41. The report was introduced by the representative of the State party who stated that hlS country had always attd~hed great importance to the equallty of women and, therefore, had co-operated actively in the elaboratlon of the Convention. The equallty of women was a constitutional principle and a practical reality in th~ German Democratic Republic. 42. He gave additional statistical data relating to the right of women to political co-decision and to equality in training and employment. d lC 43. He stated that one of the major achievements of the German Democratic Republic was that women enjoyed full equality with men in terms of participation in the social decision-making processes. In his country, the abolition of discrimination against women was part of the general proscription of any discrimination. Therefore, there was no need to enact new legal regulations after ratifying the Convention. 44. The high proportion of women in occupations and jobs which in earlier times had mainly or exclusively been carried out by men required a rew approach to management and planning in the factories and institutions where women were employed. to In c 45. Guided by the concern that women's equal participation in the further advance of social progress in the world was only possible in an environment of peace, the German Democratic Republic had initiated the Declaration on the Participation of Women in Promoting International Peace and Co-operation, which had been adopted by the General Assembly at its thirty-seventh session. 11 46. Women in the German Democratic Republic fully supported the women who were struggling to secure independence of their countries and those who were fighting side by side with their husbands for the elimination of apartheid and racism. 47. The Committee commended the Government of the German Democratic Republic for the comprehensive, factual and informative presentation of its report. Several members observed that women's integration into all sectors of the country's life was abundantly clear from the statistics presented. :::e ~ , <t ., , .s 48. The question was raised as to whether the entry into force of the Convention had entailed any change or modification in the legal and practical systems relating to the status of women in the country, or whether it was felt that no changes were required. One expert mentioned that, while it seemed that equality of the sexes was guaranteed in specific provisions within the Family Code, Penal Code and Civil Code, there was no reference to any such matter in the country's Constitution. 49. Several experts requested more information on the role of the Democratic Women's League and its representational function at the People's Chamber, especlally Slnce it held 35 deputies' posts. Various experts also requested complete information as to the question whether the Democratlc Women's League represented all women or whether there were other organizations that did so. 50. With reference to the follow-up on the implementation of the Convention, it was asked whether machinery existea that would sanction the lack of compliance with the principles embodied in the Convention and, if the Penal and CiVll Codes contained such provisions, what were the sanctions. -9- If ,: ~ ~ ~ ~ " ~ I: t ~ -1