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40. Half the world’s population is under the age of 25 and most of the world’s youth – more than 85 per cent – live in developing countries. Policy makers must recognize the implications of these demographic factors. Special measures must be taken to ensure that young women have the life skills necessary for active and effective participation in all levels of social, cultural, political and economic leadership. It will be critical for the international community to demonstrate a new commitment to the future – a commitment to inspiring a new generation of women and men to work together for a more just society. This new generation of leaders must accept and promote a world in which every child is free from injustice, oppression and inequality and free to develop her/his own potential. The principle of equality of women and men must therefore be integral to the socialization process.
Beijing Declaration (1995)
The large and growing segment of the world’s population, especially in developing countries and poor communities without access to contraceptives, is a product of better knowledge of the natural world, improved relevant technologies such as those in agriculture and delivery and storage of foods, and implementation of both the upgraded – relative to even the recent past – science and technology of the current period.
This was true in 1995 relative to its past; it is even truer now, as the curve continues to move upward with respect to the advancements of technology. Most of these young, as poor and living in developing countries though are being lifted out of it, are important to keep in mind. These are well-defined demographics – the under 25s.
Young women are more negatively impacted, which implies the need, as a global community, to maintain provisions and plans for women to garner the necessary skills and material resources to live freer lives. It is part of becoming involved effectively at cultural, economic, political, and social level so whatever society the young women and girls happen to find themselves.
The stated emphasis or call for the international community here remains the work for the greater inclusion of women into the levers of power and influence with the explicit purpose of a more just society. The general trend is one of greater equality of women with men. The purpose is to create leaders able to live in greater equality with less oppression, and more justice in their lives.
Something for not only themselves but also their children too. With equality as one principle, this is, at least, one basis for the greater socialization process of the upcoming generations, bearing in mind most of the under 25s in the developing countries of the year 1995 are now adults. It is an interesting consideration, and eye-opening.
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- The Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the Preamble, Article 16, and Article 25(2).
- Convention Against Discrimination in Education (1960) in Article 1.
- The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (1966) in Article 3, Article 7, and Article 13.
- International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (1966).
- Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979).
- Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984).
- The Declaration on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (1993).
- Beijing Declaration(1995).
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000).
- Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children (2000).
- The Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa or the “Maputo Protocol” (2003).
- Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence or the Istanbul Convention (2011) Article 38 and Article 39.
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Photo by Александр Раскольников on Unsplash