New York, USA - For suggesting that the word "history" be changed to "her story" in a document to be released here, the Philippine delegation to the UN Special Session General Assembly on Women 2000 received the warm applause.

The applause came from the gallery composed of delegates from various countries when the delegation head Dr. Amelou B. Reyes, chair of the National Commission on the Role of Filipino Women, suggested that the term 'her story' be added in the 134th paragraph of the Beijing Platform for Action being reviewed by the UN delegates.

The 134th paragraph of the BPA states "the need to capitalize sharing of information, research strengths, lessons learned and best practices that are related to achieving gender equality through media and information technology."

Reyes who leads a 16-women delegation, stressed that for too many decades, women in general have been left out of 'his story' (history) and thus it was important for the Preparatory Committee to consider using the term 'her story' especially in the section on media and information technology.

The preparatory committee is working on the "Outcome Document" that will be passed on the last day of the conference. The document will reaffirm the commitment declared by the member nations in 1995.

Reyes explained that the insertion of 'her story' is opportune as it will recognize women's experiences, achievements and contributions to national development which make up 'her story'.

Having said these, Reyes and the entire delegation received a surprise applause from a number of delegates from the gallery. The Philippine delegation is composed of government officials, the academe and selected women leaders from the NGOs who are participating in the special session also known as Beijing Plus 5.

The Philippines is one of the signatories to the Beijing document which was passed during the Fourth World Conference on Women held in the Chinese capital in 1995. The ongoing special session here attempts to review the outcome of the campaigns of the member-nations to promote gender equality. (Isis International-Manila Global Women's Media Team)