Sverdlovsk Region Legislative Assembly Hosts Expanded Meeting on United Russia's Women's Movement

United Russia's Women's Movement expands rapidly in Sverdlovsk Oblast

On February 4, the Legislative Assembly of Sverdlovsk Oblast held an expanded meeting with coordinators and chairs of municipal public councils to discuss the implementation of United Russia's Women's Movement project in the Middle Urals.

Some 400 public activists from 80 municipalities across the region gathered to explore women's roles in society and share best practices in executing socially significant initiatives.

The event was attended by Natalya Polyanskaya, coordinator of the federal party project United Russia's Women's Movement and State Duma deputy; Nikita Rumyantsev, State Duma deputy; Boris Kirillov, deputy presidential envoy to the Urals Federal District; Sergey Nikonov, deputy governor of Sverdlovsk Oblast and head of the governor's and regional government's office; and political analysts Dmitry Yelovsky, Yevgenia Stulova, and Dmitry Zinoviev.

"The growth of the women's movement—uniting representatives of public organizations, lawmakers, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and activists—creates opportunities to bring women's initiatives to life," said Lyudmila Babushkina, chair of the Sverdlovsk Oblast Legislative Assembly. "We are developing and promoting social, humanitarian, and cultural projects to safeguard women's interests and support participants in the special military operation and their families. Women jointly draft legislative proposals and launch educational programs across various fields. It was particularly gratifying to receive positive feedback on our work from federal colleagues. I am confident that we will continue our active efforts, making a meaningful contribution to the region's and the country's development."

Natalya Polyanskaya, coordinator of United Russia's Women's Movement and a State Duma deputy, noted that Sverdlovsk Oblast is a driving force in advancing the women's movement nationwide.

"When it comes to the work of the regional women's movement in Sverdlovsk Oblast, this is where the first municipal branches emerged," she said. "We scaled the model developed by Lyudmila Valentinovna [Babushkina] and, drawing on Sverdlovsk Oblast's experience, established local chapters across the country. Today, the women's movement operates in 89 Russian regions, uniting over half a million purpose-driven women with shared goals and objectives."

As Ludmila Babushkina emphasized, one of the strategic priorities of the women's movement is targeted, systematic work to engage women in the region's public and political life. Over the past period, the women's movement in Sverdlovsk Oblast has carried out large-scale initiatives across multiple areas.

Women gain essential knowledge and skills through mentorship programs, training seminars, and events organized by the Women's Political School. In Sverdlovsk Oblast, 41 clubs have been established at municipal employment centers, where women receive assistance in vocational training and job placement. The wives and mothers of special military operation participants are among the most active attendees. For women looking to start their own businesses, the region offers educational seminars, meetings with entrepreneurs, and access to the Small and Medium-Sized Business Academy's online platform. Over the past year, nearly 100 such events have been held, drawing more than 1,800 participants.

Under the Family Health initiative, leading physicians from the Ural Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health conduct outreach clinics, Medical Task Force teams make field visits, and volunteers receive training in nursing courses.

The women's movement in Sverdlovsk Oblast also makes a significant contribution to supporting servicemembers carrying out their duties in the special operation zone. Participants regularly organize events in solidarity with those involved in the mission.

The United Russia Women's Movement in Sverdlovsk Oblast has sent over 4,000 tons of humanitarian aid. Women hand-knit socks, craft camouflage nets and candles, and prepare long-shelf-life food. Local branches in Irbit, Baykalovsky, Kamyshlovsky, Alapayevsky, and other districts coordinate the delivery of humanitarian supplies to Donbas.

It is worth noting that Sverdlovsk Oblast has adopted a comprehensive package of social laws enabling women to successfully balance their roles as homemakers and professionals while engaging in public work and entrepreneurship. Measures to support motherhood, childhood, and families enhance women's well-being and strengthen their role in societal development. Over recent years, the region has undertaken extensive legislative work to establish local support systems for families with children and large families, with special attention given to young families and creating conditions conducive to childbirth.