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Statement of the Asian Caucus, 11 March 1999

Presented by Anjana Shakya of Asia Pacific Watch on behalf of Asian Caucus to the members of the Commission on the Status of Women - 43rd Session, United Nations, New York, March 11, 1999

The Asian Caucus supports all points raised by thematic caucuses that are relevant to the region. However, we would like to further raise following additional points affecting women in our region which are not fully addressed in this general session.

The impact of globalisation compounded by the Asian economic crisis has increased the level of poverty, casualisation of women's labor, privatisation of health care, increasing dominance of multinationals pharmaceutical use, increased internal and external migration, trafficking and prostitution of women and girls.

With the growing elderly population in our region and the breakdown of traditional support systems, we endorse the statement of the Caucus on Older Women especially that they should be recognized as contributors and experts in society and the issue of older women be included in the agenda of Beijing plus five.

We are calling on governments to ensure adequate and quality comprehensive health care with special focus in mental health services to women taking into account their special needs.

We are very concerned with women's rights to their bodies.

It is also of critical concern to protect indigenous medicine and knowledge while prohibiting the export and use of un-approved drugs in Third World countries.

The following is needed to achieve the essential condition to secure women's physical and mental well-being and peace in society. A full and active commitment on the part of member states is required for the reduction and ultimate elimination on dependence on arms, use of military to exert the dominant religious beliefs, border watch, controlling sectors of population, and for internal conflicts.

We call on the UN member states to monitor, denounce and condemn apartheid systems implemented by fundamentalism, communalism (as the rapes occurring in Indonesia) and traditional value systems that impact negatively on women's life and their status.

Governments should ensure accountability and transparency to NGOs and the public. Reports and other relevant information on status of women should be made freely available in a timely manner that allow for substantial participation of civil society. We call on member states to include NGOs representatives in their National Machineries.

We appreciate the three year efforts of the CEDAW Working Group on the Optional Protocol and look forward to its immediate effective implementation in enhancing women's status and protecting women's human rights.

I would like to thank the Commission on Status of Women for this opportunity to present our views and hope that our concerns are well taken and reflected in present and future deliberations.


 
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