Harmful traditional practice affecting women are prevalent in the Russian Federation today, as they have been for many years. Women who manage to find jobs are paid, on average, 64% of the average male income. Domestic violence is not only common in patriarchal families, but expected. Sexual assault and rape, though common, are rarely reported and even more rarely investigated by law enforcement. In fact, women are often encouraged not to report sexual assaults and rapes, and if they do, law enforcement officials and prosecutors persuade them to drop any and all charges. Sexual harassment in the Russian Federation occurs so frequently it is considered a natural part of society. Women are expected to conform to traditional gender roles and are
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The Russian Federation has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and has clearly stated in the Constitution of the Russian Federation that “man and woman shall enjoy equal rights and freedoms and have equal possibilities to exercise them”. However, in 2013, the CEDAW Committee stated that the Russian Federation should implement more policies relating to violence against women, including adopting more specific legislation on domestic violence, establishing shelters to protect women who are the victims of violence, and eliminating discrimination of women in public areas of life such as employment. There have been many efforts to draft laws on domestic violence in the Russian Federation, but none of them have been ratified. If a perpetrator of domestic violence is charged, the victim is granted protection under the general victim and witness protection law. Article 126 of the Russian Criminal Code prohibits “abduction”, which can be interpreted as an attempt to stop bride-kidnappings. In April 2014, the first anti-sexual harassment bill was introduced by Russian legislators. To combat human trafficking, the Russian Federation ratified U.N. Optional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons in May 2004. These actions, as well as numerous others, show the Russian Federation’s commitment to combating harmful traditional practices affecting
The Russian Federation has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and has clearly stated in the Constitution of the Russian Federation that “man and woman shall enjoy equal rights and freedoms and have equal possibilities to exercise them”. However, in 2013, the CEDAW Committee stated that the Russian Federation should implement more policies relating to violence against women, including adopting more specific legislation on domestic violence, establishing shelters to protect women who are the victims of violence, and eliminating discrimination of women in public areas of life such as employment. There have been many efforts to draft laws on domestic violence in the Russian Federation, but none of them have been ratified. If a perpetrator of domestic violence is charged, the victim is granted protection under the general victim and witness protection law. Article 126 of the Russian Criminal Code prohibits “abduction”, which can be interpreted as an attempt to stop bride-kidnappings. In April 2014, the first anti-sexual harassment bill was introduced by Russian legislators. To combat human trafficking, the Russian Federation ratified U.N. Optional Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons in May 2004. These actions, as well as numerous others, show the Russian Federation’s commitment to combating harmful traditional practices affecting