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Shifting meanings of gender equality in development: Perspectives from Norway and Ethiopia

Author

Listed:
  • Marit Tolo Østebø

    (Department of Anthropology and Center for Africa Studies, University of Florida, Grinter Hall, Room 496, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA)

  • Haldis Haukanes

    (Department of Health Promotion and Development, P.O. Box 7807, 5020 Bergen)

Abstract

This paper explores how differently situated actors in Norway and Ethiopia relate to global gender and development policies and interpret the concept gender equality. We show that a universalizing gender language influenced by both United Nations policies and the World Bank’s gender discourse have made strong imprints on how gender equality is conceptualized at policy and grassroots levels in Ethiopia and in Norwegian gender and aid policies. However, diverging meanings of gender equality also emerged in our research, showing how an apparently dominant terminology may be transformed by actors whose conceptualizations are contextually embedded, selective and strategic.

Suggested Citation

  • Marit Tolo Østebø & Haldis Haukanes, 2016. "Shifting meanings of gender equality in development: Perspectives from Norway and Ethiopia," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 16(1), pages 39-51, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:16:y:2016:i:1:p:39-51
    DOI: 10.1177/1464993415608081
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sylvia Chant, 2008. "The 'Feminisation of Poverty' and the 'Feminisation' of Anti-Poverty Programmes: Room for Revision?," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 44(2), pages 165-197.
    2. Engida, Ermias & Tamru, Seneshaw & Tsehaye, Eyasu & Debowicz, Dario & Dorosh, Paul A. & Robinson, Sherman, 2011. "Ethiopia’s growth and transformation plan: A computable general equilibrium analysis of alternative financing options," ESSP working papers 30, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
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