Six years after Beijing: How are women doing today?
Take a look at the statistics and indicators of women's lives around the world by country and region, from the IWTC Women's Score Book (March 2001, 16 pages). The charts show current numbers and statistics related to the following issues: Women and HIV/AIDS; Women in Government; and countries who have signed/ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW. In addition, the charts show shifts in rankings between 1995 and 2000 as measured in a Human Development Index, Gender-Related Development Index and Gender Empowerment Measure. This information is presented country-by-country (regionally), and is intended to support women1s participation in various international meetings.
Journey of Conferences leading to Beijing!
Women have worked hard to put womens issues on the international agenda. These are the reports and international conferences paving the path to Beijing.
Beijing Platform for Action (PFA)
The Beijing PFA is the major global policy document to come out of the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, 1995.
For activists and/or academics working with global policy, two chapters from the new IWTC manual "Women! Policy! Action! A Community Action Guide to the Beijing Platform for Action" are now available on-line. (see Women, Ink. to order the complete manual). In one chapter, each of the 12 Critical Areas of Concern (CAC) from the Beijing PFA are presented in simple, straight-forward language with each strategic objective linked to relevant international conventions. A powerful policy/legal advocacy tool is thus created. Proposed actions, achievements and obstacles excerpted from the official UN Beijing Plus Five Outcomes Document are also included.
In a second chapter from the IWTC manual, selected websites and publications for each of the CACs are described.
The Beijing PFA also catalyzed UN regional commissions to identify regional concerns and needs affecting womens lives in their specific region. Nations and regions consequently released National and Regional Plans of Action for Women.
United Nations and Women
Here is a list of international instruments, conventions and declarations protecting and assuring womens rights for your reference and lobbying efforts! Check out the UN programs and agencies that are working on gender issues and promoting womens rights.
Beijing Plus Five Review: Outcomes
The UNGASS ended on June 9, 2000 with an outcomes document (connects to a PDF download) of the Beijing Plus Five Review Process. And the linkage caucus releases their statement and reaction to the outcomes document.
Beijing Plus Five Review: NGO, Country, and UN reports
The Global Alternative Report is a compilation of 116 NGO alternative reports on countries political will to bettering womens lives after their promise at Beijing. Read them along side governments follow-up country reports. Intergovernmental and treaty bodies, Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), General Assembly (GA), and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), release their reports about the status of women.
Mainstream media coverage
This analysis of mainstream media coverage includes live links to editorials and coverage of the UN special session by major U.S. media outlets.