UN CONFERENCE
FAILS TO EXTEND
PROGRAMS FOR WOMEN
AND GAYS
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The Fourth World Conference for Women held in Beijing during 1995 had
made major gains in the promotion of women's programs around the world. Five
years later, at a meeting in the UN's New York headquarters during the week of
2000-JUN-4, delegates from 180 nations met to review what progress had been
made, and to consider extending the Beijing Platform for Action. The
gains made at the Beijing conference were maintained. "Representatives
called for new measures to combat domestic violence and the international forced
trafficking of women and girls." 1 However a
group of proposals dealing with abortion, sex education and equal rights for
gays and lesbians were defeated. These conferences work by consensus. As a
result, any one country is able to veto the wishes of the majority. A number of
Islamic and Roman Catholic governments protested any mention of equal rights for
homosexuals, and any change in recommendations about abortion and sex education.
They were supported by various American non-governmental organizations which are
predominately Protestant: the World Family Policy Center at (Mormon) Brigham
Young University, International Right to Life, and Concerned Women
for America.
"Betty King, the U.S. ambassador for economic and social
affairs at the United Nations, said that it was unfortunate that the world's
governments failed to 'address the health impact of unsafe abortions.' She added
that each year, nearly 200,000 women have died from such procedures, often in
countries where abortion is against the law. 'Even when abortion is legal,' King
said, 'too many countries have unsafe doctors, nurses or other health providers.
Nor have they taken other measures to ensure that such abortions are safe and
accessible.' " 1
Referring to the inability of the delegates to achieve a consensus on abortion
and gay rights proposals, Austin Ruse of the Catholic Family and Human Rights
Institute said "It was a rout, it was an utter defeat for the
other side."
References
- "Women's conference ends...," AANEWS, American
Atheists, 2000-JUN-12
Copyright © 2000 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 2000-JUN-12
Latest update: 2000-JUN-12
Author: B.A. Robinson
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