Gender Equality in the European Union: A Farce?

Abstract: While the European Union´s accession process for Central European countries continues and Gender Equality develops to a controversially discussed topic in society, the influence of the European Union on present and potential member states remains unclear. New Institutionalism theory provides a framework based on Institutions, Interests and Ideas highlighting tools and channels of the European Union for the exertion of its influence. Case studies on Hungary, Lithuania and Poland demonstrate the trends of gender (in-) equality indices developed by the United Nations and World Economic Forum between 1999 and 2009. The European Union influenced Gender Equality positively in Central Europe mainly through Legal Framework and Positive Conditionality. While Institutions and Interests rather introduce Gender Equality, Ideas anchors it in society through norms and values. Even better results for the development of Gender Equality in Central Europe could be reached if the European Union could achieve a higher degree of supranationality.