MINSK, 14 October (BelTA) – Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus Sergei Rachkov made a speech during general debates of the 145th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Rwanda, the press service of the upper chamber of the Belarusian parliament told BelTA.
The general debates focused on “Gender equality and gender-sensitive parliaments as drivers of change for a more resilient and peaceful world”. Sergei Rachkov talked about Belarus' policy in favor of elevating the social, political, and economic status of women. He stressed that the Belarusian parliament had naturally achieved the share of women as large as 35% without quotas.
Sergei Rachkov pointed out it is necessary to take measures to fix the gender balance of employment and change approaches to recruiting in the sphere of high technologies and investments in startups.
Sergei Rachkov said he believes that the achievement of stability and peace, including gender-oriented one, depends largely on international cooperation and solidarity without economic sanctions, pressure, and interference in domestic affairs.
The senator said that the policy of sanctions has already become a new norm in international relations. Partnership between leading world powers is being devalued. Global economic, financial, and social ties have been disrupted. Opportunities for joint resolution of problems of preserving peace and stability in Europe have been lost.
Sergei Rachkov stressed: “Belarus is forced to confront unprecedented political and economic pressure, cynical interference of external forces in affairs of a sovereign state, brazen attempts to destabilize the situation in the country.”
Sergei Rachkov concluded that despite the illegal pressure Belarus will continue ensuring its sustainable development, bearing truth, speaking up in favor of promoting a uniting and peaceful international agenda, and seeking the removal of all the sanctions-based restrictions.
