A/RES/66/216 Reaffirming the need to eliminate gender disparities in primary and secondary education by the earliest possible date and at all levels by 2015, and reaffirming also that equal access to education and training at all levels, in particular in business, trade, administration, information and communications technology and other new technologies, and fulfilment of the need to eliminate gender inequalities at all levels are essential for gender equality, the empowerment of women and poverty eradication and to allowing women’s full and equal contribution to, and equal opportunity to benefit from, development, Reaffirming also the significant contributions that women make to the economy, that women are key contributors to the economy and to combating poverty and inequalities through both remunerated and unremunerated work at home, in the community and in the workplace, and that the empowerment of women is a critical factor in the eradication of poverty, Recognizing that the difficult socio-economic conditions that exist in many developing countries, in particular the least developed countries, have contributed to the feminization of poverty, Recognizing also, in this context, the importance of respect for all human rights, including the right to development, and of a national and international environment that promotes, inter alia, justice, gender equality, equity, civil and political participation and civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights and fundamental freedoms for the advancement and empowerment of women, Bearing in mind the challenges and obstacles to changing discriminatory attitudes and gender stereotypes, which perpetuate discrimination against women and stereotypic roles of men and women, and stressing that challenges and obstacles remain in the implementation of international standards and norms to address the inequality between men and women, Recognizing that poverty eradication and the achievement and preservation of peace are mutually reinforcing, and recognizing also that peace is inextricably linked to equality between women and men and to development, Takes note of the report of the Secretary-General on integrating a gender 1. perspective into national development strategies; 16 2. Calls upon Member States, the United Nations system and other international and regional organizations, within their respective mandates, and all sectors of civil society, including non-governmental organizations, as well as all women and men, to fully commit themselves and to intensify their contributions to the implementation of the Beijing Declaration 2 and Platform for Action3 and the outcome of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly;4 3. Recognizes the mutually reinforcing links between gender equality and poverty eradication and the achievement of all of the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the need to elaborate and implement, where appropriate, in consultation with all relevant stakeholders, comprehensive gender-sensitive poverty eradication strategies that address social, structural and macroeconomic issues; Emphasizes the need to link policies on economic and social 4. development to ensure that all people, including those living in poverty and in vulnerable situations, benefit from inclusive economic growth and development, in _______________ 16 A/66/219. 3