Gender Mainstreaming as a Strategy for Promoting Gender Equality in Lithuania

Abstract

The article deals with the questions of gender policy formation & women's participation in Lithuanian political & civil life. It is based on the results of the EU 5th Framework project 'Enlargement, Gender & Governance: The Civic & Political Participation of Women in the EU Candidate Countries'. Drawing on qualitative data from interviews with women politicians & activists, the article mainly describes gender mainstreaming as implemented through 'transversal' action plans for gender equality. These action plans assign responsibility to different units for the delivery of different objectives. The author points out that 'transversalism' involves no necessary change in policy-making structures or practice, & argues that gender mainstreaming continues to be designated as a distinct or separate policy space in Lithuania. The author also notes that the absence of a stable commitment to gender mainstreaming & the general policy culture of Lithuania are not conducive the evaluation & impact assessment activities in this area