During the late 1800s and early 1900s, Russia pioneered the feminist movement in Europe, and in 1907, established the Russian League for Women’s Equality. Made up of hundreds of women’s organizations throughout the country, the League lobbied for gender equality in the economic, political and social spheres. In 1917, after roughly 40,000 League members marched through the capital demanding suffrage for women, Russia became just the second country in the world to grant women the right to the full political process. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, modern-day Russia was founded. Two years later the country’s current constitution was drafted guaranteeing “the equality of human and civil rights and freedoms regardless of sex, race, nationality, language, origin, material and official status, place of residence, attitude to religion, convictions, membership of public associations, or of other circumstances.” Despite equality under the law, discrimination and gender stereotypes continue to obstruct women’s role in society. The current administration, under the influence of the country’s Orthodox Church, has begun enforcing conservative ideologies across all sectors of society. Today, women make up just 16 percent of parliament and are barred from occupations that the government deems unsafe for a women’s reproductive health. In 2017, the Russian government decriminalized domestic violence in situations where the woman did not experience “substantial bodily harm” or injuries that would require hospital treatment. Parliament passed the law despite studies conducted by the Russian Interior Ministry, which found that there are at least 14,000 domestic violence fatalities each year—nearly 40 a day. Women’s rights activists and organizations such as Nasiliyu.net (“No to Violence”), Stichting Justice Initiative, and the National Center for Prevention of Violence are providing legal protection for victims of domestic abuse and other human rights violations.
Female athletes have been instrumental in Russia’s rich tradition of sporting success, particularly in figure skating and gymnastics. One of the most decorated gymnasts in the history of the sport is Svetlana Khorkina who competed in three Olympic Games, winning seven medals. Khorkina also finished her career with the most major all-around championship medals than any other gymnast (male or female). Figure skater, Alina Zagitova won gold at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games, was the winner of the 2018 European World Championship, and champion of the 2019 World Figure Skating Championship. She is the only Russian female figure skater, and the first Muslim athlete to win all three major events. The national volleyball team has won four Olympic gold medals, seven world championships, and is currently ranked 8th in the world. The national handball team won Olympic gold in 2016 and is the only team in history to win three straight world championship titles. In recent years, Russia’s participation in the Olympics and Paralympics has been overshadowed by doping allegations resulting in Russian athletes competing under the Olympic and Paralympic flags.
Meet and support global leaders creating change in Russia:
Lyubov Bondarenko
Marina Levchenko
How does Russia compare to other countries?
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Women in Leadership
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT AS OF 2020
16%
PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MINISTRY POSITIONS AS OF 2020
13%
Has a Woman Ever Been Head of State or Head of Government?
No
HAS A WOMAN EVER BEEN SPORTS MINISTER?
No
Title IX Timeline
1917
Women gained the right to vote (full suffrage) and the Russian Revolution began, marking the end of the Tsarist rule in Russia.
1923
The Russian Revolution ended with the establishment of the Soviet Union, officially known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).
1981
The Soviet Union ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
1991
Modern-day Russia was founded with the dissolution of the Soviet Union (USSR) on December 26.
1994
Thirty-eight athletes became the first women to represent modern-day Russia in the Olympics and win Olympic medals. The women’s biathlon and cross-country team members became the first women to represent modern-day Russia in the Paralympics and win Paralympic medals.
2004
Russia ratified the Optional Protocol to CEDAW.
Women in the olympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
239
-
759
-
617
-
187
Women in the Paralympics
participation through the years
-
0
-
0
-
0
-
28
-
119
-
90
-
113
Elite Sports Participation
First Year Women Participated In The Olympics
1994
Year Women’s Participation In Olympics Was Equal To Men’s
2012
First Time A Woman Won An Olympic Medal
Svetlana Bazhanova: 1994, Speed Skating (Gold) Women’s Cross Country Ski Team: 1994 (Gold) Women’s Biathlon Team: 1994 (Gold) Lyubov Yegorova: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Gold & Silver) Svetlana Gladysheva: 1994, Alpine Skiing (Silver) Svetlana Fedotkina: 1994, Speed Skating (Silver) Yelizaveta Kozhevnikova: 1994, Freestyle Skiing (Bronze) Nina Gavrylyuk: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Bronze)
First Year Women Participated In The Paralympics
1994
Year Women’s Participation In Paralympics Was Equal To Men’s
As of 2020, women's participation was still less than men's.
First Time A Woman Won A Paralympic Medal
Alevtina Elessina: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Gold, Silver & Bronze) Lubov Paninykii: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Gold & Bronze) Biathlon (Silver) Nadejda Tchirkova: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Gold & Bronze) Irina Selivanova: 1994, Cross Country Skiing (Silver)
FIFA
Fédération Internationale de Football Association
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1992
Pay Gap Comparison
Pay Unknown
Gender Initiatives
Russia’s women’s premier league, Russian Championship, had 10 different clubs in the 2020/2021 season. 96% of the first team players use football as their primary source of income and 93% have a written contract.
FIFA is committed to the growth and development of women’s football around the globe.
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FIBA
Fédération Internationale de Basketball
National Women’s Team?
Yes
First Year Of Play
1993
Pay Gap Comparison
Paid Less than the Men's Team as of 2022.
Gender Initiatives
FIBA’s Her World, Her Rules project and social media campaign aims to promote women’s and girls’ participation in basketball throughout Europe.
Increasing the participation of women in basketball at all levels was named as one of FIBA’s eight strategic objectives (2019- 2027) and one of FIBA’s three strategic priorities (2019-2023).
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LOCAL
Sports
Initiatives
Community Organizations That Have Signed The Brighton + Helsinki Declaration
