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From ‘gender equality and ‘women’s empowerment’ to global justice: reclaiming a transformative agenda for gender and development

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  • Andrea Cornwall
  • Althea-Maria Rivas

Abstract

The language of ‘gender equality’ and ‘women’s empowerment’ was mobilised by feminists in the 1980s and 1990s as a way of getting women’s rights onto the international development agenda. Their efforts can be declared a resounding success. The international development industry has fully embraced these terms. From international NGOs to donor governments to multilateral agencies the language of gender equality and women’s empowerment is a pervasive presence and takes pride of place among their major development priorities. And yet, this article argues, the fact that these terms have been eviscerated of conceptual and political bite compromises their use as the primary frame through which to demand rights and justice. Critically examining the trajectories of these terms in development, the article suggests that if the promise of the post-2015 agenda is to deliver on gender justice, new frames are needed, which can connect with and contribute to a broader movement for global justice.

Suggested Citation

  • Andrea Cornwall & Althea-Maria Rivas, 2015. "From ‘gender equality and ‘women’s empowerment’ to global justice: reclaiming a transformative agenda for gender and development," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 36(2), pages 396-415, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:ctwqxx:v:36:y:2015:i:2:p:396-415
    DOI: 10.1080/01436597.2015.1013341
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Anke Schwittay, 2019. "Designing Urban Women’s Safety: An Empirical Study of Inclusive Innovation Through a Gender Transformation Lens," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(4), pages 836-854, September.
    2. Pieter Fourie & Colleen O’Manique, 2016. "‘It Sells, But It Does Not Fly’: An Early Assessment of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 59(3), pages 274-279, December.
    3. Tanima, Farzana Aman & Brown, Judy & Wright, Jan & Mackie, Vera, 2023. "Taking critical dialogic accountability into the field: Engaging contestation around microfinance and women’s empowerment," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 90(C).
    4. Regina Scheyvens & Heidi van der Watt, 2021. "Tourism, Empowerment and Sustainable Development: A New Framework for Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Katie Tavenner & Todd A. Crane, 2022. "Hitting the target and missing the point? On the risks of measuring women’s empowerment in agricultural development," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 39(3), pages 849-857, September.
    6. Rai, Shirin M. & Brown, Benjamin D. & Ruwanpura, Kanchana N., 2019. "SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth – A gendered analysis," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 368-380.
    7. Alda-Vidal, Cecilia & Khalid, Rihab & Foulds, Chris & Royston, Sarah & Greene, Mary, 2023. "Gender imaginaries in energy transitions: How professionals construct and envision gender equity in energy access in the Global South," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    8. Tufan, Hale Ann & Mangheni, Margaret Najjingo & Boonabaana, Brenda & Asiimwe, Elizabeth & Jenkins, Devon & Garner, Elisabeth, 2021. "GREAT Expectations: building a model for applied gender training for crop improvement," 2021 Annual Meeting, August 1-3, Austin, Texas 338774, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    9. Jeong, Joshua & Sullivan, Eileen F. & McCann, Juliet K., 2023. "Effectiveness of father-inclusive interventions on maternal, paternal, couples, and early child outcomes in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 328(C).
    10. Ida Arff Tarjem & Ola Tveitereid Westengen & Poul Wisborg & Katharina Glaab, 2023. "“Whose demand?” The co-construction of markets, demand and gender in development-oriented crop breeding," Agriculture and Human Values, Springer;The Agriculture, Food, & Human Values Society (AFHVS), vol. 40(1), pages 83-100, March.
    11. Elizabeth Mkandawire & Sheryl L. Hendriks & Lucy Mkandawire‐Vahlmu, 2018. "A gender assessment of Malawi's National Nutrition Policy and Strategic Plan 2007–2012," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 36(S2), pages 634-656, September.
    12. Funmi (Olufunmilola) Ojediran & Alistair Anderson, 2020. "Women’s Entrepreneurship in the Global South: Empowering and Emancipating?," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-22, November.
    13. Buisson, Marie-Charlotte & Clement, Floriane & Leder, Stephanie, 2021. "Women's Empowerment and the Will to Change," 2021 Conference, August 17-31, 2021, Virtual 315352, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    14. Antonella Mazzone, 2022. "Gender and Energy in International Development: Is There a Return of the ‘Feminization’ of Poverty Discourse?," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 65(1), pages 17-28, March.

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