Imagining a New Gender Contract for Cultural Rights

Research output: Chapter/Conference proceedingChapterAcademic

6 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

How can tensions between cultural and human rights be navigated? And how can cultural diversity be supported without legitimising the rhetorical weaponisation of difference in favour of abuses of power? To answer these questions, this chapter identifies a set of principles that could underpin the development of a decolonial and feminist approach to the management of cultural diversity. Intellectuals have debated the issue of cultural diversity for decades; the result is a rich corpus of philosophical, ethical and political discussions that is only now beginning to receive the attention it deserves beyond the field of feminist studies. However, this body of work is not yet reflected in policy debates, let alone in discussions regarding the management of cultural diversity, in a sustained manner. To address this gap, the chapter proposes to connect decolonial and feminist thinking with ongoing debates focused on cultural rights. Specifically, it attempts to make sense of a tension that is evident in reports by holders of the post of United Nations Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, which support cultural diversity but, at the same time, refer negatively to cultural relativism. Rather, and in close engagement with such reports, the chapter argues that cultural relativism and cultural diversity are inseparable in a decolonial and feminist approach to the management of cultural diversity. Finally, the chapter provides policy recommendations inspired by this work to begin to address the aforementioned contradiction.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationA New Gender Equality Contract for Europe
Subtitle of host publicationFeminism and Progressive Politics
PublisherPalgrave Macmillan
Chapter6
Pages105-129
ISBN (Electronic)978-3-031-59993-4
ISBN (Print)978-3-031-59992-7
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2025

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Imagining a New Gender Contract for Cultural Rights'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this