Russian society like any other in the world consists of men and women. Both genders have their traditional roles in it. In Russia men tend to pay for women in restaurants and open the door in front for them; women are prescribed to take care of children and the home, while the man’s duty is to earn money; there are fewer women than men in politics and business even though there are no barriers in terms of education. The main question is to what extent these roles are determined by culture, and where discrimination begins? 

The World Economic Forum 2013-2014 annual report gives Russia the 75th place on the list of 142 countries included in the Gender Gap Index this year. This place is somewhere between Montenegro and Vietnam. The general trend for gender equality in Russia is negative: the country has dropped from 43rd  in 2011 to 61st two years later and is even lower now. According to the report, there is certain degree of gender equality in Russia in terms of education and health though in the political sphere women face a lot of discrimination.

“For Russia, latent discrimination is more acute than direct discrimination”, UN Millennium Report states, “Gender inequality is based on unequal positions of men and women in economy (different returns on human capital, unequal access to economic resources) and traditional, instilled and progressing public division of gender roles (women’s heavier work load at home)”.

Valentina Ushakova, sociologist and director of the Gender research institute explains that “In the framework of European civilisation we know that men are “strong gender” and women are “weak gender”, and the hierarchy, the division of roles, the division of power and finance resources are based on this”.

According to Ushakova, Russian women are the most educated in the world and are well represented on the labour market. During the Soviet Union, the percentage of women working stood at 93-96%. Now it is 90% in contrast with global average of 40%. “There are very few women who are sitting at home without work, even among rich men the fashion on “beauty dolls” has passed. They are looking for successful, active and professional occupied wives”.

The main problem is that for a Russian woman home and family is still the most important thing. “Women have a great social activity level in Russia, but they also don’t want to lose the private sphere”, said Ushakova. “We want to act in social sphere but also succeed as mothers and wives”. So choosing between career and family women often choose the second option.

“We don’t have institutional structures that would discriminate women”, said the sociologist, “but on the level of stereotypes and consciousness discrimination exists”. For example, in private sector, women are sometimes not paid the maternity leave, they are being fired, they are forced to sign the contracts that they will not marry and give a birth.

Nevertheless, gender equality is not only about women rights. Men can also face discrimination. “If women are discriminated in social sphere, on the labour market, in political sphere, then men – in private one”, explained Ushakova. In the situation of divorce, for instance, children will be always kept with mother, even if she is not that close with the child, and it is a worldwide practise.

The role of women in politics should not be left out of consideration. Women vote today in Russia more than men, about 10 million more. “We don’t have problem when it comes to level, talent or resources. There is no “glass ceiling”. But to be in Duma you have to go to Moscow abandon your family, your children, and a lot of women don’t want it. Women choose between high level of political participation and family”, told Ushakova, who herself once had a chance to go into politics but decided not to take this step. There is a recent example of a woman in power: the former governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, who now heads the Federation Council of Russia.

So does that mean we will see a female president in Russia one day? “Definitely no, not in the near future”, said Ushakova. According to the research of her institute, Russian women want to see a strong man, a father, a husband and a grandfather as a head of the country. Putin has fulfilled the role so far: he does not smoke; he does not drink; he does sports, and stands to what he says. “He is a father; a grandfather; he is a man”. 

Russian society like any other in the world consists of men and women. Both genders have their traditional roles in it. In Russia men tend to pay for women in restaurants and open the door in front for them; women are prescribed to take care of children and the home, while the man’s duty is to earn money; there are fewer women than men in politics and business even though there are no barriers in terms of education. The main question is to what extent these roles are determined by culture, and where discrimination begins? 

The World Economic Forum 2013-2014 annual report gives Russia the 75th place on the list of 142 countries included in the Gender Gap Index this year. This place is somewhere between Montenegro and Vietnam. The general trend for gender equality in Russia is negative: the country has dropped from 43rd  in 2011 to 61st two years later and is even lower now. According to the report, there is certain degree of gender equality in Russia in terms of education and health though in the political sphere women face a lot of discrimination.

“For Russia, latent discrimination is more acute than direct discrimination”, UN Millennium Report states, “Gender inequality is based on unequal positions of men and women in economy (different returns on human capital, unequal access to economic resources) and traditional, instilled and progressing public division of gender roles (women’s heavier work load at home)”.

Valentina Ushakova, sociologist and director of the Gender research institute explains that “In the framework of European civilisation we know that men are “strong gender” and women are “weak gender”, and the hierarchy, the division of roles, the division of power and finance resources are based on this”.

According to Ushakova, Russian women are the most educated in the world and are well represented on the labour market. During the Soviet Union, the percentage of women working stood at 93-96%. Now it is 90% in contrast with global average of 40%. “There are very few women who are sitting at home without work, even among rich men the fashion on “beauty dolls” has passed. They are looking for successful, active and professional occupied wives”.

The main problem is that for a Russian woman home and family is still the most important thing. “Women have a great social activity level in Russia, but they also don’t want to lose the private sphere”, said Ushakova. “We want to act in social sphere but also succeed as mothers and wives”. So choosing between career and family women often choose the second option.

“We don’t have institutional structures that would discriminate women”, said the sociologist, “but on the level of stereotypes and consciousness discrimination exists”. For example, in private sector, women are sometimes not paid the maternity leave, they are being fired, they are forced to sign the contracts that they will not marry and give a birth.

Nevertheless, gender equality is not only about women rights. Men can also face discrimination. “If women are discriminated in social sphere, on the labour market, in political sphere, then men – in private one”, explained Ushakova. In the situation of divorce, for instance, children will be always kept with mother, even if she is not that close with the child, and it is a worldwide practise.

The role of women in politics should not be left out of consideration. Women vote today in Russia more than men, about 10 million more. “We don’t have problem when it comes to level, talent or resources. There is no “glass ceiling”. But to be in Duma you have to go to Moscow abandon your family, your children, and a lot of women don’t want it. Women choose between high level of political participation and family”, told Ushakova, who herself once had a chance to go into politics but decided not to take this step. There is a recent example of a woman in power: the former governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, who now heads the Federation Council of Russia.

So does that mean we will see a female president in Russia one day? “Definitely no, not in the near future”, said Ushakova. According to the research of her institute, Russian women want to see a strong man, a father, a husband and a grandfather as a head of the country. Putin has fulfilled the role so far: he does not smoke; he does not drink; he does sports, and stands to what he says. “He is a father; a grandfather; he is a man”. 

Russian society like any other in the world consists of men and women. Both genders have their traditional roles in it. In Russia men tend to pay for women in restaurants and open the door in front for them; women are prescribed to take care of children and the home, while the man’s duty is to earn money; there are fewer women than men in politics and business even though there are no barriers in terms of education. The main question is to what extent these roles are determined by culture, and where discrimination begins? 

The World Economic Forum 2013-2014 annual report gives Russia the 75th place on the list of 142 countries included in the Gender Gap Index this year. This place is somewhere between Montenegro and Vietnam. The general trend for gender equality in Russia is negative: the country has dropped from 43rd  in 2011 to 61st two years later and is even lower now. According to the report, there is certain degree of gender equality in Russia in terms of education and health though in the political sphere women face a lot of discrimination.

“For Russia, latent discrimination is more acute than direct discrimination”, UN Millennium Report states, “Gender inequality is based on unequal positions of men and women in economy (different returns on human capital, unequal access to economic resources) and traditional, instilled and progressing public division of gender roles (women’s heavier work load at home)”.

Valentina Ushakova, sociologist and director of the Gender research institute explains that “In the framework of European civilisation we know that men are “strong gender” and women are “weak gender”, and the hierarchy, the division of roles, the division of power and finance resources are based on this”.

According to Ushakova, Russian women are the most educated in the world and are well represented on the labour market. During the Soviet Union, the percentage of women working stood at 93-96%. Now it is 90% in contrast with global average of 40%. “There are very few women who are sitting at home without work, even among rich men the fashion on “beauty dolls” has passed. They are looking for successful, active and professional occupied wives”.

The main problem is that for a Russian woman home and family is still the most important thing. “Women have a great social activity level in Russia, but they also don’t want to lose the private sphere”, said Ushakova. “We want to act in social sphere but also succeed as mothers and wives”. So choosing between career and family women often choose the second option.

“We don’t have institutional structures that would discriminate women”, said the sociologist, “but on the level of stereotypes and consciousness discrimination exists”. For example, in private sector, women are sometimes not paid the maternity leave, they are being fired, they are forced to sign the contracts that they will not marry and give a birth.

Nevertheless, gender equality is not only about women rights. Men can also face discrimination. “If women are discriminated in social sphere, on the labour market, in political sphere, then men – in private one”, explained Ushakova. In the situation of divorce, for instance, children will be always kept with mother, even if she is not that close with the child, and it is a worldwide practise.

The role of women in politics should not be left out of consideration. Women vote today in Russia more than men, about 10 million more. “We don’t have problem when it comes to level, talent or resources. There is no “glass ceiling”. But to be in Duma you have to go to Moscow abandon your family, your children, and a lot of women don’t want it. Women choose between high level of political participation and family”, told Ushakova, who herself once had a chance to go into politics but decided not to take this step. There is a recent example of a woman in power: the former governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, who now heads the Federation Council of Russia.

So does that mean we will see a female president in Russia one day? “Definitely no, not in the near future”, said Ushakova. According to the research of her institute, Russian women want to see a strong man, a father, a husband and a grandfather as a head of the country. Putin has fulfilled the role so far: he does not smoke; he does not drink; he does sports, and stands to what he says. “He is a father; a grandfather; he is a man”. 

Russian society like any other in the world consists of men and women. Both genders have their traditional roles in it. In Russia men tend to pay for women in restaurants and open the door in front for them; women are prescribed to take care of children and the home, while the man’s duty is to earn money; there are fewer women than men in politics and business even though there are no barriers in terms of education. The main question is to what extent these roles are determined by culture, and where discrimination begins? 

The World Economic Forum 2013-2014 annual report gives Russia the 75th place on the list of 142 countries included in the Gender Gap Index this year. This place is somewhere between Montenegro and Vietnam. The general trend for gender equality in Russia is negative: the country has dropped from 43rd  in 2011 to 61st two years later and is even lower now. According to the report, there is certain degree of gender equality in Russia in terms of education and health though in the political sphere women face a lot of discrimination.

“For Russia, latent discrimination is more acute than direct discrimination”, UN Millennium Report states, “Gender inequality is based on unequal positions of men and women in economy (different returns on human capital, unequal access to economic resources) and traditional, instilled and progressing public division of gender roles (women’s heavier work load at home)”.

Valentina Ushakova, sociologist and director of the Gender research institute explains that “In the framework of European civilisation we know that men are “strong gender” and women are “weak gender”, and the hierarchy, the division of roles, the division of power and finance resources are based on this”.

According to Ushakova, Russian women are the most educated in the world and are well represented on the labour market. During the Soviet Union, the percentage of women working stood at 93-96%. Now it is 90% in contrast with global average of 40%. “There are very few women who are sitting at home without work, even among rich men the fashion on “beauty dolls” has passed. They are looking for successful, active and professional occupied wives”.

The main problem is that for a Russian woman home and family is still the most important thing. “Women have a great social activity level in Russia, but they also don’t want to lose the private sphere”, said Ushakova. “We want to act in social sphere but also succeed as mothers and wives”. So choosing between career and family women often choose the second option.

“We don’t have institutional structures that would discriminate women”, said the sociologist, “but on the level of stereotypes and consciousness discrimination exists”. For example, in private sector, women are sometimes not paid the maternity leave, they are being fired, they are forced to sign the contracts that they will not marry and give a birth.

Nevertheless, gender equality is not only about women rights. Men can also face discrimination. “If women are discriminated in social sphere, on the labour market, in political sphere, then men – in private one”, explained Ushakova. In the situation of divorce, for instance, children will be always kept with mother, even if she is not that close with the child, and it is a worldwide practise.

The role of women in politics should not be left out of consideration. Women vote today in Russia more than men, about 10 million more. “We don’t have problem when it comes to level, talent or resources. There is no “glass ceiling”. But to be in Duma you have to go to Moscow abandon your family, your children, and a lot of women don’t want it. Women choose between high level of political participation and family”, told Ushakova, who herself once had a chance to go into politics but decided not to take this step. There is a recent example of a woman in power: the former governor of St. Petersburg Valentina Matvienko, who now heads the Federation Council of Russia.

So does that mean we will see a female president in Russia one day? “Definitely no, not in the near future”, said Ushakova. According to the research of her institute, Russian women want to see a strong man, a father, a husband and a grandfather as a head of the country. Putin has fulfilled the role so far: he does not smoke; he does not drink; he does sports, and stands to what he says. “He is a father; a grandfather; he is a man”. 

Being a feminist in Russia

Gender inequality is a worldwide problem. One of the recent global actions is HeForShe campaign that calls man to fight for women rights. As of December 16, there are only 511 men in whole Russia who supported this campaign.

“Feminist is any person who recognizes that woman has the same rights as a man. We all have to be feminists”, said Valentina Ushakova. But in Russian society feminism is often understood as radical feminism. The poll that was conducted in Russian social network showed that less than half of participants understand feminism as fight for gender equality. 36% are convinced that feminism is only women’s issue, while 18% perceive feminists as man haters.

Polina Zaslavskaya is a St. Petersburg-based feminist and modern artist. In her works she examines connections between feminists and the patriarchal society, gender roles and the place of a woman. She herself has chosen kitchen to be her workplace, sarcastically working with the stereotype of the domestic woman and “kitchen slavery”.

Women and the workplace

There are certain professions in Russia that are perceived as “women’ jobs” or “men’ jobs”. And not only in terms of the sphere, but also in terms of the occupied position.

According to the research of the Russian recruitment agency Superjob, professions with hard physical labour are mostly assigned to men. 100% of mechanics and turners are men. Another typical male job is private driver with 99% male representation. Men lead in engineering, especially in senior positions. The labour market is changing quickly in the sphere of informational technology. On the bright side, the percentage of women in IT security has grown up to 12% in 2013. It doesn’t affect the senior positions though, only 1 % of IT directors in Russia are women.

Even in gastronomy, which is closely related to what in the private sphere is typically a “woman’s job”, men are better represented with chefs at 82% and cooks coming in at 60%. There are more female lawyers (62%), but any department is headed man in 57% cases.

Among the female spheres, analysts name human resources at 74%, medicine with 60% women among all Russian doctors and 94% among nurses. In the finance sphere 90% of accountants are women. Psychology and education are also occupied by ladies – 89% and 85% respectively, as well as tourism, marketing and PR.

This division within the professions can be seen quite logical. “There is a difference between men and women. It is natural. For a woman it is better to be a teacher, for a man – to be a mathematician. You are a man that can lift up heavy weights, I am a woman, I simply cannot do this. You don't see a brain as you see a muscle but in fact it is the same”, said Svetlana Kuznetsova, the captain of a shipping company.

Sometimes stereotypes and expectations of seeing a person of certain gender and age play their role. “It’s not about who is better – a male sales person or a female one”, comments Elena Cenza, the founder of Smart HR who works in sales people recruitment. “It’s more about building rapport, being trusted. Whom would you rather delegate the book-keeping – a woman over thirty or a young boy?” she sniggers, “I don’t see it as discrimination on the employer part but as an attempt to work more effectively choosing employees who would be trusted more”.

As for income, in some spheres in Russia women earn 15-30% less than men, experts say. “In investment banking there is a pay gap”, tells Svetlana Velikanova, an asset manager of the Denobi Group, big financial advisory and investments group. “You have to be three, five times better than a man, even higher so that they will pay. There is a simple reason: because they think you will leave”. Svetlana says that banks prefer to employ women, because they are much more dedicated, especially if they already have a child. 

“A good woman can bring a lot to the table”, she says. “Women tend to explain themselves much more than men, they aren't so dogmatic. It’s really tough out there, you have to be tough, you have to fight to be the same as a man, nobody will give you credit because you are a woman”.

In St. Petersburg, a special woman entrepreneurship fostering program exists. “Women do need support”, says Marina Sedova-Bakhenskaya the coordinator of the program and businesswoman. “Besides facing a challenge to do everything well – raise kids, look fine, succeed in the competition with men, it’s just natural for us to be supported. We are happy to be a part of a community, that’s why women in business clubs and awards are popular”.

She also explains the need of backing for women in business from government. Women tend to be more successful than men in the spheres of education, social services, kids’ goods, and Russia needs to develop these spheres nowadays.

Women and the home

Women in Russia not only face discrimination in work sphere. Much worse they sometimes become victims of domestic violence. According to Amnesty International, 36 000 women suffer from violence at home in Russia each day. Every 40 minutes one Russian woman dies as a result of this violence.

“Violence does exist, and it is transmitted from generation to generation. Children in families, where violence takes place create similar families in future”, said Alexander Gogolkin, the head of the “Men of 21st century” organisation, which works with violence-prone men.

The other problems are weak legislation and fear to confess. In St. Petersburg there are some shelters for women in crisis situation. However, the number of women who can receive help is not that big because of the lack of information about these centres.

One of such centres for women is situated on Vasilievsky Island: it is a state-funded shelter that can only host three families at the same time. Tamara Pyatetskaya, the head of the shelter, comments on the situation with violence in Russia. One of the women who lives there, Christina, tells her story.

Christina is a very courageous young woman. Unfortunately, not all women are like her: they bear the violence silently, hide bruisings from public and blame themselves. Hopefully, the situation changes, at least Tamara Pyateskaya is optimistic about that. 

Men and family

The reverse side of patriarchy results in the fact that  fatherhood is not encouraged in Russia. “It's not discrimination as such,” told Alexander Gogolkin. “I would say it echoes social system in which only woman could bring up a child”. To him, people think the birth of a child is a difficult emotional moment only for women, while men care only about material part. But it not always like that.

In the heart of Saint Petersburg, a very special meeting is held every Thursday evening. Four adult men spend their evening learning how to deal with childbirth, and what to do if their wives have post-natal depression, a psychological illness affecting many women after having a child. This concept is called Papa School, the idea originally hails from Sweden, now it's narrowly focused men's club, bringing together men with common interest. The interest is simple: fatherhood.

Evgeniy (his wife is going to give birth soon):

“I heard about this school in the maternity welfare center. Here we discuss not only childbirth and benefit payments to young families, but also how to behave with a pregnant woman, how to behave with a newborn and later. In psychological terms, it's, in fact, not so easy for men. About 70% of my social surrounding would not even come here: ‘why spend a couple of hours of time to listen to something, I'd rather watch TV’. Only those who are interested come here. From the very beginning they bestir themselves not to oppress women physically and mentally.”

Andrey (no kids, no partner)

“It's my second time here; I would like to be a father. If not of my own child, then, perhaps, find a woman with a child. I have lived a long life already, but without children. It's dull without them. Today is a practical lesson – money, baby strollers; but if there is no children yet, what are they talking about? I found out about these courses on the radio, I live near here, and came on the same day I heard. I will probably write a play about this school”.

Sergey (no kids)

“My girlfriend registered me, actually. I went because I had no excuses on that day, and once I came, I wondered what I should do. In the end, I want to know how much a bed for a child costs: roughly speaking, where to call and what to do. Practical answers to questions. And the second point – to reduce fear of the unknown situation. When the moment comes I need the feeling that I'm not a discoverer, that I have some knowledge”.

Alexander (no kids)

“People refer to the fact that I'm going to papa-school with a little chuckle, with humor. I decided to come myself. I became interested when realized it was like men's club or something, sharing experiences in an informal setting. If men would know more about the birth of a child, it would be better for everyone. Among my friends, not everything is going smoothly, and I want to avoid that. I'd like to make sure this doesn’t happen to me.”

Sergey Krutov, moderator, professional psychologist

“In men companies, in smoking rooms, factories, offices, restaurants – what men are talking about? Well, certainly not about children. But this doesn't mean that they are not interested in children. I like this idea: to give men a space for their interest to be fathers. Women have enough space to discuss motherhood and childcare: they have mommies’ communities; there are their mothers and grandmothers. Anyways, the woman is never alone, always with a support group. Even at the legislative level now, mother and motherhood are supported more than a father and fatherhood. Men need this support as well. In Papa School we talk a lot about childbirth, joint labor, some application issues are resolved: men like to organize their knowledge and to plan. Fatherhood is a brave step, actually”.

Men and women do differ: in physical, psychological, and other aspects. But they should have a right to choose their roles and places in society. “It is time that we all see gender as a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals,” said actress and activist Emma Watson in her powerful UN speech. In Russia women were granted the same rights as men nearly 100 years ago, but social stereotypes are still very strong. However, each year we see more successful women in business and politics, and more fathers taking care of their children and cooking at home. Because at the end of the day we all are just human beings and we need to be equal partners of the dialogue.