ENB:14:01
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EXPERT GROUP MEETINGS
The Expert Group meetings focused on the subjects of: gender, education and training; women and economic decision-making; institutional and financial arrangements for the implementation of the FWCW"s Platform for Action; and gender and the agenda for peace. The experts recommended specific actions to address the issues under discussion.
GENDER, EDUCATION AND TRAINING: The Expert Group meeting on the promotion of literacy, education and training, including technological skills, took place at the ILO International Training Center in Turin, Italy from 10-14 October 1994. The report stressed: access to education as a human right; the need for interventionist approaches; science and technology; the special needs of refugees and others in exploitative circumstances; and resource implications flowing from structural adjustment.
EQUALITY IN ECONOMIC DECISION-MAKING: The Expert Group meeting on women and economic decision-making met in New York from 7-11 November 1994. The Group examined the challenge of increasing and improving the presence of women in economic decision-making and the market. The areas of action proposed were: affirmative placement and retention of women; greater access to finance, markets and technology; linkages between formal financial institutions and NGOs; highlighting the market potential of women in certain sectors; and training initiatives. Finally, the Group made a number of recommendations to increase the visibility of economic opportunities for women.
INSTITUTIONAL AND FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FWCW"s PLATFORM FOR ACTION: The Expert Group convened to consider institutional and financial arrangements met in New York from 21-23 November 1994. The Group considered principles and guidelines for implementation and monitoring of the Platform, and examined the roles of relevant actors at all levels. The principles identified by the Group for effective arrangements for implementation are: clear mandates; transparency; consistent flow of information; and transparent monitoring and reporting on progress. National governments are expected to be catalysts for implementation. The Group drew upon the language and ideas of the ICPD Action Programme and stressed the need for specific funding arrangements. The Group proposed that governments establish and fund effective core programmes for women"s empowerment, and anticipated that as much as two-thirds of implementation costs will come from member states.
GENDER AND THE AGENDA FOR PEACE: The Expert Group meeting on peace and women in international decision-making took place in New York from 5- 9 December 1994. This Group"s report is predicated on the argument that equal participation by women will "make a qualitative difference, in terms of content and style, to the benefit of society and the achievement of peace." Recommendations for increasing female participation in peace and security fora include: inclusion of women in all candidate lists; a 40% target for women"s involvement in UN peace operations; UN registration of arms production; education on links between violent play and the culture of violence; designating rape during the conduct of war as a war crime; and gender sensitive training for personnel in peace and security operations.