Preview: 49th Session of UN Commission on Status of Women

February 28 to March 11 2005, United Nations, New York

The Commission on the Status of Women 49th Session will review and appraise the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcome Document of the 23rd Special Session of the General Assembly.

The Security Council adopted resolution (S/RES/1325) on women and peace and security on 31 October 2000. Resolution 1325 urges all parties to increase the participation of women and incorporate gender perspectives in all United Nations peace and security efforts.

It also calls on all parties to take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence, particularly rape and other forms of sexual abuse, in situations of armed conflict.

Khin Ohnmar one of the 13-member exiled-Burmese women delegation, who will attend the forthcoming CSW 49th Session says she will focus on creating awareness of the plight of Burmese women. Women's League of Burma (WLB) President Shirley Seng talks about educating empowerment to Burmese women. Thin Thin Aung also of WLB highlights the effectiveness of reports published by Ethnic Burmese women groups in getting the interntaional community to put pressure on the Burmese Government.