Report of the ICA Womens' Committee /ICA ROAP/SCC/JCCU Asian -Pacific Conference on Gender Planning in Cooperatives. Japan,1993

Abstract

The Regional Conference on Gender Planning in Co-operatives, held In Tokyo, during the spring of 1993 is a landmark on the regional co-operative gender programme. The event culminated the research programme on gender issues in co operatives in the Region, initiated in 1991. It is also the beginning of a new phase of gender planning In co-operatives in the Region. The global socio-economic environment which influences the gender issues has changed considerably since 1985. Many international conferences starting from the UN Conference in Nairobi have highlighted the necessity to search for new strategies to deal with new situations arising out of these changes. Many positive steps have been taken by governments to create legal and institutional environment for mobilising women as a resource for development in par with men. But many practical issues needs to be resolved. Without this, the policy changes would have limited effect. The co-operative movements in the Region have also taken many steps and have been able to create mechanisms to bring women members as an active force.