Last April, Mikhailov & Partners conducted a representative national telephone poll on gender inequality in Russia (the sample group included 1,792 people).
Thirty-nine percent of the respondents said that domestic violence is a topical problem in Russia. Another 39% said that physical violence in families is acceptable (48% men for and 71% women against). Twenty-eight percent admit that physical punishment of children is normal for discipline purposes.
One in every four interviewees considers gender inequality an important issue. One in every five finds sexual harassment at work a pressing problem. Sixty-three percent agreed that women provoke violence with their appearance and behavior.
Seventy percent of the poll takers approve of the women who earn more money than their husbands but only 31% support the women who prioritize work over house chores.
Eighty-five percent approve of the men who are equally involved in housework as women. However, 41% disapprove of the men calling themselves feminists and another 36% frown upon the men who reproach their friends for sexist jokes.
Seventy percent of women believe it is their right to engage in sexual relationships before marriage – and were supported by 57% of men. Seventeen percent of the respondents are not ready to grant women with an unconditional right to decide whether they want to have children or not.
Forty-eight percent of the poll participants believe that men and women have equal job opportunities while 38% believe that it is more difficult for women to build a career.