Gender violence and discrimination in Russia: Learning from an American–Russian partnership

Abstract

Russian social services and the social work profession have experienced dramatic growth since the 1990s due to numerous political, societal, and economic changes. This article discusses gender violence and discrimination against women, perhaps the most pressing problem confronting Russia today. The authors conduct a literature review and describe a collaborative engagement between a social work graduate education program in Russia (Vologda) and the United States (Texas) that involved curriculum development, classroom teaching, professional training, and agency consultation. It recommends policy, practice, and research needed to continue improving social services for Russian women, their families, and the community that also informs social work practice in the United States, with particular emphasis on domestic violence. KeywordsAlcoholism, domestic violence, gender discrimination, gender violence Women in Russia have experienced gender violence and discrimination historically, yet there are dramatic changes currently occurring in the political and social responses to these problems that offer unique opportunities for social workers to improve services for women. The extent of gender violence and other types of discrimination against women and the current needs and obstacles for Russian social service and legal systems can be better understood through knowledge of the historical and cultural contexts of these problems. The Soviet Union failed to respond to the problems of domestic violence and did not provide services or shelters for victims, and since Perestroika,

Perceived discrimination and psychological distress in nine countries of the former Soviet Union

“…Although more research is needed, it is possible that this latter finding might conflict with what is happening in the fSU countries. In particular, in the post-Soviet period, the increasing emergence of patriarchy has been observed in countries such as Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan (Werner, 2009), while in Russia, a process of 'neomasculinism' has been reported (Johnson & Saarinen, 2013), which has been linked to women experiencing discrimination both in terms of their employment and in the workplace (Hawkins & Knox, 2014;Knapp et al, 2017).…”

Social work in FSU countries: mapping the progress of ‘the professional project’

“…In Russia, Ukraine and the Baltic states, gender violence is now viewed as a societal problem rather than being simply a 'family matter' since the mid-1990s (e.g. Hawkins & Knox, 2014); and in Kazakhstan, new services have been developed for the survivors of domestic violence as well as ex-prisoners, children and adolescents in trouble. In many places, there is a beginning acknowledgment of the need for inclusive policies in services (Antonova, 2014) and the notion of 'empowerment' is entering professional practice, sometimes influenced by international partners, for example, in Russia (Borodkina, 2015).…”

Women Selling Sex in Russia: Analyzing Women’s Appraisal of Exploitation and Mistreatment Using Cognitive Dissonance and Cultural Sex Script Frameworks

“…Laws proposed to be discussed in Russia are heavily criticized, mainly due to the perception that government involvement would break apart the traditional family [82,83]. Such lack of state legislation keeps violence against women as one of the most critical and urgent yet unsolved issues in Russia today [84], putting Russian women selling sex at an increased risk of violence from their partners and clients. In comparison to Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania, Russia is leading in its partner violence numbers above all three, 17% over Africa with a total of 53% [80].…”

“…Unfortunately, grant and research funding has been limited due to an ever-growing contentious political climate between Russia and the US [84]. With both countries being in especially tense opposition today, it is important that a-political approach to research and outreach continues to be collaborated on honestly and openly, communicating an effort to simply serve Russia's victims without any ideological predispositions.…”