Moterų padėtis Lietuvoje siekiant karjeros.

Abstract

Social changes taking place in Lithuania highlight the problematic issues of gender equality. The strategy of gender mainstreaming requires full participation of both women and men in all spheres of life, decision-making process included. However, statistical data show that women representation in all levels of governmental structures is insufficient. Quite a big gap between men and women possibilities in seeking professional career and a lack of gender equality in general is noticeable. This article deals with a review of an empirical study ‘Gender Balance in Seeking Career in Business and Politics’ in which women’s position in the labour market, their participation in decision-making processes and equal gender opportunities with regard to 88 Aistė Dromantaitė-Stancikienė, Zina Gineitienė. Moterų padėtis lietuvoje siekiant karjeros family policy were analysed. The goal of this research was to clarify the attitude of local selfgovernment, NGOs and business representatives towards equal opportunities of women and men in Lithuania. The study showed quite a significant gap existing in men’s and women’s wages and, in general, a different gender positioning in the labour market in Lithuania. Women’s situation in the labour market is more complicated in comparison to the situation of men, because they often are forced to choose between children and career. The absence of a flexible policy system, the lack of childcare services and ambulatory social security for disabled persons in families are some of the main causes of such a situation. The existing stereotypes of women’s role in the family also prevent their integration into the labour market. The questionnaire survey carried out revealed that women were more inclined to underestimate themselves than men, and that they did not rely on their own skills. However, they were found to be more interested in active implementation of governmental measures to promote gender equality than men. In general, certain problems regarding gender equality still exist in Lithuania.