The Beijing Conference: A South African Perspective

This article presents a qualitative analysis of the outcomes of the 1995 Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing. The article focuses on the major themes that emerged from the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Forum and the Conference, especially those themes relevant to developing countries. The themes discussed include women's human rights, violence against women, globalization of the economy, partnership with men, the rise of conservatism, the girl child, and the feminization of poverty. The author concludes that while there has been some progress in achieving equality for women, recent ideological, political, and economic trends are a threat to the continued advancement of women's equality, particularly in developing countries.