In a number of countries throughout the world, women are denied their fundamental rights. A discrepancy exists between the formal recognition of the decisive role women play in promoting sustainable development and the place they occupy in practice. Even where they are no longer regarded as victims of environmental degradation, but instead are seen as agents possessing essential assets for the preservation of the environment, they are still the first to suffer from the consequences of the deterioration in living, working, housing and other environmental conditions. Because of traditional patterns which perpetuate gender-role stereotypes, it is in practice difficult to ensure effective and genuine participation of women in public life. They are thus prevented from influencing decision-making.
However, the decisive contribution of women in promoting development and preserving the environment is well recognized. It is recognized that women’s organizations have promoted environmental awareness and that women play a critical role in the management, use and protection of natural resources and in environmental education.
Agenda 21 devoted considerable attention to “Global Action for Women Towards Sustainable Development...” and proposed a series of objectives to be achieved in order to ensure the promotion of women’s rights and to realise their integration and effective participation in the development process. Principle 20 of the Rio Declaration stipulates that “women have a vital role to play in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.
The 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action recognizes in part I § 18 that “...the human rights of women and the girl-child are inalienable, integrated and an indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community.”
The Commission on the Status of Women established by ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) in 1946 and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, also play an important role in strengthening the role of women in promoting economic, social, cultural and political activities for sustainable development.
However, the decisive contribution of women in promoting development and preserving the environment is well recognized. It is recognized that women’s organizations have promoted environmental awareness and that women play a critical role in the management, use and protection of natural resources and in environmental education.
Agenda 21 devoted considerable attention to “Global Action for Women Towards Sustainable Development...” and proposed a series of objectives to be achieved in order to ensure the promotion of women’s rights and to realise their integration and effective participation in the development process. Principle 20 of the Rio Declaration stipulates that “women have a vital role to play in environmental management and development. Their full participation is therefore essential to achieve sustainable development.
The 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action recognizes in part I § 18 that “...the human rights of women and the girl-child are inalienable, integrated and an indivisible part of universal human rights. The full and equal participation of women in political, civil, economic, social and cultural life, at the national, regional and international levels, and the eradication of all forms of discrimination on grounds of sex are priority objectives of the international community.”
The Commission on the Status of Women established by ECOSOC (UN Economic and Social Council) in 1946 and the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, also play an important role in strengthening the role of women in promoting economic, social, cultural and political activities for sustainable development.