In contrast to the late USSR citizens, residents of modern Russia are confident that women can build a successful career.

MOSCOW, March 4, 2016. Russian Public Opinion Research Centre (VCIOM) presents the results of the survey devoted to the most popular female politicians and public figures and gender equality in labor market. 

Many preconceptions related to the female opportunities and capabilities did not withstand the test of time. Today the share of Russians who think that men and women do not have equal job opportunities after graduating from the universities has decreased to 36%, whereas twenty-five years ago it was 48%. The number of those who oppose this statement has reached 56% (an increase from 39%, respectively): 60% of men; 53% of women; 69% of the 18-24-year-olds; 39% of those aged over 60. 

More Russians think that the idea of female “uselessness” at work is groundless; 47% of Russians thought so in 1991; 64% in 2016. Twenty-eight percent of Russians do not agree with them. The women themselves think that they are less useful workers than men: 32% vs. 22%, respectively. This share is big among the retired persons (37%) rather than among Russians aged 18-24 (22%).

An overwhelming majority of Russians are confident that women can have successful business career (93%). Over a quarter of a century there has been a 1.5-fold increase in the share of those who think so (from 57%); simultaneously, the number of those who have doubts has decreased to 5% (from 20% in 1991).

The most famous female politician and public figure today is Valentina Matvienko (mentioned by 34% of respondents). As early as in 2002 the share of Russians who thought so was 26%; more respondents favored Irina Khakamada (30%) whose position has dropped to 6%.

The Medialogia company analysis based on Russian media sources (March 2015 – March 2016) suggests that Matvienko is the leader with 62846 mentions followed by Olga Golodets on the second place (57040), and Elvira Nabiullina on the third place  (54093).

Respondents find it hard to define the modern Russian female symbol: 27% say such a person does not exist; 50% are undecided. The top three Russian popular women involve V. Matvienko (5%), V. Tereshkova (4%) and A. Pugacheva (3%).

The VCIOM opinion poll was conducted on February 27-28, 2016. A total of 1600 respondents were interviewed in 130 settlements in 46 regions and republics of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.5%. Russian media monitoring and analysis were carried out by the Medialogia Company using approximately 29600 sources such as television, radio, newspapers, magazines. Period of study: March 2015 – March 2016. 

*In 1991, the representative sample involved urban and rural populations aged 16, across the Soviet Union; the sample size was 3264.

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