CD32.R9    The Directing Council,

 Having seen the report of the Special Subcommittee on Women, Health, and Development (Document CD32/14 and Annex I);

 Bearing in mind the previous resolutions approved by the Governing Bodies of PAHO on women, health, and development, particularly Resolution XII, adopted by the XXII Pan American Sanitary Conference; and

 Mindful of Resolution WHA40.91 approved by the Fortieth World Health Assembly,

1. To urge the Member Countries:

a) To complete their plans for carrying out during the biennium 1988–1989 programs and activities that will implement the Regional Strategies on women, health, and development approved in Resolution XII of the XXII Pan American Sanitary Conference;

b) To continue strengthening the national focal points in accordance with the guidelines laid down in the document "Structure and Functions of the National Focal Point of the Program on Women, Health, and Development," approved by the Subcommittee;

c) To review and revise their health policies for both the public sector and the social security system with a view to providing real access for all women to comprehensive health services;

d) To study the national legislation and adjust it for attainment of the goal of equality for women in the quality and coverage of the health services available to them;

e) To develop and integrate within comprehensive health services specific programs for women which especially address the aspects of financing, quality, coverage, and proper use of technology, and provide solutions to distinctively women's problems;

f) To conduct the operations research needed to better identify the health problems of women, their specific needs as seekers of services, and their situation as providers thereof, chiefly in the areas cited in the recommendations of the Subcommittee's report.

2. To request that the Director:

a) Continue his efforts to increase the representation of women in PAHO so as to attain the goal of 30% in professional and higher posts, as approved by Resolution XII of the XXII Pan American Sanitary Conference, and also to increase the representation of women as temporary consultants, coordinating with the national focal points for the identification of candidates;

b) Promote in all areas of the Organization and the countries increased participation by women in regional meetings, fellowships, training activities, and technical and scientific meetings of all kinds;

c) Increase the mobilization of the resources needed to apply the approved regional strategies and to promote, execute, and disseminate specific activities under the Program on Women, Health, and Development in the countries and throughout the Region;

d) Support the conduct of research, particularly in the areas recommended in the Subcommittee's report;

e) Inform the Directing Council every two years on the activities and progress made in the prevention of maternal mortality and in guaranteeing all women maternity without risk.