Key conclusions
Women play an important role in the development and well-being of their societies
“Today, we see that the potential of women and cooperation is very important as logistics are changing and other chains of cooperation are being built in order to maintain supplies and, most importantly, to adjust the production of needed in the country products. In this regard, Valentina Ivanovna (Matvienko, Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation – Ed.) has met with women who have already started exporting in a new situation, in a new reality. It is amazing that women began to adapt faster than men, that women felt that, in fact, in this situation, they can rely on themselves and on their teams only. Therefore, I think we will support this export potential of women entrepreneurs,” Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
“We are all well aware that women all over the world are now beginning to play an increasingly serious role. The involvement of women in the development and well-being of their societies cannot be overestimated,” Nataliya Zaiser, Chair of the Board, Africa Business Initiative Union.
Women are able to contribute to the development of international cooperation
“Women make up nearly half (49.5%) of the global population. We cannot ignore issues that are important to them. There are a number of consequences of the economic crisis, as well as consequences of COVID and other problems. [...] There are a number of areas of cooperation. We can strengthen international ties in order to ensure cultural exchange, we can contribute to various environmental projects. I believe that such events as this one help us share our cultural practices, support each other and move forward. The understanding is a result of cooperative work,” Purnima Anand, President, BRICS International Forum.
PROBLEMS
Women entrepreneurs have already felt the impact of sanctions and restrictions
“Two figures from our latest study on the period of a new reality in the economy (March and April): 68 women entrepreneurs we interviewed noted that they have already faced difficulties in business due to sanctions and restrictions, but at the same time 23% of them noted they have not only found new opportunities, but have already begun to create new directions and new sales markets and to build new practices”, Nadiya Cherkasova, Deputy President – Chairman of the Board, Otkritie FC Bank.
The role of women entrepreneurs is underestimated
“Today, the role of women entrepreneurs is still underestimated in the global economy. We have repeatedly talked about this. However, the situation for women is rapidly changing for the better. Our task is to promote not only the speed of positive changes but also their quality in those areas of business and life where these changes would be most necessary and effective”, Anna Nesterova, Founder, Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Global Rus Trade; Chairperson of the Russian Chapter, BRICS Women's Business Alliance.
“Many women who grew up in India thought that we could not participate in a number of different projects. Nevertheless, I see that the situation is actually changing. I am pleasantly surprised by the fact that women are very active in various areas including the parliament and other initiatives” Purnima Anand, President, BRICS International Forum.
SOLUTIONS
It is necessary to develop female communities
“At those three Eurasian Women's Forums we held, we have already begun to actively develop this topic (International Cooperation Between Women: Potential and Prospects – Ed.) and have built a number of chains, technologies and even women's communities that contribute to the development of international cooperation,” Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
“An international club of women leaders, regional women leaders has been created as part of the Eurasian Women's Forum. We considered it extremely important that all the ideas that are being developed at the Eurasian Women's Forum are synchronized or enriched by what is happening directly in the territories where we live. And in this regard, this communication channel helps to implement our plans. Welcome to our club [...] The more beautiful, intelligent, talented, persistent, with leadership qualities participants we have, the greater the success. There are 225 of us from 24 countries of the world now. Since 2018, we worked together on the movement of women's projects, or projects that were formed, folded and implemented by women in all sorts of different industries. There are no restrictions: from space, IT and atom to caring for people, children and so on and so forth”, Natalya Komarova, Governor of Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area–Yugra.
Building international cooperation
“Regarding this topic (Women in the Pharmaceutical Industry – Ed.), we see, feel, and understand the objective need to build international cooperation. And all structures, namely the Government, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Health, and Rosexport (we signed an agreement today), support us. And I think they will support women even more actively when agreements are signed,” Galina Karelova, Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
“Business missions are important, because it is sometimes impossible to come up with something from the office”, Nadiya Cherkasova, Deputy President – Chairman of the Board, Otkritie FC Bank
