Institutionalization of Gender Equality Politics and Current Gender Gaps in the Baltic States ; Lyčių lygybės politikos institucionalizavimas ir dabartiniai lyčių skirtumai Baltijos šalyse

Open Access

Abstract

The common reference to the Baltic States as a single geopolitical entity conceals the actual differences between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. The article aims to outline the principal similarities and differences between Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in the field of gender equality politics developed within gender mainstreaming approach in attempt to better understanding of the current gender gaps in these countries. The research focuses on how national gender equality machineries were (re)constructed in accordance with international commitments to the UN and the EU after the restoration of independence in the Baltic States. It is demonstrated that differences between the Baltic States in the institutionalization of the contemporary structure of gender equality machinery were overcome once they became EU members. The current outcomes of gender equality politics are described on the basis of the Global Gender Gap Report 2017. The empirical data are provided for three Baltic States by analysing their gender gaps in four spheres ñ Economic participation and opportunity, Education attainment, Political empowerment and Health and survival. According to the Global Gender Gap Index, the Baltic States are among the EU Member States with the average / slightly above-average gender equality. The article argues that confirmation of the institutionalization of the contemporary gender equality machinery, the content of national governmental activities and the predominant relationship model with civil society in the Baltic States indicate that gender mainstreaming is likely yet another and the most recent social policy tool for the management of human resources. Thus, Latvia usually demonstrates a minimal attachment to gender mainstreaming. Moreover, Latvia has regressed somewhat in this respect in 2013. However, current Latvia can be considered as having more equality than Lithuania and Estonia. Among all countries participated in the research in 2017, Latvia ranks 10th, Lithuania, accordingly, 12th, and Estonia, accordingly, 16th. The case of Latvia levering the rank up due to positive trends in closing gender gaps in both Economic Participation and Opportunity and Political Empowerment subindexes confirms an assumption that rather social changes related to national demographical and economic development than merely technocratic sophistication of gender equality politics has a profound impact on current statistical indexes related to gender equality