Few causes promoted by the United Nations have generated more intense and widespread support than the campaign to promote and protect the equal rights of women.
The Charter of the United Nations was the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality as a fundamental human right. Over the years, the U.N. has helped create a historic legacy of internationally agreed strategies, standards, programs and goals to advance the status of women worldwide. While progress has been achieved, the following statistics indicate that much work remains to be done.
* Of the world's 1.3 billion poor people, it is estimated that nearly 70 per cent are women.
* Between 75 and 80 percent of the world's 27 million refugees are women and children.
* Women's life expectancy, educational attainment and income are highest in Sweden, Canada, Norway, U.S. and Finland.
* The Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, in September 1995, resulted in agreement by 189 national delegations on a five-year plan to enhance the social, economic and political empowerment of women, improve their health, advance their education and promote their reproductive rights.
* Over 100 countries have announced new initiatives to further the advancement of women as a result of the Beijing Women's Conference.
* The 1979 U.N. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, often described as a Bill of Rights for Women, has now been ratified by 156 countries.