ISO: ARM
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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


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                       Excerpt from Press Release.
  The written statement was not available in a scannable language at the
                time of presentation in the conference.
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    HRANUSH KAKOBIAN, Chairman of the Committee on Social, Health and
Environmental Protection Affairs of the National Assembly of Armenia:  In
Armenia's laws, statutes, decrees and governmental decisions, there is not
a single clause violating the rights of women.  Armenia has ratified all
relevant international documents, including the Convention on the
Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women.  The number of
women in Parliament has increased.  An All-Women's Party won second place
among five other competing parties in the recent parliamentary elections. 

    However, the participation of women is still unsatisfactory.  Women
constitute only 11 per cent of officials in local government.  Women's
non- governmental organizations in Armenia have become more active within
the country.  The role of a woman as a mother cannot be underestimated. 
It is in mankind's own interest to provide women with special rights, and
this is already a priority in Armenia.  After the birth of a child, a
mother is entitled to three-year leaves without losing her job or pension
benefits. 

    During the transition from a centrally planned to a market economy,
unemployment among women in Armenia has become acute.  Women account for
64 per cent of the unemployed.  Poverty is becoming feminized, and most
low- paying jobs are held by women.  The six-year-long blockade of Armenia
has created a significant energy crisis, which chiefly affects women,
children and the elderly.  Armenia is in need of support from donor
countries and international organizations.  Our task is to use this
assistance most effectively, and to target it to sustainable human
development. 

    All the documents to be adopted by the Conference should be short,
concise and binding.  The governments of all Member States should take
their share of responsibility for implementing the Conference's decisions. 
All national preparatory committees for the Conference should receive the
status of permanent bodies, placed in charge of implementing the Beijing
decisions and resolutions.  Mechanisms should be put in place to inform
women about their internationally recognized rights.  The regional and
national programmes should be designed on the employment of women, women
and family health care, and women and democratization.