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The head of the region opened the plenary session held at the Lastochkiny Gory hotel. The event was attended by representatives of the Penza Union of Women of Russia, led by Olga Chistyakova, the women's movement of the Republic of Mordovia, Nizhny Novgorod and Ulyanovsk regions, as well as guests from Belarus.
The plenary session was dedicated to issues of women's self-realization, their role in the economy and demography, and support for motherhood and childhood in a changing world. In his greeting, Oleg Melnichenko emphasized that protecting women's rights is directly linked to national goals of preserving the people and improving citizens' quality of life.
According to the governor, Penza Oblast pays special attention to social support for families with children and the involvement of young and large mothers in economic life. Payments are made to young and expectant mothers, including students. Starting June 1, a regional family capital will be introduced upon the birth of a second child. There is also compensation for utility and housing rental costs, and the provision of land plots to large families.
"We support initiatives to start one's own business. Every fourth social contract in Penza Oblast is concluded with a large family," the head of the Russian region reported.
A number of initiatives were proposed by the women themselves. The public activity of the region's female residents is growing. The women's movement in Penza Oblast has 5,000 participants; over five years, their number has increased by 30%.
"In Penza Oblast, since 2021, the share of third and subsequent children in the birth structure has been at least 20% and is growing every year. As a result of the pilot project to increase the birth rate, the number of women registering for pregnancy at women's consultations increased by 21%. This is largely a result of state support and social trends," Oleg Melnichenko noted.
The governor separately thanked the head of the Belarusian Union of Women, Olga Shpilevskaya, and a representative of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, Lyudmila Sapego, for their visit to the forum, expressing his conviction that joint work will serve the integration of the socio-economic and cultural space of the regions.
Promoting the role of women in preserving and developing society is a key topic for Belarus in 2026, which, by decision of President Alexander Lukashenko, has been declared the Year of the Belarusian Woman.
"We share a common history and traditional family values, goals for preserving historical memory, and demographic tasks," Olga Shpilevskaya emphasized.