Institutionalizing Intersectionality

Abstract

The article views the theme of institutionalizing intersectionality from the point of view of selected Central and Eastern European Countries (CEECs). After some historical and conceptual background, the first part of the article discusses the position and competencies of equality bodies in Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Estonia and Latvia. The selection of countries crosses two traditional comparative clusters – Central European countries and Baltic states. This seems to be an opportunity to identify similarities and differences across a wider than usual geographical area. The implementation of EU requirements as regards equality bodies and the role of civil society actors in institutionalizing intersectionality in selected countries are the subject of interest in parts two and three. The last part of the article discusses in more detail the case of coercive sterilizations of Roma women, as an example of intersectional discrimination in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The article concludes that a role for non-governmental organizations as active civil society actors is indispensable for institutionalizing intersectionality in the CEECs, along with more positive or affirmative forms of action to promote equality and the influence of international law.