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the agenda nor were they seated at the presidium. M. Horyn spoke about the work of the Women’s Assembly, which is a part of RUKH. In February 1990, in a statement from RUKH con cerning the health of children, it was emphasized that a woman is foremost a mother. S. Pavlychko points out that it is easier to destroy a one-party system than to change cultural and political stereotypes in society, par ticularly where there are no democratic traditions. In an interview, in OUR LIFE, May 1990, “Ukrainian women in RUKH”, Evhen Sverstiuk says that “women in RUKH play the same roles they do in real life — they are shadow cabinet leaders. It can’t be said that here a women is a third rate player. I can only say that because of the social position she is enslaved, she is greatly oppressed by life. She holds together the family, her children, and still brings home a paycheck.” About men, Sverstiuk has this to say: “I think, that many functions performed by women should be given to men. Men are becoming quickly liberated, they divest themselves from numerous basic responsibilities.” He is referring to men with party memberships and secure jobs, although he does not describe men without these accouterments, therefore it can be assumed their attitude is similar. The evidence for this is the observance of A. Reshetiuk, who says that men “gladly give jobs to women which they themselves wish to avoid.” According to S. Pavlychko, numerous women, intel lectuals, in leadership positions in various democratic groups, consider women’s issues secondary. Their priorities is the sovereignty of Ukraine, freedom of reli gion, economic and ecological problems. These priori ties are self explanatory considering that women’s issues are tightly interwoven with economic and ecological problems. One cannot consider secondary a situation in a society in which women are 80% of the work force, engaged in hard physical labor, which reflects a catas trophically diminished population birth rate due to the difficult work women perform in terrible ecological con ditions, resulting in the births of thousands of defective children. Furthermore, women are burdened with dis tressing circumstances of life, responsibilities of the home, and the raising of children. The discussion here is not about an unknown or unpopular women’s move ment, but about the rights of an individual and the inte- resst in the life of a nation. Women have become the victims in the building of communism. Will they also remain the victims of the process of democratization? In March 1990 13 women out of 450 deputies became members of the National Council of USSR. In “Radi- anszka Zhinka” in August 1990, under the heading “Bring us Ukraine” there was an interview with women depu ties. Their photos were printed, biographical data was included, and they were asked what is the most impor tant part of their job to which they pain to dedicate their efforts. Ludmyla Shuszhurina, second in command to the chief editor in “Radianska Zhinka” who conducted the interview, points to the difference between the pres ent members of the parliament and the previous ones, of which there were 30% in the National Council. Pre viously, the candidates were named by the party and "the elected deputies unanimously voted the party line... Their place at the parliamentary Olympus was guaran teed automatically. Given an appropriate portfolio, they remained at their positions for life.” About the current deputies, she writes that they won their jobs in a diffi cult, uncompromising struggle and., “they all want to work, putting into this job all their abilities, their con science and their passion.” Seven of them want to work on a committee dealing with women’s issues, the pro tection of the family, with emphasis on mothers and children, believing that this committee, brings into focus all the problems of society, and also in the process of reconstruction, concurrently there will be a social liberation of women. Others chose the protection of health, especially to help the children of the Chernobil region. Some chose culture and spiritual rebirth, en lightenment of the population, economic reforms, ecol ogy. The parliament members take their positions se riously and with a sense of responsibility. The successes of the deputies would undoubtedly be greater if they were supported by women to whom they dedicated their work. Now, there is only hope that with time the majority of women will realize their en slavement and shed this yoke which was thrown on them by the communist system. FYI “Ukrainian” Conversa-phone Language Program by Conversa-Phone Institute, Inc., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779. $ 10 . “Conversa-phone Ukrainian Language Program” consists of an audio cassette of Ukrainian text and a 16 page booklet of Ukrainian text with English translation along with a four page English-Ukrainian alphabetical listing of vocabulary. Although the blurb on the box invites to “just sit back and relax" the program is not designed for cold beginners. It seems to be rather tar geted for a traveller, who may not be quite familiar with expressions needed to pass customs inspection, regis ter at a hotel, order a meal, ask for directions to a spe cific place, ask to have clothes cleaned, use the post office of public transport. It does not make any allowan ces for cultural or economic realities. Tape is on the whole well made. Word of caution: Phrases are spoken at normal speed and intonation. Careful and repeated listening is needed to repeat them, but do not be dis couraged! 24 ‘НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, ТРАВЕНЬ 1991 Видання C оюзу Українок A мерики - перевидано в електронному форматі в 2012 році . A рхів C У A - Ню Йорк , Н . Й . C Ш A.
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