Challenges of Austerity and Retrenchment of Gender Equality

Reductions in public spending and the dominance of austerity since 2008 have characterized public policy decisions in Europe. Decisions on resource allocation, public service design and reform, changes in social security spending and tax revenue, and in the fiscal rules applied by the EU have significantly affected women’s financial security and autonomy and their political and social status within EU member state countries. With case studies on Spain and Italy, this chapter argues that the entrenched paradigm has disregarded the impact on gender equality and the regressive effects of policy decisions, despite political rhetoric on the enduring importance of advancing gender equality.