Gender integration in development : a feminist, postcolonial reading of Sida’s efforts for gender integration

Abstract: This thesis aims to investigate Sida’s view on gender integration and gender (in)equality as well as how this understanding may affect the way Sida works to promote gender equality globally. Since gender integration is the main method for increasing gender equality at Sida The plan for gender integration at Sida 2015-2018, as well as the partial report on this plan, is analysed in to reach this aim. The material is analysed through Bacchi’s methodological approach to policy analysis: ‘What is the problem represented to be?’. The study shows that Sida’s representation of gender (in)equality follows a modernist discourse where ‘expert knowledge’ is considered a solution and there is no apparent recognition or discussion of alternative knowledge. There is also a focus on methods and plans that are developed by Sida which speaks to a difference in power between Sida and its partners. According to a postcolonial feminist perspective the silencing of alternative knowledge and expertise visible in the Sida plan may bear negative effects on the representation of the people and the efficiency of the work to increase global gender equality.