Women Councillors: Do They Prefer Different Policy Agendas?
摘要
This chapter analyses whether women councillors in European local governments have distinctive policy priorities that differ from those of their male counterparts. Drawing on survey data from over 21,000 councillors in 28 European countries, it focuses on the importance they attach to a range of policy objectives. The results show that women councillors consistently give higher priority to what we define as a progressive agenda—encompassing social inclusion, diversity, and environmental sustainability. This pattern holds even when the councillor’s left-right self-placement is controlled. While previous research has identified social policy as central to women's political concerns, this study also highlights the growing importance of environmental issues, particularly climate change. The analysis shows that gender differences in policy priorities are robust and consistent, although further research is needed to assess how these translate into policy outcomes.