.. 119. Clarification was provided regarding women's involvement in the shaping of foreign policy, as well as in peace and disarmament efforts. Soviet women were making a major effort to promote peace in the world. Labour collect1ves playea an important role in policy formulation. Many activities such as the holding of rallies were financed through the Soviet Peace Fund which relied on voluntary contributions from citizens. Women were included in delegations to foreign countries and often were the heads of those delegations. As to a woman becoming Head of State, that eventuality depended not only on the educational background and personal ab1lity of the person, but also on the specific outstanding qualities which would enable that person to carry out the varied obligations which the people expectea of a leader. 120. Soviet women also had an organization of their own: the Committee of Soviet Women. The Comm1ttee actively co-operated with the Permanent Commission of Deputies of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR on the Problems of Life and Labour of Women and the Protect1on of Mother and Chila and w1th women's cornnl1ssions 1n the trade unions. The commissions have the right to orig1nate legislative measures provided for in the Constitution of the USSR and participate in work on draft legislation concerning further improvements in the status of women. Regarding the purpose and functions of the Permanent Commission, she explained that it had been decided that all matters relating to women should be dealt with by the Permanent Cornnl1ssion. The membership of the Permanent Commission was determined by the Supreme oov1et ana comprised both women and men. It could review the activities at the local level, require the submission of reports ana make recommendations on matters concerning women and children. Similar commissions had also been establ1shea 1n all the Union and autonomous republics as well as at the local level. Members of the Permanent Commission were deputies of ~he Supreme Soviet of the USSR, at the Supreme Soviets of the Union and autonomous republics and of the local Soviets. 121. The Corr~ittee thanked the representative of the State party for her thorough reply. Some experts stated that the USSR fully implemented the provisions of the Convention and that the Soviet women played a very important role in the life of their people. It was recognized that there were some questions which, for lack of time, had been impossible to answer. 122. Some experts recommended drawing the attention of States parties to the desirability ot using the posit1ve experiences referred to in the above-mentioned report in order to make further progress in eliminating discrimination against women, not only de Jure, but also de facto. Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic 123. The Commlttee considered the initial report of the Byelorussian Soviet Socia~ist Republic (CEDAW/C/5/Add.5) at its 15th and 21st meet1ngs, held on 4 and 10 August 1983 (CEDAW/C/SR.15 and 21). 124. The report was introduced by the representative of the State party who said, in particular, that the ratlfication of the Conventlon by her country had been a normal event and one WhlCh reflected the fact that women enjoyed broad rights in all areas of polltical, economic, social and cultural Ilfe, and that concern for improving the status of women was a part of the State's policy. The principle of equality of women was proclaimed and guaranteed, first and foremost, in the Constitution (Fundamental Law) of the RepUblic and was consistently implemented -20- '~. t~ i~