environment and women’s daily lives, environmental policies typically have not been formulated with this in mind and technical solutions that have been proposed have not taken this perspective into account. As a result, women have tended to suffer the effects of environmental degradation rather than enabled to bring their perspectives and experience to bear to protect natural resources. 59. Experience in many countries has shown that when women have been involved in environmental management, protection and conservation, they can be a decisive factor in the success of programmes and initiatives. IV. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES DERIVED FROM THE CRITICAL AREAS OF CONCERN AND ACTION TO BE TAKEN 60. The critical areas of concern cut across the boundaries of equality, development and peace. They reflect the interdependence of these goals, which were set out for the United Nations Decade for Women. The strategic objectives derived from the critical areas of concern and action to be taken are also cross-cutting. The themes of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace require efforts to address both the practical and the strategic needs of women. Action may be taken by the international community, Governments, non-governmental organizations, other community organizations, the private sector and individuals. General comments 61. The strategic objectives and action to be taken should be expressed in clear, direct and forceful language. Actions should be expressed by use of the infinitive. An effort should be made to develop a more evocative, concise format for the actions, including the use of devices such as bullet points and through logical organization of the text. The Platform for Action should provide a new approach to presenting United Nations consensus accessible to all. 62. There should be a clear correspondence between the strategic objectives and the critical areas of concern, both in terms of sequence in the text and aspects addressed. In order to match the order agreed for the critical areas of concern, the strategic objectives should follow the same order. It was noted that strategic objectives I, J and K were instrumental rather than substantive. Objective K should be integrated into all of the other objectives and not be shown separately. 63. The strategic objectives and actions should reflect throughout a life-cycle approach to women that can reflect concerns at different stages of life, from childhood and youth through ageing. They should be drafted with clear, achievable and measurable targets. Actions to affect the girl child should be found throughout. Institutions responsible for specific actions should be identified as well as the role of international cooperation, including multilateral and bilateral donors and the international community in general. 64. A concise introduction to chapter IV should be maintained, as in document E/CN.6/1994/10, which should highlight the interdependence of strategic objectives and actions, their relationship with the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, and the fact that the order of presentation reflects the concerns of women, but that all are of equal priority. The introduction should also pay tribute to the role of the women’s movement in initiating and maintaining action. It should include some overall elements, such as gender planning, different methods of action, systematic monitoring and -40-