Slovenia/ 4.2 Specific policy issues and recent debates  

4.2.10 Gender equality and cultural policies

The position of women in culture and cultural policy can be examined through the participation of women in: leading positions in public institutions; on councils of public institutions; on national bodies in the field of culture; on expert commissions of the Ministry of Culture.

Table 6:     Share of women holding leading positions in public institutions, 2003

Sources:    Ministry for Culture.

Table 7:     Share of women as members and Presidents of Councils of public institutions, 2003

Sources:    Ministry for Culture.

Percentage of Women in National Councils:

Table 8:     Share of women on the National Council for Culture, 2003

Sources:    Ministry for Culture.

Table 9:     Share of women on the National Council for librarianship, 2003

Sources:    Ministry for Culture.

Table 10:   Share of women on Expert Commissions of the Ministry of Culture, 2003

Sources:    Ministry for Culture.

The data shows that the number of women is decreasing with the importance of the position. The percentage of women holding leading positions in national public institutions as central and leading institutions is 20%, while in the municipal public institutions the percentage amounts to approximately 40%.

It is also evident that the great numbers of women, almost 80%, are employed as librarians. Regardless of this fact, the percentage of council members and presidents indicates that this percentage is decreasing on the level of management (there are only 59% female members and 66% chairwomen). This decrease can be explained by the fact that the municipalities, while appointing their representatives, are not bound to the profession of librarian. In this way they can include more men. The greater percentage of chairwomen than members of the council indicates the degree of trust and competence, which obviously recognises women in the field of librarianship. The highest position, Director of the National Library, is held by a man. Yet the National Council for Librarianship is chaired by a woman. Many women are represented in this council (64%). In the National Council for Culture, which is an independent body appointed by the Parliament, there are 30% women, but the chairman is a man.

Although the majority of the employees in the public cultural sector are women, the share of women in expert commissions of the Ministry of Culture amounts to one third (35%). Apparently men are considered to be greater experts and that is a basic criterion for appointment to the commission. We should point out that in the field of cultural policy no special attention is paid to gender in regular hiring practices. However the state is preparing a Resolution on the National Program for Equal Opportunities of Men and Women (2005-2013), which defines the bases of gender equality politics in the Republic of Slovenia, sets goals, measures and key decision makers in politics.

The main initiative with an objective to produce and organise affirmative action projects, in order to draw attention to the disproportionately low participation and representation of women in the field of arts and culture, is undertaken by the Association for the Promotion of Women in Culture - City of Women. Its programmes and activities have been facilitated through a network of partners, who have ensured financial support as well as conceptual input and feedback. The Association is engaged in ongoing collaborative projects with a variety of cultural and women's organisations, and works with external experts, international curators and selectors, on specific elements of its programme. Its largest endeavour is the organisation of the annual International Festival of Contemporary Arts - City of Women.

In 2006, quotas of female political candidates have been implemented for the first time.

Your Comments on this Chapter?