'This paper looks at the differential impact of the economic crisis on women and gender roles in Western Europe. It begins with an overview of some of the broader impacts of the economic crisis in the region, and the different types of ‘recovery’ programs instated by national governments. The paper highlights in particular the experience of Greece and the growing divide between European countries where some countries are being forced to make deep cuts while others are maintaining high spending levels to stimulate economic recovery. Updating an earlier AWID commissioned paper by Wendy Harcourt in 2009 this edition expands the original analysis through an in-depth case study on Greece and a series of interviews with women rights activists from around Europe.'