Gender Equality and Feminism(s)

No 2/99 December
Activism versus
Focus on:
“academic quality”
Gender Equality
How to combine the interests of
political activists with the need of
feminist academics for scholary merit
and intellectual stimulus? Views vary
on how successful the Women’s
and Feminism(s)
Worlds 99 Conference in Tromsø was
in this respect.
Page 9 -11
How do we define gender equality in relation to feminism
in the Nordic countries today, and how similar actually are
the Nordic countries to each other in this area? What is the
Research Course
difference between feminism of today and the feminism of
yesterday? Were the feminists of the seventies raving man
In August 2000 NIKK will organize a
haters - and is the ”new wave” of Nordic feminism, which
course that applies critical feminist
first began in Sweden, really only a phenomenon created
perspective to the researchprocesses
by the media?
in qualitative research.
Page 15
Gender researchers from several
Nordic countries met in Oslo last
November to debate and challenge
widely-held conceptions and myths
“Living
concerning feminism, the Nordic
model of gender equality and the
normative stereotypes regarding
for Tomorrow”:
gender presented in the media and
advertising.
With NIKK as organizer, people from
The conference “Invisible
eight European countries met for
boundaries - gender and power”
three days in Tallinn in Estonia this
was held under the auspices of the
November to explore grounds for
Research Council of Norway by the
cooperation, linking gender research
research programs Gender in Transi-
to sex education for young people.
tion and Power and Democracy
Basis for the cooperation is the NIKK
(Kjønn i endring og Makt- og
project “Living for Tomorrow”.
demokratiutredningen). About 150
Page 18
participants, among them also rep-
resentatives of the political and ad-
The Danish feminist magazine
ministrative gender equality ”estab-
“Kvinder” from the seventies and
The 2000 Calender
lishment” in Norway and the media,
eighties exposed issues that so far
were gathered at the beautiful con-
had belonged to the private sphere.
ference site Soria Moria on top of
“News from NIKK” provides you with
the hill overlooking the centre of the
Magnusson, Drude Dahlerup
an updated international Calender of
capital.
presented the Danish radical
Events for the year 2000.
feminist movement Rødstrømperne
Page 25-27
The Danish ”Redstockings”
(“Redstockings”) from the seventies
In the session “The gender equality
and eighties. In her extensive
project: reflection and opposition”
led by NIKK’s research director Eva
cont. page 2

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News from NIKK 2/99
GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
“On the 8. April 1970 a group of
At the same time this feminist
young women - there were actually
movement was a necessary prereq-
not more than about 15 of them -
uisite for the development of the
marched down Copenhagen’s main
gender equality politics. While the
pedestrian street, Strøget. They
gender equality feminists concen-
shouted slogans against the cos-
trated on bringing women into the
metic industry’s exploitation of
public sphere, into politics and busi-
women and demanded equal pay.
ness, and left out the private sphere,
On the placards they had written:
the women’s lib feminists did not
“Women, stand up!”. With enormous
distinguish between the oppression
stuffed bosoms, big hats, false eye-
of women in the private and in pub-
lashes and red stockings, they
lic sphere. They argued that every
brought not only their slogans, but
woman had to liberate herself, whilst
also their own young bodies to the
the gender equality model had as
attention of the public. Here was a
it’s aim to save ”the others”,
new kind of feminist. This was the
Dahlerup states in her presentation.
first demonstration by the
She also shows how women’s lib
Redstockings in Denmark, and the
feminism actually legitimised the
Christina Smith-Erichsen, one of the
press covered the event exten-
gender equality politics. Gender
editors for the Norwegian anthology
sively.”
equality became the state’s answer
”Matriark”, finds it problematic to
- Many myths abound regarding
to the more extreme demands from
focus on women as a group the way
feminists of the seventies and the
the women’ lib feminists for changes
they did with the book.
Redstockings. That they were raving
in society, over and above gender
man haters, that they actually were
equality.
research, which is unique in its field,
against gender equality, states
That which gender equality femi-
Dahlerup analysed and described
Drude Dahlerup. These are myths
nism and women’s lib feminism also
the Redstockings’ history from
and stories based on prejudice,
had in common was that they both
1970-85: who they were, what ideals
which are transmitted to the next
rebelled against deterministic biol-
and aims they aspired to, how they
generation - and also in fact repro-
ogy tradition which talked about the
organised themselves and what they
duced by some of the “new” femi-
”unchangeable nature” of women
achieved. Drude Dahlerup, who was
nists.
and men, a trend which is well on its
herself a Redstocking, is today
way back into today’s popular de-
Professor of Political Science at
Radical, social movement
bate on gender issues in media.
Stockholm University. Also on the
But according to Dahlerup, the
Moreover, the two tendencies were v
panel was Christina Smith Erichsen,
Danish Redstocking movement was
united in their demands regarding
one of the editors of the Norwegian
first and foremost a radical, leftist,
anthology “Matriark” and an expo-
social liberation movement. Here
nent of the “new” feminist trend.
they differ both from today’s young
feminists and the gender equality
Media Focus
oriented women’s groups which
Is it in any way possible to compare
Drude Dahlerup names ”equality
the feminism of the seventies with
feminism”, and which today is
the new wave of feminism which we
official state policy in the Nordic
encounter in the Swedish book
countries.
“Fittstim” (”Cunt Cascade”) and the
The women´s liberation feminists
similar Norwegian anthologies
as the Redstockings maintains that
”Råtekst” (raw/rough draft) and
a prerequisite for women’s liberation
Matriark (“Matriarch”)? One similar-
is a classless society and vice versa.
ity at least is the focus on how the
Their slogan was therefore: “No
media, fashion industry and adver-
women’s liberation without class
tising speculate in women’s bodies
struggle” and “No class struggle
and sexuality - at the same time as
without women’s liberation.” At that
these protests get wide media
time the great potential of the
coverage. The Redstockings’ debut
Redstockings in Denmark was their
on the media ”scene” is described
ability to mobilise, to develop new
Drude Dahlerup has analysed and
like this by Drude Dahlerup in her
ways of thinking and alternative
documented the development of the
two volume book:
ways of doing things, Drude
largest feminist movement in Scandi-
Dahlerup points out.
navia during a period of 15 years.
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GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
News from NIKK 2/99
Ambivalence to feminism
Christina Smith-Erichsen admits to
being what has been characterised
as ”one of the young, hip feminists”
and describes the attention given to
the publishing of the Norwegian
anthology “Matriark” as “absurd”.
She admits that she herself and
her generation of women feel am-
bivalent about feminism. She thinks
the feminism of the seventies was
characterised by portraying them-
selves as victims in every way, and if
there is anything today’s young,
well-educated feminists refuse to be
seen as, it is as victims.
- There is something destructive
in joining a community which wor-
ships everything feminine and sees
itself as victim of outside forces, she
argues. It is difficult for us to speak
on behalf of other women. It is prob-
lematic in itself to focus on women
as a group, the way we do in the
collection of essays “Matriark”. Our
aim is to be seen as individual hu-
man beings, not as members of a
sex, she says.
At the same time Christina
Smith-Erichsen recognises that
women are still unfairly treated be-
cause of their sex and that it is nec-
essary “at times” to act as a group,
that there still is a need for being
organised as women to achieve
certain goals. But there is reason to
The many colourful protestmarches launched by the ”Redstockings” against
protest against the glorification of
the portrayal of women in the media and advertising got wide media cover-
the female. Women are not saints by
age in the early seventies.
nature, she points out.
women’s autonomy and the integra-
equality is concerned. Moreover,
A common utopia
tion of both sexes in the private and
gender equality feminism completely
The debate following the panel
public sectors.
ignores structural conditions, as the
presentations there was pointed out
The sole player on the field
question of power in a globalizing
that it is easier to see what unites than
What challenges are the Nordic
world.
what divides feminism throughout the
societies faced with after twenty
- Gender equality suffers under
ages. Feminism involves a shared
years of legislation and politics of
consensus at its lowest level,
utopia, it is a rebellion against oppres-
gender equality? Drude Dahlerup
namely: “Let us all agree on gender
sion, a protest against being under-
draws a picture of a rather
equality because it is to everyone’s
mined and dominated. Drude
”monocultural” society:
advantage”. But real gender equality
Dahlerup concluded by saying that
- State feminism is the only
can not be to everyone’s advantage.
each generation of feminists will
player left on the field. Gender
It has to involve exclusion and dis-
define themselves differently accord-
equality is not an election topic and
crimination, that somebody has to
ing to the way society changes, and
has in general a low political lever-
go without privileges. It will be about
that it is only natural for young girls to
age. Today’s Nordic gender equality
confrontation, for how much can
rebel against their mother.
policy turns a completely blind eye
you change the world by being
to ethnic groups and the challenges
nice? asks Drude Dahlerup.
Trine Lynggard
they represent as far as gender
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News from NIKK 2/99
GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
The ”Cunt Cascade”
takes on Denmark
The notoriously titled feminist anthology
Fittstim (”Cunt Cascade”) first took Sweden
by storm, and created a media uproar. Sexual
equality was on the agenda again, in a way
that hadn’t been seen for years. Less than six
months later a Norwegian version of the
book Råtekst (Rough Draft) with original
Norwegian contributions hit the bookstands,
inspiring a heated feminist debate in Norway.
A new and vocal generation of uncompro-
mising feminists had emerged – at least in
Sweden and Norway.
The Danish edition of ”Fittstim”.
The Danish webmagazine FORUM
and Cultur: „Feminism is about
University of Copenhagen
For Gender and Culture
equality between the sexes – if you
,Feministisk Forum, have started a
(www.forum.kvinfo.dk) was the first
don’t approve of that, you’r not even
series of debate meetings on
Danish magazine to snap up the
a humanist. We aren’t tired of the
women in academia, Kvinfo is
news about Fittstim and Råtekst. A
feminists of the 70s. We honour
currently holding a series of lectures
couple of months later the story was
them!“. The Danish editor Christina
on Girl Power and two books on „
picked up by the dailies Information,
Grøntved, however, denounces
why it’s such a hell of a problem to
Politiken and Berlinske Tidende.
those feminists as „man-hating and
be a woman“ have just come out.
Everybody wondered what was
bitter“, likens them to „men with
going on in Denmark – or rather,
lipstick“ and concludes: „I am not a
Lacking funding and direction
what wasn’t going on. Where was
feminist. I am a Fittstim-feminist.“
On top of that, women’s issues
the new generation of feminists?
This garble illustrates one of the
make good copy and the newspa-
Why was the debate about sexual
problems in the Danish debate on
pers are full of it. But lacking is
equality so limp and uninspired?
equality. While a number of younger
political backing, funding and
women want to embrace a feminist
direction. Successive governments
Youth appeal
ideal or vision, they jump through
seem to think that equal opportunity
Things may yet change. In Novem-
hoops to distance themselves from
is a problem that will take care of
ber 99 the daily newspaper Informa-
the feminists and the feminism of
itself … given time rather than given
tion published a Danish translation
the 70s. Preferring in some cases to
political impetus, prestige and
of „Fittstim“. The journalist Christine
idealize the „honest and stalwart
resources. A Minister of Equal
Grøntved has written an introduction
suffragettes“ from way back. Clear
Status has been appointed and The
to the Danish edition and Stine
thinking gets completely clouded
Danish Council on Equal Status is
Willumsen, a student at the Univer-
over by mythological memorabilia of
undergoing radical restructuring –
sity of Copenhagen, has written the
the 70s women’s movement.
but we’ve heard from neither for
single Danish contribution. Informa-
quite a while. Women and gender
tions hosted a debate night on „the
Something is going on
research lacks funding and prestige,
problems young women have with
Several recent publications in
university centres in the field of
their self-esteem in a so-called
Denmark, however, testify to the
gender research are slowly dying
‚equal-status‘ society“. The book
fact, that there is something going
from exhaustion, few universities
has been reviewed by all major
on – also among the „younger set“.
have any kind of policies in place to
newspapers to general right-on-
Just to mention a few: four young
secure women equal employment
chicks applause.
writers and opionion-makers have
and research opportunity at univer-
The book is published to appeal
come clean as feminists in the
sity level.
to a younger set of feminists – the
debate book Borgerlig ord efter
daughters of 70s feminists. The
revolution (”Civil observations after
Annette Nielsen, Editor Forum for
editors of the Swedish publication
the revolution”) – although they of
gender and culture
Linda Norrman Skugge and Belinda
course aren’t „70s feminists“. A
Olsson said to FORUM for Gender
group of younger women from the
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GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
News from NIKK 2/99
When feminism becomes
entertainment
- The most important arena for
newspaper copies. Criticism is
today’s young Swedish feminists,
turned into entertainment. She
the anarchist feminists and the
thinks they risk losing their political
tabloid feminists, is the media.
edge.
Whilst the anarchist feminists burn
porno pictures which look good on
Criticism of the politics of equality
direct TV-news broadcasts, the
- Sweden is considered number one
tabloid feminists write, talk and
on the “Gender Equality List”. How
make themselves visible in the
would you account for the fact that
media, for example, through the
this ”wave” of new-feminism started
book “Fittstim”, states journalist
here of all places?”
and author Petra Ulmanen.
-
Perhaps both anarchist and
tabloid feminism is an answer to and
- Personal stories of complexes
a criticism of the politics of gender
about ones own body, fashion
equality and its rhetoric. The strug-
pressure and influence of the media,
gle for women’s liberation has
eating disorders and sexual prob-
become institutionalised at the same
lems are well-suited to the media
rate as the illusion has spread that
world, where focus on the personal
other people would now take care of
and the body sell well at the newsa-
it all, that ”everything is fine now”.
gents’, whatever the ideological
This is an illusion that can easily
implications. One day they sell
lead to passivity and frustration.
Petra Ulmanen, Swedish journalist
copies because of beauty and sex.
Contempt for politicians and bu-
and author, warns today’s young
The next day sales are based on
reaucrats is common and increas-
feminists against using media as their
reports of feminists raging against
ing. At the same time the struggle
most important arena.
beauty and sex fixation, continues
for gender equality is being run more
Petra Ulmanen, author of the book
and more from the top, by others, in
about the Swedish “Stödstrumporna”
more and more sophisticated ways.
(”supportstockings”) in the nineties,
In this way the dependency on the
freedom of the press, even if by
an effective women’s network and
media as intermediaries of new
doing so we could put an end to the
pressure group before the 1994
developments on the gender
way women’s democracy is being
elections. She is also one of the
equality front, increases. On the
limited.
editors of the Swedish feministic
other hand, gender equality politics
- What we have left are demon-
cultural magazine “bang”.
have employment and workplace as
strations, advocacy and initiating
the main focus. So here we risk
public debates. But I would like a
Losing their political edge
losing focus on the more private and
debate which focuses more on what
Petra Ulmanen was invited to the
personal aspects of oppression,
the media’s picture of women
Conference “Invisible boundaries –
says Petra Ulmanen.
means for women as citizens, not
gender and power” in Oslo to talk
only for women as private people.
about feminism in Sweden in the
Media’s pichure of women
The way things look in Sweden
nineties, where the ”new feminist
She points out that there is no
today, the debate risks strengthen-
wave” started. She was however not
political tool, which can be used
ing divisions between the private
able to come, but talking to News
against advertising, the porno
and the political sphere instead of
from Nikk she says that she is afraid
industry and the entertainment
showing the connection between
that both the tabloid and the
media industry speculating in sex,
the two, says Petra Ulmanen.
anarchist feminists risk getting stuck
body and sexuality. That would be
in the media’s logic of continually
to forgo basic democratic values,
Trine Lynggard
having to sell more magazine and
such as freedom of speech and
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News from NIKK 2/99
GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
- State feminists have
forgotten immigrant women
- Both the feminists of the seven-
feminist research has not included
feminist researchers in public
ties and the state feminists of the
ethnicity.
institutions to focus on this demo-
eighties have a cultural problem.
cratic problem. Instead one talks of
Today they are themselves inside
Part of the system
integrating “the strangers” who
administrative positions, while
- The perspective of change, which
have “other cultures and values”.
immigrant, refugee and minority
lies in feminism, the perspective from
Within the discourse on gender
women are still on the outside,
below, has become invisible. Wom-
equality and solidarity lies a barrier
says Birte Siim. The Danish
en’s liberation has become a part of
against integrating “the others”,
researcher includes also feminist
the system, coupled to the struggle
states Birte Siim who feels that the
researchers in state institutions in
for a more just society based on
norm for gender equality easily can
this privileged category of state
solidarity, says Birte Siim. She sees
become the norm for one-sided
feminists whom she claims have
gender equality as part of the
conformity.
overlooked the question of ethnic-
established political culture, while
ity in their gender research.
gender equality for minorities is a
Women have a lot of power
non-issue. She points out that in the
At the same time Siim points out
In her presentation in the session
USA and England the picture is
that women today actually have a
“Liberal feminism’s borders” at the
different. Here there is a long tradi-
lot of power in public institutions.
Oslo gender research conference
tion of linking together women’s
There has been empowerment,
“Invisible boundaries – gender and
rights and the rights of minorities.
women sit in positions where they
power” in November, Birte Siim from
have the power to draft laws, they
the Feminist Research Centre in
Equality can become conformity
are able to wield influence. But this
Aalborg talked about citizenship and
- Instead, the public debate is about
has also created new differences
feminism, gender, democracy and a
women’s possibilities to wield power
between women - and in particular
changing welfare state. She was
in the welfare state. Gender equality
with regard to minorities. Birte
extremely critical of the established
becomes a niche, detached from
Siim’s conclusion is that state
state feminists - and here she also
other political questions. But for the
feminism has lost its base, as well
included feminist research workers
question of women’s power, it is a
as transformational power and
in the state institutions - for letting
democratic problem that all women
radicalism.
down the immigrant and minority
do not have the same power. It is our
groups. According to her, Nordic
responsibility as state feminists and
Trine Lynggard
New Book on Gender Equality - now in English!
How equal are women and men in the Nordic countries? How homogeneous are the Nordic countries?
Can we talk about a Nordic Model of Gender Equality? These questions are raised in a new book
published by the Nordic Council of Ministers now available in English. The contributors confirm that
different Nordic countries including the self-governing islands of the Faeroes, Greenland and Åland have
many characteristics in common in this field. But the book reveals that processes of creating gender
equality have also differed in many respects. In fact, the differences are greater in quantity and kind than
we have been aware of so far. The diversity reflects different cultural, structural and historical conditions,
but also different strategies developed by the feminist and gender equality movements in each country.
“Equal Democracies? Gender Politics in the Nordic Countries”. Oslo: Scandinavian University Press, 1999.
Ed. Christina Bergquist. ISBN 82 00 12 7990.
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GENDER EQUALITY AND FEMINISM
News from NIKK 2/99
What is gender equality
in politics today?
A part of the joint Nordic research
of gender equality consists of a
D. Versions emphasizing men’s
project “Nordic Gender Equality”
specific view of what is important
relations to gender equality. (10)
Between Rhetoric and Practice is
where gender equality is concerned,
Gender equality that will benefit
a study of variations in politicians’
often emphasizing a certain part of
men. (11) Women are not enough:
rhetoric when expressing their
daily life, and a certain way of con-
the new man helps women become
favourable attitudes to gender
ceptualizing femininity and masculin-
equal.
equality, i.e. the different ways
ity. The versions are connected,
they write about, and argue for,
although not in simple ways, to
E. Versions emphasizing women’s
gender equality. The first part of
theoretical divisions of arguments for
relations to gender equality. (12)
the study, briefly reported here,
gender equality in rights, resource,
Gender equality is about women’s
deals with Swedish politicians.
and interest arguments. There are also
issues and should therefore be
connections, though still not simple
women’s responsibility. (13) Gender
In institutionalized political life in the
ones, to the main lines of the respec-
equality is in the interest of women as
Nordic countries the concept gender
tive political parties.
a group, and is therefore in opposition
equality1 has a firm standing, and is
In order to give some indication
to men’s interests as a group.
a fairly frequent topic in party-
of the rather complicated rhetorical
political rhetoric and legislation.
patterns in the texts, I list the
F. Gender equality’s boundaries at
There are several institutions and
versions, sorted into five tentative
the extreme: in what political and
other societal structures geared
subgroups, and with short descrip-
other areas having to do with
towards developing and implement-
tive labels: 2
women and/or men is “gender
ing gender equality policies. Practi-
equality” not actualized?
cally all politicians in the Nordic
Five versions
countries today, regardless of
A. Versions emphasizing social
Not a common meaning?
political affiliation, express them-
consensus and gender neutrality. (1)
A first impression after scrutinizing
selves in favour of gender equality.
Gender equality seen as identical to
the party documents is that there
This political unanimity has been
the liberal-humanist ideal of general
may not be a common meaning of
part of the “Nordic profile” in politics
equality. (2) Gender equality that will
gender equality in Swedish politics
for some time now, while also being
benefit everybody, men as well as
today. Not surprising, perhaps, but
subjected to continuing scrutiny by
women. (3) Gender equality seen as
worth thinking about when encoun-
feminist researchers. This article
the ultimate proof of democracy.
tering rhetoric concerning gender
presents one such study.
equality as gender equality, in the
B. Versions emphasizing individual-
generic sense. A second impression
From seven political parties
ism. (4) Real gender equality seen as
is that some of the coexistent
I have studied documents from the
basically a question of individual
meanings given to gender equality
seven parties in the Swedish parlia-
attitudes. (5) The gender equality of
are theoretically incompatible. Even
ment written explicitly to show
new generations: personal expres-
within the same text, rhetoric aims
political party lines on gender equality
sion as the ideal, rather than political
sometimes seem to override de-
politics, such as political party
struggle. (6) Gender equality issues
mands for logic and stringency.
programs, parliamentary bills and
seen as family matters that should
Finally, it is obvious from the docu-
articles in political journals. All texts
stay outside of politics.
ments studied that distinctions in
are contemporary and all argue for
arguments having to do with differ-
gender equality. In political texts
C. Versions emphasizing sex
ence/similarity/equality etc., are
“gender equality” is sometimes used
differences. (7) Gender equality as a
seldom as clear-cut in political
in ways that give it several meanings
question of imparting scientific
practice as when made on philo-
and make it serve several purposes;
knowledge: how to take sex differ-
sophical and meta-theoretical levels.
also seemingly contradictory ones.
ences into account. (8) Women’s
This is in one sense so self-evident
Since this pattern was also present in
perspective: gender equality and
as to be almost banal, but still it
the documents I had access to, I
women’s unique contributions as
needs to be taken into account
searched for the different versions of
women. (9) “If only there were more
when studying gender equality
gender equality that were implied in
men here!” Men’s contributions as
practices and rhetoric. The “practi-
these various arguments. A “version”
men to gender equality.
cal noise” introduced by daily life
w
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News from NIKK 2/99
and practical political positioning is
high enough to permit muddiness,
Women in science,
contradictions and incompatibilities
to remain unnamed or passed by, in
order to serve rhetorical purposes.
why so few?
Comparative study
A final reflection is in order here, on
Governments, industry and
research funders around the world
From the debate....
whether this approach to gender
equality furthers our knowledge about
want to increase the numbers of
“Each generation of young women,
the tension between rhetoric and
women in science. The relatively
including those who are currently
practice in gender equality politics.
recent recognition of the economic
senior faculty, began by believing
Perhaps in a sense it really does; by
value of not squandering half of
that gender discrimination was
helping to map the political and
our scientific potential is the
«solved» in the previous generation
conceptual terrains to show where the
modern face of a grass roots
and would not touch them. Gradually
gender-equality political territory in
campaign many decades old.
however, their eyes were opened to
practice begins and ends. Perhaps it
Despite many years of increased
the realization that the playing field is
may also help in achieving a clearer
representation of women amongst
not level after all, and that they had
vision of the agreements and disa-
science graduates, this has, remark-
paid a high price both personally and
greements about the map, and where
ably, failed to translate into their
professionally as a result.’
it could be changed. If all the versions
presence at senior levels within
Mary-Lou Pardu, Professor at the
are to be taken into account as
academia, science institutions and
Massachusetts Institue of Technol-
legitimate “gender equality” (and there
science policy-making bodies. In the
ogy
are sure to be more than the ones
year 1999 many widely respected
here), then politicians and others may
scientific institutions around the
«At the end of the 20th century
want to rethink what “being in favour
world find that the percentage of
women remain a minority in the
of” gender equality means.
their female staff remains, stub-
scientific disciplines. We have
The next step for the Nordic
bornly, in single figures.
waited for women to trickle up
project studying gender equality
With growing evidence of both
through the system for at least a
rhetoric and practice is to carry out a
real and unconscious discrimination
decade and we seem to be no closer
comparative study of gender equality
against female researchers, and
to equality.»
versions involving Denmark, Finland,
against a backdrop of increasing
Nancy J.Lane, cell biologist at
Iceland and Norway.
political and even legal activity,
Cambridge University and Director
Co-workers in the Nordic project
Nature launched a web debate on
of the University´s new Initiative for
of which this study is a part are: Eva
the issue that run from 9th of
Women in Science, Engineering and
Magnusson, psychology, NIKK, Oslo;
September to 14th of October 1999.
Technology
Anne Maria Holli, political science,
The debate was led by six
Helsinki; Beatrice Halsaa, political
senior international figures within
“The promotion of women in science
science, Oslo/Lillehammer; Dorte
the arena of women in science.
is of crucial importance for European
Marie Søndergaard, psychology,
Questions raised by contributors in
society as a whole. By «letting
Roskilde; Guro Karstensen, linguistics,
the first weeks of the debate was:
women in», the scientific system can
NIKK, Oslo; Harriet Silius, sociology/
Why are there so few? Is discrimi-
women’s studies, Turku; Malin
only improve and better respond to
Rönnblom, political science, Umeå;
nation real or imagined? How
societal needs.’
Maud Eduards, political science,
important is the conflict between
Nicole Dewandre, head of ”Women
Stockholm.
family and a research career? Are
in Science´ sector of DGX11 within
women-only positions the answer?
the European Commission
Eva Magnusson
In addition to this debate we
Head of research,
have released a special web-
“There are now not enough women
NIKK
feature bringing together our
applicants for professorships or
reports and articles on the subject
institute director positions, even
1 The expression “gender equality” is an
of women in science from the past
though enough of them were in the
English translation of the terms
2 years onto an open access site;
starting positions twenty years ago.’
“jämställdhet” (Swedish), and “likestilling/
http://www.nature.com/cgi-bin/
Sybile Krummacher, scientist at the
ligestilling” (Norwegian/Danish), used to
wbsp-index.cgi?def=37c03951.def
Research Centre Jülich.
designate politics and policies to further
equal rights between women and men.
Natasha Loder, Web Editor, Nature
Read the debate at: http://
2 The report on this study is available
Nancy Lane, Moderator, University
helix.nature.com/debates/
from NIKK’s web site in both a Swedish
of Cambridge
and an English version.
8

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News from NIKK 2/99
From “down under”
to “the top of the world”
and in geographical terms, it was
felt to be particularly important to
cast our net of invitations as widely
as possible. Of the thirty-one invited
speakers presented in the confer-
ence program, twenty-eight were
able to make it to Tromsø.
Whereas the sixth Women’s
going to be possible to assemble all
Activism versus “academic
Worlds congress in 1996 took
the Women’s Worlds 99 participants
quality”?
place in Adelaide in Southern
in one physical meeting-place at any
A major challenge to all the Wom-
Australia, Women’s Worlds 99, the
one time during the conference
en’s Worlds conferences has been
Seventh International Interdiscipli-
week. Hence it was all-important to
how to combine the interests of
nary Congress on Women, was set
structure the program in a way
political activists with the need of
on the northernmost university
which took this logistic limitation
feminist academics for scholarly
campus in the world – in Tromsø,
into account.
merit and intellectual stimulus. Not
Norway, from June 20 to 26. With
In keeping with these ambitions
surprisingly, reactions and views
approximately 1600 participants
the conference program that was
vary on how successful this year’s
from almost 80 countries, Wom-
constructed was very varied and
conference was in this respect.
en’s Worlds 99 was a gigantic task
very big. The basic program
Whereas some complain that there
to undertake for the small and
structure was made up of thirteen
is not enough fighting feminist spirit
recently established Centre for
program sections: (I) GenDerations;
in today’s feminist scholars, others
Women’s Studies and Women in
(II) New Constructions of Gender;
were more worried that the really
Research of the University of
(III) Women, Power and Politics; (IV)
exciting – and important – new
Tromsø. However, by most ac-
Gendering Work and the Economy;
research is in danger of being
counts it was a success, academi-
(V) Gendering Health; (VI) Sexualized
drowned by the political activism
cally, culturally as well as socially.
Violence; (VII) Gendering the Past;
and research of mediocre quality
(VIII) Gendering the Future; (IX)
that, in their view, seems to follow
From early on the congress planning
Peace, Indigenous and Human
from the latter. The organizing
emphasized the “meeting-place”
Rights; (X) Culture, Creativity and
committee would love to hear from
ambition. Although feminist research
Spirituality; (XI) Gender, Science and
more of you on this issue, which still
and interdisciplinary scholarship
Technology; (XII) The Women’s
seems a very central one to femi-
have formed the basis for these
Movement/Feminist Activism
nists and feminist research!
conferences, every Women’s Worlds
Worldwide; and (XIII) Gendering
congress has also aimed at serving
Men.
Cross-disciplinary rather than
as a meeting-place – for grassroots
In addition to the thirteen
inter-disciplinary?
activists and affirmative action
program sections, five “special
Based on the reports and reactions
officers, for young and old, for
focus areas” were formulated: «the
that we have so far received, in
students as well as for established
Nordic experience”, “North-South
addition to our own observations
academics. A particular ambition to
perspectives”, “Young voices”,
during the conference week, it
us Tromsø organizers was to serve
“Celebrating multiculturality and
seems fair to conclude that the
as a meeting-place for representa-
diversity”, “Questioning work”.
conference was quite successful in
tives from the North – the high Arctic
These five focuses were supposed
its ambition to serve as a meeting-
areas included – and the South, men
to serve as cross-disciplinary
place for researchers and consum-
as well as women, and artists/
guidelines in formulating session
ers of research. The “interdiscipli-
practitioners as well as theoreti-
themes, in the process of selecting
narity” aim, which was another key
cians.
keynotes speakers and in setting the
ambition, that is of breaking down
Considering that Tromsø has no
general conference atmosphere.
traditional barriers between disci-
congress hall which can house more
With the very broad profile chosen
plines, was perhaps less successful:
than 800 people, it was just not
for the conference, both in thematic
did we perhaps not go far enough in
9

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News from NIKK 2/99
encouraging the crossing of discipli-
were not able to fulfill in the way
New Co-ordinator for
nary borderlines when setting up the
that we intended. For one thing,
program? We certainly did try to
we did not attract as many young
Men’s Studies
when setting up thematic program
participants as we had hoped to,
sections like “genDerations” and
although it was an important
A project-financed position as Nordic
“New Constructions of Gender”.
criterion in our “solidarity fund”
Co-ordinator for Men’s Studies was
However, I think it may be argued
delegates selection. This has partly
established at NIKK for the period
that this remains one of the major
to do with the expense involved in
1999-2001. Øystein Gullvåg Holter
challenges of women’s/feminist
travelling to what is to most people
who was appointed for it, started his
studies and research today. In a
a very remote and expensive part
work at NIKK in May 1999, but has
world which seems to become
of the world. But I think it also has
now left us. His new e-mail address is
increasingly specialized, it is a
to do with one of the tendencies of
oeholter@online.no. The position was
tremendous challenge to create
modern academia/conferences.
announced again in November, five
genuine fusion and not merely
Whether this is going to make a
men and a woman have applied, and
meetings or “touchdowns” between
conference like Women’s Worlds
the new co-ordinator will be ap-
different disciplines or areas of
lose its appeal in the years to
pointed as soon as possible. At NIKK
research. However, attempts were
come, will be one of the questions
we will do our best to continue and
made, and in some cases fascinat-
that remains to be answered by the
strengthen the important work to
ing new processes started, which
organizers of coming International
further advance Nordic Men’s Studies
we hope to hear more about in the
Interdisciplinary Congress(es) on
and strengthen links between Men’s
years to come.
Women.
Studies and Women’s Studies. This
implies also to integrate Men’s
Bringing North, South, East and
Proceedings are in the making
Studies with relevant areas of Nordic
West together
The organizing committee is now
Women’s Studies and Gender
For a world conference to be truly
working on the Proceedings,
Research, as well as contribute to co-
that, it needs of course to have
among other things trying to find
operation in the Nordic countries and
speakers and a program that aims at
funding for producing a CD-rom
the adjacent areas, throughout Europe
covering as broad a selection of
version. To date we have received
and in other parts of the world. A
topics and themes as possible. But
more than two hundred papers, so
growing demand for research-based
it also needs delegates from as
obviously the process of selecting
knowledge and information on men
broad a geographical basis as
the papers and other material for
and masculinity has been the primary
possible. Consequently, the organ-
inclusion will take some time. But
impetus for the establishment of this
izing committee at an early stage
with a CD-rom format it will be
position for the Nordic Co-ordinator
formulated an ambition to seek
possible to include a lot more of
for Men’s Studies. The Nordic coun-
financing for a “solidarity fund”
the conference material – not only
tries have the means to serve as
aimed at sponsoring delegates from
in the form of papers, but also
pioneers in the Men’s Studies field
so-called Third World countries and
abstracts, the full program, some of
and play a key role in promoting and
Eastern Europe. We had hoped to
the media coverage and so on. By
enhancing this area of study and
be able to get funding for 150
the summer of 2000 we hope to
inquiry on an international scale.
delegates, but ended up being able
have the Proceedings ready for
to sponsor 84. However, even
distribution in one form or another.
though we thus must be said to
New information
have fallen short of our ambition, we
Women’s Worlds 2002 – in
can still say that we were pleased at
Uganda!
Advisor at NIKK
being able to finance this number.
Finally we say “Good luck,
In general, we can say that Norwe-
Uganda!” The responsibility for
Trine Lynggard started working at
gian sources were on the whole very
organizing the next, the 8th Interna-
Nikk last August as senior information
generous. NORAD, the Norwegian
tional Interdisciplinary Congress on
advisor and editor of the bulletins
development agency, above all,
Women, is now on the point of
“News from Nikk” and “Nytt fra Nykk”.
should be thanked profusely. But
being handed over to Makerere
Trine Lynggard has more than 20
what we did not manage at all, was
University in Kampala, the capital
years of experience as journalist
attracting international funds (i.e.
of Uganda. We hope to see many
specialised in international women’s
anything beyond Nordic sources).
of you there, in three years’ time!
issues. She came to NIKK from
FOKUS – Forum for Women and
“Young voices ambition”
Gerd Bjørhovde
Development in Norway - where she
The ambition to attract young
Dr.Philos., Professor of English
had worked for ten years as head of
people must be said to have been
Literature and Convenor of
information and editor of the quarterly
one of the ambitions that we felt we
Women’s Worlds 99
magazine “Kvinner Sammen”.
10

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