Are African Concerns Adequately Reflected In The Outcomes Document?

7 June 2000
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United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa)
press release

Addis Ababa — African Delegates Voice Their Opinions - "Issues of concerns to African women like education, the girl-child, AIDS are of course adequately mentioned. The problem is that we are still talking about them! We need to commit ourselves. We need clear political commitment so we move to action". Chief Bisi Ogunleye, Nigeria.

- "It is now 25 years since we have been talking about women's issues, but we haven't seen any great changes. I believe the problem lies in the implementation strategies the UN uses. It has to change its strategies to change the lives of African women". Rafiatou Karibou, Benin.

- "We can't say that African concerns are properly presented. We didn't have enough time to debate them and we don't have proper information. This is not the first time it has happened. We always have to follow the agendas of others". Amelia Zambeze, Mozambique.

- "In general, our concerns are there. The problem is, ours are not given the importance and place they deserve. Our concerns are different from those of other women in the South. Our concerns are lack of resources, financial resources for education, for health. Debt reduction is our concern because we would like to see debt converted to resources and channeled to the implementation of women's programmes. Financial resources are the key. Sexual orientation is not a priority for us". Maimouna Sourang, Senegal.

- "I believe the Special Session is going well, but the Declaration to be adopted has to be good for all continents". Carlitos Isabel Junior, Angola.

Daily updates by the ECA Communication Team, related links on the Special Session on Beijing + 5 and the contents of a new CD-ROM launched by the African Centre for Women are available on the ECA Website at: http://www.un.org/depts/eca

For more information about ECA's participation in the Special Session, please contact: Lorna Davidson, Sophia Denekew or Mercy Wambui C/o Regional Commissions New York Office 31st Floor UN Secretariat New York Tel: +1-212-963- 6905 Fax: +1-212-963-1500 Email: cteca@yahoo.com

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