The European Union has played a major role in its member states gender equality policies, one of the few social policy fields, where EU tools particularly of gender mainstreaming have had a mayor impact on policy reforms both at the EU and national level.  Regarding recent challenges in promoting gender equality in Europe, we ask: When, how and why progress has been made both in gender equality policies at the EU level and national level towards the achievement of gender equality and why have they been falling short of effective changes that advocates hoped for?

By exploring the dynamics between EU and member states, using both comparative and case studies, and looking across gendered policy fields such as gender based violence, higher education, parental leave, and approaches to intersectionality the panel will discuss current issues and dilemmas present in gender equality policies in Europe.  The cases range from policy developments at the EU level, and the influence of EU policies on policy developments in Ireland and Germany as well as comparison across up to 30 European countries.  The explanatory strength of the panel relies on the diversity in the policy fields, approaches and methods for understanding the current and future challenges to gender equality in Europe.