Opinions & Interviews

Aleinik: Belarus ensures equal opportunities for women and men in all areas

An archive photo

MINSK, 18 July (BelTA) – In Belarus, equal opportunities for women and men have been created across all areas, National Coordinator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Chairman of the International Affairs and National Security Commission of the Council of the Republic Sergei Aleinik said during the forum Strategy and Sustainable Development Goals with a Woman’s Face in Vitebsk, the Council of the Republic told BelTA.

Sergei Aleinik noted that the forum continues a series of events in gender policy in Belarus launched earlier, including the thematic meeting of the Sustainable Development Council in Minsk on 15 May, dedicated to the Year of the Belarusian Woman.

He emphasized that about 5 million women live in Belarus (almost 54% of the population). The employment rate among women of working age reaches 85.6%, exceeding the male employment rate (84.5%). The country has a national mechanism for developing and implementing gender policy. Equal opportunities for women and men have been created in all spheres: no difference in pay for identical duties, conditions for combining work and childcare are ensured. Women make up: 57% of senior civil servants, 48% in local self-government bodies, 72% of heads and deputy heads of rural, settlement, and city executive committees, 67% of judges, nearly 42% of entrepreneurs.

Sergei Aleinik also stressed that Vitebsk Oblast demonstrates strong socio-economic development, aligning with the president’s priorities for sustainable growth and achieving SDGs. The region is among the leaders in producing innovative and high-tech products. A special role belongs to the Vitebsk Free Economic Zone, which attracts investment and creates advanced industries.

The region has significant research potential: four institutions of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus and five universities operate there. Transport infrastructure is well developed: two European transport corridors pass through the region, and the railway hubs of Vitebsk and Orsha have international significance.

In healthcare, the region was the first to create a registry of medical services and open a medical tourism center, an important step toward achieving SDG No. 3 (Good Health and Well-being). With the largest reserves of surface water in the country, often described as the “lungs of Europe”, Vitebsk Oblast forms a competitive infrastructure for wellness, recreation, and tourism.

“These achievements form a foundation for further progress. In accordance with the instructions of the president and the strategic priorities of the country, Vitebsk Oblast adopted a regional sustainable development strategy until 2040. Its development rests on three pillars: economic growth and innovation, preservation of cultural and natural heritage, social justice and gender equality. Key future tasks for the region will include strengthening industrial and agricultural potential, expanding exports of high-tech products, developing scientific and technological clusters and digitalizing production, expanding medical and ecological tourism, ensuring environmental safety, and preserving natural resources,” Sergei Aleinik stressed.

print version

make home page

add to bookmarks