The Ripple Effect of the UN Decade for Women: Dutch Women and Development Policy Between 1975-1985

In this thesis I investigate the role of Dutch policy makers and researchers during the United Nations Decade for women from 1975-1985 with the following research question: Why did Dutch development policy focused on women (WAD) experience progress and momentum during the UN Decade forWomen (1975-1985)? The theoretical framework consists of a history of ideas perspective combined with development cooperation theory. In order to track the development of Women and Development (WAD) paradigms over time I use a method combining archival research consisting of correspondence, policy papers, and official documents with interviews. I have interviewed ten individuals who all contributed significantly to the developments of the Decade. The stories of their lived experiences provide important interpretations of the Decade’s proceedings. Moreover, they have allowed for a new perspective on the Decade that stands in contrast to the dominant historiographical narrative on the subject. Using this...Show moreIn this thesis I investigate the role of Dutch policy makers and researchers during the United Nations Decade for women from 1975-1985 with the following research question: Why did Dutch development policy focused on women (WAD) experience progress and momentum during the UN Decade forWomen (1975-1985)? The theoretical framework consists of a history of ideas perspective combined with development cooperation theory. In order to track the development of Women and Development (WAD) paradigms over time I use a method combining archival research consisting of correspondence, policy papers, and official documents with interviews. I have interviewed ten individuals who all contributed significantly to the developments of the Decade. The stories of their lived experiences provide important interpretations of the Decade’s proceedings. Moreover, they have allowed for a new perspective on the Decade that stands in contrast to the dominant historiographical narrative on the subject. Using this framework I illustrate the significant progress achieved during the Decade and underline the contributions of Dutch women working in the WAD field. I explore the factors that led to their achieved momentum, including strong interpersonal relationships, their frontrunner role on the international stage, instances of support from individuals within the ministry, and individual finesse. Furthermore, I investigate the implementation of the policy. Specifically the reasons for the negative narrative that has been created around the outcomes ofWAD policy. Through the used perspective I show that there are unexplored angles of measuring implementation that provide a more positive view of the developments of the Decade. I also explore the role and perspectives of African women, by which I highlight perception of policy and further explore the outcomes of the policy formulated during the Decade. The research underlines the significant role of individual agency and national and intercontinental women’s networks in furthering WAD aims.Show less

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The Ripple Effect of the UN Decade for Women: Dutch Women and Development Policy Between 1975-1985