Beijing talks end in 'consensus'<\/p>\n
By Santi WE Soekanto<\/p>\n
BEIJING (JP): The Fourth World Conference on Women adopted
\nyesterday the Platform for Action, a document whose draft was
\nplagued by reservations from various quarters, particularly over
\nthe issue of sexual rights.<\/p>\n
A final plenary session of the conference adopted the document
\n"on consensus," but attached to it the reservations of many
\ncountries, including Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"This is a forced consensus," commented one observer.<\/p>\n
Activists of the NGO Coalition for Women and The Family said
\nthe document was completed by "denying translations, ignoring
\ndelegates from small nations and stone-walling delegates who
\nobjected."<\/p>\n
The Indonesian delegation is particularly concerned that the
\nmany reservations attached to the document could pose obstacles
\nin the domestic implementation of its principles.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Ambassador to China Juwana commented that the
\ncountry could not accept statements in the document which are
\nagainst its national interests.<\/p>\n
Most of the Islamic states also expressed reservations on
\nmatters concerning sexual orientation and inheritance rights on
\nthe basis that they run counter to Islamic teachings.<\/p>\n
Egypt demanded that its reservations regarding sexual and
\nreproductive health be recorded and attached to the report at the
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
"We'd like to air reservations to every phrase that run
\ncounter against the Islamic laws," the Kuwait delegation said.<\/p>\n
The Holy See also had reservations over the issues of sexual
\nand reproductive health, and said the document manifested
\n"exaggerated individualism."<\/p>\n
In what appeared to be a thinly-veiled reference to the
\nEuropean Union delegation, the Vatican criticized those "who paid
\nlip service to the issue of new and additional resources" yet
\nwere reluctant to make new funding commitments for women's
\nprograms.<\/p>\n
The Vatican delegation described its participation in the
\nadoption of the Platform as "qualified participation."<\/p>\n
India gave unqualified support to the document, a move which
\nwas met with wild applause from both the audience in the packed
\nplenary hall and those outside the room.<\/p>\n
Conference Secretary-General Gertrude Mongella said in her
\nclosing remarks that, with the gathering, the world had taken a
\n"decisive, irreversible step forward. There's no going back."<\/p>\n
"The strands for weaving a better world for humanity are here.
\nLet us, therefore, act, and act now," she said. "While I do not
\nwish to underestimate the problems which would accompany the
\nimplementation of the Platform, I believe firmly that if we all
\ndo our little bit, no matter how small it is, we shall succeed in
\nmaking even the impossible possible.<\/p>\n
"Disseminate the Platform on your return home to your
\ncountries," she told the participants. "Let the message be loud
\nand clear: Action now."<\/p>\n
The final session, which lasted all day, was presided over by
\nChinese parliamentarian Chen Muhua. United Nations Secretary-
\nGeneral Boutros Boutros-Ghali said in his speech, delivered by
\nhis Special Representative Ismat Kittani, that the Platform for
\nAction places heavy responsibilities and poses a challenge to the
\nsystem, capacity and commitment of the world body.<\/p>\n
"I accept that challenge. I will ensure that the
\nrecommendations addressed to me are implemented swiftly and
\neffectively," he pledged. "I am committed to placing the gender
\nperspective into the mainstream of all aspects of the work of the
\norganization.<\/p>\n
"Let us work together to implement the Platform for Action
\nadopted here at Beijing...The empowerment of women is the
\nempowerment of all humanity."<\/p>\n
Earlier on the day, the conference heard from World Bank
\nPresident James D. Wolfensohn, Peruvian President Alberto
\nFujimori and Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland.<\/p>\n
Fujimori, whose speech was met with repeated rounds of
\napplause, said that family planning methods are now legally
\navailable in Peru for all to either use them or not to use them,
\naccording to their beliefs.<\/p>\n
However, he complained that the Catholic Church was trying to
\nprevent the state from carrying out a modern and rational family-
\nplanning policy.<\/p>\n
Brundtland started her speech by declaring that women would no
\nlonger "accept the role of second class citizens."<\/p>\n
In his speech, Wolfensohn invited governments, non-
\ngovernmental organizations and civil society to work together
\nwith the bank, "the largest donor to issues relating to women,"
\nto develop effective mechanisms to meet the objectives of the
\nconference.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/beijing-talks-end-in-consensus-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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