304. The representative of Austria, in introducing the report, question6 put by members not only alarifiea matters, but also impulse for a more precise implementation of the Coaventiou in stated that Austria had been trying for many year6 to promote work an8 to create better conditions under which the Committee its difficult task. said that the provided an future. She the Committee’s could carry out 305. Tha representative highlighted the most important events that had taken place since the periodia report was completed in early 1989. One development was the 1990 amendment to the Equal Treatment Act, which gave employed women against discrimination. While _~ ;~=:-an inareased promotion , as well as protection the programme for the advancement of female civil servant6 had played a pioneering role in identifying qualified work for women, discussions had also been held with private employer6 during the preceding two years in order to -~develop similar promotion for women in the private sector. A second development was the targeted measures in the fields of family and social poliay in order to strengthen the 6haring of responsibilities between -I- spouses. The package of measures concerning the family, which was adopted in ~pmmmplY90, provided women and men with the choice of taking paid parental leave for p-up to two years, inclucling the possibility of taking a third year of paid leave if part-time work had been undertaken during the second and the third ~~~P~~~year6. In addition, the penal law had been reformed to include a provision that marital rape was a sexual offence. A provision had been adopted under the Youth Welfare Act that automatiaally gave unmarried mothers custody of =their children. Legal provisions had been made concerning genetic and reprocluation technologiets, which wore intended to prevent the exploitation of the reproductiVe -+pacities of women. 306. She said that women were more visible in politics than they had been in the past, and several political parties had set quota6 for the representation of women. After the most recent elections, the percentage of women members of the National Assembly was 21.3, which was higher than the European and global average. -Other important measures against discrimination included efforts to overcome social stereotypes in all areas and awareness-raising campaigns Ear girls an8 their parents. Mast recently, the position of State Secretary for Women’s Affairs had been upgraded to that of Federal Minister for Woman’6 The goals of a progressive policy for the elimination of -Affairs. disorimination could only be achieved, she said, through an intensive ~colla&iratjon -with .a11 the ministries. :....1 .-. c 307. Responcling to general questions posed by members, the representative noted that a number of institutions and meahanisms were responsible for the implementation of equality policies, including the Equal Treatment Commission, Women’6 unit6 at the gOVernInenta1 and non-governmental level and focal point6 for vomern at the municipal level. The Federal Minister for Women’s,Affafrs hacl the central coordinating and eupervisory role. r __ _ = 308. Responding to additional comments , the representative said that the Ministry for Women’s Affairs was part of the Federal Chancellor’s Office, Although there was currently more political visibility, the institutional structure had to be built up and financial and human resource6 secured, 309. Several organizations large organisations had been COn6Ulted of women, political in the preparation -62- parties and semi-official of the second periodic