On Tuesday, delegates met in Working Group I in the morning and
evening to continue discussion of Section II (achievements and
obstacles). Working Group II convened in the morning to continue
negotiation of Section IV (actions and initiatives).
WORKING GROUP I
On paragraph 8 (achievements in the critical area of women and
health), references to sexual and reproductive health and sexual
and reproductive rights were supported by TURKEY, PERU, JAMAICA,
COSTA RICA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, NAMIBIA, COLOMBIA, SWAZILAND,
CHILE, GHANA, VENEZUELA, MALAWI, BOLIVIA, CUBA and BRAZIL. MEXICO
noted that sexual and reproductive rights are broadly defined in
the Beijing PFA. SOUTH AFRICA supported retaining reference to
reproductive rights.
The HOLY SEE, supported by SYRIA and IRAN, stated that the PFA
has clear reference to reproductive rights and sexual and
reproductive health, but does not mention sexual rights. He stated
that delegates were not at the PrepCom to negotiate text but to
assess progress since the Beijing Conference. NICARAGUA, POLAND,
ALGERIA, and HONDURAS opposed reference to sexual rights. SUDAN
and MOROCCO also opposed language on sexual rights, and referred
to reservations stated in the ICPD Report. The G-77/CHINA noted it
had no common position on paragraph 8. The EU supported reference
to breast-feeding, provided wording was aligned with that of the
Secretary-General�s review and appraisal of the implementation
of the Beijing PFA (E/CN.6/2000/PC/2), and the reference was
placed later in the paragraph.
Regarding language referring to increased knowledge and use of
family planning and contraceptive methods, the HOLY SEE, supported
by HONDURAS and NICARAGUA, stated that family planning includes
contraception, and said they could only agree to the original
wording if language on parental guidance were added. MEXICO
suggested text referring to various contraceptive methods. BRAZIL
supported referring to family planning and contraceptive methods.
The text remains bracketed.
The EU, supported by TURKEY and BRAZIL, suggested placing a
reference to cancer prevention in the paragraph on obstacles to
women and health. MEXICO suggested its deletion, delegates agreed,
and the reference was removed.
On increased awareness among men of their responsibility with
regard to contraception and family planning, SUDAN emphasized the
role of the family in accessing contraception. JUSCANZ supported
the original wording. The text remains bracketed.
Delegates agreed to include references to: increased attention
to sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS; introduction of a
gender perspective in health and health-related education and
physical activities, and gender-specific prevention and
rehabilitation programmes on substance abuse; increased attention
to women�s mental health; and increased attention to health
conditions at work.
On a proposal referring to greater recognition of women�s
role as essential primary health-care providers within their
families and increased participation of women as workers in the
health-care system, the EU said it could support the language if
reference to men and details on the type of health-care work were
added. The text remains bracketed.
On paragraph 16 (achievements on women in power and
decision-making), delegates supported a compilation proposal
acknowledging growing acceptance of the importance of women�s
full participation in decision-making and power at all levels and
in all fora, including intergovernmental, governmental, and
non-governmental sectors. Delegates also agreed to text proposed
by JUSCANZ on increased awareness of the systemic changes needed
to create gender balance.
On a reference to reconciling family and employment
responsibilities of women and men, the EU preferred, and delegates
supported, language on work responsibilities in order to include
self-employed women. The G-77/CHINA suggested referring to
affirmative action policies, while JUSCANZ called for language on
positive action policies. Delegates agreed on affirmative and
positive action policies. The EU proposed inclusion of language on
voluntary agreements. The G-77/CHINA opposed and suggested
specifying voluntary agreements in some countries. Delegates
agreed to text referring to the establishment, upgrading and
strengthening of national mechanisms and machineries for the
advancement of women as well as national and international
networks of women politicians, parliamentarians, activists and
professionals in various fields. With all these changes, the
paragraph was adopted.
On paragraph 17 (obstacles to women in power and
decision-making), the G-77/CHINA proposed, and delegates accepted,
reference to the persistence of the gap between de jure and
de facto equality of women despite general acceptance of
the need for gender balance. JUSCANZ proposed, and all agreed,
replacing representation at the highest levels with participation
at the highest levels. The G-77/ CHINA preferred deleting a
JUSCANZ reference to the need for gender balance in
decision-making bodies at all levels, but supported text noting
that women continue to be underrepresented at legislative,
ministerial, sub-ministerial levels, and at all socio-economic
levels. JUSCANZ proposed, and delegates accepted, alternative
language referring to the highest levels of the corporate sector
and other social and economic institutions. The EU suggested
additional reference to: clear and transparent appointment and
selection criteria; balanced participation in decision-making;
willingness to share power; sufficient dialogue and cooperation;
and adaptation of political structures. This last reference
remains bracketed.
WORKING GROUP II
On paragraph 53 (programme support to meet the specific needs
of women for capacity building and to enhance gender mainstreaming
activities), a group of countries submitted text referring to the
expansion of new areas of programming to advance gender equality
in response to current challenges, and suggested deleting
reference to encouraging women�s participation in, and
contribution to, programmes designed to bring about peace. The
paragraph was adopted.
Delegates agreed to merge paragraph 44 bis (factors to
take into account when designing policies and programmes
addressing the needs of women and girls) and paragraph 53 bis (girls
and women of all ages with any form of disability). On the merged
text, a group of countries highlighted that their proposal
incorporates language contained in the PFA. A regional group
lamented that the proposed paragraph: omits definition of the life
cycle and childhood; replaces the issue of diversity of women with
reference to elements of discrimination; and emphasizes categories
of women with disabilities and infectious diseases over other
groups. Several delegations proposed including reference to sexual
orientation, others opposed, and the paragraph remains bracketed.
IN THE CORRIDORS
One negotiating bloc is reportedly no longer willing to talk
seriously about implementation of the PFA without financial
concessions from other delegations. NGOs from some of these
countries are still hoping to obtain a workable document to assist
their efforts back home.
Meanwhile, delegates are upping the negotiating ante. Some are
calling for reference to poverty in the widely bracketed chapeau
to Section IV, and are unlikely to sign off. Others are proposing
references to sexual orientation � one of the most hotly
disputed subjects in Beijing. Are these latter delegates speaking
on behalf of what some say is a growing lobbying force in their
countries � including the lesbian caucus meeting during the
PrepCom? Or is this a chance to set the bar high enough to force
concession on other issues? Some delegates claim it would be
premature to say; other participants expect sexual orientation to
be folded into its usual place under "other status."
Discussions are brewing about some forms of lobbying on the
floor, including an impromptu prayer service in one case. Some
NGOs maintain that access to the talks must remain democratic,
even as they sniff out signs that there may be actors here
attempting to fine-tune their strategies to stall the process.
