166. In accordanae with a deaiaion of the pre-session working group (see chap, II, sect. 0) the Committee considered both the second and third periodic reports of Poland (CEDAW1C1131Add.16 And CSDAW/C/18/Add.Z) at its 177th meeting, on 24 January (see CEDAWK/SR.171). 167. The representative of Poland stated that the reporting period haQ been characterised by fundamental political, economic and social change6 that had Affected the position of women. The new Prime Minister Of PolAnd had indicated that the advancement of women was one of the most important politioal issues and the Offioe of the Government Plenipotentiary for Women's Affairs would be upgraded and made responsible to the Prime Minister. Poland had ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women in 1980. The Polish legal system did not COntAin any discriminatory provision6 in the BenBe of article 1 of the Convention. The representetive noted that two opinion6 had been expressed with regard to the position of women in Poland; the first, that nothing had been done to improve it, and the second, that the present aocio-economic condition6 had led to a -deterioration in the status of women. The representative said that both opinion6 were oversimplified and not consistent with the position of the new For exsmple, the rate of unemployment of women wa6 higher than ~Government. that of men: however, beoause of the existence of unemployment benefits, many women had recently registered themselves AS being unemployed Although they had not worked before. ChAnges in the system had provided new opportunities for women Although it wa6 not yet deer whether women themselves were awere and able to take advantage of them. Critical are86 that requirea improvement on the part of women were2 their limited knowledge of existing laws and of the .meahanisms with which to implement them; their low participation in civic and political life at the national and international levels, including their Absence in the newly formed Cabinets and the stereotyped roles and cultural patterns of conduct of men and women. 168. In response to questions regarding goals set by the State for the next reporting period, the representative referred to a governmental programme of -1990 aimed At the protection of economicAlly weak groups by: providing food coupons; maintaining the ratio between the average pension and wage; -reorganLeing the system of Social assistanoer introducing legislative regulations ensuring protection for employee6 who had'been dismissed) providing funds for training and retraining) creating new jobs; And partially reimbursing the higher costs of rent and heating. The representative SAid that the programme would be continued although in a modified form. 169. The representative stated that the new Government Plenipotentiary for Women's Affairs would tackle such issues AS: the provision of assistance to unemployed women and single mothers: and the protection of women's existing sooial right6 a6 regards employment, maternity benefits, social insuranae and social benefits. It WAS the intention of the Government that newly adopted laws would not infringe on the rights of women in the new market economy And thAt those lews would be recpected by public and private enterprise6 alike. Other important issues were increasing women'6 legal literacy! establishing a Centre of Information And Legal Guidance for Women! and promoting And encouraging women's political participation. The lattsr WA6 considered particularly important in view of the relatively low political participation -32-