Gender stratification in Russian higher education: the matrioshka image Marina Yu Morowva

Traditionally Soviet ideology presented Russian women (or, more exactly, women of the USSR) as successful members of society, having equal rights and actively participating in the political and economic life of the country - the image of the smiling Russian matrioshka (traditional painted doll) in her colourful dress. The failure of Socialist doctrines highlighted social inequalities (including discrimination against women) which had developed in Soviet society over many years.