Guest post by Anna Dworaczynska (learn more about Anna at the end of this post)
It has been two weeks since I moved to Moscow, viewed by many as the most vibrant city in Europe. Indeed, this over ten million populated metropolis with the largest concentration of billionaires in the world can easily compete with New York , London or Hong Kong. However, one more thing is prominently seen in Moscow.
The richest and most successful are the men. As of March 2009, there were 32 billionaires in Russia, and not a single name on that list belongs to a woman alone. Women’s role in this society continues to be seen as traditional, while the financial power is reserved for men.
I am currently reading the latest book from the Rich Dad’s series written by Robert T. Kiyosaki, Rich Dad’s Increase Your Financial IQ, where the author once again teaches you about how to get smarter with your money by increasing your financial IQ. Having been reading this book on the metro, I realized I was being closely observed by other passengers who rode that train with me. Needless to say, I instantly knew that it was the type of book I was reading that caught their attention and disbelieving glances, especially from the women.
Despite the fact that women are on average more educated than men in Moscow, they hold little over 15% of management positions. Naturally, there are very few women who made their way up to the top, but the same women happen to be married to Russia’s most affluent men.
Can an average women became successful on her own here? For now it seems, the real independent power is out of reach for most of the female population in Russia.
About the Author
Anna Dworaczynska is a Polish freelance journalist and editor currently on a short term contract in Moscow, Russia teaching English. She can be reached at ania.dworaczynska@gmail.com.
