Intelligence Squared Julia Ioffe and Clarissa Ward on Putin, Russia and the Women Fighting For A Better Future (Part Two)
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Jan 12, 2026 
Join Julia Ioffe, a renowned journalist specializing in Russia-US relations and author of 'Motherland,' as she shares her insights with CNN's Clarissa Ward. They delve into the evolution of women's roles in Russia, revealing how historical events shaped modern aspirations. Ioffe discusses the remarkable stories of women who resist Putin's regime, including Yulia Navalnaya's transformation from political spouse to a formidable public figure. The conversation also highlights the ongoing struggles against traditional gender roles and the impact of past policies on today's feminist movements.
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Traditionalism Preceded The Soviet Collapse
- The turn to traditionalism in late Soviet times began before the USSR collapsed due to shortages and a backlash against enforced emancipation.
- Sociologists found young Soviets in the 1980s favored men as breadwinners and urged women to return to the home to preserve family income.
Economic Collapse Reshaped Gender Roles
- After the Soviet collapse women took on any available work to feed families while men struggled to recover social status and often became alcoholic.
- Economic collapse deepened gendered roles: women adapted flexibly while men's status losses proved harder to reverse.
Status Loss Hit Men Harder Than Women
- Male social status is less plastic, so status loss hit men harder and fueled alcoholism and family breakdown in 1990s Russia.
- Women bore the burden of feeding families and became de facto heads of households in many cases.
