A/RES/S-21/2
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32. Governments should strongly reaffirm the call in the Programme of Action that population distribution
policies should be consistent with such international instruments as the Geneva Convention relative to the
Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War, of 12 August 1949,5 including article 49 thereof.
33. Governments should strongly reaffirm the call in the Programme of Action that countries should address the
causes of internal displacement, including environmental degradation, natural disasters, armed conflict and forced
resettlement, and establish the necessary mechanisms to protect and assist displaced persons, including, where
possible, compensation for damages, especially for those who are not able to return to their normal place of
residence in the short term and, where appropriate, facilitate their return and reintegration, with special attention
to the needs of women and children.
E. Population, development and education
34. Governments and civil society, with the assistance of the international community, should, as quickly as
possible, and in any case before 2015, meet the goal of the International Conference on Population and
Development of achieving universal access to primary education, eliminate the gender gap in primary and
secondary education by 2005 and strive to ensure that by 2010 the net primary school enrolment ratio for children
of both sexes will be at least 90 per cent, compared with an estimated 85 per cent in 2000. Special efforts should
be made to increase the retention rates of girls in primary and secondary school. Parents should be sensitized to
the value of education of children, particularly of girls, so that the girls do achieve their full potential.
35. Governments, in particular of developing countries, with the assistance of the international community, should:
(a) Expand youth and adult education and lifelong culture- and gender-sensitive learning polices and
programmes, with particular attention to migrants, indigenous people and people with disabilities;
(b) Include at all levels, as appropriate, of formal and non-formal schooling, education about population and
health issues, including sexual and reproductive health issues, in order to implement further the Programme of
Action in terms of promoting the well-being of adolescents, enhancing gender equality and equity as well as
responsible sexual behaviour, and protecting them from early and unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted
diseases, including HIV/AIDS, and sexual abuse, incest and violence; and ensure the active involvement and
participation of parents, youth, community leaders and organizations for the sustainability, increased coverage and
effectiveness of such programmes;
(c) Reduce the rate of illiteracy of women and men, at least halving it for women and girls by 2005,
compared with the rate in 1990;
(d) Promote the achievement of functional literacy for adults as well as children, where schooling remains
unavailable;
5
Ibid., vol. 75, No. 973.
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