18.09.2024 / News

V. Matvienko: Women's dialogue is called upon to become an important part of changes that contribute to the humanization of international politics

The Chairperson of the Federation Council opened the plenary session of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum

Chairperson of the Federation Council Valentina Matviyenko opened the plenary session of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum.

The SF speaker reported that representatives of 126 countries and more than 20 leading international organizations participated in the EWF this year. "There are more and more of us. If you add up all the kilometers that women have traveled to meet here, you can circle our planet several times."

Valentina Matviyenko noted that now is a difficult, critical time. "The era of dominance of the so-called "golden billion" is becoming a thing of the past. And this stage is associated with increased international tension and turbulence."

According to the speaker of the Federation Council, women, who are most characterized by empathy, compassion, and flexibility of thinking, should unite on a platform of trust and global cooperation in order to defend the principles of mutual respect and universal justice in international politics. "Women should be at the forefront of building a more just and equal, multipolar world order. Our open women's dialogue is called upon to become an important part of changes for the better, contributing to the humanization of international politics and the solution of the most pressing social and humanitarian problems."

Touching upon the Forum programme, Valentina Matviyenko emphasised that the events are divided into five thematic platforms dedicated to the role of women in shaping a new agenda of peace and trust, in preserving traditions and cultural diversity, in developing the economy, technology and innovation. "Traditionally, our focus will be on issues of ecology, a healthy society and social well-being, preserving traditional family values, and the spiritual and cultural heritage of peoples."

Valentina Matvienko proposed to establish the title of “Ambassador of the Eurasian Women’s Forum” and to award it to the most active and regular participants of the EWF.

She emphasized that the discussions that take place at the Forum venues always find concrete practical implementation. The SF Chairperson recalled that over the years, the EWF has become an impetus for the creation of new women's international associations - the BRICS Women's Business Alliance, the Women's Twenty coordination mechanism, the Eurasian Association of Women Regional Leaders and others. "The projects of the Eurasian Women's Forum Council have acquired an international scale. In particular, the international streams of the Woman Leader educational program. To date, more than a thousand participants from 78 regions of Russia and 31 countries have completed training in them."

Speaking about support for women's initiatives in Russia, Valentina Matviyenko recalled that the country is implementing the National Strategy of Action in the Interests of Women, as well as a number of other programs and projects. "In the Russian Federation, the share of women among entrepreneurs in the social sphere has already reached 90 percent, in the service sector - 58 percent. The index of women's entrepreneurial activity at the end of last year approached 74 percent, which was the highest figure in the last 10 years."

At the same time, she added, a third of women in Russia are actively involved in the digital economy: female executives and senior managers accounted for more than 30 percent of the total number of executives of digital and high-tech companies in Russia. "Industry women's associations are being formed that help implement socially-oriented corporate policies, combine a successful career and start a family, and promote the professional growth of female workers in various industries."

“Our main task is to ensure that as many women as possible in all corners of the globe are confident in their future, have the opportunity to get an education, raise children, take care of loved ones, build a career and make their dreams come true,” concluded Valentina Matvienko .

Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov welcomed the participants of the Forum. "The city is strengthening a wonderful tradition - once every three years it gathers women from all continents, continuing dialogue and international cooperation."

First Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection of the Russian Federation Olga Batalina noted that support for women is part of the country's state policy. "Women's participation in strategic decision-making is a powerful source of growth for Russia. It is important to create conditions for women to realize their potential."

Chairperson of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Natalia Kochanova noted that in less than a decade the idea of holding the Eurasian Women's Forum has grown into a unique women's movement. According to her, it is necessary to jointly resist destructive policies that divide and distance states from each other. "Our goal is to make a harmonious, fair, multipolar world order irreversible."

The Chairperson of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan Tanzila Narbaeva is convinced that the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum will contribute to achieving sustainable peace.

The Speaker of the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Mabel Chinomona, said that the Eurasian Women's Forum provides an excellent opportunity to involve women in decision-making to achieve peace and development.

The speech by Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic Pany Yathotou was devoted to the place of women in the cultural diversity of the world. She emphasized that culture is a fundamental factor in development. According to her, it is extremely important to develop a strategy for global partnership, and the successful results of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum will contribute to building a safe and sustainable world.

Vice President of the Republic of Uganda Jessica Alupo noted that the EWF brought together women politicians, leaders and experts from all over Eurasia to discuss key issues of global politics. She emphasized the importance of dialogue between women in Russia and African countries, including on issues of gender relations and innovative technologies that impact the lives of women and children.

The meeting was also addressed by the Vice-President of the Central American Parliament Ana Lisset Arias Hernandez , the Vice-President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Snežana Paunović , and the Vice-President of the Consultative Council of the State of Qatar Hamda bint Hassan Al-Sulaiti .

A video message was sent to the participants of the EWF by the Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Vo Thi Anh Xuan .

During the plenary session, a video greeting from Russian cosmonauts from the International Space Station was broadcast.

The Fourth Eurasian Women's Forum is taking place from September 18 to 20 in St. Petersburg. The organizers are the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation and the Interparliamentary Assembly of Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The operator for the preparation and holding of the event is the Roscongress Foundation.

The strategic partners of the fourth Eurasian Women's Forum are: the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Russia, PSB, PJSC Rosseti, JSC RZD Medicine. The official car of the Forum is HONGQI. The official bank of the Forum is PJSC Sberbank. Official partners of the event: Russ & Wildberries, PJSC Magnit, T-Bank. Communications partner - Mayer Group LLC.

Official forum website: 2024.eawf.ru