Women and Social Transformation in Central-Eastern Europe: The 'Old Left' and the 'New Right'

Abstract

Draws on a variety of statistical data to discuss how the postcommunist transformation in Central & Eastern Europe is affecting the social & economic situation of women, concluding that a consistent leftist family & gender agenda has never been articulated. It is argued that women's educational & labor market opportunities were improved under state socialism, but family policy was streaked with conservatism & implemented in a top-down manner that discouraged women's political participation & power. During transformation, conservative trends & economic hardship are negatively impacting women in the areas of economic participation, reproductive rights, & social policy. Poverty among women & children is growing. Opportunity exists in the form of new civil & political rights, but, to date, women have not organized around their interests in substantial numbers.