Open AccessEU Equality Commitments and Shifting Meanings of Gender Equality
Author(s) -
Erin J. Black
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
review of european and russian affairs
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 1718-4835
DOI - 10.22215/rera.v5i1.201
Subject(s) - framing (construction) , disadvantage , gender mainstreaming , gender equality , european union , dominance (genetics) , mainstreaming , political science , power (physics) , inequality , sociology , economic system , political economy , gender studies , economics , law , mathematics , geography , economic policy , special education , biochemistry , chemistry , physics , archaeology , quantum mechanics , gene , mathematical analysis
This article follows the development of a European Union gender equality regime through three broad periods: equal treatment policies, positive action measures, and Gender Mainstreaming. The policy-making process entails conflict between competing policy frames; unequal resources behind each secures the dominance of an economic frame. Strategical framing practices have been employed by equality advocates to overcome this disadvantage. This article traces the gradual shifts in meaning within each period until equality goals are integrated into the dominant economic policy frame. It concludes that equality advocates need to engage in deeper analyses of power in order to sustain attention to equality goals over longer periods of time.