MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked traditionally male professions to employ more women, to reduce major labour shortages, Western media reported on Monday.
Russia has been suffering from dwindling labour force because of continuous low birth rates, and this has been aggravated by the war in Ukraine.
The mobilization of hundreds of thousands of men took them out of the job market and many of the most educated sections of the population fled the country.
Putin said women represent a huge reserve for Russia and in sectors where they are not yet working, they need to exploit their full potential.
He praised women who were studying to join the air force.
The president went on to say that in our flight schools, girls are already flying fighter aircrafts adding that according to the minister of defense reported that are performing extremely well.
He said all boundaries are being erased. He continued there are some limitations related to health, anatomy, maybe to family.
Putin asked is there is a long business trip then with whom the kids will stay.
He said these matters can be solved and restrictions to women’s work should be lifted.
Putin’s comments came a few days after he initiated a presidential re-election campaign that is likely to enable him to stay in the Kremlin until at least 2030.
