The 1995 Human Development Report has concluded that $16 trillion of global output is invisible, of which women produced $11 trillion. Statistical distortions affect the validity of policy decisions on virtually every aspect of economic and social planning. The non-market economy (domestic and personal services produced by women) must be quantified and taken into account when social and economic policies are being formulated and implemented. Quantifying and reflecting women’s social and economic contribution into statistics and economic indicators will make a significant contribution to policy-making and planning and ultimately to women’s improved social status. What methodologies, processes and experience exist in quantifying the non-market activities? What improvements can be made? Who will take the lead?

The budget is the most important economic policy instrument of government and has the potential of transforming countries to meet the needs of the poorest. Countries have prepared National Action plans in conformity with the recommendations of the Global Platform of Action. Therefore national budgetary allocations should be made in accordance with the priorities of those plans. Where has advocacy been effective in achieving a review of how women benefit from public sector expenditures? What evidence has been presented to influence an equal access to public sector expenditures? What strategies and partnerships can be built to utilize this experience to influence budget allocations?

There is a persistent and increasing burden of poverty on women throughout Africa. This poverty is directly related to unequal opportunities between women and men, in a situation where the majority of women also bear the main responsibilities for household welfare. Given the current state of inequality in women’s access to, and participation in economic processes and structure, the Beijing Platform for Action recommends that women’s economic rights should be secure though promotion of women’s self-reliance including access to employment, and control over economic resources, What constitutes an enabling environment? How do we "create" it, what experiences exist? How do we ensure that women take advantage of such enabling environment?

Access to and ownership of land is a matter of justice and survival in Africa. For women the constraints to access and ownership are more severe due to legal discrimination and cultural practices. What mechanisms and changes will be required to ensure that the rights of women to land are respected assured and protected? Which strategies will be necessary to achieve a social consensus on women’s rights to land and on the implementation of changes?

Access to communication technologies will enable women to participate more effectively in the economic development of their countries. Communication technologies can be used for linking up with potential clients, partners, and markets, receiving educational information (including distance learning), information on health, agricultural technologies, and other information of relevance for the community. What are the necessary steps and procedures (policies, infrastructure, appropriate technology, etc.) necessary to set up women’s information centre’s? What are the best approaches to promote women’s active involvement and participation in the management of such community based women’s information centres? What lessons can be learned from successful initiatives?

Although women constitute half the electorate, they hold only 10% of the seats in the world’s parliaments and 6% in national cabinets. Since changes in society normally come through the political process, women’s lack of political opportunities is a serious concern. A critical 30% threshold should be regarded as a minimum share of decision-making positions held by women at the national level. What policy measures and strategies, including specific quotas, should be included to achieve this target? How can women be persuaded and assisted to compete for political office? What resources and mechanisms can be made available to achieve those targets?

The foundation of gender discrimination and stereotyping that lead to decreased opportunities, lower status for women is often laid during childhood and adolescence. Therefore, in order to foster harmonious and accelerated development and social progress for future generations, it is important to inculcate values and attitudes that enhance gender awareness and sensitivity among girls as well as boys during this phase of life. What values and skills do young people need to learn in order to become committed to gender equality? How can the formal and non-formal education systems and the media be harness to shape the attitude of the new generation? Which measures have succeeded in introducing these skills and values and what obstacles have prevented their application on a large scale? What partnerships are required to ensure effective application of these measures?

A majority of African women, especially those in rural areas, have little access to accumulated wealth or community based assets that guarantees continuous access education and health care services, including reproductive health and prepares them to meet emergencies. Since women at large are responsible for assuring health care and the provision of education for their children and other members of their families, such security of access will impact on the community as a whole. What traditional and modern social security, insurance or cooperatives saving schemes operate within African communities? What factors contribute to their success or constrain their effectiveness? What innovative strategies should be introduced to strengthen and expand the schemes that have proven effective?

This Convention which became effective in 1981, highlighted the inequity and inequality of women’s status in existing national institutions and structures. Its main thrust is to remove all forms of discrimination against women to enable them to be equal partners in the processes of development. There is need for concerted action between all actors for the Convention to be implemented in African countries. What are the impediments and main obstacles for the implementation of CEDAW? What actions can be initiated to address those obstacles?

As armed and other conflicts have engulfed their societies, African women have struggled to protect their children and families, to maintain social order and preserve lives, as well as to contribute to a resolution of the conflicts. Utilizing strategies gained from household and community management experiences, women have sought to provide an alternative to violence. Despite these efforts, women are still absent from peace and security decisions, policy making and action. This absence of women’s visions, capacities and experiences clearly have been a constraint to the achievement of comprehensive and sustainable peace. Several measures need to be taken to ensure women’s participation in both, numbers and influence. These should include, as recommended to the UN Secretary-General, that governments and States should commit to ensuring that, by the year 2000, 50% of national, regional and international delegations participating in activities concerned with peace and security should be women. The United Nations should also commit to the same percentage for personnel in al preventive diplomacy, peace-making and post-conflict peace-building, including fact-finding and observer missions, and in all stages of peace negotiations. The Conference should consider what resources and mechanisms might be needed to implement these recommendations. Why has women’s participation been so limited, particularly in peace negotiations? How to enhance this participation? What are the best practices in lobbying and negotiation by women at the international level? How to enhance the networking of women within and outside of the Continent?