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In terms of philanthropy, women in present day Hungary are characterised as enthusiastic donors but less keen volunteers.
A 2004 survey of giving and volunteering found that 68% of women made financial donations to charities and non-profit organisations, compared with 62% of men. However, 37% women volunteered, whereas 43% of men engaged in voluntary activities. Women are also less likely than men to be members of associations. This has been attributed to the fact that most women in Hungary work and also carry the main responsibility for childcare and household duties. Men, on the other hand traditionally have fewer household obligations. Women therefore have money, but less time available to contribute as volunteers.
However, the group of women most active in philanthropy are married housewives with two children. This may be because they are involved with local community organisations, parenting groups, and engaged with providing mutual support. Those who are retired are more likely to make donations but less likely to volunteer.
A women’s movement became active in Hungary in the late 19th Century, resulting in their greater participation in education and politics. It also resulted in a number of associations and foundations established specifically to support women and to promote their role and rights; up until the end of the Second World War, women were more involved in charitable works than men.
After the political changes that followed the war, and the imposition of a socialist regime, women were declared as having equal status to men in education and employment and were required to make an equal contribution to society. In practice, women took on a greater role than men in the family, but also in the grey or second economy, and in some ways did achieve equal status economically. They did not, however, achieve equal political status.
This is the legacy that has gone on to shape the role and contribution of women in philanthropy following the change to democracy in the 1990s.
Paola Grenier is completing a doctoral thesis and consults for various organisations including the European Venture Philanthropy Association. Additional information was provided by Eva Kuti and Istvan Sebesteny.
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