24 May 1989

15th plenary meeting

Women and development

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1987/24 of 26 May 1987, in which it endorsed the long-term programme of work of the Commission on the Status of Women,

Recognizing that developing countries are suffering the most severe economic and social crisis of recent decades and consequently a grave deterioriation in their social situation, which has disproportionately affected women,

Considering, in particular, the severe effects of servicing external debt and the effects of ongoing structural adjustment programmes on the economies of the developing countries, hindering their economic development and leading to a deterioration in the quality of life of large sections of the population, especially of women and children,

Emphasizing the vital importance of economic growth and development for the effective mobilization and integration of women in the economy,

Noting the link between education, employment and health, and also the negative impact that the lack of adequate social support measures has on the integration of women in development,

Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General entitled "Women and education, eradication of illiteracy, employment, health and social services, including population issues and child care: the need for social support measures",

1. Urges Governments to accord higher priority to programmes to promote the participation of women in the labour force and their access to education, health and social services, and to allowing women access to decision-making on the design and implementation of such programmes;

2. Requests the Secretary-General, in collaboration with regional commissions, to include in the report to be submitted to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-fourth session an evaluation of the effects of the debt crisis, including the effects of the structural adjustment programmes, on the implementation of the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women;

3. Requests the organizations of the United Nations system concerned with development, when designing their relevant programmes, to pay special attention to the role of women, especially rural women and poor women, in the development process, particularly in the fields of education, health, employment, agriculture and social services;

4. Requests the organizations of the United Nations system to maintain and strengthen their institutional support structures for women in developing countries;

5. Requests the Secretary-General to report on the implementation of the present resolution to the Commission on the Status of Women at its thirty-fourth session.