Are the Nordic countries as egalitarian as is often claimed regarding the positions of men and women?

Résumé du document

In matters of gender equality, the Nordic countries are often regarded as pioneers in promoting the same. They enjoy the reputation of having achieved gender equality much more closely than most of the other countries in the world, and they are often seen as path breakers regarding the promotion of equal opportunities for men and women. In the gender-related indexes of the UN Human Development Report, the Nordic countries are placed at the very top among the 163 countries that were shortlisted (R.Kjeldstad, 2001). From an outsider's point of view, it appears that Nordic women improved their status and gained power in various areas earlier than other women in the world. Integration of a broad proportion of women into politics, a high rate of labor market participation, and a highly developed public welfare sector, including caring and service provision, are some grounds for the status conferred on them.

Extraits

[...] Thus, "the Nordic countries do not distinguish themselves as societies where women and men have equal chances of having high earning"( A. S(rensen, 2001). The occupational structure of the labour market reveals also clear differences between Nordic women and men. Indeed, the proportion women employed in the public sector is roughly twice that of men in the Nordic countries. This can be explained by the presence of a strong welfare state, since the Nordic female employment has increased because of the demands of a hightly developped public sector (A. [...]

[...] Historically, various structural, cultural and political conditions can explained this situation, but today, the electoral and party system seem to by the main factor. It is also interesting to focus on the political commitment of ordinary citizens, namely the degree of involvement in the various political activities. In this area, the gender differences are much smaller than there were but clear differences can still be found between men and women. For example, traditional gender differences in the political parties have been reduced over the past 25-30 years. [...]

[...] In 1997 these regulations were applied in all the Nordic countries, fathers enjoyed at least one free week for their childbirth. These free weeks cannot be transferred to the mother or someone else (R.Kjeldstad, 2001). The purpose was here to plan the timework of fathers and to permit them to get involved in their family life. In fact, Nordic countries have tried to change behaviours, society habits and mentalities to change the stereotype of the function of male and female in the bosom of the family. [...]

[...] The same conclusion can be drawn regarding gender composition of the government posts. The presence of women into parliaments and executive offices proceeded at different rates in the Nordic countries because of structural, cultural and political factors. We can also observe differences in the design of public childcare and gender equality policies, such as differences in the number of gender equality institutions and laws, their jurisdiction and their available resources. Bregqvist, even concludes that there are five Nordic gender profiles. [...]

[...] Indeed, after the first elections in 1907, women's representation in parliament reached the threshold of ten per cent and they kept their seats throughout the Second war period. Swedish women gained the ten per cent border in 1953, Danish women in 1966. Norway and Iceland had a slower progression: they reached the ten per cent threshold in 1970. The 1970s were for the Nordic countries, with the exception of Iceland, a favourable period for the advancement of women in politics. Norway is a significant example. [...]