The President spoke at the Eurasian Women's Forum
Vladimir Putin, who spoke at the Eurasian Women's Forum on Thursday, recognized everyone's right to a gender identity. In his opinion, however, traditional family values are the key to successful development now and in the future. “They are extremely expensive and important for the whole of Russian society,” the president stressed.
Photo: kremlin.ru
Valentina Matvienko feared in vain: Vladimir Putin, as promised, came to the Eurasian Women's Forum, which she sponsored in St. Petersburg. There was not a trace of a strong coughing from the head of state, which worried the Federation Council spokesman on Monday. The day before, he had spent many hours discussing energy issues without ever clearing his throat. As for the women, long talks with them were not originally planned – according to the scenario, Putin was only to greet the forum participants who arrived in Russia from various, including very exotic, corners of the planet through a pandemic.
Of course, the cramped hall of the historic Tauride Palace could not accommodate anyone who wanted to see the Russian leader. At a previous forum in 2018, his appearance created a real sensation – participants surrounded GDP with a tight ring and did not let go until everyone received a handshake, a kiss on the cheek or a selfie in memory. In the conditions of covid reality, however, it could only dream of such a thing. The women were warned in advance that it was strictly forbidden to get up from their seats and hurry to the podium reserved for the president. And the terrifying look on Anna Pop's head of Rospotrebnadzor, who arrived at the forum with Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, left no doubt that everyone would have to listen to the speech in medical masks pulled over their mouths and noses. But the participants did not drill. The very opportunity to see the Russian leader in person inspired them to sincere pleasure: as soon as Putin entered the hall, women's movement activists grabbed their gadgets together, hoping to capture this historic moment in detail.
GDP began by stating the well-known fact that the role of the fairer sex in the modern, dynamically developing world is constantly growing, and the coronavirus pandemic has demonstrated this again. “Women's activity in finding answers to global and local challenges, their active participation in all spheres of life serves common interests,” the president emphasized.
However, Putin would not have been Putin if he had not spoken out in support of traditional family values in such an audience. According to him, these values are extremely important for the whole of Russian society, despite the criticism that has been voiced. “Of course, with the absolute need to ensure everyone's freedom, including freedom of self-identification, I believe that traditional family values are the most important moral support and guarantee of successful development both now and in the future,” said the president. Asian and African continents, welcomed the words with a storm of applause.
However, adherence to traditional values in no way interferes with the professional realization of Russian women, their career growth. “The fact that for some states it is almost a breakthrough accompanied by noisy campaigns on women's rights and freedoms is a long-standing practice and tradition for our country,” Putin said, adding that we must thank the often criticized Soviet past. The fairer sex in Russia can be found both in the highest strata of power and in large business. There are 58% of them in the creative industries and almost 40% in science. GDP has acknowledged that it is closely following discussions in advanced economies about the implementation of women's labor rights. “There are enough problems.” Distortions, inequalities in career plans and wages are very often noted, “- do not miss the opportunity to criticize Western GDP.
According to Putin, a woman in Russia should not face a choice – family or career. The support system is configured so that she can return to work at any time after giving birth and those who find themselves in a difficult financial situation receive payments before the child leaves school, the president told foreign forum participants.
Almost 500 women from 110 countries arrived in St. Petersburg this year. In addition to the speech of the Russian leader, there are dozens of thematic sessions, discussions, an extensive cultural program, a beauty festival and even the opportunity to undergo genetic testing in the office of “medicine of the future”. The forum will run until October 15