What role Belarusian women play in the society nowadays and what challenges they face – these issues were discussed at the UN Population Fund’s media event “The role of a woman in the modern world”.

 “The main challenges that the women of Belarus face are related to the labour market, and double workload – both at work and home.These issues are of global concern.For example, in every country there is a difference in the salaries of men and women for the same work done.In Europe this figure is about 16.2%, and in our country it is 26.3% on average”, said Tatyana Haplichnik, Programme Analyst, UNFPA.

Women make two thirds of 776 million adult population of the world who cannot read or write.As for our country, Belarusian women have a higher education level as compared to men.57.7% of Belarusian undergraduates are girls.Despite this fact university educated women and working full time earn 82% of what men make on average and work in the lowest-paying jobs and industries.

Despite the gap in salaries women are now more often invited to executive positions. For example, Belarus is now one of the 27 countries of the world, which have achieved the target indicator of women’s participation in the decision making process.

“It should be noted that the age range of women in executive positions has been expanding. Now Belarusian women start their businesses at 22 just as at 54. Everybody wants to develop and change for the best. When we held a contest for women managers, we noted that women rarely speak of their achievements in front of an audience, but in small groups they can speak of their success”, shared Svetlana Zere, Manager of the LADY.TUT.BY website.

Vasily Pron, a professional trainer and Director of Kvadratny Apelsin Creative Centre, told what other problems women face and what psychological courses they choose to take.

“Women mostly apply for trainings on relationships, while men are more interested in the topic of money. This does not mean that relationships and money are important for men and women to a various degree; this is an indication of the stereotypes embedded in us and thus determining a girl’s or a boy’s behaviour”.

Larisa Gribalyova is considered one of the most successful Belarusian women. She manages to combine business, family and creativity. “The secret of success of every woman is in her proactive attitude: if you know what you want and where you aspire to, no stereotypes will prevent you from achieving your goal”.

Summarizing the results of the event Tatyana Haplichnik mentioned that women are involved in many spheres of life but cannot to a full extent influence the development of a particular area. That is why when we speak about gender equality, we must realize that it is not the equality at the level of results, but - first and foremost - the equality of rights and opportunities to exercise these rights.