A new Gender Equality Contract for Europe

Book

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This open access book, by FEPS and Fondation Jean-Jaurès and published by Palgrave, centres on the work of contemporary progressive feminist thinkers and the idea that there is no democracy without gender equality. The authors develop the concept of a feminism that works for everyone – regardless of their gender, social or cultural identity – in the context of EU policy.

The book features gender experts with multidisciplinary backgrounds from across Europe, providing a comprehensive exploration of efforts to move away from the “gender backlash” rhetoric and towards a new gender contract for a fairer, more equal European Union.

In the face of sustained opposition to gender in Europe and beyond, this publication, therefore, strives to make the political case that gender equality should become a unifying force towards more egalitarian, solidaristic, and caring societies as part of this new “gender contract.”

Much more than a mere theoretical exercise, this publication seeks to connect feminist academic intelligence with hands-on policymaking. The underlying objective is to apply the ideals of a feminist utopia to the very concrete and day-to-day practice of policymaking and -shaping in Europe.

Seeking to overcome the idea of an inevitable tension between research on gender equality in academia and other policy domains, this book contributes to showing how they can mutually reinforce each other, building on the idea that the future of the EU is shaped by gender.

That is precisely why each chapter in this collected volume outlines how to craft such a new gender contract across a selection of key policy domains.

As part of this effort, our book endeavours to foster dialogue between cutting-edge scholars and policymakers about key topics of the feminist future of the EU. Each chapter follows the same structure. It starts with an analysis of the current trends in that field, followed by a discussion of the relevance of the achievement of a new gender contract for each policy field. The authors convincingly argue, regarding the chosen angle and research question matter, for the co-construction of policies geared towards a feminist future. Additionally, the chapters outline the sort of action and recommendations to be explored in the contribution to offer tangible answers to current challenges for gender equality within the discussed field.

1. The first chapter, by Krystyna Dzwonkowska-Godula, focuses on the importance of sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for gender equality. SRHR studies are crucial for human beings’ health and well-being, individual dignity and autonomy, and in the context of women’s and human rights. The author explores selected aspects of SRHR, such as sex education, access to modern contraception, and abortion, all conditioning people’s reproductive choices and, thus, life choices and chances. The chapter concludes by arguing that adopting the perspective of reproductive justice, which combines reproductive rights with social justice and the intersectionality approach, is useful in the critical analysis of reproductive politics in European countries and for formulating recommendations to create a new gender contract as a basis for a more inclusive, fairer, and feminist Europe.
   
   
2. In the following chapter, Rachel Silvera seeks to construct a new gender equality contract for labour and demonstrate that feminism is a vital prospect for Europe’s future. Without addressing different forms of structural inequalities in the labour market, women will not gain full independence and be able to take their effective place in society.
   
   
3. Eugenia Caracciolo di Torella subsequently discusses the role of a gender contract for care. The author argues that it is not only a prerequisite to lay the foundation for a better world, but also essential to a post-pandemic recovery. As such, it provides a blueprint to address the events that are unfolding before us, from the rising cost of living to the healthcare crisis, with a view to making our society and economy more sustainable. She also argues that the EU already has, at least some of, the “legal tools” necessary to develop such a contract, and it must now take leadership in this area as a matter of urgency.
   
   
4. Andrea Pető offers a rethinking of European higher education through feminism. The chapter analyses responses to the recent challenges initiated by the separation of institutions and decentralisation of science, by arguing that the internationalisation of science can be as threatening to the original mission of education as the process of re-nationalisation. The author argues that the seemingly paralysed and non-responsive actors contribute to the spreading of illiberal alternatives in Europe.
   
   
5. In her chapter, Mafalda Dâmaso deals with culture and how the feminist perspective could be added to this public policy. Cultural diversity has been debated for decades, but the author argues that feminist studies should be better integrated in this reflection. The author proposes to connect decolonial and feminist thinking with cultural rights, so that we understand it as part of human rights. She also puts forth some recommendations to ensure cultural diversity management with a holistic approach.
   
   
6. Réjane Sénac’s chapter, dedicated to democracy, examines the challenges that need to be overcome to achieve parity in Europe. She reminds us, on the one hand, that the European legacy is inegalitarian due to the historical exclusion of women from the democratic contract. On the other, it is also egalitarian due to its institutions, where we promote it. Within these ineluctable tensions, the author nevertheless argues that, more than ever, Europe has a huge role to play in reviving the political debate, particularly in the defence of fundamental rights.
   
   
7. In her chapter, Annica Kronsell analyses the climate and gender equality nexus. Climate change has numerous impacts on women, starting with the governance dimension thereof. The author proposes to build an alternative climate governance by introducing the notion of empathic rationality as a new way of policymaking to face one of the big challenges in our century.
   
   
8. In the last chapter, Annika Bergman Rosamond and Jessica Cheung put forward the feminist dimension within foreign policy. Sweden was the first state and EU member to adopt a feminist foreign policy. Other countries have adopted it since 2014. By defining what could be a feminist foreign policy and putting it in place, the authors highlight how the EU has integrated a feminist approach in its external relations, even though much remains to be done to achieve progress in this field.

Read the full book now with open access!

Book launch event –10 December 2024, European Parliament

On 10 December, in the context of European Gender Equality Week, the authors will present the book’s findings and discuss how to consolidate positive narratives about feminist issues. More info here.

How can we turn gender equality into a unifying force for a more inclusive and equitable Europe? It is crucial to shift away from the gender backlash and create a new gender contract for Europe that policymakers can unite around!