Conference Declaration
Background to the report
Report Format
Summary Statements
Analysis of Critical Areas

Women and Poverty
Education and Training
Women and Health
Violence against women
Women and armed conflict
Women and the Economy
Women in Power and Decision Making
Intitutional Mechanisms
Human Rights of Women
Women and the Media
Women and the environment
The Girl Child

Statements from the conference
Background and Discussion papers
(to be added)
Conclusion

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In 1995, the United Nations held the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. A Non Government Organisation (NGO) Forum was held concurrently at Huairou, a town some 60 kilometres from Beijing. Planning and intensive preparations for these events took place for four years before the meetings. They included both Governmental and NGO meetings in each of the five United Nations (UN) defined regions of the world.

The stated objectives of the Conference were:

• "to evaluate the work already done in the implementation of the 1985 Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women,
• to address the key issues which have been identified as representing a fundamental obstacle to the advancement of the majority of women, such as effective participation in decision making, poverty, health, education, violence, women’s human rights and peace,
• to create impetus in society for women to move forward, well equipped to meet the challenges and demands of the 21^st Century for political, economic, scientific and technological development.

To this end, the conference will adopt a concrete and concise Platform for Action, capable of leading to feasible, effective and immediate action in order to achieve women’s equality, development and peace." (United Nations Guidelines to Governments and NGO’s in relation to preparation for the fourth World Conference on Women, 1995, issues September 12, 1993)

The major outcome from the Conference was the "Beijing Platform for Action" , a blueprint for raising the status of women world wide. The Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) was agreed on and signed by all member states of the United Nations. The document was continually amended and refined during the four year preparatory process. Regional Declarations were also prepared and signed during this time. Australia is part of the Asia Pacific Region of the United Nations, and the Jakarta Declaration, completed at the Regional Governmental meeting in 1994 was influential in informing Australian Government Policy in several areas pertinent to women.

60 Australian women attended the Fourth World Conference on Women (the Conference) as accredited NGO’s and 560 attended the Beijing NGO Forum (the Forum).

In June 2000, a special sitting of the United Nations General Assembly will be held to evaluate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) and the Nairobi Forward Looking Strategies. The meeting is called "Beijing plus Five, or "Women 2000". The outcome from this meeting will be a new agenda for women.

The task of the meeting was to produce an evaluation of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action in the Pacific sub region . While the conference can not claim to represent the views of all women in the sub-region, women from a number of countries and diverse backgrounds, worked together to compile the conference report. Thirty women came from a number of Pacific Island States, New Zealand was represented by a Maori Elder and the head of the New Zealand Council of Women, there were over 20 Aboriginal women from different parts of Australia, and approximately one third of the delegates came from non English speaking backgrounds.

The report will be taken to the Regional Non Government Organisation Symposium to be held in Thailand from August 31 to September 4 1999, to the High Level Government Meeting convened by the United Nations (ESCAP) in Bangkok at the end of October 1999, and will form part of our input into the Regional Report which will go to the New York in June 2000.

It will also form the basis of an Australian NGO response to the questionnaire on the implementation of the BPFA which has been distributed to all Governments by the United Nations.

There are five sections to the report. They are:

This declaration contains the issues which were identified by delegates as the most important current issues for women in the new millennium

This section contains a summary of the deliberations of the conference, and addresses the four Cross Cutting themes identified by the Commission for the Status of Women for consideration when evaluating the Beijing Platform for Action. It includes the major recommendations made in workshops.

The twelve critical areas of concern addressed in the BPFA are analysed in relation to Gains, Gaps, Challenges, Emerging and Persistent issues . Each point in the Gains and Challenges sections and where appropriate the Persistent issues are referenced to the relevant strategic objectives and action points in the Beijing Platform for Action.

Several groups at the conference made statements about issues of particular concern, and requested the support of conference delegates for these statements.

Several workshops leaders presented background papers and/or detailed notes on the workshop discussions. These will be included in the published report but will not be part of the endorsed document.

The content of this report is the result of the work of twelve working groups who prepared background materials for the conference, and the deliberations of the working groups at the conference. The group leaders collated and submitted the material on their area of concern. Due to the rich diversity of involvement in each working group, the outcomes are at times markedly different. While some editorial changes have been made to the workshop notes to maintain the congruity of the report, there has been no attempt to standardise the input. It was felt that this would take away the unique flavour, emphasis and energy from each of the working groups, which is reflected in the findings presented below.

The Beijing Platform of Action states that "More than 1 billion people in the world today, the great majority of whom are women, live in unacceptable conditions of poverty…"

Today, despite the recommendations in the BPFA, the feminisation of poverty in the sub region continues. There is a growing gap between the rich and the poor partly as a result of deregulation of the labour market and of cut backs in a range of government services.

Relative Poverty embraces those who are deprived of a life style or aspects of a life style that is regarded as fair and reasonable within the society in which they live. There is also the poverty of low wage earners and the utter destitution of people who fall outside family support systems, social institutions and safety nets

There are still millions of women and their children dying from the lack of food and clean water and from diseases which could have been avoided or from which people could have been cured, given proper medical care. Women from developing countries and indigenous women in Australia are amongst those worse affected by poverty.

Some of the major causes of poverty include war, unemployment, greed and profit maximisation which is demonstrated in the case of child labour and the unfettered and unmonitored spread of globalisation. Over 250 million children throughout the world are child labourers. Child labour robs children of a chance to go to school and as a result locks them into a life-long cycle of poverty. It will only cease when adults have access to decent jobs and social support.

Governments, government institutions, employers and others with power must be required to do more in the struggle to eradicate poverty from our world .This must be accompanied by the continued networking and grass roots actions by women, union, social justice, church, youth, indigenous, ethnic and other progressive groups and organisations acting in alliance and solidarity with each other.

Unequal access to education for women and girls is still a major issue. There is a notable lack of education which is suited to the particular needs of students from diverse backgrounds, and which supports a wide range of teaching and learning styles and situations. Education must be culturally appropriate to the society in which students live.

Governments in the sub- region are consistently ignoring their responsibilities to adequately fund public education systems. In some places, this is leading to the privatisation and corporatisation of education.

Programs to enable access to education and lifelong learning to enable women to both particpate in mainstream society and to fulfil their vocational and broader social needs are poorly funded or have had their funding cut.

In Australia, the government has withdrawn support for bi-lingual education programs, which impacts severely on the access to education for Indigenous women and girls.

The push towards mainstreaming has seen the abolition of many gender equity divisions and departments in the Education system, and has led to a weakening of the principles of gender equity in education.. New Vocational Education Programs have no monitoring and support mechanisms to avoid streaming girls into traditional ‘female" areas of employment.

Thee has been a marked backlash in Australia against the focus on gender equity for girls in the education system, leading to a "what about the boys" movement, which ignores historical patterns and outcomes of education delivery and seeks to maintain the status quo.

A national monitoring body must be establishes to ensure the implementation of the gender equity framework within Australian school systems, in all new education initiatives and in special programs targeting minority groups.

Governments in the sub-region must work to ensure that the situation in Bouganville is resolved, and that an education system is established there for all children. Currently, many children in this country have no access to education.

Priority issues in the area of women and health are equity and access to health and health education services for women in traditionally marginalised groups, whose needs are not addressed in the Beijing Platform for Action. In particular these are migrant women who’s first language is not that of the dominant culture, refugee women, indigenous women, lesbians, women with a disability, women in poverty and older women. It is important to expand the definition of health to incorporate spiritual well being and self determination, and this should be reflected in all indicators used to assess women’s health outcomes.

There have been some positive steps taken regarding womens health in the region. In Australia legislation has been introduced to outlaw Female Genital Mutilation, and funding has been provided for programs for Rural women. Research has been undertaken in the area of domestic violence and post-natal depression. "Quality of life" indicators have been developed to better capture women’s subjective experiences of health and wellbeing, and information networks relating to women’s health have been enhanced by the use of the Internet. The World Health Organisation in the Western Pacific Region has produced a number of monographs on implementing the BPFA.

Despite these gains there are still major cultural and religious obstacles to the implementation of many of the Health recommendations , in particular in the area of reproductive health. Mental health issues are still not incorporated into all discussions of womens health, and there is little acknowledgment that women’s health needs vary across life span, across cultures, geographical areas, class and race.

The burden on womens health of the dual role of breadwinner and home maker is seldom acknowledged. Finally, there is a re-emergence of infectious diseases such as AIDS, TB, Malaria and Hepatitis in the Western Pacific region, which poses major challenges for women

Despite the many recommendations aimed at preventing violence against women made in the BPFA , this violence continues and in some cases appears to have increased.

As Women, We Proclaim Our Commitment To Ending Violence Against Women In All Its Forms, And Demand That:

All governments must

a) provide real and significant long-term funding and resources, allocated and managed by women for women, to ameliorate and ultimately to stop this (in)human abuse, exploitation and violation of all women;

(b) fund, resource, encourage and promote universal education and training through schools, pre-schools, tertiary institutions, service providers,legal and justice systems, families, media, unions and professional bodies, on non-acceptance of violence against women in all its forms, to facilitate and ensure -

SECTION F WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

The implementation of the BPFA in the area of women and the economy has been patchy both geographically and structurally. There are now more women in small business. New technologies are enabling some women who previously had no access, to receive education and training in the home however, the lack of accessible and affordable childcare is still a major problem for many women. This is particularly important in the context of the slow implementation of family friendly workplaces and environments.

The casualisation of the workforce in Australia and the expansion of part time work has a direct impact on women and their ability to achieve economic dependence. While part time work is the preferred option for some women, which enables them to combine the need for additional income and participation in the workforce with home and family duties, for many women it is the only work available. This can effectively put them in a "poverty trap" of only being able to earn a very low income, but not being eligible for a range of Government benefits.

The effect of globalisation is a major issue of concern in relation to women and the economy. Governments in the region are not acknowledging the long term effects of the power of multinationals and agreements such as the MAI on the economic wellbeing of women and their dependant children.

There are still few women in positions of power in the economic sphere, and women have very little access to the economic decision making process. Education systems focussed on traditional gender roles discourage women from qualifying to take an active part in the economic processes of Government. The women with least access to economic power are those in developing countries and Indigenous women.

There is a lack of support systems, education and training to enable women to enter into leadership roles, especially migrant and indigenous women. This includes training in the use of state of the art technology. Strategies to encourage more diverse participation in politics, leadership and decision making roles must be developed. Strategies such as women’s registers have assisted in some ways but there remains little support for women who are appointed to positions of power. There has been little effort so far dedicated to reaching diverse groups of women. There are big resourcing issues and governments need new strategies to achieve better participation and representation.

There are enormous gaps between the economic status of women in Australia and in the sub-region, for example indigenous women in rural areas, working women in the city, women in developed and women in developing countries. These are increasing, leading to a diminution of access to power for many women in socially and economically disadvantaged groups.

Patriarchal ideology still dominates public life and many women in positions of power forgive men what they do not forgive in other women. Women in power must be accountable and they must work continually to ensure that they do not endorse or maintain sexist practices.

Family policies still marginalise women. Workplace practices are discriminatory. Becoming a leader costs money, time and resources which women often do not have, and men are still not taking joint responsibility for home duties. Men must carry more domestic responsibilities to enable women the freedom to further develop.

Womens issues must not be marginalised as secondary or minority issues, but must take an equal place in the mainstream with issues relating to men. Only when women’s issues are given equal weight and the same consideration as men’s issues can we afford to allow mainstream policy to be deemed to cover both equally.

SECTION H INSTITUTIONAL MECHANISMS FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF WOMEN

In Australia, gender mainstreaming in government has been impaired by the loss of structures responsible for gender monitoring in portfolios such as Education and Training and Health, although there has been increase in gender monitoring in the Primary Industry portfolio.

Rather than capacity building, to enhance the role of NGOs in policy debate and policy development, funding of NGOs has been reduced and become increasingly uncertain, particularly where NGOs are critical of government policy preferences.

In terms of accountability, there has been a loss of accountability due to the abolition of the Women's Budget Program and the failure to replace it with requirement for gender disaggregations in Budget Estimates and Annual Reports or through expanding the role of the Auditor General to encompass the auditing of gender equity requirements. The reduction in government funding has also reduced the capacity of NGOs to play an effective role in the accountability process.

The major challenge for Australia is to develop a post-Beijing plan of action, based on a well-structured consultation process and providing a new framework for gender mainstreaming and accountability.

SECTION I HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Many women in the region are still unaware of their human rights. Women must be empowered to assert and protect their rights through the dissemination of information about international instruments and protocols, in accessible formats and through the provision of support, training and funding.

The development and maintenance of enforceable avenues of redress for breeches of human rights, including the adoption of the Optional Protocol to CEDAW and by the introduction of appropriate access, rules and procedures through the International Commission of Jurors and the International Criminal Court is essential to protecting and promoting the human rights of women.

A major human rights issue in the sub-region is that of the breaches of human rights against indigenous peoples, and the focus on individual rights sometimes at the expense of the collective rights of specific groups.

The fact that governments sign and ratify Human Rights instruments and treaties, but do not implement them is a major challenge. An important case in point is the failure of the Government to include the principle of equality between women and men in the proposed new preamble to the constitution. This is despite the Government having both signed and ratified CEDAW, which incorporates an obligation for signatories to include this principle in their constitutions at the first opportunity following signature.

Since 1995, there has been a concentration of media ownership which has had extremely negative effects on both the participation in, and the portrayal of women in the media.

Media accountability has been lessened, and stereotyping and negativing images of women have increased. The commercialisation of government media has diminished the number of media channels that are free of advertising, which is the major vehicle of negative images of women. While there has been some increase in the number of women working in the media there these are not often in positions of influence, for example, only 17% of interviewers are women. There is evidence that senior and influential male commentators are frequently "bought" to provide positive comment major on social change which impacts negatively on the lives of women, such as the cutting of banking services for women in rural and remote areas of Australia.

Media is a major purveyor of culture, opinion and attitude and womens voices have to be strong and prominent in this important genre. We have to ensure that gains previously made in terms of female representation in the media are not consistently eroded through the weakening of policy and mechanisms of control. A diverse and localised media industry is essential for this to occur.

We do not have a strong and coordinated NGO media voice or presence, and our challenge is to develop this aspect of our lobbying and advocacy.

The persistence of militarism and the nuclear industry has perpetuated environmental degradation. Women of the Pacific insist upon:

• An end to uranium mining in Australia
• A total ban on nuclear and radioactive waste dumping in the Pacific region
• Health programs for women and children affected by nuclear testing

It is proposed that a Pacific womens forum be established to monitor continue to network, exchange information, lobby governments and monitor the impact of globalisation on the environment in the region.

There have been some successful policies programmes and projects to implement the recommendations in this critical areas of concern. The Green Corps has been established, which promotes youth involvement in conservation and land care projects.

Funding has been provided to women in rural areas to undertake environmental research and women’s rate of participation in science and technology through employment and enrolment in tertiary institutions has increased.

Reduced resources for non-government organisation’s has lessened the ability of women to undertake advocacy roles around environmental issues. The environment protection and Biodiversity conservation Act. 1999. will make it very difficult for non-government organisation’s to monitor and lobby on environmental issues, due to the devolution of responsibility to State governments and other Federal portfolios.

Genetic engineering and genetically modified food pose an environmental threat in the sub-region The Australia and New Zealand food authority allowed 16 untested genetically modified foods onto the market in 1999 before adopting testing and labelling standards. Health as well as environmental issues are linked to the consumption of genetically modified food. Commitment to further action and initiatives by government to this is unknown.

While there have been some gains in the rights and status of the girl child since the BPFA, which include legislation to eradicate Female Genital Mutilation, the establishment of a Children’s Commissions in NSW and Queensland, and a commitment in foreign aid policy and funding to programs for women and girls, problems still persist.

Poor self esteem, manifested in problems with body image and eating disorders and mental health problems such as anxiety and depression are fuelled by social attitudes towards the girl child and media images which reinforce these. Violence and abuse of the girl child does not appear to be diminishing in Australia, and drug use in young women has increased. The gender aspect of abuse is not addressed in treatment programs.

Thee is a disturbing increase in the sexualisation of young girls in the sub region, and evidence that sex tourism which focuses on children is expanding from Asia to the Pacific region.

Governments do not adequately address the needs of the girl child, who is often invisible in government policy and service provision. The Office for the Status of Women do not target the girl child and there is no review of the impact of policy and funding decisions on the girl child and young women, such as the common youth allowance in Australia, which forces some young women to stay in abusive family situations.

The following gains were identified which can be attributed to the implementation of the BPFA

• There was a general consensus that no gains were made by governments, as the feminisation of poverty has continued, and in many instances women are now worse off than they were in 1995.
• There were no gains made by Non Government Organisation’s (NGOs) because of policy changes by governments as well as government funding cuts.
• Civil society had made no gains with regards to women and poverty, special note was made of the fact that women are still widely discriminated against in all facets of social life.

• One important gap in civil society is the lack of response to issues surrounding Indigenous women, with particular regard to the rights of Indigenous women to self-determination and measures to address the continued cycle of poverty that Indigenous women are often subject to [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.q.].
• The lack of women’s access to legal aid [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.p.], adequate shelter [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.m.], and a quality education across the sub-region are all contributing factors to the over representation of women in poverty [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.d.].
• A deterioration in women’s employment rights and working conditions as a result of workplace and individual contracts in Australia has eroded the potential of women to earn an adequate income [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.h.].
• A deterioration of government funding for social services available to women, in particular in Australia, has been a contributing factor to the low socio-economic status of many women [Strategic Objective A.1, Actions 58.d., j., o.].
• Funding cut-backs in some government programs has resulted in an increase in the poverty traps for the unemployed, low income earners, and women workers; this also has a trickle down effect in that the welfare of children is compromised by this trend [Strategic Objective A.1, Actions 58.d., j.].
• A greater awareness by civil society is needed with regard to the needs of Indigenous peoples, such as their needs for education and health, as well as an awareness of the spirituality and culture of Indigenous peoples [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.q.].
• Governments must reaffirm their commitment to the BPFA by ensuring that the BPFA is implemented from the ‘grass roots’ through to government policy and the law [Strategic Objective A.1, Actions 58.a., c.].
• Governments must implement self-monitoring programs to ensure that the BPFA is implemented to its greatest possible extent [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.a.].
• Non-government organisations must create mechanisms to monitor governments to ensure governments’ implementation of the BPFA [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 60.b.].
• A system of networking all NGOs is required in order for non-government organisations to exchange information, consult with each other, and support each other in their goal of the implementation of the BPFA [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 60.a.].
• It has been noticed that governments in general have been lacking in their implementation of the BPFA. Unless there is a commitment from governments to implement the BPFA at a ‘grass roots’ level, women will continue to live in poverty and will continue to be subject to the impoverishment of women [Strategic Objective A.1, Actions 58.a., b., c., d.].
• There has been an increase by governments in applying economic rationalism resulting in an unacceptable increase in poverty levels [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 58.c.].
• Lack of employment [Strategic Objective A.1, 58.h.]and access to quality and appropriate education and training [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 60.e.] has contributed to the continuing poverty of many women in the sub-region.

Some issues have not improved despite mentions in the BPFA, and the implementation of some of the recommendations. Other new issues have been identified since 1995.

• There has been a noted demoralisation of NGOs due to policy changes by some governments, as well as cuts in funding from governments. This has resulted in a gap in the effectiveness of NGOs that cannot be allowed to be continued [Strategic Objective A.1, Action 60].
• Globalisation is seen to be one of the most dangerous emerging issues, it carries with it the power to dominate and oppress those ‘without’, whilst those ‘with’ profit from this. Some examples of this can be seen in:
• Tax evasion by the wealthy—moving companies and investments internationally.
• Abuse of intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples
• Holding governments of developing countries to ransom by allowing them to become financially dependent.
• Civil society is ignoring the dangers posed by gene modification of foods, as well as the domination of agri-business.
• Non-government organisations must ensure their support for and participation in the World March of Women in the year 2000 against poverty and violence.

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• In Australia there is greater access for students with disabilities [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 80.a.].
• Technical and Further Education labor market programmes have integrated occupational health and safety standards which encourage greater access by women [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 82.e.].
• Eradicate illiteracy among women - in the Philippines alternative programmes are being trialed for indigenous people. Programmes are run by churches not government [Strategic Objective B2].
• The development of curriculum and materials free of gender stereotypes such as the publication of "Gender Equity", a framework for Australian schools [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.a.].
• Publication of base line data on gender and school education.
• In Tonga and Vanuatu indigenous peoples’ culture has been integrated in the primary curriculum [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.n.].
• Recognition that current education and training methods are not always working has led to community organisations taking up initiatives to set up community schools [Strategic Objective B.5, Action 85.a.].

The following issues are perceived as gaps in the BPFA

• The need for education policies with diversity of learning styles and methods.
• Lack of availability of adult education for women in the Pacific.
• To improve access to education for children in the Pacific, especially children with disabilities.
• To improve living standards in indigenous communities which need upgrading (basics, clean water, food, housing and encouraging children to attend school).
• To develop government funding for programmes in adult education for women and their specific needs, particularly in rural areas.
• For governments to review education systems to assist towards the development of documents, resources and methodologies that conserve traditional education.
• To reverse the trend towards funding private institutions instead of government and community education institutions.

• Equal access to education. In some areas in pacific (PNG, Bouganville) there are no schools available and no access for girls to primary school [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 80].
• The need to improve women’s access to vocational training and continuing education, which requires resourcing, funding and review of teacher training [Strategic Objective B.6, Action 88].
• The allocation of funds for cultural education with the aim of ensuring the survival and revival of indigenous cultures [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.n.].
• The need for additional funding to rural areas and communities [Strategic Objective B.4, Actions 83.q., r.].
• Identified need to document indigenous learning and teachings and increased funding for indigenous and alternative education projects [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.n.].
• The need for specific education and training for women with disabilities [Strategic Objective B.3, Action 82.k.].
• Lack of sufficient resources to allow access to education for refugee women, women in prison and older women [Strategic Objective B.3, Action 82.k.].
• Mechanisms and resources for monitoring the implementation of education reforms [Strategic Objective B.5, Action 84.b.].
• The promotion of lifelong education and training for women and girls to educate women to be equipped with skills to acquire knowledge and skills of self reliance and human dignity, as well as educational opportunities which are market driven [Strategic Objective B.6., Action 88].
• To ensure equal access to education for all Indigenous communities, lower economic social groups, people with disabilities as well as children and women from the Pacific (PNG, Bougainville) [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 80.a.].
• To improve access to education for pregnant women to complete their education. This requires resources, policy and procedure changes and attitudinal changes [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 90.g.; Strategic Objective B.3, Action 83.s.].
• To improve women’s access to vocational training services, technology and continuing education [Strategic Objective B.3, Action 82].
• To eradicate illiteracy among women {Strategic Objective B.2, Action 81].
• The need for the development of non-discriminatory education and training programmes [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83].
• To provide access to education for indigenous women and girls [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.n.].
• To provide access to sex education in all areas including remote rural areas [Strategic Objective, B.4, Action 83.l.].
• Training in gender issues for teachers, particularly those involved in adult education programmes [Strategic Objective B.4, Actions 83.b., c.].
• Non discriminatory education and training, sexism in universities, language of male lecturers and teachers, promoting opportunities for women, access to sexuality education [Strategic Objective B,4, Actions 83.d., f., g.].
• The allocation of sufficient resources for the monitoring and implementation of education reforms. Better understanding is needed of what international agencies are doing, e.g. UNESCO and who determines educational indicators and how appropriate they are [Strategic Objective B.5, Action 84].
• To promote lifelong education and training for girls and women due to the narrow base of education - market driven, compartmentalised[Strategic Objective B.6, Action 85].
• The reduction of funding for alternative delivery channels for example, radio and television for open learning and distance education [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.q.].
• Cultural recolonisation of Pacific by sectarian groups, e.g. Mormons which do not respect local culture and do not employ local teachers in establishing schools and direct students towards universities in the United States of America [Strategic Objective B.6].
• Lack of primary and basic education which is community based and publicly funded, based on integration and knowledge, culture and values both traditional and contemporary, and which reflect the society that the children live in (as opposed to western based systems) [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 80.b.].
• The number of girls studying and having access to information technology is diminishing in secondary schools [Strategic Objective B.1, Action 80.f].
• The lack of alternative methods around literacy, particularly for indigenous students. In Australia the withdrawal of funding of bi-lingual education in indigenous communities [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83.n.].
• Lack of sufficient resources to monitor the implementation of educational reforms due to continued government cuts to public education [Strategic Objective B.5, Action 84].

• To ensure that the emphasis in the BPFA on science, maths, technology does not take resources away from the provision of basic literacy programs to all women and girls.
• The increasing privatisation of education and the withdrawal of funds from public education. In Australia the cut to and withdrawal of funds to scholarships for higher education, programmes and monies for certificate level courses has excluded many women from tertiary and vocational courses.
• Restricted access to education and training for migrant children and women. In Australia the Goods and Services Tax will impact on educational resources, e.g. books, especially for public school students.
• Lack of access by women to vocational training science and technology and continuing education [Strategic Objective B.4, Action 83]. Participation in vocational education is still gendered, information technology becoming another area of gendered participation. In many countries, early marriage and pregnancy impacts on access to education. Often there is too little or no financial support for mother and child. Students are being "pushed out" of education (not dropping out) due to students needs not being met (girls being taken out of school for home duties and use of exams/ testing at the end of primary schooling to exclude students from secondary education due to limited places).
• Limited access to education for Pacific islands due to maintenance of marriage customs as the basis for the provision of labour for farming and economic dependence of women which limits access to education. In Australia competition for resources due to the "what about the boys movement" creates a backlash against initiatives for girls.
• Loss of funding to education programmes for women from a non-English speaking background, and lack of adequate funding for technology.
• Funding does not reach the target groups.
• Funding cuts to public television and radio have a negative impact because of the educational benefits of these mediums within the region.
• Lack of involvement of parents in the foundations of education to promote life long learning.

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C. WOMEN AND HEALTH

The following gains were identified which can be attributed to the implementation of the BPFA

• State governments of Australia are implementing legislative change to outlaw female genital mutilation, and have introduced national education programs aimed at supporting women and girls and prevention of the practice [Strategic Objective C.2, Action 107.a.].
• Special funding has been made available to meet the needs of rural women in Australia, e.g. flying in female doctors [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.c.].
• Desegregation by gender of most health data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics [Strategic Objective C.4, Action 109.a.].
• The production and distribution of health manuals for older women [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.n.].
• A planned Australian national sexual health strategy [Strategic Objective C.2, Action 107.e.].
• A promise in Australia of increases funding to reduce the levels of Indigenous infant mortality and morbidity rates [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.l.].
• Development of schemes by non-government organisations to assist women who have been sexually assaulted [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.q.].
• An increase in concerted action between non-government organisations and governments since the BPFA in 1995, as well as an increase in the number of Australian non-government organisations recognised by the United Nations and therefore able to lobby internationally on health issues [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.t.].
• Domestic violence has been accepted as a basic human rights issue.
• Health as a human right has become part of popular language, and is promoted in media reports.
• The use of the World Wide Web as a way of promoting and gaining information with regard to women’s health.
• Post-natal depression has been accepted as a legitimate area of research, and women’s experience with regard to post-natal depression is now accepted as a public issue.
• There is now more gender sensitive training for health workers [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.f.].

• Non-government organisations need to be more involved with advocacy and policy development with regards to women’s health, which requires governments’ allocation of funds to non-government organisations.
• Input from younger women is needed in order to have a broad range of information available on their health issues. It has been suggested that this could be achieved by an increase in membership within non-government organisations of younger women and that this be encouraged in United Nations documents.
• The active inclusion in civil society of women’s health issues, which requires education and attitudinal change.
• Governments need to address the issues of mortality and morbidity rates with regard to Indigenous peoples.
• A 100% immunisation rate should be achieved by all governments.
• NGOs must ensure that they remain aware of issues of concern with regard to health and through this awareness continue to lobby governments to implement change for the benefit of women.
• The United Nations must take steps to ensure that health related policies are ratified internationally.
• The World Health Organisation to must consider inclusion of spiritual and cultural health in the definition of health, to encourage, fund and be involved in policy making, and lobbying on health issues.
• The International Labor Organisation must ensure safety and accountability in occupational health and implement best practice guidelines.

While included in the BPFA, recommendations to address some issues have not yet been implemented. The challenges to this occurring are outlined below:

• Within governments there is a lack of acknowledgment of the issues surrounding women’s health as well as a lack of acknowledgment of services required for women’s health [Strategic Objective C.1, Actions 106.b., c.].
• Governments should become responsible for ensuring that women with language, geographical, and cultural barriers have equity of access to health services, this could be achieved through legislation, policies, protocols and funding [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.c.].
• Governments should ensure that all areas of need are well catered for when health services are required, example of this would include; mental health, disabilities, HIV and Aids, and Hepatitis [Strategic Objective C.1].
• NGOs have to act as advocates for the community and governments, as well as to monitor and police the implementation of legislation, policies, and programs [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.s.].
• NGOs need to network with and support other non-government organisations in their efforts to achieve the above [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.t.].
• Lack of funding to non-government organisations is effectively reducing their ability to lobby and work with governments with regard to women’s health [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106.s.].

• Civil Society must accept, respect, support and understand diversity, recognise health workers at the grass roots level and give status to hands-on practitioners.
• Civil Society must support the principles of equity and access and encourage social unacceptability and rejection of inappropriate polices, practices and behaviours.
• An issue that has remained persistent is women’s access to equitable and adequate health care. There is a clear division in health care quality and access throughout the world, the Pacific and within Australia. This issue is most obvious with regard to third world and developing countries, but is also very noticeable in ‘developed’ countries such as Australia especially with regard to Indigenous women, migrants, refugees, women with disabilities, older women, lesbians, women in remote and rural areas, and women of a non-English speaking background [Strategic Objective C.1, Action 106].
• Areas that need to be addressed by governments with regard to health are; drug and alcohol abuse, mental health, violence, vitamin A and iron deficiencies, HIV and Aids, all strains of Hepatitis, infant mortality rates, especially within the Pacific and Indigenous populations, and child immunisation programs. Lack of government funding is seen to be the root cause of the continued emergence of these issues.
• Civil society is often unaware of the lack of adequate health services for women, especially with regard to the areas mentioned in ‘Government’ above.
• The emergence of globalisation brings with it many issues which effect women’s health, some of these issues are; environmental pollution (increase in asthma), the stripping of natural resources, deforestation, disruption to local water tables through irrigation and factory cooling systems.

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• The issue is out in the open and there is less resistance to people - particularly women - speaking about violence against women.
• Governments in Australia have cooperated in writing the draft Criminal Code, incorporating model laws on sexual offences and domestic/family violence [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 126.j.].
• A National Association for Sexual Violence has been established in Australia [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 126.j.].
• Some educational programmes have been introduced into schools [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.k.].

GAPS

• Factors such as poverty and other economic issues such as housing, unemployment, drugs, etc generally within society and as global issues must be taken into account.
• Police training and education in issues of violence against women must be implemented and consistent, so that the systems across Australia and across the sub-region do not compound the difficulties confronted by women in relation to violence.
• Education and training for health and welfare service providers on the issue of violence against women is lacking.
• Government polices and laws must be developed to be inclusive of all issues of violence against women - namely a commitment to women's emotional and physical safety and wellbeing.
• Globalisation must be addressed, particularly in its impact on the downsizing of women's ministries, offices, departments, advisory councils, etc.
• A multifaceted approach to education, including non-academic approaches, must be pursued.
• Governments and other institutions must be required to end the rhetoric and ensure that documents and laws they sign or introduce are authentic, effective and implemented..
• The United Nations must end its provision whereby larger western counties have the right to veto.
• Alternatives to offender focussed processes must be sought and implemented.
• The promotion of economic rationalism over human rights must be ended.
• The use of physical punishment must be questioned.
• Real equality not just formal legal equality is required for all women.

While included in the BPFA, recommendations to address some issues have not yet been implemented. The challenges to this occurring are outlined below:

• Increasing demand and no adequate funding or resourcing of services to address violence against women [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.p.].
• Cross-cultural issues must be taken into account [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 125.b.].
• Governments must be questioned and challenged in relation to their action or lack of action on international conventions, convenants, laws, etc and women particularly through non-government and women's organisations must pursue strategies - for example, through the courts - to ensure that these conventions, covenants, laws etc are utilised domestically to effect women's rights [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.e.].
• Socialisation in family and community too often underpins violence against women and this must be challenged and effective programmes to change it devised and implemented [Strategic Objective D.1, 124.k.].
• Violence against women must be recognised and acknowledged as a human rights issue [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 125.e.].
• The whole community requires education that men must not be violent and this requires a huge attitude and behavioural shift [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 125.g.].
• Law reform is not enough - there must be educational programmes to ensure that the laws are properly implemented in the spirit in which they were intended to operate. Case law must be built up in accordance with the spirit of the law reform [Strategic Objective D.1, Actions 124.g., n., l.].
• Discrimination in polices must be worked against and overcome – for example, this arises in relation to policies and practices towards migrant/newcomer women and Centrelink [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.g.].
• Effective, meaningful sentences for violent offenders must be introduced and implemented [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.b.].
• Effective and meaningful programmes for violent offenders whilst in custody and on release require attention, so that if they are maintained they are run responsibly to ensure that men are required to acknowledge their own violence and responsibility for their violence, and that they must end their violence [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 125.i.].
• The underpinning of violence against women through religion, particularly fundamentalist religions of all hues, must be addressed and overcome [Strategic Objective D.1, Action 124.a.].

Some issues have not improved despite mentions in the BPFA, and the implementation of some of the recommendations. Other new issues have been identified since 1995.

• The issue of Land Rights is central to violence against women in Indigenous communities, but this is not recognised by governments.
• Lack of data, including statistics, so that there is no real picture of violence against women in the individual countries or in the sub-region [Strategic Objective D.2, Action 129].
• Defunding of women's organisations generally, and thus a lost of general networking, including the defunding of the Coalition of Australian Participation Organisations of Women (CAPOW).
• Lack of education and training for men to end their violence against women - but this must not be at the expense of women's funding and the problematic nature of this funding must be recognised.
• The patriarchal system is the biggest challenge.

E. WOMEN AND ARMED CONFLICT

• Rape in times of armed conflict is now recognised as a war crime [Strategic Objective E.3].
• The gender perspective is being considered in the establishment of the International Criminal Court [Strategic Objective E.1].
• The Ottawa Convention on Landmines has been signed and ratified by many governments (including in the Pacific) [Strategic Objective E.2].
• Governments have included women in peacekeeping missions [Strategic Objective E.1].
• Non-armed peace monitors (including women) stationed on the ground in Bougainville and East Timor [Strategic Objective E.1].
• Women have continued to work tireless for peace, and community groups such as "Bougainville Women For Peace and Freedom" have taken root [Strategic Objective E.4].
• Men are beginning to realise the value of women's contribution in conflict resolution [Strategic Objective E.4].
• UNHCR and ECOSOC are including gender perspectives in the work they are doing [Strategic Objective E.5].
• In Canada, it is now possible for a woman to claim refugee status as a result of being persecuted for her sexual orientation [Strategic Objective E.5].

• Need to change the terminology behind "protecting" women to the more essential one of "empowering" women.
• Necessity to tailor guidelines on the provision of aid to also include the vital component of funding women's community/NGO groups in non-violent conflict resolution skills [Strategic Objective E.3].
• Need to ensure that women are aware of how to access mechanisms to obtain justice (eg "rape as a war crime") and ensuring that these mechanisms are accessible to all women, regardless of their situation [Strategic Objective E.1].
• Failure to recognise that sexual slavery in times of armed conflict affects women across all regions (including the Pacific) and of the need to provide generous compensation and medical support.
• Failure to acknowledge that with globalisation governments are losing control of their own states' economies.
• Did not deal with the fact that people living under colonisation do not have ready access to the international fora as do sovereign governments.
• Failure to adequately acknowledge the need to decrease military spending as a first step to creating conditions for peace [Strategic Objective E.2, Action 143.a., b., d.].
• Lack of understanding the full impact of armed conflict on the lives of women, both during and after the conflict. As such, no strategies were tailored to deal with both satisfactorily.
• Need to include funding of women's and community peace groups as an essential component of peace-making and building [Strategic Objectives E.3, E.4].
• Need to change attitudes and thinking regarding the participation of women and community groups in drawing up national military policies and budget for nation states.
• Need for transparency and accountability in drawing up national military policies and budgets.
• More skills based sharing and regional networking of women's NGOs is required.
• Need to provide the general civilian population across the world (particularly those who come from disenfranchised groups) with access to international fora.
• Necessity to find means to ensure that international agreements are adhered to by all parties, including governments.
• Changing the thinking of governments and relevant institutions about the importance of using peace-building initiatives as an early intervention measure to prevent conflict [Strategic Objective E.5].
• Failure of governments to recognise the impact of militarisation of our societies and to work with women NGOs and other groups to alleviate its effects (eg spread of HIV, prostitution and rape) [Strategic Objectives E.2, E.4].
• Need to examine the root causes of armed conflict.
• Need to educate all sections of the community in non-violent conflict resolution skills.
• Need to document the different models of conflict resolution used around the world.
• Need for local women to fully participate as equal partners in the administration and planning of socio/economic/political infrastructures set up after the cessation of armed conflict.
• Lack of commitment to provide generous funding to NGOs working in building democratic infrastructures in conflict sensitive areas.
• Failure to integrate women’s NGOs in post-conflict rebuilding programmes.

• Need to provide funding for landmines clearance in all regions (including the Pacific), in a non-discriminate, generous and timely manner [Strategic Objective E.2, Action 143.e.].
• Importance of providing and funding the full range of services to refugee women in host countries (language training, trauma and torture counselling, vocational training, etc) [Strategic Objective E.5, Action 147.l.].
• Reducing military spending is a great challenge for all governments [Strategic Objective E.2].
• Protecting and providing the full range of support for displaced and refugee women in a timely fashion remains a big challenge [Strategic Objective E.5].
• Need for NGOs to recognise full dimension of decolonisation issues [Strategic Objective E.6].
• Need for all government programmes to be gender sensitive and to include women in the design and implementation of these programmes [Strategic Objective E.1].
• Providing timely and adequate aid to women and the general community in armed conflict situations [Strategic Objective E.5].
• Attitudinal change is required in instilling all in the community with the skills of violent conflict resolution techniques [Strategic Objective E.4].
• Need to give more women the opportunity to be involved in conflict resolution activities [Strategic Objective E.4].
• Need to provide funding to rebuild social/economic/political infrastructure of war torn societies after cessation of armed conflict [Strategic Objective E.5].
• Governments continue to ignore their human rights obligations as laid out in international treaties and conventions [Strategic Objective E.3, Action 144.b.].
• Failure of governments to make concerted efforts to reduce military expenditure [Strategic Objective E.2].
• Failure of some key governments to agree to ban the sale, transfer, and use of landmines [Strategic Objective E.2, Action 143.e.].
• Failure of governments to accept the autonomy and self-determination of indigenous peoples [Strategic Objective E.6, Strategic Objective E.3, Action 145.a.].
• Failure of the Australian government to accept full responsibility for its colonisation [Strategic Objective E.6].

• Children continue to be used as soldiers in armed conflict situations around the world.
• Nuclear weapons programmes have not been halted and uranium mining and trade have continued unabated.
• There is no international control and transparency of the arms trade.
• The continuing influence wielded by arms manufacturers is attacking peace-building initiatives in the region [Strategic Objective E.3].
• The ideology of 'security' is almost exclusively defined in military terms by governments.
• The Pacific countries continue to be unacceptably implicated in the proliferation of nuclear weapons and the nuclear industry - mining, transportation, storage, etc.
• Lack of commitment to fund women's NGOs to promote non-violent conflict resolution skills to the broader community.
• Continuing stereotyping of women and women's issues pertaining to armed conflict in the media.
• Failure of the Security Council to be used as a tool for peace making due to the veto power of the 5 Nuclear Weapons States.
• Need for women to be meaningfully involved in the formation of the International Criminal Court [Strategic Objective E.3, Action 144.c.].
• Failure to harness the full potential of the United Nations in peace-making and peace-building initiatives due to the excessive influence wielded by a few nation states and multinational corporations.
• Continuing marginalisation of the United Nations by power blocs such as NATO in dealing with international affairs.
• Failure to provide humanitarian aid in a timely fashion to bolster peace-building initiatives in pre-empting violence.
• Grassroots organisations must be centrally involved in planning all rehabilitation programmes in war torn societies.
• Perceived discrimination in the way the UN targets aid recipients and the rapidity in which aid is dispensed.
• The aid programmes continue to be politically motivated and not targeted to meeting basic human needs.

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F. WOMEN AND THE ECONOMY

The following gains were identified which can be attributed to the implementation of the BPFA

• Parental leave is now available for men in Australia [Strategic Objective F.6, Action 179.c.].
• A Carer’s pension has been introduced which recognises the value of women’s previously unpaid work [Strategic Objective F.1, Action 165.g.].
• Working women’s centres have been established.
• There has been increased flexibility in work practices and education, such as tele-working and Internet delivery.
• The funding and establishment of the Business Women’s Council [Strategic Objective F.1, Action 165.n.].
• The "Fair Wear" campaign, which has increased awareness of issues regarding the exploitation of out-workers in Australia [Strategic Objective F.1, Action 165.r.; Strategic Objective F.2, Action 166.l.].
• Greater access to education in for women in rural and remote areas, in the home and the Pacific Islands through the provision of on-line education services which cans serve as pathways to employment [Strategic Objective F.2, Action 166.j.; Strategic Objective F.3, Action 173.c.].
• A marked increase in the number of women in small business [Strategic Objective F.2, Actions 166.a., d., h.].

• Pay equity for men and women, not only for performing the same work, but also for work equivalence [Strategic Objective F.5].
• The lack of adequate of child care facilities and family friendly workplaces infrastructure to support women in the work place.
• Commitment to adequately resource working women’s centres.
• Recognition of the impact of globalisation on women and employment.
• Critique of the Asia Pacific Economic Communities and World Trade Organisation regarding their gender perspective.
• Lack of public education on economics, which results in the adequate involvement of civil society in the debate about change, for example the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax in Australia.
• Employment and superannuation issues - need to provide equity, and insecurity for disenfranchised and marginalised employees.
• Appropriate education access.
• Access to education for the population to be made aware of the pitfalls of globalisation, and the trans national companies that exploit local economies.
• Language: Accessibility and availability of access to the ‘dominant’ regional language, as well as education.
• The redistribution of wealth through tax systems to ensure that all its citizens have sufficient income, health, welfare and education services to enable them to live in dignity and security.
• Determining women’s participation in the allocation of budget funds.
• To control the effects of Globalisation by establishing strong non-government organisation links and ensure that we do not replicate organisations that allow/enable domination by one conservative, economic ideology.
• To establish a tribunal to examine the economic impacts of globalisation on women. This tribunal would have an educative, reporting and dispute resolution responsibility. Self-defined communities and/or groups of women as well as individuals would have access before the tribunal.
• To address the issue of "glass ceilings" for women and to provide equitable work opportunities.
• The need to address the economic needs of an increase in the aged population. As the number of older women increases so to does the need for a livable aged pension/superannuation schemes, and stable future financial planning to allow for these increased numbers.

• Individuals to take greater responsibility for their role in sustaining dominant cultures which exclude Indigenous women, immigrant women, lesbian, disabled and other minority women.
• The care of those unable to work or access work to provide for themselves e.g. the young, elderly, women on maternity leave, the unemployed.
• Issues of casualisation of the labour force and working conditions.
• To ensure that the Australian companies operating in the Pacific are ethically responsible.
• To ensure that women’s business groups incorporate social justice issues.
• Market driven policies discriminate against vulnerable groups.
• The increasing power of multi-national companies and globalisation.
• An ever persistent issue for non-government organisations is the lack of funding.
• World bank economic policy which consistently disadvantages women in developing countries.
• Fragmentation of civil society; erosion of the common good, as well as Individualisation of work, education, and wage negotiation.
• Education and work being moved to home, which while having advantages for some, can lead to isolation and exploitation.
• The speed of technology change impacts on women, because they leave the work force to have children.
• The dominance of Corporate interests over individual interests, in particular in relation to women.
• The increasing casualisation and compartmentalising of the work force, which means that the only work available to many women is insecure, low paid and part time.
• Acknowledging that Australian Government policy in the Pacific Islands is undermining the economies by turning land into a commodity, and addressing this issue.

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• The continued upholding of the principle of multiculturalism in Australia despite a move towards mainstreaming of infrastructure and services which has the potential to dilute this principle.
• Some advances towards achieving a critical mass of women in politics e.g. Emily’s list [Strategic Objective G.1, Actions 190.a., b.].
• Some work practices, such as flexi-time and working from home have helped to support women in the workforce but these have not gone far enough yet.
• There is a growing people’s movement based on coalitions forming to ensure that democracy and civil society is preserved. Much of this is organised and driven by women but does not exclusively involve women.
• In the Solomon Islands there have been some achievements in the areas of leadership and decision-making training for women, especially in the economic sense, but there is a great need for further trust from women in leadership roles who must continue to welcome constructive criticism [Strategic Objective G.2, Action 195.a.].

• The document fails to identify or address the effects of colonisation on indigenous women, and the effects of this in their ability to achieve positions of power in mainstream society or to effect the decision making which determines their lives and those of their families and communities. Indigenous women are invisible in the dominant discourse. In Australia they continue to have the worst health, housing, education access to training and employment. In male dominated cultural environments, the indigenous women’s political struggles to protect their lands and sea are seldom heard [Strategic Objective G.1, Action 190.g.].
• Lesbians and immigrant women, (as distinct from migrant workers) are not mentioned in the document, and women with a disability are inadequately addressed. These groups suffer substantial disadvantage and discrimination, and consequent lack of power and ability to make decisions over their own lives, and in wider public fora [Strategic Objective G.2].
• To change our language and discourse to be more inclusive of all women.
• To address the structural issues which affect the access of women to positions of power. These include class issues, access to education, the gap between women in rural and urban areas, political systems which are male dominated and erect barriers to womens access and mechanisms for maintaining gains previously made.
• To challenge the system which forces women who achieve positions of power to continue to be reliant on the established political and class system which is based on patriarchal lineage.

• An agenda for women in Fiji [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 205.d.].
• Recognition by the court in Rome of rape as a war crime [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 204.d.].
• The development of a "national women's council" in New Caledonia [Strategic Objective h.1, Action 203.b.].

• There is a lack of recognition of traditional law and customs that assist in the advancement of women. Colonised states and indigenous women have no avenue to have their voice heard in members state reports (eg, New Caledonia does not have individual status at the UN, except through France).
• The UN should develop mechanisms for countries which HAVE ratified instruments (such as CEDAW) to agree on "next steps" in the development of rights flowing from those instruments ie: to have discussions to make agreements which do NOT require the agreement of countries which have not ratified the instrument.
• To ensure women gain leadership and decision making roles at all levels.
• Organisational change to establish gender equity including [Strategic Objective H.2]:
• education, non-gender biased language and curriculum
• values
• attitudes
• cultural
• spiritual/religion
• publicity/media to assist in change

• To ensure women’s voices in funding issues such as:
• defence budget
• redirection of government funding
• transparency/accountability
• public versus private responsibility (impact of privatisation)
• Information generation and dissemination, which includes [Strategic Objective H.3]:
• access to information, clarity in language, and in the language of minority groups as well as the dominant language.
• shaping information/partnerships
• language free of gender stereotypes and
• strategic targeting for women's issues

• There are no requirements for state parties to collect NGO input to their CSW reports, including various minority groups such as [Strategic Objective H.3, Action 206.c.]:
  • migrant women
  • lesbians
  • indigenous women
  • women with disabilities
  • older women
  • younger women
  • rural women
  • women in prison
• The introduction of organisational change across all sectors to establish gender equity [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 205.a.].
• To undertake ongoing evaluation and monitoring of representation [Strategic Objective H.3, Action 206.b.].
• To support women government representatives [Strategic Objective H.1, Action 203.b.].
• To establish an NGO structure that is coherent and uses democratic machinery to allow women’s voices to be heard and to encourage informed participation in times of transition [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 205.b.].
• Monitoring by NGOs to keep Governments accountable [Strategic Objective H.3, Action 206.c.].
• There are still few women in senior positions [Strategic Objective H.1, Action 203.b.].
• Lack of NGO consultation and community debate about issues of importance to women in society [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 205.b.].
• The complexity of international monitoring and reporting (NGO and Government), which effectively excludes many women from taking part in the process [Strategic Objective H.3, Action 206.c.].
• Cuts in funding to NGOs are eroding the ability of women to particpate in decision making roles [Strategic Objective H.2, Action 204].

I. HUMAN RIGHTS OF WOMEN

• In Australia, a co-ordinated national, state and federal response to the prevention of domestic violence, which is now recognised as a human rights issue [Strategic Objective I.2, Action 232.g.].
• Increased funding for women’s legal services [Strategic Objective I.2, Action 232.n.].
• Implementation of the Sex Tourism Crimes Act, which protects the girl child in the region [Strategic Objective I.1, Actions 230.m., n.].
• Increased services for the disabled which enhance their basic human rights.
• The Women’s Constitutional Convention In Australia which highlighted the need for the recognition of the rights of women in any new constitution and preamble [Strategic Objective I.2, Action 232.b.].
• New Zealand Women lobbied to defeat a National Superannuation Scheme which would have violated the rights of women.
• Australia, New Zealand and all Pacific Island States are eligible to vote at the UN support the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
• Australia and New Zealand present effective shadow reports to CEDAW [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 230.i.].
• Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women on the plight of women in Indonesia [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 231.h.].
• Establishment of an International Criminal Court, which will be able to consider violations of women’s human rights.
• Recognition of rape in a conflict situation as a crime against humanity, a war crime and an act of genocide, Court of Rome October 1998 [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 231.h.].
• The signing of the Land Mines Convention which has ramifications for the rights of women who are repatriated following conflict situations.
• FGM protection which while a health issue, is also a basic human right.
• Changes in the discourse around older women, leading to a greater acknowledgment of their contribution to society and acceptance and recognition of their special needs.
• Some steps have been taken to make the language of Human Rights more accessible to the ordinary person [Strategic Objective I.3, Action 233.a.].
• The Stolen Generations Report, and the reconciliation process in Australia. Increasing recognition of land rights for indigenous peoples [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 230.o.].
• Strengthening of movements such as reclaim the night, and women in black.

• Equality between men and women in the conventions and in practice in the sub region.
• The lack of official recognition and action by other governments in the sub-region of the plight of women in Bouganville, Indonesia and East Timor, either in preventing the abuses, or in the provision of services to ameliorate the effects of these abuses.
• The need for grass roots education on CEDAW and other Human Rights instruments and how to use them, in particular for Indigenous women in the region as they seek redress for years of colonisation, the effects of nuclear activity and for land rights [Strategic Objective I.3].
• An expanded definition of refugee status which recognises gender related issues as grounds for persecution.
• The recognition of Group and Community rights as well as individual rights.
• A support system, including funding, to enable individuals and groups to use the Human Rights system to seek redress for human rights violations.
• To be inclusive of all minority groups when making representation about the Human Rights of women.
• The introduction and implementation of revised guidelines of refugee asylum seeking which are relevant to conflict in the current time and which recognise gender issues.
• The need for an International Women’s Human Rights tribunal with accessible procedures – this could be an extension of the role of the CEDAW Optional Protocol.
• To protect and assert Human Right against multinationals, not just nation states.
• Mechanisms to protect individuals and groups against human rights abuses perpetrated by Multinationals, and by agreements such as the MIA and other institutions whch strengthen the globalisation of a world that is protected by human rights which are only enforceable by Nations States.
• In the face of continuing exploitation of women in the labour market, the need for International Labour Standards to protect women.

While included in the BPFA, recommendations to address some issues have not yet been implemented. The challenges to this occurring are outlined below:

• Human Rights accountability of Governments in the sub-region, including governments which effectively collude in human rights abuses with other states by allowing trade and commerce agreements to override voicing concerns and taking actions about these abuses [Strategic Objective I.1].
• Effective education about and implementation of CEDAW [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 230.b.].
• The consideration of both universal and groups and community rights to ensure that Human Rights are relevant to cultural minority groups, in particular indigenous groups [Strategic Objective I.2, Action 232.a.].
• Lack of understanding about the role of CEDAW and the use and importance of an Optional Protocol [Strategic Objective I.3, Action 233.a.].
• A lack of robust national anti discrimination laws covering all minority groups, the aged, women with a disability, lesbians, women whose first language is not the predominant language in the culture in which they live, Indigenous women and other who may not identify with the dominant culture [Strategic Objective I.2, Action 232.b.].
• Full implementation of CEDAW in particular for paid maternity leave [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 230.b.].
• Law reform to incorporate the Human Rights Conventions that have been signed and ratified by Governments into Domestic Law and Social Policy. The recognition of all names and identified minority groups in human rights provisions [Strategic Objective I.1, Action 230.g.].

The following gains were identified which can be attributed to the implementation of the BPFA

• There are no avenues available to redress the invisibility of women in the media.
• There are no provisions to ensure the safety of journalists attempting to report in
• dangerous situations.
• There are no provisions to ensure that true and balanced stories are told, to monitor the selective representation of violence in the media and to ensure freedom of the press.
• Media ownership.

• There are no gains common to the Pacific Region. The following gains have been achieved in individual nations.
• Some gains in land rights in women as members of indigenous communities benefit, although legislation and processes are not gender specific [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.g.].
• Landcare, plant schemes, clean waterways programs, women as members of communities benefit, although programs not gender specific [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.g.].
• Attempts to curb pollution caused by cars [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.g.].
• Waste recycling programs [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 257.b.].
• Tree planting and upkeep programs aimed specifically at women [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.g.].
• Laws against smoking in public places (no ref, China and some Aust states).
• Development of Regional Environment Programme as a result of UN Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
• Sustainable Environment Development Bill, legislation modified, and some Pacific Islands involved in modification process [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.a.].
• Some reserves for the conservation of marine species (French Territories).
• French Government stopped nuclear testing in the Pacific.
• Formulation of Waigari Treaty and some Islands have ratified it, eg Marshall Islands
• Programmes in some Australian universities to encourage women into science and technology (including environmental science/management) subjects [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.b.].
• Increased use and promotion of clean technologies – eg solar and wind power [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.k.].
• GreenCorps Programme for Australian youth to promote involvement and development of skills through environment projects – not gender specific [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.b.].
• Kyoto Summit, 1998, outcome to reduce carbon emissions by 2005 (Pacific Region, except Australia).
• Gender issues included in the Global Environment Outlook, 1997, UNEP.
• More women are now in land management.
• Improved communication for rural women (eg. email and women’s issues-based lists) (Aust).
• Growing awareness of environmental issues, but little action.
• Publication of Australian State of the Environment Report, 1996, which was produced by various levels of government, research bodies, GOs and NGOs – no gender perspective however (Aust).

• There are few mechanisms to ensure that polluters pay for their pollution, and these are seldom applied.
• There is little recognition of good environmental practice.
• There is a need for global criteria for all projects impacting on the environment, with agreed regulations and sanctions and international standards for development and implementation of all new projects.
• No women’s/feminist perspective on environmental issues at a political level.
• Lack of air pollution monitoring and common standards across Australia.
• Need to address whole nuclear cycle – mining, testing, waste.
• No incentives to prevent farmers choosing short-term gains over sustainable food production methods.
• No mechanisms to monitor and control advertising that purports to be environmental friendly, but isn’t.
• Lack of knowledge of and information on poisons and pollution in the Pacific and its impact on Pacific region.
• No mechanism to promote energy conservation in the whole region.
• The need for the creation of a Pacific Women’s Forum, for grievance resolution, influencing decision makers and sharing information, and to monitor the effects of globalisation.
• Develop international strategies for change which can be utilised locally, nationally and internationally to modify/negate the impacts of negative environmental effects.
• Gender analysis of environmental issues and impact of programmes.
• Encourage the participation of, and identify ways to include young women, in decision-making and policy setting and lobbying on environmental issues.
• Strategies for cultivating empowerment rather than simply awareness in order to win public support for environmental reform

While included in the BPFA, recommendations to address some issues have not yet been implemented. The challenges to this occurring are outlined below:

• No measures to reduce the risks to women from identified environmental hazards in their paid and unpaid work, or attempts to identify these hazards and industries, or study the impact of environmental hazards on women, children and unborn babies [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.d.].
• Lack of mechanisms to facilitate the exchange of information between NGOs and Gos [Strategic Objective k.2, Action 257.a.; Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Very little gender analysis of environmental issues [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Governments are not acknowledging or supporting Indigenous knowledge and practice of Indigenous cultures as horticulturalists/gardeners. Promotion of mono-culture and cash crops [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.c.].
• The Australian Government has ignored the Traditional Owners of the Mirrar People (most are women) in their opposition to the Jabiluka uranium mine [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.a.].
• The introduction of compulsory environmental education in primary and secondary schools [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.b.].
• Encourage curriculum change to incorporate environmental education, including participatory initiatives [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.b.].
• Establish research projects to study the effects of environmental hazards on women, and projects to disseminate information on hazards that impact significantly on women [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.d.].
• Establish mechanisms to include women in environmental decision making [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.a.].
• Gender analysis of environmental issues and programmes [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256].
• Integrate gender concerns and perspectives in policies and programmes of sustainable development [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256].
• Strengthen/establish mechanisms at national, regional and international levels to assess the impact of development and environmental policies on women [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256].
• Encourage more responsible land management [Strategic Objective K.2, Actions 256.a., g.].
• Involvement of more women in government decision-making [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256].
• More funding for development and research for alternative power production [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.k.].
• Funding for implementing present knowledge – eg management of national parks [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256].
• Demonstrate positive outcomes from social and environmental change strategies [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255.a.].
• United Nations facilitation of the development of new environmental change strategies [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255.a.].
• Industries to be made aware of the potential for change through a community development approach [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255.a.].
• Overcoming people’s fears of action and reluctance to participate due to feelings of helplessness [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255.b.].
• The need for unbiased and accurate information about environmental conditions and sustainable development [Strategic Objective K.1, Actions 254.e., 255.a., b].
• Responsibility on everyone to share knowledge of environmental issues [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255.b.].
• Dumping of nuclear waste in the Pacific region [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.c.].
• Impact of chemicals and toxins on women, children and unborn babies – particularly in certain industries and in rural areas [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Indigenous perspectives on land and environment [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.a.].
• Militarisation in the Pacific, including the dumping of weapons and waste [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.c.].
• Limitations on the human rights of women, including access and availability of appropriate social infrastructure, impairs their participation in development and implementation of policies, programmes, projects and decision-making at all levels [Strategic Objective K.2, Action 256.g.].
• Policies to regulate and monitor the use of toxic pesticides, stop/ban export of toxic chemicals (if banned in Aust, should not be sent to developing countries) [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 253.d.].
• The lack of coordination and regulation of land use in Australia has exacerbated salinisation, resulting in land that cannot be used in any capacity [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 254.e.].
• The lack of processes and mechanisms to facilitate and coordinate the exchange of information among NGOs [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255].
• The effect of the armament industry an the environment [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Neocolonisation, especially in regards to taking of land, how it impacts on women and the environment. Spiritual connection with the land is of paramount importance [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255; Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Industry, pesticides, soil contamination, mining exploitation [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 254.e.; Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Lack of women in decision-making positions – especially in companies [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 254].
• Moral pollution – de-valuing of local cultures [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255].
• Dispossession and homelessness as a result of rising sea levels [Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].
• Protection of natural resources of Indigenous people. Need to protect intellectual property rights (persistent) [Strategic Objective K.1, Action 255; Strategic Objective K.3, Action 258.b.].

• Promote and support women in leadership positions in environment NGOs.
• Educate and support women to participate in groups that have an environmental focus.
• Increase in uranium mining and support for nuclear industry.
• Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 (Australia) weakens Government control over most environmental issues, and prevents Commonwealth involvement in greenhouse pollution, land clearing, forest protection, water allocation and the release of genetically modified organisms.
• Reduced diesel fuel price will not discourage use, making it difficult for Australia to meet Kyoto obligations.
• The Australian Government has not implemented any programs/policies (aside from education) in accordance with the BPFA. During this reporting period women’s programmes have been dismantled, along with funding for women’s NGOs. Women’s issues have been mainstreamed.
• The effect of the MAI on the environment.
• Lack of precautionary approach to the introduction of genetically modified food and crops onto the market.
• Persistent lack of promotion and support for women in decision-making positions regarding the environment.
• Genetic engineering – health impacts, modified foods, impact on environment – lack of research/ignoring research and warnings (emerging issue).
• Multi-nationals encouragement of terminator genes – which facilitates poverty cycle and goes against principles of sustainable production (emerging issue).
• Need to take responsibility for our waste – companies should be responsible for their own waste. Need to dispose of waste properly.
• Genetic mapping and ownership of technology linked to gene identification (emerging issue).
• Colonisation of our minds.

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• Laws outlawing Female Genital Mutilation are now enforceable in Australia [Strategic Objective L.7, Action 283.d.].
• A national policy on the education of girls has been developed in Australia [Strategic Objective L.4].
• Australian foreign Aid policy stipulates that more money must be dedicated to the girl child [Strategic Objective L.1].
• A Children’s Commission has been established in NSW and Queensland.
• A number of NGOs, for example YWCA and The Girl Guides are actively promoting the wellbeing of the girl child through programs on self esteem and body image.
• The United Nations has actively encouraged the enforcement of laws banning the practice of female genital mutilation [Strategic Objective L.7, Action 283.d.].
• The Convention on the elimination of child labour has been passed unanimously in the ILO [Strategic Objective L.6].
• There has been a focus in school on reconciliation and multiculturalism, which is of direct benefit to the girl child [Strategic Objective L.4].
• FGM community programs have proved extremely successful, and are in demand in several countries where FGM is practised [Strategic Objective L.2, Action 277.d.].
• Action has been taken to reduce bullying and violence in schools. In Australia, national resource kits have been produced [Strategic Objective L.4].

• The implementation of the Instruments, laws and policy already in place which is aimed at the protection of the rights of the girl child. This includes [Strategic Objective L.1, Action 274.a.]:
  • Sexual exploitation
  • Exploitation in the workplace
  • The right to education equal to that of male peers and with a culturally appropriate curriculum
  • The right to independence and safety
• Recognition and support for the family unit as crucial for the protection, rights and wellbeing of the girl child, and the recognition that poverty is a major issue in ensuring functional family units [Strategic Objective L.9].
• To encourage the recognition and awareness of the girl child in developing countries [Strategic Objective L.1, Action 274.f.].
• To be aware of cultural difference when protecting the rights of the girl child, but not to allow the notion of culture to over rule the right of the child, for example FGM [Strategic Objective L.2, Action 276.d.].
• The lack of recognition of the equal rights and value of the girl child in all aspects of social life [Strategic Objective L.2, Actions 276.a., b.].
• Implementation of the ILO Convention on Child Labour to ensure that children are not exploited in the workplace to the detriment of their education and health [Strategic Objective L.2, Action 276.b.].
• The constant devaluing of the girl child [Strategic Objective L.2, Actions 276.a., b.].
• The lack of appropriate school education, from pre school upwards, especially for girl children who do not belong to the dominant cultural group in a society [Strategic Objective L.4, Action 279.a.].
• There are no Government benchmarks to measure resource allocation, nor requirements to report on steps taken to alleviate inequity between male and female children [Strategic Objective L.1, Action 274.g.].
• Governments across the region should provide additional funding to address the increasing incidence of sexual abuse of the girl child in the home [Strategic Objective L.2, Action 277.d.; Strategic Objective L.7, Action 283.d.].
• In light of the increasing incidence of child prostitution and sex trafficking in the Asia Pacific Region, UN agencies must take a more active role to prevent child prostitution and trafficking [Strategic Objective L.7, Action 283.d.].

• Alcohol and drug abuse by young girls [Strategic Objective L.5].
• The ongoing effect of poverty in reinforcing all forms of discrimination.
• Teen pregnancy in Pacific countries and among some communities in Australia and NZ [Strategic Objective L.5].
• Lack of education about the nature of discrimination and ways in which it can be combated.
• Exploitation of the idealised image of the girl child through media [Strategic Objective L.2].
• Governments to fund programs which encourage men and boys to accept responsibility for domestic violence and sexual abuse, and to change their behaviour. These programs are to be funded in addition to programs providing shelter and support for children and women who are subjected to domestic violence, not at the expense of these women [Strategic Objective L.7].
• The United Nations, Government and NGOs must prioritise and address the mental health issues of the girl child, including eating disorders, anxiety and depression, and allocate funding to address these issues [Strategic Objective L.5].

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The following statements arose from discussion on areas of concern which where seen as important enough to warrant special mention. While not necessarily directly tied to the Beijing Platform for Action, they are all indirectly tied to a document which has the empowerment of women through the realisation of their human rights in all areas of life as it main focus

It is recommended that:

• That this Sub-Regional Conference accepts the rights and ownership of the land by Indigenous People, and demands that Governments of all countries enter into meaningful treaties with these people.
• Specifically, the Australian Government must accept the rights of ownership of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people".

The Australian Indigenous women do not accept Indigenous Issues being placed as a focus group at this Pacific Sub-Regional Meeting. Indigenous people are the most disadvantaged group in Australia the vast majority are still denied equal access to basic services, including adequate housing, running water, basic health services, education, employment and training. Historically and currently the fundamental Human Rights of Indigenous people are denied.

Indigenous women want the words relating to Indigenous issues changed form recognising Indigenous Peoples as owners of this country to : ACCEPTING Indigenous People as owners of this country. There is a vast difference in the meaning of the words recognising and accepting.

The Australia Tibet Council remains seriously concerned with the overall situation of Tibetan women and girls in Chinese-occupied Tibet. It is well documented that a widespread pattern of grave human rights violations exists as a result of discrimination against Tibetan women and girls in Tibet.

We therefore recommend that:

1. China be required to submit to the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, a detailed report on its implementation of the Platform for Action as set out in Paragraph 323 of the Platform and in particular that information on ethnic minorities be available, particularly with respect to the Uyghur and Tibetan people.

2. China be urged to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women to visit Tibet.

3. Immediate steps be taken to prevent and eliminate all forms of Violence against Tibetan women and girls in Chinese-occupied Tibet including acts of battery, rape, torture, forced or coerced medical procedures and unlawful detentions.

Methods could include but are not limited to urging China to:
a) allow frequent international monitoring of prisons housing women prisoners in Tibet by relevant bodies in the international arena.
b) halt all coerced and forced birth control practices against Tibetan women and girls.
c) take immediate steps to eliminate prostitution in Chinese-occupied Tibet.
d) undertake a more constructive relationship with NGOs, particularly those
with a focus on women, including allowing NGOs unfettered access to Tibet.

3. Statement on Bouganville

Many women from the Pacific region suffer from gross violation of their human rights and yet this is seldom acknowledged or addressed.

Over a period spanning two decades, women from Bouganville have suffered from torture, trauma, sexual abuse, loss of land, self determination and security. In the current tenuous situation of "peace" they live under constant threat of armed conflict, and they and their children are denied access to basic education and health care. This situation has to stop.

• Pacific Indigenous Peoples, as a matter of principle, demand the opportunity to "exercise our individual and collective rights to self-determination" as detailed in the United Nations Universal Declaration on Human Rights.
• We demand that governments in the region take collective responsibility to ensure that the situation in Bouganville and other similar situations cease immediately, and that resources are made available to address the needs and the human rights of women and children in the region.
• It is recommended that Women’s NGO’s have observer status in all South Pacific Forums and other important meetings which are likely to affect the lives of women and children.
• That a Pacific Human Rights Commission be established
• That resources be made available to enable women of the Pacific, in particular women for smaller states , to become more politically aware and to network more effectively to address human rights issues.

• That the Asia Pacific Regional Symposium support women from the Pacific region and actions which they are taking to redress the systematic abuses of their human rights

The possibility of establishing a Pacific Watch monitoring body, to monitor the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action, CEDAW and other agreements which address the status of women in the sub-region was raised in the final plenary of the conference. While there was no time for discussion, the following recommendation was approved by the majority of those attending. It is important to note that this recommendation does not imply the establishment of a Pacific watch. The intention is to express the support of this meeting for the idea to be discussed by women across the sub-region, and possibly developed further at the Regional Symposium to be held in Thailand in September 1999.

To ensure that women’s voices from the Pacific sub-region are heard on the International Stage, we agree:

1. To support the establishment of a PACIFICWATCH to monitor and review implementation of the Nairobi forward Looking Strategy (NFLS) and the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA).

The objectives of PACIFICWATCH will be:

i) to serve as a communication link between women’s NGO’s in the sub-region
ii) to monitor the implementation of the BPFA in the countries of the sub-region

2. That PACIFIC WATCH take responsibility to ensure appropriate representation by women of the Pacific sub-region at the international level, such as the Commission for the Status of Women Preparatory Committees.

3. Membership of PACIFIC WATCH be open to National and Pacific sub-regional Women’s NGO’s and Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific.

A selection of background papers and discussion papers from the conference will be attached to the final published report as appendices.

This report constitutes a contribution from one group of women from the Pacific sub-region to the evaluation of the Beijing Platform for Action. The activity of working together to plan the conference, to organise the workshops, and to produce this outcome was an achievement in itself, and provided inspiration to many of us to ensure that we continue to work together in the future. The outcomes of the United Nations meeting in New York in June 2000 will be a new plan of action, for women in the new millennium. Women around the world will work together producing reports such as these to feed into that process, and together we can make a difference, and take a further step to achieving equality, development and peace.