beijing platform for action - women and armed conflict

With this slogan, UN Women has been mobilizing international representatives of women’s NGOs worldwide to engage in “Beijing + 20” and calling for a new boost in the participation and emancipation of women.

“Empowering Women – Empowering Humanity: Picture It!”. On an international scale, the political climate is defined by a conservative mobilization campaign against women’s human rights: politically religious fundamentalists across the board are on the advance gender-based violence and the curtailment of women’s rights are on the rise. Whilst achievements have certainly been made in advancing equal rights for women and girls – though these vary depending on the region – there have also been setbacks and regressions in gender equality. Yet, even today, gender equity and the systematic reduction of discrimination against women worldwide remain very distant realities. It was considered back then – and is still considered today – to mark a milestone in the entrenching of women’s and human rights worldwide and was recognized by 191 member states of the United Nations. This recognition formed the basis for the Beijing Platform for Action as far back as 20 years ago for which a strong international women’s movement had fought and which was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing. Poverty can only be lastingly combated and human rights enforced if women are granted extensive equal access to education, public offices and powerful positions. Gender equity is vital to social development and peaceful cohabitation, to reducing violence and to achieving economic prosperity.

Beijing platform for action - women and armed conflict