Report on the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (1): Beijing + 10 regional follow-up committee for Latin America and the Caribbean.

1. Background

Regional and national networks, campaigns and organizations of feminist women formulated a strategy for political advocacy in the process towards the Ninth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean, held in Mexico City, June 10-12, 2004. This strategy sought to use our influence as women's and feminist organizations to convince governments of the region to reiterate their commitment to the Beijing Platform for Action ten years after it was adopted, as well as to the ECLAC Regional Programme of Action.

The efforts of these women were crucial in achieving the "Mexico City Consensus," in which governments reaffirmed their commitment to the aims of the Platform for Action from the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995); the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo 1994); the Programme of Action from the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen 1995); the Programme of Action from the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban 2001); and the Millennium Declaration (New York 2000) adopted by the United Nations General Assembly. Under the Mexico City Consensus governments also ratified all regional agreements adopted subsequently, such as the Lima Consensus and the ECLAC Regional Programme of Action.

Governments of the region made a commitment to promote actions in the political, social, economic and cultural realms to ensure the full development and advancement of women of all ages. Of particular note is their pledge to review and implement legislation that guarantees the responsible exercise of sexual and reproductive rights and access to health services free from discrimination, including sexual and reproductive health as established in the Lima Consensus. (2)

The process leading up to Mexico validated the strategies developed by the women's movement and, once again, won recognition by different social, political and institutional actors regarding the essential role played by women's and feminist organizations in the negotiation process, in particular their confrontations with fundamentalists groups opposed to women's sexual rights and reproductive rights.

The experience gained at the Ninth Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean helped us to meet the challenge of preparing for the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) to evaluate the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

The upcoming CSW Session prompted a diverse group of regional, subregional and national networks, campaigns and coalitions to create the Comite de Seguimiento de Beijing+ 10 de America Latina y el Caribe (Beijing+10 Regional Follow-up Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean). Its members include:

Carla Batista--Articulacao de Mulheres Brasileiras, AMB 

Maria Teresa Blandon: Iniciativa Centroamericana de Seguimiento a la Plataforma para Accion Victoria Bugallo: RED-LAC

Nilza Irace--Articulacao de ONGs de Mulheres Negras del Brasil, AMNB 

Marusia Lopez Cruz--Coordinacion Mexicana Beijing+ 10

Ximena Machicao--REPEM Alejandra Sarda - Articulacion Feminista MARCOSUR and the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission, IGLHRC.

From its inception, the Follow-up Committee opposed reopening debate on the Platform for Action itself and reaffirmed the agreement's validity and the need for governments' to renew their commitments to its implementation. To achieve this objective, we proposed a process of regional review that would include input from the diverse expressions of the women's and feminists' movements in the region.

These proposed aims entailed implementation of the following tasks:

1. Fundraising for the process through March 2005;

2. Distribution of information on the official and parallel CSW processes among women's organizations in the region;

3. Fostering regional opportunities to define collective strategies with the participation of women's and feminists' networks, campaigns and coalitions;

4. Undertaking political advocacy at the national level to ensure the ratification of the Platform for Action and the inclusion of delegates from women's groups in official delegations;

5. Participation as a region in the International Planning Group;

6. Collection and dissemination of information on the activities carried out by networks, regional campaigns and national coalitions in the context of the evaluation of the Platform for Action;

7. Ensuring representative and broad participation by the many different expressions of the women's/feminist movements in the region during the 49th Session of the CSW;

8. Lobbying during the 49th Session to promote the ratification of the Platform for Action.

2. General Objective

That the 49th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women ratify the agreements made by world governments, reaffirming their commitment to the aims of the Platform for Action from the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing 1995), the Programme of Action from the International Conference on Population and Development (Cairo 1994), the Programme of Action from the World Summit for Social Development (Copenhagen 1995), and the Programme of Action from the World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (Durban 2001) all adopted by the United Nations General Assembry, and affirm all regional and international agreements adopted subsequently.

3. Expected Results

1. Circulation of information among the greatest possible number of women's organizations in Latin American and Caribbean countries on the process leading up to the 49th Session, as well as during the Session itself;

2. The coordinated, visible and proactive political presence of Latin American and Caribbean women's/feminists organizations during the preparatory process and throughout the 49th Session of the CSW itself;

3. Reaffirmation of the Beijing Platform for Action by the entire Commission and governments' strengthened commitment to its implementation.

4. Activities Undertaken

* Preparing the project and obtaining the required funds;

* Distributing information regarding the processes before, during and after the 49th Session of the CSW in the following communications media: several Internet websites, the Beijing+10 list serve, virtual newsletters (Bocas No Mundo and La Red Va, among others);

* Holding meetings for the Follow-up Committee and networks, regional campaigns and national coalitions to develop political lobbying strategies;

* Participating in the meetings of the International Planning Group;

* Translating documents prior to and during the Session;

* Jointly organizing parallel activities (on poverty and development, UN reforms, sexual diversity) with regional networks, campaigns and coalitions during the CSW Session;

* Drafting informative documents and thematic reflections;

* Coordinating activities with UN agencies: UNIFEM, UNFPA, UNDP:

* Coordinating with the Women's Media Pool (WMP) for Beijing+10;

* Circulating information among participants at the 49th Session through the Latin American Regional Caucus and the daily strategy and operations meeting of the "Zona de Inteligencia," which was run by colleagues from the region;

* Supporting the work of feminist members of official government delegations through the "Zona de Inteligencia" and in daily meetings organized by the Follow-up Committee;

* Preparing financial and narrative reports on the process;

* Preparing and publishing the document: "De Mexico a New York. Bejing+10" (From Mexico to New York. Beijing+10).

5. General Evaluation (3)

From February 28 to March 11,2005 the Commission on the Status of Women held a regular extended session in which all United Nations member States participated. The official meeting focused on the following points:

1. Review of the implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of the XXIII Special Session of the General Assembly entitled "Women 2000: Gender equality, development and peace for the twenty-first century";

2. Current challenges and forward-looking strategies for the advancement and empowerment of women and girls;

3. Approval of the resolutions on: trafficking, indigenous women and HIV/AIDS; economic advancement of women; women in Afghanistan and Palestine; gender mainstreaming; Special Rapporteur on laws that discriminate against women;

4. The 49th Session began with Secretary General Kofi Annan's declaration of his unequivocal support of the Platform for Action, affirming that "ten years ago women gathered in Beijing and took a giant step forward" and that "gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation."

In contrast, the CSW Bureau expresses a limited and reductionist perspective on the gains in gender equity and does not mention current limitations and obstacles to the implementation of the Platform for Action. It also fails to define concrete commitments for governments or for the United Nations. (4)

Despite the limitations expressed above, the CSW Bureau has explicitly stated its intention to generate a minimum level of consensus in keeping with the prior reaffirmations of the Beijing Platform for Action made by every region in previous conferences and to encourage governments to reaffirm their commitment to its implementation.

In addition, negotiation of the text of the Political Declaration took place in an ambience filled with tension as a result of pressure exerted by the U.S. government to approve an amendment it had introduced, which stated that the Platform for Action did not create any new international human rights, that it was not binding for governments and that in no way was it to be understood as an instrument that promoted the right to abortion.

As on other occasions, the U.S. delegation resorted to economic blackmail of delegations influenced by fundamentalist groups or whose members included fundamentalist elements, such as some of the Central American delegations. For example, the U.S. delegation threatened the official Costa Rican delegation that it would advocate its expulsion if it failed to approve the U.S. proposal.

The U.S. government was able to impose its own rules on the meeting and determine the pace of negotiations, often attempting to be the only voice heard in regard to the CSW declaration. (5)

Nonetheless, after almost a week of embattled negotiations, the declaration originally proposed was approved by consensus and the U.S. government was frustrated once again in its attempts to weaken the instruments and erase from them all mention of sexual and reproductive rights and abortion. (6) When forced to withdraw its amendment, the U.S. delegation declared that it was not really necessary after all, as most governments actually agreed with its contents.

Latin America and the Caribbean countries, many of them members of the Rio Group, consistently defended the Mexico City Consensus. This bloc worked tirelessly to hold countries of the region together against attacks by the United States and to build consensus with other blocs in defense of the Platform for Action and the ICPD Programme of Action. [...]

These actions would not have been possible without the efforts of our colleagues in the movement who were members of the official delegations and the advocacy efforts of the organizations, networks and coalitions that participated in the CSW Session. The political position of Latin American and Caribbean feminists was expressed through a number of declarations. [...]

Other strategies that helped to defeat the U.S. amendment were the use of the media and public demonstrations during the Session. The efforts of the Women's Media Pool (WMP) were especially noteworthy in this area. The WMP was coordinated by the Feminist International Radio Endeavour (FIRE), using daily bulletins, interviews and live broadcasts to keep information flowing to civil society around the world. Associated journalists made another important contribution by keeping their respective countries informed through other media, including the virtual newsletter, La Red Va.

One particularly effective event was the collection of coins that were then offered to the head of the U.S. delegation in front of the news media to symbolize a return of its development funding if it would stop pressuring governments in the region. This initiative was agreed to in the strategy meeting and carried out by the Red Latinoamericana y Caribena de Jovenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos (Latin American and Caribbean Youth Network for Sexual and Reproductive Rights). [...]

The meetings held with United Nations agencies such as UNIFEM, UNFPA and the UNDP enabled participants to share perspectives, concerns and proposals for strengthening the process of ratification and implementation of the Platform for Action.

The Negotiation of the Resolutions

The most controversial resolutions were those introduced by the U.S. delegation on trafficking and the economic advancement of women. (7)

The networks and coalitions in which we participated at the 49th Session did not have a clear lobbying strategy for these resolutions. In addition, there was insufficient consensus on trafficking to formulate a collective position.

The resolution on trafficking of women introduced by the United States linked this problem to prostitution, emphasized reduction of demand as a solution, and acknowledged neither the structural problems that underlie migration nor the previously ratified instruments establishing the rights of migrant populations, such as the Palermo Protocol or CEDAW. Underlying its proposal was an attempt by the U.S. government to restrict migration. The text ultimately adopted was modified substantially thanks to the efforts of many countries that offered an alternative drafted by the Women's Caucus on Trafficking.

Even more challenging was the negotiation of the resolution on economic advancement, which centered on promoting small businesses and micro-credits among women under the current neoliberal model, which has deepened poverty in many countries and among millions of women. Feminists from all regions joined together in the Caucus on Women and Economics to provide proposals modifying the original language. The most noteworthy are the recognition of the need to:

* Share the benefits of globalization;

* Create an economic climate that is sustainable and promotes equity among countries;

* Address the underlying causes of poverty;

* Reduce external debt; and

* Strengthen national and international investment regulations to guarantee the fulfillment of social commitments and reaffirm the role of the public sector in the provision of basic services, among other responsibilities. (8)

The resolution on indigenous women, affirming the commitments of the Durban Conference, had broad support from the Rio Group. Other approved resolutions addressed HIV/AIDS and the mainstreaming of gender equity.

New CSW Bureau

Although no specific political strategy had been devised to lobby over the composition of the new CSW Bureau, several actions were undertaken to influence the selection of its members; these negotiations began before the 49th Session and culminated with the election of El Salvador to the Chair.

Feminist members of official delegations attempted to persuade other countries of the region to run for the office, bearing in mind El Salvador's high degree of dependence on the U.S. Nevertheless, for different procedural and political reasons, it was not possible to change the outcome.

Relationship with Global Networks and International and U.S. Feminist Organizations

The Follow-up Committee participated in the International Planning Group in the preparatory process and during the 49th Session.

The work of the Group officially began in December 2004 with the participation of focus groups from all regions. However, the Group's very limited resources delayed the distribution of information and the definition of common strategies.

It is important to acknowledge the support provided by international networks and U.S. organizations in sharing certain information and proposals before the Session, as well as their recognition of the high level of organization among Latin American feminists.

In the process of drafting lobbying proposals, we used different approaches to address issues such as linking the implementation of the Platform for Action with the Millennium Development Goals and the public debate over whether the Platform for Action did indeed create new rights for women.

In our preliminary evaluation, as feminists from across the region we considered the importance of analyzing the role of so-called global networks, especially in the context of UN Conferences and in their relationship with regional networks. [...]

Latin American and Caribbean Feminists Evaluate the Process: A Summary (9)

Regarding the Process:

* Everyone who spoke at the meeting acknowledged the work carried out by the Follow-up Committee, both in the preparatory process as well as during the 49th Session. Highlighted among the main contributions of the Committee were the importance of prior communications, the preparation of documents that contributed to the proposals formulated, the public workshops, and the organization of the "Zona de Inteligencia" to support the official delegations.

* The strategy focused on the region itself and called for the solid repositioning of the Platform for Action on national agendas in the face of the evident weakening of national governments.

* One of the most important achievements was the democratic conduct of the process, as seen in the diversity of actors brought together (networks, coalitions, regional initiatives, national and local NGOs) and in the issues that were addressed in parallel events (reform of the UN, the debate on the MDGs, the event on sexual diversities, etc.)

* Some weaknesses were detected in the coalitions of other regions as well as in the inter-regional dialogue.

Regarding the dynamic of the 49th Session

* A more consolidated Right was present at the 49th Session as a consequence of the victory of conservative forces in the United States and the more forceful tactics of the Vatican.

* The importance ascribed by governments of the region to regional conferences and global meetings, as well as the political decision-making profile they reflect, should be analyzed.

* The Rio Group played a key role as a negotiating bloc for the region.

Regarding Results

* Some participants felt that the final declaration came out weaker in terms of recognizing new rights for women and that it represents a step backwards compared to the agreements adopted by governments of the region in previous conferences (Santiago, Lima, Mexico City).

* Despite the above, it is important to note the failure of the United States to introduce an amendment would have denied recognition of new rights and categorically opposed abortion.

* One important achievement was that delegations, especially some from Central America, did not to succumb to the U.S. delegation's pressure to support its amendment. Also, the plan to hold a prior meeting with women ministers from the region's governments resulted in a signed agreement that, in addition to affirming the validity of the Platform for Action, proposed the inclusion of representatives of the Iniciativa Centroamericana in all official delegations of the Central American countries.

Towards the Future

* Some have expressed the opinion that since 2001 no advances have been made in women's rights, but there have been advances in fundamentalisms, now present in a number of the region's countries.

* A distinction should be made between the follow-up work carried out at the national, regional and international levels, taking into account the greater pressures that exist internationally that make it necessary to focus on strengthening global strategies. For the same reason, it is important to strengthen our alliances with the English-speaking Caribbean and with international networks.

* We must follow up on the actions of governments and the regional consensus, including the agreement from the Summit of the Americas.

* We must support and strengthen ECLAC's Regional Programme as the scope and perspective of this instrument are among the broadest in the region. (9)

Key Points (10)

1. The most relevant achievement of the 49th CSW was the ratification of the Beijing Platform for Action by all countries despite the pressure exerted by the United States to assert that the Platform for Action does not create any new rights and does not recognize the right to abortion.

2. The isolationist stance of the United States in relation to the global consensus.

3. Despite the complications and delays caused by the United States in the negotiations, all resolutions were passed by majority vote of the countries with important modifications in the language of the two resolutions introduced by the U.S.

4. The governments of Latin America and the Caribbean reaffirmed the Platform for Action and the regional consensus documents from Lima, Santiago and Mexico City.

5. The Rio Group exerted significant efforts in advocating and achieving consensus among governments of the region with a consistent position in defense of the Platform for Action and the ICPD Programme of Action and in opposition to the U.S. amendments. It supported the resolution of indigenous women and was able to incorporate a broader vision into the trafficking resolution, one that was more respectful of migrant women's rights and more considerate of the problem of sexual exploitation.

6. The region's feminist movement denounced the unilateratism of the United States and the pressure it exerted over the UN, which was expressed in a lack of clarity in the official mechanisms to negotiate the declaration and the resolutions, as well as in the growing limitations imposed on the participation of women's organizations and the lack of translation of the debates into official UN languages.

7. It is highly important to intervene in the debates on the reform of the UN in recognition of this body's essential role in the defense of human rights.

8. The Millennium Development Goals are reductionist and in themselves do not ensure substantial advances in the implementation of the Platform for Action. Therefore, during the evaluation planned by the UN for September 2005, it is important that women's organizations of the region demand that resources be made available to ensure the implementation of the Platform for Action in its entirety.

9. Women's organizations are encouraged to reaffirm and/or obtain official consultative status with the UN in order to ensure their participation in these official contexts.

Conclusions

The results achieved in this process would not have been possible without the commitment and effort by the Follow-up Committee and by each member in carrying out specific tasks over seven months.

The "Zona de Inteligencia" that operated continuously during the entire 49th Session played an essential and effective role not only for feminists in the region but also for those from other regions.

The coordination of the Latin American Caucus and the meetings held to define political strategies were vital to ensuring more coordinated collective action, the efficient translation and distribution of documents, the support of feminist members of official delegations and effective mobilizations and protests. AII were part of the intensive efforts carried out during the two weeks of the 49th Session.

This work would also not have been possible without the confidence of the regional and national networks, campaigns and coalitions, and the generous labors of many of our companeras, interacting with official delegations, lobbying governments, working in the thematic caucuses, drafting the declarations, in the daily tasks of photocopying, the coordination with UN agencies and in the activities organized in parallel. The support provided by UNIFEM, UNFPA, the Global Fund for Women and ActionAID was also essential.

It is crucial to identify lessons learned and challenges that we will have to face in the future, including: (11)

* Defending CEDAW, the ICPD Programme of Action and the Beijing Platform for Action from the ongoing attacks of the U.S. government;

* Strengthening advocacy strategies in the media;

* Developing more effective strategies to deal with rightwing organizations;

* Improving the conditions of our participation in UN-sponsored contexts and establishing clearer rules for negotiations;

* Achieving official ECOSOC Consultative Status for more organizations;

* Prioritizing contexts and issues on which we wish have an impact and supporting the participation of all of our colleagues in the movement who participate in these processes of negotiation; and

* Strengthening local, national, sub-regional and regional women's coalitions, addressing old and new dilemmas related to our political tasks as feminists, as well as the policies of our alliances with other social sectors and institutional actors.

To advance our agenda, women's organizations and feminist coalitions of the region have to make an impact on many issues and in many contexts beyond those of the UN and its instruments. Nevertheless, we recognize that this international body can become an effective guarantor of international law and human rights. Thus, it is essential to democratize the UN as well as to promote the participation in equal conditions for all political actors, including organized civil society, and above all those sectors that historically have promoted the defense and expansion of all human rights without exclusion.

To accomplish this, we must participate in the UN reform process in the most organized possible manner; we must seriously question the Millennium Development Goals; and we must promote the unrestricted implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action and the ICPD Programme of Action. We must also strengthen regional instruments and above all demand compliance with binding Conventions signed by our governments.

In conclusion, the Beijing+10 Follow-up Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean has successfully carried out the responsibilities it assumed under this process and hopes that new collective proposals, ideas, energies and synergies will once more emerge in the many contexts in which we are able to continue building our dreams of equality and equity.

Notes

(1.) This report was prepared by Ximena Machicao Barbery, General Coordinator of REPEM and Teresa Blandon of the Iniciativa Centroamerica de Seguimiento de la Plataforma para Accion, members of the Beijing+10 Follow-up Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean.

(2.) ECLAC, United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, Report of the Ninth Session of the Regional Conference on Women in Latin America and the Caribbean (Mexico City Consensus), LC/G.2256(CRM.9/6) June 28, 2004.

(3.) Summary of the document "Beijing+10: Balance y Perspectivas Desde la Participacion del Movimiento Feminista," prepared by Marusia Lopez Cruz, member of the Beijing+10 Follow-up Committee for Latin America and the Caribbean and the Red de Jovenes por los Derechos Sexuales y Reproductivos, ELIGE, March 2005.

(4.) From the open letter submitted by civil society organizations to the Bureau of the 49th CSW on March 3, 2005.

(5.) Teresa Blandon and Marusia Lopez, "Balance preliminar de la 49o Sesion de la Comision de la Condicion Juridica y Social de la Mujer, Beijing+10. Puntos clave para la difusion e incidencia." March 2005.

(6.) Ibid.

(7.) These are recommendations to governments and other actors regarding specific issues that the Commission normally makes in the course of its regular sessions. These recommendations are not legally binding nor do they enjoy specific resources for their follow up and implementation. The recommendations are "sponsored" or supported by a particular country, which then seeks support from other countries. After this negotiation, the recommendations are approved or rejected either by consensus or by vote.

(8.) Language proposed by the NGO Caucus on Women and the Economy to be submitted for consideration by the governments. March 2. 2005.

(9.) From the Preliminary Evaluation Meeting held March 7, 2005, with the Latin American and Caribbean women in attendance at the 49th CSW.

(10.) These points were drawn up in consensus in the final meeting called by the Follow-up Committee on March 10 in the "Zona de Inteligencia."

(11.) A summary of the document prepared by Marusia Lopez Cruz.

BEIJING+10 NGO Statement on the Proposed U.S. Amendment to the Draft Declaration of the 49th Session of the CSW

On March 1, 2005, representatives of over 150 civil society organizations from all regions of the world, including LACWHN and several of the Network's member groups, issued a statement at the United Nations.

The purpose of this Session of the CSW, the UN body charged with advancing the status of women, is to reaffirm the Beijing Platform for Action, not to move backward or undermine it.

We, representatives of civil society organizations from all regions of the world, celebrate the historic achievement for women's human rights that the Platform represents. We strongly applaud the statement by Secretary General Kofi Annan that the Platform adopted in 1995 was "a giant step forward" and "that gender equality is critical to the development and peace of every nation," and we affirm his call for specific targeted actions to realize women's rights in ALL areas. In this light, we urge government delegations to oppose unequivocally the amendment to the Draft Declaration proposed by the United States. Let's affirm the Platform fully and move forward.

Source: Women's International Health Coalition website, http://www.iwhc.org

WEDO REPORT: BEIJING BETRAYED Women's Reality Since the Fourth World Conference on Women

In the context of the 49th CSW, the Women's Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) launched the 208-page report, Beijing Betrayed. The report offers a comprehensive panorama on the realities as women themselves see them in 150 countries and points out that a combination of global trends has created an environment increasingly hostile to women's advancement. The trends include the spread of a neoliberal economic model, growing militarization and rising religious and cultural fundamentalism.

"Governments need to be really strong to counterbalance these forces and push the Beijing Platform for Action to further women's rights," said June Zeitlin, WEDO executive director. "But they are just not doing it."

Instead, governments have adopted a "piecemeal and incremental" approach to furthering women's rights that cannot achieve the goals the governments set for themselves ten years ago in Beijing at the Fourth World Conference on Women, the report explains.

The document was issued to coincide with the United Nations' two-week assessment of progress since the Beijing gathering in 1995. Patricia Licuanan, chair of Asia-Pacific Women's Watch, told a press conference introducing the report that real achievements have been made but more needs to be done. In Asia, many governments have created "focal points" for women's concerns, she said. "They are weak and not well resourced, but they do serve a purpose."

"The report is very clearly the voices of women," Zeitlin said. "We did not seek input from governments. We wanted to have a report with women assessing the Beijing Platform of Action, since the UN report represents the governments' assessments."

Countries need to change the mechanisms that deliver services and the mind-sets that dictate the pace of change, she continued. She called on governments to pick three concrete steps to take on women's rights between now and the UN's Millennium assessment meeting in September.

* To access this impressive report online, visit the WEDO website at http://www.wedo.org/library.aspx?ResourceID=31

What Does Beijing Mean To You? A SURVEY BY THE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S HEALTH COALITION

Ten years ago in 1995, representatives from 184 governments and women from nearly 2,500 nongovernmental organizations gathered in Beijing for the Fourth World Conference on Women. Togetherthey forged an agreement that recognized that investing in women's health and rights is the key to solving global challenges.

From February 28 to March 11, 2005, women from around the world gathered in New York City to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the historic Beijing conference. In preparation for this event, IWHC invited a group of colleagues and allies from around the world to write brief statements on what Beijing means to them. The stories, struggles and successes of advocates for health, equality and justice worldwide can be read online at the International Women's Health Coalition website feature celebrating ten years of the Beijing agreement, "What does Beijing Mean to You?"

* Available in English, French, Portuguese and Spanish at the IWHC website http://www.iwhc.org/resources/beijingfeature/index.cfm