Наше Життя (Our Life) - електронна бібліотека української ...

OUR LIFEMonthly, published by Ukrainian National Women’s League o f AmericaVol. LX APRIL 2003 Editor: TAMARA STADNYCHENKOChrist is Risen —Happy EasterFROM THE DESK OF THE PRESIDENTEaster is a joyous holiday. It is the time to be with those who are dear to us, a time to celebrate theResurrection of our Lord, and to enjoy the beauty of Spring after a long, cold Winter. Unfortunately, thisApril, it will not be such a joyous occasion for all.Our country is at war, and our hearts are full of sadness and concern for the future. During this holyseason, we cannot forget that Easter is not just a time to celebrate. It is also a time for faith and prayer. Thisyear, especially, it is the time for prayer to the Almighty God to bless America. It is time to ask for a guidinglight for President George Bush and all the leaders of the Armed Forces, so that our soldiers can soon comehome. It is also time for prayers for the young heroes who have given their lives for their country. In this solemnmoment we must honor them.In April we commemorate another sad event - the world’s worst nuclear accident, which occurred inChomobyl, Ukraine. Many died as a result of the Soviet government's callous policy, and many are still sufferingin its aftermath. Our prayers must include these victims, too.But while the Chomobyl disaster cannot be forgotten and the current world crisis makes us anxiousand depressed, we must try to live out lives as normally as we can, in the hope that humanity can do good aswell as evil. Sometimes this is difficult, but we must do our best.In March, I briefed our readers about the 47th session of the Commission on the Status of Women.The Commission addressed many important issues, including trafficking in women, gender equality, women’shuman rights, elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls as defined in the Beijing Platformfor Action and the outcome document of the twenty-third special session of the General Assembly.Maria Shkambara, the newly elected president of the World Federation of the Ukrainian Women’sOrganizations, participated in the 47th session of the Commission on the Status of Women. The WFUWO presenteda statement for the Commission's consideration; as the liaison officer with the UN for the InternationalCouncil of Women, I also presented a statement.We also introduced a special guest from Ukraine, Olha Kobec, who is president of the “Olena Teliha”organization. The Division of Advancement of Women in the UN sponsored her for the Commission. Later,we had the opportunity to meet with the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, ValeriyKuchynsky, and his wife, and to attend a reception for the newly elected president and our guest fromUkraine.Unfortunately, as it concluded its 47th session, the Commission did not adopt its draft agreement onwomen's human rights and the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls. A consensus overthe draft could not be reached.One of the issues discussed by the Commission, trafficking in women and girls, is especially criticalfor us. Too many young Ukrainian women have been affected by it. To understand this complex issue and tofind strategies to stop this modem day slavery, one has to look at it roots and causes. The economic situationin Ukraine, the demand for cheap labor, and the growth of the commercial sex industry are all factors in the“НАШ Е Ж И ТТЯ”, КВІТЕНЬ 2003 9