Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action

Overview of Trends in Achieving Gender Equality and Progress in the Advancement of Women

One of the priority guidelines of the state policy is to ensure equal opportunities for men and women. Equality is treated as the main principle of democracy. The rights of women in the context of human rights are provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania in the meaning of non-discrimination on gender basis, in exercising the right to work, education, etc. The principle of equality is based on rights, responsibilities and possibilities for men and women in all spheres of life. The success of a state aiming at implementing democracy, social and economic progress, observing human rights, cultural and vocational improvement, is directly related to the level of participation of both, men and women, in the development of these processes. Active participation of women in governmental structures, businesses and other professional activities based on the principle of equality is a major condition in creating an open democratic society.

Movement of women is not a new phenomenon in the society of Lithuania. Lithuanian women are in the possession of traditions, which were historically formed for defending their rights. In 1529 Lithuanian women had already acquired rights to inheritance and participation in the meetings. The right was officially stipulated in the provisions of the First Statute of Lithuania also including an article on protection of women against compulsion. The first organisation of women defending women's rights was established in Vilnius in 1905. An important event in the movement of women was the first Congress of Women of Lithuania held in Kaunas in 1907. Rights of women and equality issues were openly addressed and discussed at the Conference.

After the restoration of independence on 1920 ten women were elected to the First Lithuanian Seimas (Parliamen) in 1920 following declaration of independence of Lithuania. The Parliament decided to include equal political rights for men and women into the Constitution of Lithuania and to make amendments to the Civil Code in favour of women, including the right to vote. This progressive step of the young Lithuanian state was a very positive action in the European context of those days. The right of Lithuanian women to vote was confirmed once again in the Constitution of Lithuania,1922.

Historically developed traditions are dynamically evolving in Lithuania after restoration of its independence in 1990 to present days. The position of women was positively changing and remains developing in all spheres of life. An institutional mechanism for implementing equal gender opportunities has been created, the Law adopted on Equal Opportunities for Men and Women; an Equal Opportunities Ombudsman has been appointed and the Office of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman has been established as well as the Commission on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. The principle of equal opportunities for men and women is observed in making amendments to other laws and by-laws. The situation is changing positively with regards to participation of women in policy making and decision taking. Up to now men dominated in the leading posts, but the situation is changing for the better to women - the number of women participating actively in the process of decision making is constantly increasing. Women become more and more actively engaged in entrepreneurship, especially in small business. The health status of women is much better than that of men in Lithuania. It should be noted that education of women in Lithuania remains in the prominent positions.. Women account for over 60% of university graduates. However, regardless the higher level of education, men are more often appointed to the high ranking positions, and therefore the pay rate for women still makes up 80% of the pay rate for men.

Lithuania is taking an active part in international events on gender equality issues in Europe and worldwide, and successfully incorporates and implements provisions of international instruments on the national level referring to equal treatment of men and women.

Fundamental human rights are consolidated in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania stipulating equality of individuals against the Law, providing for no limitation of individual rights and privileges based on the grounds of gender, race, nationality, language, religion, social status, etc. The Constitution also guarantees fundamental civil and political rights to the citizens: the right to work, the right to education, social security and health protection.

Lithuania has ratified the Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Convention on Children's Rights, joining at the same time to many international instruments for protection of human rights, primarily to the Conventions of the International Organization of Labour and UNESCO: Convention for Equal Pay to Men and Women for Equal Work, Convention for Elimination of Discrimination at Work and Professional Activities, etc. Being a Member to the Council of Europe and an Applicant country to the European Union, Lithuania follows the instruments of the Council of Europe and is in the process of approximation of the National legislation with the EU ACQUIS.

The rights of women are consolidated in the majority of national laws of Lithuania, namely, the Law on Elections, the Law on Referendum, the Law on Employment Contracts, the Law on Safety at Work, the Law on Support to Unemployed, etc. The Law on Equal Opportunities for men and women was adopted 1 December 1998 and came into force as of 1 March 1999. The purpose of the Law is to ensure implementation of equal rights for men and women. The Law on Equal Opportunities provides for preparation and implementation of programmes and measures leading to changing public opinion on one gender being superior to the other; supporting programmes of non-governmental organizations, public institutions, associations and charity funds assisting to implementation of equal opportunities for men and women; ensure equal conditions for men and women on entering schools, vocational training institutions, higher learning establishments, universities and colleges or upgrading courses as well as granting scholarships and making study loans, selecting training programmes and appraising of their knowledge; to ensure that no curricula or text books advocate teaching on the basis of gender discrimination. Following the legislation employers are liable to apply equal selection criteria in recruiting staff members, with an exception of certain jobs that could be performed only by representatives of respective gender; to create equal working conditions and opportunities for improvement of skills, to provide equal privileges and apply equal criteria for quality assurance of work, to disburse equal pay for equal work; to take measures to avoid sexual harassment of employees at work; to take precautions in avoiding persecution of workers having appealing on the grounds of discrimination. The Law defines actions of employers leading to violation equal rights of men and women, as well as the actions of educational institutions, science and studies, and the rights of persons being discriminated.

Gender equality principle has to be implemented also in all drafted and adopted legislation. Analysis conducted in 1999 on the social security and labour legislation of the Republic of Lithuania with regards to aspects of gender equality revealed that the basic laws of the Republic of Lithuania are in line with the principle of gender equality and standard acts of the European Union and other international organizations. The observed provisions of indirect discrimination in relation to pensions, unemployment benefits and family allowances are permissible as being either exceptions or falling outside the scope of application of the EU Directives.

In order to finalize creating legal conditions for implementation of the principle of gender equality in the sphere of employment, the Programme of Measures of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania to be executed in the year of 2000 included preparation of draft legal acts in the second half of the year for ensuring equal opportunities on the labour market.

Profound analysis has to be made before drafting amendments to the said legislation taking into consideration the impact of such changes on labour relations of certain groups of population as well as their economic status, i.e. income (for example, in the case of changing conditions for disbursement of unemployment benefits).

Implementation of the principle of equal opportunities is also included into the Programme of the Government. To increase population employment in creating equal opportunities for women and men as well as all social groups of population is among the objectives of the employment policy. Draft National Action Plan on increasing population employment is currently being developed covering "Equal opportunities on the labour market" as a separate section. This part of the plan provides measures to ensure equal opportunities for men and women on the labour market, for employment support to persons with disabilities, for integration socially vulnerable groups of population (young persons and the elderly, former prisoners, etc.) into the labour market. The programme is being drafted on the basis of the EU Employment Strategy providing for creating equal opportunities on the labour market, as one of the four main guidelines.

In 1996 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the "Programme for the Advancement of Women". The objective of the Programme is to seek advancement of women indicating the spheres of activities demanding urgent solutions, raising the most acute problems and creating guidelines for actions. Implementation of the Programme is delegated to various ministries and municipalities. The Programme covers main spheres of activities: Human rights protection for women, Economic and social status of women, Women and the environment, Health of women and family planning, Women and education, Women in politics and administration, Violence against women and girls, Women and mass media, System of statistics and gender disparity. Each of the above said guidelines are listed in details in Implementation plans of the Programme. In 1996 the Action plan for implementing of the Programme for the Advancement of Women within the period of 1996 - 1997 was drafted. A Commission on women's issues was established for monitoring the implementation of the planned measures. The main purpose of the Commission was to establish and keep relations with the ministries on issues of integrating the provisions of the Programme into the activities under their respective competence, to coordinate decision taking processes regarding women issues, and implementation of equal rights for men and women in the Republic of Lithuania. In 1998 the Government of the Republic of Lithuania approved the second Action plan for implementation of the Programme for the Advancement of Women in 1998 - 2000.

Both above mentioned Implementation plans of the Programme for the Advancement of Women (hereinafter referred to as National Action Plans) express concern of the Republic of Lithuania on issues related to the status of women and gender equality, in meeting national responsibilities implementing Beijing Platform for Actions that are basically in line with the trends of international community. The Programme for the Advancement of Women and National Action Plans are set forward to solving basic problems of critical areas under the Beijing Platform for Actions on national level. National Action Plans cover all guidelines in the Programme for the Advancement of Women specifying concrete actions to be taken, tasks and objectives to be met, means and measures for the implementation of the Programme, terms for accomplishment and responsible institutions. In general, the first plan has been already fulfilled. Most measures provided in the second plan have already been implemented and some are still in the process of implementation.

National institutional machinery for implementation of the principle of equal opportunities covers several sectors, namely: parliamentarian, governmental, private (employers), public (non-governmental organizations).

The Seimas (Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania elected in 1996 has a permanently functioning Commission on Family and Children Issues.

In 1997 a Parliamentary group of women was established in the Seimas. The Group consists of 15 members of 25 women parliamentarians from different political parties in the Seimas. This particular group of women initiated drafting of the Law on equal opportunities for women and men.

The post of a State Counsellor on women's issues was established in 1994 in the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, which later, in 1996, was renamed into the Counsellor to the Government on issues of women and the family, and since the beginning of 1997 this responsibility was delegated to the State Consultant.

Following the provisions of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and the National Action Plan, the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on 20 April 1999 appointed an Equal Opportunities Ombudsman for monitoring issues in relation to equal opportunities of men and women. On 25 May 1999 the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman's Office has been established. Every legal and natural person enjoys the right to appeal violation of equal rights to the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman. Besides, the State Labour Inspectorate is in charge to immediately inform the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman on every established violation which seems to be violation of gender equality. The Ombudsman investigates the case accordingly, defining whether this is a case of breaching the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men and takes corresponding measures.

The main responsibility for policy making on gender equality to ensure implementation and coordination of equal opportunities for men and women since 1997 lies within the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. Accordingly two staff members in the Division of Labour Market and Equal Opportunities at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour have been appointed responsible for coordinating the implementation of state policy on equal opportunities for women and men. A permanently functioning inter-ministerial Commission on Equal Opportunities for women and men is set up on March 7, 2000, following the the Law on Equal Opportunities and National Action Plan. Representatives from all the 14 Ministries and two Departments are appointed to the members of the Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to coordinate the activities of state institutions in the sphere of implementation of the principle of equal rights and opportunities for men and women and to monitor the implementation of the Programme for the Advancement of Women.

The Government of the Republic of Lithuania authorised the Department of Statistics to collect, analyze and publish statistical data related to gender. Corresponding statistical data is available in separate publications for 1997 and 1998. Apart from these publications, the Statistics Department is regularly publishing information on gender based data.

It is rather difficult to calculate the funds for implementation of equal opportunities and the Programme for the Advancement of Women, because a separate line in the state budget for these measures is not available. However, there are several budget lines related to actual implementation of the Programme.

The state budget of 1999 allocated 121 thousand litas (approximately USD 30 thousand) for the establishment of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman's Office and for financing the activities of this Office. This amount increased later on.

Lithuania takes part in the EU programme "Equal opportunities for men and women" and the membership fee for 1999 accounted for 8 861 Euros.

Lithuanian women's organisations take an active participation in gender equality matters. The number of NGOs is growing and they become more and more important in the society. In 1999 the number of women's organisations reached 63. Four study centres for women are active in academic, publishing and educational fields. One of the most active women's organisations is the Women's Issues Information Centre. The Centre initiates social studies, collects and analyses gender related statistical data with the view to employment of women, entrepreneurship, education and family issues. They are engaged in educational activities as well. The Women's Issues Information Centre coordinates activities of other women organisations, publishes the magazine "Woman's World", issues and disseminates leaflets and booklets, ensures exchange of information within the country and internationally.

Active women's organisations are strongly influencing attention dedicated to the women's issues, which are given priority in political, social and economic activities.

Implementation of Measures in Addressing the Constraints of Critical Areas Following the Beijing Platrom for Actions

The Programme for the Advancement of Women in Lithuania approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania after the fourth World Conference of Women in Beijing covers almost all topics of critical areas addressed in the Beijing Conference and adopted in the Platform for Action. In 1995 Lithuania participated in the United Nations World Conference on the issues of women for the first time and being a Member State of the United Nations pledged itself to the resolutions of this conference. The Programme for the Advancement of Women has been worked out by the Lithuanian Committee for preparations to participate in the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women and its Secretariat. The analysis of the situation of women in Lithuania has been made in the process of drafting the Programme for the Advancement of Women and it has been established that after the Restoration of Independence it has been greatly influenced by the following discrepant traits and trends in the society:

Major problems of women in Lithuania arise due to the said reasons and other circumstances. Processes of restoration of the state system and integration into the structures of the European Union had diverse impact on the situation of women in the family, professional career, public life and politics. Changes in political and economic systems followed by democratic reforms could not on its own accord remove all forms of discrimination and create equal opportunities for all women in Lithuania.

With the view to solving the derived problems and following the Beijing Platform for Action it has been decided to focus on the most critical areas of concern to be addressed immediately, to indicate the most significant problems and to look for basic ways and methods of solutions. The Programme of Advancement for Women in Lithuania covers main directions of activities. National Action Plans include concrete tasks and objectives, actions and measures, terms for implementation and responsible institutions. Most of the measures are already fulfilled.

The description of specific measures of implementation is laid down following the structure of critical areas in the Programme for the Advancement of Women, the regular sequence of which does not always correspond to the lay out of critical areas of concern in the Beijing Platform for Action, however, covering all of them. The critical area of "Women and Poverty" in the Beijing Platform for Action is covered in the Lithuanian Programme for the Advancement of Women under the title of "Economic and social status of women in Lithuania". The critical area of "The girl-child" in the Beijing Platform for Action is covered in the Lithuanian Programme for the Advancement of Women in the sections of "Compulsion and Violence against Women and Girls", "Health Status of Women and Family Planning" and to some extent in other sections as well. The critical area of "Women and Armed Conflict" in the Beijing Platform for Action is not relevant to Lithuania and is not covered in the Lithuanian Programme for the Advancement of Women.

Democracy and human rights cannot be acknowledged only for one half of the society - men. One part of the society is not capable of creating objective preconditions for the development of democracy and socio-economic development.

In the process of drafting the Programme for the Advancement of Women it was established that irrespective of traditionally progressive status of women in the area of human rights in Lithuania, the constitutional principle of equality has not yet been fully implemented due to lack of corresponding legal basis and insufficiently effective institutional mechanism.

The main objectives of this area as set in the Programme for the Advancement of Women were the following:

With the view to implementing the above set objectives, Guidelines for actions were stipulated in the Programme for the Advancement of Women:

Carrying out the first National Action Plan an Inter-institutional Commission on Women's Issues was established to coordinate activities of the Ministries integrating the provisions of the Programme into respective actions and for monitoring the implementation of the plan. Implementation of the Programme was discussed with representatives from the Ministries and the Lithuanian Programme for the Advancement of Women was submitted to the United Nations Organisation. A Summary of the Beijing Conference and Platform for Action was published alongside with other publications, such as the Index of Women's Organisations, the Lithuanian Programme for the Advancement of Women and a monthly magazine "Woman's World". A Workshop "What legal acts on equality are missing in the Lithuanian legislation?" was organised and soon afterwards followed by the beginning of drafting the Law on equal opportunities for women and men.

Carrying out the second National Action Plan the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania adopted the Law on equal opportunities for women and men on 1 December 1999, enforced as of 1 March 1999. The purpose of the Law - to ensure implementation of the Constitutionally consolidated equal rights for men and women in the Republic of Lithuania. The Law gives definitions of such concepts as "equal opportunities for men and women", "discrimination", "sexual harassment", etc. The Law stipulates that monitoring of the implementation of the Law on equal opportunities for women and men is delegated to the competence of the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman.

Following the Law on Equal Opportunities for women and men and the second National Action Plan the national machinery continue to develop. The Equal Opportunities Ombudsman for men and women was appointed by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania on 20 April 1999 and the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman's Office established on 25 May 1999. It should be pointed out that according to the Implementation plan of the Programme for the Advancement of Women for 1998 - 2000, these two measures were planned to be carried out by the year of 2000. Above mentioned Commission on Equal Opportunities for women and men has been established.

Under the section "Protection of Human Rights" in the National Action Plan the Ministry of Education and Science was obligated to ensure teaching of human rights at schools. Currently the subject of human rights is incorporated in the curriculla of all levels of teaching. Pupils in primary classes learn about human rights through general knowledge on the world and morals, in basic school - through lessons on morals, civil education, history and other subjects. Teaching continues in 11 - 12 forms, where students start learning politology. Text-books for educational institutions are revised every 3 - 4 years. It has been planned to include gender related statistical data in the new edition of text-books in politology. The Vilnius University as well as the Kaunas Vytautas Magnus University and the Kaunas University of Technologies have already introduced a course on Human social development covering gender disparities. Training programme for police officials on the prevention of violence in families and family conflicts has continue.

A non-governmental organisation - Women's Information Centre - is one of the most active organisations in the Baltics acting in the sphere of advancement for women. It is involved in publishing and disseminating various publications on gender equality and advancement for women free of charge.

It has been clearly defined in this part of the Programme for the Advancement of Women, that economic decline brought about due to the changes in restructuring national economy into market economy had a direct influence on women. Unemployment rate among men and women remained almost the same, however, wages of women were lower due to the lower positions and to some extent it was more difficult for them to find employment. Participation of women in decision making on economic and social issues was insufficient. The economic and social status of women in rural areas was even more difficult.

The main objective in the Programme for the Advancement of Women in this particular sphere was to create legal basis corresponding to market economy conditions and economic mechanisms to ensure equal rights for men and women in economic activities and family matters.

The following guidelines for actions have been defined for implementing this objective:

Seeking solution of problems in this sphere and carrying out the implementation plans of the Programme for the Advancement of Women a study on poverty has been undertaken to start analysing economic and social status of women. Already in 1996 the Ministry of Social Security and Labour had organised a Seminar on "Equal Rights and Opportunities on the Labour Market"

Participation of women in economic activities has greatly increased since 1995. In 1998 women made up to 48,5% among the total number of the employed population. Similar to many other countries feminisation of certain branches of economy is observed in Lithuania as well, however, horizontal and vertical gender segregation remains unchanged. Women are more employed in non-productive sphere of economy and less in industries. Speaking about the vertical segregation it should be noted, that position of Lithuanian women is lower in the hierarchy, and in the pyramid of employment they constitute the majority in the foundation of the pyramid. Moving up to the top the number of women decreases and only few of them are in the most prestigious occupations.

The system of free economic market provides equal opportunities for all citizens to seek economic independence, however, in practice it is not always true. There are cases, when women are discriminated on the basis of sex in job-seeking. Therefore, more and more women are willing to start their own business and gain economic independence. Moreover, women recruit other women more willingly and create jobs not only for themselves, but also for other women, filling in at the same time the existing niches on the free market. According to the data of the Statistics Department women ran approximately 29% of businesses in 1998.

The Programme of Actions of the Government also includes measures for improving the status of women in the sphere of employment. In the section of implementation measures "Promoting of business and investments" under the Programme of Actions of the Government for 1997 - 2000 the Ministry of Economy is authorised to work out in the year of 2000 the guidelines for the development strategy of small and medium businesses and to define concrete measures for the implementation. At the beginning of the year of 2000 the North Investment Bank Credit Line was issued for business-women to develop small business. The existing forms of assistance for developing small business were presented at the Conference on "Women and Business, Opportunities of Today".

Various measures to improve social and economic welfare of large families have been included in the implementation plan in the Governmental Programme for 1997 - 2000. At the end of 1997 amendments were introduced to the Law on State Benefits to Families Bringing up Children. This amendment introduced a new type of benefit for families raising three and more children. In 1999 a Law on Compensation for heating of dwelling facilities (flats or private houses), cold and hot water expenses for low-income inhabitants was adopted. Provisions of the Law stipulating payment incentives for utility services and the established conditions and amounts are especially favourable for large families. Since 1997 catering is provided free of charge at secondary schools for children from socially vulnerable families, who in most cases come from large families and single mother's families.

To achieve the objectives set forth in decreasing poverty and social inequality, alongside with opening of more opportunities for everybody, at the beginning of 1999 the President of the Republic of Lithuania established the Lithuanian Social Committee comprising representatives of the state and non-governmental institutions. The Committee prepared a Draft Strategy for decreasing poverty in Lithuania to support solution of poverty problems in Lithuania. It has been established that the households "managed" by women are more often in need and their poverty level makes up 19,0%. At the same time only 6,2% of households "managed" by men are in need. The task raised in the Draft Strategy is to eliminate the exceptionally deep poverty in Lithuania until the year of 2003. Among other goals of the Strategy are reduction of poverty by no less than 15% for those groups of population that are in most need, including single mothers with children and women in the rural areas, until the year of 2005. Special long-term poverty prevention programmes shall be prepared for separate groups of persons in need based on expanding opportunities for such persons with the view of their integration into the society. Seeking to increase employment it has been planned to prepare and implement National Employment Strategy, Local Employment Programmes, to increase efficiency of the labour market policy and management, facilitate funding of measures.

The Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania referring to the appeal of organisations for elderly persons and following the Resolution 47/5 of 16 October 1992 of the General Assembly of the United Nations Organisation, declared the year of 1999 to be the International year of older persons in Lithuania.

National Commission under the Resolution of the Government of the Republic of Lithuania has been established to draft programme and organise activities for the International year of the older persons in Lithuania, including active participation of NGOs: Centre for aging women, the Lithuanian association of the elderly, Lituanian association of pensioners 'Bociai' and others.

The Programme for the International year of the older persons has been approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania and is devoted to facilitate complex solution of specific economic, social, health care, psychological problems of the elderly and to stimulate public and non-governmental organisations to take an active part in the processes of integrating elderly men and women into the activities of the society.

District and town municipalities worked out and started implementing individual programmes devoted to the International year of the older persons locally. Municipalities are designated an important role in implementing the National programme of activities prepared by the National Commission for the International year of the older persons. Municipalities are encouraged to promote activities of NGOs uniting elderly men and women, develop infrastructure of services for the elderly, establish councils of pensioners in towns and districts in order to better addressing their affairs.

Major problems of women in the rural areas are related to hard labour of women on farms, little care and attention to their health and poor health-care conditions. Social infrastructure is still lacking development. Rural areas witness decrease of pre-school educational institutions, schools with longer working hours, low numbers of telephone communication facilities, poor system of public commuting transport.

With the view to eradicating the accumulated problems, the National Action Plan provides for generating methodology in defining economically weak farms and support by compensating part of social insurance contributions; to improve adult vocational training and retraining system including upgrading of skills, organise education of women in the rural areas in health insurance, healthy mode of life and sanitary matters; to prepare employment programme for women in the rural areas alongside with training programme for women - leaders among them, developing and promoting creativity, initiatives and economic activeness making use of different possible financial sources.

The third book 'Family Law' of the Draft Civil Code was submitted on 24 September 1999 to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania for the second consideration. The book provides wide and detailed description of national legislation regulating family property and the share of children in it, recovery of alimony and other related matters.

Several problems have been identified within this area while drafting the Programme for the Advancement of Women. The society was indifferent to the protection of the environment and preservation of nature due to lack of information about the status of the environment and its influence on the inhabitant's health, especially women and children in specific areas of residence. Only a few women participated in the processes of decision making on issues related to the environmental protection. Non-governmental organisations of women were insufficiently involved and paid little attention to environmental matters.

The main objectives related to reduction of environmental problems in the Programme for the Advancement of Women were the following:

The following principal guidelines were defined for the achievement of the said tasks:

The tasks and functions in the state management and policy delegated to the Ministry of the Environment in protecting the environment, forestry farming, utilization of natural resources, planning of territories, construction, housing and geological works are carried out on equal basis by specialists of both sexes. The activities carried out by men and women are not differentiated. Currently on the payroll of the Ministry of the Environment 57% of women and 43% of men enjoy equal rights in performing their duties.

In Lithuania as well as in all other countries around the globe more and more attention in recent years is given to environmental issues increasing efforts to ensure balanced development of the country and integrating environment protection measures into the strategies of all branches of the economy, development programmes and action plans. Referring to the provisions of the signed international agreements and requirements of the EU Directives, new laws and other standard acts regulating formation and protection of the environment are currently in drafting procedures.

Currently the Ministry of the Environment is working on the Strategy and Programme for actions in treatment and processing of waste, General plan of the territory of the Republic of Lithuania, Programme on housing, supported by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania, and many other important documents.

Several units of biological treatment equipment were put into operation in 1998. In December 1998 biological treatment equipment for wastewater processing started functioning in major cities of the republic. In some other big cities reconstruction of the existing wastewater treatment systems was carried out. Construction of the new wastewater treatment plant in Palanga - a health-resort city on the seashore - is in the final phase alongside with the reconstruction of the existing ones, increasing cleaning capacities and efficiency.

In 1999 analysis in the sector of drinking water was carried out and it is reflected in the implementation programme LTT-106 on approximation of standard acts with the requirements of the EU legislation in management of water supplies. Assessment of the existing situation is also provided in the programme leading to proposals of measures for implementation (iron removal facilities, improvement of water supply network, etc.), including calculation of the implementation costs. Introduction of new technologies improving drinking water supply is included in the environmental investment projects for large cities. Implementation of the project on iron removal from drinking water has started in water intake sites of the three major cities in Lithuania.

Implementation measures (section of Industries and Energy) for the Governmental Programme of Actions of 1997 - 2000 cover revision and specification of the draft strategy for national energy. The draft strategy has been worked out and in general approved by the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. Among other things environmental and ecological (alternative) energy issues are addressed in the strategy. 'Concept of ecological energy' has not been discussed separately, since this issue is addressed in the National Strategy on Energy.

In 1998 strategy on environmental education of the society was prepared supplemented with the programme of actions and approved by the Government at the beginning of the year. Implementation of this strategy is co-ordinated by the Commission established in 1996 at the Ministry of the Environment for monitoring environmental education and training in raising public awareness.

Currently the Ministry of the Environment is working on Standards acts on environmental labelling and establishing criteria for awarding the label. At the beginning of the year the RL Government approved quality supervision measures for goods (services) on the market.

Programme 'Tatula' is in the process of implementation. The main objective of this programme is to achieve that ecological agriculture in the region covers approximately 5% of land-tenure before 2005 - 2010.

Strategy on "Transport and the Environment from the multinational point of view" was prepared under the Phare programme in 1998. It defines the main guidelines and recommendations for future improvement of the National environmental programme in the Strategy for the Development of Transport. The national programme on Lithuania's pre-accession to the EU defines approximation of the EU requirements with the provisions of Lithuanian legislation in decreasing transport pollution, improvement of fuel quality and balanced transport development and implementation measures for meeting the requirements.

A separate programme for reconstruction of public transport was prepared. Traffic schemes are included in general plans of towns and regularly updated. In December 1998 the general plan of the Vilnius City was approved, including a section of "Communication system".

In the middle of 1998 the Law on Waste Management was adopted. The RL Government approved the Outline for the state strategy in waste management and the programme of actions in the middle of 1999, passing the Resolution on "The State Programme for the Management of dangerous waste and measures for implementation". Rules on waste management were also approved.

The State programme on the management of dangerous waste was prepared and approved by the Government of the Republic of Lithuania in the middle of 1999. The implementation of the programme continues. Erection of grounds for the treatment of dangerous waste that started in 1998 is continued in the three large cities of Lithuania. Possibilities to adapt the existing enterprises for thermal treatment and stabilisation of dangerous waste are being discussed. Legal basis on waste treatment and management is regularly improved. The Ministry of Economy has prepared the Draft Rules on establishing national strategic objects for the management of waste and participates in drafting other related standard acts by the Ministry of the Environment.

The implementation of the programme for waste management and secondary raw materials continues. Local municipalities are involved in introduction and development of the system for collecting and sorting household waste placing around special secondary raw material sorting containers and preparing special grounds for collecting bulky household waste.

The following major problems were identified in this field in drafting the Programme for the Advancement of Women. Even if the health status of women was better than of men in Lithuania, women encountered with more specific health problems. Health status of future generations is greatly dependent on the reproductive health of women of today. Lack of information on family planning methods and contraceptive aids in Lithuania influenced rather high number of abortions. Contraceptive devices were not broadly available in Lithuania during Soviet period and the basic family planning method was abortion.

Implementing the defined guidelines and finding solutions for the enlisted problems in this area Lithuania started a joint project with the World Health Organisation "Project of schools for health improvement" already in 1993. 35 schools and 30 pre-school institutions of Lithuania participate in this project as of the data of September 1999. The analysis of the project revealed that food consumption among children of schools participating in the project is healthier, they go more in for sports, receive more information during lessons, teachers keep contacts with doctors, both teachers and students participate more actively in the development of healthy mode of life.

Functions of maternity schools are performed by specialists at women's health checkpoints (doctor's obstetricians - gynaecologists, care specialists and others).

The Programme on "Nutrition Improvement for Babies and Children to 3 Years of Age" started in 1993 and is aimed at educating the society and advocating the benefit of breast feeding to the health of babies. This programme also covers the activities of "Baby-friendly" hospitals. A group of specialists compiled at the Ministry of Health makes assessment whether medical establishments willing to become such "baby-friendly" hospitals correspond to the set requirements. Currently there are 2 hospitals in Lithuania willing to become baby-friendly institutions (Clinics of Neonatology at the Kaunas University of Medicine and Kaunas City Clinics no 2).

The Programme on Family Planning as approved by the Board of the Ministry of Health has been carried out from 1994 to 1998. This programme covered publishing information on sexual education, contraceptive devices, etc., and providing advisory services to families on reproduction matters, contraceptive devices, treatment of infertility, etc.

Specialists at the Ministry of Health have analysed infertility reasons in Lithuania referring to the treatment experience of obstetric specialists and activities in other European countries on legalising artificial insemination and worked out the order for artificial insemination of married women.

In 1998 - 1999 the Ministry of Health issued a new Order on preventive medical examination providing for health checks of women with regards to age groups.

In drafting the Programme for the Advancement of Women it became evident that education of the working age women in Lithuania was on the average higher than that of men and they accounted for the major part of persons in training. However, their intellectual and creative capacities were not adequately utilised; much more women could have participated in academic activities, administration and management of the system of education and science. Wages of teachers, the majority of whom are women, were rather low, lack of studies on gender disparity in the system of education and science, cases of gender discrimination sometimes used to happen on entering higher learning institutions and universities.

The system of education is open to all inhabitants in Lithuania and is capable to meet the needs of all population groups and both sexes.

Education is one of the areas where women have achieved quite a lot. Lithuanian women make much more efforts to achieve high level of education than men do. From the point of view of choosing professions, it is characteristic of boys to go more in for workers' professions and for girls - to choose office work career. In higher learning institutions (technical schools) young men usually choose engineering and girls - trade and business, pedagogics, health care, etc. Similar picture and trends can be observed at Universities and Colleges.

Analysis indicate that to some extent boys surpass girls in the stages of primary and basic level of education, but later girls are much more resolute to seek for high education than boys. Therefore it is evident that boys in general study in basic and vocational schools and twice as much girls study at higher learning institutions. The same could be said about secondary and university education - there are by 2/5-ths more girls than boys there. This clearly indicates different education oriented approach and understanding.

Boys and girls, willing to study at state universities and colleges, are enrolled on the basis of tender taking into consideration the awarded number of points in general order.

More and more women are seeking to achieve higher scientific degrees. More and more of them study for Master's degree. The number of women awarded the degree of the Doctor of Science is constantly increasing. Number of women seeking for the degree of Hab. Doctor of Science is also gradually increasing. In 1998-1999 there were 51,8% women in the studies for Doctor's degree and 48,2% men, but percentage of graduates is slightly different: 45,6% of women to 54,4% of men.

Four Women's study centres at the biggest Universities act in the field of women's education as well as the Women's Association of Lithuanian Universities and it's local subdivisions.

It was stated in the Programme for the Advancement of Women that irrevocable democratic changes took place in the society of Lithuania. However, insufficient participation of women in politics and administration indicates that democracy is not yet fully reached. Lack of consistent programmes prevented from continuous gender balancing in management.

Participation of women in decision making is an obligatory condition for implementing gender equality. The main objective in this area as defined in the Programme for the Advancement of Women - was to empower much more women to participate in politics and administration.

Achievements of Lithuanian women were significant in this field even before Beijing Conference. Ten women (7%) were elected to the 7th Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania in 1992. After the Conference in Beijing in 1996, 25 women (18%) were elected to the 8th Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania. Women took an active part in elections to local municipalities. 24,3% of women were in the lists of nominees for elections to municipalities in 1995 and 19,42 were elected. In 1997 the list of nominees for the elections to municipalities enrolled 30% of women and 22% were elected. In 1995 the Lithuanian association of women uniting 13 women's organisations established the Lithuanian Women's Party. The said Party has its representative in the present Seimas. Representatives of different parties at the Seimas established a group of Women Parliamentarians. Among the 14 members of the Government, the Minister of Social Security and Labour is a woman. 14 women are vice-ministers and state secretaries. Two women were among 56 Mayors of Municipalities to the local elections on March, 2000. Diplomatic corps has 36% women including 6 Heads of Diplomatic Missions. The legal system accounts for 44% of women employees. 96% of women are working in notary offices, 40% in prosecutor's offices and 38% in courts. The National Action Plan provides for periodic publishing gender related statistical data.

Number of women organisations has greatly increased. There are currently 63 active women's organisations in Lithuania. They became more powerful and active. Women's organisations took an active part in drafting the Law on Equal Opportunities for women and men. Women's Issues Information Centre stands among the strongest women's organisations. The Centre carries out an intensive work in the sphere of raising awareness on the issues of gender equality, education and dissemination of information. The Centre held various seminars in relation to preparing the draft Law of Equal Opportunities for women and men, where members of working groups were introduced to practices in other countries providing the possibility to study similar legislation of other countries, organised wide public discussions of the draft law.

Publications of the Women's Issues Information Centre are disseminated all over the country and are nominated to women to help them understand their rights and acquire knowledge of implementing their rights in real life. The Centre acting as a catalyst of women's organisations directs their activities towards finding solutions of critical problems and coordinates common actions. Apart from that the Centre is involved in publishing the monthly magazine "Woman's World" in two languages - Lithuanian and English - that is disseminated free of charge, and other publications on gender equality issues. They also collect and classify gender related statistical data and outcomes of social studies, initiating projects of studies in addressing women's issues, organise conferences, seminars, workshops and training courses in raising awareness and understanding on gender equality performing the role of educational institution in disseminating information on gender equality issues. There is a library at the centre, where you can find publications on women's and gender equality matters in the Lithuanian language and in other popular languages as well.

It goes without saying that giving priority to the issues of women in the politics of the country is major support and achievement of the Women's Issues Information Centre, which acts in cooperation with the Government of the Republic of Lithuania. It has greatly influenced changing the status of women in politics, indicating critical areas of concern, including the status of rural women and violation against women, and defining measures for solution of the problems raised. Cooperation of women's organisations has become much more intensive. Actions taken in education and dissemination of information had great impact on the society's awareness raising of gender equality.

There are four Study Centres of Women in Lithuania involved in academic education as well as in public education and publication of respective information. Gender equality related training for officers has recently started in Lithuania.

Since 1998 Lithuania has joined the Fourth EU Programme " Equal Opportunities for women and men 1996-2000". Since 1999 Lithuania participates in the transnational project "Women's political education on equal opportunities" within this programme together with partners from Germany, Island, Austria, Spain. The project is directed to political education of women participating in decision making procedures. The other project within the same programme is "Politea - women in 20 century".

In many cases it is a woman that suffers most from compulsion and violence in the society and in the family. This has been clearly defined in the Programme for the Advancement of Women. However, understanding of the significance of violence against women in the society was insufficient, especially in relation to violence in the family. No special or preventive national programmes for eliminating violence against women existed. Officers were not adequately trained to deal with this issue. The system for providing shelter or necessary services to the victims of violence was not created.

The major objective in this area as provided for in the Programme for the Advancement of Women was to unite efforts of the society in addressing compulsion and violence against women and taking all possible preventive measures to facilitate decrease of the scope of violence against women.

Violence in the family and sexual abuse are extremely sore subjects. It is not easy to eradicate violence against women. Primarily due to the attitude of the Lithuanian society, based in general on patriarchal traditions - very often it is the woman that is blamed to be guilty for the violence against her. Just for this reason alone victims do not reveal their sufferings and do not report on the cases of violence against them, moreover, if it happens in the family.

The problem of violence against women in the family is discussed and addressed by state institutions in co-operation with non-governmental organisations. Priority issues in guidelines for actions at police offices in towns and districts are to find solutions in mitigating violence and abuse in domestic and family life, introducing preventive measures among other things. Police officers investigating domestic cases of abuse understand pretty well that family conflicts in most cases lead to tragedies in the family and are aware that absolute majority of victims of such violence are usually women and children. Therefore co-operation of municipalities, police commissariats and the society acquire complex and structural approach.

Some articles of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania provides for punitive responsibility for violence, prostitution, trafficking of people. But, according to the opinion of the police officers, the existing legal mechanism is not efficient enough yet to suppress brawlers on the grounds of easy body injuries or punching and cruel torture referring to the indications of crimes provided for in Articles 116, 117 and 132 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania. All that obviously reduce the efficiency of preventive effect and it is in fact very complicated to help victims of domestic violence. In practical work difficulties also occur in applying other provisions of legal acts. These and other similar legal and social problems could be dealt with by an inter-institutional working group authorised to review legislation, to draft amendments and supplements to the existing legal acts, to develop projects for preventive programmes and supervise their implementation.

Assistance to women who suffered from violence is provided in Lithuania in the nine Crisis centres. Women can find there psychological comfort, temporary shelter not only for themselves, but also for their children as well; there are 14 telephone lines for giving advice to the abused women on psychological, legal and other matters, including information on shelter institutions. Almost all police offices have opened confidence telephone lines for the convenience of the abused women to seek information, advice or, if necessary, call police officers for assistance. Most of such centres and telephone lines have been opened on the initiative of non-governmental organisation.

A project on training police officials to mitigate family conflicts, supported by the United Nations Organisation's Development Programme has been prepared in joint efforts with the Lithuanian Centre for preventing conflicts and the Centre for preventing criminality and started in 1999.

Methodological recommendations on these issues are prepared and distributed to police officials alongside with providing training covering analysis of cases of violence and abuse in the family against women and children. Methodical recommendations have been prepared on investigation order of domestic crime cases and reports received from medical institutions on injured persons, as well as general requirements on implementation of preventive measures. Some methodical-informational publications have been issued, containing advice for parents, women and girls in relation to violence and abuse.

Working group including representatives of Women's Issues Information Centre and of the Lithuanian centre for prevention against crime have prepared and published manual of advices for women - victims of violence and abuse, indicating contact details of counsellors in the police, and a publication "Violence against women in Lithuania (1999). The two publications and a monthly magazine "Woman's World" (March, 1999) were disseminated among police officials for information and practical use.

The National crime prevention programme among children and teenagers is in its third year of implementation (planned until 2005) covering topics on specific measures against violence to mothers, girls and children.

In co-operation with the municipality of Siauliai and Headquarters of the Police Commissariat, the material of the International Conference on "Violence in the family and decision-taking women in municipalities" was summarised and methodical recommendations drawn.

Students of the Police Department at the Academy of Law listen to the course of lectures on preventive measures in violence and abuse against women and children in their academic studies.

Inter-institutional working group has drafted a project under the National Programme on sexual abuse and commercial exploitation of children for sexual purposes which is related to girls first of all.

Article 131 (3) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Lithuania provides for the punitive responsibility for trading in people. The said Article states that "Selling of a person or any other type of transferring or acquisition of a person with the view of sexual abuse, forced prostitution or earning material or any other personal benefit, also trafficking persons for prostitution to Lithuania or outside the country shall be punishable by imprisonment from four to eight years. The same action performed repeatedly, either towards an under-aged person, or by a group of persons as agreed beforehand or by an exceptionally dangerous recidivist shall be punishable by imprisonment from 6 to 12 years."

By the end of 1999 draft programme on Control and prevention of prostitution and commercial trade in people has been worked out, followed by proposals to start preparing respective legal acts regulating the order of disseminating publications of erotic and violent nature, including cinema- and video-films, radio and TV programmes. It has been planned to organise a theoretical - practical conference "Safe Home", inviting representatives from NGOs, Women's Information Centre, Lithuanian Crime Prevention Centre and other interested institutions.

A working group of the Lithuanian Centre for crime prevention participated in preparing a research study "Social status and legal protection of crime victims in Lithuania".

Prevention Service of the Police Department at the Ministry of the Interior is involved in a joint project with the non-governmental organisation of women "Foot-marks of the past" in conducting a review-study in Lithuania on prostitution and trade in women.

Representatives of Lithuania participated at the International Conference on the initiative of the USA Department of Justice "Legislation for regulating measures against commercial trading in women and children, and structural prospects for future solutions" (May, 1999) and delivered presentations. Other international events were also actively attended: Seminar on "Sexual abuse of children in Lithuania and Denmark" (June, 1999); Conference of Experts on "Commercial exploitation of children for sexual purposes" (June, 1999); International Disciplinary Training workshop on "Prevention of violence in the family" (June, 1999), etc. Conclusions reached at the said events were communicated to the heads of municipalities and police commissariats. A manual has been drafted and soon afterwards disseminated to foreigners and women, providing advice on protecting themselves from criminal threat, etc.

Having adopted the Law on Equal Opportunities for women and men, the Administrative Code was supplemented by three new Articles: Article 41 (6): Violation of equal rights of women and men; Article 187(5): Abuse of the requirements set by the Office of Ombudsman on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men; Article 247 (6): Office of Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities of Women and Men. The above articles stipulate that investigation of administrative cases within the scope of application of the said articles and imposing of administrative sanctions which are administrative fees lies within the competence of the Ombudsman for Equal Opportunities of women and men. The Law on Equal Opportunities defines the concept of "sexual harassment" and stipulates prohibition of 'discriminative advertisements'.

From January to June 1999 police conducted observation of anti-social behaviour of 1172 women and 173 girls under 18 years of age providing various types of immediate assistance in legal and social matters. In a similar way police rendered social care to 6427 children (including 814 girls under 18) brought to police stations.

Less women and girls were involved in crimes - 5,4% in comparison to the first six months of 1998.

However the problem of secondary criminality among women of previous conviction remains acute. Every third woman that had committed a crime is between 16 to 29 years of age. 56,1% of women at the time of committing a crime neither worked nor studied. Every tenth woman was under influence of alcohol. Every fifth committed a crime together with husbands and children. It has been defined that it is very difficult for imprisoned women to adapt themselves to the conditions of isolation, very often they are sorry for committing a crime and painfully endure separation with children and closest relatives. Seeking to facilitate process of integration to the society for these women, the Programme of Social Readaptation has been prepared.

It has been stated in the Programme for the Advancement of Women that media greatly influence politics of the country, consciousness of the population, attitudes of the society and personal behaviour. However, very often mass media was indifferent to the problems of women, sticking to stereotypic descriptions of women. Influence of women journalists on media was insufficient, cases of infringements on ethics did occur.

The main objectives in the Programme for the Advancement of Women in this area were as follows:

Positive attention to the problems of women has greatly increased nowadays. Such issues are more often dealt with in the media thus forming understanding of the problem. Therefore the traditionally developed attitude of the society, that the best place for women is in the family, is less and less pronounced. Such changes were influenced by many various reasons. The reality forces to change traditional attitudes of men fulfilling the function of material suppliers and women being only as housewives. Huge educational work has been performed by women's organisations. Political priorities are being modified with the view of Lithuania's aspirations to join the European Union and referring to the EU standards and international instruments. Women elected to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania play an active role in dealing with issues on equal opportunities.

Raising awareness of the media in understanding gender equality issues and the image of women in the media, a two-day seminar was convened by the Government for journalists.

The Law on equal opportunities for men and women prohibits discrimination in advertisements for job openings only on the basis of gender, but not of age, as was pointed out in the above Programme for the Advancement of Women.

Statistical data and social research indicators are used in taking political, economic and social decisions. Lack of relevant information on gender disparities may lead to arriving at incorrect or even discriminative decisions. In preparing the Programme for the Advancement of Women, it has been established that data base in the system of statistics is insufficient. Data collection methods are not adequately developed and do not reflect gender disparities in all spheres of life. Due to lack of funds many statistic and social studies remained unfinished.

The programme has set the following objective - to provide politicians, other decision taking officials and the society with objective information on the disparities in the status of men and women.

Implementing the set guidelines and with the view to defining economic status of women and men, collecting of statistical data started, followed by analysis and respective classification separating data on women and men. Two employees of the Statistic Department work in this area. Annual publication sets of statistical data "Women and Men in Lithuania" started in 1997. Two sets have already been prepared and published: "Women and Men in Lithuania", 1997 and "Women and Men in Lithuania", 1998, and the next publication "Women and Men in Lithuania", 1999 is to be prepared, where one can find almost all statistical data on women and men in Lithuania in different spheres of life. Compilation and publication of such data sets will continue. Gender related statistical data is divided according to separate areas: population, composition of households, health and social security, education, science, economic activity of the population, employment, etc. Territorial labour exchange offices are responsible for implementation of labour market policy measures and are also involved in collecting and processing respective data on registered women - job-seekers. Having such data Labour exchange offices and municipalities prepare in joint efforts special employment programmes for women.

A short statistical information about the status of women in Lithuania has been prepared together with the Women's Issues Information Centre. Representatives from Lithuania participated in the Conference on gender related statistical issues held by the United Nations Organisation.

The Department of Statistics is regularly publishing information on gender related data.

The main priority of the country is to ensure implementation of human rights as provided for in the Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania, i.e. the right to non discrimination on the basis of gender, the right to education and employment, etc. Equality principle is implemented into the basic Laws of the Republic of Lithuania. The most important of them - Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men was adopted authorising state institutions, employers and educational institutions to take measures to ensure the constitutionally guaranteed human rights.

In 1996 the Programme for the Advancement of Women was prepared. The first implementation plan of the Programme for 1996 - 1997 has been already accomplished. The second plan for 1998 - 2000 is currently carried out in accordance with the planned measures, indicated implementing institutions and terms for implementation. Parts of the plan related to amendments of the legal basis and educational activities have been implemented most successfully.

Mechanism for implementation of the Programme for the Advancement of Women has been created and is continuously developed, supporting representation of women's issues on all levels. Counsellor to the Government of the Republic of Lithuania deals with gender related issues at the Government; Division of Labour Market and Equal Opportunities - at the Ministry of Social Security and Labour; a separate unit has been established at the Department of Statistics. An Inter-institutional Commission will monitor the implementation of the Programme for the Advancement of Women. After elections to the Seimas of the Republic of Lithuania the number of women in the Parliament increased from 7% to 18%. The majority of women in the Parliament joined into a Group of women-parliamentarians and assisted in acceleration of the drafting and adopting of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men. Following the implementation of the Law, Equal Opportunities Ombudsman post for monitoring equal opportunity issues was appointed and Office of Equal Opportunities Ombudsman was established.

The adoption of the Law on Equal Opportunities for Women and Men influenced review of all social security and labour related legislation, if and whether they do not violate equal opportunities of women and men. The review revealed that legislation protecting maternity slightly discriminates fathers. Accordingly, amendments for equalising the rights of mothers and fathers in the sphere of labour are in the drafting process. Soon after the enforcement of the Law educational institutions for higher learning were checked if and whether they do not apply different quotas for boys and girls. It has been established, that among many verified schools of Lithuania, only the Military Academy has no admittance to the day-time studies for girls. However it happened due to erroneous interpretation of the Statute of the Academy. The Equal Opportunities Ombudsman notified the said institution on the issue and the problem is currently settled. On 1999 women comprised 48 percent of total number of those entered to Police department of the Law Academy.

Difficult economic situation in Lithuania inevitably had a negative impact on women. Economy in Lithuania was closely related to the economy in Russia, as Russia was the major importer of Lithuanian goods. Due to economic crisis in Russia, economy of Lithuania dropped and, of course, negatively affected employees. Unemployment rate at the end of 1998 was 5,6% (among women - 6,2%) and at the end of 1999 it increased to 8,4% (equally among men and women - 8,4%). However, Local Labour Exchange offices continued implementation of the set objectives and tasks for activation of the unemployed, directing them to active job-search programmes concluding agreements on employment plans. Such activities had a positive impact on addressing labour market problems of women.

Violence against women and especially in the family remains a sore issue. Participation of women in political life and decision taking still is an open problem. Women haven't reached yet the "critical mass" for influencing policy of the country and introducing changes to political priorities with regards to the rights of women and equal opportunities.

The increasing number of women's organisations deserves positive assessment. They become stronger and more powerful. Due to the activities of women's organisations the society witnessed quite a few changes. The attitude of the authorities and understanding of gender related and equality matters is gradually changing in the society. The issue is more often addressed and dealt with in the media, legislation is amended, the status of women in the society is improving.

In comparison to the first years of independence, changes in the status of women in the society are rather significant in all spheres of life, however, many issues remain to be addressed in the future.

Involvement of women into public (civil) initiatives, participation in governmental structures, leadership in professional career and businesses, family relations based on the principle of equality and partnership - are the areas of concern not only for women themselves. These are the areas of concern for the governments and the society as a major condition and indicator for mature communities in the valuable development of the humanity.

EMP/SKILLS - Skills and Employability Department