Formation of the Policy of Gender Equality in the European Union (1950–2010)

Abstract

The development of policies related to gender equality over the years 1950-2010 in the European Union must be recognized as a significant achievement within the context of large-scale integration processes between member states. To a large extent this is the story of the consistent intervention of state institutions to achieve progress toward the goal of gender equality. This article traces the development of gender policy in the European Union, as it expanded over several decades and its institutional capacities evolved. The Author seeks to define the EU position on the achievement and maintenance of gender equality, allocating the basic stages of formation and implementation of a successful gender policy. To begin with, the author will highlight the key EU organisations involved in this project and characterise their functions. By analysing the various stages of legislative documents created in the European Union, the author reveals the context of the development of gender policy and highlights four main stages within which to conceptualize this evolution. The formation of a gender policy took place in conditions of emerging welfare states in post-war Western Europe and under the pressure and leadership of the Second Wave women's movements. Various changes in legislation are traced, as well as more recent training programmes and new standards of practice, all of which make up what has been described as the EU’s ‘Integrated Approach’ to gender equality. As a result, the standards and mechanisms that were created and which now maintain the equality of men and women create possibilities for the achievement of greater gender equality in all spheres of life of a society of EU. The author reminds the reader that continued success of these policies can only be ensured by the vigilance of women’s organisations, who must vigorously observe the performance of EU officials in this question.