From: kcarruth-AT-edc.org
Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 15:40:05 -0400
Subject: invitation, women's working groups


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           JOIN THE BEIJING +5 GLOBAL FORUM

    HOW FAR HAVE WE COME IN ACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR WOMEN?

     TELL THE UNITED NATIONS YOUR VIEWS AND EXPERIENCE!

In June 2000, the UN General Assembly in New York will meet to
review whether governments, international organizations,
non-governmental organizations, and the private sector have fulfilled
the commitments made at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing.

We need to hear from you! The UN's WomenWatch is organizing the
BEIJING+5 GLOBAL FORUM, a series of Internet Working Groups to
provide input into the UN review. Join government representatives,
activists, academics, private sector representatives and many
others to share your experiences and ideas for achieving women's
equality!

Your input will directly feed into the General Assembly's
assessment of progress and the recommendations that it makes for
further actions. You can make a crucial contribution to the UN's review!

The Working Groups will discuss:

* Policies, legislation, strategies and partnerships that have
been successful in furthering women's equality

* Case studies, best practices and other examples of successful
government, business, and civil society efforts

* Obstacles that remain and how they can be overcome

* What still needs to be done

A TRAVEL GRANT to attend the Special Session in New York will be
awarded to the Working Group member who contributes the most striking
example of an action or strategy that helped reverse a long-standing
discriminatory practice.

JOIN THIS IMPORTANT GLOBAL FORUM! DON'T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
HELP FORMULATE SUGGESTIONS AND DEMANDS FOR ACHIEVING EQUALITY FOR
WOMEN!

HOW TO JOIN THE BEIJING+5 GLOBAL FORUM

Join as many of the Working Groups, described below, as you wish.
Reply to this message <beijingplus5-AT-edc.org> and place an X in
the brackets in front of the Working Group(s) you want to join
(You can just type in the X like this:  [ X ])

WORKING GROUPS:

[    ] End Violence Against Women - This ongoing discussion
examines successful strategies for ending violence against women
around the world. (began October 1998 - through January 2000)

[    ] End Women's Economic Inequality -  Examines economic
opportunities and obstacles women face and  the broader issue of
economic policy making. (6 September 1999 - 15 October 1999)

[    ] Strengthen Women's Role in Environmental Protection -
Discusses women's role in decision-making processes relating to
environmental policies. (6 September 1999 - 15 October 1999)

[    ] Promote Women in Power and Decision Making - Focuses
on women's leadership in national and local centers of power.
(6 September 1999 - 15 October 1999)

[    ] Secure and Promote Women's Health - Discusses all aspects
of women's health from a life cycle approach, including reproductive
health and reproductive rights. (6 September 1999 - 15 October
1999)

[    ] End Women's Poverty - Examines strategies for addressing
the needs of women in poverty. (11 October 1999 - 19 November 1999)

[    ] Women and Armed Conflict - Focuses on women in
situations of armed conflict, and women's leadership role in
resolving those conflicts. (11 October 1999 - 19 November 1999)

[    ] Achieve Educational Equality - Examines equal access at
all levels of education and the removal of gender
discrimination. (11 October 1999 - 19 November 1999)

[    ] Women and the Media - Addresses the role of women
in traditional and electronic media, including the influence of
women in content and development. (8 November 1999 - 17 December 1999)

[    ] Empower the Girl Child - Discusses ways to empower girls
and to create an enabling environment.
(8 November 1999 - 17 December 1999)

[    ] Claim Women's Human Rights - Discusses the political,
social, economic and cultural rights of women, and the impact of
international treaties on women. (8 November 1999 - 17 December
1999)

TELL OTHERS ABOUT THESE WORKING GROUPS!

Please forward this invitation to anyone who might be interested.
We wish to encourage participation from developing countries and
CEE/CIS countries. Any suggestions for involving those without
Internet access would be most appreciated.

TO JOIN! As described above, return this message to
<beijingplus5-AT-edc.org>. Put an X in the brackets next to the
Working Groups, listed above, that you wish to join. Approximately a
week before your Working Group(s) begin, you will receive detailed
information about the discussion.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about the Beijing +5 Global Forum, please
contact:

Janice Brodman
EDC
jbrodman-AT-edc.org

ABOUT WOMENWATCH
WomenWatch is the UN Internet gateway to global information about
women's concerns, progress and equality. It was initiated by the
UN Division for the Advancement of Women, the United Nations
Development Fund for Women and the International Research and Training
Institute for the Advancement of Women. WomenWatch is currently an
interagency activity with active participation from many UN
organizations.

WomenWatch is located on the Internet at www.un.org/womenwatch.