Interregional Non-Profit Organization League of Women Voters “Democracy less a Woman is not Democracy” “Men and a women have equal rights and freedoms and equal opportunities for their realization” Constitution of the Russian Federation, article 19, paragraph 3.” Unpredictable, always changing her favors, willing to be liked by everyone, and easy prey for compliments and gifts... No, we are not talking about a woman - it’s Politics. Despite some similarities, and may be due to these very similarities, women are not really interested in politics. We would like to change this situation. For this purpose we established the League of Women Voters of St.Petersburg. We are the representatives of over a hundred St.Petersburg NGOs, men and women of various political affiliation. Assistance to the Non-profit organizations The League assists new NGOs in getting themselves established, conducts seminars on working with the media, and fundraising. Participation in International Programs The League participates in international programs on the Protection of Human Rights. “Women’s Rights. Step by Step.”, “Women for life without wars and violence” is working on projects: “Women Politicians and Leaders” with the financial support by the International Republican Institute. “Civil Society and Elections-99" Meeting with S.Talbot at an international conference in Reykjavik Promoting Women into Government We believe that women can master the recipes of the of political cuisine and enrich it with their own dishes, introduce variety not only by wearing bright outfits among men’s grey suits, rather through a well-thought approach in making state decisions. Women make up more than half of Russia’s population, a majority of them have higher education. It is too wasteful for the country not to use such an intellectual potential as women in government. The League will not nominate its own candidates, but will assist women candidates in learning electoral technologies, prepare campaign workers and pollwatchers, finding them employment. Due to our support 53 women were elected to the local self-governance bodies of St.Petersburg. Oversight of Deputies Activities One of League’s goals is to oversee how deputies and other elected officials are fulfilling their pre-election promises. Moreover, the League publishes materials about their work in its newsletter “The League of Women Voters”. The League actively works with the deputies of all levels. Galina Starovoitova was one of the founders of our organization. Human Rights Protection The League protects the interests and rights of the voters. We run a legal consultation reception room where competent lawyers give free advice in how to write complaints, file suites, and forward petitions to the appropriate government bodies. Every year the Legal Consultation Reception Room is visited by over 2,000 people. The League is interested in creating analogous organizations all over Russia and is ready to assist in it. In the beginning of 1999 with the League’s initiative and participation the Interregional League of Women Voters was created. It brings together organizations from Murmansk, Kaliningrad, Petrozavodsk, Tver, Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Barnaul, Novosibirsk, Pskov and Leningrad Oblast. We are always open for cooperation with those who share our position. 190068 St.Petersburg, Boznesensky #47, of. 2-H tel. (812) 713-41-61 E-mail: lwv@liga-rf.ru