its power to promote the implementation of the Conference's recommendations on assistance to the women of South Africa. 176. Many delegations commended the contribution and leadership of the southern African liberation movements. The observers for the African National Congress (ANC), the Pan African Congress (PAC) and the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) made statements in the Committee. The ANC referred to the important role played by women, alongside men, in the liberation movement; through this participation in the struggle for national liberation, equality with men was being forged. The ANC stressed, however, that this equality could not be achieved except in a favourable socio-political and economic environment. In South Africa the denial of equal rights to black women was inherent in the policy of apartheid. The PAC described its role in the struggle against apartheid and emphasized the importance of measures of assistance. SWAPO drew attention to the deteriorating situation of women in Namibia and made an appeal for special measures aimed at the elimination of racism. 177. Deploring the continuing economic, political, cultural - including sport - and military links maintained by many countries with the Republic of South Africa in breach of numerous resolutions adopted by United Nations bodies and in defiance of a broad current of international opinion, many delegations stressed that these links were a major prop for the racist regime. They urged Governments to sever such links. In this regard, the policies of some NATO countries, as well as Israel, were severely criticized by a number of delegations. In response, the representative of Israel strongly denied a claim that it has military relations with the Republic of South Africa. The representative of Luxembourg, speaking on behalf of the European Community, pointed out that its member States strictly applied the Security Council sanctions with regard to South Africa and had adopted a code of conduct for their economic activities in South Africa. The representative of the Federal Republic of Germany considered that the severance of relations with the Republic of South Africa was not the best method of fighting apartheid; dialogue represented a more effective approach. Many delegations expressed grave concern at the increasing militarization of the Republic of South Africa, -which they asserted posed a threat to international peace and security. In this regard, they noted South Africa's recent steps in developing nuclear weapons, and its repeated military aggression against the front-line States, especially Angola. 178. Although the agenda subitem concerning special measures for assistance to women in southern Africa was not before the Committee, 3/ many delegations stressed the importance of such assistance and addressed the issue in general terms. One delegation, supported by a number of others, observed that hitherto international efforts to eradicate apartheid had proved inadequate and that there was an urgent need to adopt new and innovative measures if efforts were to succeed. Specifically, the focus of international assistance and attention needed to be redirected to the front-line States supporting the liberation struggle. The economic hardship faced by these countries due to the large influx of refugees from southern Africa, and the destruction caused by South Africa's military aggression, had seriously compromised their development and had limited their ability to continue supporting the liberation struggle. 179. It was proposed that a new approach was needed in the provision of international assistance for the education and training of black South Africans, especially the black women. For such education and training to be of relevance to the needs and reality of southern Africa, it needed to be provided in developing, rather than developed countries. In this regard, international assistance in this area needed to be directed at those developing countries which had demonstrated their willingness and ability to provide such education and training. 180. Referring to the issue of measures of assistance, one delegation noted that it was important to ensure that women as well as men benefited from the assistance given by United Nations bodies in support of the struggle against apartheid in southern Africa. In the past, this had seldom been the case. 4. Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: A review of the social and economic needs of Palestinian women 181. In the course of the First Committee's discussion of item 10 (a), the majority of delegations stressed that the social and economic needs of Palestinian women could not be discussed in isolation, but only within the wider context of the struggle of the Palestinian people for self-determination. They affirmed that a political settlement in the Middle East was a precondition of an improvement in the situation of Palestinian women and that such a settlement could only be achieved with the full realization of the rights of the Palestinian people under ' 3/ Agenda item 7 (b) was considered in the Second Committee. the leadership of the Palestine Liberation Organization. These delegations condemned Israel's policies towards the Palestinian people and expressed their solidarity with the Palestinians, in the occupied territories and elsewhere, in their struggle for political independence. In this context, many delegations condemned the United States for its support of Israel and criticized the Camp David agreements which they rejected as a denial of the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. A number of delegations drew attention to the similarities of the policies of the Governments of Israel and South Africa. 182. The representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) said it was idle to discuss the rights of Palestinian women while the entire Palestinian people was denied basic human rights, and stated that the struggle of Palestinian women for their own liberation was inextricably linked with the struggle for the liberation of their homeland. She described the detrimental effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women: the break-up of thousands of families; murder, imprisonment and torture; confiscation of land; and discrimination in employment, health care and education. 183. The representative of the League of Arab States transmitted an appeal from Palestinian women in the occupied territories for an understanding of their cause and for assistance in their struggle to regain their territory so that they might play their full part in economic and social development. l84. The representative of Israel vigorously rejected these charges, particularly those of the PLO, describing them as an attempt to divert the attention of the Conference from its main objective and introduce a political debate that belonged in other forums. In the view of the delegation of Israel, document A/CONF.94/21 was malicious, tendentious and inaccurate. She stated that Zionism was the national liberation movement of the Jewish people and that the land of Israel was the root of their culture. In denying the charges of Israeli maltreatment of Palestinian women, she referred to the considerable improvements in aspects of their social, economic and cultural life in recent years. Israel hoped that all women would call for peace and co-operation in the Middle East. 185. The delegation of the Syrian Arab Republic recalled that a number of Arab delegations had referred to the effects of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territory and had criticized the methods of the racist entity and the Camp David accords, the principles of which were intended to liquidate the Palestinian cause. They had refuted the claims put forward by the representative of the racist entity and exposed the violations being committed against the Palestinian people in general and Palestinian women in particular inside and outside the other occupied Arab territories and in South Lebanon and the expansionist policy being implemented through the establishment of settlements, thereby confirming that zionism was not a national liberation movement, as claimed by the representative of the racist entity, but rather a movement that was racist in both its structure and its practices. 186. The representative of the United States reiterated the view that the complex problems of the Middle Fast could be discussed more productively in other United Nations forums, particularly in the current special session of the General Assembly, but expressed willingness to discuss the problems of Palestinian women in a spirit of compassion and understanding. The United States supported Israel's view that the documentation was distorted and inappropriate and Israel's right to respond to the unfair, exaggerated charges levelled against it. In response to criticism of the Camp David agreements, the United States characterized them as a step towards peace and towards a just settlement of the conflict for both the people of Israel and the Palestinian people. 187. Other delegations expressed sympathy for the plight of Palestinian women and said their countries were willing to extend specific assistance to them through the appropriate channels. In this context, reference was made to the important role of UNRWA. These delegations "believed, however, that it was necessary to separate the political and humanitarian aspects of the problem if effective humanitarian assistance was to be given to Palestinian women. The Conference should not enter into a confrontational and divisive political debate, but should rather concentrate on practical measures of assistance on which agreement was possible. They also expressed strong reservations on document A/CONF.94/21. 188. In making a reply the representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization stated that improvements in the status of Arab women in the occupied territories were not a substitute for self-determination. That view was supported by other delegations. In exercising its right of reply, Israel reiterated that it had not sought to minimize the political problems inherent in the conflict or to present improvements in life-style in lieu of a solution to these problems, but rather to concentrate on issues of concern to women. 189. Responding to accusations of collusion and treason for its country's role in the Camp David agreements, the representative of Egypt stated that the position of Egypt on the right of the Palestinians to self-determination and independence was clear and that Egypt would continue to safeguard the rights of the Palestinians, despite unjustified criticism. A number of other delegations reiterated their earlier statements in the exercise of the right of reply. 5. Consideration of draft resolutions by the First Committee 190. At meetings held from 25 to 29 July, the First Committee considered draft resolutions as follows: (i) Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.4 concerning the technical training of women, sponsored by Ecuador, was withdrawn and became part of the draft Programme of Action. (ii) Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.l8, concerning family planning, sponsored by Bangladesh, Barbados, Fiji, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Yemen, Zaire and Zambia, was adopted, as orally amended and revised (for action by the Conference see para. 195 below). Reservations to the draft resolution were made by the representatives of Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, the Holy See, Romania, Colombia and Paraguay. (iii) Draft resolution A/CONF.94/C.1/L.20, entitled "Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages" sponsored by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Burundi, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Democratic Kampuchea, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Portugal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Uganda, United States of America, Uruguay, Upper Volta, Venezuela and Yugoslavia was adopted, as orally amended and revised (for action "by the Conference see para. 195 below). A statement on the draft resolution was made by the representative of France. (iv) Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.21 entitled "Migrant women", sponsored by Algeria, Barbados, Ecuador, Greece, Holy See, Honduras, Italy, Lesotho, Mexico, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and Yugoslavia was adopted as orally revised and amended (for action by the Conference see para. 195 below). Reservations to the draft resolution were made by the representatives of Bhutan, Austria, Switzerland, France, Denmark, Belgium, Ivory Coast, Federal Republic of Germany, Japan, Ghana, Malaysia, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of .America, Venezuela and Kuwait:. (v) Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.23 entitled "Elderly women and economic security", sponsored by the Dominican Republic, Federal Republic of Germany, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Ireland, Japan, Lesotho, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago and the United States of America was adopted as orally amended and revised (for action by the Conference see para. 195 below). Reservations to the draft resolution were formulated by the representatives of Brazil and Iran (with respect to the phrase "due to longer life expectancy" in the first preambular paragraph). (vi) Draft resolution A/CONF.94/C.1/L.24 entitled "Battered women and violence in the family", sponsored by Australia, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Lesotho, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United States of America and Zaire was adopted as orally revised (for action "by the Conference see para. 195 below). Reservations to the draft resolution were made by the representatives of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Czechoslovakia. (vii) Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.22 entitled "Necessity of fuller information on national machinery and legislation, sponsored by Bulgaria, was merged with draft resolution A/CONF.94/C.1/L.31 and subsequently withdrawn. Draft resolution A/C0NF.94/C1/L.31 entitled "Review and evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at the national level", sponsored by Bulgaria, Finland and Sweden was adopted as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 19 6 below). (viii) Draft resolution A/CONF.94/C.I/L.26 entitled "Women and discrimination based on race" sponsored by the United States of America was withdrawn. Under rule 27 of the rules of procedure the delegation of Angola reintroduced this draft resolution, and accepted the amendments proposed earlier to A/CONF.94/C.I/L.26 by other delegations; the draft resolution was issued as document A/CONF.94/C1/L.35 (see subpar. xiii below). (ix) Draft resolution entitled "Special measures in favour of young women" (A/CONF.94/C.1/L.29), sponsored by Algeria, Cuba, Ecuador, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mexico, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Spain, Venezuela and Zambia was adopted, as orally devised (for action by the Conference see para. 196 below). A reservation to the draft resolution was formulated by the representative of the Netherlands. (x) Draft resolution entitled "Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women" (A/CONF.94/C.1/L.32), sponsored by Algeria, Barbados, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Colombia, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Jamaica, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Soviet Socialist Republics, Viet Nam and Zambia, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 196 below). Reservations were made by the representatives of Chile, Belgium, the Federal Republic of Germany (with respect to the third preambular paragraph), Haiti, Iran, Morocco, Spain, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America (with respect to the third preambular paragraph). (xi) Draft resolution entitled "Women living in conditions of extreme poverty" (A/CONF.94/C.I/L.27) , sponsored by the United Republic of Cameroon, France, Gabon, Lebanon, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Yugoslavia and Zaire was adopted as orally revised and amended (for action by the Conference see para. 196 below). Reservations were made by Algeria, Australia (with respect to the second preambular paragraph ) and Austria. The delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany reserved its position with respect to operative paragraph 5 of the draft resolution. (xii ) Draft resolutions A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.19, L.25 and L.28 were combined into one draft resolution, A/CONF.94/C. 1/1.34, entitled "Promotion of equality in education and training", sponsored by Austria, Barbados, United Republic of Cameroon, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Lebanon, Mexico, Mozambique, Philippines, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Venezuela, Zaire and Zambia, was adopted as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 196 below). Reservations were made on the draft resolution by the representatives of Australia (with respect to operative para. 2), Belgium, Nepal and Switzerland. (xiii) Draft resolution A/CONF.94/C.1/L.35, entitled "Women and discrimination "based on race", sponsored by Algeria, Angola;, Barbados, Cape Verde, Congo, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Guyana, Iran, i Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, Syrian Arab Republic, United Arab Emirates, and United Republic of Tanzania. The representative of the United States of America introduced orally two amendments to the draft resolution calling for the deletion of the last preambular paragraph and the first operative paragraph. The Committee rejected these amendments by a roll-call vote of k6 to 42t with 12 abstentions. The result of the voting was as follows: In favour: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Finland, Prance, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, \ Israel, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malawi, Mali, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Togo, United Kingdom, United Republic of Cameroon, United States of America, Upper Volta. Against: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, Tunisia, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia. Abstaining: Barbados, Bhutan, China, Malaysia, Nepal, Niger, Philippines, Suriname, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, Zaire. Subsequently the delegation of Jamaica stated that, had it been present at the time of the vote, it would have voted against the oral amendments proposed by the United States of America. A further proposal made by the United Republic of Cameroon, to insert a new operative paragraph 2 was adopted. The Committee then adopted the draft resolution as a whole, as amended, by a roll-call vote of 66 to 5» with 39 abstentions. The result of the voting was as follows: In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania -156- Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic., Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania., Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia. Against: Germany, Federal Republic of, Israel., Lesotho, United Kingdom, United States of America. Abstaining: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, France, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Nepal., Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal , Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Upper Volta, Zaire. (For action by the Conference see para. 199 below,) Subsequently, the Delegation of Lesotho stated that it had intended to vote in favour of the draft resolution as a whole. 6. Recommendations of the First Committee 191. The First Committee recommended to the Conference the adoption of Part Two, chapter III of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women, as set out in annex I to the Committee's report (A/CONF.94/L.21 and Add.4). In addition, the Committee recommended to the Conference the adoption of draft resolutions I to XI as set out in annex II to its report (A/CONF.94/L.21/Add.1, 2, 3, 3A and 3B). 7. Action taken in plenary on the report of the First Committee 192. At the 20th plenary meeting on 30 July 1980 the Rapporteur of the First Committee introduced the Committee's report (A/C0NF-94/L.21 and Corr.l and 2 and Add.1-4) , in which the Committee recommended to the Conference the adoption of Part Two, chapter III of the draft Programme of Action, as revised by the Committee, and eleven draft resolutions (Nos. I to XI). 193. At its 20th and 21st plenary meetings on 30 July 1980 the Conference took action on the recommendations of the First Committee. 194. At the 21st plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote Part Two chapter III of the draft Programme of Action as recommended by the First Committee (for the text see chapter III of the Programme of Action, as set out in chap. I above). 195. At the 20th plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote the following draft resolutions recommended by the Committee: Draft resolution I entitled "Family planning" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution l) Draft resolution II entitled "Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 2) Draft resolution III entitled "Migrant women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 3) Draft resolution IV entitled "Elderly women and economic security' (for the text, see chap, I above, resolution 4) . Draft resolution V entitled "Battered women and violence in the family" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 5) Draft resolution VI entitled "Review and evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at the National Level" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 6) 196. At the 21st plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote the following draft resolutions recommended by the First Committee: Draft resolution VII entitled "Special measures in favour of young women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 27) Draft resolution VIII entitled "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 28) Draft resolution IX entitled "Women living in conditions of extreme poverty" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 29) Draft resolution X entitled "Promotion of equality in education and training" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 30) 197. With respect to the draft resolution entitled "Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women" the delegation of Pakistan stated that, being an Islamic country, Pakistan attributed a high status to women. The delegation considered the spirit of the Convention commendable, but had some reservations with regard to a few articles of the Convention. 198. The delegation of Haiti stated that its reservation related to the third preambular paragraph of the same draft resolution, referring to co-operation among all women "irrespective of their social and economic systems". 199. At the same meeting, the Conference adopted by a roll-call vote of 78 to 3, with 39 abstentions, the draft resolution XI recommended by the First Committee and entitled "Women and discrimination based on race" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 3l) The result of the voting was as follows: In favour: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, India, -158- Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe., Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire., Zambia, Zimbabwe. . Against: Germany, Federal Republic of , United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. Abstaining: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, France, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Luxembourg, Malawi, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Upper Volta, Uruguay. 200. The delegation of Lesotho stated that, although it had voted in favour of the draft resolution as a whole, it wished to formulate a reservation with respect to paragraph 1. B. Report of the Second Committee 1. Organization of work 201. The Conference at its 1st plenary meeting on 14 July 1980 allocated the following items to the Second Committee: Item 7 ("b) : Effects of apartheid on women in southern Africa: Special measures for assistance to women in southern Africa; Item 8 (b) : Review and evaluation of the progress made and obstacles encountered in attaining the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, at the national, regional and international levels, from 1975 to 1980; in keeping with the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year: Review and evaluation of regional and global programmes of the United Nations system of organizations aimed at promoting the objectives of the Decade. Item 9 (b) and (c) : Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1981-1985, designed to implement the World Plan of Action: Regional and international targets and strategies, taking into account the subtheme ''Employment, Health and Education"; The situation of women refugees the world over. Item 10 (b) : Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: Special measures for assistance to Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories. 202. The Committee considered these items at meetings held from 15 to 29 July 1980. 4/ 203. The Presiding Officer of the Committee was Mrs. Shiela Kaul (India) who was elected by acclamation at the 1st plenary meeting of the Conference. 204. At its 1st meeting on 15 July the Committee elected the following officers: Deputy Presiding Officers : Ms. Maria de Lourdes C. E. S. de Vicenza (Brazil) Mr. Chavdar Kiuranov (Bulgaria) Ms. Nermin Abadan-Unat (Turkey) Rapporteur: Mr. Ali Benbouchta (Morocco) 4/ For its consideration of the items the Committee had before it the documents mentioned in the relevant sections of the annotations to the provisional agenda {A/CONF.94/1), which also refer to a number of background documents. 2. Consideration of Part Three of the draft Programme of Action. 205. In connexion with its consideration of item 9 (b) (draft Programme of Action), |the Committee decided to deal with the relevant part of the draft Programme (Part Three) paragraph by paragraph and at the same time with amendments proposed to these paragraphs. In addition to written amendments, other amendments were [proposed orally. The proposed amendments were considered also in informal consultations. 206. The Committee recommends to the Conference for adoption the text of Part Three, Chapters IV and V of the draft Programme of Action as amended in the course of the Committee's deliberations (for action by the Conference see para. 331 below). 5/ 207- As regards the paragraph of the draft Programme of Action entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories", the Committee decided by a roll-call vote of 85 to 3, with 21 abstentions, to recommend to the Conference the adoption of the text of the paragraph as set out in annex I of the Committee 's report. The result of the vote was as follows : 6/ 5/ The text of Part Three of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women , as recommended by the Second Committee to the Conference for adoption, was set out in annex I to the Committee's report (A/C0NF.94/L.22). 6/ This decision was preceded by a procedural debate in the course of which the closure of the debate was moved. The motion was adopted by a roll-call vote of 71 to 22, with 16 abstentions. The result of the vote was as follows : In favour: Algeria, Angola, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia., Maldives, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Against: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France , Germany, Federal Republic of, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America. Abstaining: Argentina, Barbados, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Fiji, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Japan, Malawi, Thailand. Trinidad and Tobago and United Republic of Cameroon. -161- In favour: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Against: Canada, Israel, United States of America. Abstaining: Australia, Barbados, Botswana, Chile, Colombia, Fiji, Finland, Guatemala, Haiti, Iceland, Ivory Coast, Malawi, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Upper Volta and Uruguay. (For action by the Conference see paras. 327 and 331 below.) 208. The delegations of the following countries stated that they had not participated in the vote: Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Peru and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. 209. Statements in explanation of vote were made by Israel, Portugal, Sweden, Australia, Switzerland, Finland, Algeria, Chile, Ecuador, Nigeria, Greece, New Zealand, Fiji, Norway, Austria, Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community) , Congo and Guatemala. 3. Measures of assistance to women in southern Africa 210. In connexion with item 7 (b), the Second Committee had before it document A/CONF.94/6/Rev.l. The item was discussed at its 15th meeting on 2b July 1930. 211. In introducing the discussion on this item the representative of the Secretary-General of the Conference informed the Committee that the proposed assistance would be channelled through the southern African liberation movements recognized by the Organization of African Unity. Reconstruction aid to women of Zimbabwe would be directly channelled through the Government of Zimbabwe. 212. He said assistance was divided into several categories: legal, humanitarian and political assistance to southern African women inside South Africa and Namibia and in the refugee camps; training and assistance to women in the national liberation movements to aid them in their struggle for national liberation; training and assistance for women to play roles in all areas after liberation in the reconstruction of their countries, and international support for and co-operation with southern African women's struggle. 213- The observers for the African national Congress (South Africa) and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania expressed the determination of women in these liberation movements to eradicate the oppressive apartheid system and called upon the international community to act immediately and increase its assistance to women in this struggle. 214. Many representatives condemned the apartheid system., expressed their solidarity with the national liberation movements and appealed to all the United Nations Member States to observe strictly the decisions of the Security Council and the United Nations General Assembly on the issue. They pointed out that it is obvious that the support of the South African regime by some Western States whose monopolies exploit the great mineral wealth of Africa represents the main obstacle to the struggle for the elimination of the remains of apartheid and racism in South Africa and Namibia. That is why the immediate discontinuation by some Western States of economic, political, military and any other assistance to the South African racist regime is indispensable and urgent necessity for the elimination of apartheid and racism. 215. While expressing their gratitude for the current programmes of assistance, many representatives fully endorsed the recommendations for additional measures of assistance proposed in A/CONF.94/6/Rev.l. They emphasized the need to adopt the proposed measures to strengthen the current programmes to help women in South Africa and Namibia to uproot the apartheid system, and urged the fullest possible implementation of the proposed measures. 216. Several representatives called for assistance to the front-line States which had sacrificed so much in aiding the peoples of South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe. It was suggested that reconstruction aid be given to the women's movements in these countries. They called upon the Conference to adopt concrete decisions which will contribute to the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination. Otherwise the universal and complete realization of women's rights will be impossible. 217. The representative of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania requested that the following paragraph be inserted into the document on page 25 between items (e) and (f): "The organization made a contribution for a Seminar for Women in the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania on the Role of Women in the Liberation Struggle held from 23 June to 3 July 1980 in the United Republic of Tanzania." 218. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee took note of the document on measures of assistance to women in southern Africa (A/CONF.94/6/Rev.l). 4. Review and evaluation of regional and global programmes of the United Nations system of organizations aimed at promoting the objectives of the Decade 219. In connexion with item 8 (b) the Second Committee had before it nine documents on the review and evaluation of regional and global programmes, of the United Nations system and of organizations , which were aimed at promoting the objectives of the Decade. These were discussed at the 1st to 4th meetings, held from 15 to 17 July 1980. 7/ 220. In introducing the discussion on this item, the representative of the Secretary-General of the Conference explained that the main report for the item was the ''Review and. evaluation of global and regional programmes of the United Nations system, 1975-1980'' (A/CONF.94/31) which was "based on information provided by a number of United Nations "bodies and organizations. She said that the other reports which contained additional information on regional and global programmes were "Review of the activities of the specialized agencies and organizations in the United Nations system aimed at the implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace" (A/C0NF.94/20 and Corr.l), which summarized information received from 10 specialized agencies, one United Nations body and one department of the United Nations , and "Recommendations relating to women and development emerging from Conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations or the specialized agencies" (A/CONF.94/19 and Corr.l) which gave an assessment of ways in which issues concerning women and development had been analysed in 12 world conferences held since 1975- The report on "Women in rural areas" (A/CONF.94/28) examined the question with particular emphasis on food, access to land and water, credit facilities and co-operatives. 221. The reports of the five regional preparatory meetings were contained in documents A/CONF.94/14, 15, l6, 17 and 18. She explained that the purpose of these meetings, except for that of the ECE, had been to review and evaluate progress achieved in the region concerned since 1975, from the point of view of the implementation of the World Plan of Action, and in some cases of the regional plans of action, and to make recommendations for the next half of the Decade. Summary of the debate on the review 222. Many representatives recognized the close relationship between the three themes of the Conference: equality, development and peace. They emphasized that, if the status of women was to be significantly improved, far-reaching changes would have to be carried out at the national and international levels, including the areas of employment, education and health. The efforts of the Second United Nations Development Decade had failed to achieve major economic changes, the causes being both national and international. These representatives considered it impossible to talk of equality for women so long as the international situation remained unchanged. Several representatives pointed out that progressive socio-economic reforms and global changes corresponding to the principles of the New International Economic Order were needed because of the ever-increasing interdependence of developed and developing countries. A number of representatives expressed the opinion that the Mexico World Plan of Action had retained its lasting validity. However they considered that the implementation of the objectives of the Decade was closely connected with peace, disarmament and detente. National liberation, peace, detente, international co-operation and disarmament constituted in their opinion, the indispensable conditions for the implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women. 7/ Background documents relevant to item 8 (b) were listed in the annotations to the provisional agenda (A/CONF.94/1). 223. One representative stressed that the establishment of the Hew International Economic Order was a necessary hut not a sufficient prerequisite for narrowing the gap between rich and poor countries , and it was not sufficient to achieve lasting economic growth or the provision of basic necessities for women and men in disadvantaged sectors of society. Another representative emphasized that all international programmes relating to women should aim at reinforcing the sense of individual responsibility and at promoting; the conditions for exercising this responsibility. 224. In the opinion of some representatives, recommendations for the establishment of targets and evaluations of progress achieved in attaining them had to take account of the differences and similarities between developed and developing countries. 225. Many representatives expressed satisfaction with the activities undertaken by the United Nations and the specialized agencies. However, a large number of representatives, concerned about the lack of co-ordination between the agencies and the United Nations, which often led to duplication and waste of resources, called for a strengthening of this co-ordination and increased financial resources for this purpose. Note was taken of the joint interagency programmes which had been adopted in the hope that it would contribute to the elimination of duplication and the promotion of a more efficient system of dealing with projects relating to women. Some representatives, however, expressed disappointment with the delay in the implementation of the programme. A few representatives stated that co-ordination was also necessary between the United Nations and organizations outside the United Nations system, including non-governmental organizations., as well as better co-ordination between the United Nations and its Member States and among the countries themselves. Some delegations opposed proposals for establishing new international bodies for co-ordination. They argued that in the first place the existing organs of the United Nations system should be properly utilized for co-ordination purposes. 226. Some representatives considered that the Branch for the Advancement of Women of the Centre for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs was performing a useful role in coordinating activities and should be strengthened. One representative called for changes in and a strengthening of programmes for women but without budgetary increases. Several representatives, recognizing the important role of the Commission on the Status of Women as the only United Nations body with the exclusive mandate to examine the status of women, called for the strengthening of the Commission. 227. Several representatives emphasized that the situation of women within the United Nations system would have to be improved, as an example to other institutions. It was noted that progress had been slow and women had been recruited primarily for junior level posts and not for decision-making positions. These representatives suggested that Governments should identify a greater number of qualified women for such positions. Several representatives spoke in favour of a "positive discrimination' for women. 228. It was widely recognized that regional commissions were playing an important part in the formulation of an international strategy for development, because the needs of women tended to vary in societies having different social and economic .systems. Several representatives stressed that regional strategies should be strengthened by improved technical co-operation among developing countries, the adoption of recommendations of regional preparatory meetings , and increased assistance from the Voluntary Fund for regional activities and the creation of "bodies with resources to implement decisions as part of any restructuring of the United Nations. One representative recognized the need for further decentralization of activities and for stronger mandates for regional development. One representative referring to document A/CONF.94/31, emphasized that her Government could not be responsible for the recommendations of the Economic Commission for Europe, since she considered that some of them were based on an unobjective approach which did not analyze the experience of the socialist countries. Another representative said that limitations of data prevented an effective analysis of women's employment in this document. 229. Some representatives stressed the valuable role that the Voluntary Fund was playing through, its programmes, and announced that their countries pledged further contributions to the Fund. They pointed out that the Voluntary Fund was an invaluable instrument for assisting the poor women in developing countries, but delays in the flow of badly needed resources had become a problem. The Fund also needed greater flexibility in the evaluation of its projects. A few representatives considered that the Voluntary Fund should only be temporary and that it should be integrated into existing United Nations agencies that were executing programmes relating to women. 230. There was considerable discussion about the merits of special development programmes for women, in contrast to the integration of women into programmes. Some representatives supported projects which were directed to and organized specifically for women, rather than modifying existing programmes or adding a women's component to them. However, other representatives noted that special programmes for women had the effect in some countries of becoming a method of keeping women out of the mainstream of activities. It was generally agreed that no matter which method was used, the ultimate goal was that women should participate in development and not that they should be recipients of welfare. 231. Many representatives expressed great interest in the activities of the specialized agencies dealing with women. They appealed to the agencies and United Nations bodies concerned to review and increase wherever possible the number and scope of projects intended to benefit women, especially in the rural areas. These representatives suggested that the agencies should move away from funding training seminars and research programmes and considered that a review of the method of operation of programmes should be undertaken. Another representative noted that the guidelines of the World Bank included questions relating to the programmes and projects in their early stages of preparation. It was further suggested that the guidelines which took account of women's needs and examined their opportunities to participate, issued by FAO, UNDP, UNFPA, the World Bank and others, should be widely disseminated. 232. The representative of FAO reported that, since the Mexico Conference in 1975, a number of decisions had been taken by the Director-General of FAO in order to orient FAO's personnel and institutional structures to support the World Plan of Action especially as it related to rural women; intensify efforts to identify, in collaboration with Member Governments , the situation of rural women and the operational steps necessary to find solutions, and ensure incorporation of appropriate concerns for rural women in all activities in agriculture, forestry and fisheries. The Programme of Action of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development , so far as it related to rural women, was complementary to the Programme of Action for the second half of the United Rations Decade for Women. 233. The representative of the International Labour Organisation stressed that the activities of ILO with respect to working women, especially rural women., had been intensified. She informed the Committee about the recent resolution concerning ILO activities for rural development adopted by the sixty-sixth session of the International Labour Conference (1980) . She also reported on provisions in the ILO Mid-Term Plan (1982-1987) concerning working women. She mentioned that in the field of training for productive work ILO's aim was to increase women's access to all types of technical training including management at all levels and occupations leading to higher incomes, increased job security and mobility, career prospects, adaptation to changing technology and better living and working conditions. 234. The representative of UNDP reported that considerable progress had been achieved since 1975 in involving women in UNDP-supported technical co-operation projects and programmes. She noted that a joint UWDP/Agency assessment of rural women's participation in development, initiated as a special contribution to the Conference , had led to a series of operational recommendations designed to increase the capability and efficiency of the United Nations development system in offering advice and assistance to Governments. These had all been endorsed by the Governing Council of the UNDP. 235. The representative of UNESCO noted that in implementing the World Plan of Action UNESCO had undertaken the following activities: studies in five countries on teaching mothers their role in childhood education and assisting some countries in the establishment of child care facilities; a global survey on drop-outs among school-age girls; studies on the equality of curricula in seven countries; intensified research to identify discriminatory practices in education; intensified vocational and training programmes for women in co-operation with ILO. In addition UNESCO had undertaken research into socio-economic indicators for the Integration of women in development, in cultural life, in the mass media and in science and technology. 236. The representative of UMIDO indicated that the Third General Conference of UNIDO had adopted a series of proposals for promoting the industrialization of the developing countries , and had stressed the potential capacity of industry to influence the status of and opportunities for women in developing countries in a resolution entitled "Women and industrialization". The resolution recognized, that the integration and participation of women at all levels of the industrialization process were a vital prerequisite for balanced and equitable development. She emphasized the relationship between educations training and industrial development in order that women might be associated increasingly at all levels with the general industrialization efforts of the developing countries. 237. A number of representatives called upon Member States to ratify or accede to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, adopted by the General Assembly in 1979 Some representatives pointed out that the need for an appeal to be addressed to Governments which had not yet done so to ratify ILO Conventions on the status of women and the international covenants on human rights and adapt their domestic legislation regarding women to the binding principles of international law. 238. One representative regretted the lack of progress in the past five years in preparing the draft declaration referred to in General Assembly resolution 32/142 on the participation of women in the struggle for the strengthening of international peace and security and against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination and urged the participants to support new initiatives for the expected elaboration of the declaration by the General Assembly at its thirty-fifth session. 239- One representative proposed that the United Nations Secretariat should prepare a comparative review of national legislation, in particular of the provisions relating to equality of men and women. Several representatives urged Governments to establish machinery for assessing the status of women's rights and for establishing priorities for legislation. Other representatives, while noting the importance of legislative measures to enhance the equality of women, emphasized that formal legal recognition of the equality of women and men, was no guarantee that the status of women would be advanced and that what was needed was action to ensure the practical application of such laws. Preferential treatment to redress discrimination did injustice to the cause of equality unless aimed at establishing conditions of equal opportunity. Several delegations stressed that in many countries progress in the implementation of the economic and social rights of women was still highly unsatisfactory. Women continued to be exposed to severe consequences of unemployment and disregard for the principle of equal pay for equal work; they were offered less attractive employment, could not avail themselves of social amenities or adequately participate in development. 240. Rural women accounted for a large proportion of the world's agricultural work force yet their importance was still underemphasized and unrecognized. Some representatives noted that as rural labour became mechanized in developing countries, rural women, already underpaid, would become unemployed. One representative noted a lack of norms concerning wages in cases where rural labour was becoming industrialized, and suggested that the Conference should make a recommendation on this point. 241. Many representatives emphasized that raising the standard of living of rural women should become a priority issue for the United Nations and the specialized agencies, and the role that rural women played in the food production process should be recognized. 242. Some representatives stated that as agriculture was the backbone of so many countries at the Conference, it was important to understand that the "lip-service" being paid to the cause of rural women should be translated into action . 243° One representative stated that attention should be paid to marginal women workers and to women doing unpaid labour, particularly in rural areas, and emphasized the need to link rural development to national planning, regional agreements, and international development strategies. Another representative referred to the high infant mortality in rural areas and urged that increased funds should be diverted to rural maternal and child health care and technical services. It was suggested by one representative that studies should be undertaken to assess the needs of rural women, especially in health matters. It would not be enough to raise the income of rural women: it would be no less necessary to enhance their capabilities. 244 Several representatives noted that inadequate information could lead to social attitudes, including those of -women themselves, that hampered the improvement of the status of women. It was suggested that Governments should monitor the activities of the media regarding women, because of the critical role of the media in shaping attitudes, both positive and negative. One representative emphasized that attitudinal barriers, especially subtle ones, were perhaps the single most important barrier to the advancement for women. 245. A number of representatives stated that, although data had been gathered and problems identified during the first half of the Decade for Women, the United Nations as well as individual countries should reinforce the collection of information and research -work on women. Special attention should be given to rural women. Greater financial resources were needed for women's programmes, to provide an effective base for action, and to improve the analysis of existing data. Governments and United Nations agencies should draw up standards and guidelines for censuses and questionnaires to allow more accurate information to be obtained about Women in the development process. Several representatives supported the setting up of data collection mechanisms, as a first stage in integrating women in development. 246. Some representatives noted that the New International Economic Order should be supported by all Member States, and several representatives noted the importance of the media being sensitive to the needs of women. Lack of accurate data and trained evaluation personnel continued to be an obstacle to the gathering of qualitative information on women in developed and developing countries. 247. Many representatives stressed that women suffered especially from lack of education and training. The United Nations should make training programmes for women more widely available and carry out research into the training of women. Training projects of the United Nations agencies should provide for more local involvement in their design and implementation to ensure that they reflected real needs. The training of women should emphasize skills qualifying them for responsible positions in public and private life. The training of women for technical assistance programmes should be encouraged and more women should be involved directly in research and training for operational activities of all organizations in the United Nations system. 5. The situation of women refugees the world over 248. For its consideration of item 9 (c), the Committee had before it the report on the subject prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (A/CONF.94/24) , The item was discussed at the l4th and 15th meetings held on 25 and 26 July 1980, 249. In introducing the item, the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees drew attention to the nature and extent of the problem of women refugees the world over. She pointed out that as refugees, women were particularly vulnerable. It was difficult for them to perform their role as homemakers , as transmitters of cultural values to their children and to cope with the problems of family health. 250. She stressed that appropriate counseling services were essential to enable women refugees, particularly heads of households, to adjust to their new lives and to move toward self-reliance as rapidly as possible. Furthermore, it was necessary to monitor closely the provision of relief assistance in order to ensure that women refugees had adequate access to resources and services. In addition, special measures should be taken to ensure that they were not disadvantaged in areas of nutrition, health care, education and employment. Efforts should be made to involve women refugees increasingly in the administration and operation of refugee centres, and to enable them to participate in all dimensions of community life. 251. While emphasizing the need for relief assistance, she also stressed the importance of protection for refugee women. Protection was needed for women at the time when they were leaving their home country and also during the initial stay in the country of asylum, when they were most likely to be victims of physical violence and targets of sexual exploitation and prostitution. The High Commissioner, in carrying out his role in the protection of refugees relied heavily on the co-operation of countries of asylum to ensure that appropriate solutions were found to protect the basic human rights of the refugees. 252. The specific problems of refugee women were being studied "by the High Commissioner and efforts were being made to obtain basic data, but much more needed to be done. Furthermore, she mentioned that the success of measures taken by the High Commissioner to protect the well-being and dignity of refugee women were dependent on prompt and decisive support from host Governments, the international community and non-governmental organizations. 253- In the discussion of the item, a number of representatives underlined the magnitude of the refugee problem the world over. Civil strife, violations of human rights, political conflict and discrimination continued to force growing numbers of people from their homes. 254. Overlooking the needs of women refugees would have profound effects not only on the women themselves but also on millions of people who depended on them, especially children and the elderly. Thus, while some speakers called for measures to deal with the causes of the refugee problem, others noted that such action was beyond the mandate of the Conference, and urged that these persistent problems should not obscure the immediate and urgent needs of refugee women. In this regard some representatives referred to the plight of displaced women, emphasizing the importance of political settlement and the realization of peace. One representative called for large-scale assistance to help resettle and rehabilitate repatriates and displaced persons within her country. 255. Several representatives called for efforts to ensure that available aid reached women refugees and that measures were taken to alleviate their particular situation and difficulties and their special needs, to ensure their survival and dignity. Moreover, refugee problems were described as international problems which were of concern to the entire international community and were not the responsibility of merely those countries which happened to be countries of first asylum. The High Commissioner for Refugees, the United Nations agencies and voluntary organizations were commended for their contribution to relieving the suffering of the world's refugees. Governments were encouraged to continue their support for these efforts. One representative reaffirmed the importance of article 13 (2) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This statement was supported by several delegations. 256. Representatives of a number of countries of first asylum stressed that these countries provided refugee assistance on the "basis of humanitarian principles; they could not continue to accept increasing numbers of refugees owing to the heavy burdens this situation placed on their economies and societies. Calling first for removal of the root causes of the problem, they proposed voluntary repatriation as the most durable solution. Where this was not possible, measures should be taken to continue and accelerate resettlement. In this regard, the representatives of the Philippines and Malaysia expressed reservations about the section in document A/CONF.94/24 on the local integration of refugees. They emphasized that their economies could not absorb the large numbers of refugees requiring assistance. 257- Several representatives of countries of asylum noted that the overwhelming majority of refugees seeking asylum were women and children. They noted that while efforts were being made to meet the needs of the refugees, much more aid, including material assistance, was badly needed. They suggested that resources from all quarters should be diverted from other uses to ensure the survival of the world's refugees. One representative also suggested that Member States could provide teams of doctors, social workers and consultants to assist in maintaining the health and welfare of the refugees in countries of asylum. 258. A few representatives asked for special assistance to women victims of apartheid and in this regard suggested strengthening measures of assistance to the front-line States and assistance to repatriates and displaced persons in newly- independent Zimbabwe. 259. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee took note of document A/CONF.94/24. 6. Special measures of assistance to Palestinian women 260. For its consideration of item 10 (b), the Second Committee had before it document A/CONF.94/3. The item was considered at the 15th and l6th meetings on 26 and 28 July 1980. 261. In introducing the document, the representative of the Economic Commission for Western Asia cited the various mandates in response to which the report had been prepared, and stated that the nine areas of assistance mentioned had been accepted by the member States of ECWA at the regional preparatory meeting for the World Conference. She referred to resolution 32 adopted at the Mexico Conference and to Economic and Social Council resolutions which had called for special assistance for Palestinian women, and to the decision taken by ECWA in October 1978 to request the addition of an item concerning "Effects of Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories" to the agenda of the Conference. 262. Many representatives indicated support for the measures proposed in the document. 263. A number of representatives pointed out that the specific problems of Palestinian women were related to the general situation affecting Palestinians living inside and outside the territories under Israeli occupation. While they considered the humanitarian United Nations assistance to that population justified , these representatives stated that the problem should not be viewed in. isolation and pointed out that one of the major issues severely impeding stability and development in the region is the Israeli occupation of the territories. The liberation of the land and the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people are still the core of many issues in this region with all their political,, economic, social and psychological dimensions, so that political responsibilities take priority over development plans. These issues are of urgent concern to the international community, 264. The observer for the Palestine Liberation Organization said that assistance to Palestinian women is of great importance and necessity. She said that the measures proposed in the document were based on resolutions adopted by the United Nations expressing condemnation of Israeli occupation and that the international community had expressed its solidarity with the Palestinian people against Zionist aggression. She said that any reservations on the document were in opposition to the will of the international community. 265. The observer for the African National Congress stated that the issue of Palestinian women was primarily political; recourse to violence by either the African peoples in South Africa or by Palestinians was not their own choice, but was the sole recourse left to them. 266. The representative of Israel strongly contended that the injection of the question of the Palestinian women into the agenda was a manipulation of the cause of women that was used as a pretext for propagating extraneous interests, She stated that Israel's programmes to improve health., education and employment conditions of all persons in the territories under Israeli administration had to be viewed in light of Israel's rejection of socio-economic stagnation until a peace settlement was successfully achieved. She stated that the report on which the proposed measures were based was unsubstantiated and distorted and that document A/CONF.94/4 itself totally ignored what she considered constructive programmes operating to improve the conditions of Arab Palestinian women. She strongly opposed assigning the PLO a central role in the planning of programmes, contending that the measures would be used for strengthening what she considered the PLO's destructive potential rather than contribute to the advancement of the Arab Palestinian women. 267. A number of representatives stated that the situation in the region of. Western Asia was a threat to global political stability. They stated that Israel had deprived the Palestinian people of their basic rights such as the right; to sovereignty and to their land, as well as of other fundamental human rights. 268. A number of representatives called for a solution which went to the root of the problem and encompassed more than material assistance. Among the measures suggested were the granting to Palestinian women of control over their individual and national destinies, the end of colonial settlements. and the return of Palestinian land to its owners. The need for a durable peace in the region was emphasized. 269. Several representatives agreed that special assistance to Palestinian women was justified by their vulnerability. Among the measures advocated were (a) improvement of the information about their problems, (b) the end of discrimination in employment, and (c) education granted as a national Palestinian right. Some representatives emphasized, however, that at best these would provide only a minimum standard of well-being. 210. At the conclusion of the discussion, the Committee took note of document A/CONF.94/4. 7. Consideration of draft resolutions by the Second Committee 271. At meetings held from 28 to 29 July the Second Committee considered draft resolutions as follows: (i) Draft resolution entitled "The role of women in the preparation of societies for life in peace" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.9/Rev.l), sponsored by Argentina, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Colombia, the Comoros, the Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Grenada, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, Poland, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Venezuela and Zambia was adopted by 95 votes to none, with 31 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 274 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of the United Kingdom, Switzerland, the United States of America,, Iceland, Luxembourg (on behalf of States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community), Israel and Yugoslavia. (ii) Draft resolution entitled "Gathering of data concerning women through census questionnaires (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.23/Rev.l and Corr.l), sponsored by Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea and Venezuela was adopted (for action by the Conference see para. 276 below). (iii) Draft resolution entitled "Intensification of drought control in the Sahel" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.2J4), sponsored by Cape Verde, the Comoros, Democratic Kampuchea, Ethiopia, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Cameroon and Upper Volta was adopted (for action by the Conference see para. 276 below). (iv) Draft resolution entitled "Assistance to Lebanese women" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.25), sponsored by Algeria, on behalf of States Members of the United Nations which are members of the League of Arab States, and Uganda was adopted by 99 votes to none, with 15 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 277 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Israel, Austria, the United States of America, Lesotho, Lebanon, Guatemala and Algeria. (v) Draft resolution entitled "Women's participation in the strengthening of international peace and security and in the struggle against Grenada, Guyana, Guinea, Hungary, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Viet Nam, Zambia and Zimbabwe was adopted by 82 votes to 7, with 36 abstentions (for action by the Conference see Tiara. 2T9 below) . Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Lesotho and Trinidad and Tobago. (vi) Draft resolution entitled "The situation of women refugees and displaced women the world over" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.30) sponsored by Barbados, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali, Peru, Somalia, Sweden, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America and Upper Volta was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 28l below). (vii) Draft resolution entitled "The situation of displaced and refugee women the world over" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.60), sponsored by Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Gabon, the Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Mali, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Somalia, Sudan, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe was adopted, as orally amended, by a roll-call vote of 100 to 1, with 30 abstentions. The result of the voting was as follows: In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, China, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Holy See, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: United States of America. Abstaining: Australia., Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Grenada, Iceland, India, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Suriname, Sweden, United Kingdom, Venezuela. (for action by the Conference see para. 281; below). Statements in explanation of vote or or reservation were made by the representatives of the United States of America, Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community), Austria, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Viet Nam, Switzerland, Turkey, New Zealand, Iraq, Honduras, Uganda, Afghanistan, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, India, Angola, Cyprus and Nigeria. The representative of Viet Nam expressed reservations to the eighth preambular paragraph of the draft resolution as adopted. The representatives of Iraq, and Morocco supported the resolution and said they should have, in fact, voted in favour instead of inadvertently abstaining, (viii) Draft resolution entitled "Integrated approach to the health and welfare of women" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.3l/Rev.l), sponsored by Australia, Germany, Federal Republic of, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malaysia, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, the Philippines, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia and United States, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 288 below). (ix) Draft resolution entitled "International Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries (ICPE)" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.34), sponsored by Algeria, Ghana, Honduras, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Venezuela, Yugoslavia and Zambia, was adopted (for action by the Conference see para.. 288 below). (x) Draft resolution entitled "International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.37), sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Congo, Cuba, Democratic Yemen, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Sudan, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Yugoslavia, was adopted by 89 votes to 9, with 21 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 289 below). (xi) Draft resolution entitled "International legislation to prevent the abandonment of families" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.39/Rev.l), sponsored by Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru and the Philippines, was adopted, as orally amended, by 52 votes to none, with 53 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 289 below). (xii) Draft resolution entitled "Situation of Women in Chile" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.40), sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Democratic Yemen, Grenada, Jamaica, Madagascar, Mexico, Mozambique Nicaragua and Yugoslavia, was adopted by a roll-call vote of TO to 7, with 38 abstentions. The result of the vote was as follows: In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Cape Verde, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, German Democratic Republic, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Sudan, Sweden, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia. Against: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Uruguay. Abstaining: Angola, Botswana, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Holy See, Indonesia, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lebanon, Malawi, Malaysia, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Spain, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, United Kingdom, United Republic of Cameroon, United States of America, Zaire (for action by the Conference see para. 292 below). Subsequently, the delegation of Paraguay stated that, had it been present at the time of the vote, it would have voted against the draft resolution. The delegation of Jordan stated subsequently that it had inadvertently voted in favour of the draft resolution and had intended to abstain. Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Lesotho, Uruguay, United States of America, Switzerland, Zaire, Byelorussian SSR, Peru, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Honduras and Guatemala. (xiii) Draft resolution entitled "Situation of women in El Salvador" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.41/Rev.l) sponsored by Cuba, Grenada and Nicaragua, was adopted by 46 votes to 10, with 45 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 298 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Sweden, the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States of America, Brazil and Venezuela. (xiv) Draft resolution entitled "Control of illicit traffic in drugs" (A/CONF. 94/C.2/L.42/Rev.l) , sponsored "by Colombia, Egypt, Honduras, Lebanon, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Peru, Thailand and Turkey, was adopted, as orally amended (for action "by the Conference see para. 303 "below). (xv) Draft resolution entitled "Strengthening the women's programmes and appointment of women in the Secretariat of the regional commissions and agencies of the United Nations" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.43), sponsored by Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Iraq., Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, United Arab Emirates and United Republic of Cameroon, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 303 below) . (xvi) Draft resolution entitled "Co-ordination of status of women's issues within the United Nations system" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.44 and Corr.l), sponsored by Australia, Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala, Guyana, Jordan, Norway, Tunisia and United States of America, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 303 below). In connexion with this draft resolution, the representative of Australia requested that the Secretariat document A/CONF.94/C.2/CRP.l should be considered in conjunction with the resolution. The representative of the USSR reserved her position. (xvii) Draft resolution entitled "Question of missing and disappeared persons" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.45), sponsored by Australia, Austria, Barbados, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Honduras, Jamaica, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia and United Kingdom, was adopted, as orally amended. After the adoption of the draft resolution, the representative of Turkey made a statement (for action by the Conference see para. 303 below). (xviii) Draft resolution entitled "Women in the United Nations Secretariat" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.46), sponsored by Austria, Barbados, Canada, Guatemala, Guyana, Jamaica, Jordan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, and United States of America, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 303 below). (xix) Draft resolution entitled "international Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade" (A/C0NF.9)4/0.2/L. 47), sponsored by Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Botswana, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Switzerland, Tunisia, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America and Zambia, was adopted as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 303 below). (xx) Draft resolution entitled "On the right of all countries to seek development assistance from any and all sources, free from threats and attacks" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.48), sponsored by Afghanistan, Angola, Cuba, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq., Madagascar, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Seychelles, and Viet Nam was adopted by 62 votes to none, with 49 abstentions. Statements in explanation of rote or of reservation were made by the representatives of China, Costa Rica, Lesotho, the Federal Republic of Germany, Senegal, United Republic of Tanzania and United States of America (for action by the Conference see para. 305 below). (xxi) Draft resolution entitled "Assistance to Sahrawi women" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.49), sponsored by Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Democratic Yemen, Iran, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nicaragua and Viet Nam, was adopted 8/ as orally amended, by a roll-call vote of 55 votes to 10, with 41 abstentions, as follows: 8/ Prior to the adoption of this resolution, the Committee decided by a roll-call vote to waive the requirement set out in rule 26 of the rules of procedure of the Conference, and therefore resolved not to postpone consideration of this draft resolution as orally amended. The voting, in which a negative vote meant the waiver of the requirement in rule 26, was 11 votes to 53, with 42 abstentions. The voting was as follows: In favour: Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia, Turkey, United Republic of Cameroon, Zaire. Against: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Togo, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Abstaining: Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Kampuchea, Denmark, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Guatemala, Iceland, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Yugoslavia. In favour: Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Barbados , Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, Congo, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Seychelles, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against; Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia, United Republic of Cameroon, United States of America, Zaire. Abstaining: Belgium, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Kampuchea, Denmark, Ecuador, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Federal Republic of, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Kingdom, Upper Volta, Uruguay, Venezuela. (For action by the Conference see para. 307 "below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Turkey, the Sudan, Egypt, United States of America, Guinea-Bissau, Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community), Nigeria, Lesotho, Tunisia, Pakistan, Mali, Austria, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Dominican Republic, Morocco, the Congo, Yugoslavia, Angola and Botswana. (xxii) Draft resolution entitled "International assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L. 50), sponsored by Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Spain and Venezuela, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). (xxiii) Draft resolution entitled "Women and development assistance programmes" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.5l/Rev.l) , sponsored by Australia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, Guyana, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, the Philippines, Samoa, Sweden, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was adopted by consensus (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below) (xxiv) Draft resolution entitled "Health and well-being of the women of the Pacific" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L. 52.) , sponsored by Australia, Fiji, Honduras, Japan, Lebanon, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, was adopted, as orally amended. The representative of the People's Republic of China made a statement of reservation with respect to the draft resolution (for action by the Conference see para. 3i6 below). (xxv) Draft resolution entitled "The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women" (A/C0NF.94/C2/L. 53), sponsored by Barbados,, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Nicaragua, Norway, the Philippines, Rwanda, Turkey, United Republic of Cameroon and Yugoslavia was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). (xxvi) Draft resolution entitled "Establishment and strengthening of machinery for the integration of women in development" (A/CONF.94/CS/L.54), sponsored by Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Rwanda, Togo and United Republic of Cameroon, was adopted. The representative of Argentina made a statement of reservation concerning the draft resolution (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). (xxvii) Draft resolution entitled "Strengthening the role of the Commission on the Status of Women" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.55/Rev.l), sponsored by Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Honduras, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lebanon, Malaysia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, United Republic of Cameroon, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was adopted (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). (xxviii) Draft resolution entitled "Women and nutritional self-sufficiency" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.56/Rev.l) sponsored by Barbados, Cape Verde, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Niger, Togo, United Republic of Cameroon and Upper Volta, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). (xxix) Draft resolution entitled "Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women" (A/CONF.94/C.2/L.57), sponsored by Burundi, Congo, Egypt, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Niger, Norway, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, United Republic of Cameroon and Zambia, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 3l6 below). (xxx) Draft resolution entitled "Apartheid and women in South Africa and Namibia" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.58/Rev.l), sponsored by Algeria, Angola, Barbados, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Empire, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Qatar, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe, was adopted by a vote of 8k votes to 4 with 18 abstentions, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 320 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community), Lesotho, United Kingdom, Portugal, Denmark (on behalf of Norway, Sweden and. Finland), Austria., Uruguay, Nepal and. Botswana. Thereafter, a statement was made by the representative of the United Nations Special Committee against Apartheid. (xxxi) Draft resolution entitled "Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons'" (A/CONF.94/C .2/L.59/Rev.l) , sponsored by Argentina, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, France, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Lebanon, Portugal, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom, United States of America and Zaire, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Jamaica, Mozambique and Iran. (xxxii) Draft resolution entitled "The situation in Bolivia" (A/CONF.94/C.1/L.3O)., sponsored by Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, United States of America, Venezuela and Yugoslavia, was adopted by a vote of 50 votes to 3, with 37 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 322 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of Honduras, Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina and Uruguay. (xxxiii) Draft resolution entitled "Implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the New International Economic Order" (A/CONF.94/C ,2/L.6l) , sponsored by Algeria, Argentina, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Iraq, Jordan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Sri Lanka, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was adopted, as orally amended, by a vote of 88 votes to none, with 13 abstentions (for action by the Conference see para. 324 below). Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the representatives of the United States of America and Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community). (xxxiv) Draft resolution entitled "Women in agriculture and rural areas" (A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.62) , sponsored by Barbados, Botswana, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ghana, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Suriname, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe, was adopted, as orally amended (for action by the Conference see para. 316 below). 8. Recommendations of the Second Committee 272. The Second Committee recommended to the Conference the adoption of Part Three of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women as set out in annex I to the Committee's report (A/C0NF.94/L.22). In addition, the Committee recommended to the Conference the adoption of draft resolutions I to XXXIV as set out in annex II to the Committee's report (A/CONF.94/L.22/Add.3 and Corr.l, Add.3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 3E). 9. Action taken in plenary on the report of the Second Committee 273. The report of the Second Committee (A/CONF.94/L.22 and Add.1-M, which was introduced by the Committee's Rapporteur, was considered at the 20th and 21st plenary meetings of the Conference on 30 July 1980. At these meetings the Conference took action on the Second Committee's recommendations, in particular on Part Three of the draft Programme of Action as revised by the Committee and on the 34 draft resolutions (I to XXXIV) recommended by the Committee. 274. At the 20th plenary meeting the Conference adopted by 97 votes to none, with 30 abstentions, draft resolution I entitled "The role of women in the preparation of societies for life in peace" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 7). 275. The delegation of Denmark formulated reservations with respect to the resolution as adopted. 276. At the same meeting the Conference adopted without a vote draft resolution II entitled "Gathering of data concerning women through census questionnaires" and draft resolution III entitled "intensification of drought control in the Sahel" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolutions 8 and 9). 277. Also at the same meeting the Conference adopted by 112 votes to none, with 9 abstentions, draft resolution IV entitled "Assistance to Lebanese women" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 10). 278. Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the delegations of Israel, Austria, the United States of America, Lesotho, Lebanon, Guatemala and Algeria. 279. The Conference adopted by 77 votes to 6, with 35 abstentions, draft resolution V entitled "Women's participation in the strengthening of international peace and security and in the struggle against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 11). 280. The delegation of Lesotho made a statement in explanation of its vote. 28l. The Conference adopted without a vote draft resolution VI entitled "The situation of women refugees and displaced women the world over" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 12). 202. The delegation of Pakistan stated, with reference to the last preambular paragraph of the resolution, that Pakistan was not a signatory to the Convention and Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees "because it had reservations with respect to some of the provisions of those instruments. Nevertheless, Pakistan fully supported the spirit of the resolution, as was demonstrated by Pakistan's actual and humanitarian position with respect to refugees. 283. The delegation of China stated that it supported the decision to provide humanitarian assistance to woman refugees throughout the world. However, it considered it necessary to recognize that the root causes of the existence of the large number of refugees at present were foreign aggression and foreign occupation. All foreign aggressors must withdraw their troops from the countries concerned. Otherwise, it was difficult to stop the continuous emergence of refugees. 284. The Conference adopted by a roll-call vote of 97 votes to none, with 29 abstentions, draft resolution VII entitled "The situation of displaced and refugee women the world over" as recommended by the Second Committee, as orally amended (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 13). The result of the vote was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Holy See, Hungary, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: None. Abstaining: Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Haiti, Honduras, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America. 285. In a statement made in explanation of its vote on the draft resolution just adopted, the delegation of Switzerland stated that it had voted in favour of the draft resolution because it reaffirmed a principle to which Switzerland attached importance, namely that laid down in article 13, paragraph 2, of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaiming the right of everyone to leave any country, including his own, and to return to his country. Switzerland' s vote on the draft resolution was motivated "by humanitarian considerations; the Swiss delegation would not at that juncture express an opinion regarding the origins of the drama of refugees and displaced persons, but expressed the hope that the refugee problems would "be resolved in other forums. The Swiss delegation added that, for the same reason, it had abstained in the votes on other draft resolutions of a political nature which it considered extraneous to the subject of the Conference. 286. The delegation of India made a statement explaining its abstention in the vote on draft resolution VII. 287. Subsequently, the delegations of Bangladesh, Congo, Jordan, Maldives, Tunisia and Uganda announced that, had they been present at the time of the vote, they would have voted in favour of the resolution. 288. The Conference adopted without a vote draft resolution VIII entitled "integrated approach to the health and welfare of women" and draft resolution IX entitled "international Center for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolutions 14 and 15). 289. The Conference then adopted by 75 votes to 7, with 22 abstentions, draft resolution X entitled "international Conference on Sanctions against South Africa" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 16). 290. The Conference proceeded to adopt by 75 votes to none, with 35 abstentions, draft resolution XI entitled "international legislation to prevent the abandonment of families" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 17). 291. The delegation of Nigeria made a statement in explanation of vote. 292. Still at the 20th plenary meeting the Conference adopted by 69 votes to 8, with 39 abstentions, draft resolution XII entitled "Situation of women in Chile11 (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 18). 293. The delegation of Chile stated that it considered that the subject-matter of the resolution was outside the competence of the Conference. 294. The delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany, in a statement in explanation of its vote, stated that by reason of its position in favour of the respect for human rights all over the world it had been able to accept the resolution just adopted, particularly in view of the terms of operative paragraphs 1 to 5. At the same time, it pointed out that there had been some welcome improvements as regards the human rights situation in Chile, though it acknowledged that the situation in that country could not as yet be considered satisfactory; the delegation expressed the hope that the situation in Chile would continue to improve and that human rights would be fully respected. The delegation o±' the Federal Republic of Germany added that it regretted the continued selective treatment of Chile; in a considerable number of countries the human rights situation - in particular in so far as it affected women - was by no means better, and in many cases worse, than in Chile. The delegation expressed its sympathy for the suffering of all human beings, especially women, who were victims of force and in distress. It voiced concern particularly for the population in areas which were affected by military conflicts and in which foreign military forces were operating, as for instance in Afghanistan and Cambodia. 295. The delegation of Paraguay stated that it had voted against the draft resolution entitled "Situation of women in Chile" because, in its opinion, the Conference was not competent to deal with the subject-matter of the resolution and "because of Paraguay's constant respect for the principle of non-intervention in "the internal affairs of States. 296. Statements in explanation of their votes on the same draft resolution were made by the delegations of Argentina, Guatemala, Haiti and Lesotho. 2 97. The delegation of Nicaragua stated subsequently that, had it been present at the time of the vote, it would have voted in favour of the draft resolution. 298. At the same meeting the Conference adopted by a roll-call vote of 55 votes to 11, with 46 abstentions, draft resolution XIII entitled "Situation of women in El Salvador" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 19) The result of the vote was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Angola, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Benin, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Ethiopia, Finland, German Democratic Republic, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, Iraq_, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Sao Tome and Principe, Seychelles, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Mam, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Paraguay, Peru., United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela. Abstaining: Barbados, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Democratic Kampuchea, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Fiji, France, Gabon, Germany, Federal Republic of, Ghana, Haiti, India, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Portugal, Rwanda, Senegal, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Republic of Cameroon, Upper Volta, Zaire. 299. The delegation of Venezuela, in a statement explaining its vote against the draft resolution entitled "The situation of the women in El Salvador" , said that Venezuela had demonstrated its attachment to the respect and promotion of human rights in their political, economic, social, civil and cultural dimensions. In keeping with its attitude and strictly within the context of the American continent, the Government of Venezuela had expressed its sympathy and support for the efforts made in El Salvador to institutionalize liberty and democracy and to establish a climate of peace leading to the realization of those objectives. Venezuela categorically condemned violence and terrorism of any kind that tended to prevent the people of El Salvador from living in peace and freedom. A long period of oppression and social injustice and also the interference of outside interests were the causes of machinations to frustrate the aspirations to peace, freedom and social justice in El Salvador and attempts were being made to maintain earlier forms of tyranny or to replace them by no less cruel ones. Venezuela condemned acts of violence against women and children, young persons, adults and aged persons in El Salvador as well as terrorism, kidnapping, murder and all other forms of oppression and violence. The delegation of Venezuela had decided to vote against the resolution because it regarded it as partial, limited, incomplete and inaccurate in various of its provisions. 300. The delegation of Paraguay stated that it had voted against the resolution on the grounds that its subject-matter was outside the competence of the Conference and because Paraguay remained faithful to the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other States. 301. The delegation of Honduras stated that it had voted against the draft resolution in keeping with the policy of Honduras of observing the principle of non-intervention in the internal affairs of other States. In addition, this delegation stated that the moment was not opportune for a decision of this nature, inasmuch as a process of mediation was going on for the purpose of settling disputes between Honduras and El Salvador. 302. Statements in explanation of vote on draft resolution XIII were made by the delegations of Argentina, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Haiti and Uruguay. Subsequently the delegation of Nicaragua stated that, had it been present at the time of the vote, it would have voted in favour of draft resolution XIII. 303. At the 2lst plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote the following draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee: Draft resolution XIV entitled "Control of illicit traffic in drugs" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 20) Draft resolution XV entitled "Strengthening the women's programmes and appointment of women in the secretariat of the regional commissions and agencies of the United Nations" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 21) Draft resolution XVI entitled "Co-ordination of status of women's issues within the United Nations system" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 22) Draft resolution XVII entitled "Question of missing and disappeared persons" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 23) Draft resolution XVIII entitled 'Women in the United Nations Secretariat" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 2k) Draft resolution XIX entitled "International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 25). 304. The delegation of Argentina made a statement concerning the resolution entitled "Question of missing and disappeared persons". 305. At the same meeting the Conference adopted by 65 votes to none, with 42 abstentions, draft resolution XX entitled "On the right of all countries to seek development assistance from any and all sources, free from threats and attacks" (for the text see chap. I, resolution 26). 306. The delegation of China stated that it had not participated in the vote. The Chinese Government consistently supported developing countries in seeking economic aid that would contribute to the development of their national economy, while safeguarding their national independence and sovereignty and free from all threats. However, it opposed the provision of assistance to individual States, that were now engaged in external aggression and expansion which threatened regional security and international peace, because numerous facts demonstrated that such assistance had been used to wage aggressive wars. In view of the ambiguity of the proposal, the Chinese delegation had not participated in the vote, 307. At the same meeting the Conference adopted "by a roll-call vote of 51 votes to 10, with 38 abstentions, draft resolution XXI entitled "Assistance to Sahrawi women" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I, resolution 3k). The result of the vote was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria,, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, Congo., Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana™ Greece, Grenada, Guyana, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Poland, Rwanda, Seychelles, Suriname, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Republic of Tanzania, Viet Nam, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Against: Gabon, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Niger, Senegal, Tunisia, United Republic of Cameroon, United States of America and Zaire. Abstaining: Belgium, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Kampuchea, Denmark, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Guatemala, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Maldives, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay and Venezuela. 308. The Chinese delegation stated that it had abstained in the vote on draft resolution XXI because the Government of China had always maintained that the disputes 'between third world countries should he settled through peaceful negotiations. For this reason, the Chinese delegation sincerely hoped that the countries concerned in the question of Western Sahara would put unity first and resolve the differences in a reasonable way through dialogue and patient negotiations. 309. The delegation of Guinea stated that it had voted against the draft resolution because, in its opinion, the Conference was not competent to deal with the subject matter, which was being considered by the Heads of State and Government of African States. 310. The delegation of Pakistan stated that it had voted in favour of the draft resolution as an earnest of its support for the principle of self-determination. At the same time., it stressed that Pakistan did not associate itself with any implicit condemnation of Morocco that might be present in any part of the resolution. 311. The delegation of Ivory Coast, referring to the resolution concerning assistance to Sahrawi women, stated that the question of Western Sahara was under consideration in the Organization of African Unity., a committee of which had been specifically entrusted with the task of finding a solution to the question. Accordingly, the delegation of Ivory Coast considered the Conference was not competent to deal with any aspect of the question and had voted against the draft resolution, without prejudice to the position of Ivory Coast with respect to the substance of the problem. 312. The delegation of the United Republic of Cameroon stated that it had voted against the draft resolution because the subject-matter was at the moment under consideration by a committee of the Organization of African Unity of which the President of the United Republic of Cameroon was a member. Accordingly, this delegation considered that the problem should find a regional African solution. 313. The delegation of Senegal stated that it had cast a negative vote on the draft resolution because it considered that the subject-matter was not within the competence of the Conference. In its opinion, the question of Western Sahara was an African one. This delegation was astonished to note that, despite the appeal of the OAU to the international community to refrain from taking any action with respect to the question, nevertheless a number of African countries had been a party to the drafting of the resolution just adopted. The delegation of Senegal considered that the resolution was of a political rather than a humanitarian nature. 314. The delegation of Niger stated that its vote against the draft resolution concerning assistance to Sahrawi women was without prejudice to the position of Niger in favour of the principle of self-determination of peoples. It regretted that the Conference had not heeded the appeal of the OAU that the international community should refrain from any action that might hamper the work of the committee appointed by the OAU to find a solution to the question of Western Sahara. 315. The delegation of Morocco stated that it had been reassured by the number of delegations which had voted on the side of reason and objectivity. In its opinion, the resolution concerning assistance to Sahrawi women was not within the competence of the Conference- the subject-matter was at present being considered by a committee appointed by the OAU. Morocco would continue to make efforts to restore peace and concord in the Maghreb. Morocco was determined to safeguard its integrity and was convinced that respect for international law and recourse to peaceful settlement of disputes were the best means of ensuring peace and security in all the regions of the country. 3l6. In addition, at the 21st plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote the following draft resolutions recommended by the Second Committee: Draft resolution XXII entitled "International assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 35) Draft resolution XXIII entitled "Women and development assistance programmes" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 36) Draft resolution XXIV entitled "Health and well-being of the women of the Pacific" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 37) Draft resolution XXV entitled "The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 38) Draft resolution XXVI entitled "Establishment and strengthening of machinery for the integration of women in development'' (for the text see' chap. I above, resolution 39) Draft resolution XXVII entitled "Strengthening the role of the Commission on the Status of Women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 41) Draft resolution XXVIII entitled "Women and nutritional self-sufficiency" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 41) Draft resolution XXIX entitled "Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 142, Draft resolution XXXI entitled "Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons" (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 43) Draft resolution XXXIV entitled 'Women in agriculture and rural areas1' (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 44 317. The delegation of Argentina made a statement concerning resolution 40. 318 The Chinese delec;atiol1; referring; to the resolution entit1ed Health and well-being, of the women of the Pacific’s, stated that it fully understood the concern of some Pacific countries for the health and welfare of the people and Women in nuclear zones. In May 198o, China had launched a vehicular rocket in the Pacific with the purpose of developing science and technology, accelerating the modernization of the nation enhancing its defensive ability and countering threats of superpower hegemonism. The verdcu1ar rocket launched by China had not been equipped' with a nuclear warhead and bad not caused pollution . 319. The delegation of Jamaica, commenting on the resolution concerning "Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons" expressed the opinion that , as the Sixth United Nations Congress on the Prevention of Crime and the Treatment of Offenders was scheduled to open in Caracas on 25 August 1980, there was insufficient time for the preparation of the "concrete recommendations" referred to in paragraph 5 of the resolution. 320. Also at the 21st plenary meeting the Conference adopted by 63 votes to 4, with 2k abstentions, draft resolution XXX entitled "Apartheid and women in South Africa and Namibia", as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text, see chap. I, resolution 45). 321. The delegation of Botswana formulated reservations with respect to the resolution just adopted. 322. At the same meeting the Conference adopted by 63 votes to 2 , with 30 abstentions, draft resolution XXXII entitled "The situation in Bolivia" as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 46). 323. The delegation of Peru expressed its profound concern about certain decisions taken by the Conference - of which the resolution concerning the situation in Bolivia was an example - that dealt with the internal affairs of a number of countries. In this delegation's opinion the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of States should be scrupulously respected. 324. At the same meeting the Conference adopted by 92 votes to none, with 11 abstentions, draft resolution XXXIII entitled "implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the New International Economic Order1', as recommended by the Second Committee (for the text see chap. I above, resolution 47). 325. Reservations with respect to this resolution were formulated by the delegation of Luxembourg, on behalf of the States members of the European Community,, and by the delegation of the United States of America. 326. Also at the 21st plenary meeting the Conference considered Part Three of the draft Programme of Action as recommended by the Second Committee in its report (A/C0NF.94/L.22, annex I). The Rapporteur of the Committee drew attention to a number of errors and omissions in the draft text which should be rectified. 327. A separate vote having been requested on the paragraph entitled "Assistance to the Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories", 9_/ Conference adopted the paragraph by 76 votes to 4, with 24 abstentions. 328. Statements in explanation of vote were made by the delegations of Canada, Grenada, Guatemala and. the United States of America. 9/ This was para. 183A in the draft text prepared by the Second Committee. In consequence of renumbering it became para. 244 in the final version of the Programme of Action. 329- The delegation of Israel stated that it had voted against the paragraph, including its title, "because the text contained a number of objectionable elements. The fact was that the Palestinian women referred to in the paragraph enjoyed a higher standard of living and better health and educational facilities than ever before. Besides, the suggestion that humanitarian assistance should, "be provided in consultation and co-operation with the Palestine Liberation Organization was inadmissible. 330. The delegations of Indonesia and Mauritania stated that, had they been present at the time of the vote, they would have voted in favour of the paragraph. 331. The Conference thereupon adopted Part Three of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women as recommended by the Second Committee in its report (A/C0NF.94/L.22, annex I). (For the text as adopted see Part Three of the Programme of Action in chap. I above). C. Report of the Committee of the Whole 1. Organizational matters 332. The Conference at its 2nd plenary meeting on 15 July 1980, acting on a recommendation of the pre-Conference consultations, established a Committee of the Whole to consider the Introduction and Chapters I and II, entitled, respectively "Historical perspective" and "Conceptual framework" of the draft Programme of Action contained in document A/CONF.94/22 and Corr.l, and to report to the plenary. 333. The Committee held four meetings. At its 1st meeting, held on 17 July 1980 the Committee elected by acclamation the following officers: Presiding Officer: Ms. Ifigenia Martinez (Mexico) Deputy Presiding Officer: Mr. Umayya Tukan (Jordan) Rapporteur: Ms. Inonge Lewanika (Zambia) 334. In connexion with its consideration of the Introduction and Chapters I and II the Committee had before it the relevant part of the draft Programme of Action (Part One) and written amendments contained in documents A/CONF.94/L.1, L.3 to L.l8. These documents were introduced by the Secretary-General of the Conference. 2. Consideration of the Introduction and Chapters I and II of the Draft Programme of Action 335. At its 1st meeting the Committee decided to consider the matters within its mandate in open-ended informal consultations. At these consultations a working group was constituted, and this group held eight meetings under the co-ordination of the Deputy Presiding Officer. A text was prepared, entitled "Text arising from informal consultations chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer, Mr. Umayya Tukan, of the Committee of the Whole on the Introduction and Chapters I and II of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace" (A/CONF.94/CW/CRP.1 and Add.1-8). 336. This text was presented to the Committee by the Presiding Officer at its 2nd meeting on 25 July 1980. 337. At its 3rd meeting on 26 July 1980, the Committee adopted the following Paragraph of that text: 1, 6, 7-10, 13-21, 23-29, 33, 34, 36-43. 333.. At its 4th meeting on 29 July 1980, the Deputy Presiding Officer reported to the Committee that the informal working group had held three meetings at which an agreed text had been prepared for the pending paragraphs, with the exception of Paragraphs 2 and 5. The amended text was contained in document A/CONF94/CW/CRP. 1/Add. 9 and Add. 10. 339. The Committee adopted paragraphs 3, 11, 12 and 32, and new paragraphs 6 (a), 31 (a), 31 (b), and 38 (a)."10/ 10/ In consequence of ronuiiberin;5, draft parus. 3, 6 (a), 11 , 12, 31 (a), 34 (b), 32 and 38 (a) became eventually naras. 3, 12, 13, 32, 33, 35, and 40, ",ir. ' ively, in the Programme of Action as reproduced in chas . I above. 340. The Committee recommended to the Conference for adoption the texts set out in the annex to its report (A/CONF.94/L.23 and Add.1) (for action by the Conference see para. 341 below). 3. Recommendations of the Committee of the Whole 341. At the 21st plenary meeting of the Conference the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Committee of the Whole introduced the report of the Committee (A/CONF.94/L.23 and Add.1). He reported that in the course of formal and informal discussions the Committee had worked out agreed texts for most of the paragraphs that were to constitute Part One of the future Programme of Action. These texts were recommended to the Conference for adoption. He further reported that the Committee had not been able to reach agreement on a text for paragraphs 2 and 5 of the introduction to Part One. 4. Action taken in plenary on the report of the Committee of the Whole 342. At the 21st plenary meeting the Conference adopted without a vote paragraphs 1 to 44 of Part One of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women as recommended by the Committee of the Whole, with the exception of paragraphs 2 and 5 (for the text as adopted see Part One of the Programme of Action in chap. I above). 11/ 343- As regards paragraph 2, after some discussion the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Committee of the Whole proposed to the Conference for adoption the following text: "in 1975s International Women's Year, a World Conference was held in Mexico City which adopted the World Plan of Action for the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1976-1985, and the Declaration on the Equality of Women and their Contribution to Development and Peace. The principles and objectives proclaimed at the Mexico City Conference for the Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace are still relevant today and constitute the basis of action for the Decade. They were further reaffirmed by a number of United Nations regional, sectoral and international meetings as well as by the social and economic recommendations of the Conference of Non-Aligned and Developing Countries on The Role of Women in Development held in Baghdad in May 1979, which were endorsed by the sixth summit of Heads of State and Government of Non Aligned Countries." 344. The Conference adopted this text for paragraph 2 by a roll-call vote of 89 votes to 7, with 23 abstentions (for the text see the Programme of Action in chap. I above). The result of the vote was as follows: 11/ In consequence of renumbering, the paragraphs became paras. 1 to 46 in the final version of the Programme of Action. In favour: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal' Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Against: Australia, Canada, Israel, Paraguay, Peru, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and United States of America, Abstaining: Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Guatemala, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Upper Volta and Uruguay. 345. In a statement explaining its vote against paragraph 2 as proposed, the delegation of the United States of America stated that the efforts to achieve consensus had not succeeded in producing a generally acceptable text for that paragraph. Specifically, the United States delegation objected to certain references in paragraph 2. Whereas in 1975 in Mexico City the World Plan of Action had been adopted by consensus, the Declaration of Mexico had not; in fact, many delegations, including that of the United States, had voted against the Declaration. Similarly, the reference in paragraph 2 to the Baghdad Conference vac not acceptable to the United States delegation, for like many other delegations it could not subscribe to the recommendations of conferences at which it had not been represented. 346. So far as paragraph 5 was concerned, the representative of India drew attention to a text for that paragraph which his delegation had submitted earlier on behalf of the members of the Group of 77 (A/CONF.94/L. 3) and which he now proposed to the Conference for adoption. The text read as follows: "5. Without peace and stability there can be no development. Peace is thus a prerequisite to development. Moreover peace will not be lasting without development and the elimination of inequalities and discrimination at all levels. Equality of participation in the development of friendly relations and co-operation among States will contribute to the strengthening of peace to the development of women themselves and to equality of rights at all levels and in all spheres of life, as well as to the struggle to derivate imperialism, colonialism, neo-colonialism, zionism, racism, racial discrimination, apartheid, hegemonism, and foreign occupation, domination and oppression as well as full respect for the dignity of the peoples and their right to self-determination and independence without foreign interference or intervention and to promote guarantees of fundamental freedoms and human rights ." 347- The representative of Senegal expressed the opinion that the text did not involve any issue of substance and hence that its adoption and the adoption of the remaining paragraphs of the Draft Programme of Action required only a simple majority. 348. The representative of Israel contested this view, and asked for a separate vote on the word "zionism". 349. The delegation of Netherlands proposed that the Conference should decide by a vote whether the text of paragraph 5 as proposed by India raised a question of substance or one of procedure. 350. A procedural debate ensued in the course of which the delegation of Egypt moved the closure of the debate. The motion was carried. 351. The Conference then proceeded under rule 31, paragraph 3, of the rules of procedure, to vote on the preliminary question - itself to be determined by a simple majority - whether the text of paragraph 5 involved a matter of substance or, as the representative of Senegal considered, one of procedure. 352. By 59 votes to 37, with 13 abstentions, the Conference decided that a matter of procedure was involved. 353. On the motion of the representative of Senegal the Conference further decided by 69 votes to 24, with 25 abstentions, to vote first on paragraph 5 as a whole. 354. The text of paragraph 5 as proposed by Indian was adopted by a roll-call vote of 69 votes to 24, with 25 abstentions ( for the text see the Programme of Action in chap. I above). The result of the vote was as follows In favour Albania,Algeria,Angola,Argentina,Bahrain,Benin;Brazil, Bulgaria,Burundi,Byelorussian SSR,Cape Verde,China,Congo, Cuba,Cyprus,Czechoslovakia,Democratic,People's Republic of Korea,Democratic Yemen,Egypt,Ethiopia,German Democratlc Repubiic,Grenada,Guinea,Guyana,Hungary,India,Indonesia, Iran,Japan,JOrdan,Kenya,Kuwait,Lao,People s Democratlc Republic Lebanon,Libyan Arab JamahlrlYa,Madagascar,Malaysia Maldives,Mongolia,Morocco,MozambiQue,Nicaragua,Nlger, Nigeria,Oman,Pakistan,Philippines,Poland,Qatar,Rwanda, Senegal,Seychelles,Sri Lanka,Sudan,Syrlan Arab RepubllC, Tunisia,Turkey,Uganda,Ukrainian SSR,Union of Sovlet Socialist Republics,United Arab Emirates,United Republlc of Tanzania, Upper Volta,Venezuela,Viet Nam,Yemen,Yugoslavla,Zambla and Zimbabwe Against: Albania,Austria,Belgium,Canada,Denmark,Finland,France, Germany,Federal RepUblic of,Guatemala,Iceland,Ireland, Israel,Italy,Luxembourg,Netherlands,New Zealand,Norway Paraguay,Pure,Portugal,Sweden,Switzarland,Unaited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Unaited States of America Abstaining: Barbados, Bhutan., Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Fiji, Gabon, Ghana, Greece, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Lesotho, Mexico, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, United Republic of Cameroon, Uruguay and Zaire, 355- Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation were made by the delegations of Japan, Bhutan, Israel, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, New Zealand, Egypt United States of America, Venezuela, Senegal, Australia, Gabon, Costa Rica, Luxembourg (on behalf of the States members of the European Community), Guatemala, Upper Volta, Nepal, Switzerland, Dominican Republic and Nigeria. 356. The United States delegation, explaining its vote against paragraph 5, stated that it categorically rejected the language in the paragraph which equated "zionism" with such pejorative terms as "racism", "colonialism1" and . "neo-colonialism". The delegation added that modern zionism was the movement that had resulted in the founding of the State of Israel, a full Member of the United Nations and respectful of human rights and the fundamental principles of democracy. To equate zionism with colonialism and imperialism was tantamount, in a sense, to saying that the destruction of Israel was a prerequisite of peace and a just settlement in the Middle East. The United States delegation stressed that Israel's legitimacy and right to exist should not be questioned. 357. The delegation of New Zealand stated that it had voted against paragraph 5 because it considered the use of the word "zionism" unacceptable in a document which, this delegation had hoped, would concentrate on problems of fundamental concern to women. In the opinion of the New Zealand delegation zionism could not be equated with, for instance, racism or apartheid. 358. The delegation of Venezuela stated that it reserved its position with respect to the use of the term "zionism1, in paragraph 5 of the Programme of Action. 359- The delegation of Switzerland stated that it had voted against paragraph 5 of the Programme of Action because the use of the term "zionism" was unacceptable to the Swiss Government in any document whatsoever. 360. The delegations of Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic made statements reserving their position with respect to paragraph 5 because, although the text referred to decisions on social and economic questions taken by the conference of non-aligned countries, it did not refer to its decisions on political questions. 361. After having adopted the various parts of the draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women, as recommended by the Committees, as well as paragraphs 2 and 5 as proposed, respectively, by the Deputy Presiding Officer of the Committee of the Whole and by the delegation of India, the Conference proceeded at its 21st plenary meeting to consider the draft Programme of Action as a whole. At that meeting it adopted the Programme of Action as a whole by a roll-call vote of 94 to 4, with 22 abstentions (for the text see chap. I above). The result of the vote was as follows: In favour: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Kampuchea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea., Democratic Yemen, Dominican Republic, Ecuador,. Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Greece, Grenada, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, India, Indonesia,, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan,, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Uruguay, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: Australia, Canada, Israel, United States of America. Abstaining: Austria, Belgium,, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Guatemala, Holy See, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, 362. Statements in explanation of vote or of reservation with respect to the Programme of Action as a whole were made or submitted by the delegations of the United States of America, Canada, Denmark, Guatemala, Hew Zealand, Sweden, Australia, Luxembourg (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community), the United Kingdom, Norway, Portugal, Costa Rica, Iceland, Syrian Arab Republic, Finland, Austria, Lesotho, Trinidad and Tobago, Paraguay, Albania, China, Holy See, Turkey, Mozambique, Gabon, Dominican Republic, Japan, Jordan, Switzerland and Federal Republic of Germany. 363. In a statement explaining its vote against the Programme of Action as a whole, the delegation of the United States of America said it had come to Copenhagen with high hopes and reasonable expectations. It had brought a number of experts in order to participate in the discussion of substantive matters of concern to the women of the entire world, and had been determined to contribute to the drafting of a programme of action that would deal realistically with the conditions under which women were living and that would recommend specific remedies for improving those conditions. The United States delegation considered it unfortunate and even tragic that those intentions had not been fulfilled and that at the Conference the dynamism of the Programme of Action had been all but lost in the din of political polemics in which women's true interest in political affairs had been ignored. The delegations of a few Member States had chosen to use the Conference as a forum for venting international differences and had denied to women a unique opportunity for dealing with their own issues in their own way and had thus subjugated women in the name of ideological interests inappropriate to the context of the Conference. Nothing of benefit to women or to peace in the Middle East had been achieved by the intemperate attacks of certain delegations against Israel and the Camp David process. The United States delegation stated that it was disappointed by the inability of the Conference to transcend that controversial issue, concentrating instead on matters of real concern to all women. Despite this disappointment, the United States delegation stated that it could discern some positive results and that the Government and the women of the United States would continue to strive for the achievement of the objectives of the Decade and in particular for the true and full equality of women throughout the world. 364. The Canadian delegation stated that it had cast a negative vote on paragraph 5 and also on paragraph 244 of the Programme of Action. It was therefore with considerable disappointment that it had been placed in a position where it had no choice but to vote against the Programme of Action as a whole. 365. The Canadian delegation stated that it had come to Copenhagen to contribute to a programme of action that would advance the social, economic and political position of women. It had come to declare its support for a programme of action that would eradicate the universal imbalance of power existing between women and men. Before the Conference., women in Canada had had high expectations and had believed optimistically that the United Nations would agree to a programme of action dealing with issues common to women around the world. They had thought that a world programme of action could result in substantial changes in legislation, policies and programmes that would lead to recognition of women's contribution and an end to their victimization. 366. The Canadian delegation considered that the fundamental purpose of the Conference had been to deal with the inequalities between women and men, in all nations ,, and to propose a programme of action to eliminate them. In fact, what had happened was that the Conference had been diverted from its fundamental purpose by a relatively small number of delegations which apparently overlooked the importance of the specific concerns of women. This diversion had begun in the first days of the Conference with a series of amendments proposed by the delegation of India. While they had contained a number of useful ideas relating to women and development which Canada would have been prepared to negotiate in good faith, these amendments had also contained certain political references, notably paragraph 5 calling for the elimination of zionism, which were known to be totally unacceptable to Canada, as well as to a good many other delegations . From the day when these amendments had been circulated, the overwhelming focus of debate had been on these diversions. Given the ludicrous spectacle witnessed at the final plenary meeting, it was no wonder that the women who were present because of their commitment to ending women's inequality had become disheartened by the Conference's failure to discuss their concerns in a meaningful fashion. 367. The Canadian delegation stated that it had been quite prepared to deal seriously with the question of Palestinian women. But it was fundamentally disappointed when, rather than draw on the expertise of UNRWA, to which Canada was a major contributor, or explore in a serious fashion inequalities between Palestinians, men and women, the Conference had been limited to discussion of the political framework of the Middle East question, a subject more properly and capably discussed at the just concluded special session of the General Assembly. Only a fraction of debating time at the Conference had been devoted to the key political questions of concern to women: the restructuring of family responsibilities- equal remuneration for work of equal value: an equal share in the benefits of economic development and in all decision-making, among other issues. The implementation of these clauses of the Programme of Action would amount to an overturning of the old order in all nations . 368. The Canadian delegation supported major portions of the Programme of Action, in particular those dealing with national machineries and the sub-themes - health, education and employment. The Programme envisaged a number of useful practical measures, such as those relating to the employment of women in the United Nations system and the integration of the concerns of women in policies and programmes of the United Nations. Canada -would incorporate these ideas in its national plan of action and would continue to support the international measures in future United Nations meetings. Canada also supported a number of sections designed to meet the aspirations of developing countries for a more equitable global economic order in which women would occupy a position of equality with men. These undertakings would help to guide Canada's developmental efforts in a way responding directly to the concerns of women• 369. The Canadian delegation stated, however, that it had been unable to concur in the adoption of blatantly biased political references, nor could it sanction the diversion of the Conference from its main objectives. Some speakers had preferred the comfortable ring of global political platitudes to the unfamiliar and perhaps threatening terrain of sexual inequality. The Conference had been treated to a litany of catch-phrases and rhetoric used to obscure a realistic examination of the plight of women. In all, the results of the Conference were discouraging to those women who believed in the necessity and propriety of prompt and effective international action. These results fully merited the negative vote cast "by the Canadian delegation to signal its strong disapproval of the mockery and farce which the Conference had made of serious proposals to end women's inequality 370. The Danish delegation stated that it had abstained in the vote on the draft Programme of Action as a whole, because it considered the reference in paragraph 5 to zionism as totally unacceptable* furthermore, while it certainly supported the idea that assistance to Palestinian women should be provided to meet their social and economic needs , there were formulations in paragraph 244 to which the Danish delegation could not subscribe. The delegation emphasized that its abstention had no implications for Denmark's support for all the other parts of the Programme. On the contrary, it was the view of the Danish Government that the overwhelming part of the Programme, being action-oriented,, represented a most valuable contribution to the advancement of women all over the world, Within tills framework, the Danish Government would actively contribute to the implementation of the Programme of Action for the rest of the Decade, 371. The delegation of Guatemala stated that it had been unable to vote in favour of the Programme of Action as a whole because the Programme contained such terms and expressions as :,zionism" that were inconsistent with the terms of reference of the Conference and also because paragraph 244 of the Programme relating to Palestinian women contained expressions that reflected the Middle East conflict rather than true concern with the education, health and employment of Palestinian women. The delegation of Guatemala regretted that the Conference had become the scene of polemics regarding Israel and the Middle East. The consequence had been that the issues in which this delegation was principally interested, like the situation of rural women, working women and women in indigenous communities , had been relegated to a secondary position. 372. The delegation of New Zealand stated that, but for its negative vote on one paragraph of the Programme of Action, it would have been able to support -the Programme as a whole, and indeed it believed that the Programme contained much that was of value for women in New Zealand and in the world. In the light of certain considerations , however, this delegation stated that it had been obliged to abstain in the vote on the Programme as a whole. In the delegations's opinion the Conference, whose central concern should have been with women, had not dealt adequately with a number of issues. In negotiations concerning peace, equality and development,, humanity was denying itself the experience , sensitivity and vision of half of its members in decision-making, planning and practical action. Economic organization by itself was not responsible for the subordinate position of women in development: it interacted with an ideology of sexual bias to create an adverse environment for all people. In addition, even if the economic organization of society changed, women everywhere would still have to confront the problems associated with their functions as both mother and worker. The New Zealand delegation added that it was fallacious to group women with the poor without recognizing the special vulnerability as women. The delegation regretted that the Conference had not dedicated itself to the elimination of all exploitative relationships , particularly that between men and women. 373. The Swedish delegation stated that it had abstained in the vote on the Programme of Action. The quest for equality between men and women, like the fight against racial discrimination and apartheid, was of such vital importance that it required the joint efforts of the whole world community. It was most unfortunate, therefore, that clearly divisive issues had been brought into a programme of action aimed at forming the basis of future work in this field. A notion which was unequivocally unacceptable to the Swedish Government had, to its deep regret, been allowed to mar the work of the Conference from the very outset and had, in spite of the pleas of many delegations, been included in the text of the Programme. The Swedish delegation had voted against paragraph 5 of the Programme of Action. The Programme of Action also included positions on another political question which should preferably be dealt with at the General Assembly. The Swedish delegation had therefore abstained in the vote on paragraph 244 of the Programme. 374. The Swedish delegation added that it was discouraged to note an unwillingness on the part of Governments to recognize fully that the oppression of women had more and other causes which Governments could and must commit themselves to tackle immediately and in parallel with efforts to bring about a change in international economic relations. It was disappointed to see that the Programme of Action did not reflect such a firm commitment on the part of Governments. 375. The Nordic countries had actively contributed to the elaboration of the more action-oriented parts of the Programme. These parts contained many valuable elements, which Sweden supported. The Swedish delegation stressed the firm commitment of the Swedish Government to continue to work towards equality in its country on the basis of the action-oriented part of the Programme and its firm desire to continue to co-operate within the United Nations and elsewhere in the common struggle of women all over the world to promote the stated objectives of the Conference: equality, development and peace, 376 The Australian delegation stated that it had come to Copenhagen to work in co-operation with others for the adoption of a practical action-oriented Programme of Action ~ a programme which would make a real contribution to raising the status of women all over the world. This aim had been frustrated by a failure to agree on one issue., an issue it firmly believed should be dealt with in other forums of the United Nations. With the most profound disappointment and regret the Australian delegation had registered opposition to the Programme which was unacceptable for political reasons. The Australian delegation rejected the condemnation of Zionism written into Part One, It also rejected language in paragraph 244 of Part Three of the Programme. It believed that it was possible to achieve a comprehensive., just and lasting peace in the Middle East which would assure the security of all States in that re-ion aim provide tor the legitimate rights of the Palestinians. Efforts to achieve such a peace., and thus to serve the interests of all people and all women in the region., include Palestinian women, were gravely hindered by manipulation such as those which had Ied to these amendments to the Programme. 377. The Australian delegation recognized that the status of women was a political question with far-reaching implications for social.. economic and -political institutions. But women's interests would only he advanced if the expertise of those with experience and competence in areas of special concern to women were allowed to work together in a spirit of mutual humanitarian co-operation This spirit had manifested itself during the Conference, but alas ; other considerations had ultimately prevailed. The delegation of Australia added that its negative vote on the Programme as a whole should not be construed as negating the very many valuable and constructive objectives it contains. Despite its disappoirrtment Australia did not intend to ignore the positive aspects of the Conference . Australia had signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Woman, and intended to live up to to the standards it set, and to abide by the spirit in which it was formulated 378, The Australian delegation stated that it had sponsored practical amendments to the Programme, and a number of resolutions aimed at assisting women to overcome special disadvantage. Initiatives to be taken in Australia would demonstrate that country's genuine concern and its will to make progress. The Australian delegation expressed particular satisfaction with the national section of the Programme. This section sets out constructive measures that had commonality for all women, and Australia intended to work for its implementation. It was also Australia's intention to work for the implementation of the practical and humanitarian objectives set out in the regional and international sections of the Programme. The Australian delegation joined with women and men of goodwill all over the world who believed in the ideals and idealism of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace. It hoped that progress during the next five years would transcend the present disappointment. 379 The delegation of Luxembourg sneaking on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations which are members of the European Community, stated that the nine delegations concerned had come to Copenhagen in order to work in a co-operative spirit with a view to reaching a consensus on the Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women. In the light of the undoubted progress made during the first half of the Decade they had hoped that the Conference would make it possible to define the objectives that would enable women to aspire to a more equitable status "by 1935. Accordingly, during the preparatory phase of the Conference these delegations had endeavoured to contribute specifically and effectively to the drafting of the Programme of Action in order that it should deal adequately with the manifold problems affecting women in particular which, needed to be solved if the coal of equality of women and men was to be attained. The Programme of Action as adopted contained many worthwhile proposals and suggestions and most of its parts were acceptable to the States members of the Community. It was all the more regrettable that it had been impossible to reach a consensus on subjects that called for a practical approach; as a consequence, the delegations concerned had not been able to vote in favour of the Programme. Some of the provisions of the Programme were excessively politicized in that they referred to problems extraneous to the Conference. For example, the reference to "Zionism1' in paragraph 5 of the Programme was unacceptable. In addition the delegations of the States members of the Community had formulated reservations with respect to paragraphs 76 to 82 . 87 and 244. The language of paragraph 244 in particular did. not correspond to the position adopted by the recent conference of heads of State or Government at Venice. In addition , the delegations concerned considered that UNRWA was the most appropriate channel for humanitarian assistance for Palestinian women. 380. The delegations of the States members of the European Community had noted with '. regret the efforts made throughout the Conference to use the Conference for the purpose of obtaining decisions on questions of general policy which should ! preferably be dealt with in other forums . They dissociated themselves from these attempts , which had had the effect of subordinating the problems truly affecting women. The position which the nine member States of the Community would adopt in other United Nations bodies with respect to issues of general policy would not be ' prejudged by what had transpired at the Conference, notably as regards the problems of disarmament, human rights and economic and financial questions. 381. Even though the delegations in question had abstained in the vote on the Programme of Action as a whole on account of the elements unconnected with the purposes of the Conference or the Decade, the parts of the Programme of Action that really concerned the problems of women both in developed and in developing countries would serve as guidelines for the Governments of the countries concerned, both nationally and at the Community level;, the policies both of the Community and of the Governments of its member States had as their objectives the elimination of all discrimination against women, the guarantee of equality of men and women in all respects and the early integration of women in economic and social development. Despite their disappointment with the inability of the Conference to reach a consensus on the Programme of Action, the delegations of the States members of the European Community remained faithful to the fundamental objectives of the Programme in so far as they genuinely and specifically concerned women. 382. The Norwegian delegation stated that it was with deep regret that it had abstained in the vote on the Programme of Action as a whole. It had done so because paragraph 5 contained language that was unacceptable to Norway. The introduction of the concept of Zionism in that context was objectionable and wrong and had destroyed the hope that it would be possible to adopt a Programme that was acceptable to all delegations „ Although the Norwegian delegation had reservations also concerning paragraphs 2 and 244., they would not have prevented it from voting in favour of the Programme. Having participated for two years in the preparations for the Conference, the Norwegian delegation deeply regretted that the hopes and aspirations invested in the elaboration of the draft Programme had gradually disappeared owing to the introduction of controversial political issues only marginally relevant to the advancement of the cause of women. Without those extraneous elements , the document might have contributed materially to the progressive removal of the discrimination to which women all over the world were subject. 383. The Portuguese delegation stated that it was regrettable that, despite the President's efforts to secure the unanimous adoption of the final documents of the Conference, elements which this delegation considered extraneous to the proceedings had adversely affected the work of the Conference. The introduction of political elements had made consensus impossible. The Portuguese delegation stated that its vote in favour of the Programme of Action should not be interpreted as an endorsement of the entire contents of the Programme. In particular, the delegation had voted against paragraph 5 and had formulated reservations with respect to certain other provisions of the Programme of Action. 384 The delegation of Costa Rica stated that, like other delegations, it had been disturbed to note that political discussions, in some cases involving manifest interference in the domestic affairs of certain countries, had ousted what should have been the principal topics of the Conference. It would be sad if the only conclusion to be drawn from the results of the Conference should be that the women delegates had not shown sufficient maturity to concentrate on the specific and positive themes which should have dominated the Conference. If that was the case the Conference would have disappointed the expectations placed in it by world public opinion, which had looked forward to the achievement of benefits for all women without distinction as to race or political opinion. In the firm hope that the Programme of Action would be effective in all its positive aspects, the delegation of Costa Rica had voted in favour of the Programme as a whole. 385. The delegation of Iceland stated that women from all over the world had come to the Conference believing that its main aim was to improve the situation of women and further equality , but had found that it had in fact been used as a forum for a debate which had distracted the Conference from its main issue. For instance,, the word :'equality'' had hardly been mentioned. The delegation of Iceland doubted that women would find it worthwhile to attend a third conference of this kind. 386. Although the delegation of Iceland considered almost all the elements of the Programme of Action essential to the continued work towards the achievement of equality between men and women., especially so far as national targets were concerned, but also the international ones, for the reasons mentioned it had been obliged to abstain in the vote on the Programme as a whole. 387. The delegation of Iceland noted with deep regret that for the second time,, first in Mexico City and again in Copenhagen, a United Nations conference on women had been misused for political reasons and had concerned itself with questions which ought to be dealt with at the General Assembly. Divisive issues had been introduced into an otherwise fully acceptable and indeed valuable Programme of Action to which most delegations had actively contributed. The participants in the Conference represented half of mankind and it would undoubtedly be a deep disappointment to women that it had not proved possible to adopt the Programme of Action by consensus. 388. The delegation of Finland deeply regretted that the Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women had not been adopted by consensus. It appreciated the commendable efforts made towards reaching such a consensus which would have ensured the effective implementation of the Programme in all countries. 389. The Finnish delegation stated that its negative vote on paragraph 5 and its abstention on paragraph 2 were based on Finland's well-known rejection of the equation of zionism with racism. As a consequence, the delegation had abstained in the vote on the entire Programme of Action. The Government of Finland had throughout the preparations of the Conference emphasized the primary importance of an action-oriented programme aimed at the attainment of equality between women and men. The special needs of women merited particular attention as long as women remained a disadvantaged group in many countries. 390. The Finnish delegation fully endorsed, the recommendations concerning action at the national level contained in Part Two of the Programme. It also supported the recommendations in Part Three with the exception of paragraph 244, in the vote on ' which it had abstained, The text of the Programme and the varying interpretations regarding the reasons for prevailing; inequalities between women and men should not undermine the efforts to reach the Decade's objectives to which all ware committed. 391 In the Finnish delegation's view., the Conference had to a certain extent unnecessarily duplicated the work which was within the competence of the General Assembly and other United nations bodies. The Finnish delegation stated that it would have preferred a close concentration on the important themes of the Conference, given the limited time available. It considered that women and men should participate and fully share the responsibilities in all activities at the international.. national and family levels. Similarly,, their concerns should he taken into account at all these levels. The Government of Finland would continue its work for the themes of the United Nations Decade for Women - equality development and peace - during the second half of the Decade. 392., The Austrian delegation stated that up to the very last hour it had hoped -and spared no effort - to ensure the adoption of the Programme of Action. It was mere than distressed that. - because of extraneous elements introduced it had not been able, to vote in favour of the Programme. As a demonstration of its keen and active interest in the Conference and in the Programme of Action, the Austrian delegation had worked out specific proposals and resolutions, and had actively participated in the work of the various Committees. The Austrian delegation had come to Copenhagen to vote for the Programme of Action. Having been compelled to attain in the vote on the whole Programme of Action,, it wished to make it clear that Austria was committed to the active implementation of the many action-oriented parts of the Programme and that it would act in this spirit. 393, The delegation of Paraguay regretted that the Programme of Action had not been approved unanimously. This delegation stated that it had abstained in the vote on the Programme as a whole because, although it agreed with many of its provisions; it contained others that were not consistent with the original intention. This delegation of Paraguay assumed confidently that the majority of delegations had come to the Conference in the hope that the three themes of the Decade - equality, development and. peace would be realized and with the intention of analyzing problems affecting women and. of elaborating, new plans respecting the subthemes health, education and employment.. However- the Conference had departed from its true objectives owing to the introduction of political issues. While there was talk of peace, provocative statements had given rise to hatred the quest for equality was frustrated by ever greater differences; and development still seemed a far-off goal. The delegation of Paraguay appealed to all delegations to drop the attitude of confrontation and to display more comprehension and a sense of balance in their approach to the difficult problems facing humanity. 394:. The delegation of Albania stated that in some of the documents submitted to the Conference the status and rights of women had not been treated in realistic terms - In its opinion the division of labour between the sexes was not the cause of inequality between men and women the true cause was the division of society into oppressors and. oppressed. A contributory cause was the existing world ** nation in which the imperialist super-powers were adopting an aggressive course, **** at a time when military expenditure was rising and the armaments race was proceeding apace, it was incongruous to sneak of disarmament a detente and peace. In the Albanian delegation's opinion the documents prepared for the Conference should have referred to the aggressive policies of the super-powers, the United States, the Soviet Union and China. Lastly, the Albanian delegation regretted that it had not been given sufficient opportunity during the Conference to express its views concerning the problems affecting women which were the central tonic of the Conference. 395- The Chinese delegation stated that it supported the Programme of Action as a whole, However,, it felt that not all the provisions of the adopted Programme of Action were applicable to the policies of every State. The delegation of China considered that each State was free to formulate practicable plans consistent with its own situation in accordance with its own specific conditions. 396'„ The delegation of the Holy See stated that it had been pleased to associate itself with the deliberations of the Conference, hut it had been obliged to abstain from the vote on the Programme of Action for a number of reasons., 397, First , while recognizing the importance of political considerations and economic structures and priorities,, it also felt that the strong emphasis on socio-economic matters in the Conference had tended to distract attention from the full range of women's roles, prerogatives and responsibilities, and from the valuable contributions that women made in many other areas to the welfare of human society,. 398. Secondly.; the delegation of the Holy See believed that too little attention had been given to the family - the basic social unit - and to the important roles performed by women within the family unit. While there were many references to the family in the Programme of Action, there was no consistent or integral approach to women' and family life., nor any attempt to harmonize women's roles within the family with her wider social involvements, 399 Thirdly, this delegation had reservations with respect to many of the references regarding family planning (paras. 104 (i), l46, 248 (c)) which _tended to overlook earlier United Nations statements on the mutual responsibilities of both husband and wife in regard to parenthood, and which also opened the door to the indiscriminate use of family planning methods that violate human dignity. 400. Fourthly, many of the debates in the Conference had involved different and sometimes opposing viewpoints on the part of various nations in regard to political system and economic theories. The delegation of the Holy See recognize that many of the differences had been harmonized in the course of the Conference, but some. disagreements remained. It did not wish its abstention to Interpreted as acceptance or endorsement of one or the other viewpoints on these disputed questions. For as the delegation had indicated in its statement in the General debate, the Holy See primarily interested in human values, ethical principles and is a recognition of the spiritual dimension of the human person -female and :male _ all of which were pertinent to equality, development and the attainment of a lasting peace. 401. The delegation of Turkey noted with genuine sorrow and disappointment that the najor concerning the vital needs of women on a global scale had not been adequately discussed during the conference on account of the political polarization that had become the characteristic of the conference. At the same time however this delegation acknowledged that the persistent requests from the developing countries that the inequality of man and women should be analyzed both as regards the concept of sexism and as regards its relationship to the prevailing international order,, were legitimate. Thus new aspirations represented a step towards a new form of political maturity, even though its excessive expression had been unacceptable to some countries. In that respect the Conference marked an historic turning point. The Turkish delegation considered that the bitterness that had arisen owing to the lack of consensus on the Programme of Action should not discourage those who believed in improving the status of women. It hoped that the challenging, progressive ideas embodied in the new Programme of Action would make it possible during the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women to open up new frontiers for progress towards the liberation of women and lead to the achievement of meaningful action-oriented projects. 402. The delegation of Mozambique stated that it was very pleased with the outcome of the Conference and the adoption of a Plan of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women,, as it considered that it was impossible to deal with the problems of women in isolation from the political context. In its opinion it was impossible to talk of education; health and employment without at the same time referring to the fundamental causes of the oppression from which women suffered, which were notoriously also the fundamental causes of the oppression of peoples. Accordingly, it was right that the Conference had discussed those fundamental causes and had recommended humanitarian assistance and support for women in their struggle against all forms of exploitation and oppression. 403. The delegation of Gabon stated that, even though it had abstained in the vote on paragraph 5 of the Programme of Action because that paragraph contained the word "zionism." which, in the opinion of the Government of Gabon, could not be equated with racism or apartheid, it had voted in favour of the Programme of Action as a whole because it made some concrete proposals. At the same time, the delegation of Gabon had been disappointed by the political turn which had been given to the debate by some delegations. Accordingly, it formulated reservations with respect to all the political implications that might arise from the interpretation of certain provisions of the Programme of Action. 404. The delegation of the Dominican Republic stated that it had supported the Programme of Action because it contained a number of valuable sections favoring development, equality and peace. Nevertheless, it regretted that the Programme also contained paragraph 5, in the vote on which the delegation of the Dominican Republic had abstained. In this delegation's opinion the Conference had been overshadowed by powerful political forces that had distracted it from its true purpose,- to that extent, the Conference had disappointed the hopes of those who had participated in its preparation. Although the Dominican Republic had formulated reservations with respect to some of the paragraphs of the Programme of Action, it would do everything in its power to act in keeping with the ideas of the United Nations Decade for Women. 405. The delegation of Japan stated that the way in which it had participated in or voted at the Conference did not affect the basic position which the Government of Japan had taken so far at the General Assembly and other relevant United Nations conferences with regard to some concepts contained in the New International Economic Order. 406. The delegation of Jordan stated that the controversy which had characterized the final plenary meeting of the Conference gave rise to certain reflex ions. First, for so long as there were gross injustices in any part of the world, as in the Middle East, the prospects for progress in North-South negotiations would remain poor. Secondly, the Jordanian delegation considered that the problems of the developing countries could not be adequately dealt with by the adoption of resolutions by majority votes. The Jordanian delegation had voted in favour of "the Programme of Action as a whole,, including paragraphs 2, 5 and 244• „ in keeping with its commitments under relevant General Assembly resolutions and with "the decisions taken at the Arab summit conference held at Rabat in 1974, and because it considered that the Programme envisaged certain measures which, it "believed, were of great concern to the women of Jordan and indeed to the women of the world. 407. The delegation of Switzerland stated it profoundly regretted the failure of the efforts of conciliation that had been undertaken to save the consensus of "the Conference. It considered it disturbing that so much goodwill had "been wasted. The stakes had been very great: so many women and so many countries had invested much effort in the Conference and its proceedings. The Swiss delegation expressed the hope that, despite the deplorable debate that had taken place at "the final plenary meeting, the fruit of so much endeavour would not be lost. 5. Reservations 408. Reservations with respect to specific paragraphs of the Programme of Action as adopted that were not the subject of separate votes were formulated by the delegations of the under mentioned States participating in the Conference: With respect to paragraph 12: Federal Republic of Germany With respect to paragraph 32: Federal Republic of Germany With respect to paragraph 57: Iran With respect to paragraphs 76 Australia, Belgium, Denmark,, Federal Republic to 82: of Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg. Netherlands, Norway , Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, With respect to paragraph 82: Guatemala, Israeli New Zealand With respect to paragraphs 83 United States of America to 91- With respect to paragraph 83: Sweden With respect to paragraph 8j: Australia, Belgium, Denmark,, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands , New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America With respect to paragraph 104 Holy See, Pakistan subparagraph (i): With respect to paragraphs 118 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern and 119: Ireland With respect to paragraph 21 Australia (reference to Convention on maternity protection): With respect to paragraph 12b: United States of America With respect to paragraph 139- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland With respect to paragraph 146: Argentina, Ecuador, Holy See, Ireland, Pakistan With respect to paragraph 162: Algeria, Kenya, Lesotho With respect to paragraph 163: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland With respect to paragraphs 204 United States of America and 205: With respect to paragraph 242: Austria, Federal Republic of Germany, France, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America With respect to paragraph 243: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Federal Republic of Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America 12/ With respect to paragraph Holy See 248 (d): With respect to paragraph 21k: Argentina 409. The delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany stated that: (a) it reserved its position with respect to paragraph 12 of the Programme of Action because it considered that the reasons for discrimination against women were much more complex than those indicated in the paragraph; (b) it reserved its position with respect to paragraph 32 because in its opinion the paragraph should be more balanced: the reference to "general and complete disarmament" should be supplemented by a reference to "effective international control"; (c) it reserved its position with respect to paragraph 242 because that paragraph did not clearly exclude armed struggle which the Federal Republic could not support and also because non-governmental organizations were not subject to governmental control in the Federal Republic; (d) it reserved its position with respect to paragraph 243 because, for constitutional and other legal reasons, the Federal Republic of Germany had not ratified the 1973 Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. 410. In addition this delegation stated that it was unable to accept formulations which appeared in various passages of the Programme of Action relating to human rights, international economic matters, disarmament and East/West relations. 411. The delegation of Austria stated that it reserved its position with respect to paragraph 242 for legal reasons only. 412. The delegation of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, in addition to expressing reservations to specific paragraphs, stated that it was 12/ These delegations stated that the reasons for their reservations to paragraph 243 were those given at the time when the International Convention on the Suppression of the Crime of Apartheid had been adopted by the General Assembly at its twenty-eighth session. unable to accept formulations which appeared in a number of passages of the Programme of Action relating to human rights, international economic matters, disarmament and East/West relations. 413. The United States delegation stated that it reserved its position with respect to the second sentence of paragraph 126 of the Programme of Action because it believed that protective measures should not be used to remove the worker from employment, but instead the hazard or harmful situation should be removed. D. Action by the Conference with respect to draft resolutions considered without reference to a Committee 414. At the 21st plenary meeting on 30 July 1980 the Conference considered a draft resolution concerning South African aggression against Angola, submitted by Niger on behalf of a group of African States (A/CONF-.94/L.25). In response to an oral suggestion, the sponsoring delegation deleted the word "international" in the final operative paragraph. The delegations of India and the USSR expressed support for the draft resolution. 415. At the same meeting, the Conference adopted the draft resolution as orally amended by a roll-call vote of 100 in favour, none against, with 17 abstentions (for the text see chap. I, resolution 32). The result of the voting was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, , Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Cape Verde, China, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Democratic Yemen, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, Gabon, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guyana, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, ' Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Nepal, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Sweden, Syrian Arab Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Arab Emirates, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Venezuela, Viet Nam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: None. Abstaining: Canada, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Greece, Haiti, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Swaziland, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America, Uruguay. 4l6. In a statement explaining its vote, the Australian delegation stated that it had supported the draft resolution because it accepted its general thrust. As a member of the United Nations Council for Namibia, Australia looked forward to the early implementation of United Nations proposals relating to Namibia. Australia was ready to provide an engineering contingent for the United Nations assistance group which would be set up under those proposals. At the same time the Australian delegation wished to note that it did not accept the South West African People's Organization as the sole representative of the Namibian people, as the language of the resolution just adopted might be taken to imply, and to state that it would have preferred the operative paragraph to be phrased in more measured terms. 417. The delegation of the Dominican Republic said that it was fully aware of the serious problem of the countries of southern Africa and expressed its solidarity with the struggle of the women of that area for their liberation. Nevertheless, it had abstained in the vote on the draft resolution (A/CONF.94/L.25) "because it could not agree to the harsh language employed in some of the passages. Although this language reflected the just sentiments of the sponsors, it was out of keeping with the tone of the Conference, and the delegation of the Dominican Republic would have preferred other language. 4l8. In a statement explaining its non-participation in the vote, the Chilean delegation stated that it was unable to support the draft resolution (A/CONF.94/L.25) because, in keeping with its earlier remarks in the course of the Conference, it considered that the Conference was not the appropriate forum for dealing with matters that were under consideration in the General Assembly of the United Nations . 419. Statements in explanation of their votes were made also by the delegations of Greece and Peru, 420. Also at the 21st plenary meeting, the delegation of Kenya, on behalf of Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sri Lanka., Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, introduced a draft resolution entitled "Question of convening another world conference on women in 1985" (A/C0NF.94/L.27). 421- The delegation of the USSR stated that, although not objecting to the discussion of the draft resolution, or to its adoption by consensus, it wished to point out that in its opinion it was premature to consider the question which was the subject matter of the draft resolution and especially to take a decision on that question. 422. The draft resolution was adopted (for the text see chap, I, resolution 33). E. Report of the Credentials Committee 423. At its 1st plenary meeting held on 14 July 1980 the Conference in accordance with rule 4 of its rules of procedure, appointed a Credentials Committee composed of the following States: Belgium, China, Congo, Ecuador, Pakistan, Panama, Senegal, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United States of America. 424. The Credentials Committee held one meeting on 24 July 1980. Mr. Johan Verkercke (Belgium) was unanimously elected Presiding Officer of the Committee. 425. The Committee noted from a memorandum submitted to it by the Secretary-General of the Conference that as of 2k July 198O: (a) 145 States were participating in the Conference; (b) Credentials issued by the Head of State or Government or the Minister for Foreign Affairs had been submitted, as provided for in rule 3 of the rules of procedure, in respect of representatives of 120 participating States; (c) The credentials of the representatives of seven participating States had been communicated to the Secretary-General of the Conference in the form of cables from the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the countries concerned; (d) The credentials of the representatives of one participating State had been communicated in a letter from that State's Minister for Culture and Social Services; (e) The representatives of 14 participating States had been designated in letters, notes verbale or cables from authorities other than those mentioned in rule 3 of the rules of procedure, such as Permanent Missions to the United Nations or other diplomatic missions of the States concerned; (f) The appointment of the representatives of one State was communicated in cables from the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme in the country concerned; (g) From one State formal credentials issued by the Minister for Foreign Affairs were received in respect of a specified person. However, before the receipt of these credentials, that person had been accredited as the head of the delegation of another State; (h) From one participating State no designation of representatives had been received at the time of the meeting of the Credentials Committee. 13/ k26. In connexion with the memorandum by the Secretary-General of the Conference, the Presiding Officer of the Committee proposed the following decision for the approval of the Committee: "The Credentials Committee: 1. Accepts the credentials of the 119 States referred to in paragraph 3 (b) above; 2. Accepts provisionally the communications referred to in paragraphs 3 (c) (d) (e) and (f) above, pending the receipt of the formal credentials of the representatives concerned.; 13/ After the meeting of the Credentials Committee, the Secretary-General of the Conference was informed that representatives of one further State (Samoa) had registered. Formal credentials were not, however, received from the authorities of that State. 3- Takes no action at the present time on the credentials referred to in paragraph 3 (g), pending the designation of a representative not already-accredited by another State; 4. Recommends that the representatives referred to in paragraph 3 (h) above should continue to participate provisionally in accordance with rule 5 of the rules of procedure." 427. The representative of the USSR stated that his delegation could not accept the credentials of all the participating delegations. He recalled that on 16 July 1980 a number of delegations had presented the following declaration to the Credentials Committee: "The delegations of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, the People's Republic of Bulgaria, the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the German Democratic Republic, the Hungarian People's Republic, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, the Mongolian People's Republic, the Polish People's Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics strongly protest against the presence at the Conference of persons claiming to be the representatives of so-called Democratic Kampuchea, but in fact representing no one except the remnants of the criminal Pol Pot regime overthrown by the Kampuchean people, and declare that they do not recognize the credentials submitted by those persons as valid and demand their expulsion from the Conference. The only legitimate representative of the Kampuchean people is the People's Revolutionary Council of the People's Republic of Kampuchea and only the delegates appointed by it can represent that country at international conferences and in international forums." The representative of the USSR stated that in accordance with that declaration he did not accept as valid the credentials presented in the name of Democratic Kampuchea. 428. The representative of Senegal stated that the Committee's mandate was not to give a ruling on the legitimacy of the authority which had issued the credentials, but to determine whether the credentials conformed to rule 3 of the rules of procedure. 1429. The representative of the Congo requested the Presiding Officer to clarify the implications of the fact that certain of the United Nations agencies had dealings with the People's Revolutionary Council of the People's Republic of Kampuchea, and she also asked about the legal basis for the presence of the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea in the Conference. At the request of the Presiding Officer the Legal Adviser explained that it was the practice of the United Nations to deal with the authorities present in areas where the United Nations had activities and programmes; this practice did not, however, imply recognition, as no issue of recognition arose. The Legal Adviser further stated that the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea was participating provisionally in the Conference on the same basis as all other delegations in accordance with rule 5 of the rules of procedure. 430. The representative of Pakistan commented that his country recognized the regime of Democratic Kampuchea as the legal Government; it had been disturbed by the use of foreign military force in Kampuchea, while its support for the right of the representatives of Democratic Kampuchea in no way implied a condonation of the excesses committed by the regime. He also stated that his delegation had reservations concerning the credentials of the Afghan delegation. Pakistan s non-objection to the credentials of the Afghan representatives should not be interpreted as constituting recognition of the ruling regime m Kabul, which was imposed on the Afghan people by foreign military forces. 431. The representative of China stated that the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly had confirmed the legitimacy and validity of the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea, and all subsequent meetings within the United Nations had taken the same position. The Government of Democratic Kampuchea was in its own country resisting foreign invaders. The Heng Samrin regime was a puppet resting on Vietnamese bayonets. It did not represent anyone. China supported the legitimate right of Democratic Kampuchea to be represented. The slanders and distortions by the Soviet Union were not worth refuting; she asked the representative of the Soviet Union to respect the facts. 432. The representatives of China, the United States and Ecuador expressed support for the proposal by the Presiding Officer, referred to in paragraph 426 above. 433. The Presiding Officer, speaking in his capacity as representative of Belgium, referred to statements by the Belgian delegation reflected in the reports of the Credentials Committees at the thirty-fourth session of the General Assembly and at the Sixth Emergency Special Session of the General Assembly. He stated that the Committee's task in examining the credentials was a technical one, and that the acceptance of any delegation's credentials could not be construed as an approval of the present or past policies of the countries concerned: the acceptance was separate from diplomatic recognition. He further referred to the fact that earlier in 1980 the Credentials Committee at the Sixth Emergency Special Session had accepted, without; a vote, all credentials, including those of the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea. Lastly, he referred to General Assembly resolution 396 (V), paragraph 3, which recommended that the attitude adopted by the Assembly concerning credentials questions should be taken into account in other organs of the United Nations. 434 • The Presiding Officer assured all members of the Committee who had spoken that their views would be reflected in the report of the Credentials Committee, and asked whether on this understanding his proposal, referred to in paragraph 426 above, would be acceptable to all members of the Committee. 435• The representative of the USSR moved for a separate decision on the credentials of the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea in accordance with rule 36 of the rules of procedure. The motion having been opposed by other representatives, it was put to vote. The representatives of the Congo, Panama and the USSR voted in favour of the motion to have a separate decision; the representatives of Belgium, China, Ecuador, Pakistan, Senegal and the United States of America voted against. The motion thus was defeated. 436. The Presiding Officer then reverted to his proposal referred to in paragraph 426 above which, at the request of the representatives of the Congo, Panama and the USSR, was put to the vote. The representatives of Belgium, China, Ecuador, Pakistan, Senegal and the United States of America voted in favour of the proposal; the representatives of the Congo, Panama and the USSR voted against. The proposal thus was adopted. 437- In explanation of their votes, the representatives of the Congo, Panama and the USSR stated that they had voted against the proposal because - in view of the Committee's rejection of their request for a separate vote on the credentials of the delegation of Democratic Kampuchea - there was no alternative way in which they could have expressed their rejection of those credentials. They did not object to the credentials of any other representative. The representative of the United States stated in explanation of her vote in favour that the vote had no implication for the question of diplomatic recognition. 438. Upon the proposal of the Presiding Officer the Credentials Committee thereupon decided to submit this report to the Conference for approval. Recommendation of the Credentials Committee 439- The Credentials Committee recommends to the Conference the adoption of the following draft decision: Credentials of the representatives to the Conference The World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, Approves the report of the Credentials Committee (A/CONF.94/L.24 and Corr.l and 2). Action in plenary on the report of the Credentials Committee 440. At the 19th plenary meeting on 29 July 1980, the Conference, having considered the report of the Credentials Committee (A/CONF.94/L.24 and Corr.l and 2) and the draft decision recommended by the Committee, adopted the report as orally amended and the draft decision (for the text see chap. I, decision). 44l. The representative of Cuba, on behalf of a group of delegations, and the representative of the USSR, on behalf of another group of delegations, made statements to the effect that they could not accept as valid the credentials presented in the name of Democratic Kampuchea. 442. The representative of Iraq, stated that he did not recognize as valid the credentials submitted on behalf of the zionist entity occupying Palestine. Chapter VI ADOPTION OF THE REPORT OF THE CONFERENCE 443. The Rapporteur-General introduced the draft report of the Conference (A/C0NF.94/L.20 and Add. 1-3) at the 20th plenary meeting on 30 July 1980. 444. The Conference considered chapters II, III and IV of the draft report and adopted them with certain amendments. 445. At the 21st plenary meeting the representative of Mexico introduced a draft resolution (A/CONF.94/L.26) expressing the Conference's gratitude to the host country. 446. The Conference adopted the draft resolution by acclamation (for the text of the resolution see chap. I, resolution 48). 447. At the 21st plenary meeting on 30 July 1980 the Conference adopted the draft report as a whole and authorized the Rapporteur-General to complete the report, in conformity with the practice of the United Nations, with a view to its submission to the General Assembly at the thirty-fifth session. 448. After the adoption of the report the delegation of Portugal, on behalf of Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Portugal and Sao Tome and Principe, made a statement appealing to Member States and the Secretary-General of the United Nations to support the adoption of Portuguese as an official language of the United Nations and its agencies. 449. After statements had been made by the Assistant Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs and by the Secretary-General of the Conference, the President of the Conference made a closing statement and declared the Conference closed. ANNEX A. Basic Conference Documentation List of documents Symbol Title A/CONF.94/PRE-CONF./L.I Annotated list of questions A/CONF.94/1 Provisional agenda A/CONF .94/C.2 and Corr.l Pro-visional rules of procedure A/CONF.94/3 Organizational matters A/CONF .94/4 Special measures of assistance to the Palestinian woman: report adopted by the regional preparatory meeting of the Economic Commission for Western Asia A/CONF.94/5 The role of women in the struggle for liberation in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/6/Rev.l Measures of assistance for -women in southern Africa: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/6/Add.1 Measures of assistance for women in southern Africa: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/7/Rev.1 The effects of apartheid on the status of women in South Africa and Namibia: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/8/Rev.1 Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: Employment: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF. 94 /9 and Corr.1 Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: Health: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/10 and Corr.l Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Flan of Action: Education: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/11 and Corr.l Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: National Machinery and Legislation: report of the Secretary-General Symbol Title A/CONF.94/11/Add,1 and. Review and evaluation of progress achieved Add.1/Corr.l and 2 in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: descriptive list of national machineries A/CONF,94/l2 Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: national planning. Note by the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/13 and Corr.l Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: Political Participation.. International Co-operation and the Strengthening of International Peace: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF,94/14 Report of the seminar on the participation of women in the economic evolution of the ECE region: the economic role of women in the ECE region: report prepared by the Economic Commission for Europe A/CONF.94/15 Report of the Regional Preparatory Meeting for the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, organized "by the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific and held at New Delhi from 5 to 9 November 1979 A/CONF,94/l6 Report of the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Latin America: report of the Second Regional Conference on the Integration of Women into the Economic and Social Development of Latin America, held at Macuto, Venezuela, from 12 to 16 November 1979 A/CONF,94/17 and Corr.l Report of the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Second Regional Conference for the Integration of Women in Development) A/CONF.94/18 and Corr.l Report of the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Western Asia; Regional Programme of Action for Western Asia for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, 1901-1985 A/CONF,94/19 and Recommendations relating to women and Corr.l, 2 and 3 development emerging from conferences held under the auspices of the United Nations or the specialized agencies: report of the Secretary-General Symbol Title A/CONF.94/20 and Review of the activities of the Corr. 1 and 2 specialized agencies and organizations in the United Nations system aimed at the implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/21 and Corr.l Effects of the Israeli occupation on Palestinian women inside and outside the occupied territories: social and economic conditions of the Palestinian women: report adopted by the Regional Preparatory Meeting of the Economic Commission for Western Asia A/CONF.94/22 and Corr.l and 2 Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace: draft adopted by the Preparatory Committee of the Conference at its third session A/CONF.94/23 Report of the Preparatory Committee of the World Conference of the United Nations on its third session A/C0NF.94/24 The situation of women refugees the world over: report prepared by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees A/CONF.94/25 Review and evaluation of progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action: statistical abstract A/CONF.94/26 Technological change and women workers: the development of microelectronics: report by a consultant A/CONF.94/27 Information as a development resource for the advancement of women: report prepared by the secretariat of the Conference A/CONF 94/28 Women in rural areas: report of the Secretary-General of the Conference A/CONF 94/29 The effects of science and technology on the employment of women: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF 94/30 Review and evaluation of progress made and obstacles encountered at the national level in attaining the objectives of the World Plan of Action: report by the Secretariat A/CONF.94/31 and Corr.l Review evaluation of global and regional programmes of the United Nations system (1975-1980): report by the Secretariat Symbol Title A/CONF.94/32 Election of officers other than the President: note "by the Secretariat A/CONF.94/33 Letter dated 21 July 1980 addressed to the President of the Conference by the Head of the delegation of Turkey A/CONF.94/L.1 Amendments to the Draft Programme of Action for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women A/CONF.94/L.2 and Add.1 Report of the Pre-Conference consultations held at the Bella Center, Copenhagen A/CONF.94/L.3 Draft programme of Action for the Second Half of the United. Nations Decade for Women: amendments submitted by India A/CONF.94/L.4 Idea: amendments submitted by Czechoslovakia A/CONF.94/L.5 Idem: supplementary comments from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland A/CONF.94/L.6 Idem: amendments submitted by Poland A/CONF.94/L.7 Idem: amendments submitted by the German Democratic Republic A/CONF.94/L.8 Idem: amendments submitted by New Zealand A/CONF.94/L.9 and Idem: amendments submitted by Austria Corr.l, Spanish only A/CONF.94/L.10 Idem: amendments submitted by Bulgaria A/C0NF.94/L.11 Idem: amendments submitted by the Netherlands A/CONF.94/L.12 Idem: amendments submitted by Belgium A/CONF.94/L.13 Idem: amendments submitted, by Denmark, Finland, Iceland., Norway and Sweden A/CONF.94/L14 Idem: amendments submitted, by Australia A/CONF.94/L.15 Idem: amendments submitted by the United States of America A/CONF.94/L.l6 Idem: amendments submitted by Switzerland A/CONF.94/L.17 Idem: amendments submitted by Indonesia A/CONF.94/L.l8 Idem: amendment submitted by Canada A/C0NF.94/L.19 Idem: amendments submitted by Mexico A/C0NF.94/L.20 Draft report of the Conference A/C0NF.94/L.20/Add.1 Idem: chapter II Symbol Title A/CONF.94/L.20/Add.2 Idem: chapter III A/CONF.94/L.20/Add.3 Idem: chapter IV A/C0NF.94/L.21 and Corr.l and 2, Report of the First Committee L.21/Add.1, L.2l/Add.2 and Add.2/Corr.l, L.2l/Add.3, 3A and 3B, L.21/Add.4 A/CONF.94/L.22 and Corr.l and 2, Report of the Second Committee L.22/Add.1, L.22/Add.2s L.22/Add.3 and Corr.l, L.22/Add.3A, 3A/Corr.l, Add.3B, 3C 3D. 3E. L„22/Add.4 L.22/Add.5, L.22/Add.6 A/CONF.94/L.23 and L.23/Add.1 Report of the Committee of the Whole A/CONF.94/L.24 and Corr.l and 2 Report of the Credentials Committee A/CONF.94/L.25 Niger: draft resolution A/CONF.94/L.26 Expression of thanks to the host country: draft resolution submitted by Mexico A/CONF.94/L.27 Question of convening another world conference on women in 1985 •' draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Swaziland, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, United Republic of Cameroon, United Republic of Tanzania, Upper Volta, Zambia and Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.I/L.I Draft Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: amendments submitted by Cuba A/CONF.94/C.1/L.2 Idem: amendments submitted by Switzerland A/CONF.94/C.1/L.3 Idem: amendments submitted by Portugal A/CONF.94/C.1/L.4 Idem: draft resolution submitted by Ecuador A/CONF.94/C1/L.5 Idem: draft resolution submitted by Ecuador (withdrawn and submitted to Second Committee, as C.2/L.23) A/CONF.92/C.1/L.6 Idem: amendments submitted by Switzerland A/CONF.94/C.1/L.7 Idem: amendments submitted by the United States of America A/CONF .94/C.1/L.B Idem: amendments submitted by Austria Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C1/L.9 Idem: amendments submitted "by Belgium A/CONF.94/C.1/L.10 Idem: amendments submitted "by Egypt A/CONF.94/C.I/L.II Idem: amendments submitted "by Malaysia A/CONF,94/C.1/L.12 Idem: amendments submitted "by Denmark A/CONF,94/C.1/L.13 Idem: amendments submitted by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden A/CONF.94/C.1/L.14 Idem: amendments submitted by Iceland A/CONF.94/C.1/L.15 Idem: amendments submitted to Section A (paras. 39 to 89) A/CONF.94/C.1/L.16 Idem: amendments submitted to Section B (paras. 90 to 147) A/CONF.94/C.I/L.17 Idem: amendments submitted to Section C (paras. 148 to 152) A/CONF.9U/C.I/L.18 Idem: national targets and strategies for women's integration and participation in economic and social development, with special emphasis on the subtheme "Employment, Health and Education. Draft resolution submitted by Bangladesh, Barbados, Ghana, Indonesia, Mexico, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tunisia and Yemen A/CONF.94/C.1/L.19 Idem: promotion of equality in education. Draft resolution submitted by Austria A/CONF.94/C.1/L.20 Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages: draft resolution submitted by Argentina, Belgium, Federal Republic of Germany, Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Pakistan and Sweden A/CONF.94/C.1/L.21 Migrant women: draft resolution submitted by Italy A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.22 Necessity of fuller information on national machinery and legislation: draft resolution submitted by Bulgaria A/CONF.94/C.1/L.23 Elderly women and economic security: draft resolution submitted by Federal Republic of Germany, Ireland and the United States of America A/CONF.94/C.1/L.24 Battered women and violence in the family: draft resolution submitted by Australia, Portugal and the United States of America 'Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C.1/L.25 Women and education: draft resolution submitted by Mexico A/C0NP.94/C.1/L.26 Women and discrimination based on race: draft resolution submitted by the United States of America A/CONF.94/C1/L.2T Women living in conditions of extreme poverty: draft resolution submitted by France A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.28 Vocational training for girls and women; draft resolution submitted by France A/C0NF.94/C1/L.29 Education of young women: draft resolution submitted by Cuba and Mexico A/CONF.94/C.1/L.30 Situation in Bolivia: draft resolution submitted by Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Panama, Spain, United States of America, Venezuela and Yugoslavia A/CONF.94/C.1/L.31 Review and evaluation of progress made in the implementation of the World Plan of Action at national level: draft resolution submitted by Finland and Sweden A/CONF.94/C.1/L.32 Convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women: draft resolution submitted by Bulgaria, Burundi, Byelorussian SSR, Colombia, Czechoslovakia, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Ghana, Guinea, Hungary, Jamaica, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mongolia, Philippines, Poland, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Ukrainian SSR, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and Zambia A/C0NF.94/C.1/L.33 and Add.1 Report of the Drafting Group of Committee I A/CONF.94/C.I/L.34 Promotion of equality in education and training: draft resolution submitted by Austria, Cuba, Ecuador, France, Mexico and Venezuela A/CONF.94/C.1/L.35 Women and discrimination based on race: draft resolution submitted by Angola A/CONF.94/C.2/L.1 Draft Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women (A/CONF.94/22 and Corr.l) Amendments submitted by Cuba A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.2 Idem: amendments submitted by Indonesia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.3 Idem: amendments submitted by Thailand A/CONF.94/C.2/L.4 Idem: amendments submitted by Switzerland Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C.2/L.5/Rev.l Idem: amendments submitted by India A/CONF.94/C.2/L.6 Idem: amendments submitted by the United States of America A/CONF.94/C.2/L.T Idem: amendments submitted by the Netherlands A/CONF.94/C.2/L.8 Idem: amendments submitted by Austria A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.9/Rev.l The role of women in the preparation of societies for life in peace: draft resolution submitted by Argentina, Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Colombia, Comoros, the Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Grenada, Guinea, Hungary, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Togo, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela and Zambia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.10 Draft Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: amendments submitted, by Bulgaria A/CONF.94/C.2/L.11 Idem: amendments submitted by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden A/CONF.94/C2/L,12 Idem: amendments submitted by Nepal A/CONF.94/C.2/L.13 Idem: amendment submitted by Italy A/CONF. 94/C2/L.l4 Idem: amendments submitted by Australia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand A/CONF.94/C.2/L,15 Idem: amendment submitted by Czechoslovakia A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.l6 Idem: amendment submitted by Israel A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.17 Idem: amendment submitted by Malaysia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.18 Idem: amendment submitted by New Zealand A/CONF.94/C2/L,19 Idem: amendments submitted by Algeria, India, Sri Lanka and Yugoslavia A/'CONF.94/C.2/L.20 Idem: amendments submitted by Canada A/CONF.94/C.2/L.21 Idem: amendments submitted by Iceland A/CONF.94/C.2/1.22 Idem: amendments submitted by Portugal A/CONF.94/C.2/L.23/Rev.l and Regional and international targets and L.23/Corr.l strategies, taking into account the subtheme "employment, health and education": draft resolution submitted by Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, Papua New Guinea and Venezuela Symbol Title A/C0NF.94/C.2/L.24 Intensification of drought control in the Sahel: draft resolution submitted by-Cape Verde, Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal and Upper Volta VC0NP.94/C.2/L.25 Assistance to Lebanese women: draft resolution submitted by Algeria (on behalf of members of the League of Arab States) A/CONP.94/C.2/L.26 Women's participation in the strengthening of international peace and security and in the struggle against colonialism, racism, racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of foreign domination: draft resolution submitted by Afghanistan, Benin, Bulgaria, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Democratic Yemen, Ethiopia, German Democratic Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Madagascar, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Panama, Uganda, Ukrainian SSR, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.2/L.27 Improving the situation of disabled women of all ages: draft resolution submitted by Argentina, Germany, Federal Republic of Italy, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, the Philippines, Sweden, United Kingdom and the United States of America A/CONF.94/C.2/L.28 Women in agriculture: draft resolution submitted by Barbados, Grenada, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.2/L.29/Rev.l Measures to eliminate the traffic in women and the exploitation of prostitution: draft resolution submitted by Dominican Republic A/CONF.94/C.2/L.30 Women refugees: draft resolution submitted by Barbados, Dominican Republic, France, Germany, Federal Republic of, Honduras, Italy, Japan, Lesotho, Mali, Peru, Somalia, United Republic of Tanzania, the United States of America and Upper Volta A/CONF.94/C2/L.3l/Rev.l Integrated approach to the health and welfare of women: draft resolution submitted by Australia, Germany, Federal Republic of, Japan, Jamaica, Jordan, Lesotho, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand and Togo Symbol Title A/CONF.9VC.2/L.32 Rural women's needs and concerns throughout the world: draft resolution submitted by Botswana, Egypt, Lesotho and the United States of America A/CONF.94/C.2/L.33 Implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the New International Economic Order through the third United Nations development decade: draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iraq, Nigeria, Panama, Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia and Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.2/L.34 International Centre for Public Enterprises in Developing Countries (ICPE): draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Ghana, Iraq, Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Yugoslavia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.35 Implementation of the objectives of the Decade for Women "equality, development and peace'1 and the subthemes "employment, health and education" within the framework of the New International Economic Order: draft resolution submitted by Mexico and Venezuela A/CONF.94/C.2/L.36 Participation of rural women in the development process: draft resolution submitted by Mexico A/CONF.94/C.2/L.37 International Conference on Sanctions against South Africa: draft resolution submitted by Afghanistan, Angola, German Democratic Republic, Mongolia, Mozambique A/CONF.94/C.2/L.38 Protection of family budgets against the increase in hydrocarbon prices: draft resolution submitted by Peru A/CONF.94/C.2/L,39/Rev.l International legislation to prevent the abandonment of families: draft resolution submitted by Peru A/CONF.94/C.2/L.40 Situation of women in Chile: draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Cuba, Grenada, Mexico and Yugoslavia Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C.2/L.l4./Rev.l Situation of women in El Salvador: draft resolution submitted by Cuba, Grenada, Nicaragua A/CONF.94/C2/L.42/Rev.l Harmonization of criminal laws to combat drug traffic: draft resolution submitted. by Peru A/CONF.94/C.2/L.43 Strengthening the women's programmes and appointment of women in the secretariat of the regional commissions and agencies of the United Nations: draft resolution submitted by Ghana, Guinea, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Oman, United Arab Emirates and United Republic of Cameroon A/CONF.94C.2/L.44 and Corr.l Co-ordination of status of women issues within the United Nations system: draft resolution submitted by Australia, Norway and the United States of America. A/CONF.94/C.2/L.45 Disappeared persons: draft resolution submitted by Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Ghana, Greece, Jamaica, the Netherlands, and Senegal A/CONF.94/C.2/L.46 Women in the United Nations Secretariat: draft resolution submitted by Canada, Jamaica, the Netherlands, New Zealand and the United States of America A/CONF.94/C.2/L.47 International drinking water supply and sanitation Decade: draft resolution submitted by Botswana, Costa Rica, Fiji, Ivory Coast, Lebanon, Lesotho, Mali, Mauritania, Nepal, the Philippines, Tunisia and the United States of America A/CONF.94/C2/L.48 On the right of all countries to seek development assistance from any and all sources, free from threats and attacks: draft resolution submitted by Angola, Grenada, Iraq, Madagascar, Nicaragua and Seychelles A/CONF.94/C2/L.49 Assistance to Sahrawi women draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Angola, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Viet Nam Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C.2/L.50 International assistance for the reconstruction of Nicaragua: draft resolution submitted by Brazil, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama,, Peru and Venezuela A/CONF.94/C.2/L.51/Rev.l Women and development assistance programmes: draft resolution submitted by Australia, Fiji, Ghana, Jamaica, Lesotho, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Samoa, Thailand, United Republic of Tanzania A/C0NF.94/C2/L.52 Health and well-being of the women of the Pacific : draft resolution submitted by Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and Samoa A/CONF.94/C.2/L.53 The International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women: draft resolution submitted by Cuba, Dominican Republic, France, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Rwanda, United Republic of Cameroon and Yugoslavia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.54 Establishment and strengthening of machinery for the integration of women in development: draft resolution submitted by Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Rwanda, Togo and United Republic of Cameroon A/CONF.94/C.2/L.55/Rev.1 Strengthening the role of the Commission on the Status of Women: draft resolution submitted by Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Gabon, Greece, Guinea, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Thailand, Togo, Turkey, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia and Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.2/1.56 Women and nutritional self-sufficiency: draft resolution submitted by Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mali, Togo, United Republic of Cameroon and Upper Volta Symbol Title A/CONF.94/C.2/L.57 Voluntary Fund for the United Nations Decade for Women: draft resolution submitted by Burundi, Congo, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, United Republic of Cameroon and Zambia A/CONF.94/C.2/L.58/Rev.l Apartheid and women in South Africa and Namibia: draft resolution submitted, by Nigeria (on behalf of the African Group) A/CONF.94/C.2/L.59/Rev.l Exploitation of the prostitution of others and traffic in persons : draft resolution submitted by Argentina, Costa Rica, France, Holy See, the United States of America and Zaire A/CONF.94/C.2/L.60 The situation of women refugees the world over: draft resolution submitted by-Algeria, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Maldives, Pakistan, Qatar, Somalia and Sudan A/CONF.94/C.2/L.6l Implementation of the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women within the framework of the United Nations efforts to achieve the New International Economic Order through the third United Nations development decade: draft resolution submitted by Algeria, Argentina, Ghana, Guinea, Mexico, Venezuela, Yugoslavia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe A/CONF.94/C.2/L.62 Women in agriculture and rural areas: draft resolution submitted "by Barbados , Botswana, Costa Rica, Cuba, Egypt, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesotho, Mexico, Nicaragua, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Zambia and Zimbabwe A/C0NF.9VCW/CRP.1 and Text arising from informal consultations Add.1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 chaired by the Deputy Presiding Officer, and A/CONF.94/CW/CRP.1 and Mr, Umayya Tukan, of the Committee of the Add.1-6/Corr.l Whole on the Introduction and Chapters I and II of the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace Information documents, Symbol Title A/CONF.94/INF.l Information for participants A/CONF.94/INF.2 and Add.1 National reports: list A/CONF.94/INW.3 and Add.1 List of participants B. Background documents 1. NATIONAL REPORTS Country Symbol Date Democratic Kampuchea A/CONF.94/NR/l 29-May-80 Colombia A/CONF.94/NR/l2 15-May-80 Israel A/CONF.94/NR/3 19-May-80 Chile A/CONF.94/NR/4 19-May-80 Cuba A/CONF.94/NR/5 19-May-80 France A/CONF.94/NR/6 19-May-80 Jamaica A/CONF.94/NR/7/Rev.1 20-Jun-80 Seychelles A/CONF.94/NR/8 19-May-80 Bulgaria A/CONF.94/NR/9 21-May-80 Japan A/CONF.94/NR/10 23-May-80 Canada A/CONF.94/NR/11 29-May-80 India A/CONF.94/NR/12 29-May-80 Indonesia A/CONF.94/NR/13 29-May-80 Thailand A/CONF.94/NR/14 4-Jun-80 Venezuela A/CONF.94/NR/15 5-Jun-80 Dominican Republic A/CONF.94/NR/16 5-Jun-80 Guatemala A/CONF.94/NR/17 5-Jun-80 Argentina A/CONF.94/NR/18 3-Jun-80 Panama A/CONF.94/NR/19 5-Jun-80 Poland A/CONF.94/NR/20 11-Jun-80 Guinea A/CONF.94/NR/21 12-Jun-80 Portugal A/CONF.94/NR/22 13-Jun-80 Viet Nam A/CONF.94/NR/23 19-Jun-80 Egypt A/CONF.94/NR/24 19-Jun-80 Malawi A/CONF.94/NR/25 19-Jun-80 Austria A/CONF.94/NR/26 19-Jun-80 Philippines A/CONF.94/NR/27 20-Jun-80 United Kingdom of Great A/CONF.94/NR/28 25-Jun-80 Britain and Northern Ireland Byelorussian SSR A/CONF.94/NR/29 25-Jun-80 Tunisia A/CONF.94/NR/30 26-Jun-80 United States of America A/CONF.94/NR/31 26-Jun-80 China A/CONF.94/NR/32 27-Jun-80 Hew Zealand A/CONF.94/NR/33 27-Jun-80 Iraq A/CONF.94/NR/34 22-Jul-80 Australia A/CONF.94/NR/35 12-Jul-80 Samoa A/CONF.94/NR/36 13-Jul-80 Bhutan A/CONF.94/NR/37 13-Jul-80 Sri Lanka A/CONF.94/NR/38 13-Jul-80 Kuwait A/CONF.94/NR/39 13-Jul-80 Guyana A/CONF.94/NR/40 13-Jul-80 Malaysia A/CONF.94/NR/41 16-Jul-80 Sudan A/CONF.94/NR/42 14-Jul-80 Barbados A/CONF.94/NR/43 15-Jul-80 Ecuador A/CONF.94/NR/44 15-Jul-80 Nigeria A/CONF.94/NR/45 15-Jul-80 Oman A/CONF.94/NR/46 15-Jul-80 Jordan A/CONF.94/NR/47 15-Jul-80 Country Symbol Date Swaziland A/CONF.94/NR/48 15-Jul-80 Sweden A/CONF;94/NR/49 18-Jul-80 Norway A/CONF.94/NR/50 17-Jul-80 Pakistan A/CONF.94/NR/51 17-Jul-80 Congo A/CONF.94/NR/52 17-Jul-80 Lebanon A/CONF.94/NR/53 17-Jul-80 Democratic Yemen. A/CONF.94/NR/54 18-Jul-80 Greece A/CONF.94/NR/55 21-Jul-80 Algeria A/CONF.94/NR/56 21-Jul-80 Ivory Coast A/CONF.94/NR/57 21-Jul-80 Thailand A/CONF.94/NR/58 21-Jul-80 United Arab Emirates A/CONF.94/NR/59 22-Jul-80 Maldives A/CONF.94/NR/60 22-Jul-80 Libyan Arab Jamahiriya A/CONF.94/NR/61 22-Jul-80 Iran A/CONF.94/NR/62 23-Jul-80 Italy A/CONF.94/NR/63 23-Jul-80 Federal Republic A/CONF.94/NR/64 25-Jul-80 of Germany Spain A/CONF.94/NR/65 25-Jul-80 German Democratic Republic A/CONF.94/NR/66 28-Jul-80 Kenya A/CONF.94/NR/67 29-Jul-80 Ireland A/CONF.94/NR/68 29-Jul-80 Background papers Symbol Title A/CONF.94/BP.1 United Nations Industrial Development Organization: Preparatory Meeting on the Role of Women in Industrialization in Developing Countries, Vienna, Austria, 6-10 November 1978 A/CONF.94/BP.2 World Health Organization: Health and the status of women A/CONF.94/BP.3 Department of Technical Co-operation for Development: review of past and planned activities in implementation of the World Plan of Action A/CONF.94/BP.4 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations: Programme of Action of the World Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development: integration of women in. rural development A/CONF.94/BP.5 The contribution of the World Food Programme to the United Nations Decade for Women A/CONF.94/BP.6 International Labour Organisation: measures taken to implement the programme of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace A/CONF.94/BP.7 Lusaka Declaration of the Commonwealth on Racism and Racial Prejudice A/CONF.94/BP.8 Report by the United Nations Institute for Training and Research A/CONF.94/BP.9/Rev.1 Seminar on traditional practices affecting the health of women and children: report prepared by the World Health Organization A/CONF.94/BP.10 International Seminar on Women and the Media, United Nations, New York, 20-23 May 1980 A/CONF.94/BP.11 Review of past and planned activities in implementation of the World Plan of Action: Report prepared by the Department of International Economic and Social Affairs A/CONF.94/BP.12 United Nations Children's Fund: women, children and development A/CONF.94/BP.13 United Nations Fund for Population Activities: UNFPA policies and programmes in the field of women, population and development A/CONF.94/BP.14 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization: the school education of girls Symbol Title A/CONF.94/BP.15 World Bank: Recognizing the "invisible" women in development: the World Bank's experience A/CONF.94BP.16 The effects of apartheid on the employment of women in South Africa and a history of the role of women in the trade unions A/CGNF.94/BP.17 Summary report of the Montreal and Helsinki seminars on women and apartheid A/CONF.94/BP.18 The Voluntary Fund of the United Nations Decade for Women: report of the Secretary-General A/CONF.94/BP.19 Report of the Special Rapporteur on the influence of the mass communications media on attitudes towards the roles of women and men in present-day society DP/53 Summary of action-oriented assessment of rural women's participation in development: prepared by the United Nations Development Programme Submissions by non-governmental organizations A/CONF.94/NGO/1 International Association of Religious Freedom "Challenging Patriarchal Vision" A/CONF.94/NGO/2 Associated Country-Women of the World "Statement to the World Conference" A/CONF.94/NGO/3 International Council of Nurses "Statement on Women and Health" A/CONF.94/NGO/4 International Federation of Business and Professional Women "Preparing for the 80's" A/CONF.94/NGO/5 Medical Women's International Association "Statement for the WCUNDW: Equality, Development and Peace" A/CONF/94/NGO/6 Pan-Pacific and South-East Asia Women's Association "Statement to the World Conference on the WCUNDW" A/CONF.94/NGO/7 International Federation of Business and Professional Women "Statement to the 1980 WCUNDW, Copenhagen, July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/8 St. Joan's International Alliance "Statement for circulation at the WCUNDW: Equality, Development and Peace" A/CONF.94/NGO/9 Lutheran World Federation "Address to the WCUNDW" A/CONF.94/NGO/10 International Confederation of Free Trade Unions "Statement on the Employment of Women" A/CONF.94/NGO/11 Baha'i International Community "The Integration of Women in Development" A/CONF.94/NGO/12 Friends World Committee for Consultation "Statement by Friends World Committee for Consultation" A/CONF.94/NGO/13 International Movement A.T.D. Fourth World "Women of the 4th World" A/CONF.94/NGO/14 International League for Human Rights "Statement for WCUNDW by International League for Human Rights" A/CONF.94/NGO/15 International Council on Alcohol and Addictions "Women and Addiction" A/CONF.94/NGO/16 Christian Peace Conference "Statement to the WCUNDW" A/CONF.94/NGO/17 European Union of Women "Statement to the World Conference of Women of the United Nations in Copenhagen, 1980" -235- Submissions by non-governmental organizations (continued) A/CONF.94/NGO/18 International Alliance of Women "Review and Appraisal of IAW Regional Seminars and Follow-up Projects 1972-1979" A/CONF.94/NGO/19 Open Door International "Descente des Nations Unies Pour la Femme" A/CONF.94/NGO/20 International Council of Jewish Women "The Condition of Palestinian Arab Women in the Administered Territories" A/CONF.94/NGO/21 International Federation of University Women "Continuing (Life-long) Education" A/CONF.94/NGO/22 Women's International Democratic Federation "Memo on Implementation of the World Plan of Action to realize the Aims of the International Women's Year" A/CONF,94/NGO/23 International Union of Students "Equality - Development - Peace" A/CONF.94/NGO/24 International Planned Parenthood Federation "Statement to the WCUWDW: Equality, Development and Peace -Copenhagen3 July 1980" A/CONF\94/NGO/25 World Federation of United Nations Associations "Education for Peace against the Arms Race" A/CONF.94/NGO/26 World Jewish Congress "Integration of Family Medicine into University Teaching Hospital in Israel: A Pilot Project" A/C0NF.94/NGO/27 Catholic International Education "Message to the World Conference for the second half of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/C0KF.94/NGO/28 Soroptimist International "Statement to the WCUNDW" A/CONF . 94 /NGO/29 International Federation on Ageing "The Status of Older Women in Society - an Internal Perspective" A/CONF.94/NGO/30 International Federation of Agricultural Producers "Statement to the WCUWDW, Copenhagen, lU-30 July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/31 International Society for Community Development "Women and Community Development" A/CONF.94/NGO/32 International Council of Women "Statement to the WCUNDW, Copenhagen, lU-30 July 19d0 Submissions by non-governmental organizations (continued) A/COWF.9VNGO/33 Caritas International "Les Femmes Refugees" A/CONF.94/NGO/34 All Pakistan Women's Association "Statement to the World Conference/Form, United Nations Decade for Women - Copenhagen, 1^-30 July 1980" A/COHP.94/NGO/35 World Confederation of Organizations of the Teaching Profession "Recommendation on Equal Opportunities for Girls and Boys" A/COWF.94/NGO/36 "Statement of Non-Governmental Organizations to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/C0NF.94/NGO/37 All-Indian Women's Conference "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/CONF.94/WGO/38 International Defence and Aid Fund for Southern Africa "The Heroic Women of Namibia and South Africa" A/CONF.94/NGO/39 International Federation for Home Economies "Statement to the Mid-Decade World Conference on Women, Copenhagen, July 1980" A/COHF.94/NGO/40 International Federation of Social Workers "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, Copenhagen, July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/41 World's Women's Christi an Temperance Union "World Conference of the United Nations Mid-Decade for Women, Agenda Item No. 8 - "Developments relating to the progress achieved in the implementation of the World Plan of Action" A/CONF.94/NGO/42 World Peace Council "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women - Equality, Development and Peace" A/CONF.94/NGO/43 The Afro-Asian People's Solidarity Organization "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/CONF.94/NGO/44 The World Federation of Democratic Youth "Declaration to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/CONF.94/NGO/45 International Federation of Women in Legal Careers "Statements to the United Nations World Conference for Women, Copenhagen, 41-3O July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/46 Zonta International "Zonta International Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" Submissions "by non-governmental organizations (continued) A/CONF.94/NGO/47 Women's International League for Peace and Freedom "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women, Copenhagen, 27 July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/48 The International Association of Art "Statement to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women" A/CONF.94/NGO/49 Joint statement of non-governmental organizations "Employed and Equal in United Nations?" A/CONF.94/NGO/50 International Co-operative Alliance "Statement to the World Conference for the United Nations Decade for Women, Copenhagen, 14-30 July 1980" A/CONF.94/NGO/51 La Union Mundial Democrata Cristiana "Declaracion a la Conferencia Mundial de law Nations Unidas en la mitad del Decenio de la Mujer" A/CONF.94/NGO/52 The World Council of Indigenous Peoples "The Indigenous Women Speak" A/CONF.94/NGO/53 United Nations of Yoga "Address to the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women"