Gender Dynamics and Quotas: Unlocking the Potential of Political and Economic Empowerment

Achieving gender equality in politics, the labour market, and public life is essential for fostering a fair and inclusive society. This project explores the effectiveness of key policy tools aimed at closing gender gaps across Europe. The first part of the study examines the impact of gender quotas - both hard quotas like parity laws and soft quotas like voluntary party commitments - on women’s representation in the European Parliament, drawing on data from the 2024 EU elections. Additionally, it analyses growing gender-based disparities in trust and perceptions of public institutions. The second part of the project evaluates the role of female politicians in shaping gender equality policies, with a specific focus on Denmark’s recently introduced earmarked parental leave reform. Through innovative quasi-experimental research methods and text analysis, the project will assess both political discourse and policy outcomes, providing valuable insights into how gender equality initiatives impact public life and governance across Europe. Ultimately, this research will contribute to a deeper understanding of the demand for and effectiveness of gender equality policies, as well as their broader social and political implications.