Securing gender in policymaking: Integrating gender in Dutch security and development policies

Abstract

This thesis investigates the integration of gender in Dutch policies on security and development. By examining the discourses and frames used in the policy documents on the issues of gender, security and development, it is concluded that in the Dutch policies, security is often prioritized over development. Development becomes ‘securitized’ and the solutions presented derive from a state-centric and Dutch perspective, aiming and integrating the Dutch actors and institutions. Furthermore, this research shows that gender is often still an afterthought and an integrationist approach is employed, which means that gender is added to existing policies and interventions rather than being an integral part of the policy making process. In order to improve the implementation of gender mainstreaming in security and development, policy coherence is essential. This involves coherence between gender, security and development, between policy and practice and between foreign and domestic policies.