The Beijing platform for action The series of United Nation's conferences convened during the 1990's firmly placed gender equality on the global agenda for development. The conferences included both governmental and non-governmental organisations. The 4th Conference on Women 1995 was held in Beijing, which identified obstacles to the majority of women and developed The Platform for Action to address these issues. Australia is one of 189 countries to adopt The Platform for Action which places emphasis on 12 critical areas of concern. Enabling women to overcome poverty. Ensuring women's equal access to quality education and planning. Ensuring women's equal access to health care. Eliminating violence against women. Protecting women from armed and other conflicts. Promoting women's economic self-reliance. Promoting women's participation in decision-making. Integrating gender equality dimensions into policy and planning. Promoting women's human rights. Enhancing the media's role in promoting gender equality. Integrating women in the ecologically sustainable development process. Eliminating all forms of discrimination against the girl child. The Australian Government's overseas aid program assists all women in all twelve areas of the Beijing Platform for Action. Detailed information is available in Platform for Action - A reference guide for development cooperation Contents Case study: Women and recovery in Palestine This case study looks at the projects in action for women's rights in the Jenin district of Palestine. Click here for the primary case study Click here for the secondary case study Gender and development facts Background: Gender and development Australian response to gender and development The Beijing platform for action Other useful resources More links   © Commonwealth of Australia