ABSTRACT
In this chapter, we study bureaucracies responsible for implementing gender equality policies in the Nordic countries. We ask the following questions: 1) How is gender equality understood within and across the Nordic countries? and 2) What drives gender equality policies in the Nordic countries? Our empirical analysis builds on surveys documenting populations’ and bureaucrats’ views on gender equality policies, and interviews with civil servants from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Our findings suggest a coherent understanding of gender equality among bureaucratic staff with each country, but the focus differs between the Nordic countries. Women’s liberation movements and the Nordic Council of Ministers are central drivers of the policy across all countries. The European Union, however, plays a prominent role only in Denmark and Finland. In conclusion, we argue that regional diffusion and its platforms have been more important than Europeanisation for promoting gender equality in the Nordic countries.
