UPSC Prelims 2015 Q79: Current Affairs – International Relations & Treaties
‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is
- (a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- (b) a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia - Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia - Pacific Economic Forum
- (c) an agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
- (d) a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit
Answer: (c) an agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
Explanation
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
Adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, held by the United Nations in Beijing in 1995.
It is the world's most complete agenda for women's empowerment.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Critical areas of concern | Twelve, including poverty, education, health, violence, armed conflict, economy, power and decision-making, the girl child |
| Reviews | Every five years: Beijing+5, +10, +20, +25 |
| UN body | UN Women follows it up |
World Conferences on Women:
| Conference | Year | Place |
|---|---|---|
| First | 1975 | Mexico City |
| Second | 1980 | Copenhagen |
| Third | 1985 | Nairobi |
| Fourth | 1995 | Beijing |
It is not about terrorism, Asia-Pacific economic growth or wildlife trafficking.
Answer: (c) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a UN World Conference.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. It is not a strategy against terrorism by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
- (b) Incorrect. It is not a plan for economic growth from the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum.
- (c) CORRECT. It is an agenda for women's empowerment from a UN World Conference.
- (d) Incorrect. It is not a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking.
Key point
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995): Fourth World Conference on Women; twelve critical areas; reviewed every five years.
Remember
Beijing Declaration = women's empowerment, 1995.
Common mistakes
- Linking anything named Beijing to China-led groupings.
- Confusing it with CEDAW (1979), the women's rights convention.
- Forgetting the count: twelve critical areas.
Exam tip
Beijing 1995 = women. CEDAW 1979 = treaty on women.
Sources
- UN Women — Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995)
- Ministry of Women and Child Development — India's report on Beijing+25