MEETING ON PROMOTION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS BEGINS IN ZAGREB

MEETING ON PROMOTION OF WOMEN'S RIGHTS BEGINS IN ZAGREB ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - The government and non-governmental organisations promoting women's rights should define national mechanisms for the improvement of women's role and position, which will be in line with the country's financial potential, Deputy Prime Minister and chairwoman of the Commission for Gender Equality, Zeljka Antunovic, said opening the meeting "Women in Croatia 2001-2005" in Zagreb on Thursday. The two-day meeting, which is taking place at the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, focuses on the operation of the Commission and the new national policy of the promotion of gender equality. Women members of political parties, unions and scientific institutions were invited to join the Commission. Antunovic said Croatia had made progress regarding the representation of women in politics. There are 21 percent of women in parliament currently, whereas that number was 7.8 percent last year, Antunovic said, adding that much effort would be needed to promote the position of women in society. Labour Minister Davorko Vidovic acknowledged the role of non- governmental women's' organisations in increasing the percentage of women deputies in parliament. (hina) rml