**Zhenotdel**
**Definition:**
Zhenotdel, short for „Women’s Department” (from Russian „Женотдел”), was a Soviet government agency established in 1919 to promote women’s rights and address women’s issues within the newly formed Soviet Union.
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## Overview
Zhenotdel was created by the Bolshevik Party shortly after the Russian Revolution to advance the emancipation of women and integrate them into Soviet society. It aimed to improve women’s education, labor participation, and legal status, while combating traditional patriarchal norms. The organization played a crucial role in promoting literacy, political awareness, and social services for women, particularly in rural and conservative areas.
## Objectives and Activities
The primary goals of Zhenotdel included advocating for women’s suffrage, facilitating access to education and employment, and supporting reforms in family law such as divorce and abortion rights. It organized lectures, literacy campaigns, and established communal services like childcare to enable women’s participation in the workforce. Zhenotdel also worked to eradicate practices considered oppressive, such as bride kidnapping and forced marriages.
## Decline and Dissolution
Despite its early successes, Zhenotdel faced criticism for focusing too heavily on women’s issues, which some Soviet leaders viewed as secondary to broader class struggle. In 1930, under Joseph Stalin’s leadership, the department was officially disbanded, as the government declared that gender equality had been achieved and separate women’s organizations were no longer necessary.
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**Meta Description:**
Zhenotdel was a Soviet agency established in 1919 to promote women’s rights and social reforms. It played a key role in advancing women’s education and legal status before its dissolution in 1930.