WOMEN IN POLITICS IN EASTERN-EUROPE - THE ONGOING TRANSFORMATION

This contribution contrasts papers written by female scientists who st udied the roles of women in the political arena of East European count ries since the middle of the 1970s with observations of the women in t hese countries who have entered into politics since 1989. The social a nd political position of women in communist-ruled countries of eastern Europe is outlined from a historical and comparative perspective, and their role in the transformations of their countries depicted. The pa per finally examines the degree to which women have actually been succ essful in making contributions to politics in their reform states, as well as the new and old problems they are faced with.