"WOMEN IN CROATIAN POLITICAL LIFE" CONFERENCE IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Nov 2 (Hina) - There is very few women represented in Croatian politics and government authorities. This was said on Monday at a conference "Women in Croatian Political Life" organised by the government committee for equal opportunities issues. There is only 15 women members of parliament, that is only 5.7 per cent. The situation in the Government is even less favourable as currently there is only one woman minister. There are nevertheless several more as deputies and assistant ministers. At the local level women take up 4.25 per cent, in Zagreb this figure is 13.7 per cent. Presenting her introductory speech, President of the Sabor's House of Counties Katica Ivanisevic said that through its legislation, Croatia was applying the most modern standards in promoting equality of the sexes. There is however, disproportion in guaranteed rights and the situation in reality. Deputy president of the House of Representatives, Jadranka Kosor presented a comparison of the participation of women in politics in some other countries. In Turkey for example, women only represent 2.4 per cent and 3.3 per cent in Macedonia. In the United States women represent 11.7 per cent, Great Britain 18.2 per cent and in Sweden 42.7 per cent of politicians are women. Representative in the Swedish Parliament and member of the Social Democratic Council of Sweden, Agneta Brendt spoke about the Swedish experience. In conclusion to the two-day conference, Croatian Government envoy Vera Babic stressed that it was necessary for stronger motivation for women to become involved in public and political affairs at the state and local levels. (Hina) sp / jn