About this book:

"Gendered Governance: Women, Policy and Power in European Politics" offers a comprehensive analysis of how women's representation in European politics impacts policy outcomes and shapes governance. The book argues that gendered governance encompasses both formal and informal mechanisms that influence how power is acquired, exercised, and constrained. It examines the historical journey of women into European political power, noting the uneven progress from early suffrage movements to contemporary legislative interventions like quotas. The study highlights the crucial role of multi-level institutions, including the EU, Council of Europe, and national architectures, in either facilitating or hindering gender equality, emphasizing how electoral systems and party gatekeepers fundamentally shape women's access to political office.

A core focus of the book is the transition from descriptive representation (the number of women in power) to substantive representation (the actual policy changes women enact). It delves into specific policy areas where women's leadership has been particularly consequential, such as reframing care as essential public infrastructure, advocating for pay equity and combating precarious labor, and leading the fight against gender-based violence. The book also explores how women politicians drive policy in critical areas like health and reproductive rights, education and STEM fields, migration and intersectional inclusion, climate and energy, and digital policy. These analyses demonstrate that women's presence often brings different priorities and perspectives, leading to more inclusive and equitable policy designs.

The book further explores the practical and theoretical underpinnings of accelerating gender equality. It details the design, enforcement, and outcomes of gender quotas, emphasizing their transformative potential while acknowledging ongoing debates about meritocracy. It addresses the challenges posed by backlash and populism, which often target gender equality initiatives and female leaders, and outlines strategies for navigating this resistance through coalition-building with civil society, unions, and businesses. Finally, the book stresses the importance of robust data governance, indicators, and dashboards to measure progress effectively and inform future strategies for accelerating gender equality in the coming decade, treating gender equality not as an add-on but as a fundamental principle for democratic performance and societal resilience.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Gendered governance framework: Understanding how gender shapes power acquisition, exercise, and constraint in political systems beyond just counting women in office
• Electoral systems and party gatekeeping: How electoral designs and party internal mechanisms either facilitate or hinder women's political participation
• Quotas that work: The design, enforcement, and outcomes of effective gender quota systems across Europe
• Substantive representation: How women's presence translates into policy change in areas like care, labor markets, and violence prevention
• Practical toolkit for change: Indicators, dashboards, leadership pipelines, and coalition-building strategies to measure progress and accelerate gender equality

Who's It For:

This book is essential for policymakers, gender equality advocates, political party leaders, and civil society organizations working to advance women's political representation and influence in Europe. It provides practical tools and evidence-based strategies for practitioners seeking to move beyond numerical parity to achieve substantive policy change in areas such as care infrastructure, labor equity, and violence prevention. Researchers and students of European politics and gender studies will also find valuable comparative analysis and theoretical frameworks for understanding gendered governance across multilevel political systems.