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Gendering the Representative Work of the European Parliament: A Political Analysis of Women MEP's Perceptions of Gender Equality in Party Groups

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  • Johanna Kantola
  • Lise Rolandsen Agustín

Abstract

European Parliament's (EP) party groups are crucial to democratic representation in the EU. Much of the academic research about party groups has been gender‐blind. This article draws on qualitative methods to undertake a gender analysis of EP party groups. The article analyses the gendered experiences of women MEPs from two Nordic countries, Denmark and Finland, and draws on interview data with 18 women MEPs from these two member states to explore their perceptions of gender equality in the political groups. The findings illustrate that party groups exhibit some shared and some diversified gendered norms as well as concrete practices for advancing the position of women, including informal women's networks. We draw attention to the shortcomings in m/paternity leave rights in the EP and the lack of political will within the party groups to tackle this, which is further cementing exclusionary practices of the institution.

Suggested Citation

  • Johanna Kantola & Lise Rolandsen Agustín, 2019. "Gendering the Representative Work of the European Parliament: A Political Analysis of Women MEP's Perceptions of Gender Equality in Party Groups," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 57(4), pages 768-786, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:bla:jcmkts:v:57:y:2019:i:4:p:768-786
    DOI: 10.1111/jcms.12885
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. McElroy, Gail & Benoit, Kenneth, 2010. "Party Policy and Group Affiliation in the European Parliament," British Journal of Political Science, Cambridge University Press, vol. 40(2), pages 377-398, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zoe Lefkofridi & Nathalie Giger, 2020. "Democracy or Oligarchy? Unequal Representation of Income Groups in European Institutions," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(1), pages 19-27.
    2. Petra Ahrens & Petra Meier & Lise Rolandsen Agustín, 2023. "The European Parliament and Gender Equality: An Analysis of Achievements Based on the Concept of Power," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 61(4), pages 1065-1081, July.
    3. Toni Haastrup & Heather Macrae & Annick Masselot & Alasdair Young & Milford Soko & Richard G. Whitman, 2022. "Editing ‘Europe’: Reflections from Inside, Outside and Beyond," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 60(4), pages 853-866, July.

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