Strongman Putin pledges more gender equality

There are currently only three women ministers in Russia and all of Putin´s powerful deputies are men.

MOSCOW, March 8, 2010 (AFP) - Strongman Vladimir Putin on Monday pledged to do more to promote gender equality in Russia as he congratulated women on Women's Day, one of the country's most beloved holidays.

"There is still plenty, plenty for us to do in the country, in Russia -- on the protection of motherhood and childhood, on access for women to various kinds of work, to equal payment, to equal work conditions," the president-turned-premier said in his brief televised address.

In Russia, International Women's Day is a public holiday and celebrated with flair.

But women's rights activists say glaring gender imbalances remain in society and Russian women for the most part do not take part in decision-making.

There are currently only three women ministers in Russia and all of Putin's powerful deputies are men.

Activists say rates of domestic violence against women are alarming and sexual harassment in the workplace remains an issue in Russia.

"We need to say it as it is -- we still have things to work on," said Putin, who has cultivated an image of an alpha male and is considered the country's paramount leader.

"And we will of course seek to solve all these tasks."