3 December 1982

Declaration on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Co-operation

The General Assembly,

Considering that the Charter of the United Nations expresses the determination of the peoples of the United Nations to reaffirm faith in the equal rights of men and women and to practise tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbours,

Considering also that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaims that the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Considering further that the International Covenants on Human Rights provide for the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights,

Reaffirming the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women:

Equality, Development and Peace,

Taking into account the resolutions, declarations, conventions, programmes and recommendations of the United Nations and the specialized agencies and international conferences designed to eliminate all forms of discrimination and to promote equal rights for men and women,

Recalling that the Declaration of Mexico on the Equality of Women and Their Contribution to Development and Peace, 1975, states that women have a vital role to play in the promotion of peace in all spheres of life: in the family, the community, the nation and the world,

Recalling that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women declares that discrimination against women violates the principles of equality of rights and respect for human dignity, is an obstacle to the participation of women, on equal terms with men, in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political life of their countries and makes more difficult the full development of the potentialities of women in the service of their countries and of humanity,

Recalling also that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women affirms that the strengthening of international peace and security, the relaxation of international tension, mutual co-operation among all States irrespective of their social and economic systems, general and complete disarmament and in particular, nuclear disarmament under strict and effective international control, the affirmation of the principles of justice, equality and mutual benefit in relations among countries and the realization of the right of peoples under alien and colonial domination and foreign occupation to self-determination and independence, as well as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity, will promote social progress and development and as a consequence, will contribute to the attainment of full equality between men and women,

Recognizing that the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women obligates States Parties to take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in all its forms and in every field of human endeavour, including politics, economic activities, law, employment, education, health care and domestic relations,

Noting that, despite progress towards the achievement of equality between men and women, considerable discrimination against women continues to exist, thereby impeding the active participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation,

Welcoming the contribution which women have nevertheless made towards promoting international peace and co-operation, the struggle against colonialism, apartheid, all forms of racism and racial discrimination, foreign aggression and occupation and all forms of alien domination, and towards the unrestricted and effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Welcoming also the contribution of women for a just restructuring of international economic relations and the achievement of a new international economic order,

Convinced that women can play an important and increasing role in these areas,

Solemnly proclaims the Declaration on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Co-operation set forth in the annex to the present resolution.

ANNEX Declaration on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Co-operation

PART I Article 1

Women and men have an equal and vital interest in contributing to international peace and co-operation. To this end women must be enabled to exercise their right to participate in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs of society on an equal footing with men.

Article 2 The full participation of women in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs of society and in the endeavour to promote international peace and co-operation is dependent on a balanced and equitable distribution of roles between men and women in the family and in society as a whole.

Article 3 The increasing participation of women in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs of society will contribute to international peace and co-operation.

Article 4 The full enjoyment of the rights of women and men and the full participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation will contribute to the eradication of apartheid, of all forms of racism, racial discrimination, colonialism, neo-colonialism, aggression, foreign occupation and domination and interference in the internal affairs of States.

Article 5 Special national and international measures are necessary to increase the level of women's participation in the sphere of international relations so that women can contribute, on an equal basis, with men to national and international efforts to secure world peace and economic and social progress and to promote international co-operation.

PART II

Article 6 All appropriate measures shall be taken to intensify national and international efforts in respect of the participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation by ensuring the equal participation of women in the economic, social, cultural, civil and political affairs of society through a balanced and equitable distribution of roles between men and women in the domestic sphere and in society as a whole, as well as by providing an equal opportunity for women to participate in the decision-making process.

Article 7 All appropriate measures shall be taken to promote the exchange of experience at the national and international levels for the purpose of furthering the involvement of women in promoting international peace and co-operation and in solving other vital national and international problems.

Article 8 All appropriate measures shall be taken at the national and international levels to give effective publicity to the responsibility and active participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation and in solving other vital national and international problems.

Article 9 All appropriate measures shall be taken to render solidarity and support to those women who are victims of mass and flagrant violations of human rights such as apartheid, all forms of racism, racial discrimination, colonialism, neo-colonialism, aggression, foreign occupation and domination and of all other violations of human rights.

Article 10 All appropriate measures shall be taken to pay tribute to the participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation.

Article 11 All appropriate measures shall be taken to encourage women to participate in non-governmental and intergovernmental organizations aimed at the strengthening of international peace and security, the development of friendly relations among nations and the promotion of co-operation among States and, to that end, freedom of thought, conscience, expression, assembly, association, communication and movement, without distinction as to race, political or religious belief, language or ethnic origin, shall be effectively guaranteed.

Article 12 All appropriate measures shall be taken to provide practical opportunities for the effective participation of women in promoting international peace and co-operation, economic development and social progress and, to that end:

(a) To promote an equitable representation of women in governmental and non-governmental functions,

(b) To promote equality of opportunities for women to enter diplomatic service,

(c) To appoint or nominate women, on an equal basis with men, as members of delegations to national, regional or international meetings,

(d) To support increased employment of women at all levels in the secretariats of the United Nations and the specialized agencies, in conformity with Article 101 of the Charter of the United Nations.

Article 13 All appropriate measures shall be taken to establish adequate legal protection of the rights of women on an equal basis with men in order to ensure effective participation of women in the activities referred to above.

Article 14 Governments, non-governmental and international organizations, including the United Nations and the specialized agencies and individuals, are urged to do all in their power to promote the implementation of the principles contained in the present Declaration.