While a notable percentage favors men as leaders, most still value competence over gender
One-third of Russians prefer male bosses, while just 3% favor female managers, according to a nationwide poll released on Monday, though most respondents said professional competence matters more than gender.
The survey by state pollster VCIOM found that 61% of respondents prioritized personal qualities and competence over gender when considering managers.
Nearly half of those polled (48%) believed men have stronger leadership predispositions compared to 8% who saw women as better suited for leadership roles. Another 34% saw no correlation between gender and leadership capability.
The poll indicated about half of Russians view traditionally female-dominated sectors like education, healthcare, and beauty services as more appropriate for women leaders.
VCIOM conducted the poll two weeks ago via telephone interviews with 1,600 respondents aged 18 and over, with a margin of error not exceeding 2.5%.
The survey highlights common perceptions about the intrinsic qualities of men and women, which could be seen as stereotypes. Many Russians view men as naturally possessing leadership traits like decisiveness and physical strength, while women are seen as responsible and morally resilient – qualities linked to family roles. Fields like management, technology, engineering, and science are rarely considered “female” domains, despite the significant successes of women in these areas.
The younger generation, namely those born since 2001, were most indifferent to the gender of their boss. Having grown up in an environment where gender equality is openly discussed and female leaders are more visible, they tend to prioritize skills and competence over traditional gender roles, notes VCIOM.
Several women currently hold high-ranking positions in the Russian government. Valentina Matvienko has served as the chairwoman of the Federation Council, the upper house of parliament, since 2011, making her one of the most prominent political figures in the country. Other notable female officials include Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova and Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, who has led Russia’s monetary policy since 2013. The well-known editor-in-chief of RT, Margarita Simonyan, is also a woman.
