Gender Mainstreaming in Central Eastern Europe

The role of the European Union in guaranteeing the factual implementation of gender equality in the Member States in paramount. The need for action is particularly urgent at the grassroot level. In their preparation for EU accession, the new Member States in Central and Eastern Europe embarked on a path of legal reform to make gender equality a reality. However, with gender-specific stereotypes being deeply anchored in societies and the exclusion of men in the gender mainstreaming process, progress remains limited.

This project aims to propose strategies to overcome cultural prejudices and societal stereotypes, to clarify the contribution of women to the democratic development of Eastern Europe, and assure a stronger involvement of men as stakeholders in gender mainstreaming.

Partners:

  • Network of East-West Women (NEWW), Gdansk
  • Center for Gender Studies, Prague
  • Grüne Bildungswerkstatt (GBW), Vienna

Activities:

  • Public events
  • Qualification courses for 'gender teams', consisting of one woman and one man each
  • Publications on the factual implementation of gender mainstreaming in regional and European languages

Expected results:

  • Awareness of gender equality and politics increases among target groups
  • Training enables participants to work in a gender-oriented and gender-sensitive manner
  • A best-practice network is established

This project was conducted from 2006 to 2008. It was supported by the European Union with €457.000.