22 June 2001                                                            Press Release No. G/25/2001

WOMEN CALL FOR EQUALITY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
CAMPAIGN SPENDING CAPS, ELECTION REFORM

Phitsanulok Declaration adopted at close of
Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors and Councillors

United Nations Information Services (Phitsanulok, Thailand) -- The first-ever summit of women in local government closed today with the adoption of the Phitsanulok Declaration on the Advancement of Women in Local Government which calls for campaign spending caps, quotas, election reform, and a goal of 50-50 representation between women and men in local government.

The strategies in the Declaration which vary from country to country, are seen “as necessary to break existing barriers to increased representation and participation of women in local government.”

“I firmly believe that without equality between men and women we cannot be a just or healthy society.  We regard the Summit as a milestone on a long journey,” said Mr. Kim Hak-Su, Executive Secretary of ESCAP.

The four-day summit, organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and partner agencies, was held in Phitsanulok in central Thailand from 19-22 June. Over 200 participants from some 24 countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region came together to discuss barriers to women entering politics at the local level and devise solutions.

The high cost of electioneering, harassment and intimidation of women trying to enter the political process, entrenched cultural and social norms, and unequal division of household responsibilities were some of the barriers identified by the women leaders.

For the most part women faced the same issues regardless of their socio-economic status or geographical origin, participants found.

“We have to be alert and collaborate with each other to improve the role of women at every level in political organizations,” said Ms. Premrudee Charmpoonod, Mayor of the host city, who received an Award at the Conference.

Participants committed themselves to increasing the numbers of women in local government. They aim to achieve this by working to change electoral system law and political party structure, and building networks of women in local government.

As follow-up to the Summit, UN ESCAP intends to hold national summits of women in local government so that country-level strategies and networks can be developed. ESCAP also plans to become a regional information contact point to support women’s efforts at the country and regional levels.

The full text of the Phitsanulok Declaration is available.

                                                                 -- UNIS --