human resources required. One representative stressed the importance of establishing appropriate mechanisms for promoting international cooperation. One representative said that the advancement of women was necessary for the organizational efficiency and effectiveness of the United Nations system. 37. Many representatives emphasized the need for more clarity in defining the various responsible actors, and called for integrated efforts among Governments, the international community and non-governmental organizations. 38. One representative addressed the issue of institutional arrangements, particularly in reference to the proposed merger of the International Research and Training Institute for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Development Fund for Women. It was suggested that the issue should be deliberated at length during the present session in the context of the overall restructuring of the United Nations system and the placement of women’s issues within United Nations structures. 39. A few representatives referred to the mission statement, which should identify the relationship between the Platform for Action and the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women. 40. Some representatives referred to an imbalance among the different chapters of the Platform for Action and suggested that they should be elaborated further. One representative emphasized the importance of setting specific and globally quantifiable targets in all areas of concern. 41. Many representatives stated that the areas of decision-making, the human rights of women, women in the economy, violence against women, the burden of poverty, women’s unpaid work, a life-cycle approach to health and education, and environmental issues should be given particular importance. Many representatives referred to particular issues that should be more strongly reflected in the Platform for Action, such as the impact of structural adjustment programmes, the situation of various groups of women including refugees, migrant women, indigenous women and women with disabilities. One representative suggested that special emphasis should be given to the problems faced by vulnerable women and include a definition of vulnerable women at the beginning of the document. 42. Many representatives referred to the concerns and needs of the girl child. Several representatives suggested a separate area of concern on that issue. 43. One representative suggested that the Platform for Action should address religious extremism as harmful to women’s advancement and as specifically targeting women. 44. Many representatives referred to violence against women as one of the most critical issues that affected women, in both public and private life. It was stressed that the paragraphs concerning violence against women should comply with the texts of other recent United Nations documents, and in particular the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, adopted by the General Assembly. 45. Many representatives said that the feminization of poverty was taking place in both developed and developing countries and suggested that that section needed more extensive elaboration, specifying priority objectives. -40-