Promoting equality between women and men in bilateral development cooperation : Concepts, goals, rationales and institutional arrangements. Part One. Theory, practice and priorities for change. Part Two. Empirical studies in two sectors in Tanzania: House

Abstract: Gender equality has been on the development cooperation agenda for more than three decades. Bilateral agencies have developed policies, strategies, methodologies and tools to support achievement of this important goal. Following the Fourth United Nations Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995 it is important to take stock of the progress that has been made, and identify the changes needed for moving the issue forward in the next millenium. This thesis aims to look at what has been achieved both at the level of policy development and in practical interventions and highlights some of the main areas needing attention if gender equality is to become a central issue in development cooperation in the future. Part One of the thesis presents a historical overview of attention to gender equality in development cooperation at global level through the United Nations system, and outlines the development of policy rationales and strategies within bilateral agencies. Three key areas for further development are identified - concepts, goals and rationales, and institutional arrangements within bilateral agencies themselves. Lack of clarity on basic concepts such as equality and gender and vague noncommital goal formulations have been a considerable hinder to effective promotion of gender equality in bilateral development cooperation. Lack of understanding of two important approaches or strategies, empowerment and mainstreaming, has also constituted a major handicap to efforts to achieve gender equality. Organizational aspects, in particular related to issues of responsibility and accountability at management levels, have constrained effective implementation of these strategies. Part Two of the thesis presents empirical research from Tanzania on two sector areas, household water supplies and health development. The fieldwork was carried out in the 1980s in 11 villages in four regions in Tanzania and is based on contact with women and men at household level. The results of the fieldwork are compared with the findings from other more recent studies in the same fields. The conclusions highlight that, despite important changes made in the past decade, much remains to be done before gender equality is a central issue in the development of these two sectors. The conclusions of the thesis highlight the importance of strengthening women´s voice, giving greater attention to gender relations and bringing in more men as allies, and establishing greater political commitment to mainstreaming, women´s empowerment and the necessary institutional changes for gender equality. The importance of analysing the organisational cultures in organizations involved in development cooperation, including bilateral agencies themselves, in terms of gender perspectives in values, norms, rules and regulations, networks, access to decision-making processes and career advancement potential, is raised. The thesis points to the need for greater political will to allocate necessary human and financial resources to promotion of gender equality in development cooperation.