Beijing Platform for Action
Overview
In 1995, at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, United Nations member states and women from around the world participated in creating the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA). These documents assert clearly that women’s rights are human rights and that there are particular obstacles faced by women and girls in attaining their human rights.
The Declaration and Platform for Action are not legally binding. They do not provide a means for enforcement or for redress of wrongs. However, every five years, member states are asked to report voluntarily to the United Nations on the progress that they have made towards achieving the goals set out in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Civil society organizations may also submit shadow reports.
Critical Areas of Concern:
- poverty
- education
- health care
- violence
- armed conflict
- economic structures and policies
- the sharing of power and decision-making
- mechanisms to promote the advancement of women
- human rights
- media
- environment
- the girl child
For more information:
The full text of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action:www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/platform/
The Beijing Declaration of Indigenous Women:www.ipcb.org/resolutions/htmls/dec_beijing.html
Articles
Women in Canada and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action Fifteen Years Later