Russia

Education differentials

Russian women are well educated and a large number of women pursue careers in science and technology. In total, 34.3 percent of female tertiary students are in natural sciences.[1]

 

*Includes computer science, engineering, mathematics, architecture, town planning, transportation and communications. 
Sources: UNESCO Statistical Yearbook 1999, UNDP Human Development Report 1999.

The percentages of women among university degree holders in various disciplines in 1995 gives information on the education status in terms of gender in Russia.

Internet usage

The US-based Soros Foundation's Open Society Institute has been instrumental in providing Internet connectivity by establishing Internet centers at secondary schools and universities in Russia. The Russian Internet Market Review of June 2000 indicated that 38 percent of Russia's Internet users were women.

The number of women employed in the ICT sector is limited by available access to ICTs, which is low because of the poor telecommunications structure. Internet penetration among the country's adult population ranges from 2.4 percent to 5 percent, compared with 35 percent in Western Europe. The majority of users access the Internet from work or from a general access terminal because few people have computers at home.

Labor market participation of women

Women have a significant presence in the labor market and hold almost two-thirds of professional jobs. According to 1998 figures, women occupy about 47.3 percent of all jobs in Russia. Among the managers (including legislators and senior government officials) 37.9 percent are women. Women also account for 60.7 percent of the country's total professionals.

Women account for 70.5 percent of all technicians, but only 12 percent of plant and machine operators are women. About 88.9 percent of clerical staff, 65.5 percent of service sector workers, 45.5 percent of skilled agricultural workers, and 23 percent of craft and trade workers are women. Women also make up 50.9 percent of unskilled workers.[2]

Women are employed in large numbers in public health services (85 percent), education (81 percent), credit and finance (78 percent), and information and accounting services (75 percent).

Labor market participation of women in ICT sector

Data on women's share in employment in the ICT sector were not available.

Government policy on ICTs

The Russian Internet Market Review of June 2000 suggested that the telecommunication infrastructure was poor in Russia. Earlier laws under consideration in the Duma (Russia's lower parliamentary house) had a definite bias toward a state-owned communication structure. However, recent government policies are encouraging domestic and foreign investment in the telecommunications sector.

Government policy on gender

Russian policies support economic and social equality for women, as is the case in the majority of Eastern European countries that were united in the Soviet era. The current Russian constitution was created after 1991. Article 19 states: "Men and women have equal rights and freedoms and equal opportunities to realize them." The successful implementation of this policy is evident in both education and employment.

Sociocultural factors

Russian women have the advantage of a sound educational background along with a history of official encouragement to work in nontraditional fields such as science and technology. However one result of political transformation in Russia is the lack of childcare services and this has contributed to the problems of working women. Employers do not like hiring women, as they fear that their household duties will divert their attention from the job at hand. Many employers are also reluctant to hire childless young women; they would rather avoid having to give a female employee the 3-year paid maternity leave endorsed by the constitution.[3]

Conclusion

Russia is a country where traditionally women have enjoyed high literacy rates, and their participation in the labor market has been considerable. However, because of an inadequate telecommunication infrastructure and a lack of consistent government policies, the ICT sector has not yet reached its potential. No data on the current participation of women in the ICT sector were available. It is hoped that as the ICT sector expands, women will find avenues for employment.

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