Politics · Russia · 1 hr ago
Russian feminist activists shift to practical support as public work faces pressure
Russian feminist activists are moving their work out of public view as the government promotes conservative values and cracks down on dissent.
The shift is happening across Russia, including in the Chelyabinsk region, where a once-active feminist community has turned to a reading club.
Activists are doing more practical support and less online campaigning, responding to wartime censorship and demand for direct help.
They provide money, medicine and transport, and support women facing domestic or reproductive violence, as well as refugees, migrants and homeless women.
Restrictions on abortion access are growing, even though abortion remains legal nationally under relatively liberal laws.
Since 2023, at least 32 regions have introduced laws against pressuring someone to have an abortion, and at least 19 have banned abortions in private clinics.
Activists say women are building solidarity and independence despite the pressure, and hope those attitudes will eventually influence politics.
Russian feminist activists are shifting from public campaigning to practical support for vulnerable women as pressure on activism grows.
Activists say they are providing money, medication and transport, including help for women seeking abortions.
They also support survivors of domestic and reproductive violence, refugees, migrants and homeless women.
A campaigner from the Chelyabinsk region said the local feminist community had retreated from street activism to a reading club.
The article says abortion restrictions have been introduced in at least 32 regions since 2023.
- Who
- Russian feminist activists, including campaigners in the Chelyabinsk region. They assist vulnerable women and others.
- What
- Activists are shifting toward practical, offline support as public activism faces pressure.
- When
- The shift has taken place since Russia launched its full-scale war on Ukraine in 2022.
- Where
- Russia, including the Chelyabinsk region and the republic of Sakha (Yakutia).
- Why
- Activists cite wartime censorship laws, pressure on dissent and increased demand for practical help.
Russian feminist activists
Russian authorities
Abortion access
Russian feminist activists
Activists help women access safe abortions.
Russian authorities
Authorities have introduced restrictions on abortion access, according to the article.
Social values
Russian feminist activists
Activists support women’s independence and feminist ideas.
Russian authorities
The Kremlin promotes conservative Christian values and “traditional values.
President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale war on Ukraine, after which Oksana expected life for Russian women to worsen.
Laws against “coercion” into abortion have been introduced in at least 32 Russian regions.
The Moscow Times published its report on how Russian feminist activists are adapting their work.
- Chelyabinsk region
- Oksana said the feminist community retreated from street activism to a reading club.
- Abortion restrictions
- Laws against “coercion” into abortion introduced in at least 32 regions since 2023.
- Private clinics
- Abortions banned in at least 19 regions.
- Support provided
- Money, medication and logistical help, including transport to another region for abortion access.
What people are saying
People’s needs aren’t about information or knowledge, but rather money, medication and logistics, such as driving a woman to another region to help her access an abortion.
In addition to standing up to right-leaning conservative politics, the feminist community in Russia has taken on a significant part of the social function of the state.
There are fewer men in Russia: some were killed, some are physically or psychologically disabled. But instead of falling at the feet of their ‘defenders,’ our women are finding mutual solidarity and moving toward greater independence.
Sources
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