The changing role of women - from women in the Jacobin movement to the trade union of female roboters

Andrea Petö, professor at the Central European University summarized the historical development of women's role. According to her thesis, the financial crisis has among others highlighted the social deficits of neoliberalism which subsequently strengthened both the market-oriented neo-liberalism and neo-patriarchy as well as illiberal anti-gender movements. Ildikó Gregor, soziologist and lecturer at the ELTE University made reference to the Gender-Balance-Index where Hungary stood at 50,8 %, i.e. the second to the last position among the EU 28 countries. Zoltán Kázmér, representative of the National Assosiation of Entrepreneurs and Employers (VOSZ) captivated the participants with his vibrant account of innovations shaping the future of the world of labour. However, the spread of robots will not lead to changes in gender roles. He noted that it is particularly important for education to build soft skills in the future, as robots will outperform humans in hard skills.

Finally, a fascinating exchange of ideas took place between panel experts Péterné Boros, Réka Papp Kinga, Péter Pető and Ambrus Kiss. Beyond the garden and family, amongst other issues, the gender pay gap, the disadvantaged situation of women in the public sector and the lack of women in top leadership roles in both business and politics. In the end, however, everyone agreed that women's roles will continue to change.