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Women play important role in running Belarus, deputy chair of women's union says

Women play an important role in running Belarus, Rehina Davidovich, deputy chairwoman of the Belarusian Union of Women, told reporters at Thursday's news conference held in Minsk on the occasion of coming International Women's Day.

Women occupy 32 percent of all seats in the Belarusian legislature, she stressed. "Of course, there are countries where this proportion is higher but it is a good figure for us," she said.

The news conference featured a farm manager and a hospice director who were named the winners of the Women of the Year contest.

Alena Makhnach, who has managed a farm in the Minsk region for 12 years, believes that there is a spiritual side to farming. "Agriculture is very hard work and most people working there are women," she stressed.

Hanna Harchakova, director of the Belarusian Children's Hospice, noted that few men had the courage to work at the institution. "Men cannot last long with our organization. When they come to us, they grow pale, green, they are shocked and sick," she said.

Ms. Harchakova revealed that she was proud of winning the award. "It's very pleasant that staff of various NGOs have sincerely congratulated me. There have been many calls," she said.
"I wouldn't say that we work for the sake of winning contests. However, you face an emotional burn-out if your multi-year work is left unnoticed."// BelaPAN