24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

Women, human rights and development in Central America

The Economic and Social Council,

Considering the economic, social and political crisis in the Central American region, which involves various forms of discrimination and violence, affecting women in particular,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on the full participation of women in the construction of their countries and in the creation of just social and political systems,

Considering that in recent years various women's organizations have been formed in the region and that they are fighting and calling for the defence of human rights in general and women's rights in particular,

Recognizing the efforts that the Governments and peoples of Central America are making to achieve a political solution to the conflicts,

Recognizing the need to unite and strengthen further the efforts of Governments, United Nations bodies and non-governmental organizations aimed at achieving a new international economic and social order, so as to make real and effective the development to which the peoples of Central America aspire,

1. Urges Governments, United Nations bodies and non-governmental organizations to support:

(a) Programmes to strengthen women's organizations that are demanding that women be granted their full rights as citizens;

(b) Activities or forums to broaden and deepen discussion of the problems of Central American women and solutions thereto, in which all social, political and cultural sectors of the countries of Central America may participate;

(c) Research to analyse the problems of Central American women in all their dimensions and to propose viable alternative solutions based on the opinions of all the women's sectors concerned;

(d) Publications and information and documentation systems on the results of the proposals for integration or practical action that will permit women's organizations in the Central American region to advance within the general context of society;

2. Urges the international community to publicize, and to support through international solidarity, the need for greater participation of women in the processes of change and in the bodies involved in negotiations and dialogue, which are designed to bring about a political solution to the problems and conflicts of the Central American region;

3. Urges national and international women's associations, both governmental and non-governmental, to develop education, training and self-help programmes aimed at improving the living conditions and the social and political participation of Central American women;

4. Requests the Secretary-General and the specialized agencies to pay particular attention to the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women and to the human rights of women in Central America, as a prerequisite for ensuring women's full participation in the building of their countries and in the creation of social and political systems that are just.