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The mission of this project was to provide the community of gender experts with analytical and informational resources for promoting gender equality policy in Russia.

The project was designed for 36 months, but then prolonged for 3 months without additional financing. The reason was that printing house delayed the issuance of two final publications on the project; therefore, presentation of these publications was moved from May to September.

Main goals of the project were to facilitate the creation of the National machinery on gender equality in Russian Federation (RF) through the development of recommendations and building coalition with representatives of government and civil society; facilitate gender mainstreaming in social policy in the spheres of health care and education; providing support in terms of resources (analytical and informational) to the community of gender experts at various levels: from the employees of the State Duma Office to human rights organizations.

What has been done in the course of project implementation? (Here is the overview of project’s achievements).

I. FACILITATION OF THE FORMATION OF NATIONAL MACHINERY

As international experience confirms, the success in shaping and realization of gender equality policy depends, in many aspects, on the activities of national gender equality machinery. In general, national machinery is understood as a state/government structure aiming at the protection of the interests of women or observing the principles of gender equality in the process of social policy development and practical realization.

As it was noted in the proposal, administrative reform of federal government bodies in Russia (since 2004), accompanied by structural changes and personnel rearrangements, practically destroyed previously existed National machinery on equal rights for women. It was the reason why the MCGS (Moscow Centre for Gender Studies) put as one of the main project’s goals the idea of facilitation of the forming the National machinery for gender equality in RF. As we see it, our facilitation should involve the development of expert recommendations and building coalition of gender equality experts and public policy makers.

Research

Recommendations on the creation of National Machinery in Russia should be based on the findings of comparative analysis of the structure and activities of national machineries in countries with different social-economic, political and cultural conditions. It should be noted that forms and elements of such machineries, as well as strategies and policies applied differ considerably. Besides, Russia is a country uniting different ethnic groups having different cultures, and, in addition, going through fundamental political and social economic transformation. This results, in particular, in the fact that in social and economic policies different, sometimes opposite, trends of liberalism and state paternalism come to conflict; human rights values are questioned from the point of view of religious doctrines, especially Christian Orthodoxy that is playing progressively visible role under the state. Many of these processes negatively impact the realization of gender equality policy. Russia needs the development of new models and practices of state policies, including those in the sphere of gender equality.

Still, search for relevant materials turned out to be more difficult than it seemed initially. The point was that we wanted to have not just formal listing of structures and kinds of activities of national machineries, but their analysis from the efficiency point of view. Gender experts knowing specific features in the countries can do this the best. Of course, ideally it would be nice to order texts (analysis) by countries from experts residing in those countries. But this was impossible due to a number of objective reasons. As for specialists from Russia, there were very few who were experienced in gender methodology and at the same time aware of the specifics in one or another country. In order to build the level of proficiency in gender issues with experts in country specific studies, MCGS conducted a series of consultations and workshops, where invited experts could study gender approaches, get acquainted with literature from MCGS’s library and specialized Internet resources. To conduct analyses of national machineries in CIS countries, gender specialists from those countries were invited. Apart from those experts with whom MCGS had already had experience of cooperation, we have found new young specialists. In order to be able to compare results got from different countries, all invited experts worked on a guide/questionnaire specifically developed by O.A.Voronina.

In addition, as early as at the application stage, a list of 20 countries from different regions of the world whose experience seemed to be interesting from the point of view of our objectives, was compiled. But in the process of work we came to the idea to show wider overview. As a result, national machineries on the advancement of women and gender equality in 50 countries from six continents (Europe, Asia, North and Latin Americas, Africa, Australia and New Zealand) were analyzed. Program documents and policies on national machineries by UN, plus program documents and gender policies by European Union were analyzed as well.

Research findings have been publicized in the monograph called “Gender Equality in Contemporary World. Role of National Machineries” (“Gendernoe ravenstvo v sovremennom mire. Rol’ natsional’nyh mechanizmov”. Moscow, Max Press, 2008 (670 p.), ed. by O.A.Voronina, Ph.D) authored by 30 experts.

Dissemination of results: seminars and conferences

  Conducted by MCGS

1. Seminar, “Gender Equality Policies: Latin America”, was organized by the MCGS jointly with the Research Board on gender studies under the Social Sciences Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS, Central House of Journalists, Moscow, 2006). In the course of the seminar, analytical papers on the activities of national machineries on gender equality in Argentine, Brazil, Mexico and Chile were presented. Seminar was attended by 35 participants; among others, the following experts took part in the discussions and commented on papers: S.Aivazova, PhD in Political Sciences (Member of the Human Rights Committee under the President of RF), N.Grigoryeva, PhD in Political Sciences (Prof., Faculty of Public Administration of the Lomonosov Moscow State University), T.D.Zhdanova, PhD in Historical Sciences (Director of the Moscow Representatives of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation), T.A.Klimenkova, PhD in Philosophy (Information Center of the Independent Women’s Forum), N.A. Shvedova, PhD in Political Sciences (Inter-regional organization “Women’s Leadership and Partnership”, Institute of the USA and Canada of the RAS), T.I.Shipulo, PhD in Historical Sciences and many others. Apart from collecting new analytical data, the important result of this work was the attraction of attention of ‘traditional’ political scientists (R.Matveev, L.Dyakova, G.Danilova, O.Averina and others) to gender issues and their involvement into the circle of gender experts.
2. Seminar: “Gender Policies in European Countries” (March 2007).
3. Seminar: “UN Program Documents and Policies on National Machineries” (January 2008).
4. Seminar in kind of expert round table, “Development of National Machinery on Gender Equality in RF” was conducted, where the preparation of analytical overview and policy paper on the development of national machinery on gender equality in Russia was discussed, for consequent submission to corresponding Committees of the State Duma of RF, Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of RF (June, 2008).
5. Presentation of the “Gender Equality in Contemporary World. Role of National Machineries” monograph (September 2008). Authors of the articles, scholars from academic institutions, employees of Gender Bureau of the Federation of Independent Trade-Unions of Russia, representatives of organizations under Moscow government and international organizations (UNDP), scientific journals, public unions and journalists took part in the discussion.

  B) Dissemination of results on the events organized by other organizations:

• Speech by O.Voronina “About the necessity to establish state guarantees for gender equality in RF” on the conference of the inter-regional public organizations, “Women’s Leadership and Partnership”, attended by representatives of 70 regional women’s organizations (March 2006).
• Speech by O.Voronina ”Resource support of gender equality policy in Moscow” at the round table “Women’s movement from the scientific point of view: issues and perspectives”. Among round table participants, there were representatives of the Public Relations Committee of the Moscow City Duma, women’s non-governmental organizations from Moscow, gender experts (November 2006, Moscow House of Public Organizations).

  C) Other forms of project results’ dissemination

Distribution list compiled for the «Gender Equality in Contemporary World. Role of National Machineries” book and other publications prepared in the framework of the project. As of today, over 150 copies of the book have been distributed to stakeholders, including Ministry of Health Care and Social Development, State Duma’s Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs, UNIFEM, UNDP, as well as women’s and human rights protection organizations, universities, academic and research institutions, mass-media.

II. FACILITATION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN SOCIAL POLICY IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CARE

To achieve this goal, a working group was created consisting of the following experts in gender aspects of health care: Rimashevskaya N.M., corresponding member of the RAS, Grigoryeva N.S., PhD in Political Sciences, Ballayeva E.A., PhD in Philosophy, Chubarova T.V., PhD in Economic Sciences. The structure of the report “Gender aspects of state policy in the sphere of health care” developed and approved, leading implementers and experts identified, and the plan of public activities on the promotion of project’s results at the decision making levels, as well as raising public awareness about main stages of project’s realization developed.

Research

When conducting analytical work, gender statistical indicators developed in the course of previous MCGS project supported by McArthur Foundation were used.

In accordance with project objectives, the most typical cases of violations of rights of women and men to health care, causes of gender inequality in the field of health care were studied and described; health related gender stereotypes connected with the violations of rights of women and men to health care were studied. Besides, interrelations of men and women, as customers, with the state, municipal and private providers of medical services were analyzed; legal, administrative, financial and professional sources of gender inequality in the field of health care were identified.

Methodology

Gender analysis of health and health care means the examination of the impact of gender relations onto women’s and men’s health, the institute of health care and what political, economic and administrative measures could be taken to minimize gender inequality.

Regarding health, gender inequality manifests itself in the systemic interactions of individual/personal and institutional factors impacting health and behaviour of men and women.

We distinguished two groups of factors influencing the formation of gender inequality in this sphere. The first group concerns the peculiarities of functioning of health care system from the point of view of specific needs in medical services in men and women. At the ground of these distinctions there are stereotypes about traditional gender roles: maternity as a “natural mission of women”, woman as “hearth keeper” and man as “breadwinner”, physical weakness of female sex, connection between men’s health and sexual abilities. Health care system, in certain degree, integrates such stereotypes: in the field of ideology (the definition of health and illness); at institutional level limiting the problems of women’s health to medical couching of pregnancy and maternity and virtually full ignoring the problems of men’s reproductive health); in the practice of rendering medical assistance (when the standard of medical intervention is the body of man).

The second group contains factors external for health care: existing gender segregation of labour; gender differences of sources and sizes of incomes; features of healthy behaviour and way of life connected with traditional gender values.

We found that these factors put both women and men in a disadvantaged position, and the degree of their impact appears in combination with other forms of social differentiation: social-economic status, age, ethnic and religious/cultural affiliation.

Gender analysis of health care policies considers gender relations as primarily integrated into political process. Distribution of responsibilities, making decisions and evaluation of their efficiency have gender dimension. Policy decisions and actions in the filed of health care bear important social consequences.

Thus, gender approach to health and health care helps, first, to better understand factors influencing the health of women and men and uuse this knowledge in practical recommendations; second, to consider all roles and stages of women’s life cycle when assessing health, not only ones related to women’s fertility; third, to boost men’s responsibility for their health and the health of their partners.

On the results of work a monograph has been published called “Gender dimension of health and health care”. The book presents analytical materials devoted to general organizational characteristics of health care in Russia and opportunities provided by gender analysis of health care policies. Particular focus is made on health care problems directly related to the realization of priority national projects in the fields of health care and demographic development. The research was conducted using gender indicators of health and health care developed in the previous MCGS project, official statistical data, data from the Monitoring of economy and population’s health in Russia (MEPHR / RLMS, 1996–2002), National survey of living standards and public participation in social programs (NHS), research findings of the Institute of Social and Economic Policy of RAS. This is an innovative publication opening wide perspectives for further research, because gender issues in health and health care in such an extensive volume have not been considered before in our country.

Also, research findings are presented in the following articles:
Ballaeva, Е.А. To the issue of the necessity of gender mainstreaming in health care. // Gender Stereotypes in modern Russian society / Ed. Nazarova I.B. – Moscow, 2007
Ballaeva, Е.А. Efficiency assessment of the national demographic policy in selected countries in the world // Report on the research “The development of methodological approaches to the assessment of demographic situation as a strategic factor of country development”. Research Institute of Systems Analysis of the Accounts Chamber of Russian Federation. – М., 2007
Rimashevskaya, N.M. The issues of human capacity development. “Population”, 2007, №1 (35)
Chubarova, T.V. Health. A chapter of the research report “National Projects: Expert Evaluation”, Institute of Economics RAS, 2007
Chubarova, T.V. The effect of joining WTO on the availability of medical services in Russia: gender aspect, ECO («ЭКО»), 2007, № 11
Chubarova T. Les difference des sexes dans le systeme sante en Russie. Transcontinentales, 2007, N 5
In addition, project results were presented in the course of internet-conference “Health care: organization, management and responsibilities issues” (16 April – 15 June, 2007).
(Site address: http://www.socpolitika.ru/rus/conferences/3985/3989/index.shtml)

Dissemination of results: seminars and conferences

  А) Conducted by MCGS

1. Seminar, “Gender issues in governmental health care policy” (November, 2005), was conducted at the Moscow Office of the Representatives of John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation). Experts and researchers working on gender aspects of health care, as well as employees of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of RF and the Health Care Committee of the State Duma of RF took part in the seminar’s work.
2. Experts’ seminar: “Gender issues in health care. Interdisciplinary research and gender methodology” (February, 2006). In the course of discussion, experts came to a conclusion the traditional approach in health care policy considering women as a target group is not efficient enough, because gender aspects of health are analyzed in isolation from social-economic context and real needs of gender groups in medical services. Apart from the fact that this causes distortion in understanding health issues of men as a special gender group, general effectiveness of health care programs considerably decreases.
3. Conference, “Gender dimension of health and health care” (30 May, 2006), conducted by MCGS jointly with the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russian Federation, Scientific Board on gender issues under the Social Sciences Department of the RAS and the Institute for Socio-Economic Studies of Population, Russian Academy of Sciences. There was a discussion on the perspectives for gender mainstreaming in social policy in the field of health care with the involvement of representatives of ministries and state departments, deputies, and experts in gender aspects of population’s health issues. The Steering Committee consisted of: N.M.Rimashevskaya, corresponding member of the RAS, PhD in Economy (Head of the Steering Committee); O.A. Voronina, Director of the MCGS, PhD in Philosophy (Deputy Head), O.V. Sharapova, Director of the Department for medical and social issues of family, maternity and childhood of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russia, PhD in Medical Sciences, A.Y.Shevyakov, Director of the Institute for Socio-Economic Studies of Population, Russian Academy of Sciences, PhD in Economy, N.S.Grigoryeva, Faculty of Public Administration, Moscow State University, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, E.A.Ballayeva, manager of the MCGS project on gender issues in health and health care, PhD in Philosophy, L.G.Lunyakova, manager of the MCGS health care project, PhD, T.A.Melnikova, consultant of the Department for medical and social issues of family, maternity and childhood of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russia, PhD.
   The conference was held at the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russia. Greeting speech was delivered by V.I.Starodubov, academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Deputy Minister of Health Care and Social Development of Russia.
4. Experts’ seminar, “Gender issues in the governmental policy in the field of health care” (February, 2007), where the following papers by invited experts were presented and discussed: “Gender examination of the “Health” and “Demographic Policy” national projects” (Grigoryeva, N.S.) and “About some outcomes of the “Gender dimension of health and health care” project realization (Chubarova, T.V.). The seminar was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development, experts, representatives of women’s NGOs.
5. Round table on the issues of gender policy in health care and presentation of collective monograph, “Gender Dimension of Health and Health Care” (20 December, 2007, House of Journalists).

  B) Dissemination of results on the events organized by other organizations:

1. In the framework of cooperation with the “Philosophy of Health” program, MCGS took part in the First International Conference “Women’s Health Problems and Ways of Their Solving” (February, 2007) conducted at the Russian Academy of Civil Service under the President of Russian Federation. MCGS conducted a specialized section called “Social problems of women and men: modern approaches to the issues of sex and health”. Three papers of projects’ participants were presented and discussed: “Health factors: gender analysis at macro- and micro-levels” (Rimashekaya, N.M.); “Gender approach in health care” (Grigoryeva, N.S.); “Gender equality in health care policy” (Ballayeva, E.A.). About 50 participants took part in section’s work, including medical practitioners, representatives of health care system, and lecturers of the RACS.
2. In the framework of cooperation with the “Philosophy of Health” program, MCGS took part in the Second International Conference “Women’s Health Problems and Ways of Their Solving” (February, 2007) conducted at the Russian Academy of Civil Service under the President of Russian Federation. At the request of the Steering Committee, MCGS, again, conducted a specialized section called “Gender issues in health care” headed by N.M.Rimashevskaya, corresponding member of the RAS. Papers were presented by project’s experts: N.M.Rimashevskaya, N.S. Grigoryeva, T.V. Chubarova, E.A. Ballayeva.

  C) Other forms of project results’ dissemination

The results of monitoring and gender analyses of legislation in force and statistical data in the field of health care, realization of national projects in health care and demographic policy were disseminated through 12 issues of electronic digest and electronic newsletters posted on the MCGS site http://www.gender.ru.

Printed materials distributed among participants of the All-Russian Forum, “Nation’s Health is the Basis of Prosperity for Russia”, conference “Women’s health problems and ways of their solving” seminars’ participants.

Project’s outcomes were presented on the internet-conference, “Health care: organization, management and levels of responsibility” (16 April – 15 June, 2007).
(http://www.socpolitika.ru/rus/conferences/3985/3989/index.shtml)

Expert Chubarova, T.V., as a main speaker of “National Project on Health Care: What Next?” public dispute, informed about project’s outcomes, (Association of Independent Centers for Economic Analysis, 18 January, 2007). This information also was presented at the session of the “inequality in Health Care” round table organized by the Institute of Independent Social Policy and WHO European Bureau on 15 November, 2007. Also, Dr Chubarova presented a paper called “Health Care in Russia: is there an alternative?” at the session of the “Modernization of Russian health care system” round table, conducted by the Department of Social Sciences oа the RAS and National Investment Council on 20 November, 2007.

The publication, “Gender Dimension of Health and Health Care”, was distributed among members of the Permanent Commission on Gender Equality at the Federation of Independent Trade-Unions of Russia (FITUR) and gender committees of branch trade-union organizations during the meeting of FITUR General Assembly (85 copies at the request from FITUR); 100 copies provided for distribution at the “Women’s Health” conference (“Philosophy of Health” project); to federal and regional government bodies; Public Chamber of Russian Federation; leading academic institutions of Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian Academy of Medical Sciences; representatives of UN, WHO, UNDP and UNIFEM in Russia; women’s and human rights organizations; universities and higher medical educational institutions in the regions of Russian Federation.

III. FACILITATION OF GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN SOCIAL POLICY IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION

Research and practical work

In the field of education there is no open and direct discrimination of women and they, perhaps, possess equal rights in the largest degree compared to other spheres. Still, hidden discrimination in kind of the translation of traditional gender stereotypes in textbooks and curricula is quite common (this issue was in detail analyzed in the previous MCGS project supported by McArthur Foundation).

In November 2007 a meeting of experts took place called “Equal rights and opportunities in the field of higher education”. Main problems requiring study were identified at the meeting. These were, first of all, gender consequences of joining Bologna Declaration by Russia in the field of higher education and the impact of education to gender segregation in the job market.

Project employees participated in the international conference, “Liberal education and social context: gender issues”, which took place at the faculty of philosophy and political science of the Saint-Petersburg State University. There were about 80 researchers and lecturers from universities and research centres from Russia, Italy, Ukraine, Finland, Czech Republic and Japan. Main topics of reports and discussions were: liberal education as a factor of providing for gender equality; gender aspect of education in 21st century (including the integration of Russian higher education into Bologna process); gender stereotypes in education; training and retraining of teachers/lecturers on the basis of opening new specializations in gender issues etc. Project employees made a report at a plenary session and contributed to sections’ work. Their reports were published in the conference proceedings.

The research resulted in a publication, namely, the collection of materials called “Equal rights and opportunities of women and men in higher education. Gender education in Russia” (“Ravnye prava I ravnye vozmozhnosti zhenshin i muzhchin v sfere vysshego obrazovaniya. Gendernoe obrazovanie v Rossii”. Moscow, MaxPress, 2008, 250 p.). It presents the most interesting works of Russian specialists exploring both general and gender issues in higher education. There are articles of various nature in the publication: theoretical overviews and methodological summaries; materials devoted to higher education reform and joining Bologna process by Russia; findings of studies on social and economic issues of higher education in the context of gender policy. “Gender Education in Russia” chapter contains the following materials: the report about curricula and courses in gender conducted by MCGS since 1990; specially collected by MCGA database on special courses and curricula taught in Russian universities; the list of author's abstracts of dissertations sent to MCGS library and selected bibliography of scientific publications on gender issues.

In September, 2008, there was a presentation of the book at the Moscow Representatives of The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Discussion participants noted negative role of gender stereotypes in education system leading to devaluation of human capital both in women and men. The issues of teaching gender theory in higher educational institutions and gender education for young specialists presented in the book called became a subject of a special interest with participants.

To date, over 100 copies of the book have been distributed to the relative committees of the State Duma, Ministry of Education and Science of Russian Federation, Department for Education in Moscow, as well as women’s and human rights organizations, universities, academic and research institutes, mass-media.

Education related issues were also discussed during the conference “Gender issues in contemporary Russia” conducted by MCGS jointly with the Russian State University of Humanities, Moscow government and the Scientific Board of the Social Sciences Department of Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow on 10-12 April, 2008.

The conference’s objective was to explore and identify gender space in contemporary Russia, analysis and development of new approaches and methodological strategies, innovation research in the field of gender, discussion of directions and perspectives of scientific and practical research in Russia.

MCGS involved in participation in the conference such public policy makers as:
Zhurova S.S., Deputy Head of the State Duma of Russian Federation, member of the Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs;
Gordeeva M.V., Deputy Director of the Department of Medical and Social Problems of Family, Maternity and Childhood at the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development in Russian Federation;
Muravyeva I.N., Head of Registry Offices Administration in Moscow, member of International Women’s Forum;
Rimashevskaya N.M., corresponding member of the RAS, PhD in Economy; Head of Scientific Council on Gender under the Social Sciences Department at RAS;
Roschin S.Y., Рощин С.Ю., Higher School of Economy, State University, Pro-Rector, Head of the Labor and Population Economy Chair;
Frolova T.L., Deputy Head of the Federation of Independent Trade-Unions of Russia, PhD in Economy;
Kanapyanova R.M., Head of the Office for the State Duma’s Committee on Nationalities/Ethnicities Affairs, PhD.

There were four sections at the conference: “Women, Profession and Career”; “Role of the State in the Development of Gender Policy” (chaired by O.A. Voronina, Director of MCGS); “Gender Aspects of Modern Family”; “Gender Issues in Education” and a round table, “Assimilation of gender concepts: is there translation or understanding problem?” – co-chaired by O.A.Voronina (MCGS) and G.I.Zvereva (Russian State University of Humanities). Representatives of higher educational institutions from Moscow and regions of Russia presenting a wide range of subjects took part in the conference’s work. The sphere of research interests of those specialists connected with the studying of gender issues in social contexts of politics, business, culture, family, education, and mass-media.

MCGS attracted to participation not only experts directly involved in project’s realization but also other network members with whom we keep in contact. MCGS invited 25 lecturers from regional universities, post-graduate students and activists of public organizations, who presented papers and took part in discussions. Over 100 participants were involved in the conference’s work. MCGS’s publications were distributed at the conference.

Currently, conference proceedings are being prepared for publication with financial support from Moscow government.

IV. RESOURCE (ANALYTICAL AND INFORMATIONAL) SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY OF GENDER EXPERTS

For translating new knowledge on women’s rights, dissemination of project’s results and popularization of gender equality concept, MCGS uses academic channels, public fora and mass media.

Project’s outcomes were presented on the following fora:

The Second All-Russia Assembly of non-governmental organizations on trafficking prevention (at the Russian Academy of Public Service under the President of Russian Federation, March 2006): the book was presented, “Break The Circle Of Silence… About violence against women” (“Razorvat’ krug molchaniya… o nasilii v otnoshenii zhhenshin”) prepared and published by MCGS with the support of G.Boell Foundation; the book was presented by Lunyakova, L.G.

L.Lunyakova took part at the round table of the State Duma’s Committee on Safety/Security on “Roots of violence and cruelty in the society, measures of their legislative prevention” (April, 2006); at the 3rd International Congress of the “Russian Family” National Public Committee, «Family and Health” (Moscow, Russian State Social University, 2006); also, in April, 2006, in the parliament hearings on “Family policy: mechanisms of its realization in the conditions of division of power, legislative experience in regions”, organized by the State Duma’s Committee of Women, Family and Children Affairs in the Small Hall of the State Duma.

In April, 2006, O.Voronina took part in the discussion during the All-Russia public hearings “About poverty overcoming strategy in Russia” that took place at the Academy of Labour and Social Relations on the initiative of the Commission on social development affairs of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation.

In the framework of cooperation with the Consortium of women’s non-governmental organizations MCGS representatives repeatedly took part in Consortium’s events.

In June, 2006 O.Voronina participated in the session of the Commission on social development of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation “About priority measures on the realization of Priorities from the Annual President’s Message to the Federal Assembly of Russian Federation in the sphere of family, childhood and demography”.

In November, 2006 MCGS took part in the round table discussion “About governmental awards to parents for bringing up children”, organized by the State Duma’s Committee on Women, Family and Children Affairs.

In December, 2006, at the Russian State University of Humanities a round table session took place, “Gender issues and the improvement of demographic situation”, organized by the government of Moscow, “Women’s Forum”, Russian public union for the promotion of women’s role in the society and Gender Studies Chair of the Russian State University of Humanities. On behalf of MCGS, E.A. Ballayeva made a speech, “Gender stereotypes in demographic policy”.

In summer 2007, at the request from the Presidium of RAS on the preparation of materials for PACE conference, “Image of Woman in Advertisement”, comments and recommendation to the PACE Resolution by O.Voronina, E.Ballaeva and L.Lunyakova. On 21 June 2007 the document was sent by e-mail to the address of Oleg Gogunov, the Deputy Head of the Public Relations Department of the RAS Presidium and to the State Duma of Russian Federation.

In September, 2008, conference outcomes were presented on a regional conference organized by “Women of Don” Union (Rostov-on-Don).

MCGS always pays special attention to work with mass-media. Apart from consultations for journalists preparing gender related articles, MCGS employees participated in the preparation of radio and TV programs. In particular, O.Voronina presented project’s findings on Mayak radio, in TV programs and talk shows on national channels: First Channel (Pervyi Kanal) and TVC (ТВЦ), and Capital City (“Stolitsa”) TV Channel.

Free distribution of books and other publications by MCGS

Books published on the project were circulated to 76 regional universities and distributed on international, regional and local (in Moscow) conferences and seminars. Upon the requests from the State Duma’s Committees and the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development, 500 copies of books and other materials published with the support of the MacArthur Foundation were given to these organizations for the use of employees and distribution.

MCGS gave a present of all MCGS’s publications and works on gender related issues by other authors and centers which were available at MCGS, to the Gender Studies Chair and academic library of the Russian State University of Humanities.

MCGS Library

To render informational support to the community of women’s rights experts, new materials are posted on MCGS’s site, library works regularly. For the period of project implementation, the library’s fund increased by 300 book titles (in Russian and foreign languages), 50 authors’ abstracts of dissertations, 42 titles of periodicals. There are 700 readers registered in the library’s reading room, including those from Moscow and other cities of Russia, India, Japan, America, Germany, Norway and Poland.

MCGS’s website < www.gender.ru > reflects our work in detail. In the beginning of 2007, site design changed. In addition to regular headings and three constant divisions of the digest (Gender issues of Health Care, Gender Issues of Education and National Gender Equality Machinery), there were full versions of three books published by MCGS with the support of McArthur Foundation posted there: “Gender as a tool of knowledge and transformation of society” / E.Ballaeva, O.Voronina, L.Lunyakova, M., 2006. 304 p.; Gender examination of textbooks for higher school / Ed. O.Voronina. М., 2005. 260 p.; Gender mainstreaming as a strategy of transformation of economic and social policy in Russia / Ed. E.Ballaeva, L.Lunyakova. М., 2005. 160 p.
Electronic catalogue of MCGS was updated monthly.
By 30 September 2008, 81 500 site visitors were registered on MCGS website.

V. OVERALL SOCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROJECT

In the course of project implementation MCGS conducted 2 conferences and 10 seminars and workshops; 3 books and more than 20 papers were published.

The project enabled to involve in the work on women’s human rights and gender evaluation about 300 individuals: experts in human rights and women’s human rights, activists from women’s NGOs, researchers and lecturers from higher school, graduate and post-graduate students, experts in the field of health care and education management, trade-union activists, journalists and even practicing medical doctors (participants of the “Women’s Health” program). Among them, there were not only recognized specialists and experts, but also ‘novices’ at gender equality field.

Overall, deeper knowledge about world experience of the development of national machineries on the advancement of women and gender equality has been obtained. There was no such a comprehensive review and analysis of the subject in the history of Russian research publications before. To realize this task, an international working group consisting of 30 experts in women’s rights from Russia and CIS countries had been formed. Political, economic, social and cultural factors positively or negatively influencing the efficiency of national mechanisms work were identified. A policy paper containing recommendations on the development of national gender equality machinery in Russia has being prepared and submitted to relevant legislative and executive bodies.

Policy papers were presented to public policy makers, as well as to the elements of national machinery on gender equality in Russia: Ministry of Health Care and Social Development; Inter-ministerial Commission on equal rights and opportunities for men and women in RF; State Duma’s Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs; as well as to UNIFEM, UNDP, seminars of women’s and human rights organizations.

In order to facilitate the development of National Machinery on Gender Equality, MCGS systematically interacted with a number of legislative and executive power bodies at federal level and in the country capital. MCGS prepared and submitted expert materials and papers: for the work of the Expert Commission of the State Duma’s Committee on Family, Women and Children Affairs; on the parliament hearings on the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action (2205); on the session of the Public Commission of the Department of Medical and Social Issues of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development in RF (2005), on the session of the Commission on Social Affairs of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation (2006).

O.Voronina, MCGS Director, is the member of Inter-Ministerial Committee on the equality of men and women in Russian Federation, as well as the member of Expert’s Consultative Council under the State Duma’s Committee on Family, Women and Children’s Affairs. In such a position, she actively promotes the ideas of gender equality when discussing law drafts prepared by this body and other committees.

Since May 2008, O.A. Voronina was a member of Organizing Committee of the Second All-Russian Congress of Women which was held in Moscow on 28-29 November, 2008. About 1000 delegates from all regions of Russia took part in it. During the congress there was a section “About National Machinery for observing gender equality principles for men and women” chaired by O.Voronina.

The publication, “Gender equality in contemporary world. Role of national machineries”, was distributed on the Second All-Russian Congress of Women and on parliament hearings (Moscow, State Duma, 1 December, 2008).

Expert conclusions on the “Health” and “Demographic Policy” national projects have been presented at:
Session of the Committee on Social Affairs of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation;
Conference “Gender issues and the improvement of demographic situation” organized by the government of Moscow and Gender Studies Chair of the Russian State University of Humanities;
Session of the Presidium of Social Sciences Department of the Russian Academy of Sciences;
Academic Senate of the Institute for Socio-Economic Studies of Population, Russian Academy of Sciences.
Policy paper, “Women’s rights in the sphere of health protection”, has been sent to the State Duma’s Committees on Health and on Family, Women and Children Affairs; to the Public Chamber of Russian Federation and partnering organizations.

In the course of project implementation, MCGS actively cooperated with the governmental authority bodies, civil organizations on the protection of citizens’ right to health, as well as with professional medical unions and institutions. Among them, in particular, there are the following:

1. Department of medical and social issues of maternity and childhood under the Ministry of Health care and Social Development in Russia,
2. State Duma’s Committee on Health Care,
3. Faculty of Public Administration of the Lomonosov Moscow State University,
4. State research center of preventive medicine under the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russian Federation,
5. National Research Institute of Public Health under the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences,
6. Bureau of Forensic Medical Examination,
7. All-Russian public organization “League of Patients’ Advocates”,
8. Research Centre of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the RAMS,
9. Institute for Socio-Economic Studies of Population (ISESP) RAS,
10. Institute of Economics RAS,
11. The “Philosophy of Health” Program (“Women’s Health” Project) realized with the support from the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russian Federation.

Realization of the project gave an opportunity to familiarize the employees of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development in Russian Federation, deputies and employees of the office in the relevant committees of State Duma RF, members of the Public Chamber of Russian Federation with the principles of gender mainstreaming in health care policies; to show social and economic efficiency of gender mainstreaming and opportunities of its application in national projects in health care and demographic policy. This was reflected in the following legal and administrative documents:

• Federal Law “About additional measures of state support to families with children”, № 256-FZ, 29.12.2006;
• Federal Law “About provision with the allowances on temporary disability, pregnancy and delivery of the citizens subject to compulsory social insurance”, № 255-FZ, 29.12.2006;
• The Decree of the Government of Russian Federation “About rendering high-tech medical assistance to the citizens of Russian Federation on the account of federal budget in 2007” (05 May 2007 № 266);
• The Order 47 of the Ministry of Health Care and Social Development of Russian Federation “ About additional clinical examination of citizens working in state and municipal institutions in the sphere of education, health care, social protection, culture, physical culture and sport and research institutions” (17.01.2007).