The All Russian Public Opinion Research Centre released results of a survey showing that 55% of Russians don’t believe it’s possible to achieve equal rights for men and women. Only 38% of respondents in Russia, or one in three, believe it is possible to achieve gender equality.
No equal rights for men and women in Russia?
The results of the recent WCIOM survey among respondents in Russia can be only called shocking, with over half of the respondents expressing the view of impossibility to achieve equality of rights between the genders.
Even more shocking is that the share of people who do not believe that equal rights for men and women are even possible is higher among females: Among men, 45% of people think that it is possible to achieve equality, while among females only 33% of respondents think so.
These findings sharply contradict the idea of equal rights of males and females achieved on all levels, which is a popular concept voiced by people opposing movements such as feminism.
Feminism in Russia: The majority of people don’t support it
The same survey asked about the attitudes of males and females towards feminism in Russia.
Only 7% of respondents said they definitely support feminism. Further 24% of respondents picked the option of “I rather support it”, bringing the total share of supporters to less than 1/3 of the pool. The share of non-supporters about the same among males and females (55% of men, 56% of women).
- The share of non-supporters is the highest among the groups 45-59 (60%) and 35-44 (59%); the lowest among the group aged 18-24 (45%).
- The share of supporters is the highest among the group aged 18-24 (44%) and the lowest among respondents aged 35-44 (27%).
55% of all survey participants (exactly the same share of respondents as the percentage of people who do not believe that gender equality could be ever achieved) stated they do not support feminism. 22% “certainly do not support” it, while 33% “rather don’t support”. A whopping 14% decided to take an easy way out and simply said that it was difficult to answer.
Unhappiness with attitudes of men towards women is often quoted by Russian ladies who decided to seek a partner abroad as the reason for such choice. The survey by WCIOM confirms that gender equality in Russia is indeed an acute social problem and not a fiction.
What do you think about such results? Comment below!
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I strongly believe in the equality of men and women, but let me explain why. Obviously there are things men do better than women and things that women do better than men, however, the equality should be in the area of free will and human rights. For example, I do not believe that a man should impose his desires on a woman just because he is stronger, or makes more money. Love is about respect, kindness, forgiveness, understanding and listening, to force another to do things the way we wish is not respecting free will. I wish that both men… Read more »
There is equality and will be in a way: genders have different talents, abilities and base skills and in overall this is equal. A female usually by base better for example as a complain manager (support service), and a male as a construction worker. But the poll only show how better Russia (both as society and on the individual thinking), which far from the collapse what did happen in Western Europe where they executed the social experiment and called that madness “equality”. Because many FSU lady did not support feminism (and other things) is one of the major reason why… Read more »
Previous comments are nice. I do agree that men and women are different, they have different physiology, different hormones affecting them and forming their behaviour. So some things are more natural for men, some for women. But we should avoid stereotypes and focus more on individuality of each person and let him or her be what he/she really wants and is able to be.
So it’s a shame that people do not want to understand and study the topic of feminism, because it is very important in our time. A lot of women suffer from gender inequality, and I am glad that the world is actively spreading and studying this topic.
In the west, the topic of feminism is discussed and understood. In Russia of the USSR times feminism wasn’t needed as women had equal rights since 1918, all Soviet people would answer in their sleep that women and men were equal. It’s a pity Russia is moving backwards in its social views.
Modern society discusses a theme of feminism very often. In most cases it is not just a conversation between people. It is a conflict between different opinions, where people are not ready to retreat from their views. Actually it is very pity that in the 21st century people can’t just accept a possibility of nonconformity. An existence of people with other opinions gives them a reason to start a conflict. Maybe we all should have a bit of tolerance?
Russia has not yet reached the world level of democracy, as I think. Many laws that are recognized in the Western world do not play any role here. Not surprisingly, the population of the country has a similar reaction to this question. Only after a while will progress begin.
I am much into western culture (America of EU) but I live in Russia and I see a lot of difference concerning feminism. People in Russia think it is weird. We do not take this issue seriously while our western colleagues do everything for women to make them feel comfortable. But these are two extremes and both are not good. Western countries are keen on equal rights for not only women and sometimes this lead to ridiculous results in movie-making, videogames and other parts of social entertainment. In Russia, feminism is mostly displayed as something crazy and if you support… Read more »
I still believe that one day both men and women will have the same rights. At least now women should not be dicriminated at work by their appearance. Women have the full right to hold the highest positions in large companies, to be political and business leaders. I believe in the power of women.
Situation with gender equality in Russia is not ideal. Nevertheless, Russian society does not support feminism, because for many years women in Russia were equal with men in many life aspects. Now they want to be weak, tender, safe, surrounded with gentlemen opening doors for them, presenting flowers and supporting. So, most of the feminists’ actions look stupid.
This Russian disbelief in the equality of men and women is understandable. From time immemorial in Russia it was accepted that the woman – the hostess, the main comfort in the house. The male breadwinner, the head of the family. This inspired Russian stereotypes about masculinity and femininity. Even if these 55% come to believe in equality, it will not be easy for them. Thousands of years of life under such harsh rules can disappear from the Russian lifestyle at the click of a finger.
We all should remember that feminism is about female rights and not about the equality between genders. I want to believe that Russian people wil be more tolerant to this culture-bracking things, because right now feminism is just an object for jokes and stereotypes. And, I absolutely agree with Edward. Love is about respect and understanding, it’s not about jealousy and division of obligations. People in CIS are more conservative than in Europe and the whole Western world. Here in Kazakhstan feminism is equal to the word “uyat” that means “shame” from Kazakh language. I just want to believe that… Read more »