Gender Inequality in the Eastern European Labour Market : Twenty-five years of transition since the fall of communism

Under communism there was, in the countries of Eastern Europe, a very high level of gender equality, with a high participation rate by women in the labour market and with pay on a par with that of men. The transition from communism has upset this situation. This book presents a comprehensive overview of gender and the labour market since the fall of communism in a wide range of eastern European countries. Overall the book provides an interesting contrast to the situation in Western developed countries, where women’s participation in the labour market has been rising, their educational attainments improving and their jobs beginning to reflect their personal qualification levels.

Under communism there was, in the countries of Eastern Europe, a high level of gender equality in the labour market, particularly in terms of high participation rates by women. The transition from communism has upset this situation, with different impacts in the different countries. This book presents a comprehensive overview of gender and the labour market since the fall of communism in a wide range of Eastern European countries. Each country chapter describes the nature of inequality in the particular country, and goes on to examine the factors responsible for this, including government policies, changing social attitudes, levels of educational attainment and the impact of motherhood. Overall, the book provides an interesting comparison to the situation in Western developed countries, outlining differences and similarities. No one single Eastern European model emerges while, as in Western developed countries, a range of experiences and trends is the norm.