Ways in which gender shapes the distributions of power at all levels of society.
One of the most persistent patterns in the distribution of power is that of inequalities between women and men. The set of roles, behaviours and attitudes that societies define as appropriate for women and men (‘gender’) can be the cause, consequence and mechanism of power relations, from the intimate sphere of the household to the highest levels of political decision-making. Wider structures and institutions can also shape the distribution of power by reinforcing and relying on gender roles.
Resources related to gender power relations in EIGEs' Resource & Documentation Centre
Based on Koester, D. (2015). Gender and Power. DLP Concept Brief 04.
The concepts and definitions found in this glossary were published in 2016, and some may be out-of-date. EIGE is currently looking into which terms may need to be updated in the future.