Conference „Women in politics 100+“

After the opening speech from Riina Sikkut, member of the Estonian parliament and president of the women`s association Kadri, the first lecture thematized the role of women from the establishment of the Estonian state to the occupation. The expert who addressed this topic was Pille Petersoo, a sociologist.

The thematic speech took the narrative up where the last speech ended as the role of women after the re-establishment of independent Estonia was discussed.

The first panel provided a discussion about the achievements after 103 years of women`s suffrage. The discussion was moderated by a lecturer from Tallinn University, Barbi Pilvre. Participants of the debate were Marju Lauristin, professor at the University of Tartu, Mari-Liis Sepper, expert for gender equality, Triin Toomesaar, head of the NGO KiVa, and Raul Rebane, journalist and communication expert.

After a break, Kertu Birgit Anton, an Estonian environmental activist, spoke about the possibilities and risks of digitalization regarding political participation.

Subsequently, a panel approached the influence of cyber-violence against women on their involvement in politics. This panel was moderated by Marina Kaljurand, member of the European Parliament, and was completed by Kaja Kallas, member of the parliament and chairwomen of Eesti Reformierakond, Kertu Birgit Anton, Martin Šmutov, editor in chief of the newspaper Ohtuleht, Kadi Viik, expert on gender equality and editor of the feminist online portal Feministeerium, and Maarja Punak, policewoman, border guard and expert on online communication and online security.

Video of the conference (in Estonian):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDd1AnvS78M