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Between Risk and Transformation. Managing Resistance to Gender-Transformative Change. The case of Plan International Paraguay

Vlasova, Alena LU (2023) MIDM19 20231
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Department of Human Geography
Abstract
Development organisations that work to transform gender relations and power structures are bound to face resistance to change (RTC). While overt forms of RTC are becoming increasingly prominent in the context of the rise of the transnational «anti-gender» movement. Thus, this thesis aims to understand how RTC can be addressed through a gender-transformative approach (GTA) by focusing on the case study of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International Paraguay (Plan). Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with key internal stakeholders, the research explores how the Plan’s perception of RTC shapes its strategies and responses and how GTA informs the Plan’s RTC management. By grounding reflexive thematic analysis in a... (More)
Development organisations that work to transform gender relations and power structures are bound to face resistance to change (RTC). While overt forms of RTC are becoming increasingly prominent in the context of the rise of the transnational «anti-gender» movement. Thus, this thesis aims to understand how RTC can be addressed through a gender-transformative approach (GTA) by focusing on the case study of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International Paraguay (Plan). Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with key internal stakeholders, the research explores how the Plan’s perception of RTC shapes its strategies and responses and how GTA informs the Plan’s RTC management. By grounding reflexive thematic analysis in a gender-transformative RTC management framework, the study suggests that Plan’s RTC management lacks a clear and consistent application of GTA. The findings emphasize viewing RTC beyond the veil of «risk» and «backlash» and RTC management as more than a mere risk mitigation. The study highlights the need for greater engagement with intersectionality within RTC management, employing re-framing narratives around gender locally by exploring how culture and religion can create opportunities for change. Finally, it challenges development practitioners to approach gender-transformative change through Paulo Freire's concept of dialogue by creating spaces of reflexivity within communities and organisational settings. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Vlasova, Alena LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20231
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
development NGOs, programme management, risk mitigation, gender equality, SRHR, gender-transformative approach, resistance to change, backlash, “anti-gender” movement, Paraguay
language
English
id
9136937
date added to LUP
2023-09-12 13:53:12
date last changed
2023-09-12 13:53:12
@misc{9136937,
  abstract     = {{Development organisations that work to transform gender relations and power structures are bound to face resistance to change (RTC). While overt forms of RTC are becoming increasingly prominent in the context of the rise of the transnational «anti-gender» movement. Thus, this thesis aims to understand how RTC can be addressed through a gender-transformative approach (GTA) by focusing on the case study of the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International Paraguay (Plan). Through qualitative semi-structured interviews with key internal stakeholders, the research explores how the Plan’s perception of RTC shapes its strategies and responses and how GTA informs the Plan’s RTC management. By grounding reflexive thematic analysis in a gender-transformative RTC management framework, the study suggests that Plan’s RTC management lacks a clear and consistent application of GTA. The findings emphasize viewing RTC beyond the veil of «risk» and «backlash» and RTC management as more than a mere risk mitigation. The study highlights the need for greater engagement with intersectionality within RTC management, employing re-framing narratives around gender locally by exploring how culture and religion can create opportunities for change. Finally, it challenges development practitioners to approach gender-transformative change through Paulo Freire's concept of dialogue by creating spaces of reflexivity within communities and organisational settings.}},
  author       = {{Vlasova, Alena}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Between Risk and Transformation. Managing Resistance to Gender-Transformative Change. The case of Plan International Paraguay}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}