Kremlin, businesses and society feast Russian women on their gender’s day

Today, not so many people still vividly remember the origin of this ‘red-lettered day’ on the international calendar because the general relation to the events behind the sad story of the valiant New York textile industry female workers that revolted against their unacceptable labor conditions in 1857 has long become a mere formality. However, in spite of this, these brave women’s collective effort to stand for their rights that did not go in vain, as it is in their honor and memories that the International Women’s Day is annually celebrated today in all UN member-states as the Women’s Rights Protection Day.

Expectedly, this year was not an exception, especially in Russia, where this day has long gained a special status as a date, when all women are congratulated by their male counterparts. Indeed, the traditional class-related and ideological components of this day have since lost their relevance in Russia, even in the former Soviet Union. Today, the day has become a special occasion for all men to congratulate all the women they love, and this is done in different ways in different parts of Russia and other countries of the world.

Honoring outstanding Russian women in the Kremlin 

This year, just like the previous years, the Kremlin and the whole of Russia began as early as at the beginning of March, long before March 8, to feast and honor Russian women for their outstanding achievements in the society, government and businesses as well as their substantial contributions in building families as the cornerstone of the Russian society, and, most importantly, their collective immeasurable role in solving the nation’s acute demographic problems. Even the UN Representation in Russia also took an active part in this year’s March 8 celebrations by organizing a number of special events in their Moscow office that were solely dedicated to women and the unique problems faced only by the member of the so-called ‘weaker sex’ in the Russian society. 

“Today, only few people still vividly remember the origin of this ‘red-lettered day’ as the general relation to the unparalleled heroism of the valiant New York textile industry female workers that revolted against their unacceptable labor conditions in 1857 has long become a mere formality.”

As usual, the whole celebrations, like in the previous years, traditionally kicked off in the Kremlin, where the outgoing Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met with the women that had excelled in different spheres of human endeavors at his official residence in the Moscow region, evidently his last time, as the Russian head of state. While congratulating the female folk, Medvedev noted that it was quite difficult for Russian females to build successful careers in the country because there are plenty of professions that are, for some reasons, still traditionally considered exclusively reserved for men. “In this respect, Russia, unlike in most other countries, lags behind, because we have quite few women holding high-ranking state offices. This is bad. On the other hand, there are many women, who are engaged in heavy physical labor-intensive male professions, which is not very good, either.” 

In this connection, the president briefed his female guests on what the government is currently doing to change the situation, including reformation of the labor legislation. “Progress in this area will in many aspects depend on our men. If they are ready to let women do various jobs without being afraid of competition from them, then everything will go well,” he added. “However, I am sure that lots of men are not ready for this, as they are really afraid of competition from women. Such men always say that women cannot hold certain positions because they need certain personal qualities and qualifications,” he said. “This is despite the fact that women often work much better than men in certain circumstances, and I am saying this, not because I want to please our women on the eve of March 8, but because it is absolutely true.” 

Having noted this, the president, however, equally stressed the fact that women need to always remain women, remain beautiful, needed and love and be loved. “This is why, concluding my short speech, I would like to wish all Russian women love, happiness, health, and a nice day.” The ceremony ended with the presentation of high-profile state awards to the outstanding women. The official ceremonies shifted to the Russian White House, which today has acquired an absolutely new political status following the March presidential elections. This is because it is the office of Vladimir Putin, the nation’s president-elect, who also currently doubles as the prime minister of Russia. In other words, this is where all the political powers of the executive arm of the government are factually vested today, meaning with the president-elect.

Thus, wishing all women in the government press pool a happy International Women’s Day, Putin specially noted the hard work being done by women in the country as well as their inestimable contribution to progress and development of the society. “I know how hard-working our women are. I’ve seen this with my eyes. To use a popular phrase, I would like to say that ‘there are still women in Russian villages’,” he added.  “Thank God, we have moved past the internal political hassles and squabbles of elections. This is why, going forward, I now expect that we will be able to begin the implementation of the plans that we have extensively discussed over the past months,” he noted. “Therefore, I would like to extend my best wishes to all Russian women, wish them happiness, love and good spirits.” 

Public recognition of the most outstanding women

 Among the various public events devoted to women on the occasion of their gender day, it is worth mentioning the 10th Annual Award Ceremony of the Olympia National Prize instituted in recognition of Russian women’s achievements. The ceremony was held in the Moscow’s Metropol Hotel on March 6, with the roaster of the prize winners and VIP guests including ‘who-is-who’ in the Russian scientific, cultural, official, business and public circles. In the official telegram sent from the Kremlin, the Russian president said that the women recognized at the occasion are outstanding personalities that have achieved huge successes in civil services, business, science, art and sport. “Our women are engaged in the spiritual and moral education of the new generation as well as rebirth of charity traditions. Your professional achievements and active civic roles are a bright example for millions of people in our country.” 

Among the winners of the Olympia prizes were such prominent women as Dozhd TV Channel CEO Natalia Sindeyeva for her active civic role and creation of innovative mass media; Alla Gryaznova, the president of the Financial University affiliated with the Russian Government for developing higher education system and setting high standards in the field of financial education and ZHASO Insurance Co. CEO and Board Chairperson Tatiana Paramonova for professionalism and contribution to economic development.  Others included Stros Co. Chairperson and CEO Slavomira Reiter for international cooperation and innovations in ensuring safety in the construction industry and Aidan Salakhova, a Russian painter, art collector and public figure, for her faultless style and contribution to the development of contemporary art. Natalia Vodianova, the famous Russian top model, philanthropist and the Naked Hearts Foundation founder, was also honored on the occasion. 

Salakhova, addressing the audience after receiving her prize, noted that it was a pleasure for her to be honored with the high-profile title of the ‘Woman of the Year’ in Russia. “Many women dream about this, striving for public recognition and wishing to become the first among the best at any cost. This is nice, but being just a good person, doing one’s business well and being the best for oneself and the people is much better. Such women are the type of people that our country can rely on.” To put the occasion into social perspective, suffice it to note that the previous winners of these awards included such outstanding Russian women as Prima Dona Alla Pugacheva, Olympic champions and State Duma legislators Irina Rodnina and Svetlana Khorkina, astronaut Valentina Tereshkova, etc.

The international tints of this year’s March 8 celebrations

Among the list of high-profile international events devoted to the International Women’s Day, it is worth mentioning the roundtable discussions on women’s problems organized by the UN UNAIDS Program in the form of a press breakfast. The meeting — attended by top experts in the field of HIV prevention, diplomatic corps representatives in Russia, including from the EU states and United States, as well as the heads of NGOs, civil figures and press members — was fully devoted to HIV problems and its related socio-medical issues among women in Russia and other former Soviet republics. 

According to the experts in charge of HIV/AIDS problems, the number of new HIV infection cases caused by unprotected heterosexual contacts has grown by 150% in the post-Soviet region over recent years. In Russia, the number of young women aged 15-24 with HIV is twice as much now as the number of men of the same age with HIV.  Highlighting these data, Jean-Elie Malkin, — the UNAIDS regional director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, and special advisor to UNAIDS executive director — noted that women run a higher risk of being infected with HIV due to a number of factors.  “Such factors are economic vulnerability, difficulties in negotiating for safe sex with partners and a fear of violence against them,” he added.  “In some cases, women combine all the possible vulnerabilities associated with illegal drug use, sex workers, social marginalization and all types of stigma and discriminations, which prevent them from having access to the HIV prevention services.” 

Besides, UN’s Malkin, also representing the diplomatic corps was Donna Norton, the wife of Michael McFaul, the U.S. Ambassador to Russia, also took the floor during the event, informing the audience about the situation with HIV/AIDS in the United States, the measures being taken to prevent and fight the infection on an active basis, the types of assistance being rendered to HIV-positive individuals, including post-treatment and rehabilitation programs.

Yulia Lasker, a famous Russian singer and Red Ribbon activist, also took part in the event. “We must intensify the efforts and activities aimed at a timely prevention of HIV infection, specifically, the activation of such measures should come from the civil society, media, state and public figures,” the singer, who had just returned from New York, where she had participated in the 56th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women in the World. “There is a huge need to openly discuss the HIV/AIDS problems in our society, encourage people to protect themselves and their loved ones, call for tolerance towards those who are HIV positive,” she said.  “If I can save at least some people, then that will be a step towards achieving the goal of the UNAIDS program’s Zero New HIV Infections in our country.”

This occasion also served to highlight the role of motherhood and maternity in the society, an issue raised by the results of the poll carried out by the Public Opinion Foundation on the eve of March 8 on the initiative of the Russian subsidiary of Procter&Gamble (P&G). Thus, according to the poll results, almost 100% of the respondents (about 98%) believe that motherhood is huge work, requiring lots of efforts, time and energy, whilst almost the same number of respondents (about 94%) believes that motherhood brings lots of happiness and inspiration, in spite of all the associated difficulties. According to 89% of participants, most mothers always wholeheartedly devote themselves to their children, very often leaving behind their own needs and strivings. However, despite all difficulties and hardship, motherhood, according to 78% of respondents, is one of the best jobs.

Commenting on the poll results, Patricia Lopez, the P&G CEO and vice president for Eastern Europe, said that the word ‘mother’ is particularly important in everyone’s life. “On the one hand, the poll results have confirmed the importance of mothers, whilst on the other hand, they have highlighted the underestimation of mothers and their roles in families and society as a whole,” she added.  “I have three daughters myself, and therefore, fully well know what it means to be a mother from personal experience. Women really need the support and recognition of their everyday work, which often goes unnoticed by others,” noted. “As a company, we always request all women to be careful, attentive and appreciative mothers. In this regard, our company’s products are a part of our care about mothers as they designed to make housework easier, and thus save time for leisure and communication.”