BY STATEMENT HASTAIE MS. PAIMAI,{EH MISSIOIVOF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAIV PEKMAIVE]VT TO THE UI{ITED I{ATIONS AT OF THE FIFTIETH SESSIOI{ THE COMMISSIOI{ OF O]VTHE STATUS WOMEI{

March 2, 2006 I{EW YORK,

In the name of God, the Compassionate,the Merciful

Madam Chairperson, At the outset and on behalf of the delegationof the Islamic Republic of Iran, I would like to in you and other membersof the Bureau on your election.I wish you all success congratulate I you deservedlyhave assumed. would also like to p.rfor-ing the immenseresponsibilitythat of for thank the Secretariat the hard work and preparation this session. Madam Chairperson, Clearly, it is of paramollntimportancefor all membersof the internationalcommunity to employ that are capableof keeping pace with the dynamismof internationaldevelopments approaches on and new emergingstandards how women would better live in our world. No doubt that new lead to devising new and more practical solutions for all challenges, and innovative approaches in particular for those related to the roles of women in development and decision making processes. of the and strengthening foundations families - with specialattentionto the role of Establishment women as promoters of solidarity, empathy, wisdom and organization in the context of
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development,amongst others, is a part and parcel of the Islamic Republic of Iran's principal policies. This aspectcomplimentsother empowerment efforts made and numerousstepstakenin other sectorsevolving women acrossthe country. We are of the view that the international community should continue to develop new and innovativeconcepts-- basedon the latestscientific and analyticalfindings -- to best describe the important role of women and family to the national and internationaldevelopments. Indeed,the empowerment women in such fields as education, of economics, health-care and so on is directly of relatedto the strengthening the family as one of the most important components designing in sustainabledevelopmentat the national level. The contributing factors and indicators of this relationship'and interaction must be identified by the experts at governmental and nongovernmental levels and communicated the public. to The Islamic Republic of Iran is doing its utmostto createa conduciveand supportiveatmosphere for the family so as to benefit future generations, amongstother things. In this context, we feel that it is incumbenton all of us to seriouslyand activelyparticipatein the internationaleffortsto empowerwomen. We havetried our bestin this regardand continueto fulfill our responsibilities. Madam Chairperson, In our view, women'sparticipationin the decisions making processes must not be cosmetic.ln a dynamic and democraticsystemof governance, such participationstartsat the lowest echelons of the decision making processand rises to the highest offices. Accordingly, to promote the qualitative presenceof women at the highest decisionmaking levels, we must instill a culture basedon the local level in its indigenousbeliefs - as well as fundamental changes to contribute In to sustainable development. other words the Women'srole at the three levels: Participation, Representative leadership more charactenzed and is with qualificationsat the grassroot level and quantityand physicalpresence. the highestoffices, and lesswith the Madam Chairperson, At the national level, the Islamic Republicof Iran has takenmany importantstepsto facilitatethe presence women in different fields, be it social, economic,cultural or political and has also of promotedtheir participationin decisionmaking processes. Moreover,important stepshave been taken to improve the women's educational,health and employment situation. Some of these as measures be summartzed follows: can - Strengthening role of women in improving the welfare of the family. the - Allocation of specialbudgetsto conductprogramsthat relateto the activitiesof women in the family. - Financial support for women who take care of the household,sponsoringself-employrnent, entrepreneurial schemes and increasing numberof women'sco- ops. the - Adopting generalpolicies to alleviatepoverty,move towards socialjustice and to improve the livelihoodsof lower incomecitizens- includingwomen. - Expansionof the nationalwomen's organrzations increasing number of women NGOs, the and as well as new strategiesto foster women's participation in the development process and with overseas GOs and NGOs. cooperating

- Strengthening promotingthe activity of Women'sNGOs. and - Inclusionof genderconsiderations the fourth socio-economic in plan. development - Increase the numberof girls admittedinto universities 620/o, in by - Increased expectancy women. life of - Increased numberof women membersand candidates the nationalparliament,city and for village councils. - Revisionof a numberof laws that were previouslysaid to be possiblydiscriminatoryagainst women. - Training the women police officers and establishment women'spolice stations. of - Promotionof women'ssports. Madam Chairperson, Undoubtedly promoting and implementing these policies by my Government has not been without obstacles. is crystal clear that issuessuch as the threatsposedby globalizationand its It negative impacts, the dire consequences the unilateral economic sanctionsand inadequate of access women to new ICT and other technologies, by pressure due to the restrictiveinternational on my countryhavebeenand continueto be but a few impediments this regard. in

Before concluding,Madam Chairperson, would like to stress the importanceof the exchange I on of information and views in internationalfor a on the challenges and achievements women's of progress projects,someof which relateto practicalplansto address new and emergingissues that pertainto Globalization. The Islamic Republic of Iran will continue to actively participate in activities that foster the progressof women and the initiatives that help improve their situation.We will faithfully strive to implementour nationaland internationalcommitmentsand will keenly participatein common and coordinated effortsto empowerwomen.

Thank yolr, Madam Chairperson