ISO: UKR
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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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 IVAN F. KURAS, Vice-Prime Minister of Ukraine: Women have a key role to
play in the independent Ukraine. Women comprise some 54 per cent of
Ukraine's population. They are guaranteed free secondary education,
medical care and political rights. They also play an important role,
through non-governmental organizations, in bringing about a rebirth in the
country. Women play an important role in the peace movement. Ukraine has
renounced the use of nuclear weapons.  Women's non- governmental
organizations play an important role in seeking to overcome the effects of
the Chernobyl tragedy. Fundamental changes have been brought about in
Ukraine's legislation. Ukraine's national organizing committee, together
with national non-governmental organizations, held a number of conferences
in preparation for the Conference. International conferences on women
should be held, not every 10 years but every five years. The next
Conference should therefore be held in the year 2000. That will establish
a good opportunity to review the results of the past half century and
provide a view of the coming millenium, which should be marked by the
triumph of women's rights.