Russia’s Reforms and Women’s Work: in the Labour Market and in Society

Abstract

In this paper the gender aspects of Russian reforms are explored. The starting point of the analysis is a survey of the position of women in the labour market and in the society in Soviet times. The author problematizes contradictory Soviet gender policies to the issue of gender equality. Rather progressive in politics, law and economy, Soviet policies was not supplemented by serious efforts for the solving of gender problems on the cultural and societal level. The reforms of 1990s resulted in the significant transformation of socio)economical situation of all Russian people. Therefore there is very important to study the сontradictions and mutual interests of women and men in the process of such transformation. The authors argue that Russian women experienced more instability and vulnerability and perhaps more rigid form of paternalism then men. This paternalism differed from Soviet relationship and it is significant part of ideology of today’s consumer society.