30 May 1991

12th plenary meeting

Women and children under apartheid

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1990/13 of 24 May 1990,

Recalling also the provisions of the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution S-16/1 of 14 December 1989 and contained in the annex thereto,

Noting the positive changes initiated by the Government of South Africa aimed at dismantling the system of apartheid,

Deeply concerned about the continuing degradation and abuse of African women and children by the white minority regime of South Africa, as noted in the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women,

Recognizing that the equality of women and men cannot be achieved without the success of the struggle towards a united, non-racial and democratic South Africa,

1. Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on women and children living under apartheid;

2. Commends those women both inside and outside South Africa who have resisted oppression and who have remained steadfast in their opposition to apartheid;

3. Urges all parties engaged in negotiations for a post-apartheid society to ensure that the principle of equality between women and men is incorporated in all laws and institutions;

4. Also urges the Government of South Africa to ratify the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women at the earliest possible opportunity;

5. Appeals to all countries and United Nations bodies, in consultation with liberation movements, as appropriate, to increase their support for educational, health, vocational training and employment opportunities for women and children living under apartheid;

6. Demands the unconditional release of all political prisoners and detainees, among whom are women and children, in accordance with the undertaking of the President of South Africa;

7. Urges the international community to maintain all existing and any other necessary measures against South Africa until all the provisions of the Declaration on Apartheid and its Destructive Consequences in Southern Africa, adopted by the General Assembly in its resolution S-16/1, have been met;

8. Decides that the Commission on the Status of Women should remain seized of the issue of women and children living under apartheid.