Women' conference issues `Jakarta Declaration'
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.