WOMENS POLITICS IN EUROPE IN THE 1990S

This discussion paper raises questions about women's politics in terms of women organizing around key issues in Europe' today. How to determ ine where 'Europe' is historically, culturally, politically is itself being problematized. Three issues: differences and similarities in Eur opean women's politics, women's identities and racism, and the 'new' E urope are considered. Different emphases and analyses are being create d within Europe, and women in former' state socialist' countries are h ighlighting some misconceptions in terms of their own lived realities. Without exception racism is rising across all areas, including the in tegrating 12 members of the EC and the dis/integrating central and eas tern European countries. In conclusion, aspects of coalition politics and dealing with conflict are considered. Women's resistance to racism and celebration of the strength of difference amongst women internati onally is viewed as vital in making our voices heard.