Governmental Inclusion of Women-SPECIFIC and Gender-SPECIFIC
LANGUAGE in Preparation for September Summit 2005
Governmental Responses to the Secretary-General's Report,
In Larger Freedom: Towards Development, Security and Human Rights for All

In Larger Freedom | Human Rights Council^ | Peacebuilding Commission^ | Govt Statements at Beijing +10

Responses from women's orgs: WILPF | CWGL | FOKUS | DAWN | MADRE | Rwanda Women's Network | WEDO
Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children (plus others) |
WEDO sign-on letter | NGOWG on Women, Peace and Security

Updated: 24 May 2005

Emphasize that the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is essntial to achieving the internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration, and stress the need to ensure the integration of a gender perspective in the high-level plenary meeting on the review of the Millennium Declaration;
--from the governmental political declaration on the Review of the Beijing Platform for Action (Beijing +10)

I. Declarations from Governmental Political Groupings

Ministerial Statement on Human Security and UN Reform
Human Security Network, 20 May 2005

II. UN Headquarters Cluster Negotiations (below)

On Freedom to Live in Dignity (human rights and governance) in In Larger Freedom:

Argentina*
H.E. Cesar Mayoral, 19 April 2005

"The report of the Secretary-General mentions issues such as gender equality, health, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the monitoring and control of infectious diseases, education and migration. However, these issues are only considered in the section dedicated to development and are not considered again in the section on human rights. We believe that these subjects should also be addressed from a broader strategy of human rights".

Canada
H.E. Mr. Allan Rock, 20 April 2005

" ...As we debate the details of the proposed Human Rights Council, however, let me also propose four practical steps that we can take now to improve the United Nations approach to human rights:...

• Renew our efforts to undertake effective and accountable gender mainstreaming throughout the work of the United Nations to ensure women's equal enjoyment of all human rights...

...Canada agrees that the international community has an important role to play in promoting democracy and assisting States to develop democratic systems of governance. We look forward to further discussions of how we can best work together to achieve this goal. One concrete way of doing so is to ensure that we support the active participation of all members of society in democratic governance, particularly women..".


France*
H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc de La Sabliere, 19 April 2005

"While it is true that the Secretary-General’s report is in itself a well-balanced working outline, there is undoubtedly some slight room for improvement. France would accordingly like to make two final remarks:...

• The gains of the major conferences in the 1990s, especially Cairo and Beijing, might have deserved greater emphasis in this chapter rather than being perceived solely from the standpoint of their contribution to the Millennium Development Goals. In particular, gender equality, women’s rights and their situation in armed conflicts (SCR 1325) should have been addressed in the report".

Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Union (EU)
H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit, 19 April 2005

"The EU believes that only through the full respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms is it possible to empower women and men in an equal manner and, therefore, create the basic infrastructure to achieve sustainable human development".


Malaysia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
H.E. Mr. Rastam Mohd Isa, 19 April 2005

"...Concerning the proposal on human rights treaty bodies, the Non-Aligned Movement is of the view that while it is necessary to harmonize guidelines on reporting procedure of the treaty bodies, greater efforts should be made to ensure a more balanced membership of the treaty bodies that adhere to the principle of equitable geographical distribution, gender balance, as well as ensuring that members nominated to serve with the treaty bodies will serve in their personal capacity, as well as are of high moral character and acknowledged impartiality, and possess competence in the field of human rights. NAM is ready to discuss these issues with a view to ensuring that the work of the human rights treaty bodies would be more effective, objective, transparent and accountable as a unified system...

...The Non-Aligned Movement believes that the achievement of the goals of freedom to live in dignity should also take into account the promotion of a culture of peace globally. In this regard, NAM is convinced that this can be met through the full implementation of the Declaration and Programme of Action on the Culture of Peace that was adopted by the General Assembly on 13 September 1999. The culture of peace should be based on the following principles, namely: respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of States; non-interference in internal affairs of States; the right to self-determination; prevention of violence, promotion of non-violence; strict adherence to the principles of international relations enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and full realisation of the right to development. In this context, the culture of peace entails the promotion of democracy, justice, tolerance, economic and social development, human rights, gender mainstreaming and the free flow of information and correcting imbalance of such flows to and from developing countries as well as the elimination of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and foreign occupation...".

On Freedom from Fear (peace and security) in In Larger Freedom:

Botswana
Mr. Galetshajwe L. Rebagamang, 22 April 2005

"In conclusion Mr. Chairman, Botswana would want to see discussions under this cluster also address relevant issues of gender equality, particularly those in with Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security".

Canada
H.E. Mr. Allan Rock, 21 April 2005

"...Canada has been very encouraged to note the degree of support among among member states for the establishment of a Peacebuilding Commission. We hope this will be one of the key achievements of the Summit, where leaders should be in a position to agree to a set of parameters for the commission’s structure and mandate...

Regardless of our efforts in setting up the Commission, a Peacebuilding Support Office should be established within the Secretariat without delay. A peacebuilding support office would serve to consolidate and strengthen an essential UN capacity that is now diminished because it is fragmented and dispersed.

And in this context of conflict prevention and recovery, let me, Madame President, emphasise that Canada would like to recognize the important role played by women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peacebuilding. We must bring Resolution 1325 to life! We would like to stress the importance of the equal participation and full involvement of women in all efforts for addressing the threats and challenges to peace and security. We need to increase their role in priority-setting and decision-making with regard to all aspects of conflict prevention and resolution...".

Iran
H.E. Mr. Mehdi Danesh-Yazdi, 22 April 2005

"Furthermore, we fully support the 'policy of zero-tolerance' pronounced by the Secretary-General aiming at prevention of any kind of misconduct, especially sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeepers, peacebuilders and other UN personnel. Due to their negative impact on efficiency and effectiveness of the UN peacekeeping operations, these misconducts need to be responded with the utmost seriousness and dealt with by a high priority".

Malaysia, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
H.E. Mr. Rastam Mohd Isa, 21 April 2005

"...on sexual exploitation allegedly commited by UN peacekeepers and other personnel engaged in UN operations against minors and other vulnerable people, NAM supports in principle the recommendations contained in the report, entitled A Comprehensive Strategy to Eliminate Future Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Operations contained in document A/59/710, which was prepared by the Secretary-General with the assistance of his adviser on this question, H.R.H. Prince Zeid Ra'ad Zeid Al-Hussein, the Permanent Representative of Jordan. This support notwithstanding, NAM re-emphasizes that certain recommendations would require further study and clarification.

NAM supports the enactment by the Secretary-General of a policy of 'zero tolerance' towards such grave crimes. NAM further supports the encouragement made by the Secretary-General to Member States to similarly adopt the same policy with respect to their national contingents (para 113 of A/59/2005)...".

On Freedom from Want (development) in In Larger Freedom:

Bangladesh
H.E. Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chhowdhury, 26 April 2005

"Our experience dictates that development is best achieved in a matrix of pluralism, moderate and progressive ethos, greater gender balance and women's empowerment, human rights and accountable governance. However, these are values which are universal- they transcend national boundaries. Together, at all levels, they create the necessary ambience for development.

Drawing from our experience in Bangladesh, we believe that gender mainstreaming and empowerment are critical factors for development. Access to education and health, coupled with microcredit, can unleash the entrepreneurial skills of these palpable economic actors who can contribute considerably in development. Our experience also demonstrates, important in these times, that empowerment of women economically and politically, can starve off extremist thought and action, and marginalize destabilizing phenomena, like terrorism".

Brazil
H.E. Mr. Ronaldo Mota Sardenberg, 26 April 2005

"The Secretary-General's reportreflects the importance of gender equality and access to sexual and reproductive health services both as a critical need for women's empowerment and as a component of strong public health systems. I note that reproductive health issues are identified in two of the seven clusters proposed by the Secretary-General. The September Summit should reiterate the crucial importance of universal access of reproductive health services by 2015, with a view to reversing the appalling state of maternal health and spread of HIV/AIDS and to fostering women's empowerment. In addition, the balanced strategy of prevention, treatment and human rights proposed by the Secretary-General in regard to HIV/AIDS requires sustained investments in reproductive health commodities and affordable access, as well as education servicesfor young people, as essential components of a "quick win" initiative in this domain".

Canada
H.E. Mr. Gilbert Laurin, 26 April 2005

"The promotion and protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms must guide all our actions to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Development, at its heart, is about human dignity and about recognizing all individuals—women and men, girls and boys—as equal human beings. Our strategies must address gender inequality and overcome pervasive gender bias, including through the full implementation of the Beijing platform for action. Ensuring the full and equal participation of women and the integration of a gender perspective throughout our work is critical for the achievement of our development goals.

Too often gender inequalities lead to women and girls bearing an excessive burden of ill health. We recognize that women's vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and other diseases is often further exacerbated by lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services. There is no doubt that efforts to meet the health-related MDGs must include full implementation of the ICPD programme of action and the Beijing Platform for Action. At the core of such efforts must be the promotion and protection of human rights, in particular sexual and reproductive rights".

Cuba
H.E. Mr. Orlando Requeijo, 26 April 2005

"We consider positive that the Report enshrines the importance of gender equality and to access to sexual and reproductive health care services. Nevertheless, this issue shall not be limited only to recognize equality between men and women, but shall also encourage this necessary equality through the recognition of the unequal impact that economic policies have on men and women, and also through the adoption of a group of measures that include the passing of legislations which guarantee with no restrictions whatsoever the access of women to property, housing credit and technical assistance".

Guatemala
25 April 2005

"We agree with those who believe that one of the most effective engines of development is gender equity and the empowerment of women, who should be provided with easier access to employment opportunities, with their right to own property being duly guaranteed and their participation in decision-making processes being not only permitted, but facilitated.

In the area of health, we agree that there is need for strengthening integral health care sytems, stress being laid on the health of children and mothers, the introduction of a new hospital management model and the takking of specific actions seeking to promote access to affordable drugs".

Kazakhstan
H.E. Mr. Yerzhan Kh. Kazykhanov, 26 April 2005

"...Kazakhstan reaffirms the invariability of its policy to ensure full gender equality and stresses the need to overcome pervasive gender bias. Kazakhstan notes the important role of women in the prevention and settlement of conflicts and peacebuilding and of their equitable and comprehensive participation in all efforts to maintain and promote peace and security.

Social, economic and physical protection of women, respect for their rights and freedoms and elimination of all forms of discrimination should become important priorities in the progressive development of States. Kazakhstan has confidence in the United Nations as an organization that coordinates actions to join international, regional and national efforts in this area".

Liechtenstein
Mr. Stefan Barriga, 25 April 2005

"The role of women in development must be given strong emphasis in the relevant parts of the Summit outcome. The Millennium Project Report considered women’s empowerment as a vital condition for development and the achievement of the MDG’s. This is not a matter of political correctness, it is a matter of success on the ground. Practical experience clearly shows that sustainable economic growth can not be achieved without the further involvement and empowerment of women and the formulation and implementation of national strategies targeted to this end".



Luxembourg, on behalf of the European Union (EU)
H.E. Mr. Jean-Marc Hoscheit, 25 April 2005

"...The EU recognizes that the MDGs cannot be attained without progress in achieving the Cairo goal of universal sexual and reproductive health and rights. The EU will therefore work to ensure that sexual and reproductive health and rights issues are properly reflected within the outcome of the 2005 High Level Event, including its targets and monitoring indicators.

...As during the 49th session of the CSW, the EU confirms today its strong support for and our commitment to the full and effective implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome document of the 23rd session of the General Assembly of the United Nations, as well as for the agreed conclusions adopted at the sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women since Beijing.

Gender equality is an important goal in itself and essential to the achievement of all Millennium Development Goals. We believe that a gender perspective should be fully integrated at the high-level review of the Millennium Declaration, including the Millennium Development Goals. We believe gender equality is fundamental for the achievement of full employment and economic growth, reinforcement of social protection and poverty eradication.

We also recognize that progress towards achieving equality between women and men has been made in the past decade. Nevertheless, gender inequality persists and multiple barriers remain in most of the strategic areas of the Beijing Platform for Action to gender equality and the advancement and empowerment of women. The EU holds the view that gender equality should be addressed in more detail in September and be properly reflected in the outcome of the Summit. In that regard, we also would like to recall the resolution on “Mainstreaming a gender perspective into national policies and programmes? adopted during the 49th session of the CSW...".

New Zealand
Mr. Mark Ramsden, 25 April 2005

"New Zealand also welcomes the report’s recognition that the MDGs themselves do not “represent a complete development agenda” and that they don’t, for example, directly encompass some of the issues covered by the international summits and conferences of the 1990s and this decade.  New Zealand reaffirms its support for and commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action and the Cairo Programme of Action and urges that the necessity of the full enjoyment of sexual and reproductive health rights be reflected in the September Summit outcome.  The Millennium Development Goals, particularly the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, cannot be achieved if questions of population and reproductive health and rights are not squarely addressed.  The Millennium Project clearly identifies “the guaranteeing of sexual and reproductive health and rights”, one of the seven interdependent strategic priorities, as the minimum necessary to achieve Millennium Goal 3 – to promote gender equality and empower women.  The achievement of Target 7 to “halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS” can only be achieved if we address HIV/AIDS and sexual and reproductive health together, as they are inextricably linked". 

Papua New Guinea
H.E. Mr. Robert Aisi, 26 April 2005

"We appreciate the principle that each country has the primary responsibility for furthering its own development. But that responsibility is also one which does not and cannot negate the prospects fro international and mutual partnerships amonst all nations to help each other achieve our respective development aims. The same partnerships, we note, continue to be built upon internaitonal consensus and numerous summit outcomes.

The list of outcomes is getting larger and include for many Small Island Developing States and developing countries the following:...
4. Beijing Platform for Action

However, there has to be a genuine willingnesss to effect implementation by all parties. In this regard, we again underline the fact that there must be a partnership if real progress is to be made in the development agenda".

Republic of Korea
H.E. Amb. Kim Sam-hoon, 25 April 2005

"We believe that empowering women and mainstreaming gender issues should be a vital component in any strategy to achieve the health-related targets of the MDGs. Indeed, promoting gender equality not only is an MDG in itself but also should be incorporated as a central dimension in efforts to realize all development goals. This is obvious for the efforts to reduce maternal mortality and child mortality. But also in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other diseases, prevention and treatment cannot succeed without the full participation and incorporation of women, as targets of intervention and as sources of information. Indeed, the face of HIV/AIDS is increasingly that of young women in many countries, and efforts at stemming the further spread of the disease must fully incorporate the socio-economic dynamics in which young women are made particularly vulnerable to infection. In this regard, we are pleased that the SG's report reflects the importance of gender equality and equal access to health services as a key component of strong public health systems".

Switzerland
H.E. Mr. Peter Maurer, 25 April 2005

"...To reaffirm and promote the implementation of the principal of gender equality is fundamental for the promotion of balanced development. It is an integral part of Switzerland’s policy on development and co-operation. We encourage our governmental partners and civil society to develop such policies.

We support the Secretary-General in affirming the importance of the issue of gender equality and access to health services and programmes, including sexual and reproductive health services, both as a critical need for women’s empowerment and as a component of strong public health systems. We add our voice to those who call for universal access to reproductive health by 2015 in order to reverse the appalling state of maternal health and to promote women’s empowerment".


United Kingdom*
H.E. Mr. Sir Emyr Jones Parry, 25 April 2005

"...In the many countries where capacity is weak or fragile, it can be strengthened with the right kind of aid: aid that focuses on building long-term capacity, is predictable, harmonised and not tied to donor agendas, but rather supports national poverty reduction strategies. These strategies should include key investments in human development - such as strengthening health and education systems, ending user fees, promoting access to sexual and reproductive health and tackling AIDS; in infrastructure- water and energy systems in support of sustainable development; and measures to achieve gender equality, which underpins all the MDGs...".

United States of America*
Mr. William J. Brencick, 27 April 2005

"We agree with the Secretary-General that overcoming pervasive gender bias and achieving gender equality is a sine qua non for economic development and for the fulfillment of human rights.  The [High-Level Event] HLE needs to deliver this message". 

On Strengthening the United Nations (institutional reform) in In Larger Freedom:

Norway
H.E. Mr. Johan Lovald, 28 April 2005

"We support the Secretary-General's proposals for administrative reform, including a one-time buyout so as to renew and align the staff to meet current needs of the organization. A condition for such a reform, however, must be that a new and modern secretariat is gender balanced across the board, and at least 40% of senior management positions should be held by women".


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* Member of the UN Security Council
^ UN Secretary-General's Explanatory Note, April 2005