Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part Two) - intelligence-squared-u-s-debates Recap

Podcast: intelligence-squared-u-s-debates

Published: 2026-01-12

Duration: 37 minutes

Guests: Julia Ioffe, Clarissa Ward

Summary

Julia Ioffe discusses the overlooked role of women in shaping modern Russia and the ongoing fight for women's rights under Putin's regime. Her book 'Motherland' explores 150 years of history through the lens of Russian women's contributions.

What Happened

Julia Ioffe, an acclaimed journalist, delves into the untold stories of women who have significantly shaped modern Russia. In her book 'Motherland', she chronicles the lives of feminist revolutionaries and prominent figures like Alexandra Kollontai, who was a pioneering advocate for women's rights and the first female cabinet minister globally. Ioffe outlines how Kollontai's reforms in 1918, such as paid maternity leave and no-fault divorce, remain revolutionary over a century later.

Ioffe expresses her initial reluctance to write a women's history book, but was persuaded by her agent who highlighted the untapped narratives of Russian women, including those in her own family. This book spans the Bolshevik revolution to current times, showcasing the courage of women defying Putin's regime. Ioffe emphasizes that these stories challenge the notion that feminism is solely a Western import.

The episode highlights how Soviet policies initially championed gender equality, legalizing abortion in 1920 and integrating women into the workforce and military. During World War II, women comprised 8% of the Soviet armed forces, serving in combat roles such as snipers and pilots, which contrasts with the delayed inclusion of women in combat roles in Western armies.

Despite these achievements, post-Soviet Russia marked a regression to traditional gender roles, with women increasingly focused on beauty and domestic responsibilities. This shift was reflected in the professional sphere, where women dominated lower-paid medical roles by the end of the Soviet era, comprising 70% of doctors, but mainly in primary care and pediatrics.

Ioffe points out that the feminization of professions like medicine in the Soviet Union led to decreased prestige and pay, a trend seen globally. Soviet women also faced the burden of extensive domestic labor, averaging 40 hours per week, often without modern conveniences.

Clarissa Ward joins the conversation to explore the ongoing struggles and activism of Russian women today. She notes how groups like Pussy Riot and individuals like Yulia Navalnaya continue to challenge the oppressive political climate, striving for a better future against significant odds.

Key Insights

• In 1918, Alexandra Kollontai implemented reforms in Russia that included paid maternity leave and no-fault divorce, marking her as the world's first female cabinet minister and a pioneering advocate for women's rights.
• During World War II, women made up 8% of the Soviet armed forces, serving in combat roles such as snipers and pilots, a level of inclusion that Western armies did not achieve until much later.
• By the end of the Soviet era, women constituted 70% of doctors in Russia, primarily in lower-paid roles like primary care and pediatrics, reflecting a global trend where feminized professions often see decreased prestige and pay.
• Russian women today, including groups like Pussy Riot and figures such as Yulia Navalnaya, continue to challenge the political regime, advocating for change despite facing significant risks and obstacles.