Abstract
This chapter provides the broad context for the study. It examines the gender profiles of each country, including economic participation and opportunity, educational attainment, health and survival and political empowerment. It then examines the influence of the European Union (EU) on the legislative framework for labour force participation of women, given that four of the eight countries in the study are member states. Next, it analyses how legislative frameworks for Equal Opportunities (EO) and Affirmative Action (AA), including parental leave provisions, have impacted on women’s participation in the workforce. Finally, it examines the impact of legislative frameworks on the careers of women within and across these eight countries, with particular attention to occupational segregation, and the reasons for and effects of gender pay equity gaps.
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© 2011 Kate White
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White, K. (2011). Legislative Frameworks for Equal Opportunities. In: Bagilhole, B., White, K. (eds) Gender, Power and Management. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230305953_2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230305953_2
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