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The electronic version of this document has been prepared at the Fourth
World Conference on Women by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
in collaboration with the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women
Secretariat.
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AS WRITTEN


DELEGATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
TO THE FOURTH WORLD CONFERENCE ON WOMEN
4 - 15 SEPTEMBER 1995, BEIJING

STATEMENT by H.E. Dr. Sofija Todorova
Head of Delegation and Minister of Science
in the Government of the Republic of Macedonia


Madam President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is my special pleasure and distinct honor to have the opportunity to
address this very important Conference, which reflects the global
dimensions of the efforts being made to achieve social, political and
economic equality between the sexes -- a civilization gain that should
be the core of every democratic society.

A significant progress has been made since the First World Conference on
Women held in Mexico, 20 years ago.

Unfortunately, the discrimination of women is still present. It has not
become a historical phenomenon.

That is why we should all put special efforts and undertake actions in
the framework of the UN System and on national levels, as follows:

First, to recognize de jure and de facto treatment of women's rights to
be integral part of universal human rights.

Second, to establish higher standards for improvement and protection of
human rights and freedom, including the rights of women, and to
implement them through national and international legal frameworks, and,

Third, to reduce the gap between the established legal norms related to
human rights and freedom and their higher implementation.

The degree of implementation of these aims is to be the criteria for
successful implementation of the global project on improvement of the
status of women. I am convinced that this Conference will also be a
powerful stimulus in this direction.

In the past five decades of existence and development of the Republic of
Macedonia, the endeavor of the country has been continuously directed
towards establishing pre-conditions for equality of women.

After the independence in 1991, the Republic of Macedonia has started
the process of preparation of its own legislation, including legislation
concerning women's rights and protection, according to the international
regulations and standards.

We have achieved high degree of integrity of women in all areas. The
participation of women in the total number of employed persons is high,
they enjoy equal rights for employment, social protection and insurance.

We have achieved quantitative changes in the education of woman's
population, high degree of health protection and special health
protection during reproductive period. It is the right of every
individual to decide over child-bearing. We put special efforts to fight
violence against women.

However, the gap between the legal norms and their practical
implementation is still present and we have not been satisfied with the
existing situation in some areas.

Women are marginally represented in the top levels of the Government,
political parties and business. I am convinced that the increasing
number of women's participation in the decision-making processes and the
implementation of national legislation and policies would influence and
contribute to the efforts for achieving more human and equal relations
in the society, usually considered as a barrier of conflict situations
and relations.

The data concerning the position of women in rural areas, the
achievement of employment rights of women in the increasing private
sector, the fact that women are very often victims of violence, the
degree of presence of traditional relations between men and women in
families, the inadequate and insufficient presence of ' women's issues '
in the education processes and media, are not satisfactory.

Our national priorities are to achieve improvements in the mentioned
areas.

Madam President,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

My country faces serious economic and social problems. Some of these
problems are immanent to the process of transition that is undergoing
rapidly. The crisis in the region have caused a real shock to our
economy. The drastic increase of unemployment, unduly payments and
limited possibilities for social help, have directly affected women.
Very often they are confronted with the problem of existence and social
security of their families, burdened with the thought of possible
spreading of the insane war still going on in some parts of Former
Yugoslavia.

These facts contribute to our even stronger support of the Conference's
motto 'Action for equality, development and peace'. The aim of women is
not equality in unemployment, social insecurity, equality in being a
victim of violence or victim of war and refugee. The principle of
equality could achieve its real context only if higher development in
peaceful environment was present. I sincerely believe that this
Conference and the documents that are going to be adopted will be a
powerful stimulant and a temptation for positive changes of women's
position in achieving the numerous human rights. The Republic of
Macedonia accepts the temptation and puts strong commitment to fight for
equality, development and peace, on national, regional and interregional
level.

Thank you for your attention.