Rasumnova Irina Illarionovna Rasumnova Irina Illarionovna
Ph.D. for Economy Science, General Director of the Center for Development of Small Enterprises "Guild", senior scientific researcher of ISKRAN

"In spite of all the difficulties small enterprises owned by women play now and will play a significant role in the economy of Russia."

"The most important thing is - to overcome your own diffidence, which we all have and inertness and to understand that the world that surrounds us has changed and therefore we all have to change as well."

[What is your opinion about different aspects of women's leadership in politics, social life and business in the present Russia?] [What do you think about the Initiative "Vital Voices"?] [What is your personal or your organization's contribution to support and promotion of women?] [What is the target group of your support?] [What activities could help the society to change existing stereotypes staying in the way of self-realization of women?] [What are the ways of more active involvement of women into political, economical and social life of the country?] [Which forms of partnership are possible between women leaders of the political or commercial structures and women's public initiatives?] [What do you think can the introduction of quotation system In Russia contribute to the democratic development of the country?]

What is your opinion about different aspects of women's leadership in politics, social life and business in the present Russia?

I consider it very positive that women become leaders in business, but negative - in politics.

The world statistics are evidence of the increasing of number of women who are successful in business. Many women established their own small enterprises owing to their energy, good educational background and wish to self-realization. Here is hidden a great resource of employment for our country. It is well known that women older than 40-45 can hardly find a job and moreover, a job which is corresponding with their level of education. And small businesses are giving them a chance.

In spite of all the difficulties, small enterprises owned by women play now and will play a significant role in the economy of Russia.

What do you think about the Initiative "Vital Voices"?

I consider the initiative "Vital Voices" to be very positive. The goal of "Vital Voices" is to raise leaders.

What is your personal or your organization's contribution to support and promotion of women?

Center for Development of Small Enterprises "Guild" is contributing to support and promotion of women in business through liquidation of entrepreneurial illiteracy and training in business basics.

What is the target group of your support?

Our target group is - entrepreneurs, unemployed people, mostly women.

What activities could help the society to change existing stereotypes staying in the way of self-realization of women?

Popularization of the private enterprise experience (positive and negative); propagation of knowledge about the small business, about women's role in its development, training women in entrepreneurial basics. The most important thing is - to overcome your own diffidence, which we all have and inertness and to understand that the world that surrounds us has changed and therefore we all have to change as well. Sure, business - even the easiest kind of it - is an important thing and requires high professionalism and education.

What are the ways of more active involvement of women into political, economical and social life of the country?

Women entrepreneurs who achieved success in business and believed that the private business was forever and that they could get real assistance from the state would be actively involved into economical, social and political life of the country.

Which forms of partnership are possible between women leaders of the political or commercial structures and women's public initiatives?

In different cases - different forms. This could be widening and strengthening of the relations between women entrepreneurs and unemployed women, who have been trained at our Center. Nevertheless, these meetings should take place regularly and should be thoroughly prepared. A public organization can assume the organizational work.

This might be creation of a base for business and professional communication of women from different structures, exchange of experience (a person who successful in business tells about herself), informational exchange, leadership trainings, groups of mutual assistance, organization of meetings, conferences, seminars on experience exchange.

What do you think can the introduction of quotation system In Russia contribute to the democratic development of the country?

I think that the quotation system is an artificial problem. Women can be leaders so can men either; leaders are persons who can solve problems, propose new programs. If such women - like for example Galina Starovoitova - appear - they will not need any quotas - they will go to the top by themselves.