Exploring gendered change: concepts and trends in gender equality assessments

More than a quarter century after the Beijing Platform for Action solidified the importance of gender equality in international development, it is timely to review the conceptual approaches used to assess the gendered impacts of interventions. This paper presents a systematic review of recent investigations of gender equality from development-related academic literature (2009-2019) using two analytical approaches. First, we visualise trends based on bibliographic, methodological, contextual and conceptual aspects (n = 150). Second, we explore the theoretical approaches used to conceptualise gendered change through co-citation analysis (n = 61). Our trend analysis shows a breadth of relevant disciplinary perspectives but limited geographic and content foci. Additionally, very few studies explore gender equality dynamics that involve men and boys. Our exploration of theoretical foundations identifies four conceptualisations of gendered change, each reflecting the divergent disciplines, actors and interests that operate in the gender and development space. These conceptualisations each rely on and expand the concept of empowerment. By critically reflecting on feminist principles, future studies can transcend narrower empowerment framings and contribute more meaningfully to the aim of gender transformative development. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2021.1911636 .

Automated summary

This paper reviews recent investigations of gender equality from development-related academic literature, revealing a breadth of disciplinary perspectives but limited research on gender equality dynamics involving men and boys. Exploration of theoretical foundations identifies four conceptualizations of gendered change, each reflecting different disciplines, actors, and interests in the gender and development space. By critically reflecting on feminist principles, future studies can transcend narrower empowerment framings and contribute to gender transformative development goals.