2. Liana Fabiani and Ignacio Fernandez Women in the World (Polsi/SS 544) Monday, March 27, 2000

3. The UN observed 1975 as International Women’s Year and held the first world conference on women between June 19th. and July 2nd. in Mexico City, Mexico The UN observed 1975 as International Women’s Year and held the first world conference on women between June 19th. and July 2nd. in Mexico City, Mexico More than 100 nations participated More than 100 nations participated 22 governments and 22 NGOs, all headed by the Canadian Government, adopted the “World Plan of Action” 22 governments and 22 NGOs, all headed by the Canadian Government, adopted the “World Plan of Action” The provisional agenda underlined the status of women in society —actual, potential and ideal — and the obstacles to be overcome in attaining equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities The provisional agenda underlined the status of women in society —actual, potential and ideal — and the obstacles to be overcome in attaining equal rights, opportunities and responsibilities This Action was later adopted by the U.N. General Assembly This Action was later adopted by the U.N. General Assembly A result of the energetic advocacy of women at this conference, the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) was established to provide direct support to development projects for women. A result of the energetic advocacy of women at this conference, the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) was established to provide direct support to development projects for women.

4. The UN's Decade for Women and International women's conferences have enabled women to develop skills and to mobilize the resources necessary to influence mainstream policy debates at the national and international levels. The UN's Decade for Women and International women's conferences have enabled women to develop skills and to mobilize the resources necessary to influence mainstream policy debates at the national and international levels. The Decade for Women (1976-1985) was a direct outcome of International Women's Year (1975) which was a conference held in Mexico city in order to combine the concerns of numerous NGOs with that of the UN. The year was a period of fact finding and planning, and mostly a period for action. The program for the Decade of Women focused on the first half of the decade (1976-1980) and called for a variety of activities that would give a voice to women of the world and their main preoccupations —such as improved education, employment opportunities, equality in political and social participation, and increased health and welfare services — overall social justice and equity for women. Over two-thirds of the member states in the UN adopted some form of the "plans" for action. The Decade for Women (1976-1985) was a direct outcome of International Women's Year (1975) which was a conference held in Mexico city in order to combine the concerns of numerous NGOs with that of the UN. The year was a period of fact finding and planning, and mostly a period for action. The program for the Decade of Women focused on the first half of the decade (1976-1980) and called for a variety of activities that would give a voice to women of the world and their main preoccupations —such as improved education, employment opportunities, equality in political and social participation, and increased health and welfare services — overall social justice and equity for women. Over two-thirds of the member states in the UN adopted some form of the "plans" for action.

5. Mexico Mexico City (1975) Houston Houston (1977) Copenhagen Copenhagen (1980) Nairobi Nairobi (1985) marked the end of the decade for women Conclusion Many Conferences have came after this and have grown in size Many Conferences have came after this and have grown in size Women have thus been able to become associated with and involved in a wide range of activities concerning women globally —taking some of the power out of the hands of government and money-making agencies Women have thus been able to become associated with and involved in a wide range of activities concerning women globally —taking some of the power out of the hands of government and money-making agencies