Question 40 from UPSC CSE 2015 - Current Affairs

Question

'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen in the news, is

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations

Strategy: Identify the core keywords, such as 'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.' Link these terms to their historical context, specifically the UN World Conference on Women. Evaluate all options, dismissing any that address unrelated topics like regional terrorism, economic growth, or wildlife trafficking. The correct choice will be the one that aligns with the women's empowerment agenda and the UN conference.

Key Info: ## Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action

The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women, convened by the United Nations in Beijing, China, in September 1995. This document is a landmark global policy framework for achieving gender equality and advancing women's rights.

- **Commitments:** The Declaration outlines commitments across twelve critical areas of concern, including poverty, education, health, violence against women, power and decision-making, institutional mechanisms, and human rights.
- **Scope:** The conference was attended by representatives from 189 countries, making it one of the largest United Nations gatherings focused on women's issues.
- **Purpose:** The Platform for Action provides a strategic blueprint with specific measures for governments, civil society, and international bodies to promote women's empowerment and advancement.
- **Historical Context:** The Beijing Conference built upon earlier efforts such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women (1985).
- **Legacy:** The Beijing Platform is frequently referenced in international policy, with periodic UN reviews tracking country progress toward its goals.
- **Exclusions:** The declaration is unrelated to topics like counter-terrorism, trade, economic fora, or wildlife trafficking, which are addressed by separate international agreements.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization

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Option B: a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum

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Option D: a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit