Gender equality in the E.U. : a comparative analysis on Sweden, Denmark and Belgium vis-a-vis, Malta, Italy and Spain

Abstract

The application of gender equality, such as the transposition and enhancement of EU Directives into national law and the creation of institutional structures for the mainstreaming of gender equality, is not constant throughout all the EU Member States. By analysing the different Member States and comparing them to each other, one can identify some of the main points that would constitute as being the reasons for which some countries are up-to-standard with EU levels, and why some countries have yet to reach EU targets. Through the identification of these issues, Member States along with the help of the EU, can try to find solutions in order to progress the situation. This dissertation compares and contrasts Sweden, Denmark and Belgium in Chapter One, with Malta, Italy and Spain in Chapter Two. It focuses mostly on issues related to the reconciliation of work and private life.