The main theme of the international conference was discuss and examine the effects of democratic transition in the neighboring Central and eastern European countries which might influence women's lives in the region. These countries faced similar challenges and problems: the free market/free enterprise economic system replaced the former re-distributive state economy and while societal groups were better able to express their interests, it was at greater costs. The question lied in how this affected women in the region who had been accustomed to working full-time and the existence and affordability of state, family and childcare institutions. The other important factor was the rapid rise in unemployment and how this impacts on working women. These problems were compared and discussed by experts.