21 March 2016 – In celebration of the International Women’s Month this March, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow organized a lecture on “Women and LGBT Rights in Russia” on March 19.

The lecture was given by Dr. Marina Pisklakova-Parker of the Gender Studies Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. An advocate of women’s rights, Dr. Parker is the founder of a non-governmental organization called ANNA: The Center for the Prevention of Violence. The group aims to “bring attention to the issue of violence against women as well as to establish the first hotline and services for female survivors of domestic violence in Russia.”

Speaking about LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) rights, Dr. Parker stated that Russia has liberalized its laws after the fall of the Soviet Union, but there are still significant challenges.

 “Although being gay is not technically illegal in Russia, laws passed in recent years have made it harder and harder for the LGBT community to live openly,” said Dr. Parker.

Overseas Filipinos in Moscow participated in this event. END