Critiques of gender mainstreaming (GM) as the officially agreed strategy to promote
gender equity in health internationally have reached a critical mass. There has been
a notable lack of dialogue between gender advocates in the global north and south,
from policy and practice, governments and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This
paper contributes to the debate on the shape of future action for gender equity in
health, by uniquely bringing together the voices of disparate actors, first heard
in a series of four seminars held during 2008 and 2009, involving almost 200 participants
from 15 different country contexts. The series used (Feminist) Participatory Action
Research (FPAR) methodology to create a productive dialogue on the developing theory
around GM and the at times disconnected empirical experience of policy and practice.
We analyse the debates and experiences shared at the seminar series using concrete,
context specific examples from research, advocacy, policy and programme development
perspectives, as presented by participants from southern and northern settings, including
Kenya, Mozambique, India, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Canada and Australia.
Focussing on key discussions around sexualities and (dis)ability and their interactions
with gender, we explore issues around intersectionality across the five key themes
for research and action identified by participants: (1) Addressing the disconnect
between gender mainstreaming praxis and contemporary feminist theory; (2) Developing
appropriate analysis methodologies; (3) Developing a coherent theory of change; (4)
Seeking resolution to the dilemmas and uncertainties around the 'place' of men and
boys in GM as a feminist project; and (5) Developing a politics of intersectionality.
We conclude that there needs to be a coherent and inclusive strategic direction to
improve policy and practice for promoting gender equity in health which requires the
full and equal participation of practitioners and policy makers working alongside
their academic partners.
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