On the initiative of the House of Representatives deputies, during the Year of Belarusian Women, representatives from all 118 districts of Belarus, who make a significant contribution to the development of the Belarusian village through their labour, met in the Oval Hall of the Government House.

Lepel District was represented at the forum by Vera Novikova, a first-period operator for raising young stock at SUP "Yurkovshchynskoye".

Vera Viktorovna is a mother of many children who, together with her husband, has raised three wonderful children. The woman has been working at this agricultural enterprise since 2009, and in the position of a first-period operator for over 10 years. Incidentally, the husband of our interviewee, Sergey Ivanovich, works with her, also as an operator. Her husband always helps not only at work but also at home.

Vera Viktorovna commutes to work by her own car, but, as she says, it is not far to walk either, which is very convenient.

The family also keeps livestock at home – piglets and chickens. They used to have a cow as well. In addition, from spring until late autumn, after work, they spend time in the garden and orchard, and do not consider it a heavy burden.

In the Novikov family, love for their small homeland is passed down from generation to generation, and Vera Viktorovna is an example of a Belarusian woman who manages to care for her family and loved ones, works conscientiously at the enterprise, and is always ready to improve the territory of her home.

– We love the village very much, our small homeland, and we simply must preserve and pass it on to future generations. Neither my husband nor I have ever had the thought of moving. Our soul is here. The theme of the forum, "Woman and the Future of the Village," is very relevant. After all, the village is one of the key elements of the national code of Belarusians; our traditions, which have shaped our mentality, live here. This is a place of strength, our roots, our history are from here. It is not for nothing that the President always emphasizes the importance of preserving the village. If there is no village, there will be no state. And in this matter, the role of women is undoubtedly great.

In addition to official plans, there was live communication. Successful rural women shared their personal experiences, talking about how they managed to implement their ideas in the countryside.