emphasized. It was noted that in many countries the number of women in Parliament was decreasing. 21. Some delegations referred to the role and place of national machinery and emphasized its importance in the preparations for the Conference at the national level. Some noted that the preparatory process provided a good opportunity for sustaining and strengthening the role of such machinery. 22. Most representatives considered women’s human rights a key issue for the Platform for Action. One representative stressed that many other issues would require no further discussion if the human rights of women were fully realized and if there was universal adherence to human rights instruments. 23. Many representatives welcomed the results of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, adopted by the World Conference on Human Rights, which finally recognized that the human rights of women and the girl-child were an inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights and set the basis for their implementation and protection in accordance with international standards. 24. The universal ratification by all States of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women remained a top goal, and the removal of reservations to it was urged. The appointment of a Special Rapporteur on violence against women was welcomed. 25. Several representatives emphasized that reference to international standards other than those of the Convention, especially those pertaining to human rights and labour standards, including the protection of migrant workers, needed to be included in the Platform for Action. Sexual harassment should not be omitted from the recommended legislation or administrative rules and procedures. 26. Several representatives insisted that initiatives to increase legal literacy must be intensified among women and men. The need for legal aid for poor women, gender fairness in the judicial system, and gender sensitivity in the training of lawyers and judges was expressed. 27. Many representatives were of the view that the problems of rural women required special attention and pointed to the relationship between poverty and having complete responsibility for children. 28. Many representatives acknowledged that education needed to be considered very seriously as the key to development and the most effective anti-poverty policy. Education and health were critical factors for reproductive rights and sound population policies, since the linkages between increased levels of education and the exercise of reproductive choice and fertility regulation were evident. 29. A representative speaking on behalf of a group of specialized agencies reported that gender parity in primary and secondary education was achieved in only two regions of the world. Several speakers welcomed the emphasis on the relevance of science and engineering training for girls and women. Other representatives noted that the decline in economic growth negatively affected the education of girls. 30. Public education in the sense of changing public opinion was important for educating a new generation of men and women working together. One -87-