Anne Phillips: Gender Equality, Cultural Diversity, and the Interventionist State IWM (Vienna)

What happens when recognising cultural diversity threatens to conflict with protecting women’s equality? When those in an ethno-cultural minority call on society to recognise and accommodate minority practices and traditions, they sometimes invoke highly contested versions of these practices and traditions, and may even defend ones that are particularly harmful to women. Meanwhile, when those in an ethno-cultural majority call on public authorities to protect women from practices such as veiling or forced marriage or so-called "honour killings", they may invoke the language of gender equality in ways that encourage cultural stereotyping, or even promote hostility towards minority ethnic groups. What, in this context, is it appropriate for governments to do?

Drawing mainly on examples from the UK, this lecture explores the alternative strategies associated with regulation, exit and dialogue.



Anne Phillips is Director of the Gender Institute, London School of Economics.

Commentary: Ulrike Lunacek, Die Grünen