Mr President,

Let me begin, on behalf of my delegation, by expressing our sincere appreciation to H.E. Mr Juan Somavia, the Director General of the international Labour organization, for his Informative and insightful remarks In introducing the report before us.

As we approach the dawning of a new millennium, we are conscious of the existence of a number of constraints still plaguing the development agenda. Thus, the theme of this year's high-level segment of the ECOSOC, "the Role of Employment and work in Poverty Eradication: the Empowerment and Advancement of women, takes a critical look at some of these constraints and their interaction, which represent some of the unfinished business of this century. our purpose and challenge at this session is to formulate effective policies to overcome the imbalances and inequalities which still afflict humankind, and more particularly women.

Mr President,

In addressing this theme, we must recognize the context of rapid globalization within which it is set. This process is having devastating side effects for many developing countries, particularly In Asia, such as the acute financial crisis which continues to affect the region. However, globalization has undoubtedly opened up enormous opportunities for economic growth and development which can propel employment and the advancement of women and alleviate poverty.

In Indonesia, the financial crisis has dealt the economy a crushing blow. Two decades of dynamic economic growth and development were wiped out literally overnight, with dire social and political consequences. Poverty levels, which had declined from about 70% of the population in the 1960s to less than 13% just prior to the crisis, have soared back up to engulf more than 48% of the population. The economic collapse has resulted in massive lay-offs, rising rates of school dropouts and staggering unemployment levels. The number of low-wage female workers has Increased dramatically, while the already serious problem of child labour has also worsened. At the same time, In the broader worldwide context, many deep-seated imbalances in the national and global economies have become greatly exacerbated by the crisis. Against this sombre backdrop, it is clearly obvious that the international community has a responsibility to help the affected countries halt their decline and rebuild their shattered economies.

Mr President,

Women constitute the majority of the rural poor, whose numbers have risen to about 50% as compared to 25% for men over the past 20 years. Moreover, although more employment generally reduces the level of poverty, the number of women benefiting from this greater employment remains disproportionately low compared to that of men. We therefore agree with the report of the Secretary General which, in its section on the feminization of poverty, underlines that "...strategies to combat gender inequalities are central to successful poverty reduction".

The empowerment and advancement of women in society therefore depend largely on whether the problem of gap skills, wages anci job opportunities are narrowed or not. one of the workable means of empowering poor women Is through increased emphasis on micro-credit programmes and schemes for their self-employment. Such schemes have often clearly demonstrated that poor women are bankable and represent a valuable source of savings. The record also shows that access to micro-credit has had far-reaching social consequences in mitigating the problem of poor women and has given rise to a new division of responsibilities within the borrowing families, with a greater recognition of women as significant contributors to family welfare. As a result, the social status of women borrowers has Improved.

For these reasons we agree with the four building blocks outlined In the report to reduce poverty and promote gender equality. We see the merit in introducing proper macro-economic policies at the national and international levels to promote fast and sustained people-centred growth. At the same time, there is an additional need to adopt specific policies designed to reach the poor and other disadvantaged groups, including poor women who are unable to directly benefit from macro-economic policies.

We also agree with the need for public policies to provide an enabling environment to facilitate the efficient functioning of markets and to correct market distortion, both of which militate against equity and social protection. Finally, we fully endorse the notion that participation is crucial as a building block of effective strategies for poverty reduction. Thus the poor, especially poor women, should, as a basic and fundamental right, have greater access to employment and socioeconomic opportunities. in this way, disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, including poor women, can be empowered through employment and acceleration of their social progress. It is there fore necessarv to institute a tripartite structure consisting of government, employers and employees, at the national level, so as to Increase social dialogue to facilitate policy-making process. The role of women within official organizations, including labour unions, should be reinforced to ensure that their voice is heard in the social dialogue.

In Indonesia, it is true that the economic crisis has seriously impeded the introduction and implementation of gender sensitive employment and poverty eradication policies. Yet, at the same time, it is hoped that the rapidly changing socio-economic and political situation will create a fresh opportunity for the promotion and implementation of such policies.

Mr President,

Another critical step is to mainstream poverty eradication and gender sensitive employment. While access to employment Is critical for poverty reduction in general, women's access is further constrained due to discrimination in the job market, hence their likelihood to sink into deeper poverty is greater. We believe that the effort of eliminating gender discrimination in economic opportunities would not only increase the income level of women, but would also increase the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

The objective of this approach is to mainstream and promote gender equality when formulating macro-economic policies. Strategies designed to stimulate the development of small and medium enterprises can encourage employment creation and lead to poverty reduction. If, however, employment is to reach the marginalized poor, particularly women, policies aimed at eliminating all forms of discrimination must be firmly put In place and implemented.

In conclusion, Mr President, let me reiterate that, on the threshold of the 21st century, it is incumbent upon all of us to work together so as to better rid our world of the scourge of poverty and the blight of gender discrimination and unemployment. Only in this way will we be able to achieve greater peace and prosperity in the future than in the century we are leaving.

Thank you.