violence against women and the formation of national, regional, subregional and global surveillance committees on the subject reporting to the Commission on the Status of Women. 35. One representative emphasized the necessity for national institutions to be able to guarantee peace and security to the population in general and to women in particular. Some representatives stated that, while the participation of women in all decision-making levels in order to preserve peace was important, women should be free to choose whether or not they would want to join the armed forces or the police. ACTION TAKEN BY THE COMMISSION Women and development 36. At the 11th meeting, on 24 March 1993, the representative of Egypt, on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the Group of 77, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1993/L.7) entitled "Women and development". Subsequently Australia joined in sponsoring the draft resolution. 37. At the 13th meeting, on 25 March, the representative of Australia orally revised operative paragraph 7 of the draft resolution by inserting the word "further" before the word "develop". 38. At the 14th meeting, on 25 March, the Commission adopted the revised draft resolution by a roll-call vote of 39 to 1 (see chap. I, sect. C, resolution 37/6). The voting was as follows: In favour: Algeria, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bulgaria, Chile, China, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Cyprus, Ecuador, Egypt, Finland, France, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Iran (Islamic Republic of), Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Russian Federation, Slovakia, Spain, Sudan, Thailand, Venezuela, Zaire, Zambia, Zimbabwe. Against: United States of America. Abstaining: None. 39. Before the draft resolution was adopted, the representative of the United States of America made a statement; after it was adopted, the representative of Japan made a statement. Women, environment and development 40. At the 11th meeting, on 24 March 1993, the representative of Australia, on behalf of Australia, Austria, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Canada, 42/ Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, 42/ Denmark, 42/ Ecuador, Finland, Indonesia, New Zealand, 42/ Portugal, 42/ Turkey, 42/ the United Republic of Tanzania 42/ and Zambia, subsequently joined by Angola, 42/ Argentina, 42/ Ethiopia, 42/ Gabon, 42/ Ghana, Greece, 42/ Israel, 42/ Italy, Malaysia, Nigeria, Norway, 42/ Pakistan, the Republic of Korea, 42/ Sweden, 42/ Thailand, Tunisia, 42/ the United States of America and Zimbabwe, introduced a draft resolution (E/CN.6/1993/L.12) entitled "Women, environment and development". -75-