Challenging the Myth of Gender Equality in Sweden

Sweden is often considered one of the most gender-equal countries in the world and held up as a model to follow, but the reality is more complex. This is the first book to explode the myth of Swedish gender equality, both offering a new perspective for an international audience, and suggesting how equality might be rethought more generally. While the authors argue that the gender-equality mantra in Sweden has led to a society with increased opportunities for some, they also assert that the dominant norm of gender equality has become nationalistic and builds upon heteronormative and racial principles. Examining the changing meanings and parameters of gender equality against the country's social-democratic tradition and in the light of contemporary neoliberal ideologies, the book constitutes an urgent contribution to the debates about gender-equality policies and politics.

Table of Contents:
Introduction ~ Lena Martinsson, Gabriele Griffin, Katarina Giritli-Nygren; When feminism became gender equality and antiracism turned into diversity management ~ Paulina de los Reyes; Normalization meets governmentality: Gender equality reassembled ~ Siv Fahlgren, Katarina Giritli-Nygren and Anders Johansson; Emotionally charged: Visualizations of gender equality ~ Kajsa Widegren; Gender equality under threat? Exploring the dilemmas of an ethno-nationalist political party ~ Diana Mulinari; Re-thinking gender equality and the Swedish welfare state: A view from outside ~ Gabriele Griffin; How is the myth of Swedish gender equality upheld outside of Sweden? A case study ~ Nina Lykke; What should we do instead? Gender equality projects and feminist critique ~ Angelika Sjöstedt Landén and Gunilla Olofsdotter; Frictions and new figurations: What is happening to the gender equality norm? ~ Lena Martinsson.

About the Author :
Lena Martinsson is Professor in Gender Studies at the University of Gothenburg. Her research interests are intersectional, queer and postcolonial studies in relation to norms on gender equality and diversity. Gabriele Griffin Professor in the Centre for Gender Research at Uppsala University. Her research interests centre on Women's Studies as a discipline and on women's cultural production, in particular theatre. Katarina Giritli Nygren is Associate Professor in Sociology, at the Mid Sweden University. Her current research deals with normalization in different contexts.

Review :
"Is gender equality a mantra disguising other inequalities? Is it a Swedish myth which creates Sweden as the most modern nation in the world? Find out in this inspiring book!" Harriet Silius, Abo Akademi University, Finland "A thought-provoking book providing a penetrating analysis of the tensions and contradictions in the notion of gender equality in Sweden, this publication is a very welcomed contribution to the literature in the field" Sara Clavero, Centre for Advancement of Women in Politics, Queen's University Belfast