NGO PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE AFRICAN PLATFORM FOR ACTION

12-15 NOVEMBER 1994, DAKAR, SENEGAL

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II. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

9. The African Platform for Action is a synthesis of regional perspectives and priorities, and a framework for action for the formulation of policies and implementation of concrete and sustainable programmes for the advancement of women. It is developed in consonance with the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies, the Abuja Declaration and the Kampala Action Plan. The Platform for Action aims to accelerate the social, economic and political empowerment of all women at all levels and at all stages of their lives under the guidance of the following principles:

(a) The operating principle of the African Platform for Action is the integration of the gender perspective in all policies, plans and actions directed towards the achievement of equality, development and peace. The underlying assumption is that international instruments that have been developed for human rights should be applicable to all sectors of society. To this end, this Platform aims to strengthen/establish sustainable mechanisms, {{and alternative economic frameworks which are informed by critical gender analysis of development }} << including information systems at all levels>> gender awareness, the advancement of women and the promotion of legal literacy. {{An alternative approach which integrates political, social, economic and cultural aspects of lives in way that ensure the economy is geared to human development. In this regard the philosophy of AAFSAP should be carried forward in the restructuring of the relationship between the private sector and the state to allow for civil society representation , specifically of women, in the distribution and production of services and goods.}}

(b) To achieve/accelerate the economic and political empowerment of women at all levels, enabling them as citizens, on an equal footing with men, to participate at the level of decision making, becoming active contributors to and beneficiaries of all aspects of national development;

(c) To enhance the well-being of African women through sustained improvement of their standards of living, eradicating poverty and mainstreaming the gender perspective in all aspects of development assistance and development plans;

(d) To search for peace which is particularly crucial for the African region; women and children are the major victims of ethnic and civil strife and in the ongoing process of conflict prevention, management and resolution, women should be closely and actively involved and consulted at the national, sub regional and regional levels;

(e) Equal partnership between women and men is the ultimate goal of the Nairobi Forward-Looking Strategies, the Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and all other relevant regional and international policy instruments on human and women's rights.

(f) {{To ensure that women's rights are protected in situations of ethnic and civil conflicts. Refugee and displaced women should be protected and assisted to develop and use their potential in the search for lasting solutions in the countries where they have taken refuge.}}

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