MOSCOW, March 6, 2009. Russian Public Opinion Research Center (VCIOM) presents the data on what Russians think about the rights and possibilities of women in modern Russia compared to the men's ones, how they estimate the number of women in power, which gender representative of local authorities they would apply to, and what their attitude towards introduction of quotas of guaranteed women representation in authorities is.
The number of Russians who consider women and men should be equal in rights has increased over the previous six years. More than half of Russians are confident that women have the same rights and possibilities as men have (58%), in 2003 only 50% thought so. Only 29% are confident that men have more rights and possibilities (in 2003- 40%), and every tenth, on the contrary, believe that representatives of the weaker sex have more rights (10%).
Men more often than women express the idea of equal rights in modern Russian society (63% against 53%). The same stance is shared by Russians with secondary or higher level of education (58-59%), as well as those with high self-esteem of financial state (65%). Women more often think that they have fewer rights than men (33% against 23%).
Half of Russians say that «women in power are not enough» (52%). Compared with 2005 such position has strengthened(previous data - 46%). Mostly women themselves express this point of view rather than men (61% against 40% among men). Every third (31%) think that women in power are as many as enough (four years ago those who though so were 36%). Only 9% consider that there are too much women representatives of authorities. Women more often than men point out that there are few weaker sex representatives in power (61% against 40%). Men are more likely to think that the number of women in power are enough (40% against 24% among women) or even more than enough (12% against 7%).
Mostly Russians say that gender does not matter when choosing to whom of local authorities they approach to resolve their problems (59%). The rest of respondents are divided in opinion: 20% prefer men, 17% - women. Often men state that they would apply to men (23% against 18% among women), and women, in turn, would apply to women (21% against 11%). Men also tend to think that sex does not matter (61% against 57% among women).
Should the quotas be introduced to guarantee women representation in power? 39% of respondents approve of such proposition (in 2005 they were 44%), 37% oppose this idea (such respondents were 39%). The idea of quotas introduction are mainly supported by women (46% against 30% among men). Men more often are against such quotas (44%against 31% among women). Those who agree with them are mostly those respondents who consider the amount of women in power to be optimal (48%).
The initiative Russian opinion poll was conducted on February 28 - March 1, 2009.
1600 respondents were interviewed at 140 sampling points in 42 regions of Russia. The margin of error does not exceed 3.4%.
How do you think, in modern Russia women have the same rights and possibilities as men have or fewer? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2003 | 2009 |
Women have more rights and possibilities than men | 7 | 10 |
Women have the same rights and possibilities as men | 50 | 58 |
Women have fewer rights and possibilities than men | 40 | 29 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 4 |
To whom of local authorities would you apply to solve your problems? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2005 | 2009 |
To man | 29 | 20 |
To woman | 18 | 17 |
Sex does not matter for me in this case | 49 | 59 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 4 |
To whom of local authorities would you apply to solve your problems? (close-ended question, one answer) | |||
| Total respondents | Sex | |
Men | Women | ||
To man | 20 | 23 | 18 |
To woman | 17 | 11 | 21 |
Sex does not matter for me in this case | 59 | 61 | 57 |
Hard to tell | 4 | 5 | 4 |
Do you think there are many women in power, few or just enough? | ||
| 2005 | 2009 |
Few | 46 | 52 |
Many | 8 | 9 |
Enough | 36 | 31 |
Hard to tell | 10 | 8 |
Do you think there are many women in power, few or just enough? | ||||||
|
| Political parties` supporters | ||||
| Total respondents | "United Russia" | CPRF | LDPR | "Fair Russia" | Democrats (Pravoe Delo+ Yabloko) |
Few | 52 | 52 | 60 | 47 | 65 | 33 |
Many | 9 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
Enough | 31 | 31 | 25 | 39 | 25 | 58 |
Hard to tell | 8 | 8 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Do you support the idea to introduce quota that would guarantee women representation in authorities? (close-ended question, one answer) | ||
| 2005 | 2009 |
Definitely yes | 16 | 14 |
Likely yes | 28 | 25 |
Likely no | 29 | 27 |
Definitely no | 10 | 10 |
Hard to tell | 17 | 25 |
Note: Using materials from the site www.wciom.ru or www.wciom.com, as well as distributed by VCIOM,
the reference to the source (or hyperlink for the electronic media) is obligatory!