Gender violence and discrimination in Russia: Learning from an American–Russian partnership

Abstract

Russian social services and the social work profession have experienced dramatic growth since the 1990s due to numerous political, societal, and economic changes. This article discusses gender violence and discrimination against women, perhaps the most pressing problem confronting Russia today. The authors conduct a literature review and describe a collaborative engagement between a social work graduate education program in Russia (Vologda) and the United States (Texas) that involved curriculum development, classroom teaching, professional training, and agency consultation. It recommends policy, practice, and research needed to continue improving social services for Russian women, their families, and the community that also informs social work practice in the United States, with particular emphasis on domestic violence.