23rd plenary meeting

4 May 1982

Role of women in economic development

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling General Assembly resolution 35/l36 of ll December l980, in which the Assembly endorsed the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women,

Bearing in mind General Assembly resolutions 320l (S-VI) and 3202 (S-VI) of l May l974, containing the Declaration and the Programme of Action on the Establishment of a New International Economic Order, 328l (XXIX) of l2 December l974, containing the Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States, and 3362 (S-VII) of l6 September l975 on development and international economic co-operation,

Emphasizing the importance of women's full participation in the development process as agents and beneficiaries of development,

Aware that improvement in the economic condition and role of women is a necessary prerequisite for an improvement in the status of women,

Aware that at present women are not equal beneficiaries of the fruits of economic and social development,

l. Recommends that the General Assembly should request all specialized agencies and other relevant organizations, in particular the United Nations Development Programme, to consider including special financial components, within existing budgetary resources, in their technical co-operation programmes for the economic development of women, enhancing the entrepreneurial and technological capacity of women, particularly in the co-operative and non-traditional sectors and in developing countries;

2. Requests the Secretary-General to report to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirtieth session on the implementation of the present resolution.