[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 148 (Thursday, September 21, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SUPPORTING THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN (BEIJING)

                                 ______


                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 21, 1995

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, the United Nations Fourth World 
Conference on Women was an opportunity for delegates from over 180 
countries to take a step toward granting women equal rights in all 
aspects of life.
  One of the major points made at the conference was the importance of 
promoting programs which lead to women's economic and political 
empowerment.
  Our world today, is comprised of women who are breaking new ground in 
industry and the professions, and who are becoming integral members of 
labor forces everywhere.
  The conference created an environment where new understandings of 
women's roles in the workplace and in government were examined along 
with the difficulties that women continue to encounter throughout the 
world, such as the inability to own land, the inaccessibility of 
business loans, and the lack of child care.
  The diversity of the delegates experiences and backgrounds raised the 
world's level of consciousness about women's plight worldwide and 
provided humanity with a greater understanding of the economic and 
political condition of women.
  Through free discussion and open debate, the delegates came forward 
with recommendations promoting women's rights and equality for our 
world's governments to consider.
  The challenge for governments and policymakers throughout the world 
will now be to turn these recommendations into policies and laws that 
help insure that the women of today and our daughters and sisters of 
tomorrow will have the opportunity to realize their full potential, 
free from oppression and discrimination.

                          ____________________