Women Parliamentarians in Russian Regions: Assessment of Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals Indicator

Abstract

This article examines the dynamics of female representation in regional parliaments of Siberia and the Russian Far East from 2014 to 2024, focusing on SDG 5.5.1 (a) indicator, aimed at promoting gender equality in legislative bodies. Analyzing data from 24 regions, the study reveals significant disparties: only three regions exceed the UN-recommended 30% threshold for women's parliamentary representation. Key barriers include socio-cultural stereotypes, the dual burden of domestic and professional responsibilities, and unequal access to party resources.The methodology combines quantitative analysis of parliamentary composition and biographical profiling of 179 female deputies, highlighting the pivotal role of the education sector and civil society organizations in mobilizing women into politics.Novelty lies in the comprehensive decade-long analysis of regional trends, emphasizing the unique socio-demographic and institutional contexts of Siberia and the Far East. The study introduces new insights into the role of educational institutions and NGOs as pathways for women's political recruitment, while re-evaluating the effectiveness of gender quotas and advocating for alternative strategies.Theoretical contribution is the integration of global SDG frameworks into the study of Russian regional politics, enriching debates on institutional and cultural factors hindering gender parity. It challenges conventional narratives by emphasizing the interplay between structural barriers and individual agency.Practical implications include policy recommendations such as mentorship programs, institutional support for work-family balance. The findings can inform regional and federal initiatives to enhance women's political participation, ensuring not only quantitative representation but also substantive influence in decision-making.