The Seoul Declaration For Mainstreaming and Enhancing Social Participation of Women

Asian Network of Major Cities 21

In the 21st century information era, the social participation of women will hold an important role in the development of societies. This holds true especially in the rapidly developing Asian region, where the social activities of women will be an indispensable factor in enhancing national competitiveness. In light of these conditions, the ten member cities of 「ANMC21」 convened in Seoul the first symposium on the mainstreaming of women's social participation and the strengthening of inter-city networks for women during 4-6 September 2002. Through this symposium, the participants reached a consensus that the harmony of work and family is essential for enhancing women’s social participation. Diverse efforts must be made to develop Women’s capabilities, resources and their economic strength. It was also agreed that the joint efforts of member cities should be supported through the creation of a network promoting close exchange and cooperation among them. The member cities participating in the symposium share a mutual conviction to pro-actively strive to achieve the following:

On the mainstreaming of women's social participation:

1. We believe that mainstreaming the social participation of women through their empowerment will greatly contribute to the sustainable development of societies. Therefore, we will make efforts to enhance the influence and participation of women in policy-making processes.

2. We recognize that Asian women have been playing a significant role in the recovery of ailing economies by participating in various economic and corporate management activities. Therefore, we encourage the resolute efforts to remove practices posing limitations on the economic activities of women as well as the active endeavors to empower women in all fields.

3. We recognize that in order to ensure women the opportunity to partake a leading role in the knowledge-based society, we need to provide women equal access to a wide range of new science and technology education, information education and life-long education, and we commit ourselves to this cause.

On harmonizing work and family:

4. We resolve to pursue, at the federal and regional levels, family-friendly policies recognizing the right of women to work and men and women to equally share family responsibilities.

5. We jointly commit ourselves to the cause of enhancing the quality of child-care facilities and services so that working parents can confidently and conveniently utilize child-care services.

On exchange and cooperation:

6. We will make concerted efforts to strengthen inter-city exchange and cooperation in the decision-making and execution of policies that will promote the advancement of women in Asia and achieve a gender-equal society.

7. We resolve that under 「 "Asian Network of Major Cities 21" for women, women's policies, best practice cases and information will be continuously and effectively exchanged and regular women's meetings be held.