Gender Differences in Civic Engagement: a Multilevel Study of Russian Regions

This work is aimed at studying gender differences in civic engagement in Russia. The main determinants of activity are considered in terms of their variation between men and women. The study also includes a regional perspective, since social, economic and even political differences among Russian regions do not allow studying this issue throughout the country as a whole, and civic engagement itself can vary greatly. The results of the study show that women are more active than men in Russia, but when considering certain forms of activity, men are either at the same level or even more involved in less labor and time-consuming forms (such as publishing posts on the Internet). Age, education and trust are predictors of civic engagement for both men and women. At the same time, the presence of children negatively affects the involvement of women in volunteering, but positively affects the donation of money by men. Patriotism has a positive effect on participation in subbotniks and donation of money, but negative on signing petitions and posting on the Internet, with a stronger effect on men. Gender attitudes, which act as a predictor at the regional level, also influence civic engagement. For example, women from more liberal regions in terms of gender attitudes sign petitions and publish more on the Internet. Men from more conservative regions (Chechnya and Dagestan) donate more money and volunteer, but this is due to the very low activity of women in such regions.