on the "Advancement of Women"

(Agenda Item 97)

Third Committee
49th Session of the General Assembly
United Nations

5 December 1994
New York

Mr. Chairperson,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Government of Israel.

At the outset, I wish to express our appreciation to Ms. Mongella for her dedication and for the important contribution she has made, even before the Beijing Conference on the Advancement of the Status of Women. I would also like to thank Ms. Heyzer and Ms. Soltan Mohammadi for their important contribution in opening this discussion on the advancement of the status of women.

One of the main issues to be addressed at the Beijing Conference will be the subject of peace.

In Israel and, indeed, throughout the entire Middle East, we are living in a historic period of making peace. Peace offers a chance for economic development throughout the Middle East and the Mediterranean basin, and for fruitful economic cooperation which can bring prosperity to all people of the region. Peace also is one of the greatest economic challenges for women.

The contribution of women to the economy is one of the most important subjects to be addressed at the Beijing Conference. The number of women involved in laying the foundation for economic development is still small. Therefore, we have reached the conclusion that in addition to the economic conferences which recently took place in Casablanca and Jerusalem, a special economic conference for women is necessary.

In our opinion, it is important that the Committee recommends to the General Assembly to encourage the convening of women's economic conferences in the various regions. A concrete example of such a conference is the Mediterranean and European Women's Summit Meeting which took place in Marrakesh on 27, 28 and 29 May 1994.

The Marrakesh Declaration committed us to promoting programmes of education for peace, which highlight the values of tolerance, sisterhood, humanity and solidarity with justice, which are the foundations of peaceful coexistence among all peoples of the earth. We also committed ourselves to struggle against discrimination, intolerance, extremism, violence and other misdeeds which endanger women or undermine their rights and potential for achievement.

The Marrakesh Declaration affirms that the realization of a universal and durable peace cannot be attained without the full and equal participation of women. In our view, it is important that one of this Committee's principal recommendations to the General Assembly be a call to all States to implement effectively the Declaration and the Programme of Action adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, regarding the equal participation of women and men in the maintenance of international peace. The maintenance of peace is inextricably linked to the presence of women on an equal footing with men in positions of responsibility at all levels, and to their contribution to the choices and political decisions taken both at the national and international levels.

One of the most important outcomes of the Marrakesh Conference was the decision to give priority to women's contacts in particularly sensitive areas:

- The exchange of democratic experience through interparliamentary dialogue.

- Communication via the media.

- Civil society through non-governmental organizations.

- The advancement of the economy by business women.

This is an example that can serve as a basis for similar action by women throughout the world.

Mr. Chairperson,

I wish to raise the issue of the meaning of the Cairo Conference with regard to advancing the status of women.

In Cairo, we experienced a breakthrough, which we had awaited for many years. I will allow myself to be a bit cynical for a moment, and say that many people who, until now, only paid lip service to the empowerment of women, suddenly "discovered" women, mainly as a result of economic and political reasons. They have finally discovered that unless they promote education, vocational training and employment for women, they risk total failure of national and international population and development plans.

At this very moment, concrete plans are being made for allocating resources to ensure the prevention of a population explosion in much of the world. This is our opportunity to ensure jobs for women. This is our opportunity, through affirmative action, to demand that resources be directed for projects aimed at changing today's universal situation, where most of those living in poverty are women, most of the unemployed are women, and women still suffer from discrimination in social security systems and in wages.

Mr. Chairperson,

As we look towards Beijing, we must devote special attention to the critical role of NGO's in the advancement of the status of women. From 9 - 12 November 1994, we convened in Israel a special conference in preparation for the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women. Two hundred women, representatives of Jewish NGO's from twenty-six countries, attended the conference. At its conclusion, we adopted the Jerusalem Declaration.

In the Declaration we welcome the advancement of the peace process in the Middle East and the achievement of the treaty with the Kingdom of Jordan and the signing of the Declaration of Principles with the PLO, much of which began in Madrid, and which hopefully will be followed by a comprehensive peace in the region.

We recognize the pioneering efforts of women in creating the positive atmosphere for peace in the Middle East and urge the inclusion of women in all levels of peace negotiations.

We condemn all forms of terrorism, racism, anti-Semitism, fundamentalism and xenophobia.

Recognizing that women's rights are human rights, the conference participants condemn all forms of violence against women and demand that governments implement and fund policies to combat this.

We recommend the extension of the partnership between men and women by creating a mutual commitment to working together for the elimination of all forms of discrimination and for equal participation of women in decision-making in all levels of society in order to secure women's empowerment.

Having discussed the status of women in a changing economic world, the participants of the Jerusalem conference call upon governments to combat the feminization of poverty and facilitate the access of women to the job market, which will enable them to secure equal pay for work of equal value and to be remunerated for unpaid work.

We demand that affirmative action policies to secure equality for women be initiated and implemented in the governmental, public and private sectors.

We state that the family, in all forms, is the basic unit of society and as such should be a model of equity. All forms of inequity, both within the family and before the courts, must be addressed. The family is entitled to receive comprehensive protection and support. Everyone has the right to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. States should take all appropriate measures to ensure women's universal access to health-care services, including those related to reproductive rights which include family planning and sexual health.

The conference participants recognize that education and training are important keys to achieving gender equality and women's economic independence, and must be a priority concern when distributing resources.

We urge the encouragement and development of younger leadership within women's organizations and firmly suggest that their delegations to the Beijing Conference consist of at least 20% young women.

We recognize the role of women in safeguarding the environment and in the achievement of sustainable development.

Finally, we recognize and appreciate the contribution of non- governmental organizations (NGO's) and their partnership with government in impacting on legislation on behalf of women and urge that the NGO's participate in monitoring and implementing the Beijing Platform for Action.

Mr. Chairperson,

Even today, as we gather here in New York, peace is a central item on the agenda. Peace, and its effect on the status of women their equality, freedom, and equal opportunity to enjoy a better life and to realize their potential to contribute to the societies in which they live.

For women, peace means life life that we have given to our children, our children's children and to their children after them. For women, peace means the chance for equality and development. In a time of peace, no one can tell us that resources must go to weapons and warfare, and that nothing is left over for health, education, and professional training; for social services and prevention of violence; for integration and advancement of women in all aspects of the society and economy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairperson.