comprised more than 100 different sectors in which both men and women worked. It was, nevertheless, true that women preferred to work in light industry, the fashion industry, precision engineering, etc. They represented more than half the labour force in mechanical engineering. There were more men in jobs requiring greater physical stamina • .icy 'hat; 144. Concerning the question of assistance to mothers, the representative of the Byelorussian SSR informed the Committee that additional training and acquisit~on of additional prof i.as rons directly at the place of work which is largely practised in the Republic is particUlarly useful for mothers returning to work after being on a maternity leave and women who, for some other reasons, had to interrupt their professional activities. Motherhood is considered in the Republic to be one of the most important social functions and, by providing different benefits to mothers of large families, the Government pursues an objective of ensuring equal life conditions and improving them for all children from the very first year of their life. The intention, at the same time, is to promote an increase in the birth rate since the rate of natural growth of population in the Republic is less than 1 per cent. Apart from maternity leave, women are entitled to a part~ally paid one year leave financed from state social funds. Single mothers have the right to maternity grants, as well as the total amount of other state allowances. The question of providing a paJ:tially paid paternal leave in each separate case is consiaerea ~nd~v~dua11Y. The Presid~um of the Byeloruss~an Trade Union Councll is a competent body to resolve the matter positively, allowing for some special circumstances (mother's death at the delivery of child, etc.). 'en 'as .ch ,ers ch ved o ity on il 11 ~ s =n \ 145. Regarding the question as to the meaning of the term "spiritual production", the representat~ve of the State party explained that the term referred to the accumulation of the enormous spiritual resources of the Republic through improvements in education and the raising of the consciousness ot the entire populat~onf so that, by coupling the knowledge acquired with active work a new world of socialist relationships might be created. 146. Replying to questions on remedies available to victims of discrimination, she :ion :ive Id, .ure sa~d that the country's legislation protected all c~tizens against all forms of discrimination and especially discrimination on the basis of sex. Every citizen had the right to init~at€ proceedings before courts, administrative organs, traae union organizations and other public or.ganizations if their rights were violated. 147. According to available statistics, women accounted for 55 per cent of the student population, 45 per cent of the students in technical and industrial institutions, 36 per cent of the students in agricultural schools, 78 per cent of the students in institutions for economic stUdies, 71 per cent of the students in teacher-tra~ning institutions and 59 per cent of the students in medicine and the humanities. There were also vocational guidance services which directed young women to one of the 223 industrial trade schools at which more than 300 subjects were taught. Women comprised 30 per cent of the stUdents in such institutions. 148. In responding to questions on family and marriage relations, the red g, ns ere try representat~ve statea that the family was under the protection of the State, with spouses having equal rights to ownership of property and rights and auties as regards children. Either spouse could retain his or her original name at marriage and chilaren coula take the name of either parent depending on the agreement of the parents. Adoption was available to all with the exception of those who, for some reasons, were deprived of parental rights. Rape was a criminal offence; cases were considered ~n closed session of the court and decisions were made public. -24- I .J