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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


Address by the Secretary-General of the 4th World Conference-on Women
   at the formal opening of the Plenary Session  
  			4th September 1995


Excellencies,
distinguished delegates,
ladies and gentlemen:

At long long last, we are here in Beijing participating in the Fourth 
World Conference on Women - a Conference which is phenomenal in several 
aspects. It has generated much interest and debate globally, among men 
and women, old and young, from country to country. It has brought 
together the largest gathering of persons ever to attend any other 
previous United Nations Conference on any subject. All the indications 
point to a social revolution in the making! 

This Conference is characterized by intensive preparatory process which 
involved national, regional and international debates and consultations 
involving governments and non-governmental bodies. At every stage, 
ladies and gentlemen, a step towards consensus building was reached. We 
are now faced with a final test of our commitment for action, that is 
our Platform for Action. 

This Platform is a global tapestry woven by women, men and youth with 
strands from all nations, races and religions alike. Its needlecraft has 
been carefully, objectively and caringly embroidered through the various 
consultations, conferences and meetings which had been organized at the 
national, regional and international levels. The Platform is a document 
for the world; but for women, it is their document since it embodies the 
aspirations, hopes and actions which will guide us all into the twenty-
first century. In fact, the Platform is for everyone. There can be no 
spectators, no side-liners, no abstainers for this is a crucial social 
agenda which affects all humanity. 

It is for this reason that I wish to appeal to each woman participating 
in this Conference and in the NGO Forum not only to serve as 
representatives of their governments and NGOs but also to become 
committed crusaders in the struggle in which we have been engaged for 
many, many years. As I noted at the opening of the NGO Forum 1995, 
‘millions have placed their trust in us. We must not fail them." 

I would like to highlight a few salient features which became obvious 
during the process towards Beijing: 

First, there is the need to look at women's issues in a holistic manner 
and to address them as part of overall societal and developmental 
concerns. It will not be possible to attain sustainable development 
without cementing the partnership of women and men in all aspects of 
life. Women have all along struggled with their men-folk for the 
abolition of slavery, the liberation of countries from colonialism, the 
dismantling of apartheid and the struggle for peace. IL is now the turn 
of men to join women in their struggle for equality.
Second, because of the cross-cutting nature of women's issues, it is 
imperative that each issue is given due weight and consideration; 

Third, there is the need to recognize the inter-generational link which 
is unique to women, as well as the cumulative effect since unresolved 
problems tend to deteriotate in subsequent phases. 

Finally, since Mexico (1975), some twenty years ago, women have learnt 
that achieving equality depends on themselves. Necessary actions will 
not be taken for them based on some theoretical principle of equality. 
Women have researched and they have been the subject of research. The 
statistics are much too gloomy in several key sectors such as poverty, 
education and illiteracy, health, violence against women, governance and 
politics, and human rights. With the statistics and facts now well 
documented, there is no denying that women fare badly relative to men. 
Only last month, the 1995 edition of The World's Women. 1990-1995 Trends 
and Statistics further showed irrefutably, both the changes that had 
occurred and the remaining obstacles. 

Ladies and gentlemen, we are at the crucial last decade of the twentieth 
century and the solidarity which today binds us in our common 
experiences, irrespective of race, colour and religion should now become 
the instrument to propel us all into the twenty-first century armed with 
vision, imagination and actions which can make the difference to our own 
lives and to those of our children and our grand-children. We have been 
saying all along that women and men must work together if we are to 
bring this world safely and successfully into the coming century - so 
too, must we ensure the participation of the youth. They are our hope 
and future and society can only be the beneficiary. 

Our agenda must address eraditation of illiteracy, ill-health, poverty, 
unemployment, violence and promotion of decision making and empowerment. 
It must focus on actions that will eliminate discrimination, 
maginalization and social exclusion. 

The basis for change is here; what is lacking is the commitment which 
will ensure actions which could bring about that change. When the facts 
and statistics are disaggregated, the undeniable fact is that action is 
required to change the status quo. Action is the only way forward. There 
is no substitute. 

Excellencies, the Fourth World Conference on Women must elicit 
commitments to action coupled with commitment of resources, national and 
internationally. This is the mission of Beijing. Each government must 
now set priorities, specify the resources it will contribute and declare 
what steps it will take to hold itself accountable to the world's women. 
This Conference must preserve achievements and agreements reached in 
earlier Conferences and move beyond the rethoric to work toward genuine 
change. 

I must conclude now with an issue that is close to my heart and to many 
women - by posing the following questions: 

- How long will women toil to contribute to the purchase of arms? 

- How long will women continue to give life just to see it taken away by 
the use of arms?- And how long will the world continue to ignore women’s 
tears during arm conflicts? 

This Platform will not see light as long as the issue of peace is not 
properly addressed. 

I thank you for your attention.