Gender Inequalities: Habits and (New) Frames

In the context of the implementation of a national policy for equality between men and women in Bulgaria and high economic and social activity of women, based on the legacy of socialism, the question is: what / more / to discuss on the topic of gender equality? And yet, have traditional attitudes on gender equality disappeared? Is there a lag and inconsistency between structural conditions and cultural frameworks related to gender equality policies? How is the concept of gender equality modified through identity policies (and the crises of those policies) and how do gender attitudes and stereotypes intervene notions of dignity and respect for oneself and the other (gender)? How do traditional norms lead to significant gender inequalities in real time spent on paid and unpaid work? Starting from these frameworks and questions, the article explores the topic of gender equality through the investigation of the relationship between culture and politics as the key to reveal “hidden” inequalities. Social policies and attitudes towards gender equality are scrutinized. The intersectionality and differences between both men and women, as well as internal differences by education and ethnicity are problematized. Gender equality related attitudes are represented by Eurobarometer 2017 data. Education, role models, attitudes of politicians and their ability to legitimize policies in order to reach and be accepted by different social strata in society have been identified as elements of the transformation of societal attitudes and stereotypes towards greater gender equality.