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date: 21 January 2021

Abstract and Keywords

Gender-based discrimination has long been a troubling issue that accounts for the marginalization of millions of women and girls, as well as men and boys. Subordination, discrimination, and marginalization all stem from the patriarchal political settlement. Although there has been progress insofar as gender equality is concerned, the vested interests of patriarchy persist in numerous and powerful ways. This chapter examines conflict-related crises in many countries in Africa and financial crises in Europe and the opportunities they present for building new political settlements. It discusses the concepts of political settlement, legitimacy, and accountability in the context of feminism and explores how they could provide a framework for establishing political environments conducive to social justice. It also considers how entry points such as writing or amending constitutions, law reform, and political participation could be used to promote human rights and gender equality and equity.

Keywords: discrimination, gender equality, Africa, crises, Europe, political settlements, social justice, political participation, human rights, feminism

Helen O'Connell

Helen O'Connell, MA, OBE, worked for almost 30 years in the UK NGO sector, most recently until 2009 as Head of Policy at One World Action. Her work focussed on policy and advocacy at national, European Union and international levels and programme development on women’s rights, gender equity and democracy in the context of international development. She now works as an independent researcher, writer and adviser. She was awarded an honorary OBE by the British Government in June 2010.

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