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Since the 1985 Nairobi Conference on Women, the world has experienced profound changes, with both positive and negative effects on women. A worldwide movement towards democratization has opened up the political process in many nations. The growing strength of women's organizations and feminist groups has become a driving force for change.
At the same time, widespread economic recession, political instability, heavy military spending, poorly designed structural adjustment programmes, the servicing of the external debt burden and continuing environmental degradation have had a disproportionately negative impact on women.
The Platform for Action, an agenda for women's empowerment, seeks to reverse this trend. It seeks to promote and protect the full enjoyment of all human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all women throughout their life cycle. It also calls for establishing the principle of shared power and responsibility between women and men at home, in the workplace and in the wider national and international communities.
The success of the Platform for Action will require a strong commitment on the part of Governments, international organizations and institutions at all levels. It will also require adequate mobilization of resources at all levels as well as new and additional resources for the developing countries.
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