CM/Res.876 (XXXVII)
RESOLUTION ON THE WORLD CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED NATIONS DECADE FOR WOMEN: EQUALITY, DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE, COPENHAGEN, DENMARK
The Council of Ministers of the Organization of African Unity, meeting in its Thirty-seventh Ordinary Session in Nairobi, Kenya from 15 - 26 June, 1981,
Having considered the report of the Secretary-General as contained in Document CM/1142 (XXXVII) on the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women: Equality, Development and Peace,
Noting that women integration in development was a crucial and essential matter to be pursued by the OAU vigorously,
Convinced that, in order to attain the objectives of integration of women in development, particularly African women in development, Africa had to take co- ordinated action in support of the international community’s efforts:
SUPPORTS the pertinent resolutions of the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women adopted in Copenhagen, Denmark, in July, 1980;
ENDORSES the recommendations of the Secretary-General for the implementation of the Copenhagen resolutions and decisions as well as the decisions contained in the Lagos Plan of Action;
REQUESTS in particular:-
That the Unit in the General Secretariat dealing with matters concerning women should be strengthened in that the OAU can effectively coordinate activities aimed at the integration of African
women in development. In this connection, the implementation of resolution CM/Res.714 (XXXII) is very urgent;
the Secretary-General to work out the manpower and financial requirements connected with the strengthening of the Unit and in co- operation with the Advisory Committee on Administrative, Budgetary and Financial Matters, present them to the Thirty-eighth Session of the Council of Ministers for consideration and possible approval;
URGES the Secretary-General to take all the necessary steps to ensure that Africa’s position is united at the World Conference of the United Nations Decade for Women scheduled to be held in Nairobi, Kenya, To this end:
The Secretary-General of the OAU, in collaboration with the Executive Secretary of the ECA and the Secretary-General of the
Pan-African Women’s Organization as well as other heads of nat ional organizations handling matters concerning women, should organize preparatory, sub-regional women meetings to define a common African strategy for the Nairobi 1985 World Women Conference;
The Secretary-General of the OAU, in co-operation with the Executive Secretary of the ECA and the Secretary-General of PAWO should convene an All-African Women Conference at the highest possible level to examine the preparatory position papers and to approve a common text which will be presented at the Nairobi 1985 World Women Conference;
The Secretary-General of the OAU should in co-operation with the Advisory Committee on Administrative, Financial and Budgetary Matters, present to the Thirty-eighth Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers the financial requirements. He should also contact international organizations and other donors for financial assistance in this endeavor;
AUTHORISES the Secretary-General to establish an African Voluntary Fund whose objectives shall be to finance projects aimed at the integration of African women in development and implementation of the Lagos Plan of Action:
The OAU Secretary-General should submit to the next budgetary session of the Council of Ministers a financial provision of US$100,000 as OAU’s contribution to this Fund;
A Sub-Committee of Five composed of Egypt, Kenya, Mali, Rwanda and Zambia should be formed from among members of the Advisory Committee on Administrative Budgetary and Financial Matters, to help the Secretariat administer the Fund:
CALLS UPON Member States and other possible donors especially the Executive Secretariat of the Decade for Women, the United Nations Agencies and other international financing institutions and donors to contribute to this Fund.
N.B. Morocco expressed reservations on Paragraph 4 (a) and (b).