Critical analysis of the role of the European Union on gender equality progress. The case of research policy

Abstract

This article reviews how European policy in gender equality has generated an impact on the lives of European women since reporting and data has been compiled, analysing if there is a potential improvement that could be attributed to the existence of a supranational body and supranational policy. The article will identify some of the structures, regulations and gender policy in the European Union and its potential impact on member states. For that purpose, a wealth of knowledge, which has been developed in the last years by feminist and gender scholars, will be considered and reinterpreted highlighting the most relevant arguments, approaches and debates. Similarly, I will draw on the European Union data and analysis available on the numerous reports developed by multiple EU institutions. Given the limitations of this study and the extensive reach of gender policy within the Union, after a general overview, I will focus briefly on the research sphere, where a series of developments have shown an optimistic picture, despite the possible critics to the level of engagement and effective leadership of the Union in this area