Bridging the Gender Gap on Economic Participation: A comparative study of gender policies in Japan and Sweden

Abstract

Gender Equality is the equal access to rights, responsibilities and opportunities regardless of gender, and is considered a human right by the United Nations. It is the fruits of culture and History but also a product of States' ideology and Welfare policies. The States' actions are particularly shaping, or on the contrary, deconstructing gendered division between paid and unpaid work. This thesis examines the responsibility of Japan and Sweden in the creation and reproduction of their respective economic gender gap, through their gender policies. Swedish women are fairly represented in the labour force. Yet, the Swedish economic market is characterised by a substantial gender pay gap, and a severe segregation by occupational fields. In the case of Japan, the economic miracle of the country was made at the expense of women, who were relegated to the role of housekeeper and care worker. However, Japan attempted on several occasions to correct the gendered division of labour. This research paper takes the reflection beyond the pure comparison of pro-gender equality policies, and identifies gender discourse and its continuity, women's movements and participation in politics, and the coerciveness and proactive actions as fundamental differences between Japan and Sweden.