Sen. L. Shahani's Speech on Peace ( pt 2 )

Power and its role in the relations among nations Henry Kissinger once said: “Power is the ultimate aphrodisiac.”  Lord Acton was more explicit; you may have heard his famous observation: “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  It is the desire for power which drives individuals and nations to seek to dominate others.  The weaker, less efficient states suffer in a world where only power and wealth dominate. It will be said that some nations are wealthier than others, more endowed with natural resources and better equipped through its history, leadership and sense of national identity to provide for its people and preserve its national patrimony.  There is, indeed, a disparity among nations, also caused by an unequal international economic and political system.  We need to understand the complex reasons for this,.  It must be admitted that part of the poverty of many countries is the fact that they have been robbed of their resources by the stronger ones; this is why colonialism, whether political or economic, should be condemned and prevented.  On the other hand, many countries remain poor because of their own choice of corrupt leaders, and their impoverished citizenry who lack access to opportunities of education, employment and health.  It is this disparity among nations and peoples, the great divide between rich and poor nations which cause regional conflicts, such as we see in the Middle East, or World Wars as we have witnessed in Europe, America and Asia.  This is why legitimate power and authority exercised with justice and fairness is a “must” for world peace. Power when wielded with justice and respect for human rights can create conditions for peace and prosperity.  Where there was confrontation and polarization, a democratic process mandated by a just authority can lead to real progress.  This is why the United Nations system symbolizes the best hopes for mankind.  The Charter of the world organization begin: “We the peoples of the United Nations… reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights between men and women and of nations large and small…”  This ideal is easier said than done as the U.S. position, demanding for more accountability and transparency, is correct.  But the UN is a topic for another talk.  I will just say that for smaller nations a multi-polar world, because more democratic, is safer to live in than a uni-polar world. So the world progresses and regresses.  The world is a mixed bag of forward and backward movements, of progress and stagnation, of hope and despair.  But there is much that can be done, even if situations remain fluid.  Those who want to help in the cause of peace, whether they come from rich or poor nations must be determined, as I have said, to fight for justice, truth and fairness.  This is why there is a natural solidarity among just-minded citizens, whether they come from rich or poor nations, if they are determined as we are in this room, to bring about respect for human rights, and to enable the deprived to have access to opportunities to satisfy their basic needs. The Role of Women How about the role of women in the search for peace?  That role, in my view is becoming increasingly important.  One of the undisputed achievements of the United Nations is its contribution in enabling the women’s movement to emerge as a global-wide force in the majority of its Member States.  The growth of the women’s movement is perhaps one of the few undertakings of the world organization which has directly affected the lives of millions of individuals and their families in a tangible and positive way.  The theme of the United Nations Decade for Women (l976-l985), “Equality, Development and Peace”, demonstrates the wide range of influence and the indispensable role women play in their countries.  Women were represented at the founding of the United Nations in l945 by a small sub-commission on the status of women.  At that time, its members came mainly from Western European and the already independent Latin-American countries.  It took someone with the stature of Eleanor Roosevelt, who was loved and respected not only in this country but also throughout the world, to insist on the creation of a full-scale commission to work for the rights of women within the United Nations.  Her vision was realized.  Today, the Commission on the Status of Women has served as the engine of growth which has pushed forward ideas, concepts, programs and policies within the UnitedNations system on women’s rights.  This is not to say that the NGO’s have not done their pioneering work in this area for they certainly have; indeed, there has been a real partnership at the United Nations, between Governments and the NGO’s.  In the time that is left, I should like to talk about a major achievement of the United Nations which I believe will interest mothers and women in the audience.  This is the preparation, adoption and ratification by l8l Member States of the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).  Described as the International Bill of Rights for Women, CEDAW is the first and only international treaty that comprehensively addresses women’s rights not only within civil and political spheres but also within economic, social, cultural and family life.  Adopted in l979 and ratified in l981, CEDAW is the second most highly ratified treaty after the Convention on the Rights of the Child with l8l States Parties out of l9l Member States as Signatories. The United States signed the Convention in l980 but it has not yet been ratified by the US Senate. Ratification is important because the Convention carries with it the principle of State Obligation. In other words, the State has responsibilities to women from which it cannot withdraw. It is unfortunate that, with the exception of a few cultures, we live in a man’s world where women do not as yet enjoy equal rights with men.   Discrimination against women definitely exists, in both rich and poor countries.  Discrimination has been defined in the Convention as “any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, social, cultural, civil or any other field.”  This, indeed, is a mouthful but I hope that the women of Texas will not be put off by the legal and technical language of the Convention and will study this very important convention which concerns the rights to which they are entitled.  This can stimulate discussion; debate and dialogue among women of the many nationalities such as are found in Texas and also promote solidarity among them.  Let us not forget the slogan much used at the l985 United Nations World Conference on Women, held in Nairobi, Kenya, of which I served as Secretary-General – “Sisterhood is global.” Article 5 of the convention focuses primarily on family education and recognizes maternity as a “social function”, the recognition of which is so important for the protection of the mother, child and family, and, indeed, for the survival of the human race.  Article 5 is worth quoting as we honor mothers today:  “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures: a)      To modify the social and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women, with a view to achieving the elimination of prejudices and customary and all other practices which are based on the idea of inferiority or superiority of either of the sexes or on stereotyped roles for men and women; b)      To ensure that family education includes a proper understanding of maternity as a social function and the recognition of the common responsibility of men and women in the upbringing and development of their children, it being understood that the interest of the children is the primordial consideration in all cases.” It is obvious that the Convention could serve as a major vehicle for women in Texas as well as in all parts of the world to help achieve peace within the family, community and nation through upholding the human rights of women and their equality with men in terms of social and family practices and norms. We live in dangerous, troubled and uncertain times.  No country or, for that matter, no individual, no matter how powerful or wealthy, seems to be safe from danger or harm.  Our globalizing society freely exchanges goods and services in the same breath as it does dangerous drugs, nuclear bombs and all forms of terrorism.  We all have also experienced nature’s fury from which there is no protection, nor refuge. But we should not despair. Let us have faith in ourselves and listen to that still small voice of universal peace which will give us the strength to overcome all difficulties and obstacles, even when the going seems impossible.  Our individual experiences has shown that what matters in daily living is the acceptance of others on a basis of mutual trust and equitable sharing, not hatred or rejection.  The history of nations has likewise shown that in the end what triumphs is power tempered with justice and respect for the rights of others.  Women, especially mothers, with their talent for nurturing and giving, understand these truths instinctively, and can show how to administer power with justice, as they do in their families.  It is about time they step forward in public life and participate actively in the affairs of their communities and countries instilling the message of peace within and peace without.  Let the women now ring the bells of equality and justice, of freedom and fair play.  Together, with the men, let us build together the foundations of a lasting peace!