24 May 1984

Meeting 19

Implementation of the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace

The Economic and Social Council,

Considering General Assembly resolutions 3520(XXX) of 15 December 1975 and 35/136 of 11 December 1980,

Reaffirming the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Women:

Equality, Development and Peace,

Emphasizing the importance of undertaking, at the conclusion of the Decade, a critical review and appraisal of progress at the international, regional and national levels in the achievement of the goals of the Decade--equality, development and peace--and of the obstacles encountered in the implementation of the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year and the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women, and also in developing a forward-looking perspective on the status of women,

Looking ahead to the World Conference to Review and Appraise the Achievements of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace, to be held in 1985, at which the achievements of the Decade and the need to continue such achievements beyond the end of the Decade will be reviewed and appraised,

Conscious that further efforts are necessary to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women in every area of human activity,

Stressing that the objectives, strategies and measures to improve the socio-economic conditions of women should be an integral part of national development plans, as well as of international and development strategies, including the efforts for the establishment of the new international economic order,

Reaffirming the existence of the undeniable link between peace and development and the imperative need to halt the arms race, thereby releasing valuable additional resources that could be used for the development of the developing countries and could contribute to the well-being and prosperity of all,

Noting that, until genuine disarmament is achieved, women and men throughout the world must maintain their vigilance and do their utmost to achieve peace,

Taking into account the fact that millions of women are still experiencing untold sufferings and violations of human dignity resulting from different forms and manifestations of colonialism, foreign domination, apartheid and racial discrimination,

1. Reaffirms the urgent need to fulfil the goals of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace and the socio-economic development objectives established by the international community, inter alia, the elimination of hunger and malnutrition, the achievement of full employment by the year 2000, health for all by the year 2000, appropriate population policies, the reduction of the infant mortality rate, the availability of safe water and adequate sanitary facilities by 1990, the attainment of a life expectancy of 60 years as a minimum by the year 2000, universal primary school enrolment by the year 2000, and the full participation of women as both agents and beneficiaries in all sectors and at all levels of the development process;

2. Emphasizes that foreign occupation, colonialism, apartheid, racism and racial discrimination, and the denial of the right of peoples to self-determination and of all universally recognized human rights, are serious impediments to peace and development;

3. Recommends that States, especially militarily significant States, in preparing their national programmes for social and economic development, should consider taking measures to convert some resources spent for military purposes to the promotion of social progress;

4. Considers that the objectives of the Decade--equality, development and peace--as reflected in the World Plan of Action for the Implementation of the Objectives of the International Women's Year and in the Programme of Action for the Second Half of the United Nations Decade for Women have not yet been achieved;

5. Considers that the activities of the world community and of the United Nations should continue beyond the end of the United Nations Decade for Women and should be directed towards equal treatment for women and their full integration in development under conditions of peace.