Connecting the Dots, Taking a Stand: Universities, Democracy and Gender Equality Policies

Abstract

Gender equality is a core EU value stated in Articles 2 and 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union and Article 21 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights. Important steps have been taken in this respect at the EU level, with new and innovative methods and instruments being provided for the member states in the process of the know-how and best practice transfer. Promoting gender equality has become, little by little, a strategic approach in the E.U. but has also been an important field of ideological battles. In consequence, making gender equality public policies is not an easy task, especially in a conservative (even anti-gender) context. At the same time, legal and institutional change within public administration, as well as mainstreaming gender in public policies, and specific gender equality policies cannot be done without strong political will. However, the legitimacy of the political will is based on the democratic connection between elected politicians and the citizens, and in conservative/anti-gender and neoliberal contexts, different strategies are used to keep women’s interests out of the negotiation and renegotiation of the citizenship contract. Starting from here, in this paper I will first give arguments to support the idea that universities are becoming an important link that can and should bridge the gap described above. Second, I will briefly present how two important Romanian Universities – Bucharest University and the National School of Political and Administrative Studies SNSPA – have been involved in building legitimacy for gender equality public policies.