Moscow, Russia—UPF dedicated the first of a series of online interviews to UN International Day of Families.
Hon. Dr. Elena Grigorievna Drapeko, a member of the Russian State Duma and a well-known actress, was the first guest to be interviewed. Dmitry Samko, the UPF-Moscow secretary general, conducted the one-hour interview on May 16, 2020.
The online interview series is a project of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace (IAPP), an organization that is related to UPF.
Dr. Drapeko has been a member of the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, since 2003. She is the first deputy chair of the Committee on Culture and the deputy head of the faction known as The Just Russia. She also has appeared in more than 60 Soviet and Russian films and television shows since 1972.
In the interview Dr. Drapeko explained that she very clearly supports traditional family values. She said she is very glad that President Vladimir Putin suggested that the Russian Constitution be amended to allow marriage only between a man and a woman, because, she said, the purpose of marriage is to give birth to and raise children. Only the marriage of a man and a woman can fulfill this goal, she said.
Dr. Drapeko pointed out that we need to be very serious about the flow of the information on the Internet, especially information that subverts traditional families. This is targeted propaganda, she said.
The interview also touched on the current self-isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Drapeko encouraged everyone to use this time to develop better relationships and to care more for each other, especially for children. She said that children now are seeing much more of their parents, which does not happen often at other times.
The issue of domestic violence also was raised, as well as actions that government and NGOs can take. Dr. Drapeko briefly mentioned the financial support that the Russian government is giving to support families who are not working during the quarantine.
This interview was a highly successful beginning, and we are planning to continue this project.