Exporting Gender (In)Equality

Abstract

The EU claims to be a global gender equality actor, diffusing gender equality norms throughout the world. It does this through its external activities, including: development policy, free trade agreements, accession and neighbourhood agreements, political dialogue and security cooperation. At the same time, EU trade, agriculture, migration and climate change policies can produce or exacerbate gender inequalities in non-EU countries. This panel will explore tensions between the rhetoric and reality of gender equality; between aspirations of gender equality inside the EU and the external impact of EU activities; and between the perception of EU gender equality norms within the EU and in the countries with which it engages.