Vol. 14 No. 37
Wednesday, 31 May 2000
On Tuesday, 30 May, Working Group II discussed Section IV in
morning and afternoon sessions. Working Group I discussed Section
II in the evening. The contact group facilitated by Patricia Flor
(Germany) met in the morning and afternoon to finish a first
reading of paragraphs on health and the family.
WORKING GROUP I
SECTION II: ACHIEVEMENTS AND OBSTACLES
Environment: In paragraph 25, on obstacles, delegates
agreed to a sentence stating that environmental policies and
programmes lack a gender perspective and fail to account for women’s
roles and contributions to environmental sustainability.
The Girl Child: In paragraph 26, on achievements, delegates
agreed to text on: "some" progress made in education;
creation of more gender-sensitive school environments; improved
educational infrastructure; and increased enrolment and retention.
JUSCANZ, NIGERIA, SLAC and ST. KITTS AND NEVIS supported a
reference to support mechanisms for pregnant girls and teenage
mothers. CUBA suggested text on "pregnancy and motherhood
support mechanisms." LIBYA, MOROCCO and SYRIA opposed all
references to pregnancy. LIBYA called for bracketing text on
sexual and reproductive health. GHANA noted that this was agreed
language from the ICPD. The HOLY SEE suggested bracketing the text
pending outcomes from the contact group on health. Regarding
language on an increasing number of countries introducing
legislation to ban female genital mutilation, delegates agreed to
Zambia-proposed text on imposing heavier penalties on those
involved in sexual abuse, trafficking and all other forms of
exploitation of the girl child, including for commercial ends.
Delegates also agreed to new language from Croatia referring to
the GA’s adoption of the Optional Protocols on the Convention of
the Rights of the Child on the involvement of children in armed
conflict, and on the sale of children, child prostitution and
In paragraph 27, on obstacles, JUSCANZ suggested text on the
"worst forms" of child labour. The HOLY SEE opposed
reference to "traditional" discriminatory attitudes.
Further discussion is pending distribution of an EU compromise
WORKING GROUP II
SECTION IV: FURTHER ACTIONS AND INITIATIVES
National and International Actions: In Iraq-proposed 120(e)
bis, on taking urgent and effective measures to alleviate
the negative impact of economic sanctions on the civilian
population, especially women and children, JUSCANZ preferred
WSSD+5 language on giving proper consideration to urgent and
effective measures regarding the issue of the social and
humanitarian impact of sanctions, in particular on women and
children, with a view to minimizing social and humanitarian
effects. No agreement was reached.
In G-77/China-proposed 122(b) bis, on
self-determination, JUSCANZ noted absence of a gender element, and
proposed amendments, including reference to obstacles which
adversely affect socio-economic development. Citing agreed
language, the G-77/CHINA preferred no amendments. The text remains
Sub-paragraphs 125A-J, comprising recently submitted proposals,
were inserted before 125(a). The G-77/CHINA proposed 125A-F, and
CUBA proposed 125 G-J. In 125A, on strengthening poverty
eradication strategies, the EU suggested, and the G-77/CHINA
opposed: adding reference to participatory strategies; replacing
"impacts" with "challenges;" and inserting
text on taking into account the role of, inter alia, civil
society. JUSCANZ suggested, and the G-77/CHINA opposed, reference
to the impacts of globalization. The text remains bracketed.
In 125B, on world peace, JUSCANZ proposed replacing text on
sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of
States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially
within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in compliance with
the UN Charter. The group suggested alternative text on an
international environment conducive to the achievement and
maintenance of world peace, with full respect for the purposes and
principles of the UN Charter. The EU preferred deletion or
relocation to the introduction. The text remains bracketed.
Discussion was deferred on 125C, on external debt and
debt-servicing problems. In 125D, on new approaches to
international development cooperation, JUSCANZ, with the EU,
proposed reversing the order of references to gender-based
inequality and poverty eradication and placing the text within
paragraph 135. The G-77/CHINA agreed to move the text but
preferred not to change the order. The text remains bracketed.
Delegates agreed to merge 125E, on putting an end to
commercial, financial and economic unilateral coercive measures,
and 125F, on stopping use of food and medicines as a political
tool. Citing language from 145(h) of the PFA, the EU and JUSCANZ,
opposed by the G-77/ CHINA, preferred "discouraging" to
"putting an end to." JUSCANZ suggested "continuing
to discourage." The G-77/CHINA suggested "taking
measures to put an end." No agreement was reached.
JUSCANZ, SLAC and ALGERIA noted their agreement with the
substance of 125G, on globalization, participation and decision
making. JAMAICA advocated minor amendments. No agreement was
In 125H, on designing policies that promote and protect
enjoyment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms in order to
advance, inter alia, gender equality, LIBYA and others,
opposed by the EU, preferred promoting an enabling environment to
designing policies. ST. KITTS AND NEVIS, supported by SLAC and
opposed by CUBA, preferred to design "and implement"
policies. The paragraph remains bracketed.
In 125I, on social services, the HOLY SEE proposed replacing
text on education and universal access to available and affordable
quality health care services and access to resources, with
language on ensuring access to resources and universal access to
basic social services. PAKISTAN proposed moving this text to the
national level section, and all agreed. JUSCANZ suggested, with
CUBA, gender-specific language on ensuring women’s equal access.
PAKISTAN added reference to an analysis from a gender perspective.
With these amendments, the paragraph was agreed.
In 125J, on skills training to eradicate poverty, UGANDA
proposed, with CUBA, reference to providing and supporting skills
training. Delegates could not agree on whether placement should be
under national actions, or national and international actions. ST.
KITTS AND NEVIS proposed specifying that any opportunities created
by globalization are extended to women. SRI LANKA suggested
reference to regional and international cooperation. The text
The EU proposed merging paragraphs 127(a) and 127(f), on women’s
entrepreneurship. PAKISTAN, with ALGERIA, opposed language on an
economic and social policy framework. SLAC proposed replacing text
on assisting women in areas such as, inter alia,
international trade, with language on assisting women to
participate in and benefit from, inter alia, international
trade. PAKISTAN added reference to gender-sensitive programmes.
With these amendments, the paragraph was agreed.
In 128(a), on curriculum changes, delegates debated a SLAC
reformulation. ALGERIA, with PAKISTAN, proposed deletion of a
reference to increasing compliance with gender equality, and the
text was agreed.
In 128(b), on changing men’s attitudes, delegates amended a
SLAC formulation to refer to developing policies and implementing
programmes. ALGERIA specified "stereotypical" attitudes
and behaviors and, with IRAN, called for deletion of a reference
to responsible and respectful sexual behavior. With these
amendments, delegates agreed to the text, and to relocation under
In 128 (c), the EU and NAMIBIA supported JUSCANZ language on
promoting participation of young women in youth networks. JUSCANZ
proposed replacing "networks" with
"organizations," and specified dialogue between and
among developed and developing countries. The text remains
In 128 (d), on education for girls, adolescents and young
women, delegates agreed to SLAC’s proposal to merge the text
with 128 (m). SLAC also proposed relocation under national
actions. The EU called for adding references to promoting
education and to mentoring programmes. PAKISTAN proposed, while
SLAC opposed, specifying support for national efforts. PAKISTAN,
with LIBYA and the HOLY SEE, also suggested deleting text on
acquiring knowledge, developing self-esteem and taking
responsibility and control over their own lives. BANGLADESH
suggested reference to develop, inter alia, self-esteem
skills. JUSCANZ, with the EU, proposed replacing "control
over" with "making decisions for." The text remains
In 128(e), on combating traditional stereotypes, delegates
accepted JUSCANZ amendments referring to the elimination of
"harmful" stereotypes. Placement is pending. Delegates
agreed to delete 128(f), on public goods and services. In 128(h),
on educational and training programmes developed with the full
participation of indigenous women, SLAC suggested changing a
reference from "informal" to "non-formal"
education. The EU proposed deleting references to spirituality and
aspirations. Delegates agreed to discuss this paragraph later when
streamlining paragraphs on indigenous issues.
In 128(i), on adult women’s literacy, the EU suggested agreed
language from the Dakar Plan of Action on achieving a 50%
improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for
women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for
all adults. PAKISTAN, with ALGERIA and LIBYA, suggested text
stating "support and strengthen national adult literacy
programmes." The EU suggested "continue to support and
strengthen." The EU, JUSCANZ, and SLAC opposed reference to
"national" programmes. The text remains bracketed.
In 128(j), on enrolment, delegates debated SLAC text on
continuing to examine and design programmes to address, inter
alia, causes for declining enrolment, and the consequences of
this phenomenon. The HOLY SEE specified enrolment rates and
preferred increase in drop-out rates to dropping out. The EU,
supported by others, advocated text on international education
targets set by relevant international conferences. ALGERIA
preferred reference to strengthening international cooperation.
The text remains bracketed.
Delegates agreed to deletion of 128(k), on illiteracy. In EU-proposed
128(l), on equal opportunities for women and girls in cultural,
recreational and sports activities at all levels, including, inter
alia, at national and international levels, IRAN, with others,
opposed "at all levels." The PHILIPPINES proposed
reference to regional levels. Accepting these proposals, delegates
agreed on the sub-paragraph. Delegates agreed to delete 128(n), on
non-violent conflict resolution.
In 129(a), on involvement of women in decision making at all
levels, the EU supported a SLAC reformulation encouraging and
elaborating such involvement, but called for reference to
achieving gender balance in the appointment of women. No agreement
As of Tuesday afternoon, the contact group led by Patricia Flor
(Germany) had concluded a first reading of all paragraphs on
health and family. The group reported steady progress on some of
the less difficult issues, including text on data and research,
maternal mortality, universal access to health care throughout the
lifecycle, measures to ensure the privacy of those with HIV/AIDS,
tobacco and nutrition. A second reading of outstanding paragraphs
will begin on Wednesday, 31 May.
IN THE CORRIDORS
In the fifth week of Beijing+5 intersessionals, political will,
resources, national sovereignty, human rights and other
contentious issues continue to dog attempts to unbracket vast
swathes of the outcomes document. One delegate said the process
reminds her of giving birth. If these are the labor pains, the
baby must be imminentï¿½ perhaps during the newly scheduled early
morning hours. Yesterday delegates began streaming in from the
capitals to offer fresh perspectives. Next up: the 3,000 NGOs
accredited to the Special Session. They are sure to freely
volunteer their own views on brackets, as those who remember
Beijing can well attest.