Should we go to Beijing?

National Catholic Reporter, May 26, 1995

As the Fourth U.N. World Conference on Women, to be held in September in Beijing, China, draws near, warning signals are emerging and serious questions are being asked (NCR, May 19). Some women wonder aloud -- as feminist theologian Madonna Kolbenschlag did in a public statement late last month -- Why are we going to Beijing?"

Their list of concerns begins with China's dismal women's rights record, China's woefully apparent lack of free speech and its efforts to bar Tibetan and Taiwanese as well as lesbian and religious women's groups from the conference.

For years the Chinese government has abused women. These instances include forced population control with forced abortions. Recently Chinese athletes have been banned from international competition for testing positive for illegal drugs. It appears the athletes were systematically drugged by Chinese officials without their knowledge.

Then there's the matter of China's plans to marginalize nongovernmental organizations' voices by locating NGO representatives far from official conference deliberations. Many NGO representatives have been told they will not be allowed into the country.

What's going on here?

In has long been the argument that holding the U.N. gathering in China would provide encouragement to oppressed Chinese. But this assumes visitors feel they can speak freely -- and do! If censorship or timidity ends up curtailing openness, it would be better for visitors to stay home. If women find they cannot advance the causes of dignity and human rights, starting with the dignity and rights of Chinese women, then participating in the deliberations may not be prudent.

These will be difficult judgment calls, but seriously addressing these issues in the coming weeks may have its own benefits, not least of which will be to send warnings to Chinese and U.N. officials.

Women have made major advances on the world scene in recent years. Many fear-driven forces want to push these advances back. The deftness with which women handle these growing pressures and the decisions that emerge in the process will give us all a better understanding of the form this new women's leadership will take.

It has long been the hope that in the process of winning new rights, women will advance the causes of justice and compassion for the larger human family. In this light the challenges of Beijing become increasingly clear.

Going in, the odds appear stacked against a successful advance in the women's agenda. Time will tell. One thing for sure: Women know this is nothing new.