Ukraine

The National Democratic Institute withdrew on March 17 from a Ukrainian working group developing a new election law.

NDI, in ending its participation, said it was protesting the group’s non-inclusiveness in developing a new election law after local elections in October did not meet democratic standards.

Lilia Ostapenko writes about the role of women in modern Ukrainian society. "Traditionally, as part of her Soviet heritage, Ukrainian woman always carried a hammer and a sickle alongside her man, picked up a rifle during war time, and laid train rails and asphalt, if needed, being an equal partner in every aspect of life.Things seemed to change with our new Ukrainian government, including a role played by the first lady."

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The Monitoring Committee of  the

Ukrainian's women politicians occupy 8 percent of seats in Parliament (36 seats out of 450). According to Deputy Prime Minister Mykola Tomenko, changing the electoral system in country will lead to a reduction of female parliamentarians. The solution may be the optimization of  majority districts election procedure. This should double the chance of regional women candidates to enter the Parliament.