RETHINKING, RETOOLING AND RE-ENERGISING GENDER EQUALITY POST COVID-19
Journal
/
Date Issued
2022
Author(s)
Ana Chupeska,
Radojka Kraljević,
Sanela Bašić,
Olgica Lola Milojević,
Emina Adilović,
Nataša Nelević
Abstract
What is the current situation regarding the implementation
of gender mainstreaming in social
democratic parties in the Western Balkan region?
The aim of this research paper was precisely to
determine the answer to this question based on
a set of selected countries in the region, namely
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia,
North Macedonia and Serbia.
The transition process in the Western Balkans focused
on the democratisation of society through
the establishment of a multi-party system, the construction
of civil society, the free market and privatisation.
All these changes have been reflected
in gender equality, gender mainstreaming1 and the
notion of social democracy.
Research participants were representatives of social
democratic parties, academia, civil society and
the media. The research included a total of 70 participants
(37 women and 33 men). Data were collected
through specially constructed semi-structured
questionnaires and guided interviews. The
research shows that all the countries have in place
a legislative framework as well as the institutional
mechanisms required to implement gender equality.
Unfortunately, gender equality goals are not
considered as state priorities, and therefore, with
the political will lacking, are only being selectively
and partially implemented, especially with regards
to the introduction of gender mainstreaming into
key country strategies and policies.
Social democratic parties in the region have been
a defining and key political and ideological force
in the push for gender equality, within and outside
parliament, as well as in the establishment
of country gender equality mechanisms for implementation.
This has led to a significant internal
policy shift in dealing with gender equality goals
within the parties themselves, for instance in establishing
the quota system and women’s forums.
1 The main goal of gender mainstreaming is to transform unequal social and institutional structures into equal and just structures for women and
men, and thus eradicate gender-based discrimination.
2 Under this system, a party’s list of candidates alternates between women and men.
Gender equality in social democratic parties in the
region has become a sine qua non.
Today, women’s forums are perceived as an important
part of the fight for gender equality led
by social democratic parties, regardless of the
current difficulties that some parties are experiencing.
However, despite their historical legacy
and the results they have achieved in the fight for
gender quality, women’s forums within parties do
not have a recognisable impact on the implementation
of party policy and are not perceived by the
public as important factors in the fight for gender
equality (except in North Macedonia). Although
in the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
and North Macedonia, there are quotas and
zipper systems2, it has been demonstrated that
women’s forums do not have a strong enough political
influence in the party or on activities outside
the party. Although the CEE Gender Network has
been accepted by social democratic parties as a
regional gender equality political hub, it is still not
recognised as a political instrument for developing
gender equality policies.
The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has
further exacerbated gender inequality. The research
has shown that, although women have borne the
brunt of the crisis, national anti-COVID measures in
the region have not been gender-sensitive.
Based on the results obtained, this policy study
concludes by providing a set of policy recommendations
for social democratic parties involved in
the study. Acknowledging gender equality as an
important challenge for the future, the objective
is to raise awareness and, in turn, guarantee the
implementation of gender mainstreaming through
the work of women’s forums and social democratic
parties themselves.
of gender mainstreaming in social
democratic parties in the Western Balkan region?
The aim of this research paper was precisely to
determine the answer to this question based on
a set of selected countries in the region, namely
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Croatia,
North Macedonia and Serbia.
The transition process in the Western Balkans focused
on the democratisation of society through
the establishment of a multi-party system, the construction
of civil society, the free market and privatisation.
All these changes have been reflected
in gender equality, gender mainstreaming1 and the
notion of social democracy.
Research participants were representatives of social
democratic parties, academia, civil society and
the media. The research included a total of 70 participants
(37 women and 33 men). Data were collected
through specially constructed semi-structured
questionnaires and guided interviews. The
research shows that all the countries have in place
a legislative framework as well as the institutional
mechanisms required to implement gender equality.
Unfortunately, gender equality goals are not
considered as state priorities, and therefore, with
the political will lacking, are only being selectively
and partially implemented, especially with regards
to the introduction of gender mainstreaming into
key country strategies and policies.
Social democratic parties in the region have been
a defining and key political and ideological force
in the push for gender equality, within and outside
parliament, as well as in the establishment
of country gender equality mechanisms for implementation.
This has led to a significant internal
policy shift in dealing with gender equality goals
within the parties themselves, for instance in establishing
the quota system and women’s forums.
1 The main goal of gender mainstreaming is to transform unequal social and institutional structures into equal and just structures for women and
men, and thus eradicate gender-based discrimination.
2 Under this system, a party’s list of candidates alternates between women and men.
Gender equality in social democratic parties in the
region has become a sine qua non.
Today, women’s forums are perceived as an important
part of the fight for gender equality led
by social democratic parties, regardless of the
current difficulties that some parties are experiencing.
However, despite their historical legacy
and the results they have achieved in the fight for
gender quality, women’s forums within parties do
not have a recognisable impact on the implementation
of party policy and are not perceived by the
public as important factors in the fight for gender
equality (except in North Macedonia). Although
in the Republic of Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
and North Macedonia, there are quotas and
zipper systems2, it has been demonstrated that
women’s forums do not have a strong enough political
influence in the party or on activities outside
the party. Although the CEE Gender Network has
been accepted by social democratic parties as a
regional gender equality political hub, it is still not
recognised as a political instrument for developing
gender equality policies.
The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has
further exacerbated gender inequality. The research
has shown that, although women have borne the
brunt of the crisis, national anti-COVID measures in
the region have not been gender-sensitive.
Based on the results obtained, this policy study
concludes by providing a set of policy recommendations
for social democratic parties involved in
the study. Acknowledging gender equality as an
important challenge for the future, the objective
is to raise awareness and, in turn, guarantee the
implementation of gender mainstreaming through
the work of women’s forums and social democratic
parties themselves.
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