Ten years after Beijing conference, Annan urges major push for women’s equality

Ten years after the United Nations conference on women’s rights in Beijing and just weeks before a summit of world leaders at UN Headquarters in New York, Secretary-General Kofi Annan today called on the international community to turn their commitments into action to achieve full gender equality.

Since 1995 progress has been made, but old challenges such as discrimination and violence remain while new challenges have emerged, such as HIV/AIDS and trafficking in women and children, Mr. Annan said in a message, delivered by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour to Beijing 2005, the 10th anniversary commemoration there of the fourth World Conference on Women.

“What were once called women’s issues have been transformed into matters of primary national and international significance. Stronger women’s networks and alliances have taken shape across issues and borders alike. And we understand, more than ever, that no single policy will ensure gender quality; rather a comprehensive policy approach is needed,” he added.

He noted the findings of the Commission on the Status of Women earlier this year that many gains had been achieved, including greater access to employment and decision-making, better education and a longer life.

“But they stressed that old challenges remain, such as discrimination and violence, and that troubling new challenges have emerged, such as the terrifying growth of HIV/AIDS among women, and the odious, increasingly common practice of trafficking in women and children,” he said.

“Let us not forget that women’s rights are human rights. Their full implementation at the national level is thus a legal obligation. Although that may seem, and should be, self-evident, it is a point we must continue to repeat as we move to strengthen the ability of the United Nations system to support national efforts to implement human rights, and to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.”

Mr. Annan stressed that leaders at next month’s 2005 World Summit should pledge their support to all efforts to achieve the changes to which national governments, international organizations and civil society committed themselves in Beijing 10 years ago.

“Let us all redouble our efforts to turn those commitments into reality,” he said. “At this commemorative meeting, you can help to steer them in the right direction.”

Also addressing the commemorative meeting, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Ann M. Veneman noted the particular importance of girls’ education “because of its positive effects on the development of the individual and the well-being of societies.”

Educating girls provides both short and long-term benefits, “including reduced child mortality, increased productivity and income, better-educated children and gains for women’s and girls’ social status and empowerment,” she added.