[APWW-Meet] APWW Statement at CSW

[luz <luz@isiswomen.org>]

Dear APWW-Meet:

I am sending you a copy of the statement that APWW made on behalf the
Asia-Pacific region at the CSW meeting in New York. The statement was
read by Dr. Young Hai Park.

Thanks,
Luz


APWW (ASIA PACIFIC WOMEN’S
WATCH)

Speaker: Dr. Young Hai Park
(Korea)

   Madam Chairperson, distinguished delegates---

   For many women across the Asia Pacific region substantial
implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action is not yet a
reality.

   We are 60% of the world’s women spread over a region ripped
apart by armed conflict, civil unrest and political instability. 
While there are pockets where women enjoy equal participation, most of
our women face in their daily lives, widowhood, rape in war, trafficking,
violence and abuse, homelessness and denial of basic human rights. 
For many their condition has deteriorated since the Beijing
Conference.  Change has often been for the worse.  Humanitarian
aid is hopelessly inadequate.

   The challenge at this
48th
session of the Commission on the Status of Women is how to bring
improvement in those countries dominated by an entrenched male culture
where resort to arms is viewed as the best approach to power
building.

   This morning at the NGO briefing, we all shared heartfelt
sorrow to our Iraqi sisters having one widow per household.

   We have just two weeks to set a framework for a process of
identifying experienced women peace advocates who will be peace
negotiators at the highest international level and peace brokers at the
national level.  They will also be role models for gender equality
as they sit alongside men at peace negotiating tables.

   The two agenda items at this
48th
Commission on the Status of Women call attention to wide gaps for women
of Asia and the Pacific in gender equality and peace resolution which are
core issues of the Beijing Platform for Action.  We must not fail to
agree on some concrete progress for closing the gaps.  We must move
forward with the agenda to close the gaps in gender equality through a
balance for women and girls with men and boys and in equal participation
for women in conflict prevention, management and resolution.

   Thank you.