Women' conference issues `Jakarta Declaration'
JAKARTA (JP): The following is the text of the Jakarta Declaration adopted by the Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women and Development on June 14:
The participants in the Second Asian and Pacific Ministerial Conference on Women in Development, having met at Jakarta from 7 to 14 June 1994, have reviewed and appraised the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women towards the Year 2000 adopted by the World Conference on the Review and Appraisal of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace held at Nairobi in 1984, and prepared for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace to be held at Beijing from Sept. 4 to 15 1995;
Reaffirming their commitment to the provisions contained in the United Nations Charter and relevant international conventions and instruments, in particular the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women;
Recognizing the importance of the empowerment of women as a cornerstone of sustainable development and the strategic role of women as agents and beneficiaries of development and in the alleviation of poverty;
Aiming also at enhancing women's full involvement and active participation in policy-and decision-making processes at all stages;
Desirous of promoting and protecting the human rights of women at all stages of their life-cycle;
Noting with appreciation the efforts and progress made by the members and associate members of ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific) to promote the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women; Equality, Development and Peace, reaffirmed in the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women towards the Year 2000, their commitment and leadership shown in the creation and implementation of programs to meet these objectives, and the significant contribution mad by non-governmental organizations, particularly grass-roots, social development and professional women's organizations, research and higher educational institutions;
Acknowledging efforts at the subregional level to create frameworks for the advancement of women, such as the Declaration for the Advancement of Women in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Region, the Pacific Platform for Action; Rethinking Sustainable Development for Pacific Women towards the Year 2000, and the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Perspective with regard to the Fourth World Conference on Women;
Noting further the invaluable contributions of donor countries, multilateral agencies and non-governmental organizations in providing technical and financial assistance for women in development programs;
Having reaffirmed the principles to which we are committed, pledge our efforts towards the advancement of women in our region, concentrating on the following areas:
1. The advancement of women has a bearing on peace and development, and implications at all levels, and should therefore be addressed locally, nationally, regionally and globally. In particular, women as agents and beneficiaries of development must be fully integrated in policy formulation, planning, decision-making and implementation.
2. Women should have equal rights, obligations and opportunities with men in all fields and at all levels of development. Their empowerment and the improvement of their political, social and economic status is essential for human development, and self-reliance of women and their families.
3. Formal, non-formal as well as informal education is essential for empowering women with knowledge, skills and self- confidence for full participation in development.
4. Priority should be given to health programs targeting women and the girl-child throughout their life-cycle, particularly in the fields of nutrition, basic health and reproductive health.
5. The increasing global concern about the human dimensions of development requires the integration of gender concerns in all stages and at all levels of sustainable development as a means to ensure human well-being, equitably enjoyed by all people. The interrelationship between population, resources, the environment and development should be fully recognized, properly managed and brought into a harmonious and dynamic synergy.
6. Alleviation of poverty and the eradication of absolute poverty are fundamental to the achievement of sustainable development and the advancement of women. Consistent efforts towards achieving a balanced gender partnership are a prerequisite for full development of human potential.
7. Strengthening of national machineries for the advancement of women in various dimensions and with effective collaboration between Governments and non-governmental organizations is essential for the full and equal integration of women in people- centered development.
8. The human rights of women and the girl-child are inalienable, integral and indivisible parts of universal human rights and consequently all forms of discrimination against women, sexual exploitation and gender-based violence should be eliminated.
9. Violence against women in the family, society and conflict situations must be eliminated if women are to enjoy their rights as individuals and members of the family, society, state and global communities. In this respect, the implementation of the provisions of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, and other relevant human rights instruments and the United Nations resolutions is crucial. The role of women in peace-building and conflict resolution should be enhanced and strengthened.
10. The media are urged to fully respect the dignity of women, in particular by portraying women positively in all their diverse roles.
11. United Nations bodies and specialized agencies, intergovernmental organizations, donor countries and agencies, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and the general public are urged to support and assist the members and associate members of ESCAP in implementing the Plan of Action for the Advancement of Women in Asia and the Pacific.
Hereby adopt the following Plan of Action as a means to accelerate the attainment of the objectives of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies towards the Year 2000 in the Asian and Pacific region, and to contribute to preparations for the Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development and Peace to be held at Beijing in September 1995. The participants, therefore, commit themselves, taking into account the social, economic and political considerations of each country, to take all necessary measures to ensure effective implementation of the following Plan of Action at the national, regional and international levels in cooperation with the United Nations system, other regional and international organizations as well as non-governmental organizations.