CHAIRPERSON OF COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN CALLS FOR GREATER ROLE FOR WOMEN IN CONFLICT RESOLUTION

05.04.2004


Debate Continues on Human Rights of Women


The Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women addressed the Commission on Human Rights this afternoon, applauding the human rights body’s recent attention to the issue of violence against women and saying her own group was focusing lately on women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and post-conflict peace-building.

The Chairperson, Kyung-Wha Kang, also said gender mainstreaming required consistent and systematic attention to gender perspectives in all areas of human rights; and that the Commission on the Status of Women had spent part of its most recent session discussing the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality.

The Commission also carried on this afternoon with the general debate under its agenda item on the human rights of women, hearing from a series of national delegations addressing such problems as trafficking in women, female genital mutilation, domestic violence, and HIV/AIDS. Many countries described Government efforts to advance women’s human rights.

A Representative of Armenia said the real challenge appeared to be changing mentalities, overcoming traditional stereotypes and bringing both men and women to the point where they realized that the place of a woman in society went far beyond her role in the family.

A Representative of Norway said women continued to be victims of gross human rights violations, including acts of violence such as rape; other forms of sexual abuse; early and forced marriages; violence related to commercial sexual exploitation; honour killings; and violations of their rights to freedom of speech, religion and belief; of their right to health and to reproductive health; and of their rights to education and to vote and to be elected.

Representatives of the following countries spoke: Egypt, Japan, Armenia, Qatar, Mauritania, Eritrea, Mexico, Nepal, Yemen, Norway, Nicaragua, Bangladesh, Syrian Arab Republic, Morocco, Algeria, Senegal, Poland, Venezuela, Malaysia, Viet Nam, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Botswana, Thailand, Myanmar, Liechtenstein, San Marino, and Cameroon. In addition, officials of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (Division for the Advancement of Women), the World Health Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, and the World Bank addressed the meeting.

The following NGOS delivered statements : International Federation of University Women; on behalf of several NGOs1; International Council of Women; speaking on behalf of Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children; and International Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples; Women's International League for Peace and Freedom; speaking on behalf of World Young Women’s Christian Association; Centro de Estudios Sobre la Juventud; speaking on behalf of World Federation of Democratic Youth; and World Organization against Torture.

Japan and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea spoke in exercise of the right of reply.

The Commission will reconvene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, 6 April, to continue its debate on the human rights of women and -- if the speakers’ list on that topic is exhausted -- begin discussion of the rights of the child.

Address of Chairperson of Commission on Status of Women

KYUNG-WHA KANG, Chairperson of the Commission on the Status of Women, said gender mainstreaming required consistent and systematic attention to gender perspectives in all areas of human rights, in addition to targeted attention to women’s human rights and violence against women. The Commission on the Status of Women and its bureau placed great importance on regular interaction and coordination between its activities and those of the Commission on Human Rights. The Commission on the Status of Women played a catalytic role in promoting gender mainstreaming in inter-governmental processes, and in this regard, the increased attention given to the human rights of women and violence against women by the Commission on Human Rights was noted with appreciation. In particular, the Special Rapporteur on violence against women had enhanced global efforts to eliminate this persistent violation.

The Commission on the Status of Women had concluded its forty-eighth Session in March. It had considered two thematic issues: the role of men and boys in achieving gender equality; and women’s equal participation in conflict prevention, management and conflict resolution, and in post-conflict peace-building. The Commission adopted, by consensus, agreed conclusions on both these themes. Governments, the United Nations system, the international financial institutions and civil society were urged to develop and implement strategies to educate boys and girls and men and women in tolerance, mutual respect for all individuals, and the promotion of human rights.

The Commission also called for the promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for women and girls, including during conflict prevention, conflict management and conflict resolution, and in post-conflict peace building. At its forty-ninth session, it would carry out a review and appraisal of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Plan of Action, and would review the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly. The Commission on the Status of Women had expanded its use of interactive dialogue, the sharing of the lessons learned and good practices, and the broad-based participation of Governmental delegations at the highest levels and of civil society and organizations of the United Nations system.

Statements on Integration of the Human Rights of Women and the Gender Perspective

MAHY ABDEL-LATIFF (Egypt) said the Constitution and the legislation of Egypt guaranteed women all their rights, including the right to participate fully in the affairs of the country. A Council of Women had been set up to promote and protect women’s economic, social and political rights. Since the promotion of women required the advancement of girl children, the Government was focusing on the rights of girl children in all aspects. Pilot programmes had been initiated in six regions to promote the rights of girl children in education. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) had been collaborating in this effort. The Government was also fighting against female genital mutilation by taking appropriate measures.

All Egyptian women, without any distinction, had the right to hold their own identity cards and had the right to elect and to be elected. Women were also holding posts of higher rank in the judiciary. The Government had made the essential preparations for withdrawing its reservations to article 9 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Egypt was against all forms of violence against women. The Government also believed that women played a vital role in building a bridge of peace within society. Since women were the builders of the future, they should play a leading and pioneering role in all national affairs.

SHIGERU ENDO (Japan) said decades had passed since gender equality had been recognized as among the most fundamental of human rights. The intervening years had seen various international conventions and the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals. Yet despite these best intentions, gender-based discrimination was still rife in many parts of the world, and this discrimination endangered human society by preventing women from maximizing their potential and living life to the fullest. The situation needed to be altered to protect and promote human rights.

One unfortunate outcome of globalization was an increase in human trafficking, with women and girls as the primary victims. There was also an urgent need to address violence against women, since they still bore the brunt of human cruelty: in situations of armed conflict, they were the victims of rape, torture, and forced prostitution; and in non-conflict situations, they faced domestic violence, trafficking, debt bondage and other forms of violence, both physical and psychological.

MARTA AYVAZYAN (Armenia) said that nearly ten years after the Beijing World Conference, it was time to assess what had been done and what remained to be done to advance and protect the rights of women. Although the fundamental right to equality had been affirmed and reaffirmed repeatedly, the rights of millions of women continued to be denied and women's equality still needed to be translated into reality. The real challenge appeared to be changing mentalities, overcoming traditional stereotypes, and bringing both men and women to the point where they realized that the place of the woman in the society went far beyond her role in the family. The contemporary world of growing globalization, as much as it offered new opportunities for millions of people around the world, at the same time had brought about new challenges.

Legal reforms in Armenia had been targeted at the wider involvement of women at different levels of decision-making; the elimination of violence against women; assistance to victims; development of a social network for teenage girls; and the elaboration of proposals aimed at eliminating unemployment among women. The country’s 2004-2010 National Plan of Action on the Improvement of the Status of Women and Enhancing Their Role in Society had been adopted last year. Last week, the Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) had signed a document entitled "Anti-Trafficking Programme: Capacity Building Support and Victims Assistance", to tackle the problem of human trafficking.

SUHAIM BEN HAMAD AL-THANI (Qatar) said a decade had gone by since the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. However, respect for women’s human rights still was not universal. Qatar joined in the condemnation of all forms of violence against women and had worked nationally to eliminate the phenomenon. Violence against women must be rejected at all levels, especially as its most insidious form – human trafficking – was to be found all over the world.

Qatar had provided women with all their rights as full partners in the nation-building process; there had been a Constitutional referendum to guarantee women’s full suffrage and political participation. Moreover, a national strategy to promote the role of women had been developed and various seminars had been held to promote women’s rights. Qatar believed there must be a balanced relationship between education and development, and it had reformed the national educational system to ensure its capacity to meet all women’s needs. Qatar wished to express solidarity with the suffering women of Palestine, who were unable fully to enjoy their human rights because of the Israeli occupation.

MOHAMED SALECK OULD MOHAMED LEMINE (Mauritania) said Mauritanian society had always, in its values and its traditions, given a central place to women. The modern Mauritanian State had consecrated this role by moving the promotion of women to the first rank among its priorities. The last two decades had been marked by significant efforts to increase the promotion and protection of the rights of women. Efforts at legal codification undertaken over the last few years had forbidden all forms of discrimination against women. Further, the appropriate authorities were undertaking important work to sensitize women about their rights and the necessity of enjoying them to the full. These sensitization campaigns also covered the issue of violence against women. Women were encouraged to report any form of abuse.

Important efforts had also been made to advance the education of girls at all levels. The Government believed that investing in the education and training of girls was one of the best means of realizing sustainable development and economic growth. The Government of Mauritania was aware of the fact that, without the involvement of women and without effective protection of women’s rights, no development could be accomplished. This was why it intended to pursue and consolidate its policy of the promotion of women’s human rights.

AMARE TEKLE (Eritrea) said the empowerment and advancement of women had been a moral imperative of the Eritrean liberation struggle. Under the circumstances, it was inevitable that women would be represented, and would participate, in decision-making at all levels and in every field of the struggle. That commitment had been reaffirmed after independence not only by Eritrea's quick accession to all international conventions on women but also by the swift insertion of a gender perspective even into the transitional laws that preceded formal independence. Today, the equality and rights of women had been reaffirmed in both the new Constitution and in all subsidiary legislation, including the draft civil and criminal codes. Eritrean women had easy access to decision-making in all sectors of society and at all levels of Government. By law, women occupied 30 per cent of all legislative seats; 12 ambassadorial positions; and 15 per cent of judicial appointments.

Significant progress had been achieved in the field of health, especially in maternity care. The percentage of women in the work force had increased dramatically. The liberation struggle had been marked by the participation of persons of all ages, including women. The Constitution provided for respect for the elderly. The Government also believed that widows should not be a burden to society, and the Constitution provided protection of their rights.

ELIA SOSA (Mexico) said the differences that existed between men and women had been translated into unfair differences in all spheres of life. Protecting the rights of women was not only a matter of achieving legal equality, but also of safeguarding and protecting women’s rights. Although it still faced many challenges, Mexico was working towards this end. Women still had difficulty achieving managerial posts and gaining access to other high-level positions, but Mexico aimed to consolidate its defense of the rights of women, and to do so both nationally and internationally.

The Government of Mexico had elaborated and implemented a Federal Act on the Prevention of Discrimination, which included a gender perspective and a significant plan for improving the situation of women in many ways, including through enhancing sexual and reproductive rights and through combating family violence. A state system of gender indicators had been created and was being used. A particular problem was the killing of women in Ciudad Juarez, and a comprehensive approach had been adopted to deal with the issue. Two main lines of action were being worked from. At the state and municipal levels, efforts aimed at putting an end to this disturbing phenomenon. A 40-point programme had also been adopted.

GYAN CHANDRA ACHARYA (Nepal) said that despite resolute calls made by the international community, women and girls were still subjected to wide-scale discrimination and violence and had lower economic and social status in many societies. Nepal was committed to protecting and promoting the rights of women, and this was reflected in Constitutional provisions and in various legal and institutional mechanisms. The Government had focused on such priority areas as elimination of legal discrimination against women; revising existing discriminatory law; affirmative action to increase women's roles in public affairs; and the introduction of institutional mechanisms and policy initiatives to uplift the status of women. Specific and targeted programmes to mainstream women into the national development process through employment creation and income generation were other major areas of activity.

Access to educational opportunities for women and girls was vital for achieving gender mainstreaming, eliminating gender inequality, and empowering women. A new programme had been announced to provide free education up to tenth grade for Dalits and other marginalized communities. Similarly, the Government had pursued a strategy which involved providing essential health services to all, with special emphasis on expanding maternal and child health services in rural areas and providing effective programmes against deadly diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. The widespread trafficking of women and girls was a heinous crime and a matter of deep concern to all. The Government had strengthened its fight against this scourge.

VOLODYMYR BELASHOV (Ukraine) said the promotion of women’s rights, gender equality and maternal protection remained among the top priorities of Ukraine’s State policy. Violence against women was a serious obstacle to equality between women and men, and perpetuated inequality. The concern of the United Nations was to safeguard and protect human rights -- its Member States included countries of origin, transit and destination of victims of trafficking, and this was why the Organization was well placed to ensure that its Member States adopted measures to fight trafficking in human beings, paying particular attention to the rights of victims.

United Nations’ programmes were expected to be practical tools of international cooperation which aimed at a proper balance between matters concerning human rights and prosecution, and this was of special concern in the Ukraine. Solving the problem of trafficking in women and girls required coordinated efforts aimed at the extermination of this abuse both by States and the world community. Relevant United Nations bodies should consider appropriate ways of rendering assistance.

NADIA YAHYA AL-KOKABANY (Yemen) said the need to eliminate discrimination against women had been reflected in society and in the policies of Yemen. There had been an integration of gender issues into development plans. There had been amendments to the labour and nationality codes to enhance the position of women and to put an end to official discrimination against women.

Within the Ministry of Human Rights, women held portfolios, and women had risen to positions of importance in non-governmental organizations. There had been a new focus on redressing illiteracy and lack of education among women in Yemen. Efforts had been made to increase the number of women voters. The Government had also sought to initiate a number of strategies to integrate women’s issues into national life, including through a social strategy.

OSAMA B. MAHMOUD (Iraq) said that during the past 35 years, Iraqi women had been subjected to oppression, humiliation, and the domination of man. This was a result of the ignorance from which Iraq had suffered. Iraqi women were among the most affected vulnerable groups as a result of the wars of the previous regime, and illiteracy figures had reached 52 per cent.

The representation of women in the country’s new Transitional Council was significant, and a National Council for Women had been established with the aim of promoting their rights and opinions. It would enable women in Iraq to perform their socio-economic roles and to be integrated into development programmes. Iraq now had to review all legislation and laws related to women, and to develop new laws that would strengthen their position and that of national women’s institutions that would further promote the status of women in Iraq.

TORMOD CAPPELEN ENDRESEN (Norway) said political will was the key to success in achieving gender equality. One hundred and seventy-five States were parties to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women; however, far too many States had made reservations incompatible with the object and purpose of the treaty. Norway called upon States to withdraw these reservations with immediate effect, and urged States that had not yet ratified the Convention or the Optional Protocol to the Convention to do so. Women continued to be victims of gross human rights violations, including acts of violence such as rape; other forms of sexual abuse; early and forced marriages; violence related to commercial sexual exploitation, including trafficking; female genital mutilation; honour killings; and violations of their right to freedom of speech, religion and belief; their right to health and to reproductive health in particular; and their right to education and to vote and be elected.

Equal rights and opportunities for women and men in all areas of society were necessary for sustainable economic and social development. Women were not only victims. They had enormous resources, competence and capacities to offer. Any peace process ignoring women was inherently unsustainable.

ALI AL-QASSIMI (Oman) said women occupied a central place in the country’s development strategies, and measures had been taken to increase women’s economic opportunities. Among other legislative actions, the State had stipulated the equality of all individuals before the law.

Omani women had been at the regional forefront in participation in Parliamentary life and in assuming decision-making positions. They had participated in public posts and had filled leading offices. They also filled senior positions in fields such as nursing. The Head of State had appointed a woman Government Minister last year. It was the Government’s position that only when women were given the opportunity to participate in all walks of life would development truly occur.

PATRICIA CAMPBELL (Nicaragua) said the holding of a special meeting devoted to the human rights of women at the outset of the session had been appreciated. Progress made in realizing the rights of women was also appreciated.

In Nicaragua, women made up more than 50 per cent of the population, and they had as a result of their own efforts achieved a significant level of progress. However, their advancement was an ongoing struggle with great difficulties involving prejudice and indifference. The Government of Nicaragua was aware of these challenges, and had made changes to its policies to strengthen the role of women. A system of indicators on gender issues had been set up. There was a need for more specialized and scientific information to be made available on the rights of women.

MIRIAM MALUWA, of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, said women and girls were particularly vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection and to the impact of AIDS. Fighting AIDS was not only necessary for realizing the right of women and girls to the highest attainable standard of health, but also for the respect, protection and fulfilment of all women’s human rights. Gender equality and the empowerment of women were fundamental necessities for the reduction of the vulnerability of women and girls to HIV/AIDS. Today, young women and girls were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with HIV/AIDS than young men, and women and girls also disproportionately bore the burden of care during the epidemic. HIV/AIDS threatened recent positive gains in education, disproportionately affecting women and girls.

The systematic discrimination faced by women rendered them more vulnerable to HIV/AIDS infection and affected their ability to deal with the consequences of infection in the family and in social, economic and personal terms. Furthermore, violence against women in all its forms during peacetime and in conflict situations increased women’s vulnerability to HIV infection. States must ensure women’s rights, including their legal capacities within the family, equal remuneration, equal access to responsible positions and measures to reduce workplace sexual harassment. Committed to advocacy and action for reducing women and girls’ vulnerability, UNAIDS had initiated a Global Coalition on Women and AIDS with five key aims: to address the increasing global impact of AIDS on women and girls; to help meet a series of ambitious international targets; to support the wider global AIDS response; to improve HIV prevention for women and girls; and to address severe societal and legal inequities which compounded the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls.

ISMAT JAHAN (Bangladesh) said women’s emancipation was inextricably linked with women’s human rights. Violence against women was a manifestation of the continued denial of such rights. The ultimate objective of violence against women was their subordination and exploitation. Women continued to face abuse, discrimination and violence. There was an urgent need for action by all concerned to achieve the goal of the elimination of all forms of violence against women.

The Government of Bangladesh believed that access to productive resources, the right of ownership, economic independence and education were critical for achieving women’s advancement and empowerment, and consequently the Government had integrated gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment as key components of its national policy and programmes on women. It had given high priority to curbing violence against women. Legislative enactments could not be an end in themselves, but should be followed up by effective enforcement. What was required was a genuine commitment to bring about real change in the mind-set of society as a whole. Women’s empowerment, through ensuring economic, social, political and legal rights, should bring about such a desired transformation of society.

CAROLYN HANNAN, Director of the United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs, Division for the Advancement of Women, said the joint work plan of the Division and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights identified major areas of cooperation for increasing attention to the human rights of women and the gender perspective. Support for human rights treaty bodies remained a central area of cooperation between the respective offices. The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women again faced the challenge of a backlog of reports for consideration, and the Division would support the Committee in its efforts to devise working methods to cope with this situation.

The Division had also continued outreach efforts to increase awareness of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and especially its optional protocol. The Commission had for many years paid particular attention to the question of violence against women, and the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on this topic marked its tenth anniversary this year. Those ten years had seen remarkable progress on many levels and by many actors, but there were also issues and questions where further effort was needed to develop consensus and a global policy approach, as well as agreement on measures to prevent such violence from occurring. Further efforts were also necessary to assess the impact of the many different measures taken, and to get a clearer understanding of strategies that had worked and had not worked.

SOUHEILA ABBAS (Syria) said it was not surprising that the issue of women took an important place in the Commission’s debates. Women were the cornerstone of the building of any society. It was essential that the international community continue its efforts to eradicate all forms of discrimination against women. Syrian authorities were endeavouring to change the mind-set of Syrian society and to bring about a change of attitude concerning women. For that reason, Syria had signed the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. Women held very important posts within the State.

Palestinian women’s rights were being violated, and efforts to protect and promote their rights had been made impossible by the continued Israeli occupation. Syria would cooperate with international efforts to liberate Palestinian women in the occupied territories, including the Syrian Golan.

JALILA HOUMMANE (Morocco) said Morocco was continuing to work with determination and perseverance to increase and promote the role of women in society. This process had been reinforced thanks to the daring political decisions taken by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who had placed the protection of the rights of women at the heart of his project for a democratic and modern society that took its strength both from the values of Islam which promoted equality between men and women, justice, solidarity, respect and tolerance; and from the common patrimony of humanity, which was founded on the same principles.

It was with the aim of integrating women into the modern world and with reinforcing women’s contributions to progress and development in Morocco that the new Family Code had been adopted. Adoption of the Code was an historical moment for Morocco. The Code was a work of great scope which touched the entirety of Moroccan society. It had required the unanimous adhesion of all elements of the nation and had incited the interest of a great number of international observers, who considered it as a real revolution in the Muslim world, putting Morocco among the list of countries that respected to the greatest extent the rights of women.

LAZHAR SOUALEM (Algeria) said it was time to measure the progress realized since the World Conference in Beijing, which had been a significant step in the collective efforts of the international community to guarantee to women all human rights. If certain advances had been noted since the Conference, in particular in the context of sensitization and the setting-up of a judicial framework for protecting and guaranteeing women’s rights, much remained to be done. Despite an impressive level of awareness of certain condemnable practices with regard to women, and despite considerable efforts undertaken with the aim of banning them through judicial texts adopted at the international and national levels, these practices and certain flagrant forms of discrimination persisted.

Progress remained to be achieved throughout the world in the promotion of equality, even parity, as recommended by the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women. The contribution of the United Nations and its specialized mechanisms was a great help in terms of understanding what remained to be done in the field of gender equality.

TANYA NORTON, of the World Health Organization (WHO), said the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development and the Fourth World Conference on Women had been landmark events and their Programmes of Action had clearly emphasized the need to promote gender equity and equality, as well as human rights in the area of women’s health. WHO’s work contributed to the goals of the Programmes of Action. It involved a number of specific projects to promote gender equality and human rights. As a critical component of gender mainstreaming, WHO was preparing guidance on Gender-Relevant Indicators in Health to assist health workers and managers in identifying and addressing gender issues.

WHO also continued to pay special attention to promoting and protecting human rights related to sexual and reproductive health. In the area of technical assistance, a human rights tool had been designed to facilitate a multi-disciplinary analysis of the legal, policy and health system determinants of maternal and neo-natal mortality and morbidity and interventions to address both. At the level of regional and national capacity building, a training manual on gender and rights had been developed and used in several regions to train health programme managers. Finally, violence against women remained a priority issue – the WHO Multi-Country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence had been the first to gather data on the prevalence of violence against women and on indicators of women’s health that were comparable across countries.

FATOU ALAMINE LO (Senegal) said the fundamental rights of women were part of Senegal's tradition. The country had ratified almost all international instruments relating to the protection and promotion of human rights. A law of 22 January 2001 had clearly reiterated the State's political will to protect human rights. The law affirmed that nation building was based on freedom and on respect for the human person. That new fundamental law recognized the Constitutional rights of women and gave Constitutional value to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and its optional protocol. Senegal had enlarged and strengthened national mechanisms for the promotion and protection of women's human rights which already had existed for a long time.

The Government, which gave high priority to the health of women and girls, had put in place a National Plan of Action on reproductive health focusing on eliminating various forms of violence, such as female genital mutilation and forced pregnancy, and on meeting goals such as reducing infant and maternal mortality. The Family Code adopted in 1972 was an instrument for the management of personal status, marriage, divorce and inheritance, with provisions advantageous to women.

ANDRZEJ SADOS (Poland) said trafficking in women and girls in its various dimensions, including organized crime, prostitution, security, migration, labour and health, was one of the most serious challenges facing human rights today. Many countries of Central and Eastern Europe had for years been affected by this scourge, and Poland, unfortunately, had to be counted among them, as a country where the problem existed in all its manifestations. It was a country of origin for the victims, a transit country, and a country of final destination. The main problem was that there was no specific United Nations human rights mechanism for dealing with trafficking, and there should be.
The complexity of the problem and the different political contexts and geographical dimensions of the scourge should not be underestimated. Existing legal frameworks were inadequate and research and coordination on the part of the actors were insufficient. Elimination of trafficking required holistic, interdisciplinary and long-term approaches that would address each aspect of the trafficking cycle. Human rights were not a separate consideration or an additional perspective; they underpinned all anti-trafficking efforts. There was a need for an independent analysis of the human rights context of trafficking from the perspective of the situation on the ground; and a need for a credible, authoritative and independent human rights voice in contact with Governments and other actors on the issue.

ANA ANGARITA, of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), said legal systems should protect and enforce women’s rights, and all forms of discrimination and violence against women should be eliminated. Throughout history and across cultures, women had been honoured as givers of life, nurturers of families, sustainers of communities and quiet builders of nations. But all too often they had also been dishonoured, regarded as mere property, burdened by overwork and battered by violence.

Millions of girls were “missing” from society due to a preference for boys. In some places, the theft of an animal was considered a more serious crime than the rape of a woman; and too often human rights were continuously denied to women and girls. There was a need to continue supporting the empowerment of women to challenge not only what violated their rights, but also to create an enabling environment to promote change in the basic norms and institutions of society. There was a need to move from talking about entitlements to addressing the requirements of the process of realizing these rights, and there was a need to look at the gap between awareness and action, and to bridge that gap.

BLANCANIEVE PORTOCARRERO (Venezuela) said the twentieth century had certainly been important in terms of achievements on women’s issues, and yet violence against women continued. The Venezuelan State saw gender equity and equality as a Constitutional issue and recognized women’s rights in terms such as the economic value of domestic work. It also guaranteed social security for housewives. Venezuela had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, as well as the optional protocol, and had ratified the Inter-American Convention that prohibited violence against women.

Among national efforts, the State had set up a standard coordinating body to monitor implementation in the area of women’s initiatives. Women’s shelters had been established and social services, including psychological and legal support, had been provided. The office of an Ombudsman for women’s affairs had been established. Women’s issues cut across daily activities worldwide. Violence against women must be eliminated in all its forms and manifestations.

SHARIFAN ZARAH SYED AHMAD (Malaysia) said the rights of women in Malaysia were enshrined in the Constitution. All existing laws were being reviewed as part of measures to achieve gender equality, and all new laws would adhere to the principle of non-discrimination. Many changes had been made to the country’s laws to ensure that women were not discriminated against. Recognizing that legal provisions alone could not eliminate discrimination against women, the Government had also taken positive measures to provide equal access to education and training, health services, economic resources, information, political participation and employment.

Malaysia also viewed violence against women as a national issue requiring a national solution. The Government had taken all necessary measures to significantly enhance the status of women in order to achieve gender equality through constructive collaboration with all relevant sectors, including civil society.

TRUONG TRIEU DUONG (Viet Nam) said women, who accounted for more than half of the world’s population and made up a very important force that greatly contributed to society in all aspects of life, deserved to enjoy fully all fundamental human rights, including women’s rights. Although much had been achieved, gender inequality and gender discrimination still existed. More effort should be made to promote, at national, regional and global levels, the execution of programmes of action for the equality and advancement of women. Women should be placed on an equal footing with men before the law, as well as in such matters as employment, education, and enjoyment of and participation in all social, political and State management activities.

The gender issue was always among the top priorities of the policies and programmes of action of the Government of Viet Nam. Achievements recorded so far by countries and the international community in the promotion and protection of the rights of women were most encouraging. However, many negative phenomena that occurred every day in all parts of the world continued to be of profound concern. Further concerted efforts were required to redress these situations.

KIM YONG HO (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea) said more than a decade had passed since the crime of the “comfort women” – one of the unprecedented grave violations of women’s human rights in the history of mankind – had been brought before the Commission. Settlement of this issue was of great significance not only for its own sake, but also to establish a legal framework for the elimination of systematic rape and sexual slavery in armed conflicts through the acknowledgement of legal responsibility on the part of the perpetrators, apologies and adequate compensation of the victims, and punishment of the criminals. Japan had done nothing to settle its past crimes, including the crime of the “comfort women”.

If there was anything Japan had done, it was to deny persistently its legal responsibility for the large-scale crimes it had committed in the past. This showed that Japan did not consider the atrocities it had committed as crimes. Denial of legal responsibility and failure to provide a sincere apology and compensation to victims of the comfort-women system constituted another violation of and insult to the honour, dignity and human rights of the victims. The relevant Special Rapporteur should pay due attention to the root causes and consequences of the delay in the settlement of the “comfort women” issue and should closely monitor compliance with and implementation of established international standards and recommendations on this issue.

TINAR M. LEKUNI (Botswana) said the Government of Botswana recognized that violence against women and children was not only a criminal offence, but a hindrance to the promotion of gender equality, empowerment of women and an obstacle to sustainable development. It was a matter of serious concern, as it destroyed the physical, emotional and social well-being of the victims. The world today recognized that as a prerequisite for the achievement of equality and development for women and men, girls and boys, there should exist an environment of peace and tranquillity in which child protection measures and interventions critical to the survival and early childhood development of vulnerable groups could take place.

Botswana had committed itself to act against violence against women and children, which were deemed an infringement of their human rights. It had taken several measures in this respect, in addition to which other bodies and institutions continued to undertake different roles and responsibilities aimed at mitigating violence against women and children. Botswana had over the years made impressive achievements in the area of gender equality as demonstrated by the amendment of laws that adversely affected the rights of women and children.

UTHAI ARTHIVECH (Thailand) said in Thailand, women had long been recognized for their roles both at home and at work. As Thailand had transformed itself into a modern, democratic nation, driven by a market economy, the roles of women had become even more pronounced as they became partners in political-economic development as well as the caretakers of future generations. The Government was committed to preserving, protecting and promoting the rights of women by putting into place the necessary legal frameworks and measures to achieve that end.

Thailand also shared the concern of the international community on the need to seriously address the problem of trafficking in persons, particularly women and children. Many steps were under way, and the Thai Government was pleased with positive developments for promoting and protecting women’s rights within Thai society. It also recognized that much progress had come about as a result of work undertaken by non-governmental organizations. It intended to maintain this public-private partnership.

DAW AYE AYE MU (Myanmar) said the status of women in Myanmar was unique; Myanmar’s culture, traditions, laws and practices safeguarded the equality of women in marriage, inheritance and other social affairs. In Myanmar, women were treated with respect and had never been subjected to degrading treatment. In pursuance of the Beijing Declaration, the Myanmar National Committee for Women’s Affairs had been established; it had subsequently been transformed in 2004 into the Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation. The Government had established in 1998 a task force to combat trafficking in women and children.

On the subject of allegations of sexual violence against women by members of the Myanmar Armed Forces, the truth was that some well-funded non-governmental organizations had been disseminating false allegations against the Government and Armed Forces with malicious intent. Investigations into such allegations had been thoroughly carried out, and most had been found to be totally groundless. The findings showed that out of 173 allegations of sexual violence against women in Shan state between 1996 and 2001, only five cases had been correct. Action against the perpetrators had already been carried out.

ANDREA HOCH (Liechtenstein) said Liechtenstein strongly supported the suggestion of the Special Rapporteur on violence against women that guidelines be elaborated for developing strategies for the effective implementation of international standards to end violence against women at the national level. Indicators of violence against women certainly served to identify areas of concern and to detect cases. Together with a comprehensive intervention strategy, indicators would become an effective instrument for preventing harm and threats to women.

Last December, Liechtenstein, together with neighbouring regions of Switzerland and Austria, had presented the results of a study conducted to identify forms of violence against women specific to the region and possible areas of action. The study had shown that women subjected to violence, as well as family members or friends of victims, lacked information and knowledge on how to react. For that reason, emergency guidelines had been elaborated and would be published in eight languages in May of this year. Special training on indicators of violence against women, as well as on possibilities for assistance to victims, would be offered to the personnel of the National Hospital of Liechtenstein during the year.

FEDERICA BIGI (San Marino) said the inclusion again this year of this issue on the agenda was proof that, despite progress, women and girls continued to suffer grave violations of their human rights and fundamental freedoms. Sensitization and the promotion of a high level of public awareness of the different forms of violence suffered by women throughout the world, as well as concerted action at the local, national and international levels to implement legislative programmes and policies, should be at the heart of the agenda of every Government.

Adhesion to the relevant Convention, which filled a gap in the Constitution of San Marino, was an important step on the path towards the full realization of the principles of equality and non-discrimination affirmed in the internal legislation and the international instruments to which San Marino was party. This path, which had been taken by the entire international community, was a long path, sometimes difficult, but essential. It was only when men and women could equally enjoy the same rights that society would be able to enjoy sustainable social and economic development.

JOSEPH INGRAM, of the World Bank, said achieving gender equality was important as a goal in itself and as a path to achieving a better life for all. United Nations agencies, development banks, bilateral donors and civil society groups needed to collaborate actively if the importance of raising women’s status as part of achieving the Millennium Development Goals was to be effectively communicated to the global community. Partnerships to promote gender equality and to empower women were occurring at the corporate, regional, and country levels.

A comprehensive approach to gender issues and development issues went hand in hand, and true development could not occur unless women enjoyed equal rights, equal resources and equal influence with men. Empirical research clearly demonstrated that gender equality and women’s empowerment were key elements for the success of a comprehensive, institutionally oriented approach to development. Despite progress, inequalities between men and women remained pervasive, worsened by widespread violence against women in various parts of the world as a result of unequal power relations.

MICHEL MAHOUVE (Cameroon) said in Cameroon, the improvement of the legal status of women had always been a preoccupation of the Government, and this had resulted in the ratification of the majority of international instruments relative to human rights in general and the rights of women in particular. A project for a Family Code was under way, as was a project for a law prohibiting violence against women which would outlaw female genital mutilation.

The Government of Cameroon had taken major steps to fight poverty and to improve the living standards of vulnerable groups, in particular women, who were guardians of the family. These noble goals, to be reached, required, beyond manifest political will, sufficient financial means. Cameroon hoped it would receive additional financial resources that could be earmarked for the social sector and particularly for the promotion of the rights of women.

CONCHITA PONCINI, of International Federation of University Women, on behalf of several NGOs1, said some statistical findings had shown that, in the past ten years, progress had been made in women’s life expectancy; worldwide illiteracy had been cut nearly in half to 25 per cent; health care had improved; and non-discriminatory legislation had been enacted recognizing women’s human rights and their essential role in economic and social development and peace-building. However, new and more serious challenges were emerging, including the spread of HIV/AIDS, which affected women more than men. Maternal mortality remained unacceptably high, poverty was increasingly feminized, and – with regard to education – 12 countries had shrinking rates of primary school enrolment for girls.

Three-fifths of the 115 million children who did not attend primary school were girls, and two-thirds of the world’s 876 million illiterate adults were women. Migration, trafficking in women and domestic violence were widespread. Gender equality and women’s empowerment could not be fully achieved without a critical mass of women in decision-making positions at all levels and in all sectors of society. In a globalizing world, women must have equal access to resources, capacity building, training, trade, information and communications technology.

BRIGITTE POLONOWSKI, of International Council of Women, speaking on behalf of Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices affecting the Health of Women and Children; and International Movement for Fraternal Union among Races and Peoples, said that despite the great strides made in terms of worldwide recognition of violence against women and its socio-economic impact on the victims and on society at large, actions taken so far to redress the situation were not commensurate with the magnitude of the problem. The Inter-African Committee had been making enormous efforts to eradicate traditional practices such as female genital mutilation and early marriage. All Governments should give due consideration to the issue and work to eradicate these and other harmful traditional practices.

The health and general well-being of women were indispensable for the achievement of peace and development, and Africa could not and would not move ahead without giving priority attention to the status of women and without taking actions to free them from the violence they were subjected to in the name of tradition.

FATOU DIAWARA, of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, speaking on behalf of World Young Women’s Christian Association, said women were not only victims but also negotiators, peacemakers and advisors. All States should take action to eradicate gender-based violence in armed conflicts and to prevent conflict itself. One of the most important ways to do that was to support and strengthen women's active participation in peace-building processes by enforcing Security Council resolution 1325 within domestic legislation. A country could only satisfy the resolution by increasing the number of women in decision and policy-making levels to 50 per cent.

Gender-based violence in armed conflict and especially rape as a weapon of war were not new phenomena. They had long existed and still continued. The experiences of Algerian, Somali and Bosnian women, just to name few, attested to that. States that had not ratified the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court should do so as a matter of priority.

NATIVIDAD GUERRERO, of Centro de Estudios Sobre la Juventud, speaking on behalf of World Federation of Democratic Youth, said Cuban women had advanced despite the United States’ economic blockade. The empowerment of women had been a priority for 45 years in the country’s social policy, as exemplified by the fact that 36 per cent of Cuba’s Parliamentarians were women, while only 14 per cent of the United States’ members of Congress were women.

Cuban young women held a high percentage of prestigious posts and 65 per cent of university graduates were women. The United States’ policy of impeding the development of Cuba’s youth must be denounced. The blockade had negatively affected domestic activity and had impeded the country from obtaining medical supplies for suffering children. Those enemies of the Cuban revolution living in the United States had provoked the suffering of thousands of families and mothers, who had lost their sons and daughters.

COLIN RAPNEAU, of World Organization against Torture, said women were denied equal protection against torture under both and international and national laws, resulting in widespread impunity for perpetrators of such crimes against women. Torture and ill-treatment of women often had a sexual nature or was aimed at curtailing women’s sexuality. This took place in Turkey, Cameroon, Burundi, and Pakistan.

The Commission was urged to recognize the links between gender and torture by ensuring that gender-based causes and consequences were fully integrated within this year’s anti-torture resolution. Moreover, the Commission should re-include in its resolution an explicit recommendation to the Special Rapporteur on torture to take special note of the situation of women as was done in 2001 and before.

Right of Reply

HIDENOBU SOBASHIMA (Japan), speaking in a right of reply, said that with regard to the statement made by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea that afternoon, Japan’s acknowledgement of its past colonial rule was clearly expressed in the Pyongyang Declaration of 2002 and the delegation saw no need to repeat what was jointly declared there. The attempt of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to cite unsubstantiated figures was not a way to address the issue in good faith, and that country should take urgent measures to resolve the situation with regard to abducted Japanese and should resolve all other outstanding issues as mentioned in the Pyongyang Declaration, where it was said that these and other issues would be addressed.

KIM YONG HO (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea), speaking in a right of reply, said the Representative of Japan had tried to mislead the Commission. He had mentioned the joint declaration between Japan and the People’s Democratic Republic of Korea only to make an excuse for his country’s failure to address the issue of reparations for past abuses. Japan’s Prime Minister had apologized for the suffering inflicted during colonial rule, but Japan remained reluctant to translate that apology into practice. It was Japan that had breached the bilateral agreements aimed at resolving the history between the two countries; Japan was the real betrayer and violator of the bilateral agreements. As to whether the numbers cited were substantive, they had been well documented. For instance, the previous Special Rapporteur on violence against women had said that 200,000 women had been victims of Japanese sexual slavery. There was other supporting evidence for the number of crimes committed by Japan. To deal with issues of compensation, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had proposed convening intergovernmental talks last November, but had received no response from Japan.

The real intention of Japan was to cover over past crimes. Japan should show a sincere desire for reparation of past crimes, including the crime of forcibly drafting or kidnapping 8.4 million individuals, and it should respond to the proposal for intergovernmental talks.


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1Joint statement on behalf of: International Federation of University Women; Soroptimist International; World Union of Catholic Women's Organizations; International Association of Gerontology; All india Women's Conference; Zonta International; 3HO Foundation; World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women; International Council of Jewish Women; International Association for Counselling; Worldwide Organization for Women; and Women's International Zionist Organization.


CORRIGENDUM



In press release HR/CN/04/34 of 2 April, 2004, the right of reply by Cyprus on page 13 should read as follows:


HELENA MINA (Cyprus), speaking in right of reply, said that she wished to express Cyprus’s readiness for the speedy resumption of work by the committee on missing persons. However the work of that committee should not be viewed as an end in itself. Individuals had disappeared during and after the Turkish invasion of the island and, according to the Council of Europe, Turkey must conduct an investigation into the fate of those who were arguably in Turkish custody at the time of their disappearances. The aim of Cyprus’s Government was to determine the fate of each and every missing person whether Greek or Turkish Cypriot. Finally, Cyprus wished to note that whether the Turkish Representative liked it or not, the Cypriot delegation represented the internationally recognized Government of Cyprus and not a Greek Cypriot entity.