NEWS AND VIEWS

Ukrainian women's federation gains consultative status with UNICEF

by Olga Stawnychy

NEW YORK - The World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organization (WFUWO), as a development and humanitarian non-governmental organization in consultative status with ECOSOC, was informed by the chief of the NGO Section of UNICEF in New York that "in view of objectives of your organization, we take great pleasure in welcoming the World Federation of Ukrainian Women's Organizations into consultative status with UNICEF."

This consultative status entitles the WFUWO to receive communications from UNICEF on policy and priorities and enables the organization to be represented at executive board sessions both in New York and Geneva. Prior to this time, the interests of Ukrainian children were represented by the international organization, World Movement of Mothers and its NGO representatives, Helen Prociuk and lryna Kurowyckyj.

UNICEF, the United Nations children's fund, was founded in 1946 by special mandate of the U.N. General Assembly to bring food and urgent medical relief to the children of war-torn Europe. Today, in addition to responding to emergencies, UNlCEF's main focus is long-term development designed to make families less vulnerable during difficult times.

In over 140 countries, including those of Eastern Europe, UNICEF supports programs for children at particular risk. As a U.N. agency, UNICEF works with national governments and people at every level to work towards meeting the needs of their children.

At UNICEF's executive board meeting in New York on June 2-6, Ukraine was represented by Minister of Families and Youth Suzanna Stanik. The WFUWO's public relations chairwoman and NGO representative, Olga Stawnychy met with the minister to discuss the WFUWO's new relationship with UNICEF and the desire to cooperate with Ukraine on behalf of the welfare of Ukrainian children. Minister Stanik mentioned specific needs for food, clothing, books, vitamins and toys for the poorest orphanages in Ukraine. She will provide the WFUWO with a list of the most needy institutions in each oblast of Ukraine.

During her meetings with UNICEF board members and the WFUWO, Minister Stanik emphasized three critical areas that need attention from the international community: nutrition and clean drinking water; medical assistance for vaccinations against preventable diseases; and halting the alarming growth of AIDS.

AIDS is of particular concern for Ukraine because compared to 1994, during 10 months of 1995 the number of reported HIV-infected persons increased sixfold. Most of the HIV infected persons - more than 70 percent - were between the ages of 20 and 29. If little is done now, the spread of infection in cities is destined to follow the same path as in other parts of the world, she underlined. Just like radiation, the consequences of HIV infection are usually invisible at the start.

To reduce the pace of HlV spread throughout the country, immediate intervention is necessary among intravenous drug users who spread the disease to their sexual partners and introduce it into the general community. Minister Stanik expressed concern that, due to the limited financial resources of the Ukrainian government during this period of economic instability and limited resources of such international agencies as UNICEF, the health of Ukrainian children is at great risk.

Its new status with UNICEF will enable the WFUWO to cooperate with that world body in promoting better health and living conditions for the children of Ukraine, as well as all children throughout the world.

For more information please contact: Olga Stawnychy, at fax, (201) 933-8609, or e-mail, yvsdds@viconet.co

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 13, 1997, No. 28, Vol. LXV

| Home Page |