Convinced that improving the distribution between both sexes of the tasks related to productive and reproductive functions is an essential strategy for development and has to be reflected in the implementation of concrete economic and social policies, Further convinced that international cooperation for development has a fundamental role in the creation of proper conditions that allow women to achieve full integration in development, Deeply concerned about the worsening situation of women in developing countries, particularly in the least developed countries, Expressing special concern about women living in extreme poverty, in rural as well as in urban areas, Expressing deep concern that, despite the fact that poor rural women contribute to all aspects of the well-being of rural families and account for more than half of the food production of developing countries, they are often the most vulnerable and disadvantaged group in society, Welcoming the organization of the Summit on the Economic Advancement of Rural Women, held at Geneva on 25 and 26 February 1992, and the adoption by the Summit of the Geneva Declaration for Rural Women, Aware of the need for women, as agents and beneficiaries of development, to be empowered to define their own means of development, as well as of the need to guarantee them access to services, such as education, health, maternity and child care and credit, among others, in order to fully integrate women into the development process, Keeping in mind the fact that the impact of structural adjustment policies, adverse terms of trade and the growing foreign debt on developing countries, particularly the least developed countries, has had a negative effect on efforts for the full integration of women in development, 1. Urges Governments to foster women’s full participation in the elaboration, planning, execution and evaluation of development policies and projects so that they can be agents and beneficiaries of development; 2. Also urges Governments to adopt policies to promote economic development that will ensure the full and explicit integration of women’s needs and concerns; 3. Further urges Governments to include gender perspectives in the major guidelines for economic and social policies and to increase their capacities and capabilities in gender-responsive and gender-sensitive planning of development programmes; 4. Urges Governments to foster the access of women to income-generating activities as a means of stimulating economic independence, a basic requirement for women’s self-sufficiency; 5. Urges Governments to identify their own quantitative and qualitative national targets in such fields as education and training, employment, income generation, health and women in public life with regard to the full integration of women in development and to commit adequate resources to women and development programmes; -40-