ABSTRACT
This chapter argues that federalism historically has not served women well in Russia; the central government has been the source of most innovation, and much of the country's progressive female leadership has come from the major cities. So although the federal system provides potential for advancing women's interests, empirical practice suggests that this potential has not been realised. The chapter discusses that Russia may not show a relationship between federalism and women's advancement for simple reason that Russia may not actually qualify as a genuine federal state. At the very least, many of the things that political scientists associate with federalism are underdeveloped in that country. The chapter provides the rapid changes associated with the post-Soviet transition, as well as the consequences of economic reforms, have had many negative effects on whatever potential capacities the federal system might provide to women. It is important to consider the evolution of the relationship between federalism and gender over a historical longue durée.
