On Wednesday, delegates met in Working Group I in the afternoon
and evening to continue discussion of Section II (achievements and
obstacles) and begin discussion of Section III (current challenges
affecting the full implementation). Working Group II convened in
the morning and afternoon to continue negotiation of Section IV
(actions and initiatives). In the afternoon, the General Assembly’s
93rd plenary meeting adopted two resolutions on the
participation and accreditation of NGOs at the Beijing +5 Special
Session (A/54/L.77, 78).
WORKING GROUP I
On paragraph 8 (achievements on women and health), redrafted
text was introduced calling for increased awareness of the unequal
burden placed on women as health-care providers within families
and promotion of gender balance at all levels of the health-care
system. The HOLY SEE proposed adding reference to the particular
unmet needs of women caused by this unequal burden. The G-77/CHINA
opposed all proposals and text remains bracketed.
On paragraph 28 (new issues in PFA implementation), delegates
accepted language referring to the rapidly changing global context
of PFA review and appraisal. The G-77/CHINA called for language on
realizing gender equality, development and peace. JUSCANZ
suggested reference to the role of governments, international
organizations, the private sector, and NGOs. The EU proposed
adding intergovernmental bodies to the list. The G-77/CHINA
suggested, and delegates supported, adding "as
appropriate" to the end of the list. JUSCANZ and the EU
reiterated their preference for including text on gender equality.
The G-77/CHINA opposed and the text remains bracketed. Delegates
agreed to delete reference to further action and initiatives
needed to respond to challenges and trends.
On paragraph 32 (women and labour migration), delegates agreed
on text referring to the changing patterns of migratory flows of
labour. The G-77/CHINA, supported by the HOLY SEE, suggested
language on: women’s and girls’ increased involvement in
regional and international labour migration, mainly in farm labour,
domestic work and the entertainment industry; exposure of migrant
women to inadequate working conditions, increased health risks,
trafficking, economic and sexual exploitation, forced
prostitution, racism, xenophobia, and other forms of abuse; and
the separation of migrant women from their children. JUSCANZ and
the EU preferred avoiding lists and keeping the language broad.
The HOLY SEE asked that "entertainment industry" be
defined. MEXICO suggested reference to the separation of women
from their families and in particular, their children. The EU
called for language referring to internal migration and abuses
impairing women’s enjoyment of their human rights. The
G-77/CHINA defined "entertainment industry" as
exploitative employment including, strippers and dancers. JUSCANZ
noted that this definition was not accurate in all cultural
contexts. Text remains bracketed.
WORKING GROUP II
On a group of countries’ draft proposal of paragraph 55 bis
(macro-economic and social policies and programmes recognizing
the burden of poverty and ensuring universal access to social
services), one delegation suggested, and others supported,
including a reference to gender perspective in reviewing,
modifying, implementing and integrating macro-economic and social
policies and programmes. A delegate proposed, and others
supported, reference to universal and equitable access to social
services. Delegates agreed to inclusion of reference on control
over economic resources following language on equal access to
resources. One delegate asked for clarification of the meaning of
external debt problems.
A regional group stated that some elements of the paragraph,
including access to social services, education and health care,
were already addressed in paragraph 46 bis (right to health
care), and suggested the reference be placed following paragraph
46 (policies and programmes for sustainable development).
Delegates opposed, noting that placement of references to social
services, education and health care in this paragraph would
highlight the connection between access to social services and
structural adjustment programmes but agreed to shift placement of
the reference if paragraph 45 (common agendas for gender equality)
were reformulated to specifically address gender equality. With
these changes, the paragraph was adopted.
In paragraph 56 (d) (actions taken by governments on gender
disparities in education), a group of countries integrated several
text proposals referring to developing policies designed to
eliminate gender disparities in vocational training and science
and technology. Another group proposed, and delegates supported,
language on policies guaranteeing equal access to education and
the elimination of gender disparities. Delegates agreed on text
calling for the completion of basic education for girls,
especially those living in rural and deprived areas, and
opportunities for continuing education at all levels for all women
and girls. The paragraph was adopted.
On paragraph 56 (d) bis (elimination of gender
discrimination in education), one delegate proposed, and others
opposed, inclusion of references to cultural, religious, and other
forms of diversity. Many delegations agreed to add references on
improving enrollment and retention rates for boys and girls. The
paragraph was adopted.
On paragraph 56 (d), a group of countries, supported by a
regional group, suggested additional text on the development of
supportive learning environments that promote peace, respect for
human rights, gender equality and all forms of diversity. Another
group proposed referring to provision of supportive learning
environments, reordering the list of issues promoted, and, with
the support of a delegation, called for inserting the words
cultural, religious and other forms of diversity. The delegation
asked for clarification on previous references to all forms of
diversity, noting this wording did not appear in the PFA and that
the purpose of the review is not to renegotiate language. A
regional group responded that language referring to full diversity
appears in the recommendations of Economic Commission for Europe
regional preparatory meeting. Another group advocated that
different kinds of diversity not be listed, noting categories
should not be prioritized. The paragraph remains bracketed.
Delegates agreed to merge three references to women with
disabilities contained in paragraphs 56 and 62 and placed the
merged text under paragraph 62 (actions to be taken at the
national and international level). The merged text calls for
designing and implementing policies and programmes to: fully
address the specific needs of women and girls with disabilities;
ensure their access to education at all levels, health care and
employment; protect and promote their human rights; and, where
appropriate, tackle existing inequalities between women and men
with disabilities. The paragraph was adopted, although exact
placement is yet to be determined.
On paragraph 56 (e) (closing the gender gap in primary and
secondary education), a regional group agreed to language on
accelerating action and strengthening political commitment in
closing the gender gap, and suggested adding text on elimination
of actions that worsen or perpetuate the gender gap. Delegates
agreed to retain a general reference to several global
conferences, and the paragraph was approved.
On a draft paragraph 56 (e) bis (curriculum development
to address gender stereotyping), a delegate noted the importance
of including language on developing gender-sensitive curricula to
address root causes of segregation in working life. A group of
countries preferred, and others supported, a reference to gender
stereotyping as one of the root causes of segregation, rather than
a major cause of segregation. With these changes, the paragraph
IN THE CORRIDORS
Word is in the air that agreement is close on the Draft
Political Declaration, which in its current form contains two of
the PrepCom’s trickier issues: references to ODA and CEDAW.
Delegates hope that this will be both a sign of progress, and an
important statement of political will.
PrepCom Chair Rose Odera has reportedly been assigned a new
diplomatic posting in Ottawa. Questions are swirling about the
timing of this transfer. NGOs plan a letter politely affirming the
importance of Chair Odera’s leadership and continued
participation in the Beijing review process.
The officially unspoken word of the week may be "intersessionals."
One delegation, perhaps concerned about budgetary implications,
optimistically predicted the document would be finished on time.
Others remarked on the cost of returning from capitals, and
expressed concern that New York-based diplomatic teams have not
always brushed up on gender issues. Late April is a possibility,
with extra work expected just before the Special Session as well.