["Sociologia Ruralis, Volume 66, Issue 2, April 2026. ", "\nABSTRACT\nThe issue of gender (in)equality occupies an important place in sociological research, but there is still a lack of empirical studies that focus on rural areas. Based on the research approach of qualitatively guided sequential mixed‐methods research design (QUAL → quan), this study analysed 53 semi‐structured in‐depth interviews conducted with Croatian rural residents in 2022, followed by a survey of a nationally representative sample of rural residents in Croatia (N = 831) in 2023. Most respondents generally stated that women and men have equal rights in the private domain. However, despite the growing awareness of gender (in)equality in rural Croatia, the traditional division of gender roles is still somewhat present. In addition, there are other aspects of inequality in the social and professional domain, which are reflected in fewer employment opportunities for women, low participation of women in social life and the lack of basic healthcare for women in rural areas. This study found an increase in awareness of the issue of gender inequality in rural areas of Croatia, although it is still mainly manifested in the attitudes of women, while men are more inclined to report that gender equality has been achieved.\n"]