Empowering Women Executives

What role does gender play as women pursue government positions, gain office, and govern countries in Central and Eastern Europe? In Empowering Women Executives, Farida Jalalzai and Meg Rincker examine women's paths to and influence at the executive level, focusing specifically on Croatia, Poland, Slovakia, Estonia, and Romania.

The authors interview President Kersti Kaljulaid of Estonia, Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor of Croatia, Prime Minister Iveta Radičová of Slovakia, and Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă of Romania as well as dozens of political experts and insiders to provide an in-depth look at female executives' power in office. The authors also show the impact these leaders had in a region where traditional gender roles expanded only after the fall of Communism.

Each case study describes the historical context in which a woman emerges as a candidate, her ability to shape legislation, and how the media portrays her gender in analyzing her leadership. The authors also consider how gender influences a female executive's leadership style or policy priorities—from appointing women to government positions and support for policies benefitting women to being a role model.
Empowering Women Executives illuminates women's political inclusion in an area of the world where women have gained significant political agency.