Women for the preservation of the Arctic

1. Increasing the role of women in the sustainable development and preservation of the fragile system of the Arctic region.
2. To achieve the goal, the following needs to be accomplished:
3. Increase the proportion of women employed in public administration; 
4. attracting girls to educational programmes for training in the Arctic, highlighting the special conditions for attracting doctors, teachers, cultural and sports workers to the region;
5. support for women in the implementation of economic projects of small indigenous minorities of the North aimed at preserving the traditional way of life of indigenous peoples living in the Arctic zone;
6. increasing the number of socially significant projects in the Arctic region led by women;
7. Increasing social support for women of the Arctic;
8. Increasing projects aimed at preserving the unique ecosystem of the Arctic zone, Women for a Clean Arctic;
9. involving women in Arctic research, including participation in a comprehensive programme on basic and applied research for the development of the Arctic in priority areas of science and technology.

The importance of the Arctic to the national economy and national security requires strengthening the macro-region economically and socially. Given the harsh climatic conditions in the Arctic region, the main challenge for today's Russia and the countries of this region remains to ensure the quality of life of the population and an increase of human capital. 

According to Rosstat, at the beginning of 2019, the number of people permanently residing in the Arctic is 2.4 million. The Arctic zone of the Russian Federation is characterized by a decrease in the total population due to natural decrease and migration outflow. The migratory outflow shows the worldwide trend of population movement into more comfortable conditions. The new state policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic until 2035 will allow to stop the migratory outflow and increase the population in this region.

Women play a significant role in the development of Arctic territories. They are employed in health, education, and cultural organizations in the Arctic region. The prospects for the development of the labour market for women depend on the socio-economic component, the adjustment of the price of their work and quality of life. The wages of women living in the Arctic region of the Russian Federation are lower than those of other Arctic countries. 

It is necessary to improve the quality of the workforce through the quality of education and social cohesion of women in order for women to become an important factor in the modernization and economic development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Not only do they work in social sectors, but they also implement socially significant projects. The increase in the representation of women in the executive and legislative branches is accompanied by increased attention to social policy issues. Women parliamentarians play a special role in the discussion of current issues related to the development of the Arctic regions.

The nomadic way of life of the northern peoples dictates the need to make non-standard decisions. Number of indigenous peoples living in the Russian Arctic stands at 258 thousand people. 

Women play a leading role in preserving the unique nationalities of the Arctic and their traditional way of life. This requires new standards for the availability of social services, taking into account the specifics of the Arctic, the availability of public services and medical care, and the development of nomadic forms of education.

Women scientists are also in demand in the Arctic. By studying the environment, ice cover and biological productivity of the Arctic, one can predict climate change on Earth. Women scientists have made a significant contribution to the study of the biological characteristics of the Arctic zone. The works of women ichthyologists, zoologists, ethnographers and teachers are significant and appreciated. 

The new Arctic strategy of Russia provides for the creation of a comprehensive program of expeditionary research, construction of a research fleet, the creation of a fund for the development of Arctic technologies. Women will play an important role in the implementation of the programs.

A special role is given to a woman, as the host of the Arctic household, to preserve the region's fragile ecosystem. In promoting educational programs to familiarize Arctic children with the peculiarities of the ecology of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation, a large role is given to women in the coverage of the Green Arctic - Clean Arctic programmes.

Promotion toolkit:

1. Regular monitoring of the number and standard of living of women living in the Arctic region, including those who lead traditional lifestyles (gender analysis with an Arctic context);
2. Analysis of research on the role and place of women in Arctic exploration and development, taking international experience into account;
3. Building a system of work with the leading universities of the country preparing personnel for the study and development of the Arctic region;
4. Involving young women studying at schools and universities in the Arctic forums taking place in Russia and at international venues;
5. Analysis of social support measures for women living in the Arctic region;
6. Implementation of joint projects to preserve the unique ecosystem of the Arctic region and create a common international strategy for studying processes occurring in the Arctic;
7. Implementation of Arctic women's tourism sector projects, including folk arts and crafts;
8. In 2020, as part of preparations for the Third International Eurasian Forum in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation will hold an event with the participation of women parliamentarians from the countries of the Arctic region. Some of the themes of the event are: "Women for a Clean Arctic", "The Role of Women in Preserving the Traditional Lifestyle of Indigenous Arctic Peoples".

Project partners (incl. prospective):

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation;
• Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic.
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation;
• Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Russian Federation;
• Governments of the subjects of the Russian Federation that are part of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation;
• Union of Women of Russia , an All-Russian Public and State Organization;
• Association of Indigenous Peoples of the North, Siberia and the Far East;
• Arctic Research Center of the Yamal-Nenets autonomous district;
• Green Arctic Interregional Public Ecosociological Organization.