Democracies in the CEE/CIS countries remain fragile because of lack of democratic tradition, capacity and resources. The implementation and protection of women’s human rights are not fully guaranteed. Weakness of institutional mechanisms, insufficient financial/human resources and lack of gender awareness at all levels of the society are the main obstacles.

Existing national machineries are vulnerable to political changes. Changes of government mean lack of continuity, including elimination of national machinery, lowering its status or mandate, and changing its staff. While qualified NGOs are available, governments often do not recognize them as partners.

Actions to be taken at national level by governments:

56.(f) [delete: Continue efforts to]Adopt, when necessary, and fully implement national action plans modeled on the Platform for Action developed during the follow up to the IV World Conference on Women, as well as international agreements including international human rights instruments of particular relevance to women.

56.(h) Create and maintain by 2005 a non-discriminatory, as well as a gender-sensitive, legal environment [delete: and] by reviewing and enacting equality legislation to eliminate legislative gaps that leave women and girls without protection of their rights.

56.(x)Establish effective equal opportunities commission and other independent bodies such as ombudsperson for protection of gender equality. Ensure that funding for such bodies is included in annual budgets.

56.(z) Create or strengthen stable and legally mandated national machineries based on highest level legislation to establish an institution at the ministerial level with responsibility for gender mainstreaming governmental policies at all levels. Provide adequate resources in national budgets for national machineries for the advancement of women together with human resources so they can implement their mandates;

Actions to be taken at the international level:

59.(a)Assist governments to develop an integrated programme of support for the 12 critical areas of concern contained in the Platform and ensure government partnership with NGOs;

59.(b)Allocate resources to regional and national programmes in the above-mentioned areas. Provide financial and technical assistance to governments and gender equality seeking NGOs in support of regional and national programmes in the above mentioned areas, and set up a technical assistance fund where governments and NGOs could apply;

Actions to be taken at the national and international level: