In the Fourth World Conference on Women that took place in Beijing in 1995 governments agreed on the Platform For Action (PFA). It highlighted twelve areas of critical concern, one of which is women and health. This report is an outcome of the first regional effort in Asia- Pacific by women NGOs to systematically monitor the implementation of the recommended actions of the PFA’s women and health section and give an account of the findings. With a focus on Southeast Asia, it clearly outlines the broad conceptual, policy, service delivery and financial resource changes needed for governments to better address women’s health needs and rights.
Originally conceptualised in 1996 and implemented in 1997 and 1998 as a Beijing monitoring project, the regional findings are now being published after the UN-initiated Beijing+S review in 1999. The report hopes to monitor the implementation of the Beijing recorrlmendations through factual assessment of what has been accomplished in the region in terms of changes in health services, policy and legislation, using practical indicators of action. Southeast Asian women’s health status and their still unfulfilled needs are also highlighted since they must be addressed before women can experience the well-being to which they are entitled.