Navigating Power and Intersectionality to Address Inequality

This paper examines the drivers of inequality and social exclusion, especially discrimination, with a focus on how they intersect at the levels of family, community and local government institutions. The paper reviews current literature and emerging research, drawing on empirical work being carried out by the authors in Central and Eastern Europe, the UK and Africa. Theories of intersectionality and power relations are grounded in an analysis of Roma inclusion policies and Roma people’s own experiences of these policies at the local level in Central and Eastern Europe, focusing on Hungary, Romania and, to a lesser degree, Serbia. Examples are also drawn from participatory research with marginalised communities in Ghana.