UN Human Rights Treaties

UNITED NATIONS
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22 January 1974
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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ON ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
CHAPTER IV. INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS AND NATIONAL STANDARDS RELATING TO THE STATUS OF WOMEN 1/
A. Implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women and Related Instruments
1. The Commission considered subitem 5 (a) of its agenda at its 603rd-605th and
meetings. It had before it a report by the Secretary General on the subject prepared in accordance with Economic and Social Council *** 1677 (LII) of 31 May 1972 (E/CN.6/571 and Addenda 1 and 2).
2. In introducing the report, the representative of the Secretary-General reminded
the members of the Commission that the resolution of the Council had established &
new consolidated reporting system based on a four-year cycle, with respect to the
implementation of the Declaration and other international instruments dealing with
women's rights. This report, the first under the new system, was analytical in
nature as requested. It dealt with the publicity given to the Declaration, general
and educational measures, and civil and political rights. It was based on the
information supplied by Member States, the specialized agencies and non-governmental
organizations on the basis of detailed guidelines prepared by the Secretariat. She
pointed out that only 34 Governments had submitted information and that relatively
few replies dealt with the implementation of the other international instruments
mentioned in the guidelines. She indicated that the report contained much
interesting information on action taken by non-governmental organizations to improve
the position of women.
1/ Mo summary records were provided for the discussion of this item,
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3. Many members of the Commission explained that if their Governments had not replied it was not because of lack of interest since they considered the elimination of discrimination against women of utmost importance. Among the reasons for not replying were the costs involved in preparing reports for the Secretary-General, especially when the national language is not one of the working languages of the United Nations, and the difficulties encountered in gathering and co-ordinating the relevant information. In this connexion, some representatives emphasized the need to improve the efficiency of communications between the United Nations and Governments. It was suggested that Governments could appoint national correspondents whose functions would be to obtain and co-ordinate the required information relating to women, and who would work in close collaboration with national commissions where they exist. Several representatives announced the intention of their Governments to send their replies during the current session of the Commission or in the near future.
4. Members agreed that it was most important to give the widest publicity to the provisions of the Declaration, although knowledge of its provisions in itself would not eliminate discrimination against women. Many representatives referred to their Government's efforts to publicize the Declaration and to translate it into the national languages and dialects. A more important challenge, however, was to convey the meaning of the principles of the Declaration to the masses of the population.'
5. Many representatives described various aspects of the de Jure and the de facto situation of women their countries. Some members expanded on the information submitted by Governments and referred to recent developments that had taken place in law as well as in fact. These concerned not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights of women which would be the subject of the next report on the implementation of the Declaration to be submitted to the twenty-sixth session of the Commission in 1976.
6. Several new developments in the de jure situations were mentioned. In some instances reference was made to new provisions of a general nature which were included in the constitutions. In other cases, mention was made of innovations which had been introduced in the law and which improved the legal status of women. For example, concerning the political rights of women, under a recently adopted electoral law in one country, the Government must subsidize part of all candidates' campaigns and a limit has been set to the amount of campaign funds to be spent. This was expected to increase the number of women candidates and to encourage their greater participation in public affairs, since women tend to lack the economic means for political campaigning or access: to financing for these purposes. Another development mentioned was that under the new housing legislation enacted in one country, the full salary of either spouse might be made available for the purposes of a mortgage on a house.
7. Concerning the de facto situation, several representatives referred to the
perpetuation of traditional sex roles as one of the main obstacles in implementing the principles set forth in the Declaration. It was reported that in some countries concrete measures were being taken to improve the system of education and to give

girls and boys alike equal training and possibilities to choose from any curricula irrespective of sex. In some cases, specific programmes emphasized that all children, irrespective of sex, should be encouraged to become economically independent and better educated so as to be able to choose any kind of occupation.
8. Some members indicated that National Commissions or special committees had been created by their respective Governments to find ways to eliminate the obstacles to achieving equality between men and women or to study specific aspects of the problem. In one country, for example, a Committee had been established to study whether advertising in the mass communication media discriminated against women. Another Committee had been established to study the question of equal pay from a more realistic perspective, comparing, for example, wages of nurses with wages of traditionally male professions which require the same, or an equivalent educational standard. Other representatives referred to the establishment of Government offices to deal with women's affairs or institutes for family affairs or national commissions on the status of women.
9. Some representatives expressed the view that the efforts of new feminist groups were an important cause of the increased awareness and interest of society as a whole relating to the achievement of equality between men and women. Another development mentioned was the appearance of experts on women's questions and problems. These experts, it was noted, were needed not only at the international level, but also at the national level and various countries were seeking the services of such experts to elaborate specific programmes
10. It was suggested by several representatives that in order to implement fully the principles of the Declaration, women must have access in much larger numbers to political and decision-making positions at all levels. The great difficulties encountered by women in reaching positions in the higher echelons were mentioned. UNESCO was urged to develop training programmes that would encourage women to engage in political activities in large numbers. It was also emphasized by many members that, in order to achieve the full implementation of all the principles of the Declaration, women must first have equal opportunities in education, unrestricted access to all types, of work, and receive equal pay for work of equal value - something that still remains to be achieved in many sectors. Several representatives expressed the opinion that the adoption of a Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women would facilitate the implementation of the Declaration.
B. Legal Capacity of Married Women: Capacity to engage in independent work
11. The Commission considered subitem 5 (b) of its agenda at its 604th, 605th,
and meetings. It had before it a report by the Secretary-General on
'•Legal capacity of married women: capacity to engage in independent work"
(E/CN.6/584).

12. In introducing the report, the representative of the Secretary-General reminded the members of the Commission that at its twenty-first session the Commission on the Status of Women had decided to undertake a long-term project on the status of women in private law, and to consider a number of topics within the framework of article 6 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, the present report, she stated, was prepared in partial response to the wish of the Commission at its twenty-fourth session and the report on Legal Capacity of Married Women, including freedom of movement, domicile and residence will be completed in 1974. It dealt with one aspect only, but an important and timely one, of the broader issue of the legal capacity of married women, which concerned her right to engage in independent work. Two main questions dealt with were the capacity of the wife to engage freely in an activity of her choice outside the home without having to obtain her husband's authorization or consent, and, the right of the wife to administer and dispose of her earning or product of her work. At the outset of the report, some general observations were made relating to two important activities performed by the wife during marriage: her work as caretaker to the needs of the various members of the family and her work as an assistant to her husband in the performance of his own occupation.
13. In the course of the general discussion, many members referred to the situation in their countries with respect to the legal capacity of married women to undertake independent work and to their general legal capacity and status at marriage and during marriage. While in some instances achievement of complete equality in law was reported, in a number of cases specific reference was made to laws or customs which deprived married women of certain important personal and property rights. Mention was made of progress achieved in the past few years in eliminating a number of discriminatory laws or of legislative reforms which were either under way or contemplated. In this respect the important role that women's organisations have played or could play in helping to bring about such reforms was emphasized together with activities undertaken at the regional level to achieve a unified legislative approach for countries of the same region. In this connexion, the recommendations were cited of a regional seminar on the Status of Arab Women in Personal Statutes held in Cairo in October 1972, and organized by the League of Arab States, as well as a study on the economic independence of adult persons both outside and inside marriage which was being prepared by the Nordic Council.
l4. Members of the Commission agreed that it was most important that equality of men and women in the field of family law will be achieved as soon as possible in the countries where such was not yet the case. It was also stressed that this alone would not be enough to bring about equality in fact and more particulars the full integration of women in the development effort to which the United Nations was committed. They therefore considered that the fundamental issue was that of the roles of men and women in the family and in society, as the report of the Secretary^ General had rightly pointed out.
15. Members agreed that the past two decades had witnessed a substantial increase in women engaging in independent work. It was pointed out, however, that the majority of married women, even in some of the most progressive societies, were hampered in doing so either because they still conceived of themselves as being

first of all housewives whose role was to take care of the home, the children and even the husband, or because their husbands held such views. Efforts to achieve full participation of women in the development of their countries on a basis of equality with men would not succeed unless an evolution in the traditional attitudes of men and women towards their roles and responsibilities in the family and in society took place.
16. Referring to measures which would encourage women to exercise their right to work and thus participate more fully as workers and citizens in the life of the community, members stressed the need for large-scale educational and informational programmes to encourage changes in attitudes of both men and omen towards their respective roles, provision of adequate child-care facilities, a more equitable sharing of household chores between husband and wife a revision of laws on taxation, so that the income of the wife would be taxed separately from that of her husband and therefore at a rate lower than that applicable to a joint income. There was agreement on the need and importance of spreading knowledge among women of their rights and responsibilities in general and with respect to marriage in particular. Too many women, it was pointed out, were totally ignorant of these and were in no position to avail themselves of them when necessary.
17. With respect to certain activities performed without financial compensation by married women during marriage, it was felt that the services they rendered when they shared in the work of their husbands - a situation which was widespread in rural areas in connexion with farm work - should always be adequately remunerated. In this respect reference was made to discriminatory practices prevailing in some countries whereby the farm wife working with her husband in the development of the farm received no financial compensation or was considered to be only a family helper and not a self-employed entrepreneur. Such a situation was said to be one of the main causes in one country of the migration of families from rural to urban areas, a decision which usually was the wife's. As regards services rendered in connexion with the care and rearing of children at home, the opinion was expressed that such should be viewed as an occupation for which financial compensation in an appropriate manner was due.

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E/CN.6/L.660/Add.2 28 January 1974
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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Agenda item 12
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
XI. ORGANIZATION OF THE SESSION Opening and duration of the session
1. The Commission on the Status of Women held its twenty-fifth session at United
Nations Headquarters from 14 January to 1 February 1974 The Commission held
plenary meetings (599th- meetings).
2. The session was opened by Mrs. Eugenia A. Stevenson (Liberia), Chairman of the
Commission at its twenty-fourth session.
Attendance
3. The following States members of the Commission were represented: Argentina,
Belgium, Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia,
Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, France, Greece, Guinea, Hungary,
India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria, Norway, Philippines, Romania,
Thailand, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland, United States of America and Zaire. The Central African Republic,
Madagascar and Nicaragua, also members of the Commission, were not represented.
Observers of other States Members of the United Nations, representatives of bodies
of the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations and
non-governmental organizations also attended the session. A complete list is
given in annex .
Election of officers
4. At its 599th meeting, on 14 January 1974 the Commission elected the following officers by acclamation: Chairman: Mrs. Leticia Ramos Shahani (Philippines);

74-02550

Vice-Chairmen: Mrs. Licelott Marte de Barrios (Dominican Republic), Mrs. Eva Kolstad (Norway) and Mrs. Hanna Bokor (Hungary); Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria).
Agenda
5. The Commission considered its agenda at its 600th meeting. It had before it the provisional agenda (E/CN.6/570 and Corr.1) drawn up by the Secretary-General in consultation with the Chairman of the Commission at its twenty-fourth session. After some discussion, the Commission agreed that item 4 (b) of the provisional agenda should become an independent item. It further agreed to revise slightly * the order of items. The provisional agenda, as a whole, as amended, was adopted without objection.
6. The agenda adopted by the Commission (E/CN.6/587) is reproduced in annex of the report.
Summary records, resolutions and recommendations
7. The Commission decided, at its 600th meeting, to have summary records on items 3, 4, 6, 7, 8 and 11.
8. The resolutions adopted and decisions taken by the Commission during the twenty-fifth session and the draft resolutions recommended for adoption by the Economic and Social Council are reproduced in chapters of the present report.
9. The documents before the Commission at its twenty-fifth session are listed in annex to the present report.
Consultations with non-governmental organizations
10. In accordance with rule 75 of the rules of procedure, the observers of the
following non-governmental organizations in consultative status with the Economic
and Social Council made statements during the twenty-fifth session:
Category I: International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (items 3, 4 and 6); International Planned Parenthood Federation (item 6); Women's International Democratic Federation (items 3, 4, 5 and 7).
Category II: All-African Women's Conference (item 5); International Alliance of Women (item 6); International Council of Social Democratic Women (items 4 and 5); International Federation of Business and Professional Women (item 3).
Written statements submitted by non-governmental organizations are
annex to the present report.

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E/CN.6/L.660/Add.3 28 January 1974
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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Agenda item 12
DRAFT REPORT OH THE COMMISSION OR THE STATUS OF WOMEN ON ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
IV. INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS AND NATIONAL STANDARDS RELATING TO THE STARTS OF WOMEN
Consideration of draft resolutions and voting
A. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DECLARATION ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS
1. A draft resolution on the subject recommended for adoption by the Economic
and Social Council was submitted by the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Norway and
the Philippines (E/CN.6/L.661). Argentina, Canada, Colombia, France, Greece
and Thailand were subsequently added as sponsors. Under the draft resolution, the Economic and Social Council would inter alia urge all Governments, as well as the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations concerned, to furnish information on the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and related instruments in the next series of reports which will deal primarily with economic, social and cultural rights and cover the period June 1971 to June 1975 on the basis of guidelines provided by the Secretary-General. Also, Governments would be invited to consider the desirability of appointing as soon as possible national correspondents to assist them in obtaining and compiling on a regular basis, the necessary data to be supplied to the Secretary-General. Such correspondents could work in close collaboration with appropriate government agencies concerned, with national commissions or similar bodies where these exist, and also, where appropriate, with interested national non-governmental organizations.
2. At its 6l3th meeting, on 23 January 1974, the Commission adopted the draft
resolution by consensus. The resolution, as adopted, reads as follows;
74-02565

IMPLEMENTATION OP THE DECLARATION ON THE ELIMINATION OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN AND RELATED INSTRUMENTS
The Commission on the Status of Women,

Recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft resolution:
"The Economic and Social Council,
Recalling its resolution 1677 (LII) of 31 May 1972 establishing a new cycle of reporting with respect to the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and of certain other international instruments relating to women's rights,
Noting with appreciation the report of the Secretary-General prepared in accordance with resolution 1677 (LII) (E/CN.6/571 and Add.1 and 2), And the findings and recommendations of the Commission on the Status of Women based on its consideration of that report at its twenty-fifth session,
Considering that relatively few replies were received in the first series of reports submitted under the new cycle of consolidated reporting, and that consequently very incomplete picture of the de jure and de facto implementation of the Declaration and related instruments was available to the Commission on the Status of Women,
Recognizing at the same time that many Governments face difficulties in obtaining the necessary information for submission to the Secretary-General, and also in meeting other requests for information emanating from the Commission on the Status of Women and other United Nations bodies,
Believing however that adequate information on the implementation of the Declaration and related instruments is necessary and important in enabling the Commission on the Status of Women to evaluate the full impact of its work, and that the exchange of information and experience of different countries through the information furnished is highly valuable,
1 Expresses its appreciation to the 34 Governments and 14 non-governmental organizations which have submitted reports in this first series of reports under the new cycle of reporting established by resolution 1677 (LII);
2. Notes with satisfaction the steps taken during the period under review, June 1971 to June 1973:
(a) To give publicity to the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and to create fuller awareness and understanding of its principles through the press and mass media, published material, various forms of discussion groups, schools and educational institutions and through the translation of the Declaration into national and local languages;

(b) To encourage compliance in law and in practice with the provisions of the Declaration through various measures, including the establishment of national commissions, advisory councils and similar bodies;
3. Regrets however that in many instances full compliance with the Declaration and related instruments has not yet been achieved, that wide discrepancies continue to exist between the de jure and the de facto situation, and that serious obstacles still have to be overcome, especially as regards prevailing attitudes towards stereotyped sex roles;
4. Invites Governments, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations which have not already done so, to submit reports as soon as possible for the period June 1971 to June 1973, and requests the Secretary-General to forward to them the analytical report submitted to the Commission on the status of Women at its twenty-fifth session, as well as the guidelines prepared at the Commission's request in its resolution 3 (XXIV);
5. Urges all Governments, as well as the specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations concerned to furnish information on the implementation of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and related instruments in the next series of reports, which will deal primarily with economic, social and cultural rights and cover the period June 1971 to June 1975 on the basis of the guidelines provided by the Secretary-General;
6. Further invites Governments to consider as part of their long-term programme for International Women's Year, the desirability of appointing as soon as possible national correspondents to assist them in obtaining and compiling on a regular basis, the necessary data Such correspondents could work in close collaboration with appropriate government agencies concerned, with national commissions or similar bodies where these exist, and also, where appropriate, with interested national non-governmental organizations;
7. Requests Member States to inform the Secretary-General at the latest by the beginning of 1975 about action taken concerning the appointment of such national correspondents."
B. LEGAL CAPACITY OF MARRIED WOMEN AND RELATED QUESTIONS
3. A draft resolution on this subject recommended for adoption by the Economic and Social Council was submitted by the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, the Philippines, Romania and Thailand (E/CN.6/L.662). Belgium, Egypt, Finland, Japan, Liberia and Norway were subsequently added as sponsors,
4. The operative part of the draft resolution read as follows:
"1. Recommends that Member States take all the necessary measures to ensure that the legal capacity of the married woman is equal with that of

the man, concerning (a) gainful employment outside the home, (b) her full capacity to administer her property and revenue of her work, (c) the administration of the family's common property, (d) parental authority over their children and their interest., and (e) dissolution of marriage and its legal effects;
2. Recommends further that Member States provide adequate remedies, judicial or otherwise, to both spouses to help them solve their disagreements in respect of questions mentioned above, particular emphasis being put on the necessity of mediation through competent authorities, with the assistance of personnel trained in all aspects of family relations."
5. The sponsors of the draft resolution subsequently revised slightly the text of operative paragraph 1.
6. The representative of the United Kingdom orally proposed the deletion of the words "or even in conflict" in the last preambular paragraph. This amendment was accepted by the sponsors.
7. The representative of the USSR orally proposed the insertion, in operative paragraph 1 of the words "where such is not yet the case" after the word "Recommends'' and the insertion, in the second operative paragraph, of the words "in such cases" after the words "Recommends further that". These amendments were accepted by the sponsors.
8. At its 613th meeting, on 23 January 1974, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as revised, by consensus. The text of the resolution, as adopted, reads as follows:
LEGAL CAPACTIY OF MARRIED WOMEN INCLUDING THE CAPACITY TO ENGAGE IN INDEPENDENT WORK
The Commission on the Status of Women,
Having considered with appreciation the progress report of the Secretary-General on the Legal Capacity of Married Women: Capacity to engage freely in independent work (E/CN.6/584,
Recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft resolution:
"The Economic and Social Council.
Considering that article 6 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women provides inter alia for the equality of men and women in the field of private law, for the exercise by women of their legal capacity on equal terms with men and for the equal rights and responsibilities of husband and wife during marriage,

Noting (a) that in a number of legal systems, married women do not enjoy the right to engage freely in independent work; (b) that in various legal systems the exercise of such right by the wife as well as her capacity to manage and dispose of her earnings from independent work is subject to limitations which do not apply to the husband,
Taking into account that these situations are not in accordance with article 6 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
1. Recommends, where such is not yet the case, that Member States take all the necessary measures to ensure that the legal capacity of married women is equal with that of men, concerning (a) gainful employment outside the home, (b) the full capacity to administer the Joint property of the spouses and revenue of their work, (c) the administration of the family's common property, (d) parental authority over their children and their interest, and (e) dissolution of marriage and its legal effects;
2. Recommends further that, in such cases, Member States provide adequate remedies, Judicial or otherwise, to both spouses to help them solve their disagreements in respect of questions mentioned above, particular emphasis being put on the necessity of mediation through competent authorities, with the assistance of personnel trained in all aspects of family relations."

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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OP THE C0MMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN OH ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Titemwa Mohammed (Nigeria)
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V. STATUS OF WOMEN AND FAMILY PLANNING
1. The Commission considered item 6 of its agenda at its 6o6th, 607th, and
6o8th meetings. It had before it the Special Rapporteur's report entitled Study
on the Interrelationship of the Status of Women and Family Planning (2/CN.6/575
and Add.1 and 3) prepared in accordance with Economic and Social Council
resolution 1326 (XLIV) and the Commission on the Status of Women resolutions
7 (XXIII) and 6 (XXIV).
2. The Assistant Secretary-General for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs introduced the Study for which she had been appointed Special Rapporteur by the Economic and Social Council in 1968 while she was a member of the Commission. She drew attention to the definition of the terms "status of women and “family planning" which had been given in the report. She also underlined the three crucial and closely related parts of the Study which dealt with the question of population from both its human rights and national development aspects. The three main sections of the Study focused on (a) the importance of family planning for women as individuals and its impact on their roles in society, (b) the status of women as a factor influencing family size and the birth rate; and (c) the implications of current population growth for women and national development. The part of the Study dealing with the nature and scope of family planning and related programmes and women's roles with respect to such programmes was not yet available but would be issued in due course. The Assistant Secretary-General drew particular attention to the summary of the Study contained in document E/CN.6/575 and to the general observations and conclusions set forth in that document.
3. Representatives expressed their sincere appreciation to the Assistant Secretary-General, who in her capacity as Special Rapporteur had contributed so much to the Study on the Status of Women and Family Planning, and to all who had worked on it with her. They underlined the usefulness of the definition given of the terms "status of women" and "family planning", as well as the summary and conclusions of the report which provided valuable insights into the interrelationship between the status of women and family planning. While it was true that a woman's status was high or low depending on the extent to which she had control over her own life, in practice it was the extent to which she had access to knowledge, economic resources and political power that determined her real “status". Similarly, the status of a society could be assessed according to the choices it offered its citizens in the areas of education, employment, political life and family life. Thus, the status of the citizen in any society was linked to the status and quality of the society itself. Similarly, the definition of the concept of "family planning” given in the report was important. “Family planning" had too often been taken
to mean only birth control. The Study made it clear, however, that the concept of family planning encompassed the right of all persons to decide freely and responsibly on the number and spacing of their children, taking into account the right of every child to be a wanted child.
4. As to the light shed by the Study on the interrelationship between the status of women and family planning, a number of representatives felt that the insights gained would serve as valuable guidelines tor World Population Year as well as for

the integration of women in the development effort of the Second United Nations Development Decade.
5. Several representatives recommended that the Study on the Status of Women and Family Planning should be published in a shorter popular version for the World Population Year 191k and the International Women's Year 1975 and given wide publicity.
6. It was also recommended that the Study itself which contained very useful data and information should be a basic document for the World Population Conference to be held in August 1974 and the International Forum on the Role of Women in Population and Development to take place in February 1974.
7. The publication of the report as well as the publication of a more popular version of it was also recommended. It was felt that the World Population Plan
of Action should take into account the findings of the Study and the interrelationship of population questions, the status of women and over-all development.
8. Many representatives spoke of the vital role which family planning could play in enabling women to contribute to the life of the community and improve their status in it, as well as in facilitating the enjoyment by them of their other rights. Conversely, improvements in the status of women were important if family planning programmes were to be successful.
9. Education was considered to be a key factor in raising the status of women and in improving the quality of life. Several representatives spoke also of the importance of sex education and felt it should be included in the school curricula. Other representatives stressed that education in population questions in general rather than sex education should be taught in the schools and in and out of school educational programmes. Some representatives said that good teachers for sex education as well as for population education were essential since it was important that young people should be taught the basic facts of reproduction and the techniques of family planning.
10. Many representatives considered that the integration of family planning programmes as an integral part of national, social and economic development programmes was essential. Some representatives urged that family planning should not only be integrated in health and welfare programmes but should be given a high priority within those programmes.
11. Other representatives underlined the need for more funds to be expended on economic and social development and the development of better employment opportunities for women.
12. One representative stated that in line with the findings of the study, in her country the budget for family planning had been reduced in favour of additional funds for development projects.
13. Some representatives felt that radical changes in the status of women did not hinge on family planning but on the mobilization of millions of women in the

cause of national and social development. It was said that the aims of a demographic policy should be limited to producing an optimum rate of population replacement by systematic action to stimulate or limit the birth rate depending -on the specific socio-economic conditions of a given country. It was hardly appropriate for the United Nations to make recommendations on such matters.
14. On the other hand the view was put forward that the success or failure of development depended in some countries on whether the population problem could be tackled. Representatives stressed the unquestioned right of each State to formulate its population policy. At the same time it was felt by some representatives that a more positive and comprehensive policy should be adopted by some States which by including the intensification of rural development, employment opportunities, etc. ... would provide more options for women. Population policies should also be implemented by better balanced budgets as well as by changes in legislation such as appropriate marriage and inheritance laws and other regulations which would support those population policies.

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E/CN.6/L.660/Add.5 29 January 1974
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COMMISSION OK THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
VI. PROGRAMME OF CONCERTED INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND THEIR INTEGRATION IN DEVELOPMENT
7 (c) (d). Technical co-operation activities for the advancement of women and activities of the specialized agencies to promote the advancement of women
1. Subitems (c) and (d) of item 7 were discussed together at the 611th. 6l2th, 6l8th and 6l9th meetings of the Commission.
2. Under subitem (c) the Commission had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolution 926 (X) (E/CN.6/569), the report of the Interregional Seminar on the Family in a changing Society: Problems and Responsibilities of its Members held in London in July 1973 (ESA/SDHA/AC.3/12) and the reports of three Seminars on the Status of Women and Family Planning held in Istanbul (Turkey) in July 1972 (ST/TA0/HR/46), in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) in May 1973 (ESA/SDHA/AC.1/26) and in Jogjakarta (Indonesia) in June 1973 (ESA/SDHA/AC.2/21).
3. Under subitem (d) the Commission had before it reports by the International Labour Organisation (E/CN.6/579) and by the United Nations Educational. Scientific and Culture Organization (E/CN.6/580) on their activities of particular interest to women.
4. In introducing the relevant documents regarding technical co-operation activities for the advancement of women, the representative of the Secretary-General informed the members of the Commission that, as a result of the transfer of the Section on the Status of Women from the Division of Human Rights to the Centre
714-02752

for Social Development and Humanitarian Affairs, there existed now a more rigid division as between the Branch and the Division of funds available under the programme of advisory services in the field of human rights. On the other hand the Branch was now able through the Centre, to draw on other United Nations programmes of technical co-operation. She reminded members of the Commission of Economic and Social Council resolution l680 (LII) which invited the Secretary-General, in discharging his responsibilities for the programme of advisory services in the field of Human Rights to ensure so far as possible that two seminars on subjects relating to the status of women were held each year one of these to be an international seminar on a matter directly related to the work programme of the Commission and that increased attention was given to awarding human rights fellowships to women or persons involved in activities designed to eliminate discrimination against women. Under the same resolution, Governments were invited, to avail themselves more fully of the services of experts under the programme. Referring to activities undertaken under the Programme in 1972 and 1973, she mentioned the Istanbul seminar and the London seminar (see paragraph 2 above). She noted that in 1972, 20 out of 56 human rights fellowships had been awarded to women, and in 1973, 7 out of 19. As regards plans for 1974 she indicated that a seminar will be held in Canada, which might be combined with a training course, on national commissions on the status of women or similar bodies. As regards technical co-operation activities under other programmes, she referred to the two regional seminars on the status of women and family planning held in 1973, both funded by UNFPA (see paragraph 2 above as well as the discussion under item 6 of the agenda), and to regional meetings planned for 1974 and 1975, in co-operation with ECAFE and ECA to be held in the regions. They would focus on the integration of women in development.
5. In introducing the report on activities of interest to women (E/CN.6/579), the representative of the ILO informed the members of the Commission that, since it had been completed, the Governing Body, in November 1973, had decided to place on the agenda of the 1975 session of the International Labour Conference the question of equality of opportunity and treatment for women workers. A meeting of the ILO tripartite consultant group on women workers will be held in May 1974 to consider a preliminary report on the question and a meeting with interested non-governmental organizations will be held at about the same time for the same purpose. The consideration of the report together with the conclusions and recommendations which the Conference will reach will constitute the main contribution of the ILO to International Women's Year. She also highlighted the main achievements of the Agency during the period under review and some of the most important activities contemplated for 1974 and 1975. She stressed that the report reflected the steadily rising interest in the problems facing women in the world of work, and she expressed the hope that technical co-operation activities for women workers would expand because women had been neglected in the past in such programmes. She informed the members of the Commission that the standards? of ILO relating to the employment of women were under review so that they might be revised, as appropriate, in order to reflect modern conditions of life and scientific and technological developments. In this connexion the revision of standards relating to night work for women was mentioned together with the improvement of working conditions of men and women nurses. She also pointed out that the question of part-time work should be adequately regulated at the national level in view of the
/. • •

number of women and men engaged in it. Trade unions, she added, maintained their reservation as regards part time work which did not lead to career development and usually occasioned exploitation. The real answer she said, was in shorter working hours for all.
6. In introducing the report on activities of special interest to women (E/CN.6/580) the representative of UNESCO commented that it did not by any means give a picture of all the activities for women undertaken by UNESCO during the period under consideration. Indeed, every UNESCO activity concerned both men and women. Referring to UNESCO's General Conference of November 1972, she pointed out that the increased participation of women - 10 per cent of the attendance - had made its influence felt, particularly regarding the question of equal educational opportunity for women. It led to the adoption of resolution 1.142 '(c) which inter alia authorized the Director-General to promote new approaches to the achievement of equal access of girls and women to an equal opportunity at all levels of education, training and employment in all phases of life, and taking due account of their role in family and society, in order to enable them to participate fully and creatively in the economic and social development of their countries. The programme for the equality of educational opportunity for girls and women will be evaluated by a committee of experts in 1975. The evaluation will no doubt take into account the wishes of the 1972 General Conference and the trends in the programme which met with its approval. Such trends are the integrated approach to the advancement of women within the United Nations system calling for an increased co-operation with other agencies, and greater involvement of member states in UNESCO's activities for the advancement of women. The concentration on priority areas in women's education in developing countries, did not exclude the future involvement with obstacles against equality of educational opportunity in industrialized societies.
7. The representative of the FAO informed the members of the Commission of the various activities of the organization to promote the status of women. These included the education and training of women in the context of an integrated approach to rural development, threat importance was attached by the FAO to the question of agrarian reform and in order to cope with changing conditions in rural areas special programmes for women have been established dealing with production, management, co-operatives and marketing. The organization is making special efforts to elaborate a population strategy combined with measures to promote a more equitable distribution of income from increased food production. It intends to co-operate more actively in the United Nations programme relating to the advancement of women.
8. The members of the Commission expressed great satisfaction at the expansion of the various programmes and operational activities for women undertaken at the international level and at the growing interest shown by Governments in the promotion of women. They expressed the hope that this interest would further gather strength, particularly in connexion with International Women's Year. They agreed that it was most important to co-ordinate, as closely as possible, the activities at the international level in order to avoid duplication and scattered effort. While it was recognized that there existed priority areas where assistance was urgently needed, operational activities concerned with the long-term objectives of the promotion of equality of men and women both de jure and de facto and the full
/...

integration of women in the development of their countries at all levels were also considered very important.
9. Referring to specific types of assistance some representatives stressed the need of services of experts in various fields. They felt that more attention should be paid to the needs of women working in handicrafts. In order to improve the quality of their product, training and technical assistance should be given to them to improve their skills and techniques. It was suggested that knowledge of marketing and the establishment of co-operatives would help them sell their product, and raise their standard of living. Reference was also made to the lack of nurses in certain countries and the difficulties in recruiting them, and the problems faced by women who received a low remuneration when comparative work for men was non-existent. Great interest was expressed in plans for pre-school and pre-primary education. It was suggested that UNESCO enlarge its programmes in such fields and put increased emphasis on teacher training to meet the needs of rural areas which are suffering from lack of personnel. Also, more training for girls was needed for running kindergarten schools, child-care and day-care centres, and nurseries.
10. Members of the Commission agreed that a revision of the norms relating to the work of women was necessary in order that they be more atune to the present circumstances of contemporary life and that they enable women to discharge their responsibilities in respect of their work and their family. They welcomed the efforts undertaken by the ILO in this respect. The opinion was expressed, however, that a revision of the ILO standards, although necessary, might not be enough and that the ILO should envisage, in addition, the elaboration of Conventions, including a Convention on the employment of women with family responsibilities, and devote more attention to standard setting in respect of work at home and part-time work.

UNITED NATIONS
ECONOMIC
AND
SOCIAL COUNCIL

Distr. LIMITED
E/CN.6/L.660/Add.6 29 January 1974
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS
TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
74-02814

VI. PROGRAMME OP CONCERTED INTERNATIONAL ACTIOS TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OP WOMEN AND THEIR INTEGRATION IN DEVELOPMENT
7 (e) Co-operation with intergovernmental organizations outside the United Nations system
1. The Commission considered subitem (e) of item 7 at its 617th meeting. In accordance with paragraph 7 of resolution 48 B (IV) of the Economic and Social Council the Commission had before it (i) a report of the Inter-American Commission of Women on its activities (E/CN.6/572) and (ii) a report of the Committee on the Status of Arab Women on its activities (E/CN.6/578). Paragraph 7 of resolution 48 B (IV) of the Economic and Social Council requests the Secretary-General "to make arrangements for the presence of observers from regional inter-governmental organizations in the field of Women's rights at sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women, to act in an advisory and informative capacity and to arrange for the exchange of information between the Commission and these organizations on subjects relating to the status of women".
2. In introducing the report on the activities of the Inter-American Commission (E/CN.6/572) the representative of this organization drew the attention of the members of the Commission to the various parts of the report and described the most important features of the plan of celebration of International Women's Year, which is to be approved by the next Assembly of the Commission in August 1974. She stressed the importance attached by the organization to co-operating and intensifying its collaboration with the Commission on the Status of Women.
3. Representatives agreed that the Inter-American Commission of Women had played and continued to play a very important role in promoting the status of women, particularly through a variety of training programmes. They expressed the hope that other regional commissions will establish commissions similar to the Inter-American Commission of Women.
4. In introducing the report of the Committee on the Status of Arab Women of the League of Arab States (E/CN.6/578), the representative of the Committee described the history of its establishment. She mentioned the main recommendations already made by it, particularly in the field of family law, and described some of the programmes that have been initiated. She explained that the Committee was created because of the need for a major women's organization which would focus attention on women's special problems in the region and would assist them in the process of their integration in economic and social life. The Committee, she said, would act as a co-ordinator between Governments of the region and non-governmental women's associations.
5. Representatives expressed their great satisfaction at the recent establishment of the Committee on the Status of Arab Women and at the dynamism already shown by it. They encouraged it to participate in the common effort towards the promotion of equality of men and women and the integration of women in development. The hope was expressed that the Committee would envisage a formal or informal co-ordination with African women and that an African Women Commission will soon be established.

UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC
AND
SOCIAL COUNCIL

Distr. LIMITED
E/CN.67L.660/Add.7 29 January 1974
ORIGINAL: ENGLISH

COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OP THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OP WOMEN ON ITS TWFNTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Titemwa Mohammed (Nigeria)
74-02819

XII. CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSALS CONCERNING A NEW INSTRUMENT OR INSTRUMENTS OP INTERNATIONAL LAW TO ELIMINATE DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN
1. The Commission considered item 4 of its agenda at its 613th, 614th, 615th and 6l6th meetings.
2. It had before it a working paper by the Secretary-General, which, in accordance with Commission resolution 5 (XXIV), took into account the views on proposals of Governments concerning the nature and content of a new instrument or instruments of international law to eliminate discrimination against women (E/CN.6/573).
3. The Commission based its consideration of this item on the report of the Working Group (E/CN.6/574) established under resolution 5 (XXIV), with the mandate "to begin work on the preparation of a new draft instrument or instruments in the light of the Governments' replies and of the Secretary-General's report".
4. As decided by the Commission the Working Group met five days before the twenty-fifth session, and was composed of the following 15 Commission members elected by the Economic and Social Council at its 1856th and 1877th meetings: Canada, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Finland, Hungary, Indonesia,* Liberia,* Nigeria, Philippines, USSR, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United States of America and Zaire.
Proceedings in the Working Group (7-11 and 18 January 1974)
5. At its first meeting, on 7 January 1974, the Working Group unanimously elected the following officers: Chairman; Dr. Licelott de Barrios (Dominican Republic), Vice-Chairman: Mrs. Hanna Bokor (Hungary), Rapporteur: Mrs. Aziza Hussein (Egypt).
6. The Working Group also unanimously adopted at its first meeting the provisional agenda (E/CN.6/AC.1/L.1) drawn up by the Secretary-General which included two substantive items as follows:
1. Consideration of proposals concerning a new instrument or instruments of international law to eliminate discrimination against women;
2. Preparation of a new instrument or instruments.
7. At its second meeting the Working Group decided by consensus to recommend to the Commission on the Status of Women the preparation of a draft single comprehensive convention on the elimination of discrimination against women without prejudice to recommendations concerning the preparation of any future instrument (or instruments) which might be elaborated either by the United Nations, or by the specialized agencies, especially as regards discrimination in specific fields.
* Representatives were unable to attend the Working Group.

8. The Working Group had before it the working paper of the Secretary-General summarizing the replies of Governments with respect to the elaboration of a new instrument or instruments of international law to eliminate discrimination against women and concerning also the possible content of such instrument or instruments (E/CN.6/573). This included the text of a draft convention prepared by the Philippines in response to the Secretary-General's invitation to Member States to transmit their views or proposals concerning the nature and content of a new instrument or instruments (annex I). The Philippine representative stated however that the views of the Philippines contained therein were of a preliminary nature and should in no way bind the Philippine Government at this stage.
9- The representative of the USSR submitted to the Working Group a draft convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (E/CN.6/AC.1/1.2).
10. In order that the Working Group would have a working paper for a draft
convention the representatives of the Philippines and the USSR submitted a common
draft of the general provisions, including the definition of the term "discrimination
against women" and of the substantive articles of the draft convention, and proposed
that the title should read: draft Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of
Discrimination against Women (E/CN.6/AC.1/L.4/Corr.1; L.4/Add.1; Add.3; Add.4, Rev.1).
Draft proposals concerning the measures of implementation of the draft convention
(E/CN.6/AC.1/L.5) were also submitted by the representatives of Egypt, Nigeria and
Zaire. The Working Group used these texts as basic documents.
Issues discussed in the Commission
11. In introducing the report of the Working Group the Rapporteur noted that the Group had studied the views of Governments submitted in compliance with resolution 5 (XXIV) of the Commission and summarized by the Secretary-General in the Working Paper (E/CN.6/573), and had presented to the Commission the text of a draft convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women. The Rapporteur explained that the Working Group had been greatly assisted in its task by the preparation of the working paper prepared by the representatives of the Philippines and the USSR, and that alternative texts of articles appeared in square brackets in the report of the Working Group.
12. During the debate in the Commission several representatives noted that they needed more time to study the draft Convention and its relationship to other conventions. The opinion was expressed that the Commission should have a general discussion on the question of whether or not there was a need for a convention before it attempted to consider the individual articles contained in the report of the Working Group.
13. Many representatives expressed the opinion that the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, though comprehensive, had no binding character, and therefore a single comprehensive convention would be very desirable.

l4. Some representatives drew the attention of the Commission to the small number of ratifications of the existing international conventions on women's rights and underlined the necessity to appeal to Governments to ratify and to adhere to all of these as soon as possible.
15. As far as the content of a single comprehensive convention was concerned, many representatives expressed the opinion that the new convention should avoid detailed and specific provisions in order to encourage the maximum number of ratifications.
16. The view was expressed that subject to certain important, but comparatively minor modifications and amendments, the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women fulfilled the criteria for an acceptable convention. The temptation to add more detailed clauses to the Declaration should be resisted, so as to avoid difficulties for countries which wished to apply the general provisions in different ways. The opposite opinion however was also expressed that though some of the provisions of the proposed draft convention might not be acceptable to all countries because of their existing legislations the convention should be seen as a challenge and national legislation should in course of time be brought into conformity with its provisions.
17. It was also said that some of the articles proposed for the draft convention in the report of the Working Group were wider in scope than the existing ILO conventions. This was considered natural in view of the time that had elapsed since their adoption, and of the fact that women had in the meantime improved their status and acquired more rights.
18. As regards the privileges, benefits and protection to be accorded to women, the opinions of representatives were divided. Some members did not consider that women should be given special privileges, or protection, which had often resulted in discrimination against them. They believed that women should press for equal rights and opportunities with men and not special treatment. Others considered that it would hardly be possible to deprive women of the special privileges and benefits to which they were already entitled under ILO and UNESCO conventions, and that it was the duty of States to protect women as mothers and to ensure the physical and moral health of future generations. It was also pointed out that women in many countries had won the right to such privileges, benefits and protection after a long struggle and should not now be deprived of them. Other representatives stressed that maternity must be viewed as a social function and should be protected by the State.
19. With respect to the implementation of the draft convention it was noted that some representatives in the Working Group had suggested the establishment of a committee to review the application of the convention, while others felt that the Commission itself should assume that responsibility. Some Commission members feared that the creation of a committee would deprive the Commission itself of competence with respect to the application of the Convention and this might be used as an excuse to do away with the Commission.

20. Several representatives expressed the view that the adoption of a Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1975 would be a valuable contribution to International Women's Year.
21. While some representatives stated that they were very satisfied with the work of the Working Group, despite the limited time it had had at its disposal, others expressed the view that the result of the Working Group's deliberations were disappointing, since consensus had been reached on only a few articles.
22. As regards the report of the Working Group (E/CN.6/574) it was pointed out that the amendments which had been submitted to the Philippine-USSR text which had been used as a working paper, had not been adopted by the Working Group and appeared in square brackets in the Working Group's report. The Commission was asked to examine these texts carefully, since it was felt that their inclusion would weaken the convention, and lower the standards set. The Commission was also urged to go beyond the standards set by exisitng ILO Conventions. Other representatives stressed on the contrary that the texts appearing in square brackets should not be regarded as amendments, but as alternative texts with equal status and equal value, in view of the fact that no vote had been taken in the Working Group, nor had a consensus been reached on them.
Decisions of the Commission
23. At its 6l5th meeting on 24 January 1974 by 22 votes to none, with
4 abstentions, the Commission decided in principle that a single comprehensive draft convention should be prepared, without prejudice to the preparation of any future instrument or instruments which might be elaborated either by the United Nations or by the specialized agencies dealing with discrimination in specific fields.
24. The Commission noted at the same meeting that the Working Group had decided not to vote on any articles. Where the Working Group did not reach a consensus and alternative texts were proposed or recommendations made or reservations expressed these were reflected in connexion with the relevant articles. The Commission noted also that some proposals were incorporated in articles of the working paper prepared by the Philippines and the USSR and that several alternative proposals were shown in square brackets in the report of the Working Group. The results of the Working Group's deliberations are presented below in paragraph 31.
25. Belgium. Canada, Chile, Colombia. Costa Rica, France submitted a draft resolution (E/CN.6/L.667), to which Liberia subsequently Joined as co-sponsor. (The text will be inserted in the final report.) Introducing the draft resolution, the representative of Colombia proposed that the draft convention should be sent to Governments for study and comment so as to enable the Commission to adopt a final text at its next session.

26. Many representatives supported this proposal. It was stated however that the
report of the Working Group (E/CN.6/574) needed some clarification before being sent
to Governments. Some representatives expressed the opinion that the draft
convention should be sent to Governments with the texts in square brackets
retained, together with the record of the discussion in the Commission. Other
representatives felt that the report should be forwarded without the square
brackets. Still another view was that the square brackets be deleted, but, that
the names of the delegations that had put forward alternative texts be added.
In view of the fact that there had been a consensus in the Working Group not to give the names of representatives proposing amendments to the original text this idea was not supported by the Commission.
27. The majority of representatives were of the opinion that the Commission as a whole was not yet ready to discuss the draft convention article by article as there would not be enough time to complete the consideration of it.
28. As revised by the co-sponsors, the draft resolution entitled "Consideration of Proposals concerning a New Instrument or Instruments of International Law to Eliminate Discrimination Against Women" was adopted unanimously. (For the text
of the resolution, see chap. , resolution (XXV).)
29. The representative of Hungary drew the attention of the Commission to paragraph 28 of the report of the Working Group (E/CN.6/574) on the question of regulating the relationship of the proposed new Convention to existing conventions. In the absence of any objection, it was agreed that the draft articles which would be sent to Governments would be supplemented by the draft provision proposed by Hungary on this question (see below, article 17, paragraph 2).
30. The draft articles resulting from the deliberations of the Working Group and the decisions of the Commission outlined above were as follows:
DRAFT CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION OF ALL FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION AGAINST WOMEN 1/
PREAMBLE
THE STATES PARTIES TO THIS CONVENTION, NOTING THAT THE Charter of the United Nations reaffirmed faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women,
CONVINCED that the full development of every country and the welfare of the world require the creation of the essential conditions for the maximum participation of women in all fields of government and public life,
BEARING IN MIND that the scientific and technical revolution has broadened the possibilities for the use of female labour and the improvement of their skills,
BEARING IN MIND the great contribution made by women to the creation of the material and spiritual values of society, the social significance of motherhood and the role of women in the family and, in particular, in the rearing of children,
1/ Some representatives preferred the same title as the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.

CONSIDERING that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the principle of the inadmissibility of discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including distinction based on sex,
CONSIDERING that under the International Covenants on Human Rights States have the obligation to secure the equal right of men and women to enjoy all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights,
CONSIDERING that discrimination against women is contrary to the principle of equality of rights and is incompatible with the human dignity of women, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the political, social, economic and cultural life of their countries, hampers the growth of the prosperity of society and the family and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,
CONCERNED at the continued existence in many parts of the world of discrimination against women,
CONSIDERING the Conventions concluded under the auspices of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and
CONSIDERING the resolutions, declarations and recommendations adopted by them with a view to promoting equality of rights of men and women,
DETERMINED to take all necessary measures to eliminate as rapidly as possible all discrimination against women,
DESIRING to co-operate in giving effect to the principles set forth in the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
HAVE AGREED upon the following:
Alternative text
CONSIDERING that the people of the United Nations reaffirm their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women,
CONSIDERING that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights asserts the principle of non-discrimination and proclaims that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth therein, without distinction of any kind, including any distinction as to sex,
TAKING INTO ACCOUNT the resolutions, declarations, conventions and recommendations of the United Nations and the specialized agencies designed to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote equal rights for men and women.

CONCERNED that, despite the Charter of the United Nations, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other instruments of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and despite the progress made in the matter of equality of rights, there continues to exist considerable discrimination against women,
CONSIDERING 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 the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,
BEARING IN MIND the great contribution made by women to social, political, economic and cultural life and the part they play in the family and particularly in the rearing of children,
CONVINCED that the full and complete development of a country, the welfare of the world and the cause of peace require the maximum participation of women as men in all fields,
CONSIDERING that it is necessary to ensure the universal recognition in law and in fact of the principle of equality of men and women,
SOLEMNLY PROCLAIMS this Declaration/
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
In this Convention, the term "discrimination against women" shall mean any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect of or the purpose of nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any field of public life.
Alternative text
/The term "'discrimination" for the purposes of this Convention shall mean any distinction, exclusion, restriction or preference which has the purpose or effect of nullifying or impairing the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, on an equal footing with men, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural or any other field of public life./
Article 2
States Parties condemn discrimination against women and undertake to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination

against women in all its forms, denying or limiting as it does their equality of rights with men, and to this end:
(a) Each State Party shall prohibit and bring to an end, by all appropriate means, including legislation, discrimination against women and undertake to establish adequate legal protection for equal rights of men and women, and to give effect to the rights recognised in this Convention where existing legislative or other measures are not sufficient for the purpose and in particular: each State party shall embody the principle of equality of rights in its Constitution, if not yet incorporated, or shall guarantee by law, the practical realization of this principle;
(b) Each State Party undertakes to engage in no act or practice of discrimination against women and to ensure that public authorities and public institutions, national and local, shall act in conformity with this obligation;
(c) Each State Party undertakes not to sponsor, defend or support discrimination against women by any person or organizations;
(d) Each State Party shall take all appropriate measures, including legislation, to nullify or abolish existing laws, customs, regulations and practices which are discriminatory to women.
Alternative text
/States Parties condemn discrimination against women and undertake to pursue by all appropriate means and without delay a policy of eliminating discrimination against women in all its forms, denying or limiting as it does their equality of rights with men./
Article 3
States Parties shall undertake, in the social, economic, cultural and other fields, all appropriate measures to ensure the adequate development and advancement of women, for the purpose of guaranteeing them the exercise and enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on a basis of equality with men.
Article 4
1. The establishment of special temporary conditions for women aimed at establishing de facto equality, shall not be considered discriminatory.
2. Measures undertaken for the protection, of women at certain branches of work due to their physical nature and for the /promotion of the welfare of mothers/ 2/
2/ One representative expressed reservations concerning this phrase.

shall not be interpreted as violating the principle of equality of rights of men and women.
Several members of the Working Group proposed the deletion of article 4.
Article 5
1. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to educate public opinion and to direct national aspirations towards the eradication of prejudice and the abolition of customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority of women, or on stereotyped roles for women, and for the recognition that the protection of motherhood is a common interest of the entire society which should bear responsibilities for it.
/2. Any advocacy of the superiority of one sex over the other and of discrimination on the basis of sex shell be prohibited by law / 3/
Alternative text
/States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to educate public opinion and to direct national aspirations towards the eradication of prejudices and the abolition of customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of the inferiority of women, or on stereotyped roles for women./
Article 6
Each State Party agrees to repeal all provisions of national penal codes which constitute discrimination against women.
Article 7
Each State Party agrees to take all appropriate measures, including
legislation, to combat all forms of traffic in women and exploitation of
prostitution of women.
POLITICAL RIGHTS
Article 8
States Parties shall undertake all appropriate measures to ensure to women on equal terms with men, without any discrimination, equal opportunities to participate in the political and public life of the country, and in particular:
3/ Some representatives proposed the deletion or the reformulation of this paragraph on the grounds that it restricted freedom of speech.

-11-
(a) To vote in all elections and be eligible for election to all publicly elected bodies;
(b) To participate in the formulation of government policy and the administration thereof and to hold public office at the national and local levels;
(c) To vote in all public referenda;
(d) To participate in non-governmental organizations and associations.
Article 9
1. States Parties shall grant women the same rights as men to acquire, change or retain their nationality and shall require, in particular, that neither marriage of a woman to, nor dissolution of her marriage from, an alien nor the change of nationality by her alien husband during marriage shall automatically change her nationality, render her stateless or force upon her the nationality of her husband.
2. Each State Party agrees that a woman of foreign nationality who is married to a national of its country may, at her request, acquire her husband's nationality through specially privileged naturalization procedures; the grant of such nationality may be subject to limitations as may be imposed in the interests of national security or public policy.
Alternative text (of paragraph 2)
/(a) Each State Party agrees that the alien husband or wife of one of its nationals may, at his or her request, acquire the nationality of his or her spouse through specially privileged naturalization procedures the grant of such nationality may be subject to such limitations as may be imposed in the interests of national security or public policy.
(b) Each State Party agrees that the present Convention shall not be construed
as affecting any legislation or judicial practice by which the alien husband or wife
of one of its nationals may, at his/her request, acquire his/her spouse's
nationality as a matter of right./
/3. States Parties agree to grant women equal rights with men to transmit their nationality to their children. 4/
4/ Several representatives expressed reservations on this paragraph.

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SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC RIGHTS
Article 10
Each State Party agrees to take all appropriate measures to ensure women, married or unmarried, equal rights with men in the field of education, which education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and the sense of its dignity, and shall strengthen the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, and in particular:
(a) Equal conditions of access to, and study in educational institutions of all types, in rural as well as in urban areas, including universities, vocational, technical and professional schools, and pre-school institutions;
(b) The same choice of curricula, the same examinations, teaching staff with qualifications of the same standard, and school premises and equipment of the same quality, whether the institutions are co-educational or not;
(c) Equal opportunities to benefit from scholarships and other study grants;
(d) Equal opportunity for access to programmes of continuing education, including adult literacy programmes;
(e) Access to educational information to help in ensuring the health and well-being of families, this to include information on family planning.
Article 11
The State Parties shall adopt all necessary measures to ensure to women, married or unmarried, the same rights and opportunities as men in the field of employment and other social and economic activity, and in particular:
(a) The right to work, which includes the right of all persons to an opportunity to earn their livelihood by work which they feely choose or to which they freely consent and the right to be employed in their field of specialization in accordance with their level of qualifications;
(b) The right to take employment and to continue their activity in the labour force and in professions irrespective of marital status or of spouse's consent;
(c) The right to equal remuneration with men for work of equal value as defined by the relevant ILO Convention on the subject;
(d) The right, without discrimination on grounds of sex, to receive equal initial or basic vocational training for preparation for employment, and advanced training on an equal footing with men for promotion and in the event of changes in the conditions of production or technical advances and, where necessary, /free

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retraining/ 5/ and restoration of levels of qualification after an enforced interruption resulting from the fulfilment by women of their maternal obligations;
(e) An equal right to paid annual leave and to material security in case of unemployment, sickness, disability, old age or other incapacity to work; an equal right to old-age pension coverage, option for a lover pensionable age and a shorter period of employment for the award of a pension being established in the case of women;
(f) The right to receive family allowance on equal terms with men;
(g) The entitlement of women who are employed for an incomplete working day or an incomplete working week, and who receive payment in proportion to the time worked or on the basis of output, to rights, privilges and benefits on the same basis as those granted to full-time workers.
Alternative text
/1. States Parties shall adopt all appropriate measures to ensure to women, married or unmarried, equal rights with men in the field of economic and social life and in particular:
(a) The right, without discrimination on grounds of marital status or any other grounds, to receive vocational training, to work, to free choice of profession and employment and to professional and vocational advancement;
(b) The right to equal remuneration with men and to equality of treatment in respect of work of equal value;
(c) The right to leave with pay, retirement privileges and provision for security in respect of unemployment, sickness, old age or other incapacity to work;
(d) The right to receive family allowances on euqal terms with men.
2. In order to prevent discrimination against women on account of marriage or maternity and to ensure their effective right to work States Parties shall undertake measures:
(a) To prevent the dismissal in the event of marriage or maternity;
(b) To encourage the provision of paid maternity leave with the guarantee of returning to former employment; and
(c) To encourage the provision of the necessary supportive social services/ 6/
1/ /opportunity for retraining/.
6/ This text was proposed in substitution of articles 11, 12, 13 and 14.

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Article 12 7/
States Parties undertake to progressively adopt all necessary measures to ensure protection for women workers, and in particular:
/(a) To restrict the employment of women workers in heavy labour and under working conditions that are physically harmful to women;/ 8/
(b) To provide appropriate working conditions for pregnant women and nursing mothers, including, where necessary, their transfer to lighter work with retention of the earnings received in their previous employment;
(c) To grant adequate maternity leave with pay equivalent to their earnings and without loss of the job held;
(d) To prohibit the dismissal of women who are taking maternity leave and the dismissal of women because they are pregnant or are nursing a child;
(e) To grant nursing mothers additional paid work breaks to nurse their infants;
(f) To make provision for granting mothers paid leave to care for sick children;
(g) To grant women free medical care during pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period;
(h) Special assistance to mothers with large families and unwed mothers.
Alternative text
/States Parties undertake progressively to adopt all necessary measures to ensure protection for women workers, and in particular:
(a) To prohibit discrimination against working women because of pregnancy, childbirth or maternity;
(b) To require that absence from work necessitated by complications of pregnancy and childbirth be treated for purposes of employment the same as any other temporary disability is treated under the law and in employer practices;
(c) To encourage the granting of paid leave for parents of either sex for purposes of child care;
7/ One representative proposed the deletion of this article. See also foot-note 6 above.
8/ Some representatives were not in favour of this clause.

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(d) To prohibit the dismissal of women who are taking maternity leave and the dismissal of women because they are pregnant or nursing a child;
(e) To make provision for granting parents paid leave to care for sick children;
(f) To encourage the granting of free medical care to women during pregnancy, confinement and the post-natal period;
(g) Special assistance to needy parents./
Article 13 9/
The States Parties shall adopt all necessary measures to enable women to combine the fulfilment of family and maternal obligations with activity in the labour force, in professions and in public life and shall for that purpose promote the establishment of special institutions, particularly institutions for the care of children of working mothers (crèches, kindergartens, extended day groups for school children, extra-scholastic institutions and the like), either free or subject to a moderate charge for the care of the children.
Alternative text
/The States Parties shall encourage measures to enable parents to combine fulfilment of family parental obligations with activity in the labour force, in professions and in public life and shall for that purpose promote the establishment of child care facilities as needed as a co-operative effort of government, business and industry and other institutions and organizations in the private sector./
Article 14 10/
The provisions of articles 11, 12, 13 and 14 shall apply to all women, without exception, /who are gainfully employed/ 11/ in State, co-operative, public and private institutions, industrial and non-industrial enterprises and other organizations in agriculture and on plantations, and also to women who perform for any organizations or individuals remunerated work at home or who are gainfully employed in domestic work.
9/ See also under article 11 above which includes an alternative text to this article.
10/ See foot-note 6 above.
11/ One representative proposed the deletion of these words, on the grounds that the provisions of the relevant articles should apply to all women without this qualification.

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Additional article
In order to safeguard the health and promote the welfare of mothers, States Parties shall undertake progressively to provide for women in connexion with their pregnancies, free medical fare which shall include examination and treatment in the ante- and post-natal periods and during confinement.
CIVIL AND FAMILY RIGHTS
Article 15
1. The States Parties shall accord to women equality with men before the law.
2. The States Parties shall accord to women equal civil and legal capacity with men in all stages of procedure in courts and tribunals.
3. The States Parties agree that all contracts directed at restricting the legal capacity of women shall be deemed null and void.
4. The States Parties shall accord men and women the same rights with regard to the law on the movement of persons and the freedom to choose their residence.
Article 16
1. The States Parties shall adopt all necessary measures to ensure the full equality of women with men in all matters relating to marriage and family relations, including:
(a) The same right as men to enter into the marriage state;
(b) The same right as men to free choice of a spouse and to enter into marriage only with their free and full consent;
(c) Equal rights and duties with men during marriage and at its dissolution; 12/

(d) Equal rights and duties with men in matters relating to their children except in case of her being a single parent. In all cases the interests of the children shall be paramount; 12/
(e) Recognition of equal rights to be guardians and trustees, and also of an equal right to adopt children;
12/ One representative expressed reservations concerning these clauses.

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(f) Provision in law for the equal personal rights of men and women, including the right to choose a family name, profession and occupation;
(g) Recognition of equal rights of men and women in respect of the ownership, use and disposition of their property /while the existence in law of a compulsory regime of conjugal property - community or division - must not entail a reduction or restriction of the property rights of women/.

2. Child marriage and the betrothal of young girls before puberty shall be prohibited, and effective action, including legislation, shall be taken to specify a minimum age for marriage and to make the registration of marriages in an official registry compulsory.
3. To eliminate discrimination against unwed mothers and to give effect to the principle proclaimed in the Declaration of the Rights of the Child that all children shall be protected irrespective of the circumstances of their birth, the States Parties shall provide that all children shall enjoy equal rights and equal social protection.
FINAL PROVISIONS
Article 17 13/
None of the provisions of this Convention may be regarded as diminishing the significance of the existing domestic legislation of countries if that legislation provides for more extensive rights for women.
Additional paragraph
/Nothing in this Convention should affect existing conventions adopted under the auspices of the United Nations or its specialized agencies and having as their object the regulation of various aspects of the status of women./ 14/
Article 18
This Convention shall be open for signature by all States. Any State which does not sign the Convention before its entry into force may accede to it at any time.
13/ Some representatives expressed reservations concerning articles 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22.
14/ See paragraph 29 above.

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Article 19
1. A request for the revision of this Convention may be made at any time by any State Party by means of a notification in writing addressed to the Secretary-General of the United Nations.
2. The General Assembly of the United Rations shall decide upon the steps, if any, to be taken in respect of such a request.
Article 20
Each Party to this Convention shall in exercising its national sovereignty have the right to withdraw from the Convention if it decides that extraordinary events, related to the subject-matter of this Convention, compel it to do so. It shall give notice of such withdrawal three months in advance to all Parties to the Convention and to the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Such notice shall include a statement of the extraordinary events it regards as having compelled it to take such action.
Article 21 15/
1. State Parties undertake to submit every four years to the Secretary-General reports on legislative, administrative and practical measures which they have adopted in implementing the provisions of the present Convention.
2. Every four years following this Convention's entry into force, the Commission on the Status of Women shall consider the question of the status of the implementation of the Convention by the States Parties, and submit the report to the Economic and Social Council.
3. Specialized agencies shall be entitled to be represented at the consideration of the said reports. 16/
15/ One representative proposed the inclusion in this article (as the second clause of paragraph l) the following provision: "In cases where relevant information has previously been furnished to the United Rations or to any specialized agency by any State Party to the present Convention, it will not be necessary to reproduce that information but a reference to the information so furnished will suffice."
167 See also articles 1 and 2 in square brackets after article 24 below.

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Article 22
1. The present Convention shall ester into force on the thirtieth day after the date of deposit with the Secretary-General of the United Nations of the ... instrument of ratification or accession.
2. For each State ratifying this Convention or acceding to it after the deposit of the ... instrument of ratification or accession, the present Convention shall enter into force on the thirtieth day after the date of the deposit of its own instrument of ratification or accession.
Article 23 The Secretary-General of the United Nations shall inform States:
(a) Signatures, ratifications and accessions under article ...
(b) The date of entry into force of the present Convention under article ...
(c) Denunciations in accordance with article ...
Article 24
This Convention, the Russian, Chinese, English, French and Spanish texts of which are equally authentic, shall be deposited in the archives of the United Nations. Duly certified copies of this Convention shall be transmitted to the Governments of the signatory and acceding States.
In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised, have signed this Convention.
Alternative text (see also article 21 above)
/Article 1
1. There shall be established a Committee on the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against women (hereafter referred to as the Committee) consisting of experts of high moral standing and acknowledged impartiality elected by States Parties from among their nationals, 17/ preferably members of the Commission on the Status of Women, who shall serve in their personal capacity, consideration being given to equitable geographical distribution and to the representation of the different forms of civilization as well as of the principal legal systems.
17/ One representative proposed that the words "or those of another State be inserted between the words "nationals" and "preferably".

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2. The members of the Committee shall be elected by secret ballot from a list of persons nominated by the States Parties. Each State Party may nominate one person from among its own nationals. 18/
3. The initial election shall be held six months after the date of the entry into force of this Convention. At least three months before the date of each election the Secretary-General of the United Nations shall address a letter to the States Parties inviting them to submit their nominations within two months. The Secretary-General shall prepare a list in alphabetical order of all persons thus nominated, indicating the States Parties which have nominated them, and shall submit it to the States Parties.
4. Elections of the members of the Committee shall be held at a meeting of States Parties convened by the Secretary-General at United Nations Headquarters. At that meeting, for which two thirds of the States Parties shall constitute a quorum, the persons elected to the Committee shall be those nominees who obtain the largest number of votes and an absolute majority of the votes of the representatives of States Parties and voting.
5. (a) The members of the Committee shall be elected for a term of four years.
However, the terms of six of the members elected at the first election shall
expire at the end of two years; immediately after the first election the names of
these members shall be chosen by lot by the Chairman of the Committee.
(b) For the filling of casual vacancies, the State Party whose expert has ceased to function as a member of the Committee shall appoint another expert from among its nationals, subject to the approval of the Committee. 19/
6. States Parties shall be responsible for the expenses of the members of the
Committee while they are in performance of Committee duties.
Article 2
1. States Parties undertake to submit to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, for consideration by the Committee, a report on the legislative, Judicial, administrative or other measures which they have adopted and which give effect to the provisions of this Convention: (a) within one year after the entry into force of the Convention of the State concerned; and (b) thereafter every two years 20/ and whenever the Committee so requests. The Committee may request further information from the States Parties.
18/ One representative proposed that either the phrase "from among its own nationals" be deleted, or that the phrase "or those of another state" be added to the end of the original sentence.
19/ One representative proposed that when an expert ceases to function as a member of the Committee, it should not be the State Party but the Committee that should appoint another expert, who would serve until the expiration of the term of the office which has been vacated.
20/ One representative proposed that the States Parties should report every four years after the initial report which would be within a year, thus reducing the financial implications.

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(a) "Where relevant information has previously been furnished to the United Nations or to any specialized agency by any State Party to this Convention, it will not be necessary to reproduce that information but a precise reference to the information so furnished will suffice."
(b) Specialized agencies shall be entitled to be represented at the consideration of the implementation of such provision of this Convention as fall within the scope of their activities. They shall be entitled to submit reports on the implementation of relevant instruments adopted by them or under their auspices, including particulars of decisions and recommendations on such implementation adopted by their competent organs.
3. Specialized agencies shall be able to receive copies of such parts of the reports by Governments on this Convention as fall within the scope of their activities.
4. The Committee shall report annually, 21/ through the Secretary-General, to the General Assembly of the United nations on its activities and may make suggestions and general recommendations based on the examination of the reports and information received from the States Parties. Such suggestions and general recommendations shall be reported to the General Assembly together with comments, if any, from States Parties./
21/ One representative suggested the substitution of the phrase "as necessary".

UNITED NATIONS
Distr.
ECONOMIC LIMITED
A N D E/CN.6/L.660/Add.8
30 January 1974
SOCIAL COUNCIL ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS
TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Kohammed (Nigeria)
VII. PROGRAME OF CONCERTED INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND THEIR INTEGRATION IN DEVELOPMENT
Consideration of draft resolutions and voting
1. At its 6l6th meeting the representative of India introduced a draft resolution
on technical co-operation activities for the advancement of women (E/CN.6/L.663)
which recommended to the Economic and Social Council the following:
"l. Urges Governments of Member States to seek ways and means of establishing non-profit seeking but viable decentralized cottage and handicraft industries which would provide part or full-time work for women; and
2. Requests all appropriate organs of the United Nations system to give full consideration to allocating more of their technical assistance funds for the purpose of assisting Governments in setting up cottage and handicraft industries and in finding markets for the products of such industries both within the country itself and in foreign markets, preferably in co-operation with voluntary organizations which are already interested in this work."
2. Indonesia Joined as co-sponsor of the draft resolution.
3. At its 6l6th meeting on 23 January, the Commission adopted the draft resolution by consensus. (For the text of the resolution see chapter I of the Report.)
4, At the 6l7th meeting the representative of the Philippines on behalf also of Indonesia, and Thailand submitted a draft resolution on the status of rural women, especially agricultural workers (E/CN.6/L.664) which recommended to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following:
74-02984

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"Considering that article 9 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women provides, inter alia, for all appropriate measures to be taken to ensure that girls and women, married or unmarried, hove equal rights with men in education at all levels, and in particular for equal opportunities for access to programmes of continuing education including adult literacy programmes, access to educational information to be held in ensuring the health and well-being of families,
Noting
(a) The need for the women in the rural areas to participate more effectively in national development programmes and that such participation merits recognition by status or wages,
(b) That on account of the limited opportunities for gainful work in the rural areas, women migrate to urban areas and enter service occupations where the majority of them are exploited,
(c) That there is a need for women to be trained to use fully the resources and raw materials in the rural areas for total national development,
Taking into account that these situations are not in accordance with article 9 of the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women,
Recommends that Member States take all necessary steps to start or intensify a Programme for Mass Continuing Education for both men and women through television, radio and all other means of mass media or means of communication, and that programmes should include information on family life and citizenship education, cottage and home industries, farming, rural development and co-operatives, and family planning."
5. Colombia, the Dominican Republic and the United States also Joined in sponsoring the draft resolution.
6. Following the exchange of views among members of the Commission as well as suggestions made by the representatives of Greece, Egypt, India, Japan and Romania the sponsors of the draft resolutions slightly revised the original of the text.
7. In the first preambular paragraph of the ECOSOC draft resolution the expression "continuing education" was replaced by "life-long education".
8. In the second preambular paragraph of the ECOSOC draft resolution the text of subparagraph (b) was revised to read as follows: "(b) That on account of the limited opportunities for gainful work in the rural areas in many countries women migrate to urban areas and enter service occupations where many of them may be exploited."
9. The operative paragraph of the ECOSOC draft resolution was revised to read as follows: "Recommends that Member States take all necessary steps to start or

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intensify a Programme for Mass Continuing Education for both men and women through television, radio and all other means of mass media or means of communication, and that programmes should include information, education on family life and citizenship as well as vocational training in economic activities including cottage and home industries, farming, rural development and co-operatives and family ***
10. At its 6l8th meeting, on 25 January 1974, the Commission on the Status of Women adopted the draft resolution as orally revised, by consensus. For the text of the resolution as adopted see chapter I of the report.
U. At the 6l6th meeting, the representative of Egypt on behalf also of France and Liberia introduced a draft resolution on the implementation of a programme of concerted international action to promote the advancement of women and their integration in development (E/CN.6/L.665). Colombia, Indonesia, Japan and Romania joined in sponsoring the draft resolution.
12. The representative of the United States submitted amendments (E/CN.6/L.669) Which were subsequently withdrawn in favour of a revised draft resolution which was introduced by Egypt on behalf of all previous sponsors as well as the Dominican Republic and the United States (E/CN.6/L.665/Rev.1). The revised draft resolution combined the main features of the initial draft resolution and of the United States amendments. It reads as follows:
"The Economic and Social Council.
Recalling General Assembly resolution 2626 (XXV) of 24 October 1970 setting forth the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade, including the need for the full integration of women in development,
Recalling further the need to implement the programme for concerted international action for the advancement of women and their integration in development set forth in General Assembly resolution 2716 (XXV) of 15 December 1970,
Convinced that as progress with regard to improving the status of women has been slow in many instances, special efforts should be made to review and appraise progress made in implementing the programme of concerted international action in the context of the mid-term review and appraisal of progress made in the first half of the Second United Nations Development Decade to take place in 1975 which will also be celebrated as International Women's Year,
Noting General Assembly resolution 2801 (XXVI) which requested competent secretariats at the sectoral and regional levels to co-operate with the Committee for Development Planning in the fulfilment of its task by collecting, processing and making available the necessary data and information, and also the machinery established for review and appraisal contained in that resolution and in Economic and Social Council resolutions 1621 C (LI) and 1625 (LI) of 30 July 1971.

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Taking into account the discussion on the implementation of the Strategy with respect to the advancement of women and their integration in development at the twenty-fifth session of the Commission on the Status of Women and reaffirming that the Commission on the Status of Women has an important role to perform in assisting the Council concerning review and appraisal of the International Development Strategy with respect to matters within its competence, in preparing the mid-term review of the Second Development Decade in order that it will reflect accurately the extent to which goals established for the integration of women in development have been achieved,
1. Decides that this role should be performed within the framework of machinery for review and appraisal contained in General Assembly resolution 2801 (XXVI) and Council resolution 1621 C (LI) and 1625 (LI);
2. Decides to authorize the Chairman of the Commission on the Status of Women or a representative chosen by her from among members of the Commission to serve as its representative to the Committee for Development Planning and the Committee on Review and Appraisal and invites these Committees to utilize the expertise available in the Secretariat in the field of women's integration in development when preparing comments on the entire review process;
3. Calls upon Governments of Member States and States members of the specialized agencies to ensure that women are adequately represented on delegations in the entire review process for the Decade;
4. Requests the Secretary-General that in the preparation of the agenda of all sessions of the Committee on Review and Appraisal relating to the entire review process of the United Nations Second Development Decade to give due attention to the integration of women in development both in programme review and in subsequent recommendations for modifications in the United Nations programme;
5. Urges Governments of Member States to report on progress made to implement the objectives and targets contained in the programme of concerted action to promote the advancement of women and their integration in development under General Assembly resolution 2716 (XXV) in time for the major mid-terra review of the Decade in 1975;
6. Requests the specialized agencies, the United Nations Development Programme, the regional economic commissions, other concerned organizations in the United Nations system and non-governmental organizations, to take into account, in connexion with the mid-term review and appraisal of the Second Development Decade, the extent to which programmes endorsed by them include projects aiming at the integration of women in the total development effort also bearing in mind the deliberations of the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-fifth session and the report of the Secretary-General (E/CN.6/577) and to report thereon to the Commission on the Status of Women at its twenty-sixth session and to the Committee on Review and Appraisal in time for the mid-term review in 1975;

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7. Requests the Committee for Development Planning and the Committee on Review and Appraisal to make recommendations to the General Assembly at its twenty-ninth session for strengthening the Strategy by further emphasizing in its provisions the necessity of integrating women at all levels and stages of development, taking into account the specific objectives and minimum targets get out in General Assembly resolution 2716 (XXV);
8. Requests the Secretary-General to submit a report to the Commission on, the Status of Women at its twenty-sixth session on the allocation of funds and personnel by the United Nations system of Organizations for development programmes for women, aimed at achieving the goals and objectives of the Second United Nations Development Decade and of General Assembly resolution 2716 (XXV), this report to include a clear statement as to percentage of the total budget spent on these programmes for women for the current biennium and the proposed increase for the following biennium;
9. Urges Member States to co-operate with non-governmental organizations interested in submitting information needed by the Commission on the Status of Women on the programmes of integration of women in development;
10. Recommends that Member States instruct their representatives to all organizations within the United Nations system to examine the work programmes of these organizations from the point of view of their impact on the status of women and their integration in development and to authorize the funds necessary for the evaluation of this impact;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a report to be considered at its twenty-sixth session which explores approaches to, and methodologies for, the development of social data or indicators on the role and contribution of women in the economic, social and cultural aspects of the development process, in consultation with the Committee for Development Planning, drawing upon the competent secretariats at the sectoral and regional levels and in consultation with the interested specialized agencies."
13. The representative of the United States, on behalf of the sponsors, accepted an amendment proposed by the representative of the USSR to replace, in operative paragraph 8, all the words between "personnel" and "aimed" by the words "within existing development programmes for women by the United Nations system of the Organizations".
14. At its 621st meeting, on 29 January 1974, the Commission adopted the revised draft resolution by consensus. (For the text of the resolution see Chapter I of the Report).
15. At the 6l7th meeting, the representative of Hungary, on behalf of Egypt, Greece, Guinea, Romania and Zaire, introduced a draft resolution entitled "Activities of the specialized agencies to promote the advancement of women" (E/CN.6/L.666). Argentina,

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Colombia and the Philippines Joined in sponsoring the resolution. The draft, resolution recommended to the Economic and Social Council:
"1. To invite the International Labour Organisation to contribute to International Women's Year by continuing to expand and strengthen its standard-setting activities in fields of special interest to women;
2. To request the International Labour Organisation to expand its efforts in this field and to accord particular attention to girls and women in the revision of instruments on vocational guidance and training;
3. To draw the attention of the International Labour Organisation to the need for an eventual revision of certain Conventions, including the Maternity Protection Convention, in accordance with the requirements of contemporary life, and to the need to transform certain Recommendations into Conventions, including the Recommendation on the employment of women with family obligations;
4. To recommend that in its future work, the ILO should devote attention to new problems of concern to women, including the impact of technological and scientific developments on the employment of women and problems relating to work at home and part-time work."
16. The representative of Norway orally proposed an amendment to operative
paragraph 3 so that it would read as follows after the word "need": "to revise
its standards relating to the employment of women in the light of the changing roles of men and women in economic life and in the family"; she also proposed the deletion of operative paragraph 4.
17. Following an exchange of views among various members of the Commission and
suggestions the sponsors of the draft resolution orally revised operative paragraphs
2, 3 and 4 of the draft resolution to read as follows:
"2. To request the International Labour Organisation to expand its efforts in this field and to accord particular attention to girls and women in the revision of instruments on vocational guidance and training and in its work under the World Employment Programme;
3. Draws the attention of the International Labour Organisation to the need to study the possibility of revising certain Conventions for example the Maternity Protection Convention, with full regard to the different conditions in the different countries and to the need to transform certain recommendations into Conventions, for example the Recommendation of the Employment of Women with Family Obligations and in order to prevent discrimination against women;
4. Recommends that in its future work the ILO should devote attention to new problems of concern to women workers, including the impact of technological and scientific developments on the employment of women and problems relating to part-time work in the light of the changing roles of men and women in economic life and in the family."

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18. At the request of the representative of Norway, her oral amendment to
operative paragraph 3 was put to a vote. It was rejected by 6 votes to 14. with
3 abstentions. Her proposal to delete operative paragraph 4 was also put to a vots. It was rejected by 3 votes to 16, with 6 abstentions.
19. At the request of the representative of Norway, paragraphs 3 and 4 were voted separately. Operative paragraph 3 was adopted by 21 votes to none, with 5 abstentions. Operative paragraph 4 was adopted by 21 votes to none with 5 abstentions.
20. At its 6l8th meeting, on 25 January 1974, the Commission adopted the draft resolution as a whole as orally revised, by 23 votes to none with 2 abstentions. (For the text of the resolution, see Chapter I of the Report.)
21. At the 6l9th meeting the representative of the Dominican Republic, on behalf also of Norway, introduced a draft resolution on the Employment of women by the secretariats of organizations in the United Nations system (E/CN.6/L.670). It reads as follows:
"The General Assembly.
Recalling its resolution 2716 (XXV) on the programme of concerted international action for the advancement of women and the objectives and minimum targets to be achieved during the Second United Nations Development Decade set forth in the annex to that resolution, particularly those concerned with the increase in the number of women participating in public life at the international level,
Noting with appreciation that the reports of the Secretary-General on the composition of the Secretariat submitted to the General Assembly at its twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh sessions included some information on the employment of women in senior and other professional positions in the secretariats of organizations in the United Nations system (A/8483 and A/9120),

Noting also that the UNITAR report on the Situation of Women in the United Nations confirms the imbalance in the proportion of women at the higher levels and gives statistics showing the unequal progress of women and men staff members in terms of promotion in the United Nations Secretariat (UNITAR Research Report No. 18),
Concerned that these reports reveal an unsatisfactory situation which calls for specific measures and programmes in order to achieve an equitable balance between the number of men and women, particularly in senior and policy-making positions,
1. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations as weil as the executive heads of all organizations of the United Nations system to take all

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necessary measures in order to ensure that an adequate balance between men and women staff members, particularly in the positions described above, be achieved before the end of the Second United Nations Development Decade;
2. Urges the Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as the executive heads of all organizations of the United Nations system, in order to attain this objective, to adopt a more flexible approach in the recruitment of women and to give greater attention to the assignments given to and promotion of qualified women;
3. Requests the Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as the executive heads of all organizations of the United Nations system to establish an advisory committee within their respective secretariats to assist in the formulation of measures and policies aimed at achieving the objective mentioned in the paragraphs above and in their implementation;
4. Requests further the Secretary-General of the United Nations as well as the executive heads of all organizations of the United Nations system to report to the General Assembly at its thirtieth session in 1975 on steps that have been taken to give effect to paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of this resolution;
5. Requests also the Secretary-General to continue to include in his reports on the composition of the secretariat submitted to the General Assembly comprehensive data on the employment of women in the secretariats of the United Nations system of organizations so as to indicate clearly the nature of posts and types of duties performed by women in professional and policy making levels."
22. The following countries joined as co-sponsors of the draft resolution: Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Nigeria and the Philippines.
23. On behalf of the sponsors, the representative of the Dominican Republic introduced a revision to the first preambular paragraph calling for the insertion after the word "Recalling" of the words "Article 8 of the United Nations Charter as well as".
2k. Following the exchange of views among members of the Commission as well as oral amendments made by India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Costa Rica and the USSR, the sponsors of the draft resolution revised the original text.
25. An additional preambular paragraph was added after the first paragraph reading as follows: "Noting with appreciation that where women have been appointed in positions of responsibility in the United Nations system of Organizations it has definitely proved to have positive effects on a more effective implementation of the aims and programmes of the United Nations especially those relevant to the Status of Women."
26. At the end of the last preambular paragraph the following words were added "including Undersecretary-General and Assistant-Secretary-general".
27. In the first operative paragraph after the words "in order to ensure", the following words were inserted: "in strict accordance with equitable geographical

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distribution". The word "adequate" was replaced by "equitable" and the following was added at the end of the paragraph: "at all levels in the United Nations system, international, regional and national".
28. In the second operative paragraph the words "and positive" were inserted after "flexible".
29. In the third operative paragraph the words "without any financial implications" were inserted after "respective secretariats".
30. At the end of the fifth operative paragraph the following was added: "bearing in mind the principle of equitable geographical distribution within the United Nations system".
31. A new paragraph 6 was added reading as follows: "Further requests that the Secretary-General report on the status of women employees in the Secretariats at the General Service level."
32. At its 621st meeting, on 29 January 1974, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as revised, by consensus. (For the text of the resolution see Chapter I of the Report).
33. At the 6l9th meeting, the representative of France, on behalf also of Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Greece, Kenya, Nigeria and Zaire introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/L.671), the operative part of which read as follows:
"1. Requests UNESCO:
(a) To develop pilot projects in the developing countries, in a manner appropriate to the needs of those countries with regard to literacy and primary, technical and vocational education;
(b) To give full effect to the resolutions of the Third International Conference on Adult Education, which recognized the need, in view of the inadequacies of women's education, for priority action on behalf of women;
(c) To ensure that, in the revision of the recommendations on vocational training undertaken jointly by the ILO and UNESCO, these recommendations follow closely the lines indicated by the sixteenth Conference on equal educational opportunities for girls and women;
(d) To continue and to increase the efforts it makes for the advancement of women among member States - particularly among the national commissions for UNESCO - and non-governmental organizations as well as among national and regional commissions on the status of women;
(e) To request member States to take into account, when nominating candidates for study courses at the Institute for Educational Planning, the need to increase the number of women candidates, so that women may occupy their rightful place at all levels of decision-making by education authorities.

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2. Wishes UNESCO, bearing in mind the goals of International Education Year, to devote as large a share as possible of its budget resources to the co-ordinated efforts of its various departments to ensure the utilization and advancement of women within the organization for the benefit of the women staff of its own secretariat and in all bodies where it exercises competence."
34. The following countries Joined in sponsoring the draft resolution: Guinea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Liberia, the Philippines and the United States of America.
35. Following an exchange of views among the members of the Commission and suggestions made by the representatives of India, Thailand and the USSR regarding operative paragraphs 1 (a) and 2 the sponsors of the draft resolution revised the text of these paragraphs to read as follows:
"1. Requests UNESCO:
(a) To develop pilot projects in the developing countries in a manner appropriate to the needs of those countries with regard to pre-school, literacy, primary, technical and vocational education and teacher training.
2. Wishes UNESCO, bearing in mind the goals of International Women's Year, to devote in the allocation of its budgetary resources as large a share as possible to the co-ordinated efforts ..." (the rest of the paragraph remaining unchanged).
36. At its 6l9th meeting, on 28 January 1974, the Commission adopted the draft resolution, as revised, by consensus. (For the text of the resolution, see Chapter I of the Report.)

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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Agenda item 12
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ON ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
VI. PROGRAMME OF CONCERTED INTERNATIONAL ACTION TO PROMOTE THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN AND THEIR INTEGRATION IN DEVELOPMENT
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1. The Commission considered item 7 of its agenda at its 609th-6l2th, 6l6th-6l9th
and 621st meetings. It discussed subitems a and b together, subitems c and d
together and subitem e separately.
Implementation of a programme of concerted. International Action and the status of rura3 women, especially agricultural workers
2. The Commission considered subitems a and b at its 609th-6l2th, 6l6th-6l9th and 621st meetings. Under subitem a (implementation of a programme of concerted international action), the Commission had before it: report of the Secretary-General on the subject (E/CN.6/577), the Report of the Interregional Meeting of Experts on the Integration of Women in Development 1/ and its summary (E/CN.5/481) as well as a report entitled, Participation of Women in Community Development. 2/
3. Under subitem b (Status of rural women, especially agricultural workers) the Commission had before it a progress report prepared by the Secretary-General (E/CN.6/583) on the subject and the reports of the International Labour Office (E/CN.6/583/Add.1) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (E/CN.6/583/Add.2) prepared in accordance with Commission resolution
14 (XXIV).
4. In introducing document E/CN.6/577, the representative of the Secretary-General said that it examined the objectives and minimum targets of the Second Development Decade with special reference to those relating to the promotion of equality of women and to their full integration in the development effort appearing in General Assembly resolutions 2626 (XXV) and 2716 (XXV). She also drew the Commission's attention to the need to consider its own role in the review and appraisal process relating to the status and condition of women, particularly as the following year, 1975, would be devoted to the mid-term review of progress achieved during the first half of the Decade. The report also described the methodology currently being used by the United Nations system of organizations to measure and appraise progress and indicated the need for the systematic collection of more extensive statistics and data on women and for development indicators on the social situation and status of women.
5. Referring to the Interregional Meeting of Experts on the Integration of Women in Development the representative of the Secretary-General observed that the meeting marked the first occasion on which experts on development and those on the status of women had come together to discuss common strategies to achieve effective integration. She also highlighted other new and expanded activites of the United Nations system in relation to women in development, including a number of very useful seminars which had been held on the relationship of the status of women and family planning as a contribution to the preparation for the World Population
1/ United Nations publication, Sales No. 73.IV.12.
2/ United Nations publication, Sales No. 72.IV.8.

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Year, 1974, and also to the implementation of the long-term programme of concerted action. Moreover, a project on the integration of women in development with special reference to population factors was currently being carried out.
6. A number of representatives thought that it was most timely to examine the Commission's role in the review and appraisal process to be undertaken at intervals throughout the Decade and particularly, in preparing for the mid-term review. In addition, several representatives pointed out the need to assess progress achieved in promoting the equality and advancement of women, throughout the entire United Nations system. In the opinion of some members of the Commission this might involve a revision of the International Development Strategy set out in General Assembly resolution 2686 (XXV) in order to define more clearly approaches to the effective integration of women in development. Other representatives felt that it was important to draw the attention of the Committee for Development Planning and the Committee on Review and Appraisal which were directly concerned with review and appraisal, to the need to include the question of the social and economic status of women and their equality with men, in the raid-term and subsequent reviews.
7. Many representatives agreed that there was a need for more statistical and informational data on the problems facing women in countries at all levels and stages of development. In this connexion several members of the Commission felt that it would be very useful if methodologies could be found for the development of social data or indicators on the role of women in the economic, social and cultural aspects of the development process.
8. It was pointed out that several obstacles still existed to the integration of women in the development process and to their achievement of an improved quality of life. This finding was found to be particularly applicable to women in rural areas. In discussing the obstacles to the full participation of women in social, economic and political life of rural areas, many representatives cited the incidence of unemployment, underemployment, low wages, illiteracy, inadequate educational and training facilities, particularly with regard to modern agricultural techniques and vocational training, the sheer drudgery of agricultural work, lack of transportation for women as well as schoolchildren, and inadequate social and health services, including maternal and child care and family planning.
9. Some representatives stated that in many developing countries the plight of women agricultural workers was deplorable. Others, however, pointed out that their situation was also far from acceptable in many developed countries, where the agricultural sector was in a stage of transition. In some instances , it had even produced a situation where there were fewer, but more skilled Jobs, thereby increasing the rate of unemployment and migration to the towns.
10. In this connexion, the view was expressed that the situation of women working in rural industries should not be overlooked. It was suggested that those women should be encouraged to participate in the choice and siting of industries in rural areas as such decisions could affect not only the human and social environment but also the future well-being of their families and community.

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In this regard, several representatives welcomed the proposals of the Interregional Meeting of Experts with respect to the role of women in rural societies, in small-scale businesses, in modern industries and the employment of women with family responsibilities.
11. Some representatives thought that the ''brain drain" from rural to urban areas was a serious problem and that every effort should be made by national development planners to create more employment, better educational and leisure facilities and community and cultural services in those areas so as to encourage people to remain there. A few representatives suggested that salary and other incentives could be introduced to make these areas more attractive.
12. The Commission thought that every effort should be made to give women and girls greater access to education and that the level of their access affected the level of development of the society.
13. Several representatives also stressed the need to rethink the type and quality of education and training in the rural areas. In addition to agricultural and home economics skills, women and girls should be taught leadership skills, manufacturing, production and marketing techniques, and how to run co-operatives, small businesses and self-help schemes profitably. In this way, women could generate their own employment and be in a better position to bring about social changes within their societies.
l4. Some members of the Commission welcomed the Secretary-General's progress report (E/CN.6/583) and thought that the list of items for further study which it contained was a comprehensive one.
15. The representative of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization introduced the revised study on the equality of access of girls and women to education in the context of rural development (E/CN.6/566/Rev.1). The study discussed certain basic problems facing women in rural areas such as illiteracy, school drop-out, the inadequacy of educational and teaching facilities in the rural areas and the trend to migrate to the urban areas. In this regard the report confirmed the discrepancy between the level of and opportunities for education in urban areas on the one hand, and rural areas on the other, and emphasized the obstacles to women's complete integration in development brought about by her inadequate education and training.
16. The representative of the International Labour Office, in introducing the report of her organization (E/CN.6/583/Add.1), observed that balanced development could not be achieved unless the status of both women and men in the rural areas was improved. One of the major obstacles to the advancement of rural women was that their activities were confined to home economics. The ILO report stressed the need to involve her in wider economic and social activities by equipping her with the necessary know-how and technical assistance.
17. The representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations pointed out that the report appearing in E/CN.6/583/Add.2 attempted to

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present a profile of the rural woman in a variety of situations. Its major contribution was to provide a conceptual framework which could be developed and tested on the national level, in order to determine the extent of women's participation in social and economic activities and to plan further action programmes.
18. The representative of the World Health Organization emphasized the need to examine the health situation of women and other vulnerable groups in rural areas and said that necessary research was being carried out by his organization.
19. The representative of the Economic Commission of Africa agreed with other speakers that training in home economics should not be carried out in isolation but should be provided along with training in modern agricultural and marketing techniques. She informed the Commission that in each member country of the region, workshops had been held which aimed at training community development workers in labour-saving techniques and income generating activities.
20. The representative of the United Nations Children's Fund outlined some of the programmes currently being undertaken by UNICEF to improve in particular, the. health and welfare of the mother and the child in rural areas.

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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
IX. EXPLOITATION OF LABOUR THROUGH ILLICIT AND CLANDESTINE TRAFFICKING
1. The Commission considered item 9 of its agenda at its 620th and 622nd meetings. It had before it a note by the Secretary-General (E/CN.6/582) pointing out that the Economic and Social Council in operative paragraph 4 of its resolution 1789 (LIV) had requested the Commission to examine the question of exploitation of victims of clandestine traffic in labour, especially young women, taking into account the discussions in the Commission on Human Rights, and to report to the Economic and Social Council.
2. In introducing the note, the representative of the Secretary-General drew attention to the background of the item, and indicated that the question was under consideration by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and the Commission on Human Rights which had been asked to consider it as a matter of priority at its forthcoming thirtieth session. However, due to the developments in the work of the Sub-Commission on this item, it was unlikely that the Commission on Human Rights would take a final decision on the natter at that session. She further indicated that the discussions at the twenty-ninth session of the Commission on Human Rights had focused on two main issues: illicit and clandestine traffic of foreign labour, and discriminatory treatment of foreign and migrant workers, the latter being a topic which was currently being studied by the ILO. Attention was drawn to the suggestions of members of the Sub-Commission relating to measures that might be taken to deal with the exploitation of labour through illicit and clandestine trafficking and to the decision to appoint one of its members, Mrs. Warzazi, to prepare in co-operation with the Secretariat, a study on this question to be submitted to the Sub-Commission at its twenty-seventh session (1974) (E/CN.6/582, paras. 21 and 24).
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3. During the subsequent discussion it was suggested that the Commission should endorse the measures and suggestions made by the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and also that the ILO should consider the preparation of further instruments dealing with the matter, including a convention on migration and the working conditions of migrant workers.
4. One representative expressed concern with respect to illegal immigration and emigration of workers, particularly in countries where there were no border controls to regulate the recruitment of workers. In commenting on the different kinds of discriminatory treatment to which migrant workers including young women, were subjected she urged the ILO to look into the situation and to try to improve it.
5. The representative of ILO noted that the International Labour Conference in 1972 had stressed the need to combat as soon as possible the unlawful forms of recruitment and treatment of workers especially irregular procedures in training migrant workers.
6. The question of migrant workers was included in the agenda of the 1974 session of the International Labour Conference, and it was envisaged that the 1974 and 1975 sessions of the Conference would prepare two conventions, the first dealing specifically with migration and abusive conditions, and the second with equality of opportunities and treatment. Several studies relating to the subject were also being undertaken by ILO. She also referred to the position of wives and families of the migrant workers, and noted that the report prepared for the Conference in 1974 stressed the importance of uniting migrant workers with their families both for the well-being of the migrant workers and their social adaptation in the receiving country; prolonged separation and isolation led to hardships and situations of stress affecting both the migrant and the family left behind, and prevented them from leading a normal family life.
7. The importance of full implementation of the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of others adopted by the General Assembly on 2 December 1949 was also stressed and it was emphasized that the reporting system relating to that Convention should be maintained.
8. The Commission agreed that the ILO and UNESCO should pay particular attention to the question of women in the context of their work relating to migrant workers and to submit the relevant information to the Commission on the Status of Women, and to the other bodies concerned. In particular, the ILO should be invited as part of its study of migrant workers at its 1974 International Labour Conference to consider (a) the position of women migrant workers and how it related to and compared with male migrant workers; (b) the position of wives and the families Of male migrant workers and the effects of the migration laws and policies on them and also their possibilities of finding employment. The Commission expressed the hope that in its studies on the exploitation of migrant workers and on strengthening the international rules for the protection of such workers, the ILO would take into special account the position of female workers who face particular hardships or forms of exploitation.

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9. As regards Council resolution 1749 (LIV) on migrant workers adopted on the
recommendation of the Social Development Commission, the Commission noted that
three points appeared to be of special significance to women: (a) the social
aspect of migration: the disintegration of the family, conditions of living of
the members of the family staying in the country and of those in the receiving
countries; (b) the legal aspect: protective laws on both leaving and receiving
countries, social security and different kinds of bilateral agreements: and
(c) enforcement of measures adopted for the protection of the workers in the community.
10. Finally, the Commission requested Mrs. Warzazi in her study to pay
particular attention to young women victims of clandestine traffic and to the
plight of young girls and women who are lured into lives of prostitution by
false promises of overseas jobs and to keep the Commission informed on progress
and make available to her findings on matters of special interest to it.

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SOCIAL COUNCIL ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
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X. INFLUENCE OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA ON THE FORMATION OF NEW ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY
1. The Commission considered item 10 of its agenda at its 623rd and 624th meetings. It had before it a report by the Secretary-General (E/CN.6/581).
2. In introducing the report, the representative of the Secretary-General stated that in view of the fact that only 28 Governments and 23 non-governmental organizations had supplied information, the report was of a preliminary nature. Most of the reports received considered the influence of the Mass Communications Media on the formation of a new attitude towards the role of women in present-day society to be of the utmost importance and one that needed additional research. The replies also substantiated the view that although it was not often possible
to separate the influence of the media from all other influences at work in forming people's attitudes towards women, mass media reflected not only what was going on in a community, reinforcing those concepts which were the most prevalent, but they also sparked off new trends and were exponents of new movements and changing values. This report though preliminary, substantiated the concern expressed by the Commission in resolution 1 (XXIV) that the Mass Communications Media might hinder the efforts of the United Nations to promote equality between men and women in law as well as in fact, and the efforts to integrate women in development.
3. Many representatives agreed that in general the Mass Media portrayed a
negative image of women to society, referring to specific examples of how
broadcasting - radio and television - and printed material, especially women's
magazines, exercised a tremendous influence on the attitudes of the population,
emphasizing traditional male and female stereotype roles. The degree of influence,
however, varied depending on the homogeneity of the population and the nature of
the specific media. In rural areas of less developed countries, for example,
where illiteracy remained high, printed material had little impact; radio, however,
had proved to be a more effective means of influencing peoples' attitudes and
opinions. It was noted that the mere manipulative approach of the mass media to
human beings as consumers without dignity, rights or much intelligence, and not as
persons, was in itself a violation of human dignity. A few representatives stated
that the influence of the Mass Communications Media was not an isolated problem of
each country, but one of global implications. The Mass Media did not, at the
present time possess the depth and range which the principles of freedom of speech
required. Globally, the flow of information across the borders of countries with
its corresponding portrayal of women's roles seemed to be a one way, unbalanced
traffic from Western nations with their market economy systems to the developing
and the socialist nations.
4. Many representatives referred to the pernicious effect of advertising on the image society has of women's roles. It was stated that naked women, for example, were used to sell everything from automobiles to drain pipes.
5. As an example of the influence of Mass Media on attitudes and behaviour,
some representatives referred to the influence of violence and horror on children's

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attitudes and values. Experiments had shown how children exposed to these types of programmes, tended to be more violent and cruel in their behaviour towards others.
6. The influence of comic strips in the perpetuation of traditional stereotypes among children from a very early age and adults was also referred to. Mickey Mouse, for example, was a character with many positive traits, Minnie Mouse, on the other hand was portrayed as being late for her dates, buying silly hats and unable to drive. One representative referred to the positive influence exercised by comic strips which were based on the Ramayana and Mahbharata. A number of the main characters were women and they were courageous, wise and honest heroines.
7. One representative stated that in the socialist countries, the Mass Media exercised a positive influence on people's attitudes towards women. The media urged women not to be limited to domestic work but to actively engage themselves in all social and economic activities.
8. A few representatives referred to concrete efforts being made to redress the negative trend of the Mass Media in their countries. Some Governments were changing textbooks, curricula and other features of their educational systems which tended to portray women in their traditional roles of housewives and mothers and not as persons actively engaged in the development of their communities.
One representative referred to special efforts being made to eliminate the stereotype female images in children's books and in a few new broadcasting programmes. Women's studies programmes were also attempting to dig out her story from the available history.
9. Many representatives mentioned the need to find means to make the Mass Media
a positive influence in the formation of new attitudes towards the roles women
should play in today's society. Among the means suggested were: Firstly, to
offer special courses in schools to teach children to be critical of the information
they received from the Mass Media, to be able to distinguish different views
expressed by it and to be less receptive to commercial manipulation. Secondly,
to educate boys and girls through the Mass Media and the schools to become aware of the surrounding world and familiar with local, national and international affairs. Thirdly, to co-ordinate action between Governments and non-governmental organizations in order to make those who were responsible for programmes, advertisements, articles, etc., which were re-enforcing traditional female stereotypes, to become aware of the impact and negative influence in the people's attitudes towards women.
Fourthly, to increase the number of women occupying positions in the world of the ** Media at all levels including policy-making positions. Fifthly, to have Governments, non-governmental organizations and educational institutions carry out research on how the Mass Communications Media could affect legislative and cultural changes in the roles women should play in today's world. Sixthly, it was stated that as long as the media remained a commercial enterprise and/or dependent on advertisements, there was little hope that it would become an instrument of social change aiming at the improvement of the quality of life for men and women. Some stated that in their countries, radio and television were owned by the Government,

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others pointed out that although radio and television were free and independent institutions and the Government did not interfere because of the principle of freedom of speech, no advertisements or commercials were permitted in these media.
10. Several representatives urged the Commission to give high priority to this item at its next session and expressed the hope that regional seminars would he organized in each continent, if possible, in co-ordination with UNESCO's interdisciplinary studies to be carried out on this subject.
Consideration of draft resolution and voting;
11. A draft resolution was submitted by Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic (E/CN.6/L.673).
12. The representative of Colombia orally proposed that the words "a new attitude*'
and "the role" in the title of the resolution be replaced by the words 'new
attitudes" and "the roles" thus the title would read:
INFLUENCE OP MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA ON THE FORMATION OF NEW ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY
13. The representative of Finland orally proposed that the words "and men" be
inserted between the words 'women' and "in present-day society" in the fifth line
of the first preambular paragraph.
14. The representative of the USSR orally proposed that the words "in several countries" be inserted in the third line of the first preambular paragraph between the words "that" and "the mass communications media'.
15. She also proposed the insertion in the second line of operative paragraph 2 of the words "to consider the possibility sometime in the future" between the words "United Nations" and "to carry" in the second line of operative paragraph 2.
16. The representatives of Belgium, India and the Philippines orally proposed amendments which after consultation with the sponsors were amalgamated into a new operative paragraph 3 which reads:
"3. Invites all the organizations of the United Nations system and particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to make a special effort to increase their audio-visual material and to develop their programmes in such a way as to promote the integration of women in development.'1
Former operative paragraph 3 becomes operative paragraph 4.
17. At its 624th meeting on 30 January 1974, the Commission unanimously adopted the draft resolution as amended. It reads:

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INFLUENCE OF MASS COMMUNICATIONS MEDIA OH THE FORMATION OF NEW ATTITUDES TOWARDS THE HOLES OF WOMEN IN PRESENT-DAY SOCIETY
The Commission on the Status of Women
Recommends to the Economic and Social Council the adoption of the following draft resolution:
The Economic and Social Council,
Noting that the preliminary report of the Secretary-General on the Influence of Mass Communications Media (E/CN.6/581) substantiates the concern expressed by the Commission in its resolution 1 (XXIV) of 18 February 1972 that in several countries the mass communications media perpetuate the traditional deep-rooted attitudes held by men and women about the roles of women and men in present-day society, and that the influence of the mass communications media in the determination of cultural patterns hinders efforts to promote equal rights of men and women and the integration of women in the development effort,
Bearing in mind that the majority of the Governments and non-governmental organizations which supplied information for the preparation of the preliminary report (E/CN.6/581) stated that additional research was needed on this subject,
Recalling that in resolution 1 (XXIV), the Commission on the Status of Women requested the Secretary-General to invite the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to consider the possibility of carrying out interdisciplinary studies on the subject,
1. Expresses the hope that this subject will be discussed at future seminars to be organized under the technical co-operation programme of the United Nations with the participation of experts in all the relevant fields;
2. Invites the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization in co-operation with the United Nations to consider the possibility sometime in the future to carry out pilot country studies on this question in conjunction with the interdisciplinary studies mentioned above;
3. Invites all the organizations of the United Nations system and particularly the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, to make a special effort to increase their audio-visual material and to develop their programmes in such a way as to promote the integration of women in development;
4. Requests the Secretary-General to prepare a progress report on the influence of mass communications media on attitudes towards the roles of women in present-day society based on information available to him and to submit it to the Commission at its twenty-sixth session.

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COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda Mohammed (Nigeria)
VI. INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS AND NATIONAL STANDARDS RELATING TO THE STATUS OF WOMEN
5 (c) Communications concerning the status of women
1. The Commission considered subitem 5 (c) of its agenda at its 623rd meeting on 31 January 1974. In accordance With ECOSOC resolution 76 (V), as amended by Council resolution 304 I (XI), the Secretary-General prepared two lists summarizing communications received: a non-confidential list of communications dealing with principles which relate to the promotion of the status of women in the political, economic, social and educational fields (E/CN.6/CR/24) and a confidential list of other communications concerning the status of women.
2. In introducing the relevant documents the representative of the Secretary-General drew the attention of the members of the Commission to recent modifications concerning human rights communications introduced under ECOSOC resolution
1503 (XLVIII) of 1970 and to the fact that the Council resolution had not taken into account the implications of such procedures on the procedure to be followed by the Commission on the Status of Women in the consideration of communications concerning the status of women.
3. The representative of the USSR formally proposed that the Commission on the
Status of Women decide that in future, communications related to the status of
women shall be considered in accordance with Economic and Social Council resolution
1503 (XLVIII). In her opinion, the Council resolution had established a single
system to deal with all communications on human rights, including women's rights
and no other United Nations organ than those mentioned in the Council resolution
had jurisdiction to deal with communications. Therefore communications on the
status of women did not belong any longer to the work programme of the Commission
on the Status of Women.
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4. While a number of representatives shared this view and also expressed concern about unduly overloading the already very heavy work programme of the Commission, other members felt that the Commission should not decide at this session to delete the question of communications on the status of women from the work programme of the Commission, until it was fully informed on the implications of the new procedure established under Council resolution 1503 (XLVIII) on communications on the status of women. They suggested that the Secretary-General should prepare for the consideration of the Commission at its next session a note on this subject and that the Commission should only then, in the light of the note, decide on this matter.
5. Following an exchange of views among the members of the Commission and at the request of the representative of the USSR, the formal proposal made by her was put to a vote. At its 623rd meeting, on 31 January 1974, the Commission adopted the USSR proposal by 11 votes to 5 with 10 abstentions.

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COMMISSION OH THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
VIII. PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN EMERGENCY AND ARMED CONFLICT IN THE STRUGGLE FOR PEACE, SELF-DETERMINATION, NATIONAL LIBERATION AND INDEPENDENCE 1/
1. The Commission considered item 8 of its agenda at its 6l9th, 620th, 622nd and 623rd meetings. It had before it a report by the Secretary-General (E/CN.6/586) prepared pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 1687 (LII). In introducing the report, the representative of the Secretary-General explained that the report was based on information requested by the Secretary-General in accordance with the Council resolution and furnished by Governments, United Nations organs and bodies, specialized agencies and non-governmental organizations, as well as on the relevant reports of the United Nations organs. She informed the Commission that under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross two draft additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, dealing with the protection of victims of international armed conflicts and of non-international armed conflicts, respectively, had been prepared and would be submitted to the Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law which was to be held in Geneva from 20 February to 29 March 1974.
2. Many representatives underlined the necessity to develop and strengthen the norms of international humanitarian law in order to protect women and children in emergency and armed conflicts. They greeted the efforts of the International Committee of the Red Cross in this connexion, with respect to the preparation of the two draft additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of 1949, and urged the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference to secure maximum protection of women and children in international and in non-international conflicts in the struggle for peace, self-determination, national liberation and independence.
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3. Some representatives noted with regret the sufferings of women and children in specific situations and mentioned in this connexion the recent war in Indo-China, Cambodia, Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, Israeli occupied territories of the Middle East, Chile and Bangladesh.
4. The Government of South Africa was condemned by a number of representatives for its policy of apartheid, segregation, racism and repression and they pointed out that apartheid created special hardships for women and children,
5. Opinion was divided among the members as to the action which the Commission on the Status of Women should take with respect to this item. Some representatives stressed the need for the Commission to submit a draft Declaration on the protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflicts for adoption by the United Nations General Assembly.
6. Several representatives spoke in favour of the adoption of the Declaration which they considered essential to the positive solution of the problem under consideration. They emphasized that though issues affecting women and children were inseparable from issues affecting human rights in general, women and children were the most vulnerable victims of armed conflicts and should therefore be given special priority in the development of international humanitarian law. They also pointed out that the consideration of this item by the Commission would encourage the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference to undertake special measures for the protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflict.
7. In the view of one representative, while the United Nations had always been concerned with human rights in conditions of peace it was only recently that an effort was being made to secure humanitarian principles in situations of emergency and armed conflict. Efforts to ensure such standards were steps towards making peace and the United Nations by ensuring such standards was taking important steps towards attaining peace.
8. A number of representatives, however, stated that though welcoming the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference on the Reaffirmation and Development of International Humanitarian Law, they did not support the adoption of a Declaration by the Commission for a number of reasons. They were of the opinion that the Commission was not the appropriate body to consider the problem of the protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflict, which fell more within the competence of the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference. There was a danger in their view that the work of the Conference might be pre-empted or prejudiced by the adoption of the Declaration by the Commission.
9. In the opinion of some representatives any effort directed toward singling out groups of civilians tended to detract from the general protection enjoyed by the civilian population as a whole. One representative did not consider it necessary to specify particular armed conflicts according to the motives of the combatants.
10. In the view of another representative, the inclusion in the draft Declaration of the condemnation of imperialism and aggression, would strengthen it considerably, by attacking the root of the problem.

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11. The representative of the International Committee of the Red Cross reiterated
her organization's interest in the subject. She outlined the relevant articles of
the two draft additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions, 1949, which she hoped
would be adopted by the forthcoming Diplomatic Conference and which would mark a
great contribution to the development of international humanitarian lav.
Consideration of draft resolution and voting
12. A draft resolution recommended for adoption by the Economic and Social Council
(E/CN.6/L.672) was submitted by Byelorussian SSR, Egypt, Guinea and Hungary.
Revised by the co-sponsors as a draft Declaration, and entitled "Protection of
Women and Children in Emergency and Armed Conflict in the Struggle for Peace,
Self-Determination and Independence" (E/CN.6/L.672/Rev.1), it reads as follows: (for the text of the draft Declaration, see E/CN.6/I.672/Rev.1).
13. In presenting the revised draft Declaration (E/CN.6/L.672/Rev.1), the
representative of Guinea expressed the concern felt by its co-sponsors at the
non-implementation of existing instruments and the consequent suffering of women
and children which the proposed draft Declaration sought to alleviate.
l4. During the discussion of the draft Declaration, its co-sponsors submitted the following oral amendments:
1. To put paragraphs 6* and 7 of the preamble in the beginning of the text after the words "the Commission on the Status of Women".
2. To put after words "Recommends to the General Assembly the adoption of the following Declaration" the words "on the protection of women and children in emergency and armed conflict in the struggle for peace, self-determination, national liberation and independence".
3. To reword paragraph 10 of the preamble which in new version should read as follows: "Bearing in mind the need for special protection of women and children belonging to civilian population solemnly proclaims the following Declaration and calls upon Member States to strictly observe it".

15. At its 623rd meeting, on 30 January 1974, the Commission adopted the revised and orally amended draft Declaration by 20 votes to none, with 7 abstentions.
16. The representative of Kenya indicated that if she had been present her vote would have been affirmative.

UNITED NATIONS
Distr.
ECONOMIC GENERAL
A N D E/CN.6/L.660/Add.14
31 January 1974
SOCIAL COUNCIL ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session Item 12 of the agenda
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AT ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur; Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
XII. PROGRAMME OF WORK AND ESTABLISHMENT OF PRIORITIES
1. At its 622nd and 623rd meetings, the Commission considered item 11 of its agenda on the Programme of Work and Establishment of Priorities. It had before it a report of the Secretary-General on the subject (E/CN.6/585 and Corr.1 and Add.1).
2. In introducing the report, the representative of the Secretary-General stressed that its form differed from previous reports on the work programme submitted to the Commission on the Status of Women in the past and that it had been prepared in accordance with General Assembly resolution 2043 (XXVII) which had approved a new form of presentation of the budget on a programme basis and the introduction of a biennial budget cycle and a medium-term plan. She drew the attention of the members of the Commission to the eight fundamental activities of the work programme for the promotion of equality of men and women which have been formulated in accordance with decisions and interests expressed by the Commission and policies laid down by the General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council. She invited the members of the Commission in particular to express their views as regards proposed programme objectives for 1976-1979.
3. Members of the Commission approved of the programme of work and establishment of priorities contained in the report of the Secretary-General. They indicated their wish that the various decisions and requests of the Commission at this current session will be reflected in its future work programme. One representative expressed regret that the report did not contain budget estimates relating to the various activities of the work programme.
4. Members of the Commission made a number of suggestions regarding the work programme. Some were of a general nature, others were more specific.
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5. There was agreement that the work programme was very vast and concern was expressed as to whether the Branch for the Equality of Men and Women was adequately staffed to discharge its various responsibilities. On the other hand members of the Commission also agreed that the Commission, in future sessions, should have before it a limited agenda containing no more than four or five items so that they could devote more time and thought to the substance of the discussion.
6. There was also agreement that a special effort should be made by the Secretariat as well as by Governments including their Permanent Missions in order that the documents prepared for the Commission's consideration be sent to Governments in accordance with the six-week rule laid down by the Economic and Social Council. In this connexion, disappointment was expressed that despite the periodicity of the sessions of the Commission, which was now on a biennial basis, progress had not been made in this regard and documents were submitted too late to permit Governments, as well as members of the Commission, to study them carefully.
7. Various members of the Commission were of the opinion that a Committee on Resolutions should be set up during the session in order to help with their drafting and prevent their proliferation.
8. Different views were expressed as to the name of the Commission on the Status of Women. While according to some members its name needed to be changed so as to conform with that of the Branch for the Promotion of Equality of Men and Women, other members felt that the question of a new name should be studied carefully, while other representatives believed that since the Commission had been known for 26 years as the Commission on the Status of Women a change will only create confusion, and that what was really important was the content of the programme.
9. Referring to the activities of the work programme as they appeared in paragraph 5 of the report different opinions were expressed as to whether it would be appropriate to combine activities 2 on programme of concerted international action for the integration of women in development, 7 on informational and educational activities, and 8 on technical co-operation activities.
10. A few members felt that activity 4, on women's role, rights and responsibilities in the family could be extended to include women's role in public life or society,
11. The suggestion was made that activity 6 on the condition of women and children in special situations, could be deleted altogether since it could be dealt with by other United Nations organs concerned with the general question of Human Rights in Armed Conflicts.
12. As regards paragraphs 9 and 15 under Elaboration and implementation of international instruments, it was suggested that the mention of "new instrument or instruments" should be replaced by a reference to a Convention.
13. With respect to paragraph 18 (c) under the Programme of concerted international action for the integration of women in development, it was felt that the proposed study to be submitted to ECLA would be an excellent starting point to combat

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discrimination against women in the region. Concerning the pilot country studies Mentioned in paragraph 18 (d) the hope was expressed that a few of them might be ready for submission to the next session of the Commission.
14. Concerning paragraph 20 under the same activity the hope was expressed that mass communication media should be used to the fullest extent to encourage the concept of the dignity of labour.
15. Concerning paragraph 33 under Women's role, rights and responsibilities in the family, one representation expressed the view that, since a comprehensive Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women would be adopted, there was no need to envisage the possibility of elaborating a special convention or conventions in the field of family law. Concerning paragraph 52 under substantive support for technical co-operation activities, while support was expressed concerning the expansion of such activities, a warning was given that too many activities of this type might not permit the Branch to carry adequately its other substantive activities.
16. Referring to paragraph 36 under Status of women and population questions, one representative was of the opinion that there no longer was any need to carry out the two remaining in-depth country studies mentioned therein.
17. As regards Informational and Educational Activities - paragraphs 45 to 49 of the report - it was suggested that increased co-operation with the Office of Public Information should be sought. Also, the view was expressed that greater effort should be made to reach grass root women and that methods should be elaborated to that effect. Referring to the Newsletter on the Status of Women it was felt that it should be distributed much more widely.

UNITED NATIONS
Distr.
ECONOMIC LIMITED
E/CR.6/L.660/Add.15
A N D 31 January 1974
SOCIAL COUNCIL ORIGINAL: ENGLISH
COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN Twenty-fifth session 14 January-1 February 1974 Agenda item 12
DRAFT REPORT OF THE COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ON ITS TWENTY-FIFTH SESSION
Rapporteur: Mrs. Ruda MOHAMMED (Nigeria)
CHAPTER II. INTERNATIONAL WOMEN's YEAR Addendum Consideration of the report of the Working Group
1. The Commission resumed its consideration of item 3 on the International Women's Year at its 627th meeting. It had before it the report of the Working Group on the Draft Programme for International Women's Year (E/CN.6/588).
2. In introducing the report, the Rapporteur of the Working Group, Ambassador Blanca Stabile Machanandiarena (Argentina) pointed out that during the seven meetings of the Working Group, the members had made a number of amendments to the basic working document (E/CN.6/576) and had attempted to further strengthen and elaborate the draft programme for International Women's Year. She indicated that the Working Group had decided to refer paragraphs 29 and 31 to the Commission for its decision. Those paragraphs therefore were placed in square brackets. '
3. The Chairman of the Working Group, Dr. Erika Daes (Greece), made a number of oral corrections to the text of the draft programme (E/CN.6/588). She also reminded the Commission that no decision had so far been taken on the establishment of a fund for voluntary contributions to assist in financing the activities of the Year. In her opinion, such a decision was vital to the success of the Year.
Draft resolution and programme of activities
4. The Commission adopted the draft resolution proposed by the Working Group in E/CN.6/588 by 20 votes to none, with 3 abstentions.
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5. The Commission approved the programme of activities annexed to the draft resolution with the amendments listed below.
6. The first point of the introductory quotation to the programme which was taken from the Preamble to the Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women should be given in full to read:
"Considering 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 the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity;".
7. In paragraph 8 (c), the words "equal pay for" should be inserted between the words "right to" and "work of equal value".
8. Paragraph 8 (s) under section C, "Peace" should become the first paragraph 8 (f) under section B, "Development". The following subparagraphs would be renumbered accordingly.
9. Under section C, "Peace", the words "apartheid and racial discrimination" would be added at the end of subparagraph (i) of paragraph 8 (a). This paragraph would then become paragraph 8 (s) and the following paragraphs would be renumbered accordingly.
10. Paragraph 8 (s) would be replaced by the following:
"(s) Participation of women in a safeguarding peace which would promote
economic, social, cultural and political conditions that contribute to the advancement of the status of women and men;".
11. In paragraph 8 (u), the words "having due regard for their sovereignty and non-intervention in their domestic affairs" were added after the words "ideas among countries".
12. In the last line of paragraph 10, the words "on this section" were replaced by "on section B, 'Development' of part II, 'Objectives and goals', above".
13. In paragraph 17, the word "responsibilities" should be inserted between the
words "women's rights" and "and the causes".
14. A new paragraph 30 was inserted to read:
"30. An appeal should be made to Governments of countries in the different regions to establish regional commissions on the status of women and to organise within existing intergovernmental and other similar organizations, programmes for women aimed at their full integration in national and regional development which would:

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"(a) Place special emphasis on relieving the burdens and increasing the economic output of rural women engaged in agriculture, on providing facilities for food preservation and processing, child care and also on providing co-operative education;
"(b) Co-operate with interested United Nations bodies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, particularly with the Commission on the Status of Women:
"(c) Provide in industrialized areas advice, and services aimed at improving working conditions, family life and participation in all aspects of regional development."
The following paragraphs should be renumbered accordingly.
15. Some representatives felt that the oral amendment to introduce a new paragraph 30 should be submitted in writing. The Chairman therefore called for a vote under rule 51 of the Rules of Procedure of the Functional Commissions of the Economic and Social Council. The motion was rejected by 2 votes to 17, with 3 abstentions.
16. In paragraph 33, the words "intergovernmental organizations, regional" should be inserted between the words "regional" and "economic" and the words "commissions or" should be inserted between the words "programmes and" and " offices to".
17. In paragraph 34 the words "the adoption of an international instrument or instruments" should be replaced by the words "the elaboration of a new international convention".
18. In paragraph 35 the words "in order to elaborate a United Nations instrument" should be replaced by the words "to adopt a declaration".
19. The title "Secretariats of the United Nations system" should be inserted above paragraph 39.
20, Subparagraphs (a), (b), and (c) of paragraph 39 should read:
"(a) eliminating from their own staff regulations and administrative procedures and provisions or practices which may be discriminatory against women; (b) organizing more extensive training and refresher courses for staff members (c) associating interested staff members in the implementation of the International Women's Year programmes;".
Explanations of vote
21. The representative of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics explained that he had abstained on the vote to adopt the programme for International women's Year because of the uncertainty which his delegation felt about paragraphs 29 and 31 of

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E/CN.6/588 which appeared in sqaure brackets. He also felt that the new paragraph 30 proposed by the representatives of Nigeria, Liberia and France should have been submitted in writing.
22. The representative of Japan, in explaining her vote, said that she had abstained owing to the large number of oral amendments which have been made to their own report by some of the members of the Working Group.
New draft resolution
23. In introducing a new draft resolution on behalf of the other co-sponsors Indonesia, Japan, Kenya and Nigeria, the representative of Liberia emphasized the importance of establishing a fund for voluntary contributions to assist in financing the activities for International Women's Year.
24. The draft resolution read as follows:
The Commission on the Status of Women,
Recommends that the Economic and Social Council adopts the following resolution:
"The Economic and Social Council,
"1 Welcomes voluntary contributions from Member States, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, private foundations and individuals to supplement the resources available for implementing the programme for International Women's Year;
"2. Calls upon the Secretary-General to accept such voluntary funds."