Jämställdhetspolitik på regional nivå : En jämförande studie av jämställdhetspolitiken i Region Värmland, Region Halland och Västra Götalandsregionen

Sammanfattning: This thesis deals with three different regions’ gender policy in relation to regional growth. According to previous research, there is a liaison between gender equality and economic growth. Because Sweden’s regions are facing a possible upcoming merger, I have chosen to study Region Halland’s, Region Värmland’s and the Västra Götalandsregion’s gender policies, to be able to see if there is some clear differences or similarities between the three regions gender policies. The reason for this is because these three regions are eventually about to become one new and bigger region together. If there are clear differences between the regions gender policies, it might cause problems for the future collaboration between the regions and therefore also for the region’s growth. The analysis of the study is done by a qualitative analysis of the content of three different plans of action for equal regional growth, one for each region. To do the analysis, I’m using two theories about gender systems by Yvonne Hirdman and Joan Acker. I’m also using an idea about gender mainstreaming as a political strategy. The analysis shows that there are many similarities between the region’s gender policies. All the regions’ gender policies are based on the same national gender equality political goals which can be seen as a good basis for a future cooperation, but there are also some clear differences that can create problems when the regions have different focuses and priorities in the gender policy if they are about to have a successful cooperation.