2003 -- World YWCA COUNCIL, Brisbane, Australia

Human Rights Education for Young Women
Whereas the Strategic Plan adopted at World Council 1999 seeks to impact the outcome of local, national and international policies through participation and effective advocacy work, and
Whereas the young women of the European YWCAs, recalling the UN Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004), share a strong belief in the importance of the distribution of human rights information gained from meetings and from associations’ experiences, and
Whereas human rights education, training and public information are essential for the promotion and achievement of stable and harmonious relations among communities and for fostering mutual understanding, tolerance and peace, and
Whereas the World YWCA has a unique opportunity to implement and improve the education of young women on human rights issues throughout the world,

Be it resolved that:

The World YWCA promote education of human rights issues and focus on the full development of women’s humanity, dignity and enhancing respect for women’s human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Be it further resolved that:

All YWCAs include education and training on human rights.

Human Rights of North Korean Women and Children
Whereas several international organisations have recognised the plight of North Korean women and children following the actions of the 59th United Nations Committee on Human Rights (UNCHR) to improve the human rights of the people of North Korea, and
Whereas the World Council meeting in Cairo recognised the great suffering of the North Korean people, and
Whereas we reiterate our appeal and seek to draw the attention of all women to support our demand for peace and justice for North Korean women and children, who continue to suffer due to lack of food and health care,

Therefore be it resolved that:

The World YWCA will seek to raise awareness throughout the world of the human rights of North Korean women and children, including their right to food and health care and will promote their human rights at related international organisations and national associations. The World YWCA will advocate for the granting of refugee status by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to the displaced women and children of North Korea.

Indigenous Women in the World YWCA
Whereas we affirm the resolutions of World Councils held in Phoenix, 1987, Seoul, 1995, and Cairo, 1999 where it was resolved that the World YWCA acknowledges the unique status of Indigenous People with their own homelands, supports the calls by Indigenous people for the right to governance and self determination, and works to redress the injustice against Indigenous peoples, especially in regard to their land, language and their economic and political situation,

Therefore be it resolved that:

• The World YWCA identify appropriate policies that will protect Indigenous intellectual and cultural property; and preserve customary and administrative systems and practices,
• Support Indigenous women who struggle with intra-cultural oppression brought about through patriarchy and other forms of hegemony,
• Identify those YWCA practices and policies that may maintain colonial and patriarchal hegemony and may be contrary to the YWCA mission,
• Explore partnerships with Indigenous women and ways of work that facilitate, empower, preserve and enhance the culture and sovereignty of Indigenous People whilst ensuring recognition of the individuals’ basic human rights,
• Establish ways of work which will ensure full and equitable participation by Indigenous women.

Religious Discrimination Against South Asian Women and Girls

Therefore be it resolved that:

• The identification and the elimination of discrimination based on caste.
• To promote the fundamental right of religious freedom.

Reproductive Health & Sexuality
Whereas perpetrators of terrorism and war are targeting women and girls and their bodies, using acts of violence, rape, and sexual humiliation as a primary form of combat, and

Whereas actions that violate the rights of women and girls regarding their reproductive health and sexuality, including genital mutilation, are still widely practised, and

Whereas the short and long term economic and social impacts of these acts are devastating to both women and girls, and their communities, and

Whereas women and girls are suffering physical, emotional, spiritual, psychological, cultural and economic distress because they do not have access to quality education, discussion and counselling that empowers women and girls to safeguard their reproductive rights and sexuality, and

Whereas young women around the world have strongly expressed a shared concern about the lack of access to quality information, discussion and counselling for girls and women regarding reproductive health and sexuality, and

Whereas women and girls must be empowered to make informed choices regarding their reproductive health and sexuality;

Therefore be it resolved that:

The World YWCA promote and work towards the provision of extensive access to quality education, resources, information, discussion and counselling for women and girls regarding their reproductive health rights and sexuality.

Be it further resolved that:

This education, discussion, resources, information and counselling address:

• Care of reproductive health, including prevention of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and other health threats,
• Rights of girls and women to make choices and have control over their own bodies,
• Rights of girls and women to value their sexuality,
• Accurate information about the physical act of sex,
• The emotional and psychological aspects of sexuality,
• Healing for girls and women whose reproductive rights and sexuality have been violated.