Women, equality and the UK's EU referendum: locating the gender politics of Brexit in relation to the neoliberalising state. Issue 2 (4th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacLeavy, Julie
• Is Part Of: Space & polity. Volume 22:Issue 2(2018)
• Page Start: 205
• Page End: 223
• Publication Date: 2018-05-04
• Subjects: Austerity -- Brexit -- Feminism -- Gender Equality -- State Theory -- Women's Rights; Political geography -- Periodicals; Regionalism -- Periodicals; Decentralization in government -- Periodicals; Nationalism -- Periodicals; 320.1205
• DOI: 10.1080/13562576.2018.1502610
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1356-2576

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper uses a feminist state-theoretical approach to explore the development of Brexit and argues that the UK's EU referendum and its aftermath reflect a gendered politics embedded within the ongoing neoliberal restructuring of the state. Directing attention to the struggle to protect women's interests, maintain equality strategies, and more generally infuse a gender dimension in political discussions, the paper emphasizes the risks of Brexit for women and gender equality. It concludes by asking how at the current conjecture – when European regulation on gender equality is being framed as 'stifling' economic growth – we can build up a fairer and more equal United Kingdom.