Subject: [fem-women2000 138] IWTC Women's GlobalNet #134
From: lalamaziwa <lalamaziwa@jca.apc.org>
Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2000 20:49:16 +0900
Seq: 138

---------------- Original message follows ----------------
 From: iwtc <iwtc@igc.org>
 To: iwtc-womensglobalnet@igc.topica.com
 Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1999 14:07:12 -0800
 Subject: Women's Globalnet #134
--

IWTC Women's GlobalNet #134
Activities and Initiatives of Women Worldwide
By Anne S. Walker and Vicki Semler

December 14, 1999

SIX MAJOR AREAS OF CONSTRAINT  AND SIX GLOBAL CHANGE TRENDS EMERGE AS
CHALLENGES TO IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BEIJING PLATFORM FOR ACTION 

How far have we come and what are the obstacles inhibiting process? How can
we use this Beijing +5 review process to accelerate progress on the
implementation of the Platform for Action? These are just some of the
questions sparking discussion among governments and NGOs alike. "NGOs for
Women 2000", a grouping of non governmental organizations preparing for the
UN General Assembly Special Session for Beijing Plus Five recently held a
panel entitled "Beijing +5: Setting Targets" at UN Headquarters in New York
on November 22, 1999. The following information has been excerpted from
these presentations. For more information about "NGOs for Women 2000",
contact Sudha Acharya, Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with
the United Nations (CONGO) Focal Point for Beijing + 5 at
<sacharya@netzero.net> or <congongo@aol.com>.

1. A draft analysis of responses received from 123 governments to the
Beijing +5 questionnaire prepared by the UN Division for the Advancement for
Women (DAW) identifies six major areas of constraint to implementation of
the Platform for Action and six trends of global change. The major obstacles
are (1) discriminatory attitudes; (2) economic change/instability; (3)
conflict and displacement (due to natural as well as manmade disasters); (4)
lack of data and monitoring mechanisms; (5) resource allocation; and (6)
backlash. The following 6 trends of global change were noted: (1) population
movements and displacement of people; (2) changes in the world of work; (3)
political identity; (4) shifting boundaries of conflict; (5) the challenge
of new information and communication technologies (ICTs); and (6) global
governance and the role of the UN. Dr Yakin Ertuk, Director of the UN
Division for the Advancement of Women (UN/DAW), presented this draft report
at the "Setting Targets" roundtable and announced that the total draft
report will soon be available on the UN's Womenwatch web site at
<http://www.un.org/womenwatch/ >. This report will be discussed at the
second PrepCom for the Special Session, February 28 to March 17, 2000. 

2. Are targets and benchmarks a useful tool to put in place at the Beijing
+5 Special Session, June 5 to 9, 2000? Will they serve as useful "prompts"
in the search for a means to accelerate the process of implementation of the
Platform for Action?  A useful overview of benchmarks and targets was
provided by Patricia Flor, Chairperson of the UN Commission on the Status of
Women, who noted six functions of targets if they are to be useful. Targets
should: (1) make progress visible and measurable; (2) allow monitoring of
trends to see if progress is being made; (3) translate idealistic, goals
into realistic stages or efforts; (5) help determine responsibility for
achieving targets; and (6) allow progress to be rewarded by general
recognition.

It was also noted that targets should also possess certain characteristics
if they are to be useful. They must be based on measurable, available data
and statistics that are publicly accessible;  be supported by the regular
publication of trends and changes vis a vis the targets and benchmarks;  be
complemented with a monitoring mechanism and;  be developed so as to impart
a sense of ownership by the major players who are involved in structuring
the targets and who are also accountable for the results, including the
rewards.


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