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Still struggling to reach the top? Women officeholders and gendered career pathways in the European commission

Author

Listed:
  • Pierre Alayrac

    (Alcide de Gasperi Research Centre, 10185European University Institute, Fiesole, Toscana, Italy)

  • Sara Connolly

    (School of Business, 4488University of Leicester, Leicester, UK)

  • Miriam Hartlapp

    (Department of Political and Social Sciences, 9166Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany)

  • Hussein Kassim

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, 2707University of Warwick, Coventry, UK)

Abstract

This article assesses whether women face the same challenges in the European Commission as men by examining the career paths to top political and administrative positions. Drawing on a unique dataset, it investigates whether and, if so, how and when, women are disadvantaged. First, we analyze the characteristics and experience of all Commissioners and Directors General (2004–2019) to delineate the career paths to the top positions in the organization. Secondly, we compare pathways to find that men outnumber women in all pathways. For Commissioners women are very significantly under-represented in one of three pathways and for Directors General in two of three pathways. We identify how women are disadvantaged and the extent to which the results support arguments in the comparativist literature on gender.

Suggested Citation

  • Pierre Alayrac & Sara Connolly & Miriam Hartlapp & Hussein Kassim, 2025. "Still struggling to reach the top? Women officeholders and gendered career pathways in the European commission," European Union Politics, , vol. 26(1), pages 23-44, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:eeupol:v:26:y:2025:i:1:p:23-44
    DOI: 10.1177/14651165241300650
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