National Mechanisms for Gender Equality in EU Member States and Candidate Countries and Other Developed Economies of the UNECE Region–Regional Study

Abstract

National mechanisms for gender equality and the empowerment of women have increasingly been set up in European Union countries and other western countries in the last decades and their mandates and scope of action have been progressively enlarged, particularly after the Fourth World Conference on Women (Beijing, 1995) and the adoption of the Platform for Action. International guidelines and calls to action in this regard have had a decisive role for these developments, particularly the ones adopted at UN level, as well as those put forward by European organisations, mainly the Council of Europe and the European Union. The present study, while taking into account former evaluations regularly undertaken in the framework of European organisations, aims at assessing the main trends of such developments and at drawing a comprehensive picture of the present situation, including diversity, mandates, roles and functions, as well as strategies and processes used in current work. Beyond a descriptive picture of such evolution, an analytical assessment is also made of the main issues addressed by national mechanisms and of areas of work where some progress is registered. On the other hand, an assessment is also made of those aspects where further and, eventually, long‐term action is still needed, namely in view of emerging realities of the present world. As a matter of fact, it is essential that national mechanisms for gender equality and the empowerment of women be fully aware of these emerging realities and alert to their impact on women and on gender equality, in order that, in the context of national policies in all areas, adequate gender‐sensitive responses may be found.