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Feminist politics and gender equality in Britain

Feminist politics and gender equality in Britain
Feminist politics and gender equality in Britain

According to some indicators, Britain has become a more gender-equal society over the past two decades. And yet, as we argue in this article, these gains are undermined by persistent gendered inequalities and violence. Progress has been made principally in relation to what we might think of as liberal feminist demands—especially access to power. Yet even this progress is undermined by persistent and pervasive gendered violence and inequality—all of which takes place against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crash, the departure of the UK from the European Union, as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise and welcome the presence of active and vibrant feminist groups and organisations in Britain who have campaigned creatively on a range of issues. Nonetheless, there remains much to do to advance feminist interests and to achieve gender equality for all women in British politics.

Women, Austerity, Feminism, Violence, British politics, Representation
1746-918X
Evans, Elizabeth
f1b57f4f-f30d-4cec-bec0-eeddb228afd9
Bengtsson Meuller, Elsa
b0bc43c5-5b50-4e6c-a8ce-fde6583aede8
Hiraide, Lydia Ayame
c536fcba-91ae-4a36-878a-0aefb58dda21
Evans, Elizabeth
f1b57f4f-f30d-4cec-bec0-eeddb228afd9
Bengtsson Meuller, Elsa
b0bc43c5-5b50-4e6c-a8ce-fde6583aede8
Hiraide, Lydia Ayame
c536fcba-91ae-4a36-878a-0aefb58dda21

Evans, Elizabeth, Bengtsson Meuller, Elsa and Hiraide, Lydia Ayame (2025) Feminist politics and gender equality in Britain. British Politics. (doi:10.1057/s41293-025-00282-9).

Record type: Article

Abstract

According to some indicators, Britain has become a more gender-equal society over the past two decades. And yet, as we argue in this article, these gains are undermined by persistent gendered inequalities and violence. Progress has been made principally in relation to what we might think of as liberal feminist demands—especially access to power. Yet even this progress is undermined by persistent and pervasive gendered violence and inequality—all of which takes place against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crash, the departure of the UK from the European Union, as well as the global COVID-19 pandemic. We recognise and welcome the presence of active and vibrant feminist groups and organisations in Britain who have campaigned creatively on a range of issues. Nonetheless, there remains much to do to advance feminist interests and to achieve gender equality for all women in British politics.

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Accepted/In Press date: 28 March 2025
Published date: 9 April 2025
Keywords: Women, Austerity, Feminism, Violence, British politics, Representation

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Local EPrints ID: 501162
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/501162
ISSN: 1746-918X
PURE UUID: 76ba78f0-4d44-40d3-8f41-2e1d891a856c
ORCID for Elizabeth Evans: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-3237-8951

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Date deposited: 27 May 2025 17:00
Last modified: 22 Aug 2025 02:42

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Contributors

Author: Elizabeth Evans ORCID iD
Author: Elsa Bengtsson Meuller
Author: Lydia Ayame Hiraide

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