04.03.2020
The role of women in Ukrainian society
- The results of a survey conducted by the Sociological Group “Rating” during February 21–25, 2020, demonstrated that a relative majority of Ukrainians believe that women are sufficiently represented in various spheres of public life. At the same time, almost 40% of respondents are convinced that women are underrepresented in politics; 30–35% believe that women are insufficiently represented in law enforcement agencies and in science; 26% — in the army; and 19% — in business. Conversely, about one third of respondents believe that women are overrepresented in such spheres as healthcare and education. Notably, it was women rather than men who more often pointed to the insufficient representation of women in security structures, politics, science, and business.
- About half of respondents agree with the statements that Ukraine today lacks a party that represents women’s interests. The same share believe that women are insufficiently represented in the Government, the Verkhovna Rada, and local authorities. Older respondents and women agreed with these theses more often.
- 36% of respondents believe that their vote does not decide anything in elections. 58% hold the opposite opinion. Residents of the West, younger respondents, and men disagreed with this statement relatively more often.
- 82% support women entering politics. 12% hold the opposite view. At the same time, on issues of leadership and making balanced decisions, responses were distributed as follows: more than 40% of respondents predominantly chose a neutral answer as to who is better — men or women — at occupying leadership positions and making decisions. However, when comparing direct answers, respondents nevertheless tended to give preference to men, especially when it came to politics. Moreover, while opinions of men and women differed somewhat regarding leadership in a team and decision-making, with respect to political leadership and making balanced political decisions both genders more often favored men.
- When assessing the effectiveness of representatives of both genders in political and elected positions, respondents most often agreed that gender does not play a significant role in effective performance as a member of parliament or a local councilor. At the same time, despite the fact that a relative majority agreed that both men and women can effectively perform the duties of a city or village mayor, head of a regional state administration, government minister, Prime Minister, and President of Ukraine, respondents still somewhat more often stated that men would be more effective in these roles. Meanwhile, in positions such as Commissioner for Peacebuilding in Donbas (a position invented for the survey) and Minister of Defense, respondents see men as more effective. Notably, no significant gender differences were recorded in responses to these questions.
- Among the most recognizable female members of parliament are Yuliia Tymoshenko (recognized by 97% of respondents) and Nataliia Korolevska (recognized by 76%). At the same time, 28% trust Yuliia Tymoshenko, and 20% trust Nataliia Korolevska. Iryna Herashchenko is recognized by 66%, and trusted by 21%. Other female MPs are recognized by less than 60% of respondents.
- In the regional breakdown, the highest trust ratings are for Yuliia Tymoshenko in the Center (31%), Nataliia Korolevska in the East (30%) and South (28%), and Iryna Herashchenko in the West (30%). According to respondents, among the listed politicians Yuliia Tymoshenko has the greatest political prospects (29%), followed by Nataliia Korolevska (10%) and Iryna Herashchenko (7%).
- The question on the distribution of gender roles produced the following results: according to respondents, in their family (couple) women more often cook food (64%). Only about a quarter stated that this role is shared equally. Responsibilities for childrearing and household chores are also, in respondents’ opinion, more often assigned to women (52% and 43%, respectively). At the same time, regarding childrearing, respondents somewhat more often stated that this role is shared equally than in the case of household chores. As for free time, responses were distributed as follows: women — 33%, men — 30%, both genders equally — 28%. Leadership in the family (couple) is somewhat more often attributed to men — 39% hold this view; 29% believe women play this role; and 29% believe it is shared equally. More than half of respondents believe that in their family (couple) the man earns more money; 23% think this applies to women; and 17% believe both earn approximately equally.
- In dynamics since 2015, there has been a gradual decrease in the share of those who believe that cooking, household chores, and childrearing are more often performed by women. At the same time, the number of those who believe that women have more free time, are heads of the family, and earn more money is increasing. Notably, men’s and women’s opinions on the distribution of roles such as cooking, household chores, and childrearing do not differ significantly. However, regarding family leadership and earning money, there is a clearly opposite perception of these roles between the two genders.
- An absolute majority of respondents agree with the statements that the most important task of a woman is to take care of the home and family (83%), and that the most important task of a man is to earn money (75%). 78% agree that women more often than men make decisions based on emotions. 67% agree that it is acceptable for men to cry (25% disagree). 68% agree that women have less freedom due to family obligations (27% disagree). 51% agree with the statement that women are less interested than men in holding responsible political positions (34% disagree). At the same time, nearly two thirds of respondents disagree with the statement that women lack the necessary knowledge and skills to hold responsible political positions, while a quarter agree. Notably, women more often than men agreed with statements about women making decisions under emotional influence, the acceptability of men crying, women having less freedom due to family responsibilities, and women being less interested in holding responsible positions.
Methodology
- Audience: population of Ukraine aged 18 and older. The sample is representative by age, gender, regions, and type of settlement.
- Sample size: 2,000 respondents.
- Survey method: face-to-face personal interviews.
- Margin of sampling error: no more than 2.2%.
- Fieldwork dates: February 21–25, 2020.
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