Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen in the news, is
Explanation
The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted unanimously by 189 countries, was an agenda for women's empowerment that is now considered the key global policy document on gender equality.[1] It was adopted at a meeting held in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995[2], which was the Fourth World Conference on Women[3] convened by the United Nations. As an agenda for action, the Platform seeks to promote and protect the full enjoyment of all human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all women throughout their life cycle.[4]
Options A, B, and D are incorrect as they wrongly attribute the Beijing Declaration to other international organizations (Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Forum, and East Asia Summit) and misrepresent its purpose. The document is specifically a UN initiative focused on women's rights and gender equality, not on terrorism, economic growth, or wildlife trafficking.
Sources- [1] https://www.un.org/en/conferences/women/beijing1995
- [2] https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf
- [3] https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf
- [4] https://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/beijing/pdf/BDPfA%20E.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis question was driven by the '20th Anniversary' (Beijing+20) in 2015. It exploits the 'City Name Trap'—aspirants hear 'Beijing' and assume China-led blocs like SCO or APEC. Strategy: Track 10/20/25-year anniversaries of major UN summits.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Having met in Beijing from 4 to 15 September 1995, 1. Adopts the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, which are annexed to the present resolution;"
Why this source?
- Official UN conference document records the conference outcome and adoption.
- Shows the Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, 4–15 September 1995.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted unanimously by 189 countries, was an agenda for women’s empowerment that is now considered the key global policy document on gender equality."
Why this source?
- UN web summary explicitly states the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted by countries at the conference.
- Directly labels the document 'an agenda for women’s empowerment', tying adoption to that role.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"As an agenda for action, the Platform seeks to promote and protect the full enjoyment of all human rights and the fundamental freedoms of all women throughout their life cycle."
Why this source?
- The Platform for Action text describes itself as 'an agenda for action', indicating its intended use to promote women's rights.
- Frames the Platform's purpose as promoting and protecting women's human rights across their life cycle.
- Official UN conference document records the conference outcome and adoption.
- Shows the Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, 4–15 September 1995.
- UN web summary explicitly states the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action were adopted by countries at the conference.
- Directly labels the document 'an agenda for women’s empowerment', tying adoption to that role.
- The Platform for Action text describes itself as 'an agenda for action', indicating its intended use to promote women's rights.
- Frames the Platform's purpose as promoting and protecting women's human rights across their life cycle.
NCERT. (2022). Contemporary India II: Textbook in Geography for Class X (Revised ed.). NCERT. > Chapter 1: The Rise of Nationalism in Europe > Agenda 21 > p. 4
Strength: 4/5
“It is the declaration signed by world leaders in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), which took place at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It aims at achieving global sustainable development. It is an agenda to combat environmental damage, poverty, disease through global co-operation on common interests, mutual needs and shared responsibilities. One major objective of the Agenda 21 is that every local government should draw its own local Agenda 21.”
Why relevant
Shows that UN world conferences commonly produce named action plans or 'Agendas' (e.g., Agenda 21 from the 1992 UNCED in Rio).
How to extend
A student can infer it is plausible that a 1995 UN World Conference on Women could likewise have produced a named declaration/platform, and then check conference records or UN archives for a Beijing document.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > CHAPTER SUMMARY > p. 606
Strength: 4/5
“• Earth Summit delegates from 178 nations met in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) - an action plan was framed called Agenda 21 - non-legally binding document 'Forest Principles' was also represented.
BASALL”
Why relevant
Reinforces the pattern that major UN conferences (Earth Summit delegates from many nations) frame non‑binding action plans titled as agendas or declarations.
How to extend
Use this pattern to treat the existence of a 'Beijing Declaration' as plausible and look up the specific 1995 conference outputs to confirm.
Indian Economy, Nitin Singhania .(ed 2nd 2021-22) > Chapter 21: Sustainable Development and Climate Change > MILLENNIUM SUMMIT AND THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DECLARATION > p. 597
Strength: 4/5
“The Millennium Summit was held in 2000 at the United Nations' headquarters in New York City. It was aimed to analyze the role of the United Nations in the 21st century. The United Nations Millennium Declaration was ratified by world leaders to eradicate poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women.”
Why relevant
States that UN high‑level meetings (e.g., Millennium Summit) produce declarations addressing issues including discrimination against women, indicating the UN uses declarations to address women's rights.
How to extend
Combine this with knowledge that there was a 1995 World Conference on Women to reason that the UN likely produced a declaration/platform on women's empowerment at that conference, then verify with UN documents.
Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 8: Inclusive growth and issues > 8.15 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) > p. 278
Strength: 3/5
“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. The 17 SDGs are integrated that is, they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. Through the pledge to Leave No One Behind, countries have committed to fast-track progress for those furthest behind first. That is why the SDGs are designed to bring the world to several life-changing 'zeros', including zero poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls.”
Why relevant
Shows the UN adopts universal goals (SDGs) that explicitly include ending discrimination against women, illustrating an ongoing UN practice of formal instruments addressing women's empowerment.
How to extend
A student can link the UN's history of issuing formal, titled instruments on social issues to expect a dedicated 1995 instrument on women and seek the specific Beijing text.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 59: National Commission for Women > ESTABLISHMENT > p. 480
Strength: 2/5
“The Ministry of Women and Child Development of the Government of India is the nodal ministry for the Commission. The Commission has a wide mandate covering almost all aspects of women's development and empowerment. Its specific objectives are as follows: • 1. 'Ib revi ew the constitutional and legal safeguards for women • 2. To recommend remedial legislative measures • 3. To facilitate the redressal of grievances • 4. To advise the government on all policy matters affecting women”
Why relevant
Describes national institutional mechanisms (National Commission for Women) and government policy focus on women's development, reflecting broader global institutional attention to women's empowerment.
How to extend
This domestic-level emphasis suggests international conferences (like a UN World Conference on Women) are plausible venues for adopting frameworks that countries then implement; thus check if such a framework (Beijing Declaration/Platform for Action) dates to 1995.
Shows that UN world conferences commonly produce named action plans or 'Agendas' (e.g., Agenda 21 from the 1992 UNCED in Rio).
A student can infer it is plausible that a 1995 UN World Conference on Women could likewise have produced a named declaration/platform, and then check conference records or UN archives for a Beijing document.
Reinforces the pattern that major UN conferences (Earth Summit delegates from many nations) frame non‑binding action plans titled as agendas or declarations.
Use this pattern to treat the existence of a 'Beijing Declaration' as plausible and look up the specific 1995 conference outputs to confirm.
States that UN high‑level meetings (e.g., Millennium Summit) produce declarations addressing issues including discrimination against women, indicating the UN uses declarations to address women's rights.
Combine this with knowledge that there was a 1995 World Conference on Women to reason that the UN likely produced a declaration/platform on women's empowerment at that conference, then verify with UN documents.
Shows the UN adopts universal goals (SDGs) that explicitly include ending discrimination against women, illustrating an ongoing UN practice of formal instruments addressing women's empowerment.
A student can link the UN's history of issuing formal, titled instruments on social issues to expect a dedicated 1995 instrument on women and seek the specific Beijing text.
Describes national institutional mechanisms (National Commission for Women) and government policy focus on women's development, reflecting broader global institutional attention to women's empowerment.
This domestic-level emphasis suggests international conferences (like a UN World Conference on Women) are plausible venues for adopting frameworks that countries then implement; thus check if such a framework (Beijing Declaration/Platform for Action) dates to 1995.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.