Concerned about the grave socio-economic deprivation to which the majority
of the people, especially women and children, continue to be subjected as a
direct consequence of apartheid,
Alarmed that the politically motivated violence in South Africa, especially
in Natal and Transvaal Provinces, which has to date claimed thousands of lives
and left hundreds of thousands of people homeless, the majority of whom are
women and children, continues to escalate,
Welcoming the participation of women in the resolution of the problems of
South Africa by peaceful means and their full participation in the forthcoming
elections and beyond,
Taking note of the report of the Secretary-General on women and children
living under apartheid, 7/
Convinced that the present legal system as it relates to questions of
substantive sexism that are integral to the problems of poverty, ignorance and
disempowerment requires structural changes to be relevant to a new and just
South Africa,
Recognizing that the equality of women and men cannot be achieved without
the success of the struggle towards a united, non-racist, non-sexist and
democratic South Africa,
Commending the continuing role played by the international community and
the United Nations, in particular the Centre against Apartheid and the Division
for the Advancement of Women of the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development, in helping South African women to participate fully in
the process of establishing a non-racist, non-sexist and democratic South
Africa,
1.
Commends South African women for resisting oppression and for the role
they continue to play in the establishment of a united, non-racist, non-sexist
and democratic South Africa;
2.
Demands the immediate and unconditional release of any remaining
political prisoners and detainees, among whom are women and children, in
accordance with the undertaking of the South African authorities;
3.
Appeals to all countries and United Nations bodies, in conformity with
relevant General Assembly resolutions, to increase their support for
educational, health and vocational training and employment opportunities for
women and children in addressing the legacy of apartheid;
4.
Requests the Centre against Apartheid during its remaining period of
existence to cooperate with the Department for Policy Coordination and
Sustainable Development, with a view to creating specific programmes of
assistance to South African women to enable them to participate fully in the
process of the transition of their country towards a non-racist democracy;
5.
Further requests the international community to provide financial,
material and human resources to South African women towards the establishment of
special programmes and projects geared to women’s integration and advancement at
the present time and in post-apartheid South Africa;
7/
E/CN.6/1994/7.
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