The economic crisis in the years 2008–2010 proved to be extremely painful for the Baltic States, especially for Latvia. At the same time, however, it showed how significant the differences are that divide these three small, seemingly homogenous states.
However, the perception of the Baltic states as identical because of several important, common traits seems to be not quite right if these traits are considered to be dominant and decisive for gender equality.
In the Baltic states many factors determine the gender equality: the experience of soviet-period, the role and importance of national minorities, the state''s policy, (not) the presence of religion in public life, gender stereotypes, the force of traditionally defined role of women in the society etc. Therefore, especially in times after crisis it seems to interesting to analyze the socio-political divisions in order to demonstrate whether and to what extent gender issues are relevant in the societies of Baltic countries, and what kinds of differents can be proved.
