Varieties of European women's movements

Abstract

European women’s and feminist movements reflect European (and world) history, along with cultural and political differences. The mobilization of women and feminists in Europe has been shaped by colonialism and post-colonial relations, fascism, the Cold War, and varieties of capitalism as well as varieties of secularism. It has been influenced by the strength of labor movements and the Catholic Church as well as by the European Union. While there are some commonalities, there are also persistent distinctions between European women’s movements. European countries are characterized by a variety of welfare and gender regimes that result in different relationships between feminist movements and the state. There are also significant diversities within regions, for example, with respect to variations in an authoritarian past, the role of the Catholic Church and the status of sexual and ethnic minorities. Furthermore, countries joined the European Union at various times and EU membership had distinct consequences depending on the state of gender equality and gender policies prior to joining the EU. It needs to be kept in mind that the EU is not identical with Europe. For example, Switzerland and Norway do not belong to the EU, and Turkey is a candidate for membership. Thus, while there is an ongoing interaction among European women’s movements, that does not necessarily mean convergence. European women’s movements have experienced state feminism and professionalization processes at different points in time and to varying degrees. They are characterized by diversity within and across countries, combining insider and outsider activism. In addition to surveying women’s movements in Western, Southern, Northern and Eastern Europe, this chapter gives an overview over European Women’s Networks, web-based activism, Majority-Minority Relations, the shift from State to Market Feminism and feminist responses to Austerity measures.

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ORCID for Silke Roth: orcid.org/0000-0002-8760-0505

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