Beijing+10 meeting ends successfully

Some of the issues that proved so contentious at population meetings and conferences initially stalled the discussions at the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, which was a two-week review of the implementation of policies and plans produced by the Fourth World Conference on Women, held at Beijing 10 years ago.
By the end of the meeting on 11 March, however, Ms. Rachel Mayanja, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women at the “Beijing+10” review, stated: “Worldwide consensus has built around the idea that empowering women is the most effective tool for development and poverty reduction, and that remaining obstacles to gender equality can be overcome”.

Governmental participants at the meeting included about 80 ministers and more than 1,800 delegates from 165 Member States. Representatives from NGOs numbered 2,600.
In her comments, Ms. Thelma Kay, Chief of ESCAP’s Emerging Social Issues Division, drew the attention of the meeting to the progress made in the Asian and Pacific region, including those related to population issues. “In health, visible progress has been made in improving female life expectancy and reducing maternal mortality rates”, she noted. However, in some countries, especially in South Asia and in Least Developed Countries, the educational and health – including reproductive and sexual health – needs of girls and women remain unmet.

The region also faced emerging challenges. “The increasing number of women with HIV/AIDS poses a serious threat to the ESCAP region with measures needed for prevention, treatment, care and support, and protection from stigmatization and discrimination”, said Ms. Kay.

In comments made by Mrs. Thoraya Ahmed Obaid, the Executive Director of UNFPA, she emphasized that stronger political leadership and increased financial and human resources must be found to improve the lives of women and girls as well as promote their empowerment and health. These, she said, should be combined with greater capacity to reach the poorest people and strong systems to roll back high rates of HIV infection, maternal death and violence against women.