Paragraph 14 of the Beijing Platform for Action, Chapter II: Global Framework
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/09/06
14. In this context, the social dimension of development should be emphasized. Accelerated economic growth, although necessary for social development, does not by itself improve the quality of life of the population. In some cases, conditions can arise which can aggravate social inequality and marginalization. Hence, it is indispensable to search for new alternatives that ensure that all members of society benefit from economic growth based on a holistic approach to all aspects of development: growth, equality between women and men, social justice, conservation and protection of the environment, sustainability, solidarity, participation, peace and respect for human rights.
Beijing Declaration (1995)
The emphasis of this paragraph is the social development of the nation, where there can be effects on the wealth and wellbeing of some demographics of the country with the inequitable distribution of resources within the nation. Some of the contexts of the accelerated economic growth can create problems for the levels, as noted, of social inequality and marginalization. Indeed, this can impact the poorest sectors even worse.
Furthermore, many of these populations tend to be women, too. The issue, then, the best ways in which to harbour a society where all can benefit to a greater rather than lesser degree from the wealth of the nation. The alternative models and the economic issues of the mid-1990s were recognized and being considered among those who were creating the Beijing Declaration.
We, some argue, see worse inequality and even worse relative socio-economic outcomes in the population at large, where the non-holistic economic growth models remain unsustainable if the greater wellbeing of the public is to be taken into account. Indeed, we can note those general ways in which the total aspects of the development of nations are being proposed within the paragraph.
From the equality of the sexes, to general growth, social justice, the maintenance of the environment and the social systems, and the ability of humans to prevent war and keep in mind human rights, all these reflect a deep respect for the general documents that tend to deal with these issues include this Beijing Declaration and the science indicating these metrics of social development.
Nothing absolute but the relative precision of the indicators of development make the case, and this document proposes a moral stipulation, for explicit moves to change the socio-economic system for greater equality; for those with an interest in women’s equality and the well-being of children, the improvement of the livelihoods of the lowest income earners and social assistance programs for poor children as well as good educations would be good means by which to improve the livelihoods of these people.
–One can find similar statements in other documents, conventions, declarations and so on, with the subsequent statements of equality or women’s rights:
- 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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