WUNRN
UNRISD - United Nations Research
Institute for Social Development
ASIA - WHEN & WHY DO STATES
RESPOND TO WOMEN'S CLAIMS?
UNDERSTANDING GENDER-EGALITARIAN
POLICY CHANGE IN ASIA
Author:
Joannah Caborn Wengler
– 11 October 2013
UNRISD’s programme of research on the gender dimensions of development has
expanded with the launch of a new project that explores when and why states
respond to claims for gender equality, with research in
The project, When and Why Do States Respond to Women’s Claims? Understanding
Gender-Egalitarian Policy Change in Asia, funded by the Ford Foundation,
moved forward in August with a successful methodology workshop in
Presentations by invited experts enriched the substantive and methodological
discussions. Gita Sen, a founder-member of DAWN (Development Alternatives with
Women for a New Era), reviewed 40 years of the sexual and reproductive health
movement both globally and within
The UNRISD research project is motivated by the observation that despite
progress towards gender equality in some areas of policy, advances have been
limited in others. With a better understanding of why some issues gain policy
traction while others are neglected or obstructed, advocates for women’s rights
will be better equipped to articulate their demands and strategize for gender-egalitarian
change.
The workshop reflected this objective in a session where participants explored
the links between research, advocacy and policy making. Representatives from
two UN agencies (Sushma Kapoor from UN Women and Ramya Subrahmanian from UNICEF)
and an international NGO (Ines Smyth from Oxfam GB) shared their perspectives
on mechanisms and processes of policy change, and how research can support
advocacy initiatives.
The three speakers stressed the need for research findings and empirical evidence
to be well communicated; for spaces for the exchange of knowledge and new
ideas; and for platforms of policy dialogue and debate. Ines Smyth emphasized
the role of research not only for generating robust evidence on which to base
claims for policy change, but also as a vital way to identify emerging issues.
Ramya Subrahmanian noted that it is often hard to fit women’s rights within the
technical approach of policy makers. She cited the example of care issues,
where policies are often based on the assumption that it is possible to promote
women’s employment without providing alternative care services because
grandparents will take care of children. National champions are crucial, she
said, as are forums where advocacy groups have a voice in discussing and
challenging policies. Sushma Kapoor also talked about the importance for global
advocates to forge links with women’s grassroots organizations to raise women’s
rights issues on national policy agendas. Finally, she noted, UN Women’s gender
awareness seminars for the Indian government have helped foster a more
receptive environment for some claims.
Mala Htun (
The following table summarizes the issues that will be examined in order to
deepen the understanding of processes of claims-making and policy change.
For more information on the project, please see the project page on
the UNRISD website.