Doc. 9441

7 May 2002

Situation of women in the countries of post-communism transition

Motion for a resolution

presented by Mr Rogozin and others

1.       The Assembly expresses its concerns on the situation of women in the countries of eastern and central Europe, where the existing legislative declarations of equality between men and women are practically ignored by governments. A Unicef report shows that inequality for women in post-communist countries has risen since the collapse of communism.

2.       Introduction of the market economy, technological progress and new ideological configurations, in addition to the loss of social institutions including nurseries and kindergartens has created many difficulties for women, particularly growing unemployment, declines in wages, economic insecurity and falling participation in public life. The post-communist democracies are reinforcing and recreating the patriarchal system of discrimination against women in the workplace. Women continue to work in low-paid sectors with a low social status, such as in the health and social service sector. On average, women earn only 77,7% of men’s wages.

3.       Women are not only discriminated against in the labour market, but also suffer from the increase in divorce rates. Families headed by women constitute a big portion of families in post communism societies. At the same time, growing widowhood is another phenomenon aggravating the situation of older women.

5.       Violence against women, especially domestic violence has become one of the most appalling problems in the countries of central and eastern Europe. Governments continue to neglect this problem and do not treat it as a serious crime. While the law recognises that women have the right to live free from violence, in reality, women’s human rights are not adequately protected during any step of the legal process.

6.       Women are seriously under-represented in political life and in decision-making positions. With the abolition of the quota system, they hold few seats in national parliaments, despite their very high involvement in societal life at the local level.

7.       Nevertheless, women have been active in the broadening of democracy and the market through civil society activities and small business development. This experience underscores the need for transitional policies to take into account issues of gender to ensure a broad societal base for democratic reform.

8.       Therefore, the Assembly calls its member states from the eastern and central Europe to:

- implement in their policies the commitments they have made regarding the equality of women and men in national legislation and international agreements;

- accord the necessary financial resources to governmental bodies and ministries responsible for ensuring equal rights for women and men;

- in co-operation with the European institutions develop mechanisms ensuring the balanced participation of women and men in political and public life;

- support women’s non-governmental organisations, in order to raise awareness, intensify public debate and promote gender equality.

Signed : ¹

Rogozin, Russia, EDG

Bakulin, Russia, UEL

de Puig, Spain, SOC

Dromberg, Finland, EPP

Goulet, France, EDG

Holovaty, Ukraine, LDR

Isohookana–Asunmaa, Finland, LDR

Lopez Gonzalez, Spain,SOC

Mikutiene, Lithuania, LDR

Yarygina, Russia, SOC

Zhvania, Georgia, SOC

¹        SOC: Socialist Group

      EPP: Group of the European People’s Party

      EDG: European Democratic Group

      LDR : Liberal, Democratic and Reformers’ Group

      UEL: Group of the Unified European Left

      NR: not registered in a group