Gender and Leisure: Exploring Intersectionalities during Turbulent Times

Recreational activities performed during leisure time are significantly affected by principles of gender, providing differential access for men and women. The way in which recreational spaces are structured elucidates the principles of dominance, asymmetry, and subjugation not only on the basis of gender but also on principles of race, language, ethnicity, and class.

Women's role in the domestic domain and their engagement with unpaid productive and reproductive labour, inspired by the ethics of care, make it difficult for them to take out quality time for leisure and recreation. Most recreation sites in the public domain are not only unsafe for women but also remain inaccessible to the poor and marginalised.

Restrictions on women's freedom and movement create inequality among different identities based on primordial principles. National and transnational policies to create safe and empowering leisure experiences, reclaiming time and space, have implications for enhancing the qualitative value of leisure for women in comparison to men.

The concept of intersectionality is quite helpful in understanding the role of social support and sorority, international cultural description, family and kinship, health and well-being, and social inclusion leading to empowerment through leisure.

The panel proposes to examine the relevant theoretical insights in examining women's agency and their role in altering traditional practices through associational and institutional relationships in cross-cultural perspectives.