Statement Mr. Grigory Karasin, Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs, at the Parliamentary Hearing at the United Nations “Gender equality in decision-making as a key to sustainable recovery: the litmus test of inclusive politics”
Mme.Chair,
Colleagues,
Ensuring gender equality and advancement of women is one of the key challenges the global community is facing nowadays.
This is well understood in my country. I would mention that the position of the Chairperson of the Federation Council (the upper chamber of the Russian parliament) is occupied by a woman — Valentina Matvienko.
In the face of the pandemic, women faced variety of serious challenges. They make up the majority of those employed in the industries most affected by the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of infection. Therefore, the possibility of sustainable recovery is directly dependent on women’s involvement in this process.
Russia is implementing the National Action Strategy for Women 2017–2022[1]. Measures to reduce the gender pay gap, prevent violence, increase the number of women in leadership positions, and develop women’s entrepreneurship are among its activity areas.
Parliaments have an important role to play in ensuring equality between men and women. At the initiative of the Federation Council, the Eurasian Women’s Forum is held regularly every three years, with one of its objectives being to enhance women’s participation in sustainable development.
The Third Eurasian Women’s Forum was held last September in St.Petersburg. It brought together women leaders from 111 countries and 23 international organizations. The Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum, established under the Federation Council, operates between the forums and implements projects to enhance women’s participation in industry, digital economy, development of territories, international cooperation, and social innovation.
We believe that sometimes excessive preoccupation with issues such as the sexual minority, in effect diverts attention and resources from more pressing issues affecting women, including poverty eradication, preventing discrimination and violence, and combating gender stereotypes and inequality.
We are open to sharing views and positive experiences on gender issues with everyone who are genuinely committed to the advancement of women.
Thank you.
[1] Direction No. 410-r of the Government of the Russian Federation On Approval of the National Action Strategy for Women 2017–2022 dated 8 March 2017.
