noted that the international level should not be overlooked because of its impact on women and the national economic situation. 97. The responsibility of Governments and international financial institutions to ensure that women were not disproportionately discriminated against in situations of structural change and economic recession was emphasized. Structural adjustment had increased the total amount of women’s work and had reduced access to basic services and resources. Economic liberalization policies should be evaluated in relation to their impact on women, and global efforts were required to cancel or reduce the debt owed by developing countries. Structural adjustment policies and other economic policies were still being applied as if they were gender-neutral. The impact of structural adjustment policies on women in particular should be monitored and assessed. 98. The need for a regular and substantive dialogue between the United Nations, the Bretton Woods institutions and the World Trade Organization so as to coordinate assistance aimed at strengthening programmes for the benefit of women and their families was called for. Such coordination was especially important at the field level. Implementation of strategic objectives and action in the critical area of concern: education and training of women (agenda item 3 (c) (iv)) 99. At the 9th meeting, on 14 March, the Chairperson made a statement. 100. At the same meeting, the Commission held a panel discussion and heard presentations by the following experts: Irene de la Caridad Rivera Ferreiro, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education of Cuba; Valentina Ivanovna Matvienko, Member of the Board, Director of Liaison for the Federation, Parliament, and Public and Political Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation; Aicha Bah Diallo, Director, Division of Basic Education, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization; Celia Eccher, Coordinator, Guidance and Education Programme, International Council for Adult Education. 101. Also at the same meeting, the Commission held a dialogue among Governments, in which the following delegations participated: Mexico, Thailand, China, Mali, Tunisia and Netherlands (on behalf of the States Members of the United Nations that are members of the European Union). 102. The observer for the European Community spoke. 103. The observers for four caucuses of non-governmental organizations spoke. The observers for Disabled Peoples International (also on behalf of World Blind Union), Community Action for the Rights of Children and Women and the International Federation of United Nations Associations also spoke. 104. The panellists responded to points raised. 105. At the 10th meeting, on 14 March, the Chairperson made a statement. 106. At the same meeting, the Commission held a dialogue among Governments, in which the following delegations participated: Togo, India, Norway, United States of America, Namibia, Israel, Burkina Faso, Angola, Guinea, Switzerland, Syrian Arab Republic, Costa Rica, Canada, Brazil, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Chile, Indonesia, France, Poland, Republic of Korea, Japan, Peru, Germany and Islamic Republic of Iran. -47-