Gender equality in science. Achievements and challenges

Abstract

The subject of the article is an issue of the gender equality in the scientific sphere in modern Russian society. The paper notes the successful involvement of women in higher education and science, achieved during the years of socialism. Currently, Russia lags behind not only the developed countries, but also the countries of the former Soviet republics in terms of women’s participation in scientific research. At the same time, it is noted that a significant number of Russians consider a career in science and technology as one of the most attractive for their daughters. The article focuses on the negative trend of the last decade towards the stagnation of the number of women with PhD and doctorate degrees. The authors conclude that, despite the high level of feminization of the spheres of science and higher education in Russia, the country is still far from achieving gender equality in that area. Along with the negative phenomena, there is also a positive trend towards an increase in the number of young women interested in a scientific career.