Multiple Meanings of Gender Equality: A critical frame analysis of gender policies in Europe

by Mieke Verloo (Editor)

This book aims to map the diversity of meanings of gender equality across Europe and reflects on the contested concept of gender equality. In its exploration of the diverse meanings of gender equality it not only takes into account the existence of different visions of gender equality, and the way in which different political and theoretical debates crosscut these visions, but also reflects upon the geographical contexts in which visions and debates over gender equality are located. The contextual locations where these visions and debates take place include the European Union and member states such as Austria, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovenia, Greece, and Spain. In all of these settings, the different meanings of gender equality are explored comparatively in relation to the issues of family policies, domestic violence, and gender inequality in politics, while specific national contexts discuss the issues of prostitution (Austria, Slovenia), migration (the Netherlands), homosexual rights (Spain), and antidiscrimination (Hungary). The multiple meanings of gender equality are studied through Critical Frame Analysis, a methodology that builds on social movement theory and that was refined further with elements of gender and political theory within the context of the MAGEEQ research project

309 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[Khuloud Saba · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good book; the construction of frame analysis presented is applicable I think in other domains beside gender equality. The idea of visions and ideas "reconstruction" of policy debate and interpretation is very powerful in feminism theory, practical frame analysis tools, like with MAGEEQ methodology, political analyst can engage with important questions, like: who/how/why discourses are developed they way they are, and how issues like gender inequalities are conceptualized in policy arenas both national and supra-nationals,and who's voice is framing the debate, identifying problems and developing solutions, and finally why political systems claiming they attempt to respond to gender inequalities, end up in reproducing and feeding into them.