Feminist perspectives on multilevel governance

Abstract

This chapter takes stock of existing research on gender and multi-level governance (MLG) structures, examining the ways in which MLG affects and is affected by women's movement organising, participation and representation. In doing so, it highlights the insights feminist research on the gendered character and impacts of institutional architecture provides into the questions of how women's movements and feminist actors can use MLG structures to effect change, as well as the ways in which institutions either facilitate or obstruct reform efforts. The chapter also looks at two key understudied questions. First, we argue that analyses of whether women are advantaged or disadvantaged by multilevel arrangements must pay attention to the mediating actors in MLG, particularly to political parties. Second, we contend that the impact of institutional architecture on actors navigating MLG, specifically women's movements and anti-gender movements, also deserves further examination. Lastly, the chapter points to new directions forward for feminist research on this topic.