Understanding Differences in Gender Equality Strategies between Mercosur and the Andean Community

Description

Mercosur and the Andean Community have a combined population of almost four hundred thousand million people. This population is composed of diverse groups that are constantly interacting and influencing the politics and ideals of the organizations. Recognizing the inequalities that exist amongst different groups, Mercosur and the Andean Community have taken steps to overcome them. An example of this is their commitments to promoting gender equality amongst their members, and the inclusion of women in the integration process. Despite their mutual commitment to gender equality, their approaches towards gender equality differ, and as such have led to different results. The purpose of this project is to understand why do regional organizations within the same region approach gender equality and how does this relate to existing policies. In order to answer this question, I engage with norm diffusion theory, and explore the relationship that exists between different norms.