E/2000/27 E/CN.6/2000/9 Annex I Moderator’s summary of the panel discussion on emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting the situation of women or equality between women and men (agenda item 3 (b)) 1. On 1 March 2000, the Commission held a panel discussion at its fifth meeting, followed by a dialogue between the panellists, Member States and representatives of non-governmental organizations, on emerging issues, trends and new approaches to issues affecting women or equality between women and men. The panellists were: Dominique Meda (France), Inspecteur a l’Inspection Generale des Affaires Sociales, who discussed the relationship of work and of social life with regard to its gender equality implications in developed countries; Mame Bassine Niang (Senegal), Ministère de la Famille, de l’Action Sociale, et de la Solidarité Nationale, who discussed women’s human rights and access to resources, especially in conjunction with family and personal status codes, and land, ownership and inheritance rights; Gillian Marcelle, Chairperson, African Information Society Gender Working Group, who discussed challenges and opportunities for strengthening gender justice in connection with information and communications technologies; Charlotte Abaka, Member of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, who discussed progress made and challenges in the implementation of the Platform for Action as monitored by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women; and Madhu Bala Nath, Gender and HIV/AIDS Adviser to the Joint United Nations Programme on Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome and the United Nations Development Fund for Women, who highlighted issues related to women living with HIV/AIDS. 2. During the discussion it was noted that women’s economic empowerment was essential to the achievement of gender equality. The economy had not yet adapted to the reality of women’s participation in the world of work. Rather than constituting a challenge, women’s participation brought benefits to the economy and should be embraced as an opportunity in a fast-changing environment. Women’s capacities were seen as assets and of economic advantage in the emerging knowledge economy. Positive economic experiences gained through employing women could be applied to other areas, such as in addressing the persistent wage gap between women and men, which was largely based on discrimination against women and women’s concentration in certain sectors. It was emphasized that policies to create part-time work for women were unsuccessful, further marginalized women and reinforced unfair labour situations at lower pay and fewer benefits. Therefore, policies on part-time work needed to target both women and men. Such policies also should aim to strengthen families, and to allow women and men better to balance work and family responsibilities. 3. The impact of economic globalization on the situation of women was raised. Some of its effects were seen as having aggravated women’s poverty in developing countries, and as constituting an obstacle to the realization of gender equality. Effective international cooperation and the support of developed countries for women in developing countries were required to address these effects. It was also 18