The Women’s Union of Russia (WUR) is an All-Russian public non-governmental non-profit women’s organization.  It was set up on the 23. of November 1990 at a foundation conference in Moscow. The organization is a volunteer alliance of women’s groups, unions, associations, initiatives, councils, organizations, clubs. At that time the WUR represented 79 regions of Russia, included 100 different groups and 7 member organizations, two of which had federal status, they had their own Charta and membership, but prefer to be members of the WUR because they supported the program of the WUR and gains.

In 1991 the Women’s Union of Russia became (as a representative from Russia) a member of the Soviet Women’s Committee, that united all Women’s Councils from 15 Soviet Republic.

After dissolution of the Soviet Women’s Committee in 1992, at the last meeting the women’s organizations from the former Soviet Republics decided that the Women’s Union of Russia should be a successor to the SWC.

Since its creation the WUR is working on implementation of its program which had been worked out by WUR in accordance with Beijing Declaration and Strategic Plan of Actions adopted by IV UN World Conference.

The guiding body of the WUR is the Conference. It is convened once every 5 years. In the period between conferences the Management heads the Board, during the year – the Bureau of the Board.

The WUR holds a special status of a consult with UN Economic and Social Council. WUR is an associated member of UN Department of Information. It is rewarded with UN Diploma Ambassador of Peace.

The Chairwomen – Lakhova Ekaterina

EVOLUTION

In 1993 the Women’s Union of Russia together with 2 other federal Women’s organizations created a political women’s movement “Women of Russia”. The movement participated twice in the parliamentary elections in 1993 and 1995 as a separate bloc. In 1993 we managed to overcome 5% barrier, we could get 8,4% electoral votes and introduce 23 female deputies to the State Duma who formed the own faction in Duma. It functioned 1993-1995, in two years we succeeded  in approving several laws playing an important role in the legal promotion of the equal rights for women and improvement of their status, participated in drafting 325 laws, lobbied the Program “Children of Russia” and developed the Family Code”.  In 1995 at the second election campaign to the Duma our movement won 4,6% electoral votes, captured the 5^th position in the rating of the parties included to the State Duma Then the movement participated three times at election campaigns but it was not successful.

In 1996 the WUR has become an ICW member.

During 33 years of the work the WUR  increased its membership and activities.

Now the Women’s Union of Russia unites dozens of thousands of women with active civic stance, who conduct activities in all constituent entities of the Russian Federation: we have 87 regional branches; over 20,000 women’s councils; over 900,000 members of the Union.

The Women’s Union of Russia operates the program “Equality. Development. Peace in the 21st century”, through which it ensures public participation in the implementation of the National Strategy of Action for Women 2023-2030 and National Projects in the spheres of demography, health, education, culture, environment and women’s entrepreneurship.

The program includes 7 directions:

Strong family – stable state –the program is aimed at support of the family, protection of motherhood and childhood, rendering moral and material assistance to most vulnerable members of society: widows, single aged people, family children’s houses, student families having children, refugees and forced migrants, families of those who perished in armed conflicts.  It also comprises support to struggle against violence towards women and children. Women’s councils working in the regions initiated social important activities and projects: “Loving family to children”, “Young family”, “Under the father’s wing”, Territory of the healthy way of life”, “Family of the year”, “Third generation-new opportunities”, “Responsible Fatherhood” and many others to develop and realize a family policy as a part of the national policy.

Towards sustainable development and social security- within this program the WUR concentrates its work on integration of women into new economic relations, increase of their role as active and equal partners of men in implementation of economic reforms, prevention of negative aftermath of economic globalization for women, activation of struggle against poverty. This program provides increasing of women’s opportunities in the sphere of employment, professional training and re-training, rendering support to women in organizing and managing of small enterprises, expansion of women’s access to the earth, capital, new technologies.

A broad scope of actions and projects of social, legal, psychological and informational assistance to women  in conditions of market economy is being implemented. It includes: Action of female solidarity “I can”. Its slogan “From position of social passivity to reliance on one’s power and self- development”. Promotion of women’s social initiatives in the course of implementation of National Projects and the National Strategy of Action for Women, creation of conditions for women’s self-realization and economic independence, promotion of social entrepreneurship as an effective tool for involving women of different ages, status and occupations in solving social problems, support of women’s entrepreneurship, social creativity and creative industries. Providing practical assistance to families in regions of natural disasters and to numerous refugees from Ukraine.

For guaranteed equal rights and opportunities for men and women– the program embraces the whole scope of problems related to the status of women in the society, her participation in adopting political decisions, eliminating of all forms of discrimination of women. The program includes permanently educational activities, promotion of the institute of mentorship and conditions for training and education of women leaders, conducting of scientific conferences, public expertise of active laws and of legal acts being at stage of working out, work with mass media etc. Implementation of programs “Election”, “Variety of Solidarity”, “Rating” to promote female candidates during election campaigns to all levels of authority and support the candidates, who take women’s interests into account. An educational project “School of civic activity” for our activists, members, leaders.

Spirituality. Culture. Healthy lifestyle – the aim of this program is to preserve and increase spiritual values and health of Russian society, its moral, culture and education, family and culture traditions of society. The program helps women, children and family to reveal themselves in creative work. This program includes projects as “Our Home” (meeting with interesting people), annual exhibition of women-artists “Spring Saloon” (popularization of female artists), series of exhibitions called “Special Gift”, (represent work of family dynasties), “This World is mine” (competition of children’s drawing), “The Women’s Folk Art of Provincial Russia”, “Slavonic Fridays” (presentation of modern artists to broad public). Important is the annual Festival  “Theaters to children”. In the last 5 years – a new project “Theater – to  school” One more interesting project “Symbols of small motherhood – Russia’s pride and glory”.

Assistance to developing the women’s reproductive health system, long and happy life and a healthy lifestyle for girls and women of all ages. Developing ecological culture and respect for nature.  The project  “ For clean Home, clean Country, clean Planet”

Women for revival of the village – Sensitization of authorities and society to the situation of rural women and their families, promotion of sustainable rural development and improved quality of life of rural families. assistance in formation of a qualitatively new image of the modern rural woman, search for ways of consolidation of young people in rural areas, and active engagement in training, career guidance and mentoring programs.  The project “Woman as a head of the Village”.

For peace, international cooperation and friendship – this program includes the development of wide contacts with foreign women’s organizations, to contribute to development of public diplomacy, participation in working out of international standard of women’s status, studying and using of foreign positive experience in order to contribute to the internal changes, participation in joint international projects.

Experience of the best regional practice – an example for all other groups” – this program helps to multiply the best practices of activities in different regions and to make it common for all other branches. The information is published in the magazine of the WUR,  on the website. Regulary the competition “The best women’s council” is conducted.

Women in modern media space – a new one program is aimed at promotion of a positive image of women – workers, social activists and mothers, shaping the content of the topical women’s agenda,  development of awareness-raising resources to promote the women’s agenda, creation and extension of public recognition of women’s achievements and progress in various spheres of life.

Other Projects and activities of the Women’s Union of Russia: Interregional Women’s Forums – Consolidation of state and public resources for solving urgent local problems; Strategic sessions on urgent national development issues – Online meetings of leaders of regional women’s organizations related to implementation of the National Strategy of Action for Women; “The women’s face of Victory”, “The Wave of Memory” – Activities commemorating heroes of the Great Patriotic War; “Send a child to school” – Activities aimed to prepare children in a difficult life situation for a new school year;  “For the Beauty of your Mother Tongue” – Formation of interest and respect for one’s mother tongue among children and adolescents; “Theatre + School. Areas of Growth” – Support and development of theatre education in educational institutions of Russia; “Family agribusiness” – Development of family business in a female environment; “Club of Women Entrepreneurs” – Promotion of women’s entrepreneurship; “To Z-defenders of the Fatherland – with love” – Project to support defenders of the fatherland and their families; “Her name is a Woman!” – Journalistic competition to involve media community to highlighting the role of women in our country;  Magazine “The Women’s Union of Russia” – quarterly publication of the WUR; Internet portal “Women of Russia” – Promotion of the role of women  in the life of the country and of the women’s agenda

Media Projects: “Women’s Issues” program – discussion of women’s issues with highly qualified specialists; “Made in Russia” program – success stories of women in Russia;

Podcast «Allies» – unknown facts about famous people of the past and present;           Virtual learning center – awareness-raising and educational webinars and master classes;            Legal and psychological counselling.

In 2021 we opened a Museum of the History of the Russian Women’s Movement in the premises of the WUR and joined the “easy travel” channel. Now everybody can visit our Museum.

The Women’s Union of Russia rewards its best activists with medals: memorable medal of the WUR; the Medal “Daughters of Motherland”; Medal of Valentina Grizodubova (the first Pilot of the USSR).  We have also set up Honorary titles: “Honorary Culture Ambassador of the WUR” and “Honorary  Mentor of the WUR” ( Projects: mentors: “not side-by-side, but together”; ”Mentorship as a start in life”). Also we have WUR Diplomas.