Citation

Culler TA. Conscience 2000; 21(2): 10-13.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Catholics for a Free Choice)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12178923

Abstract

This article presents an insider's view of the proceedings of the 1995 Beijing Women's Conference, particularly the role played by the Holy See as a Non-member State Permanent Observer. Presented in a questionnaire design, Dr. Musa W. Dube, senior lecturer in religion at the University of Botswana, Maria Consuelo Mejia, the director of Catolicas por el Derecho a Decidir in Mexico, and Elfriede Harth, the international coordinator of Wir Sind Kirche, answered several important questions regarding the conference. Overall, they noted that although the meetings were long proceedings, they were an important aspect of positive globalization because they allowed people from different countries to meet, to listen to each other and become aware of the diversity and complexity of problems. The conference nurtured women's rights and gender empowerment; supported the right of women to decide freely and responsibly on matters related to their sexuality; and added new language condemning the sexual trafficking of women and calling for laws against honor crimes and other types of domestic violence against women. All these were successfully indicated/implemented despite objections from the opposition.

Language: en