A/RES/54/210
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United Nations conferences, and that investing in the development of women and girls has a multiplier effect,
in particular on productivity, efficiency and sustained economic growth,
Recognizing the significant contribution that women make to the economy and the major force that they
represent for change and development in all sectors of the economy, especially in key areas such as
agriculture, industry and services,
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 that the rapid development of information technology and other new technologies presents
both opportunities and challenges to women, in particular in developing countries,
Recognizing also that population and development issues, education and training, health, nutrition, the
environment, water supply, sanitation, housing, communications, science and technology and employment
opportunities are important elements for effective poverty eradication and the advancement and
empowerment of women,
Recognizing further in this context the importance of respect for all human rights, including the right
to development, and of a national and international environment that promotes, inter alia, justice, equity,
popular participation and political freedom for the advancement and empowerment of women,
Concerned that the continued discrimination against women, the denial or lack of equal rights and
access to education, training and credit facilities and the lack of control over land, capital, technology and
other areas of production impede their full and equal contribution to, and equal opportunity to benefit from,
development,
Recognizing that the difficult socio-economic conditions that exist in many developing countries, in
particular the least developed countries, have resulted in the acceleration of the feminization of poverty and
that the empowerment of women is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty,
Aware that, although globalization and liberalization processes have created employment opportunities
for women in many countries, they have made women, especially in developing countries and in particular
the least developed countries, more vulnerable to problems caused by increased economic volatility,
Recognizing that some effects of market liberalization may deepen the socio-economic marginalization
of women in the agricultural sector, including through the loss of employment among small-scale farmers
who are more likely to be women than men, and emphasizing that small-scale women farmers need special
support and empowerment so as to be able to meet the challenges and opportunities of agricultural market
liberalization,
Recognizing also that enhanced trade opportunities for developing countries, including through trade
liberalization, will improve the economic condition of those societies, including women, which is of
particular importance in rural communities,
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