Scorecard of [Russia] [2019]-01-01 00:00:00

Russia 2019
41.7

International Actions

49.0%
Security Council Actions

68.8%
Inclusion of WPS-sensitive Language in All Security Council Open Debates

Criteria100% of the statements made by a state during the Security Council open debates should include WPS-sensitive language.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia had 11 out of 16 Open Debates in 2019 where it made statements related to Women, Peace and Security.
Comment

WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:

General Women, Peace and Security:  2/16

Conflict Prevention:  1/16

Disarmament:  2/16

Displacement and Humanitarian Response:  1/16

Participation: 0/16

Peace Processes: 0/16

Peacekeeping: 2/16

Protection: 0/16

Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 1/16

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 1/16

Implementation: 1/16

Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 2/16

Human Rights: 0/16

On average Russia covered  6 % of WPS concepts in the open debates in 2019, lowest among the P5 countries. While Russia made some references to disarmament, their statements on women’s participation particularly in peacekeeping missions lacked substance and sometimes reinforced gender stereotypes. 

MethodologyThe number of debates in which a state has used WPS-sensitive language at least once out of a total number of all Security Council open debates per year.
Resources

1. Meeting Records Archive, United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2020.

100.0%
Inclusion of WPS-sensitive Language in the Security Council Open Debates on the Threats Caused by Terrorist Acts

Criteria100% of the statements made by a state during the Security Council thematic open debates should include WPS-sensitive language.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia had 2 out of 2 Open Debates on the threats caused by terrorist acts in 2019 where it made statements related to Women, Peace and Security.
Comment

WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:

General Women, Peace and Security: 0/2

Conflict Prevention:0/2

Disarmament: 2/2

Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 0/2

Participation: 0/2

Peace Processes: 0/2

Peacekeeping: 0/2

Protection: 0/2

Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 0/2

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 0/2

Implementation: 0/2

Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 1/2

Human Rights: 0/2

MethodologyThe number of debates in which a state has used WPS-sensitive language at least once out of a total number of Security Council open debates on the threats caused by terrorist acts.
Resources

1. Meeting Records Archive, United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2020.

0.0%
Inclusion of WPS-sensitive Language in the Security Council Open Debates on the Maintenance of International Peace and Security

Criteria100% of the statements made by a state during the Security Council thematic open debates should include WPS-sensitive language.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia had 0 out of 1 Open Debates on the maintenance of international peace and security in 2019 where it made statements related to Women, Peace and Security.
Comment

WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:

General Women, Peace and Security: 0/1

Conflict Prevention:0/1

Disarmament: 0/1

Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 0/1

Participation: 0/1

Peace Processes: 0/1

Peacekeeping: 0/1

Protection: 0/1

Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 0/1

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 0/1

Implementation: 0/1

Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 0/1

Human Rights: 0/1

MethodologyThe number of debates in which a state has used WPS-sensitive language at least once out of a total number of Security Council open debates on the maintenance of international peace and security.
Resources

1. Meeting Records Archive, United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2020.

100.0%
Inclusion of WPS-sensitive Language in the Security Council Open Debates on the Protection of Civilians

Criteria100% of the statements made by a state during the Security Council thematic open debates should include WPS-sensitive language.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia had 1 out of 1 Open Debates on the Protection of Civilians in 2019 where it made statements related to Women, Peace and Security.
Comment

WILPF/PeaceWomen themes covered:

General Women, Peace and Security: 0/1

Conflict Prevention:0/1

Disarmament: 0/1

Displacement and Humanitarian Response: 1/1

Participation: 0/1

Peace Processes: 0/1

Peacekeeping: 0/1

Protection: 0/1

Reconstruction and Peacebuilding: 0/1

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence: 0/1

Implementation: 0/1

Justice, Rule of Law, SSR: 0/1

Human Rights: 0/1

MethodologyThe number of debates in which a state has used WPS-sensitive language at least once out of a total number of Security Council open debates on the protection of civilians.
Resources

1. Meeting Records Archive, United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed July 29, 2020.

25.0%
The Use of Veto

CriteriaA state should not apply its veto right.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Russia exercised its right to veto draft resolutions in three out of a total of six instances of veto application. Russia exercised its veto right on a draft resolution (S/2019/186) addressing the political and humanitarian situation in Venezuela because the draft resolution was not geared to resolve the problem in Venezuela. Russia exercised its veto right a second time on a draft resolution (S/2019/756) addressing the Syrian conflict because the draft resolution does not include an exemption for military offensives against U.N. blacklisted terrorist groups. Russia exercised its veto right a third time on a draft resolution (S/2019/961) addressing Syria, specifically the renewal of the cross-border assistance mechanism in Syria.

The draft resolution (S/2019/756) contained one reference to women, including: "Calls upon all parties, in particular the Syrian authorities, to undertake confidence-building measures, including through the immediate release of any arbitrarily detained persons, particularly women, children, and the elderly."

Comment

Methodology100% - No veto right was used;
75% - A state uses its veto right in less than (or equals to) 50% of vetoed draft resolutions (no gender-sensitive language);
50% - A state uses its veto right in more than 50% of vetoed draft resolutions (no gender-sensitive language);
25% - A state uses its veto right in less than (or equals to) 50% of vetoed draft resolutions (with gender-sensitive language);
0% - A state uses its veto right in more than 50% of vetoed draft resolutions (with gender-sensitive language).
Resources

  1. "Meeting Records." The United Nations, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  2. "Veto List," United Nations Dag Hammarskjold Library. Accessed August, 2020. 

  3. "Vetoed Draft Resolution (S/2019/186)," The United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  4. "Meeting Record" [discussing Russia's reasoning for vetoing S/2019/186], The United Nations, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  5. "Vetoed Draft Resolution (S/2019/756)," The United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  6. "Meeting Record [discussing Russia's reasoning for vetoing S/2019/756]," The United Nations, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  7. "Vetoed Draft Resolution (S/2019/961)," The United Nations Security Council, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

  8. "Meeting Record [discussing Russia's reasoning for vetoing S/2019/961]," The United Nations, 2019. Accessed August 11, 2020. 

 

0.0%
Commitments Intended to Strengthen the Implementation of the WPS Agenda

CriteriaAll WILPF/PeaceWomen themes should be covered in the WPS commitments.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisIn its statements made at the 2019 Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, Russia covered the following WILPF/PeaceWomen themes:
General Women, Peace and Security
Conflict Prevention
Disarmament
Participation
Peace Processes
Protection
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Peacekeeping
Displacement and Humanitarian Response
Human Rights
Justice, Rule of Law and Security Sector Reform
Reconstruction and Peacebuilding
Implementation
Comment

In 2019, Russia neither reported on old commitments nor identified new commitments. 

MethodologyThe number of WILPF/PeaceWomen themes emphasised in a statement identifies the final percentage received by a state
Resources

1. "Call to Action on 2015 Commitments" [homepage, where commitments for years 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 are located], WILPF, 2019. Accessed July 31, 2020.

0.0%
Women, Peace and Security Financing

0.0%
Balance Between UN Women Total Contribution and Arms Sales Revenue

CriteriaTotal contribution to UN Women should increase overtime while Arms Sales Revenue should decrease overtime.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Russia receives a 0% because of their lack of UN women contributions. Additionally, Russia was the fourth-largest military spender in 2019 and according to SIPRI, “Russian arms exports accounted for 21 percent of total arms exports in 2015–19” and “delivered major arms to 47 states”. Almost 55% of its arms exports went to India, China and Algeria. Between 2015-19, Russian exports of major arms to the Middle East increased by 30%, particularly to Egypt and Iraq. 

UN Women Contribution remained the same ($0); Arms Transfer Revenue increased. 

Military Expenditure in 2019: $ 65.1 billion 

UN Women Contribution in 2019: $0

Comment

In 2018: 

Military expenditure in 2018 : $61.4 billion. 

UN Women Contribution in 2018: $0

MethodologyA grade varies depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative consistency in spendings, ratio between the arms transfer revenue and the UN Women contribution, etc.):
UN Women Contribution increases; Arms Transfer Revenue decreases (90-100%);
UN Women Contribution increases; Arms Transfer Revenue does not change (79-89%);
UN Women Contribution does not change; Arms Transfer Revenue decreases (68-78%);
UN Women Contribution does not change; Arms Transfer Revenue does not change (57-67%);
UN Women Contribution decreases; Arms Transfer Revenue decreases (46-56%);
UN Women Contribution increases; Arms Transfer Revenue increases (35-45%);
UN Women Contribution decreases; Arms Transfer Revenue does not change (24-34%);
UN Women Contribution does not change; Arms Transfer Revenue increases (13-23%);
UN Women Contribution decreases; Arms Transfer Revenue increases (0-12%).
Resources
  1. "Core Resources: Top 25 Donors," UN Women, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

  2. "Arms Transfers and Military Spending," Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

  3. "Importer/Exporter TIV Tables," SIPRI, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

  4. "Trends in World Military Expenditure," SIPRI, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

  5. "Trends in International Arms Transfers," SIPRI, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020.

60.9%
International Gender and Human Rights Indicators

71.8%
Ranking via Gender Inequality Index (GII)

CriteriaA state should be ranked first in the Gender Inequality Index (GII).
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia was ranked 54 among 189 participating countries in 2019.
Comment

In 2018, Russia was ranked 54 of 189 countries. 

Researcher’s Note: The figures used above are from the 2019 Human Development Report which has the rankings for 2018. The 2020 Human Development Report is not published as of October 2020. Consultations have been scheduled till December 2020 and “the work on the 2020 HDR will continue through the summer and fall”.

Methodology100% is received by a state that is ranked 1st; 0% is received by a state that is ranked last.
Resources

 1. "Human Development Reports: Table 5: Gender Inequality Index," The United Nations Development Programme, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020. 

47.4%
Ranking via Global Gender Gap Index

CriteriaA state should be ranked first in the Gender Gap Index.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia was ranked 81 among 153 participating countries in 2019.
Comment

In 2018, Russia was ranked 75 among 149 participating countries.

Researcher’s note:  In 2019, WEF published the Gender Gap Report 2020 instead of a Gender Gap Report 2019. This was done to change the launch of their Gender Gap Report series to the first quarter of every year.  The above-mentioned data reflects the rank tabulated using sources from 2019 as indicated in the report (see resource 1). 

Methodology100% is received by a state that is ranked 1st; 0% is received by a state that is ranked last.
Resources
  1.  "The Global Gender Gap Report: 2020," The World Economic Forum [Russia, p.297], 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020. 

  2. The Global Gender Gap Report: 2018,” The World Economic Forum, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2020. 

63.6%
Ratification of International Human Rights Treaties

CriteriaA state ratifies all international human rights gender-sensitive treaties.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia has signed and possibly ratified the following International Human Rights Treaties in 2019:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - signed
Universal Declaration of Human Rights - ratified
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - signed
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - ratified
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - signed
International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - ratified
Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages - signed
Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages - ratified
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - signed
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - ratified
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - signed
Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - ratified
Protocol to Prevent, Supress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, to The Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime - signed
Protocol to Prevent, Supress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children, to The Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime - ratified
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others - signed
Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others - ratified
Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War - signed
Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War - ratified
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) - signed
Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and Relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II) - ratified
Arms Trade Treaty - signed
Arms Trade Treaty - ratified
Comment

Researcher’s Note: Russia has acceded to the Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others.  

Methodology100% is received by a state that has signed and ratified all International Human Rights Treaties. Ratification of a treaty provides a state with a full point; a signature (without ratification) provides a state with half of a point.
11 - 99-100%;
10 - 90%;
9 - 81%;
8 - 72%;
7 - 63%;
6 - 54%;
5 - 45%;
4 - 36%;
3 - 27%;
2 - 18%;
1 - 9%;
0 - 0%
Resources
  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "The Yearbook of the United Nations, 1948-1949: Part I, Section V.: Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Questions," pp. 529-530, The United Nations Department of Public Information, 1950. Accessed August 13, 2020. 

  1. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: 1976; International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights: 1976; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: 1981; Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women: 2000: "Status of Ratification: Interactive Dashboard," United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, 2014. Accessed August 13, 2020.

  1. "Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages," The United Nations Treaty Collection, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020.

  1. "Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime," The United Nations Treaty Collection, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020.

  1. "Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others," The United Nations Treaty Collection, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020.

  1. "Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war," The United Nations, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020.

  1. Additional Protocol II: "Protocol Additional to the Geneva Conventions of 12 August 1949, and relating to the Protection of Victims of Non-International Armed Conflicts (Protocol II), 8 June 1977," International Committee of the Red Cross, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020. 

  2. Arms Trade Treaty: "Arms Trade Treaty," United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, 2019. Accessed August 13, 2020.

65.0%
Peacekeeping Operations

30.0%
Contribution of Troops, Police and Military Experts

CriteriaThere should be equal participation of women and men in peacekeeping.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia provided 12 women out of 80 peacekeepers in 2019.
Comment

Experts on Mission: 28 men,  3 women, 31  total 

Police: 26 men, 6 women, 32 total 

Staff: 14 men,  3 women, 17 total 

Total peacekeepers provided: 68 men, 12 women, 80 total

The operations with the most Russian personnel are UNMISS (South Sudan), MINURSO (Western Sahara), and MINUSCA (Central African Republic). 

Researcher’s Note: While all the Permanent Five countries focus on peacekeeping as an important element of the WPS agenda and to tackle sexual violence in conflict settings, WILPF believes that to fully prevent all forms of sexual violence it is essential to address the root causes of violence, including structural inequalities, discrimination and patriarchal norms. 

MethodologyConsidering that there should be equal participation of men and women in peacekeeping, a state that ensures 50% of its personnel are females receives 100%. Otherwise, a state earns a score that depends on the percentage of female personnel contributed by a state on the basis of the expected ratio.
Data is provided by the United Nations (Department of Peacekeeping Operations).
Resources
  1.  "Contributors to UN Peacekeeping Operations by Country and Post," United Nations Peacekeeping, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2020.  

  1. "Summary of Contributions to Peacekeeping by Mission, Country and Post," United Nations Peacekeeping, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2020.  

  2. Summary of Military and Police Personnel by country and post,” United Nations Peacekeeping, 2019. Accessed November 9, 2020.  

100.0%
Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) Allegedly Committed by Peacekeepers

CriteriaThere should be a "zero tolerance" policy with respect to sexual exploitation and abuse.
Note*: Information on SEA is gathered based on publicly available information. Official statistics are available starting from 2015.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Total number of allegations in 2019: 80 

Russian peacekeepers involved: 0

Comment

While Russian peacekeepers weren’t involved in SEA in the reported cases in 2019, Russia has actively tried to cut the number of U.N. human rights officials attached to the U.N. missions, threatening the safeguards to address sexual abuse in U.N. peacekeeping. 

MethodologyIn line with the UN "zero tolerance" policy, at least one allegation of sexual abuse provides a state with 0%.
states that have not been involved in the SEA allegations receives 100%.
Resources
  1. "Conduct in UN Field Missions: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Allegations," The United Nations, 2018. Accessed  August 14, 2020. 

  1. "Conduct in UN Field Missions: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse: Alleged Perpetrators," The United Nations, 2018. Accessed August 14, 2020.

  2. Russia and China move to cut human rights jobs in U.N. peacekeeping,” The New York Times. Accessed November 19, 2020. 

National Actions

3.8%
Prevention

15.0%
Partnership Between Womens Civil Society Organisations and the Government

CriteriaThere should be a funded and governmentally-supported women's civil society landscape.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Russia receives 15% because, In 2019, the Russian government continued to carry out a crackdown on NGOs as a way of suppressing dissent and their financial sustainability in the country. 

Researcher’s Note: There is very limited data available in English on the status of women CSO’s in Russia. 

Comment

The Foreign Agent Law of 2012 has severe implications for civil society and NGOs. The law states that organizations receiving foreign funding must register as “foreign agents.” Fines and other bureaucratic hurdles are imposed on CSOs that do not comply. According to the most recent data available, Russia’s Justice Ministry has designated 158 groups as “foreign agents,” and over 30 groups have shut down. The organizations targeted under this law include groups working on human rights, the environment, LGBTI+ issues, and health issues, groups that do polling about social issues. 

The freedom house report scored Russia, 0 out of 4 in terms of freedom of NGOs in 2019. According to the report, “Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and journalists remained under severe threat throughout 2019. The government continued to harass them by branding them as foreign agents or undesirable organizations, fining them, and intimidating them with police raids and arrests. LGBT+ residents and activists were targeted with renewed campaigns of violence and intimidation. The year (2019) began with a crackdown on a group of LGBT+ social media users in Chechnya, leading to multiple arrests and two deaths at the hands of police. In the summer, activist Yelena Grigoryeva was murdered in St. Petersburg, deepening fears over an anti-LGBT+ hit list.”

Spotlight. The consortium of women's non-governmental organizations , operating since 1993, includes over 100 NGOs in Russia that work to protect the rights and interests of women. They  advocate the improvement of legislation, and monitor the observance of the constitutional right to equal opportunities. In 2017, they launched the Domestic Violence Victim Assistance Center project with financial support from the Presidential Grants Fund. The consortium is the only organization in Russia to provide legal aid to victims of domestic violence. They receive funding for various projects through grants and donations.

MethodologyWhen there is both financial support from the government and active collabouration between the government and civil society, a state receives from 80% to 100% depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative assessment; decrease/increase in the number of projects, etc.);

When there is either only financial support from the government or only active collabouration between the government and civil society, a state receives from 60% to 79% depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative assessment; decrease/increase in the number of projects, etc.);

When there is neither financial support from the government nor active collabouration between the government and civil society and where there are no restrictions applied on womens organisation, a state receives from 40% to 59% depending on circumstances (i.e.: kinds of services provided by civil society, etc.);

When there is neither both financial support from the government nor active collabouration between the government and civil society and when government provides services for women, a state receives from 20% to 39% depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative assessment; decrease/increase in the number of projects, etc.);

When there is neither financial support from the government nor active collabouration between the government and civil society and when there are several restrictions on civil society, a state receives from 0% to 19% depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative assessment; decrease/increase in the number of projects, etc.).
Resources
  1. About the Consortium,” Consortium of Women’s Non-Governmental Associations. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  2. How Putin’s Crackdown on NGOs Threatens Opportunities for Public Diplomacy with Russia,” American Security Project, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  3. NGOs in Russia: Battered, but unbowed,” DW, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  4. Russian Govt Prohibits ‘Only Illegal’ NGO Activities,” IDN, 2020. Accessed September 29, 2020

  5. Russian Federation: Ministry of Justice attempts to shut down the "For Human Rights" NGO,” International Federation of Human Rights, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  6. Russia’s NGO Laws,” Freedom House. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  7. Russia: Freedom in the World 2020,” Freedom House. Accessed December 1, 2020.

 

0.0%
Special Gender-Specific Training of Security and Law Enforcement Personnel

CriteriaSpecial gender-specific training for law enforcement and security sector should exist.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia implemented the following training standards in 2019:
Assessment of gender-sensitive training is present
Overall training objective is gender sensitive
Gender parity among trainers and trainees
Women's organisations or gender-related societal leaders are engaged to provide contextual perspective on gender within the security sector
Follow-up communication and gender-related knowledge dissemination methods are established
Comment

Russian security and law enforcement institutions do not assess progress in integrating gender perspectives across its security sector or even within specific programs, create recommendations for improvement, conduct follow-ups to monitor the implementation of these recommendations. Russia does not engage civil society to provide gender perspectives on the security sector. 

MethodologyThe criteria is determined in line with the UN Women guidelines (developed in partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the European Union).
5 - 100%
4 - 80%
3 - 60%
2 - 40%
1 - 20%
0 - 0%
Resources
  1. "Russian National Security Strategy, December 2015," The Kremlin [hosted by Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies (IEEE)), 2015. Accessed September 29, 2020.

  2. “Inside the Russian police force answering thousands of calls for help from battered women”, PRI, March 2017. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

0.0%
National Action Plan on the Implementation of UNSC Resolution 1325 bases on WPS Themes

CriteriaA state has implemented a 1325 National Action Plan. All WILPF/PeaceWomen themes should be covered.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisThe UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan has not been developed by Russia until 2019.
Comment

A UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan has not been developed by Russia as of 2019. In 2017, Russia announced the launch of its “national strategy of actions in the interests of women 2017-2022," to be implemented in two phases. The first phase (2017-2018) was to focus on the development of mechanisms needed for implementation of this strategy, and the second phase (2019-2022) was to focus on the implementation of measures to strengthen women’s position in the political, economic, social and cultural fields. 

In 2019,  the project “Co-operation on the implementation of the Russian Federation National Action Strategy for Women (2017–2022)” was launched. It will be implemented by the Council of Europe and the Russian Federation’s Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, High Commissioner for Human Rights and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

MethodologyThe grade is determined on the basis of a number of WILPF/PeaceWomen themes that are emphasized in a 1325 National Action Plan (NAP). A NAP that emphasizes all WILPF/PeaceWomen themes receives 100%.
Resources
  1. "Implementation of the National Strategy for Women," Eurasian Women's Community. Accessed September 29, 2020.

  2. Implementing the 2017-2022 National Action Strategy for Women,” Council of Europe, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020.

0.0%
Balance between the 1325 National Action Plan (NAP) Budget and Military Expenditure.

CriteriaThe 1325 National Action Plan budget should increase overtime while military expenditure should decrease overtime.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Since Russia does not have a NAP in 2019, it receives 0%. 

Comment

According to SIPRI, in 2019 Russia’s Military Expenditure was $ 65.1 billion. Russia’s military spending increased by 4.5% and its military burden rose from 3.7% of GDP to 3.9%. Russia is also the fourth largest military spender in the world. 

MethodologyA grade varies depending on circumstances (i.e.: positive/negative consistency in spendings, ratio between the NAP budget and military expenditure, etc.):

NAP Budget increases; Military Expenditure decreases (90-100%)
NAP Budget increases; Military Expenditure does not change (79-89%)
NAP Budget does not change; Military Expenditure decreases (68-78%)
NAP Budget does not change; Military Expenditure does not change (57-67%)
NAP Budget decreases; Military Expenditure decreases (46-56%)
NAP Budget increases; Military Expenditure increases (35-45%)
NAP Budget decreases; Military Expenditure does not change (24-34%)
NAP Budget does not change; Military Expenditure increases (13-23%)
NAP Budget decreases; Military Expenditure increases (1-12%)
No NAP/No NAP Budget (0%)
Resources
  1. "Arms Transfers and Military Spending," Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

  2. "Trends in World Military Expenditure," SIPRI, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2020. 

58.9%
Participation

31.6%
Percentage of Women's Participation in Parliament

CriteriaThere should be equal participation of women and men in Parliament.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Women made up 15.8% of the State Duma (the Gosduma, or Lower House) and 18.2% of the Federal Council (Upper House) in Russia in 2019.  

The percentage of women in the State Duma remained stagnant from 2018 to 2019. The percentage of women in the Upper House increased in 2019.   

Russia fell short of achieving equal (50%-50%) participation of women and men in its Lower House, Russia received a score of 32%.

Comment

In 2018, women comprised 15.8% of the State Duma and 17.1% of the Federation Council.

MethodologyConsidering that there should be equal participation of men and women in Parliament, a state that ensures 50% of its parliamentarians are females receives 100%. Otherwise, a state earns a grade that depends on the percentage of female parliamentarians employed by a state on the basis of the expected ratio.
Resources
  1. Monthly Ranking of Women in National Parliaments”, Inter Parliamentary Union Parline, December 2019. Accessed September 19, 2020. 

  2. Global and Regional Averages of Women in National Parliaments, Inter Parliamentary Union Parline, December 2019. Accessed September 19, 2020.

25.8%
Percentage of Women's Participation in Ministerial Positions

CriteriaThere should be equal participation of women and men in ministerial positions.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

12.9 % of ministerial positions were held by women in Russia in 2019.  

As Russia fell short of achieving equal (50%-50%) participation of women and men in ministerial positions, Russia received a score of 25.8%. 

Comment

In 2018, 9.7% of ministerial positions were held by women in Russia. 

MethodologyConsidering that there should be equal participation of men and women in the ministerial positions, a state that ensures 50% of its ministers are females receives 100%. Otherwise, a state earns a grade that depends on the percentage of female ministers employed by a state on the basis of the expected ratio.
Resources
  1. "The Global Gender Gap Report: 2020", The World Economic Forum, 2019. Accessed August 19, 2020.

 

60.0%
Percentage of Women's Participation in Law Enforcement

CriteriaThere should be equal participation of women and men in law enforcement
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

 

Comment

The Russian police are the primary law enforcement agency in Russia. 

In 2019, according to the Russian Internal Ministry, among a total of 740,000 police officers, about 30 per cent are women

MethodologyConsidering that there should be equal participation of men and women in law enforcement, a state that ensures 50% of its law enforcement agents are females receives 100%. Otherwise, a state earns a grade that depends on the percentage of female law enforcement agents employed by a state on the basis of the expected ratio.
Resources
  1. Check Out Russia’s Most Beautiful Police Women,” Russia Beyond, 2019. Accessed September 30,2020.* 

  2. Brave and Beautiful Russian Policewomen,” Russia Beyond, 2020. Accessed September 30, 2020.*

*Researcher’s note: These sources contain gender-unaware and/or sexist language, but remain the only English language sources containing data on the numbers of women in the police forces and report the treatment and lived experiences of Russian women. 

70.0%
Percentage of Women's Participation in the Judiciary

CriteriaThere should be equal participation of women and men in the judiciary.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

 

Comment

The 2018 report released by the Council for the Efficiency of Justice indicates that 60% of the total number of professional justices are women in Russia. Though Russia meets the criteria for equal participation of women in the judiciary, the data indicates that there are fewer women in the higher courts of the judiciary. 

Researcher’s Note: There is lack of recent data available on the participation of women in the judiciary in Russia. 

MethodologyConsidering that there should be equal participation of men and women in the judiciary, a state that ensures 50% of its judges are females receives 100%. Otherwise, a state earns a grade that depends on the percentage of female judges employed by a state on the basis of the expected ratio.
Resources
  1. Why are the majority of Russian judges female?Russian Beyond, 2016. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  2. Report on ‘European judicial systems – Edition 2014 (2012 data): efficiency and quality of justice," The Council for the Efficiency of Justice, 2014. Accessed September 30, 2020.

  3. European judicial systems Efficiency and quality of justice CEPEJ Studies No. 26,” The Council of Justice, 2018. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

68.9%
Percentage of Women's Participation in the Labour Force

CriteriaWomen should have equal access to employment opportunities.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Women's rate of participation in the labour force was 68.9%, a 0.1% decrease from 2018. (Men's participation, 79.8% in 2019, decreased marginally from 2018 by 0.2%.)

Comment

The following figures provide additional insight into women’s participation, standing and experience within the labour force in Russia in 2019: 

  • The estimated earned income per year (US$): $ 19,000 for women; $ 32,800 for men.   
  • Legislators, senior officials and managers: 41.8% for women; 58.2 % for men.
  • Professional and technical workers: 62.4 % for women; 37.7 % for men.
MethodologyData collected from the Gender Gap Index (GGI) on the basis of its methodology.
Resources
  1. "The Global Gender Gap Report: 2018," World Economic Forum, 2018. Accessed August 19, 2020. 
  2. The Global Gender Gap Report: 2020,” World Economic Forum, 2019. Accessed August 19, 2020.

 

96.8%
Access to Education

CriteriaThere should be equal access to all levels of education.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis

Enrolment in primary education: 96.8 % girls; 96.6 % boys. 

Enrolment in secondary education: 91 % girls; 90.4 % boys. 

Literacy rate: 99.7 % girls; 99.7 % boys. 

MethodologyData collected from the Gender Gap Index (GGI) and UNESCO, developed on the basis of their respective methodologies.
Resources
  1. "The Global Gender Gap Report: 2018," World Economic Forum, 2018. Accessed August 19, 2020. 

  2. The Global Gender Gap Report: 2020,” World Economic Forum, 2019. Accessed August 19, 2020.

39.6%
Protection

55.6%
Presence of Gendered Perspective in Legal Framework

CriteriaGender should be mainstreamed throughout legal framework in accordance with the international law.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis Legal framework in Russia includes the following gender-sensitive laws and constitutional provisions in 2019:
Women and men are guaranteed the rights to vote, to hold public office, and to exercise public functions
Gender perspective incorporated into the constitution
Women and men are guaranteed the right to non-discrimination in education, employment and economic, and social activities
Women and men are guaranteed full equality in civil and business matters
Women and men are guaranteed equal rights and obligations with regard to choice of spouse, parenthood, personal rights, and command over property
Women and men are guaranteed reproductive rights
Women and men are guaranteed equal pay for equal work
Women and men are guaranteed the right to live lives free from violence
Gender sensitive laws and constitutional previsions
Comment

Russia granted the right to vote to all men and women in 1917. The Soviet Constitution of 1936 declared men and women to be equal and introduced paid maternity leave and free child care in the workplace. However, in reality this right is being violated: while signing employment contracts women are forced to guarantee “absence of possible pregnancy” during certain periods of time and if they become pregnant they don’t receive any benefits or even are fired. 

The Russian Constitution does not define discrimination and does not prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex. In 2020, the State Duma introduced a draft law that further limits the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons in Russia. 

While in the past, multiple draft laws and bill have been introduced regarding discrimination against women in Russia, they were not adopted in the final stage. The law on the prevention of domestic violence was not passed, and there is still no law against discrimination in the labour market in Russia. 

Methodology8 - 100%
7 - 87.5%
6 - 75%
5 - 62.5%
4 - 50%
3 - 37.5%
2 - 25%
1 - 12.5%
0 - 0%

Necessary legal framework is determined in accordance with the principles of the core human rights treaties (i.e.: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and political Rights (ICCPR), the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)).
Resources
  1. In Russia women’s rights are still not human rights,” International Observatory Human Rights, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  2. Do women have equal rights with men in Russia?,” Human Rights House Foundation, 2007. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  3. Russia plans to outlaw legal gender recognition,” TGEU, 2020. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  4. Legal Basis for Perversion,” Lenta, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2020.

 

42.9%
Access to Justice

CriteriaWomen's unrestricted access to justice exists.
Analysis/Comments
Analysis The following protections are guaranteed by Russia in 2019:
Equal access to formal legal dispute systems and the right to legal representation
Non-discrimination law
Existence of courts and judicial bodies
Financial affordability of access to legal proceedings and/or legal aid
Free access to an interpreter during legal proceedings
Victim protection
Existence of gender units within justice institutions
Comment

A federal law adopted in 2018, was aimed at improving the judicial system, ensuring citizen’s access to justice, its maximum openness and transparency, as well as the implementation of the principle of independence and objectivity when passing court decisions. 

The Constitution of the Russian Federation allocates access to justice as the right of a citizen who has suffered, in particular, from criminal encroachment. The Criminal Procedure Code of the Russian Federation, adopted in 2001, aims to solve the problem of accessibility justice in criminal cases. However, the current state of the Russian judicial system makes it difficult for citizens to access justice in a broad sense of the word. Judicial procedures do not sufficiently provide access to justice as victims of crime and malfeasance, and the accused who consider themselves innocent.”

 

MethodologyThe necessary protections represent the CEDAW standard on women's access to justice.
7 - 100%
6 - 85%
5 - 70%
4 - 55%
3 - 40%
2 - 25%
1 - 10%
0 - 0%"
Resources
  1. A law was signed aimed at ensuring citizen’s access to justice, its maximum openness and transparency,” President of Russia, 2018. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  2. As long as the judicial system of the Russian Federation does not become more independent, doubts about its effectiveness remain,” Council of Europe, 2016. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

  3. Affordable justice for citizens,” Mirza, 2019. Accessed September 30, 2020. 

0.0%
Protections Against Human Trafficking

CriteriaA state should be in compliance with minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking in persons.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 is in:
Complete compliance with the minimum standards
Partial compliance with the minimum standards
Non-compliance with the minimum standards
Comment

The Government of Russia does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so. 

The government maintained negligible efforts to protect victims. As in previous years, the government did not provide funding or programs for protective services dedicated to trafficking victims. The law did not specifically define who is a trafficking victim or differentiate trafficking victims from victims of other crimes; experts noted this hindered identification measures and limited access to victim services. NGOs provided all protection services, including shelter, food, legal services, basic medical and psychological support, interpretation, facilitating the return of documents or wages, and assisting in the resettlement or repatriation of victims, although few were able to provide specialized assistance specifically for trafficking victims. The last dedicated trafficking shelters closed in 2015 due to lack of funding; however, government-funded homeless shelters could accommodate Russian and foreign victims.”

 

MethodologyAdherence is measured in accordance with the “Palermo Protocols” and grading system developed by the US state Department’s annual report on trafficking in persons.
Full compliance: 100%
Partial Compliance: 50%
Non-Compliance: 0%

Resources
  1. "2019 Trafficking in Persons Report," The United States Department of State, 2019 [Russia at pp. 419 - 422]. Accessed September 7, 2020. [Full report]

  2. 2020 Trafficking in Person Report,” The United States Department of State, 2020. Accessed September 7, 2020. [Full report]

  3. "Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime," United Nations Treaty Collection, 2020. Accessed September 7, 2020. 

60.0%
Protections Against Sexual Violence.

CriteriaA state should be in compliance with minimum standards for the elimination of sexual violence.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 has the following services in place:
Existence of a law against sexual violence
Governmental efforts to eliminate sexual violence nationally
Existence of a national crisis hotline
Existence of women's shelters
Existence of women's rape crisis centres
Comment

Over 40 civil society organizations in Russia provide protections to victims of domestic violence. However, in Russia’s patriarchal society domestic violence remains a taboo, with no laws on domestic violence and lack of support from the government and law enforcement agencies to protect victims. In 2019, an attempt to criminalize domestic violence in Russia, backed by human rights defenders and civil society activists, was heavily opposed by the Russian Orthodox Church and public alike. 

MethodologyThe standard is derived from the CEDAW and Istanbul Convention.
5 - 100%
4 - 80%
3 - 60%
2 - 40%
1 - 20%
0 - 0%
Resources
  1. Russia has no domestic violence law, but that could change soon,” Aljazeera, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  2. The ongoing fight for protection from domestic violence in Russia,” Riddle, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  3. Russia’s police tolerate domestic violence. Where can its victims turn?The New York Times, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  4. Russia:Domestic Violence Bill Falls Short,” Human Rights Watch, 2019. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  5. Russia”, Rape Crisis Network Europe. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

56.7%
Recovery Support

60.0%
Implementation of Dedicated Programmes Serving the Needs of Veterans

CriteriaDedicated programmes for female veterans should be in place.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 provides the following services:
Female veterans affairs offices exist in urban and rural areas
Economic benefits (i.e. disability, housing) exist
Health service benefits (i.e. free veterans health insurance, gender-sensitive PTSD care) exist
Educational benefits exist
Employment services exist
Comment

The Russian Federation’s federal law on veterans is not gender-sensitive, although it provides regulations on services and other rights awarded to all military veterans (including women).  However, in 2019, Russian veterans continued to face high levels of unemployment, lack of government support and difficulties integrating with the society. 

MethodologyThe standard is determined in line with the international concept of the responsibility to protect. A state receives a full point only when it is in full compliance with the determined obligation.
5 - 100%
4 - 80%
3 - 60%
2 - 40%
1 - 20%
0 - 0%

Resources
  1. Russia has a problem with its Veterans,” The National Interest, 2020. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  2. Women in the Russian Military,” Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2020. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

  3. Veterans’ Policy in Russia: a Puzzle of Creation,” The Journal of Power Institutions in Post-Soviet Societies. Accessed September 29, 2020. 

 

 

 

66.7%
Implementation of Dedicated Programmes to Support Survivors of Sexual Violence

CriteriaDedicated programmes for survivors of sexual violence should be in place.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 provides the following services:
National crisis hotline
Women's shelters
Women's rape crisis centres
Counseling services
National sex-offender list or website
Support groups for victims/survivors
Comment

Russia does not have a specific law of domestic violence despite its ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 2004, but it has not ratified the Istanbul Convention. Since 2017, violence that does not result in lasting harm has been decriminalized and stated as misdemeanour for first-time offenders. Particularly, under the Administrative Code, only a fine is imposed for intimate partner violence instead of a prison sentence. 

According to Human Rights Watch, “each year at least 12,000 women in Russia die at the hands of their abusers”. In addition to major legal gaps in providing protection to victims of domestic violence, Russia also has a lack of protection orders and inadequate police and judicial responses. 

MethodologyThe standard is determined in line with the CEDAW, Istanbul Convention and Beijing Platform for Action. A state receives a full point only when it is in full compliance with the determined obligation.
6 - 100%
5 - 83%
4 - 66%
3 - 49%
2 - 32%
1 - 15%
0 - 0%.
Resources
  1. Putting an end to impunity: Russia’s systematic failure to protect women from domestic violence,”Leiden Law Blog, 2020. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  2. Putin’s War on Women,” Foreign Policy, 2018. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  3. The shame or the shining: Covid-19’s trap of domestic violence in France and Russia,” International Bar Association, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020.

  4. Russia is failing its obligations to protect women from domestic and sexual violence,” Equality Now, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  5. Russia: Decriminalization of Domestic Violence,” Library of Congress, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

14.3%
Implementation of Dedicated Programmes to Support Survivors of Human Trafficking

CriteriaDedicated programmes for urvivors of human trafficking should be in place.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 provides the following services:
Human trafficking hotline
Human trafficking shelter
Basic necessities (food, clothing, housing, etc.)
Health services
Legal services
Job training programmes
Educational services
Comment

In 2019, Russia had a human trafficking hotline. While shelter(s) for victims do exist, due to absence of government support and Russia’s lack of cooperation with civil society that runs these shelters, Russia does not get marked for the “human trafficking shelters” criteria. Moreover, some of these shelters are run by the Russian Orthodox Church, which holds regressive views on gender-related issues. 

Excerpt from the 2020 Trafficking in Persons report: 

A shelter “for women in difficult life situations,” run by the Russian Orthodox Church, continued to accept victims and offered them food, housing, and psychological care, although not medical assistance; the government did not provide financial support for the shelter. There were limited examples of government cooperation with civil society. Despite the lack of formal cooperation, NGOs reported working with some local government-run centers to provide assistance to potential victims on an ad hoc basis. Similar to previous reporting periods, the government took steps to limit or ban the activities of civil society groups, including some dedicated to anti-trafficking activities, through measures such as “foreign agent” laws. 

Yarovaya” package of anti-terror laws made it a crime for individuals or organizations to provide material assistance to people considered to be in Russia illegally; authorities could prosecute NGOs who assisted unlawfully present victims of trafficking. 

Authorities reportedly pressured some victims to cooperate in investigations without any offer of protection. Although informal cooperation between law enforcement and NGOs at the local level resulted in some victims receiving limited services, NGOs reported a significant number of cases go unreported due to the lack of a formal referral mechanism, victims’ fears, and the lack of government assistance to victims.” 

MethodologyThe standard is determined in line with Palermo Protocol and Beijing Platform for Action. A state receives a full point only when it is in full compliance with the determined obligation.
7 - 100%
6 - 85%
5 - 70%
4 - 55%
3 - 40%
2 - 25%
1 - 10%
0 - 0%

Resources
  1. "2019 Trafficking in Persons Report," The United States Department of State, 2019 [Russia at pp. 419 - 422]. Accessed September 7, 2020. [Full report]

  2. 2020 Trafficking in Person Report,” The United States Department of State, 2020. Accessed September 7, 2020. [Full report]

 

85.7%
Implementation Dedicated Programmes to Support Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

CriteriaDedicated programmes for refugees, asylum seekers, and IDPs should be in place.
Analysis/Comments
AnalysisRussia in 2019 provides the following services:
State refugee/IDP strategy exists
Basic necessities (food, clothing, housing, etc.) are provided
Health services are available
Legal services are available
Job training programmes are available
Educational services are available
Community engagement/integration programmes are available
Comment

In 2019, the Russian government hosted 112,100 “people of concern”, 38% of them were refugees, 37% held temporary asylum status and 0.4% had Convention refugee status. 42,433 people were refugees, which was a 45.17% decline from 2018. Around 76% of refugee status holders were Syrian, Afghan, Georgian, Yemeni and other nationals, while 24% of refugee status holders were from Ukraine. Russia also hosted 1,500 asylum seekers and 68,200 stateless persons. 

Russia’s law enforcement and courts are known to work in synergy to block applications from international protection regardless of their circumstances. In 2017 there were only 598 recognized refugees living in Russia and in 2016, the refugee recognition rate was only 3%. As of January, 2019, officially recognized refugees were 572 people. 

 

MethodologyThe standard is determined in line with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recommendations. A state receives a full point only when it is in full compliance with the determined obligation.
7 - 100%
6 - 85%
5 - 70%
4 - 55%
3 - 40%
2 - 25%
1 - 10%
0 - 0%

Resources
  1. Year End Report: Russian Federation,” UNHCR, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  2. Russia punished for forcing asylum seekers to live in airport,” DW, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020.

  3. Russia’s Catch-22 Asylum System,” The New Humanitarian, 2018. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  4. What does it take to refuse refugee status in Russia,” The Civic Assistance Committee, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020. 

  5. Why Russia is quietly getting rid of its Syrian refugees,” Riddle, 2019. Accessed September 28, 2020.