Julia Ioffe on Russian Women, Missing Men, and the Roots of Autocracy

The history of women in Russia, from the revolution to modern autocracy, reveals a complex interplay between radical social reforms and deep-seated gender essentialism. While the Bolsheviks initially promoted egalitarian ideals and women’s participation in the workforce, the catastrophic demographic losses of the 20th century—particularly during World War II—institutionalized a reliance on women as the primary providers of both labor and family stability. This created a social paradox where women became highly resourceful "superwomen" managing domestic and professional burdens, while men were often marginalized, leading to a persistent gender imbalance. Today, this legacy manifests in Russian politics through aggressive pronatalist policies and a resurgence of traditionalist rhetoric, where the state weaponizes gender norms to reinforce authoritarian control and militarism. Julia Ioffe, author of *Motherland*, examines these historical trajectories and their enduring impact on contemporary Russian society.