SECTION I: INTRODUCTION

In September 1995, the United Nations (UN) held 
the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) in Beijing, China.
The purpose of the conference was to bring together governmental
and non-governmental organisation (NGO) representatives to develop
strategies for the advancement of women, locally, nationally
and internationally.  Participants made significant decisions
regarding the future needs and rights of women from diverse
socio-economic, ethnic, religious, political and cultural backgrounds. 

The Beijing Conference was the fourth in a series of UN Women's
Conferences beginning in 1975.  The three previous conferences were
held in Mexico City (1975), Copenhagen (1980) and Nairobi (1985).
In 1990, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
decided to hold a Fourth World Conference on Women in Asia.  
China was the only Asian country to bid for the conference.  
In 1992, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) voted 
unanimously for China to host the UN FWCW.  Many, including 
Tibetan exiles and human rights advocates, found this venue 
objectionable.

A. The Decision to Participate

Tibetan exiles considered the choice of venue grossly 
inappropriate given China's dismal human rights record and 
45 year occupation of Tibet.  After much debate however, 
Tibetan women and supporters decided that the benefits of
participation would outweigh potential gains from even a 
well publicised boycott for the following reasons:

The FWCW was organised under the auspices of the UN and not
by China, and was aimed specifically at the advancement of 
the status of women world-wide.  China was simply the host
to this international women's gathering. 

The FWCW was the largest gathering of women ever to assemble
in the history of the world and the largest UN conference ever
staged.  Despite the location, the FWCW and preparatory process
offered a unique opportunity for Tibetans to expose the 
conditions of  women in Tibet and to seek genuine support
from international governments, NGOs and the women's community
at large.

The controversial choice of venue engendered a moral and 
political imperative for participation in the proceedings.
China would exploit this high-profile event to improve its
international image, and would inevitably grossly misrepresent
the plight of Tibetan women and of Tibetans as a people.
As such it was imperative that the true experience of Tibetan
women be represented. 

Participation of women from China and Tibet would provide
these women a unique opportunity to be exposed to new ideas
and perspectives.  The FWCW in Beijing offered an extraordinary
moment for the empowerment of Chinese and Tibetan women.  

The phenomenal success of the TWD and the enormous amount 
of media coverage and attention secured would not have been
possible had Tibetan women living in exile boycotted the event.

B. Objectives for the UN FWCW

During several strategy meetings Tibetan women and supporters
developed the following objectives:

Educate people world-wide on the issues faced by Tibetan women.          
Network, learn and build coalitions and working alliances.          
Focus media attention on the plight of Tibetan women.          
Create Tibetan visibility at the UN.         
Influence the Conference document, the Platform for Action (PFA).         
Dialogue with Chinese women and Tibetan women in Tibet.

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© Copyright Tibetan Women's Delegation, April 1996.