New Publication: ‘Gender Equality -- A Decade of Commonwealth Action’

The year 2005 marks a decade of successful initiatives since Commonwealth governments adopted the 1995 Commonwealth Plan of Action on Gender and Development, which was presented to the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China, in 1995.
 
In his foreword, Commonwealth Secretary-General Don McKinnon writes: "Women have an equal role to play in addressing some of the most pressing issues we face today -- eradicating poverty, combating HIV/AIDS, and preventing and resolving conflicts. If we do not enable half the world to play their part in solving these problems, we will only get half the solutions."
 
The Secretary-General notes that women play an important role in society: "Women are the strongest link in the virtuous circle of  growth and development. Educating women leads to better health for the entire family. Better health and education facilitate economic empowerment and growth. The education of women also results in significant social gains including better household nutrition and reduced maternal, infant and child mortality."
 
Mr McKinnon also states that women who are given access to training, credit, land and property rights, as well as information on markets and technology, can improve livelihoods and increase productivity at all levels.
 
This book provides a snapshot of the Commonwealth's achievements in promoting gender equality and records the numerous advances made during the 1995-2005 period. The publication also highlights the work of the 53 member countries and partner organisations across the Commonwealth. The country profiles and regional reports will enable policy-makers, development practitioners and partner organisations to build on achievements and learn from the challenges encountered.
 
The message is that gender equality should be at the centre of the Commonwealth's development and democracy agenda. This is critical to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. It is important that women and men benefit equitably from all that society has to offer, and are equally empowered to influence its governance and decisions.
 
The publication also identifies emerging issues that need to be addressed by the Commonwealth in the decade ahead.
 
Published by the Commonwealth Secretariat.
 
ISBN: 0-85092-818-4; 244 pages; price: £25
 
HOW TO ORDER
 
This title can be bought online at www.publications.thecommonwealth.org/.
 
A full catalogue of Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Foundation publications can be viewed on the website, which provides a secure online buying facility, and orders can also be made through e-mail or by post. Pre-payment is essential. Payment by sterling cheque, international money order, postal order or bank draft must accompany your order.
 
Payment should be in sterling, drawn on a UK bank and made out to the Commonwealth Secretariat. If you require the order form as an attachment in Word format please e-mail Domini Bingham of the Publications Section (see address below). Post and packaging charges should be added to every order in the following way: UK orders: 15 per cent of order value (minimum charge £2.00). Non-UK orders: 25 per cent of order value (minimum charge £3.50).
 
Send orders to: Domini Bingham, Publications Section, Commonwealth Secretariat, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HX, United Kingdom.
 
Tel: +44 (0)20 7747 6534; Fax: +44 (0)20 7839 9081; E-mail: d.bingham@commonwealth.int

CNIS - the Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 237, 1 June 2005

Secretariat Links:

• Gender
• Publications