The author analyzes the development of research strategies and projects in connection with how attitudes regarding women’s rights emerged and changed in society. The article specifically examines public consciousness, the perception of researchers themselves, and the position of the state. A project to study mass and individual ideas about women’s rights in Rybinsk was born at a time when society had strong orientations toward building a social state and towards democratic development, which presupposed respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual. The second of the described projects reflected the time of formation of the state policy on gender equality and the development of a national mechanism for its implementation in the regions of the country. Modern approaches to the study of women’s rights are twofold. On the one hand, the empirical base and research topics have narrowed and correspond to the orientation of state policy towards protecting the interests of women in the labor and family
spheres. On the other hand, it is obvious that research is turning towards analyzing legislation, identifying problem areas in it and making proposals for its development to more effectively overcome discrimination. This is a new path, and it gives hope for positive changes.
