Galina Karelova, Chairperson of the Council of the
Eurasian Women’s Forum, First Deputy Chair of the Federation Council’s Committee on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Government and Northern Affairs. Born in Nizhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk Region. Graduated from the Faculty of Engineering and Economics of the Ural Polytechnic Institute named after S. M. Kirov, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Doctor of Sociological Sciences, Professor, First Class State Counsellor of the Russian Federation.

The first Eurasian Women’s Forum was held in 2015. How was this event originally conceived and how has it changed over the years?

In 2015, we planned to hold this forum with a fairly small number of CIS countries, but in the end, the event was attended by representatives of about 80 states. The Eurasian Women’s Forum immediately became a global discussion platform that attracts participants from almost all over the world. This year we expect representatives from 130 countries.

What are the key areas of dialogue between women leaders?

The forum programme consists of five platforms. The main theme coincides with the title of the event: “Women for Strengthening Trust and Global Co-operation”. The issue of trust is particularly relevant today. It is important for us to show women’s view on the development of society and the future, to understand their priorities. At the end of the discussions, a Final Document will be prepared, which we will send to the UN and other international organisations, as well as to heads of state.

Increasing women’s employment and developing women’s entrepreneurship has been a steady trend over the past 10 years. What are the most noticeable trends in this sphere today?

One of the trends is related to the COVID-19 period, when it became necessary to adapt legislation to new labour conditions and to develop norms for remote employment. In addition, women have started to work more often in the industrial sector. For the first time at the forum, there will be such a large number of platforms dedicated to women’s work in industrial enterprises, including in high-tech industries. A number of discussions will also be devoted to the issue of improving women’s skills and competitiveness. This will be of interest not only to female participants from Russia, but also to women from various countries around the world, including BRICS members.

Since the last forum three years ago, the number of women entrepreneurs in Russia has almost doubled. We are actively co-operating with the entrepreneurial communities of the BRICS countries. Many joint projects and programmes have emerged. And at the forum we will sign a number of agreements within the framework of the association.

Women head half of the new exporting enterprises. What is the reason for this and is there a need for additional assistance to women working in the export sector?

There are a large number of assistance programmes to improve financial and investment literacy. Investment support is also provided at the stage of launching an enterprise. The forum will discuss proposals to the government and relevant agencies on the possibilities of expanding forms of support. Women are keen to work with export-oriented areas of the economy against the background of a general increase in their role in business. Today, businesswomen have many opportunities to sell their products not only within the country, but also in foreign markets.

What is the role of the Eurasian Forum in strengthening the role of women in public and political life?

The final document we are working on should draw the attention of governments and heads of state to the women’s agenda. There will also be events in the format of the Women’s G20, during which proposals will be formulated to the leaders of the G20 countries on measures to support women in business, science, medicine and other sectors. Such discussions and co-operation are an important tool for women’s influence in today’s world. We look forward to constructive decisions at the end of the forum.

Photo: TV BRICS