Recalling the goal set in General Assembly resolution 45/239 C of a 25 per cent participation rate of women in posts at the D-1 level and above by 1995, Noting with concern that the participation rate of women in posts at the D-1 level and above remains unreasonably low, although some welcome improvements have been made, Aware that a comprehensive policy aimed at preventing sexual harassment should be an integral part of personnel policy, Commending the Secretary-General for his administrative instruction containing procedures for dealing with cases of sexual harassment, 3/ Bearing in mind that a visible commitment by the Secretary-General is essential to the achievement of the targets set by the General Assembly, Welcoming the commitment of the Secretary-General, expressed in his statement to the Fifth Committee of the General Assembly, 4/ to bringing the balance in policy-level positions as close to fifty-fifty as possible, and his commitment, expressed in his message on the occasion of International Women’s Day 1993 5/ and reaffirmed in his statement on International Women’s Day 1994, to see that the number of women in Professional posts in the Secretariat reflects the world population as a whole by the fiftieth anniversary of the United Nations in 1995, Welcoming also the development by the Secretary-General of a plan of action for 1993 and 1994 to improve the status of women in the Secretariat by 1995, 6/ 1. Urges the Secretary-General to implement fully the plan of action to improve the status of women in the Secretariat by 1995, 6/ noting that his visible commitment is essential to the achievement of the targets set by the General Assembly; 2. Also urges the Secretary-General to examine further existing work practices within the United Nations system, with a view to increasing flexibility so as to remove direct or indirect discrimination against staff members with family responsibilities, including consideration of such issues as job-sharing, flexible working hours, child-care arrangements, career break schemes and access to training; 3. Further urges the Secretary-General, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, to accord greater priority to the recruitment and promotion of women in posts subject to geographical distribution, particularly in senior policy-level and decision-making posts and within those parts of the United Nations system and its specialized agencies where representation of women is considerably below the average, in order to achieve the goals set in General Assembly resolutions 45/125, 45,239 C, 46/100, 47/93 and 48/106 of an overall 3/ ST/AI/379. 4/ A/C.5/47/SR.21, para. 58. 5/ E/CN.6/1993/15, para. 14. 6/ See A/48/513, para. 18. -2-