Dr. Vera D. Shuverova, Historian, Russian Federation of University Women, Chuvash Republic

State Committee on National Policy
Moscow, Trubnikovsky per.19
RUSSIA

TEL: (095) 436-99-37
FAX: (095) 202-44-90

The Chuvash Republic is situated in the Volga River basin and approximately 66% of the inhabitants are Chuvash. Ecological problems here are similar to those in all republics and regions of the Volga basin. These now threaten the flora, fauna, and the human population of the Chuvash, Tatar, and Mari peoples, as well as Russians. Children are especially vulnerable. A problem unique to Chuvashia is the Novocheboksarsk chemical plant which is currently engaged in destroying chemical weapons. Emissions from this plant threaten all forms of life in the region. The Novocheboksarsk plant causes specific respiratory diseases that are far more prevalent in Chuvashia than elsewehere in the Russian Federation, as well as high infant mortality.

The women's movement in Chuvashia defines ecology not only in biological terms, but also cultural, economic, and political. Current aims of the movement include: protecting the health of children (as well as the adult population) from the negative effects of the modern chemical industry; abandoning the practice of destroying chemical weapons at Novocheboksarsk; demanding that local and federal authorities provide necessary financial support to the protection of nature in Chuvashia; uniting all movements which have similar goals.

Return to Women of the World Interacting with the Environment: Part B

Go to Women of the World Interacting with the Environment: Part A

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