A Transformative Approach to Gender Mainstreaming: Changing the Deep Structure of Organizations

Abstract

Mainstreaming: Changing the Deep Structure of Organizations. This article argues that gender mainstreaming will only be successful if a transformative agenda setting process is used through which the institutional cultures of organizations are changed. This implies an engagement with the deep structure of organizations. The deep structure of most organizations is the embedded masculinist values and norms that are normalized so that everyone accepts them. This deep structure is most often resistant to gender transformative change. The article suggests a gendered archaeological investigation as well as the implementation of a transforming gender mainstreaming model through which gender mainstreaming becomes acceptable. The article draws on gender mainstreaming research done with the United Nations Development Programme in South Africa.