A welcome and timely addition to scholarly research on women’s experiences in the political, policy and regulatory landscape. This tour de force covers a breadth of issues on the status of women in policy institutions, the regulation of abortion, pornography and gender based violence. It offers a uniquely multi-disciplinary perspective drawing upon historical, sociological, feminist, political and governance frameworks to offer new insights on the social exclusion of women. Cooper provides a sound, empirical evidence base for improving policy and the quality of life for women.

- Karen Johnston, Professor of Politics and Public Policy, Glasgow Caledonian University,

By examining the regulation of women in the UK, this fine book is foremost about gender issues and policy-making in the national setting. It is, however, also of great interest to students and scholars of European studies as it convincingly shows how a policy-area of strong national institutions and legacies is influenced by and respond to European integration, be it due to the free movement of women as the abortion chapter demonstrates or the ways in which supranational law and the open internet influences the regulation of pornography.

- Dorte Sindbjerg Martinsen, Deputy Head and Professor of Political Science, University of Copenhagen,