Paragraph 83(e)-(g) of the Beijing Platform for Action. Chapter IV. B. Education and Training of Women
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2018/10/15
Strategic objective B.4.
Develop non-discriminatory education and training
Actions to be taken
83. By Governments, educational authorities and other educational and academic institutions:
e. Introduce and promote training in peaceful conflict resolution;
f. Take positive measures to increase the proportion of women gaining access to educational policy- and decision-making, particularly women teachers at all levels of education and in academic disciplines that are traditionally male-dominated, such as the scientific and technological fields;
g. Support and develop gender studies and research at all levels of education, especially at the postgraduate level of academic institutions, and apply them in the development of curricula, including university curricula, textbooks and teaching aids, and in teacher training;
Beijing Declaration (1995)
The Beijing Declaration, though this section deals with the education and training of women, implies an overlap in several domains of the world. Indeed, we can see this within section (e) of paragraph 83. Here, it speaks to the need to introduce training in conflict resolution.
This is heartwarming and, rather, complex in its representation. Why? Because the formulation of education here is direct intervention through greater provision of educational materials and staff, and curricula, towards conflict resolution.
But, in general, the more educated a population, then the more peaceful the population, not always true and sometimes extraordinarily not true. But, nonetheless, we can see the direct emphasis here, as has been continually recognized right into the present with women seen as integral to conflict resolution and international stability and peace.
There is a need to reduce the level of stereotyping and discrimination against women in being able to attend and complete education. However, we should bear in mind the levers of power, not simply access to the training, education, and professions.
There are simply levels of policy-making and decision-making authority not given to or even accessible to women. It raises some basic questions about equality and power dynamics. In the intersectional jargon, it defines a patriarchy, where men dominate the most important and influential positions even when being greatly impactful on the lives of women.
This, in essence, is a truism worth repeating in the vernacular or not, because men dominate most social, economic, political, and religious systems around the world and the operations rely on the pervasive subservience of women.
The work to reduce these can improve the levels of gender equality and the open the horizons and possibilities for women, which were for more of even recent history closed to them.
The inclusion of gender studies is, also, important for the improved levels of equality of the sexes. Without this, women would be in much worse straits than the men, and have been historically and still are in most of the world. Furthermore, the educational curricula can be oriented to improve this educational context for women as well.
–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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