Women and Family

Who led early Bolshevik women’s campaigns?

Alexandra Kollontai

What early laws improved women’s status?

Easier divorce and abortion; equal pay; Zhenotdel; gender equality 1918

Give two signs these laws succeeded.

More women working; 28% university students by 1930

Give two signs these laws failed.

High divorce initiated by men; poor childcare; few women leaders; Zhenotdel closed

How were women depicted in propaganda to 1950s?

Rural workers; mothers; patriotic heroines

How were women depicted under Brezhnev?

Traditional wives and workers

Why was the 1926 Marriage Code passed?

End free love; tackle delinquency and rising divorce

Why did Stalin return to traditional policies?

Falling birth rate; social problems; consolidate power

What was the Great Retreat 1936?

Harder divorce; banned abortion; promoted motherhood; criminalised homosexuality

Give one sign Stalin’s traditional policies failed.

High divorce and abortion rates

How did women contribute to industrialisation?

Workforce rose from 3m to 13m; 41% heavy industry

How far did Stalin support women workers?

Some childcare; low wages; triple burden

How did women’s urban status change under Khrushchev and Brezhnev?

Large workforce share; more professionals; BAM recruitment

How did rural women’s roles change?

Some mobility; mostly low-paid agricultural roles

What family reforms did Khrushchev introduce?

Legalised abortion 1955; longer maternity leave; tried to ease double shift

What family policies did Brezhnev follow?

Claimed equality achieved; traditional roles; lower pension age

Give two signs women were represented in politics.

Universal suffrage; some female CC members

Give two signs women were underrepresented.

Low party conference numbers; no Politburo presence until 1957