Women, Peace and the United Nations: Beyond Beijing
UN ideals, bureaucratic policies, & mandates regarding women & peace are considered. There is history of women's inclusion or exclusion from human rights debate on Palestinians, South Africans, & South Americans. Pivotal changes at the Second & Third World Conferences on Women (in Copenhagen, Denmark, & Nairobi, respectively) are reviewed. Significant post-Cold War events, including work by the UN Transition Assistance Group, preparations by the UN's Division for the Advancement of Women for the Commission on the Status of Women in preparation for the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, People's Republic of China, & the subsequent 1995 Declaration & Platform for Action debates are reviewed. A look at female inclusion in political decision making includes discussion of the participatory nature of democracy & data on women's voting rights & representation in government bodies. Women's historical status as "noncitizens" in many countries is contrasted with examples of their influence on political atmosphere, agenda, & conflict at national & international levels. Suggestions for further research on gender differences in peace-related areas & policy making are made. M. C. Leary