The traps of international scripts: Making a case for a critical anthropology of gender and sexuality in development

Rahil Roodsaz, An Van Raemdonck*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

In this article,1 we look at colonialities of gender and sexuality as concepts employed in international aid and development. These international arenas reveal not only strong reiterations of modernist linear thinking and colonial continuities but also provide insights into the complexities of the implementation and vernacularisation of gender and sexuality in practices of development. Using a critical anthropological perspective, we discuss case studies based on our own research in Egypt and Bangladesh to illustrate the importance of unpacking exclusionary mechanisms of gender and sexuality scripts in the promotion of women’s rights and sexual and reproductive health and rights in postcolonial development contexts. We provide a conceptual analysis of decolonial feminist attempts at moving beyond the mere critique of development to enable a more inclusive conversation in the field of development. To work towards this goal, we argue, a critical anthropological approach proves promising in allowing a politically-sensitive, ethical, and critical engagement with the Other.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-24
Number of pages9
JournalSocial Inclusion
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 22 Nov 2018

Funding

First and foremost, we are indebted to all those involved in our case studies either as research subjects or as practitioners and researchers. The case study on anti-FGC campaigning in Egypt was part of a PhD research project funded by the Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), conducted at Ghent University, Belgium, and the case study on sex education in Bangladesh is part of on an SRHR international research project (W08560003) which is financed by The Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). Both authors have contributed equally to this article.

FundersFunder number
Research Foundation—Flanders
Fonds Wetenschappelijk OnderzoekW08560003
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

    Keywords

    • Colonial
    • Critical anthropology
    • Development
    • Gender
    • International aid
    • Sexuality

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