Advancing Gender Equality Without Forfeiting Religious Autonomy: Squaring the Circle?

Abstract

This paper aims to understand the reasons why religious freedom and gender equality often appear to be competing values. The clash is observable in OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) countries, which are home to a variety of cultural and religious traditions. No progress toward greater social peace and harmony can be made as long as there are groups who feel under threat because of their sexual or religious identities. If human rights must be understood as a system of interrelated rights and not rights in opposition, then a proper balance between the two aspects should be sought. While legal means may well be necessary, they are probably not the most effective way to bridge the gap in this real—or at least apparent—dilemma.