Miriam College to host Asia Pacific forum on women's rights

MANILA, Philippines - In September 1995, the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women was held in Beijing, China with the theme “Action for Equality, Development and Peace.” The Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA) was fiercely negotiated and finally agreed upon by consensus to address critical areas that would ensure that the rights of women are protected, promoted and fulfilled. 

Nearly 15 years later, the time has come to assess the progress made in eliminating the barriers to the full participation of women in social, economic and political areas. From Oct. 22-24, 2009, the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing + 15 will be convened in Miriam College to create a venue for women’s movements across the region to develop a strategy for a stronger civil society advocating the rights of women and holding institutions accountable for their international commitments to women. This major international conference will bring together over 500 delegates from NGOs and women’s networks and movements from across Asia and the Pacific as they take stock of the gains, challenges and possibilities that have arisen since the commitments made in Beijing. 

The Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing + 15 Forum is expected to yield two major results: 1) a statement or declaration by the Asia Pacific NGOs to be addressed to the United Nations, governments and international organizations on the assessment of the implementation of the commitments to women on human rights and gender equality; and 2) an NGO Strategy for 2010 and Beyond on what NGOs and civil society can do together to strengthen their movements.

These results will input into the High-Level Inter-governmental Meeting on Beijing + 15 to be convened by the UN Economic and Social Commission  for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) in November 2009. It will also input into the global NGO Forum that will take place on Feb. 27-29, 2010 in New York prior to the 54th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. 

Aside from major plenary sessions and parallel panels and workshops, integral to the conference are several special activities, namely, an international women’s film festival, an international women’s exhibit, the Asia Pacific Women’s Bazaar and welcome and farewell cultural programs.

For more information on the Asia Pacific NGO Forum on Beijing + 15 and the National Women’s Summit, visit apww.isis women.org and www.ce daw-watch.org/womensummit.html or contact 5805400 extn 1099.