Contributors: Anne Phillips, Nicola Lacey, Eva Neitzert, Sylvia Walby, Kate Jenkins, Diane Perrons.

“What is it that means that we just accept as normal what is often an extraordinarily stark imbalance between the sexes?” Anne Phillips (Politics Lead for the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power) opens this film about a new LSE Commission on gender inequality with a question that highlights the profound impact that gender has in contemporary society. By exploring themes of Economics, Politics, Law and Media/Culture, the Commission aims to find out what it is that reproduces these inequalities and power differences, and what can be changed. In short the Commission seeks to bring together the latest knowledge to provide a sound evidence base that facilitates debate and the design of effective policies for redressing these enduring inequalities.

Diane Perrons, the Co-Director of the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power

This lecture takes an interdisciplinary and transnational perspective to highlight the persistence of gender inequalities, the power relations that support these inequalities, and the everyday processes through which such inequalities are reproduced and normalised. By addressing inequality in this way, it is possible to obtain a fuller understanding of contemporary economic inequality and what to do about it.

Stephanie Seguino, Saphieh Ashtiany and Diane Negra speak at 'Inequality Matters: Austerity Policies, Gender and Race'

This lectures explores how austerity policies, that lead to cuts in social spending, have a potentially disproportionate negative effect on women, youth and racial or ethnic minorities. Stephanie Seguino is Professor of Economics at the University of Vermont and Professorial Research Associate at SOAS.

Confronting Gender Inequality: public launch of the Commission report

Shami Chakrabarti, Rebecca Omonira-Oyekanmi and Anne Perkins debate the findings of the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power.

Download: Audio and Video

Dr Hannah Hamad, Maria Miller, Professor Diane Perrons, Justine Thornton

Confronting Gender Inequality in Uncertain Times - Report

Confronting Gender Inequality in Uncertain Times - Lecture

Scarlet Harris, TUC Women’s Equality Officer, talks about gender and inequality in the labour market

Scarlet is the TUC’s Women’s Equality Officer, based in the Equality and Employment Rights Department. In this podcast, Scarlet talks about women in the labour market as part of the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power.

The Co-Director of the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power talks about gender and inequality in the economy

In this podcast, Professor Diane Perrons analyses gender dimensions of increasing economic inequality with particular reference to crises, austerity and alternative patterns of socially sustainable development. Much of her work examines the interplay between economic and social theory and everyday life. She is currently co-directing the LSE’s Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power.

Stephanie Seguino discusses her lecture on Race, Gender and Austerity as part of the Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power

Professor Stephanie Seguino reflects on how single parent households and certain racial groups were disadvantaged before the economic crisis and they experience the greatest burden of austerity after the crisis. She argues this will lead to long-term problems in the economy.

Anne Phillips, Politics Session Lead for the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power, talks about the gendered nature of political power

In this podcast, Anne Phillips, Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science, talks about the under-representation of women in politics and the corresponding lack of influence over key political debates in the UK.

Purna Sen, Deputy Director of the Institute of Public Affairs, talks about the experiences of women in politics and public life

In this podcast, Purna Sen talks about women in political and public life, drawing on evidence from the Commission, her research about women in public life ('Above the Parapet') and her own experience of being a Parliamentary candidate.

Nicola Lacey, the Co-Director of the LSE Commission on Gender, Inequality and Power talks about gender and the law

In this podcast, Nicola Lacey talks about a range of subjects including violence against women and children, discrimination in the law, how to achieve more gender equality in the judiciary, and equal pay.

Emily Jackson, Head of the LSE Law Department, talks about gender in the legal system and medical law

Emily Jackson talks about the under-representation of women in the legal system and discusses legal debates around access to fertility treatment and the failure to provide safe and effective contraception and abortion in other countries.

Dr Anita Biressi, Reader in Media Cultures at the University of Roehampton, talks about the importance of hearing the voices of ordinary women

Dr Anita Biressi reflects on how the voices of ordinary women can get recognition and respect in the political and media spheres; not just the voices of women in prominent positions.

Saphieh Ashtiany, leading solicitor and Gender, Inequality and Power Commission Law Commissioner, reflects on the Commission's cross-cutting theme of rights

Saphieh Ashtiany discusses the various legal measures that can be taken to level out gender inequality and to help women assert their rights. She highlights the importance of looking at what kind of rights are necessary and which laws work. She notes how cuts to legal aid and higher legal fees in employment tribunals have a disproportionate effect on women.

Barrister Christine Chinkin, LSE Emerita Professor of International Law, reflects on the Commission's cross-cutting theme of violence against women

Professor Christine Chinkin explores how violence against women is a topic relevant to law, media, politics and economics. Violence specifically against women needs to be given more prominence and it needs to be set on the agenda by the government, argues Professor Christine Chinkin.

Joni Lovenduski, Anniversary Professor of Politics at Birkbeck College, University of London, reflects on the cross-cutting theme of power

In this podcast, Professor Joni Lovenduski argues power is not only a matter of presence but also of process in politics, media, business and law. Getting more women in power and influence is necessary, but changes to processes that impede on women’s effectiveness is also important.

Ania Plomien, Assistant Professor in Gender and Social Science at the LSE Gender Institute, reflects on the Commission’s crossing-cutting theme of work-life balance

Women in industrialised countries are participating more in the labour market and this growth is especially seen among mothers. Dr Ania Plomien reflects on these changes in the labour market and discusses how these changes challenge the balance of working life and family life.