2006/05/16 by Anne Maria Holli, Eeva Luhtakallio, Eeva Raevaara · 1 citation
Social Sciences · #Gender Politics and Representation #Gender, Security, and Conflict #Gender Diversity and Inequality
paper · doi:10.1080/14616740600612822
openalex publication_date 2006/05/16 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
This article analyses the discourse concerning gender quotas and their implementation in Finnish local politics. Among our local actor interviewees, we found four different groups: feminist-oriented, non-feminist, accepting and disapproving. Despite the successful implementation of the quotas, our analysis reveals hidden conflicts and resistance. Respondents often resorted to memory lapses, strategies of distancing or assumptions about the interim character of quotas in an ‘almost gender equal Finland’ when discussing the implementation process. The predominance of these strategies is explained by contextual factors, including the strong cultural support for gender equality and legalism in Finland. We suggest that they can be interpreted as psychologized forms of resistance to a hegemonic discourse which does not really allow for anyone to be ‘against gender equality’ or wilfully negligent of the law.