In recognition of the fact that communications and information play a strategic role in every realm of social, political, cultural and economic activity, for the first time, these topics figure prominently on the agenda of a World Conference on Women. Point J of the Platform for Action states the need to "increase the participation and enhance the access of women to expression and decision-making in and through the media and new technologies of communication."

The women communicators and media organizations participating in the communications caucus of the Fourth World Conference on Women reaffirm that the right to communication and information is a human right, which requires adopting a global policy that will guarantee women's democratic access to all communications systems and media.

Communications processes with a gender perspective, must be open, pluralistic, and respectful of diversity and freedom of expression and thought.

In order to guarantee access to information and the means of expression, a multi-media communications initiative is required, adapted to different languages, cultures and visions, and to women's diverse access to communications channels.

Consequently, we propose the following communications strategy for follow-up to the FWCW and NGO Forum, designed to support the dissemination and implementation of the resolutions of these events and to increase women's access to communication and media. This strategy, which should address the communications needs of the community as a whole, women's networks and grassroots organizations, contemplates the following aspects:

1) Promote and strengthen women's alternative media:

The development of alternative media is fundamental to this initiative due to their links with grassroots movements and their experience in building a communications process that responds to the needs of these movements. This will contribute to a greater democratization of communications.

2) Access to information:

Access to information is a basic human right and therefore a women's right. Without access to information, women cannot adequately participate in democratic and decision-making processes.

If women are not aware of their rights, if they are not informed of the outcome of this Conference, they will not be able to effectively mobilize for the implementation of the Platform for Action.

3) Access to the means of expression, particularly in the mainstream media:

With globalization of the media and the advent of satellite television, access to media, both print and electronic, is an absolute necessity for women and other unempowered groups. Their absence and marginalization in the mass media implies their social isenfranchisement, which will result in weakening civil society.

4) Networking for coordination and information exchange:

Follow-up activities to monitor and implement the UN Platform for Action will only be effective if women's organizations are able to network, coordinate actions and exchange information nationally, regionally and globally. Broad access to adequate communications channels is a fundamental prerequiste to achieve this.

Actions to be taken:

- Increase women's community radio and television programming, adapted to local needs and languages, in both urban and rural areas.

- Produce visual printed materials in comprehensible language that share information on issues that affect women's daily lives.

- Make documentation sources available relating to the decisions and progress of the Platform for Action and other related issues, via printed and electronic media.

- Consistently monitor the portrayal and employment of women in the media to ensure greater gender equality and non-sexist portrayal.

This media monitoring should be coordinated globally and regionally.

- Employ diverse communications media for women's networking, incorporating traditional community circuits, alternative media, computer networks and others. By interlinking these channels, using computer networks as an international backbone, a truly global networking system can be built, which will seek to incorporate women who have been marginalized by lack of access to literacy, information or technology.

- Seek to develop relations and liaise between women's organizations and media with the aim of broadening and deepening media coverage of women's issues.

- Encourage and support the development of media literacy programs at all educational levels in order to develop among citizens critical analysis and monitoring skills.

- Develop gender-sensitive training programs for women trainers in communications practice, policy and new technologies.

Beijing, September 14 1995

Document prepared by:

Agencia Latinoamericana de Informacion (ALAI), Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Centro de Estudios de la Mujer (CEM), International Women's Tribune Center (IWTC), Media Advocacy Group (MAG), World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC).

Page presented by: ALAI - Women's Program, Quito, Ecuador.