PRESS CONFERENCE ON WOMEN'S COMMISSION

Gender mainstreaming, trafficking in human beings and gender aspects of the problems of HIV/AIDS and racism were among the issues to be highlighted during the two-week session of the Commission on the Status of Women, which began its work today, correspondents were told at a Headquarters press conference this afternoon.

Speaking to the press were the Swedish Minister for Gender Equality Affairs, Margareta Winberg, and Assistant Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, Angela King.

Ms. Winberg went on to say that this morning she had addressed the Commission on the Status of Women on behalf of the European Union and applicant countries, except Poland.  She expected the session to find methods to implement gender mainstreaming in the United Nations system and highlight the links between gender and HIV/AIDS and gender and racism.  Up until now, the gender aspects of those issues had not been made visible.  She hoped the Commission would enhance the effectiveness of its methods and make progress on the important issues before it.

She added that, this week, in connection with the celebration of International Women's Day on 8 March, the European Commission and the European Parliament would be discussing gender mainstreaming in the European institutions.  Trafficking in people was also a growing problem in the European Union.  On Thursday, a seminar would be held at the European Parliament on the theme of "Men and Equality".

Ms. King said that this morning statements were made by representatives of several regional and international bodies.  The two main themes of the session were HIV/AIDS and racism.  The discussion was focusing on lending a gender perspective to those two vital issues.  In case of HIV/AIDS, it was not only an issue of the vulnerability of women and girls to the disease, but also of their education and social status.  The Commission was expected to hold a panel on HIV/AIDS and produce policy directives on that issue. 

There had been talk about gender equality for some 25 years, she added, but now it was definitely time to involve men as both activists and proponents of women's full equality in decision-making -- be it in reproductive rights, using condoms, having sex or participating in the economy.

In terms of gender mainstreaming, the United Nations had been concentrating on "why, how and what", she continued.  It was important to determine what gender mainstreaming meant.  The gender perspective was important on most issues.  It was impossible to have a set of norms, policies and programmes without taking gender issues into account.  It was also important to show people how gender issues influenced various work programmes, including disarmament, peacekeeping and food security.  From there, it was necessary to go on to the implementation and practical determination of accountability. 

Ms. Winberg added that the new method of gender mainstreaming had been introduced in Beijing in 1995.  Many decision makers had thought that taking such

a decision would automatically advance gender equality in societies.  However, that turned out to be just a first step.  Education at all levels was needed to introduce a new way of thinking.  Decision makers needed to understand how their actions would affect women.  Policies in almost all countries needed to be changed to take that into account.  Of course, that was not an easy task.  The international community needed to push that issue forward. 

Ms. King said that the support of Member States for gender mainstreaming was very important.  For example, in the area of peacekeeping, gender mainstreaming had been first introduced two years ago, when it was included in the agenda of the Special Committee on Peacekeeping Operations.  The debate in the Committee had been one of the steps that contributed to the Security Council taking up women's contribution to peacekeeping and peace-building.  Also important was the contribution of civil society and non-governmental organization, as well as various bodies of the United Nations system, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Division for the Advancement of Women.  A report for the Security Council was being prepared on the matter, which would include contributions from many agencies.

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