INTERVIEWS ON THE OCCASION OF INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Ms. ALLA NAUMCHIK
Member of the Parliament of Belarus

It is important for women to be in politics because they take decisions based not only on what makes good sense but also on what feels right – from their heart. Men tend to be more interested in the material aspects of questions while the litmus test used by women tends to be the feeling they have about a particular issue.

I used to be the Dean of Gomel University and I was responsible for the education of students there. When that university promoted me and nominated me to stand for senator, I decided to enter politics because I felt I had a responsibility to work in parliament for securing our children's education. Above and beyond those considerations, my hometown of Gomel is located in the Chernobyl area, which is notorious for the nuclear disaster.

Young women should enter politics to contribute to the development of the world. They should base their position in life on robust morals and lasting values such as motherly love and allegiance to one's homeland. They should be guided by these values in pursuing their political agenda.

Ms. SHITAYE MINALE
Deputy Speaker of the House of Peoples' Representatives of Ethiopia

Women make up roughly 50% of the population of each country. They need to know what is going on and what decisions need to be taken in the interest of the people. As human beings, men and women are equal. Women need to be present in all spheres of decision-making. It is their right to be involved. Their presence is sorely missing from politics, political parties and government. Women are very effective in whatever post they occupy, in addition to being sensitive. They are highly motivated to bring about change in the contexts of peace, security, the environment and climate change. They have the power to improve conditions if given the opportunity to do so.

When I was a young girl, I was not aware of the discrimination between women and men. At school I competed with my classmates - boys and girls. But as I grew up, it became obvious that the respect and attention given to boys and girls were not the same. I became acutely aware of that at university. The lecturers did not give equal attention to young women and men. They assumed that the boys would become leaders, so they concentrated on them. I kept wondering why they didn't give me the same attention. Then a human rights revolution took place in my country. I read books, attended various meetings and I decided to become involved. Instead of remaining an observer, a mere spectator, I decided to participate, at least in the struggle of women. I am still trying my best to serve their cause.

I would tell them that education alone cannot bring independence. For a long time, women have been made to feel that they are below men. They have internalized that falsehood and it is now a part of them. Therefore, if young women decide to participate in politics, they will have a chance to influence the decision-making process. If they are on the outside, they simply accept what the men say. It is for us to take up the challenge. We are asking for a 50-50 say because we represent 50% of the population.

I am a role model for young women. I am the first woman Deputy Speaker of the House in my country. As a person, I am very strong. I am motivated and driven to get things done. If I lose, it is not only a personal failure for me but also for my supporters. They in turn will be frustrated and abandon the cause. So, in all that I do, I am always conscious that I am acting as a woman and that there are many women behind me. If I am successful, they will follow suit. I think of the millions of women in my country. If I am strong and successful, these women can follow in my footsteps and it will be a victory for all of us. And why not aspire to have women leading the country one day!

Ms. VALENTINA PETRENKO
Member of the Senate of the Russian Federation

It is important to have women in politics because women deal with different issues than men, such as maternity, health, education and family. Through legislative action, women can help solve problems in these areas. These vital day-to-day issues can be decided on not only from a male perspective, but also from a woman's view. Both perspectives should be taken into account. We have a joke in Russia that goes like this: there are two political parties in the world: the men's party and the women's party.

I believe that there should be harmony in the world and that it should be represented by both men and women. Women should be perceived as equal to men not just in the eyes of the law - equal rights - but also because we take decisions based on what we think and on what we feel. Men and women have different lifestyles and pursue different objectives in life. Women give birth and are interested in finding solutions to their children's problems. That was the ultimate motivation for me to enter politics. Men have other agendas and my mission was to convey that message to them. Often men and women don't understand each other. Before committing to politics, a young woman should ask herself what purposes can be served by politics, what is her role and what are her primary tasks. She has to decide whether she will be able to resist double standards, whether she will stick to her convictions, defend her positions, be patient, transparent and be always ready to make tough decisions.