今日は、島谷です。

世界女性会議関連レポート第８弾です。

世界女性会議のNGO Forumは、今日からかなり本格的に色々なワークショップが仮設
のテントや中学校の教室などを利用して行われるようになりました。私は、この関連
レポートを読んでくれた方でメールを頂いた方が「Japan's Women Today　M字型就業
形態を超えて」というワークショップに参加してきました。

        （注）M字型就業形態・・・というのを私は知らなかったのですが、年齢別
の日本の女性の労働
        　　　力率を書いたグラフの形がM字型になることから、そう呼ばれている
そうです。

主催は、Research Center on Women and Work（4-20-29 OMIYA ASAHIKU OSAKA JAPAN
535 TEL:81-6-952-2291, FAX: 81-6-954-4923）で、韓国や日本の女性の労働力率が
、他の国にくらべて極端にM字型になっている労働力率の国際比較統計を発表された
り日本の慣習や労働のことについて簡単にわかるような写真パンフレットなどを使っ
て、それぞれ、どういう問題があるのかなどを発表されていました。
例えば、こんな風です。

        ・朝、職場へと急ぐ女性達。（写真付）
        ・日本の女性の労働力率、女性の労働力率の国際比較、大学進学率の男女費、
        ・「大卒の女性に求人が少ない」のを抗議する女子学生。（写真付）
        ・華やかな結婚披露宴・・・しかし、夫は仕事、女性は家庭という性別役割
分業のスタートに
        　なるのかもしれない。（写真付）
        ・性別役割分業意識の国際比較
        ・出張や単身赴任、２４時間働く男性の足、新幹線。
        ・そして、深夜に及ぶ残業。（広告より）
        ・過労死。
        ・東京都が初めて募集した消防署救急隊第１期生。
        ・帰宅途中に買い物をする会社員。男性にとっては、家事との距離はちじま
ってきたようだ。
        ・・・
と、日本の経過を綴る写真がつづいた後に、すごい強烈なんだけど、元気で陽気にが
んばる大阪の女性の一こま漫画が書いてあって、これがけっこう面白かったです。

                わたし　働くねん！
                        右手に「しごと」
                                左手に「おとこ」
                                        背中に「あかんぼ」
                                                ふところに「札たば」
        
                                                                どうだ！

元気な日本のおかあちゃんがそこにいるという感じがして、気持ちよかったです。あ
と、最後の方では、各国（特に東南アジア）の国々の女性達が、それぞれの国でも差
別や習慣の違いなどで、働く場がなかったり、雇用を打ち切られるなどの訴えが、テ
ントの中で発言されていました。小さなテントの中に６０人近くも集まっていたので
、結構盛況でしたね。
ワークショップの後で、主催されていた、山本公子さんや、山崎道春、横山哲也さん
などとお話しをしたり、コミュニケーションセンターにも来てもらって、電子メール
を使ってもらったりしました。

お陰様で、コミュニケーション・センターと、APCや、アップルやHPの集合コーナー
は連日とても盛況で、とうとう、センターの利用時間を１８時で終える程にまでなり
ました！？
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊＊

どうしてかっていうと、あまりのもたくさんの人がきて、行列ができるほどで、ずっ
とマシンもフル稼働で、プリンターや、パソコンがダウンしてしまったからです。で
も、APCの人は、もっと利用時間を延ばしてくれるように交渉を開始いています。
また、インターネットを通じて、臨時アカウントでどこにでも情報を発信したりでき
るという機能を果たすAPCの仕事もかなり高く評価されているらしく、たくさんの取
材がきたりしたり、とても人気があるようです。実は、ハイロウには、他にも沢山の
PCが設置されたビジネスセンターがあるのですが、そこはネットワークがなにもつな
がっていないので、閑古鳥が鳴いているとのこと。忙しくて、大変だけど、みんなこ
のやりがいのある仕事に満足しています。

あと３１日の午後には、ミャンマーのアウン・サン・スーチーさんから、NGO Forum
の開催を告げる、プレリミナリー・アドレス（）が送られてきて、代理の人が読んで
発表された、、、というニュースは入りました。発表原文はさっそくFAXで取り寄せ
られて、APCのスタッフが、NetNewsのonline.pavilionにアップしていきます。これ
で、会場にいる人は真っ先に、スーチーさんのメッセージを見ることができたのです。

私は本当は、それを日本語にして流したいのですが、なにしろ、全然英語がだめなの
で、ニュースの記事をとりあえず、そのままひろって、添付します。根性のある人で
、日本語に訳して下さる方があれば、ぜひ、お願いします。

------------------------from apc news :
online.pavilion-------------------------------------------------------------
-------

                        Opening Keynote Address

              by Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Price Laureate

               read on video to the NGO Forum on Women
                       Beijing'95,  31 August 1995

It is a wonderful but daunting task that has fallen on me to say a few
words by way of opening this Forum, the greatest concourse of women
(joined by a few brave men !) that has ever gathered on our planet. I
want
to try and voice some of the common hopes which firmly unite us in all
our
splendid diversity.

But first I would like to explain why I cannot be with you in person
today. Last month I was released from almost six years of house
arrest.
The regaining of my freedom has in turn imposed a duty on me to work
for
the freedom of other women and men in my country who have suffered far
more - and who continue to suffer far more - than I have. It is this
duty
which prevents me from joining you today. Even sending this message to
you
has not been without difficulties. But the help of those who believe
in
international cooperation and freedom of expression has enabled me to
overcome the obstacles. They made it possible for me to make a small
contribution to this great celebration of the struggle of women to
mould
their own destiny and to influence the fate of our global village.

The opening plenary of this Forum will be presenting an overview of
the
global forces affecting the quality of life of the human community and
the
challenges they pose for the global community as a whole and for women
in
particular as we approach the twenty-first century. However, with true
womanly understanding the Convener of this Forum suggested that among
these global forces and challenges, I might wish to concentrate on
those
matters which occupy all my waking thoughts these days : peace,
security,
human rights and democracy. I would like to discuss these issues
particularly in the context of the participation of women in politics
and
governance.

For millenia women have dedicated themselves almost exclusively to the
task of nurturing, protecting and caring for the young and the old,
striving for the conditions of peace that favour life as a whole. To
this
can be added the fact that, to the best of my knowledge, no war was
ever
started by women. But it is women and children who have always
suffered
most in situations of conflict. Now that we are gaining control of the
primary historical role imposed on us of sustaining life in the
context of
the home and family, it is time to apply in the arena of the world the
wisdom and experience thus gained in activities of peace over so  many
thousands or years. The education and empowerment of women throughout
the
world cannot fail to result in a more caring, tolerant, just and
peaceful
life for all.

If to these universal benefits of the growing emancipation of women
can be
added the "peace dividend" for human development offered by the end of
the
Cold War, spending less on the war toys of grown men and much more on
the
urgent needs of humanity as a whole, then truly the next millenia will
be
an age the like to which has never been seen in human history. But
there
still remain many obstacles to be overcome before we can achieve this
goal. And not least among these obstacles are intolerance and
insecurity.

This year is the International Year for Tolerance. The United Nations
has
recognised that "tolerance, human rights, democracy and peace are
closely
related. Without tolerance, the foundations for democracy and respect
for
human rights cannot be strenghened, and the achievements of peace will
remain elusive". My own experience during the years I have been
engaged in
the democracy movement in Burma has convinced me of the need to
emphasize
the positive aspects of tolerance. It is not enough simply to "live
and
let live" : genuine tolerance requires an active effort to try to
understand the point of view of others ; it implies broad- mindedness
and
vision, as well as confidence in one's own ability to meet new
challenges
without resorting to intransigence or violence. In societies where men
are
truly confident of their own worth women are not merely "tolerated",
they
are valued. Their opinions are listened to with respect, they are
given
their rightful place in shaping the society in which they live.

There is an outmoded Burmese proverb still recited by men, who wish to
deny that women too can play a part in bringing necessary change and
progress to their society: "The dawn rises only when the rooster
crows".
But Burmese people today are well aware of the scientific reason
behind
the rising of dawn and the falling of dusk. And the intelligent
rooster
surely realizes that it is because dawn comes that it crows and not
the
other way round. It crows to welcome the light that has come to
relieve
the darkness of night. It is not the prerogative of men alone to bring
light  to this world: women with their capacity for compassion and
self-sacrifice, their courage and perseverence, have done much to
dissipate the darkness of intolerance and hate, suffering and despair.

Often the other side of the coin of intolerance is
insecurity. Insecure
people tend to be intolerant, and their intolerance unleashes forces
that
threaten the security of others. And where there is no security there
can
be no lasting peace. In its Human Development Report for last year,
the
UNDP noted that human security "is not a concern with weapons - it is
a
concern with human life and dignity". The struggle for democracy and
human
rights in Burma is a struggle for life and dignity. It is a struggle
that
encompasses our political, social and economic aspirations. The people
of
my country want the two freedoms that spell security: freedom from
want
and freedom from war. It is want that has driven so many of our young
girls across our borders to a life of sexual slavery where they are
subject to constant humiliation and ill-treatment. It is fear of
persecution for their political beliefs that has made so many of our
people feel that even in their own homes they cannot live in dignity
and
security.

Traditionally the home is the domain of the woman. But there has never
been a guarantee that she can live out her life there safe and
unmolested. There are countless women who are subjected to severe
cruelty
within the heart of the family which should be their haven. And in
times
of crisis when their menfolk are unable to give them protection, women
have to face the harsh challenges of the world outside while
continuing to
discharge their duties within the home.

Many of my male colleagues who have suffered imprisonment for their
part
in the democracy movement have spoken of the great debt of gratitude
they
owe their womenfolk, particularly their wives, who stood by them
firmly,
tender as mothers nursing their newly born, brave as lionesses
defending
their young. These magnificent human beings who have done so much to
aid
their men in the struggle for justice and peace - how much more could
they
not achieve if given the opportunity to work in their own right for
the
good of their country and of the world?

Our endeavours have also been sustained by the activities of strong
and
principled women all over the world who have campaigned not only for
my
own release but, more importantly, for our cause. I cannot let this
opportunity pass without speaking of the gratitude we feel towards our
sisters everywhere, from heads of governments to busy
housewives. Their
efforts have been a triumphant demonstration of female solidarity and
of
the power of an ideal to cross all frontiers.

In my country at present, women have no participation in the higher
levels
of government and none whatsoever in the judiciary. Even within the
democratic movement only 14 out of the 485 MPs elected in 1990 were
women
- all from my own party, the National League for Democracy. These 14
women
represent less than 3 percent of the total number of successful
candidates. They, like their male colleagues, have not been permitted
to
take office since the outcome of those elections has been totally
ignored. Yet the very high performance of women in our educational
system
and in the managment of commercial enterprises proves their enormous
potential to contribute to the betterment of society in
general. Meanwhile
our women have yet to achieve those fundamental rights of free
expression,
association and security of life denied also to their menfolk.

The adversities that we have had to face together have taught all of
us
involved in the struggle to build a truly democratic political system
in
Burma that there are no gender barriers that cannot be overcome. The
relationship between men and women should, and can be, characterized
not
by patronizing behavior or exploitation, but by metta  (that is to say
loving kindness), partnership and trust.  We need mutual respect and
understanding between men and women, instead of patriarchal domination
and
degradation, which are expressions of violence and engender
counter-violence.  We can learn from each other and help one another
to
moderate the "gender weaknesses" imposed on us by traditional or
biological factors.

There is an age old prejudice the world over to the effect that women
talk
too much.  But is this really a weakness?  Could it not in fact be a
strength?  Recent scientific research on the human brain has revealed
that
women are better at verbal skills while men tend towards physical
action.
Psychological research has shown on the other hand that disinformation
engendered by men has far more damaging effect on its victims than
feminine gossip.  Surely these discoveries indicate that women have a
most valuable contribution to make in situations of conflict, by
leading
the way to solutions based on dialogue rather than on viciousness or
violence?

The Buddhist  paravana  ceremony at the end of the rainy season
retreat
was instituted by the Lord Buddha, who did not want human beings to
live in silence [I quote] "like dumb animals".  This ceremony, during
which monks ask mutual forgiveness for any offence given during the
retreat, can be said to be a council of truth and reconciliation.  It
might also be considered a forerunner of that most democratic of
institutions, the parliament, a meeting of peoples gathered together
to
talk over their
shared problems.  All the world's great religions are dedicated to the
generation of happiness and harmony.  This demonstrates the fact that
together with the combative instincts of man there co-exists a
spiritual
aspiration for mutual understanding and peace.

This forum of non-governmental organizations represents the belief in
the ability of intelligent human beings to resolve conflicting
interests
through exchange and dialogue.  It also represents the conviction that
governments alone cannot resolve all the problems of their countries.
The
watchfulness and active cooperation of organizations outside the
spheres
of officialdom are necessary to ensure the four essential components
of
the human development, paradigm as identified by the UNDP:
productivity,
equity, sustainability and empowerment.  The last is particularly
relevant: it requires that "development must be by  people, not only
for
them.  People must participate fully in the decisions and processes
that
shape their lives."  In other words people must be allowed to play a
significant role in the governance of the country.  And "people"
include
women who make up at least half of the world's population.

The last six years afforded me much time and food for thought.  I came
to
the conclusion that the human race is not divided into two opposing
camps of good and evil.  It is made up of those who are capable of
learning
and those who are incapable of doing so.  Here I am not talking of
learning in the narrow sense of acquiring an academic education, but
of
learning as the process of absorbing those lessons of life that enable
us
to increase peace and happiness in our world.  Women in their roles as
mothers have traditionally assumed the responsibility of teaching
children
values that will guide them throughout their lives.  It is time we
were
given the full opportunity to use our natural teaching skills to
contribute towards building a modern world that can withstand the
tremendous challenges of the technological revolution which has in
turn
brought revolutionary changes in social values.

As we strive to teach others we must have the humility to acknowledge
that
we too still have much to learn.  And we must have the flexibility to
adapt to the changing needs of the world around us.  Women who have
been taught that modesty and pliancy are among the prized virtues of
our
gender are marvelously equipped for the learning process.  But they
must
be given the opportunity to turn these often merely passive virtues
into
positive assets for the society in which they live.

These, then, are our common hopes that unite us -- that as the
shackles of
prejudice and intolerance fall from our own limbs we can together
strive
to identify and remove the impediments to human development
everywhere.
The mechanisms by which this great task is to be achieved provided the
proper focus of this great Forum.  I feel sure that women throughout
the
world who, like me, cannot be with you join me now in sending you all
our
prayers and good wishes for a joyful and productive meeting.

I thank you.

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あと、先日書いたURLが間違っていました。ごめんなざい。
訂正：
        ｈｔｔｐ：／／ｗｗｗ．ｉｇｃ．ａｐｃ．ｏｒｇ／ｗｏｍｅｎｓｎｅｔ／
　　　　　　　　　　　　ーーー
でした。

ではでは。

        世界女性館義のやってきたｓｈｉｍａｔａｎレポート　Ｎｏ．８ − ９５．
８．３１