Women in Latvia refers to all the women who reside in, come from and were born in Latvia. The social and legal status of women in the Latvian society has been influenced by its history, geopolitical location and culture. The status of women in Latvia has undergone many changes through history, especially as its territories were a frequent focal point for conflict and conquest between at least four major powers: the State of the Teutonic Order, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, Sweden and Russian Empire. In the 20th century, Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, it then underwent a period of socioeconomic turmoil in the 1990s, after which it joined the European Union in 2004.
Latvia, although a small country of less than 2 million, is a multi-ethnic country, and therefore the experiences of women of Latvia may differ between various groups.
Overview
Before the 19th century, women were excluded from the political processes, did not have property rights and were expected to run the household. Latvian women were granted the rights to vote after the proclamation of Latvian Independence in 1918. The past decades have seen the gradual transformation of the status and role of women, as Latvia has regained its independence from the Soviet Union and joined intergovernmental organisations, such as the European Union, promoting equality of both genders. Latvia was the first country amongst the former Eastern bloc countries to have a female head of state, former President Vaira Vīķe Freiberga. Latvia has also had a female Prime Minister, Laimdota Straujuma. The European Gender Equality Index indicates that Latvia still ranks below the European Union average on gender equality issues, placing 18th out of the 28 member states. Although women make up more than a half of Latvia’s current population, women are still underrepresented in politics, experience lower wages in comparison to their male counterparts and are still expected to take up the traditional gender role. Accordingly, a relatively recent development has been the struggle of women to find a work–life balance. The notion of gender equality is fairly new in Latvia. In the past decade, synchronously with feminism movements around the world, Latvia has seen its own women’s movement gradually emerging once again.
History
For further information on Latvia's history see History of Latvia.
Pre-Independence period
Ethnographic research and studies of the common laws of the region, including Latgallian and Curonian, conclude that from the 7th to the 13th century, women in Latvia had no rights to property or rights to vote. Per Inheritance rights, only sons were able to take over the ownership of land. This dictated the social status and role of women in society. Daughters could be bequeathed moveable property only, such as dowry in the form of money, furniture and clothes. The male guardian of the woman, most commonly the father, brother or husband, instead of the woman, took on the public responsibilities and rights connected to these possessions.
In three pre-Christian cemeteries of Lejasbitēni, Salaspils Laukskola and Čunkāni-Dreņģeri, the archaeological material demonstrate the superior social position of males in society. In all three of these cemeteries, more men than women had been cremated. Cremation was tiresome, labour-intensive undertaking. Thus, it has been proposed that women of high social standing only were cremated, whilst the proportionally higher male cremation can also be explained by men partaking in various conflicts and the Livonian Civil War. In addition, women were frequently not buried in cemeteries as they were taken as prisoners during the recurring raids.