Sympathetic advocates: male parliamentarians sharing responsibility for gender equality

Palmieri, Sonia

Author(s)

Palmieri, Sonia

Editor(s)

Sweetman, Caroline

Publication date

2013-03-14

Document type

Journal article

Language

English

Description

Gender mainstreaming, as a strategy that aims to achieve gender equality across institutions, does not work without the assistance of men. There has been a strategic shift in emphasis over the past decade from women’s issues to those concerning gender equality. Underpinning this shift is a change in focus from women exclusively, to one on both men and women in working towards mutually beneficial social and economic development. The institution of parliament is no exception. Changing social values and the increasing gender sensitivity of younger men have resulted in stronger partnerships between men and women parliamentarians on gender equality. Using qualitative data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union and the International Knowledge Network of Women in Politics (iKNOW Politics), this paper presents some of the strategies that have encouraged men to come on board the gender equality project. Strategies uncovered include men’s support for the legislative initiatives of women as well as men’s co-sponsorship of gender equality legislation; the appointment of men as chairs or members of gender equality bodies of the parliament (that is, bodies designed to mainstream gender equality concerns in the work of the parliament); and inviting men to participate in public activities and outreach, such as public consultations and celebratory activities for International Women’s Day. This article is hosted by our co-publisher Taylor & Francis. For the full table of contents for this and previous issues of this journal, please visit the <a href="http://www.genderanddevelopment.org">Gender and Development</a> website.

ISSN

1355-2074

EISSN

1364-9221

Collections

Journal articles