The whole world is shocked by this appalling crime, the Senator noted.
The Forum of Women Parliamentarians is taking place in Geneva as part of the 148th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Its Chair Farida Ilimi Haddush (Algeria) and participants honoured by a minute of silence the memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in the Moscow suburbs. This initiative was introduced by Federation Council Deputy Speaker Inna Svyatenko who is taking part in the work of the IPU Assembly.
“The whole world is shocked by yesterday’s appalling crime in a concert hall in the Moscow suburbs. There were many dead and injured women and children who were defenceless in the face of terrorist atrocities.” The Russian Senator urged MPs to pool efforts in countering terrorism and emphasised the need for international cooperation in this respect. “Representatives of many parliamentary delegations expressed their condolences to us,” she said.
At the forum, the Senator made a speech on the role of women peace builders in advancing sustainable peace.
Inna Svyatenko said Russia supports cooperation with international public organisations in exchanging the best practices on removing any forms of violence as regards women and children. According to her, Russia is striving to expand women’s participation in ensuring global security with a key role of cultural humanitarian dialogue, as well as interfaith and interethnic accord. She said Russia is creating favourable conditions for women peace builders as well as for local political and public figures for fulfilling their obligations in emergencies.
“The number of active women, ready to resolve most complicated problems is increasing in Russia all the time. They take part in charity and volunteer movements, such as the Russian Red Cross and the International Women’s Dialogue Peacemaking Movement. Women also head human rights institutions in the country,” the Senator said.
She emphasised that women are studying and taking part in UN peacemaking activities as military observers and serving in civilian missions. “The opinions of women MPs on the issues of the national political and socio-economic development affect the Government’s decisions,” she stressed.
Inna Svyatenko thanked the IPU for its attention to women's contribution to sustainable development, peace and security. She invited her colleagues to take part in the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum that will take place in St Petersburg next September.