The great Confucius once said, “A woman is a being who may be delicate and tender, yet also strong and determined when need arises.”
And today, I have the honour of speaking with just such women.
– Dear ladies, nowadays, women are playing an active role not just within the family but also in the life of their country and the world as a whole. I’m very fond of the saying by Gina Carey: “A strong woman looks a challenge in the eye and gives it a wink.” In your view, what challenges are women facing today?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: It’s clear that women today still face particular difficulties, especially when it comes to professional growth. Gender stereotypes and the notorious “glass ceiling” often create barriers in career advancement and access to opportunities compared to men in professional spheres. On top of that, there’s the genuine struggle of balancing work and family life. These hurdles can slow down a woman’s progress and success, regardless of her skills and determination.
– Galli Monastyreva: I find the word “challenge” a bit harsh, to be honest. I’d rather talk about the goals a woman sets for herself. Thank goodness in our country, women don’t have to fight for anything — we have equal rights with men.
In fact, the most active women these days are those in the 45+ category. Their children are grown, and they begin to feel the urge to share what they have — their experience, their knowledge, their talents. I’d call it this: spreading goodness across the world. Women start to get involved in public life and charity work. It’s not a challenge — it’s a life stance.
– In both Russia and African countries, we’re seeing high levels of entrepreneurial activity among women. In light of global developments, there’s a growing importance in expanding international cooperation between women from Russia and Africa. In which areas could this collaboration be most fruitful?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: If we’re talking about entrepreneurship, agriculture, trade, and services, these are among the most popular fields for women in Africa. There’s great potential for sharing experience and technology, especially in processing and preserving agricultural products, as well as in the development of crafts and organic cosmetics. These are the areas where partnerships between women in the Russian Federation and their African sisters can really flourish through the establishment of cooperatives.
– Galli Monastyreva: Women’s movements in Africa are incredibly powerful. African women are very active — in business and in sociopolitical life. And in terms of mentality and priorities, we’re much closer to them than we are to the West. For Africans, family is everything. Just like it is for us. As our President says, “Family is the foundation of all foundations.”
So we truly have something to talk about with African women, and much to do together. We’re so alike — the only real difference is the colour of our skin.
– What role can and should women play in strengthening peace and friendship in today’s world?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: It’s a widely accepted fact that there are more women in the world than men. And when you add to that our unique sensitivity and the way we approach social issues, it becomes quite clear that women play an important — if not vital — role in sustainability, conflict prevention, and peacebuilding. We bring life into the world and we understand its value. What’s more, women are key drivers of development, standing at the heart of the family — the nucleus of society?
– Laeticia, being the wife of an ambassador, is a distinguished and serious role. You’re not just a spouse — you, in many ways, represent your country and complement your husband’s work. What responsibilities come with your position?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: First and foremost, it’s important to say that while I remain a wife and partner, my main role is to support and accompany my husband in every way I can as he fulfils his duties.
– What qualities should an ambassador’s wife possess?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: I don’t believe there’s a specific set of traits exclusive to an ambassador’s wife. She is, above all, a woman and a wife, with all the dignity and grace that entails. However, given the position and the important mission her husband holds — to represent his country and its interests — people do expect her to demonstrate responsibility and diplomacy. This role demands a certain ethics, etiquette, discipline, a sense of honour, the ability to organise and to listen, a gift for hospitality, an open mind, and above all, discretion.
– Laeticia, you chair the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Club. How did the idea come about? What does the Club do? What is the atmosphere like at your gatherings? What topics do you discuss? Could you tell us a little about your charitable work?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: I can’t say exactly where the idea originated — but I can assure you, it’s a tradition I’ve known for a long time. As for our Association, its aim is to provide the ambassadors’ wives with a platform not only to accompany their husbands in their official missions, but also to promote African women’s culture, skills and expertise through charitable, social and humanitarian initiatives. Our gatherings are warm and friendly. They’re a time for reflection and exchange — we listen to each other’s concerns, review upcoming projects, and assess the progress of our activities. When it comes to charity, we respond to the social needs of our fellow citizens — with a particular focus on students. We recently visited the St. Elizabeth Orthodox Children’s Home for Girls with Disabilities, particularly those with Down syndrome. For 2025, we’ve planned similar visits and a range of other events.
– Galina, you’re the Director of Humanitarian Projects at AECAC and also the Russian-side coordinator of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Club. Are there any joint initiatives underway?
– Galli Monastyreva: I’d like to add a few words to what the esteemed Laetitia has said. The African diplomatic corps here in Russia is the largest. In 2022, we organised over 25 excursions around Moscow with the ambassadors and their spouses – from the Diamond Fund to the Victory Museum. Coming back to the topic of family, it’s very important to me that the wives and children of ambassadors leave Moscow with love for Russia. In fact, it was after these excursions that the idea was born: while the husbands are at work and the children at school, we should gather more often. And so, on 15 March 2022, the first meeting of the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Club took place in Zaryadye Park. It was initially chaired by the wife of the Ambassador of the Republic of Tunisia. After her departure, our dear Laetitia was elected chairwoman.
Last year, in collaboration with the Dmitry Malikov Charitable Foundation, we organised a Spring Charity Embassy Bazaar, in which 17 embassies took part. The second bazaar is planned for the autumn. We’re also preparing excursions with workshops to traditional craft locations in the Moscow region – Gzhel, Zhostovo, and so on.
Mrs Laeticia mentioned one charitable initiative – let me add to that. The ladies decided not to stop there; they resolved to support African students studying in Russia. At the beginning of June, a charity evening will be held by the African Ambassadors’ Spouses Club, with all funds raised going to students in need.
– On 20 September, the Speaker of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, speaking at the official opening of the BRICS Women’s Forum within the framework of the 4th Eurasian Women’s Forum in St Petersburg, emphasised that women in BRICS countries are focusing on issues such as food security, the role of women in the energy transition, and many other pressing topics. The proposals developed during the forum were submitted to the 16th BRICS Summit, which took place in October in Kazan. “We want the heads of state to know our views and take our proposals into account,” Valentina Matviyenko stated at the time. Do you believe that women are becoming a force capable of influencing global processes?
– Laeticia : I believe they are. Around the world, women are taking their future and the fate of humanity into their own hands. More and more, they are assuming leadership roles. They are making their voices heard within their governments and communities, defending their rights. Their opinions are increasingly being considered. Their struggle for emancipation and gender equality is bearing fruit in many ways.
– To end our conversation, some traditional questions from our magazine. Laetitia, what do you like most about Russia? What has touched your heart? Do you have favourite places in Moscow? Which sights do you show your friends and family when they come to visit?
– Laeticia ELONGO VANGU: The country is so vast, and the cities – at least those I’ve already visited – are beautiful, clean, and safe. The architecture, the diversity, and the cultural richness quickly made me fall in love with Russia in general and Moscow in particular.
Of course, I have favourite places and landmarks which, in my opinion, make Moscow famous, and I show them to my family without hesitation: Red Square, the Kremlin, the Bolshoi Theatre, the Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum, St Basil’s Cathedral, the State Tretyakov Gallery, the Moscow Metro, Tsaritsyno Museum-Reserve, Panorama 360, the Moskvarium, GUM, the “Friendship of Peoples” fountain, Moscow City, and Old Arbat. I also love open spaces, gardens, walks, and restaurants.
– Galli, a question for you: what is your Africa like? What draws you to it, what fascinates you?
– Galli Monastyreva: My Africa is incredibly diverse (I’ve visited 29 countries). Different cultures, different religions, different cuisines, different people. The one thing that unites them all is the incredibly warm-hearted, kind, and hospitable nature of the people.
Anyone who has been to the continent will tell you that Africa draws you in – it’s impossible not to love it, it becomes part of you. They say Africa is the cradle of the world. And when you arrive there – there’s something magical about it – it cradles you, envelops you. You’re always wanting to go back. As I said, Africa is diverse – and that diversity is what attracts. You always want to learn more and more.
Africa is developing at a tremendous pace. When you return to a country just six months later, you see incredible positive changes. And I believe that in ten years’ time, it will be a golden continent – in every sense of the word.
And one more thing – its people smile a lot. And genuinely, not like the fake smiles you often see in the West and America. I’d call Africa the continent of smiling people. And that wins your heart and soul. You want to communicate with these people, to create, and to make Africa better – just as we have made Russia better.
– Dear ladies, thank you for this sincere and heartfelt conversation.
Interview by Yulia NOVITSKAYA, writer, journalist-interviewer, correspondent of the New Eastern Outlook
