Background     

The Fourth World Conference on Women: Action for Equality, Development & Peace, Sept. 4-15, 1995, was convened by the United Nations at the Beijing International Conference Center. Government delegates will meet for two weeks to work on a Platform for Action aimed at achieving greater equality and opportunity for women. The three previous World Conferences were in Mexico City (International Women's Year, 1975), Copenhagen (1980) and Nairobi (1985)

Women leaders attending the Beijing Conference on Women speak from the heart and tell of their efforts to improve conditions for women in Zimbabwe, Germany, Papua New Guinea, Iran, the Philippines, Israel, the Solomon Islands, and the United States. The Beijing Platform for Action was signed by 189 nations. Although not perfect, it is the strongest statement of consensus on women's equality, empowerment and justice ever produced by governments.

189 Nations signing the Platform for Action promised to address these critical issues of concern:

Women and poverty

Education and training

Women and health

Violence against women

Women and armed conflict

Women and the economy

Women in power and decision making

Institutional mechanisms for the advancement of women

The human rights of women

Women and the Media

Women and the environment

The girl child

More information on Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, Fourth World Conference on Women, 15 September 1995.