A/RES/52/195
Page 2
Recognizing that discrimination in education and training, hiring, remuneration and promotion, and
horizontal mobility practices, continue to restrict employment, economic, professional and other opportunities
and mobility for women and impede women in achieving their full potential,
Reaffirming that investing in the development of women and girls has multiplier effects on productivity,
efficiency and sustained economic growth,
Recognizing that the difficult socio-economic conditions that exist in many developing countries,
particularly those in Africa and the least developed countries, have resulted in the acceleration of the
feminization of poverty, especially in rural areas and among female-headed households,
Reaffirming that women are key contributors to the economy and to combating poverty through both
remunerated and unremunerated work at home, in the community and in the workplace and that the
empowerment of women is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty,
Recognizing the continued need to review the impact of structural adjustment programmes in order to
reduce any adverse impact on women, especially in terms of cut-backs in social services, education and health
and the removal of subsidies on food and fuel,
Aware that, although globalization and liberalization processes have created employment opportunities
for women in some countries, they have also created risks to and marginalization of women in developing
countries,
Recognizing that the informal sector is a major source of entrepreneurship and employment for women
in developing countries and that data collection on its important contribution should be improved,
Expressing its concern about the poor representation of women in economic decision-making, including
in the formulation of monetary and fiscal policies as well as rules governing pay,
Emphasizing the promotion of programmes aimed at financial intermediation with a view to ensuring
the equal access of rural women to credit and to agricultural inputs and implements and, in particular, to
easing collateral requirements for access to credit by women,
Stressing the need for a family-friendly work environment, including appropriate working hours,
affordable childcare and flexible working hours, and emphasizing the principle of shared responsibility
between women and men for the achievement of gender equality,
Stressing also that neglecting a gender perspective in policy formulation and implementation exacerbates
the feminization of poverty and economic inefficiency and has a high social cost,
Noting the importance of the organizations and bodies of the United Nations system, particularly the
funds and programmes, including the United Nations Development Fund for Women and the International
Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women, in facilitating the advancement of women
in development,
1.
Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General and the recommendations contained therein;3
2. Calls for the urgent implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action2 and the relevant provisions
contained in the outcomes of all other major United Nations conferences and summits;
3
A/52/345.
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