A Union of Equality: A Promising Step Forward or a Missed Opportunity to be Truly Intersectional?

In the last decade, intersectionality has become increasingly present in the EU equality agenda. From a very embryonic, implicit and often misunderstood concept in European policy-making in the early 2000s, intersectionality is now a core cross-cutting principle in political and policy debates about equality and anti-discrimination. At first glance, one could even dare to talk about a novel approach based on intersectionality mainstreaming. Yet, it is crucial to remain cautious, as a substantial mainstreaming of intersectionality might not be as easy as it seems. This essay advances reflection on the operationalization of intersectionality in contemporary EU equality policies. In particular, it engages in a critical and preliminary conversation on whether current policies can contribute to addressing the complexities of inequity and fostering social justice. In other words, whether EU equality policies can actually foster the transformative potential of intersectionality as a policy strategy for change. Doing so, it builds on past and current academic debates about the application of intersectionality to European policy-making and uses illustrations from the recently adopted ‘Union of Equality’ strategies.