Gender and International Development: Critical Theories and Practice

How do gender relations influence global poverty, economic policies, and human rights? To design effective international development programs, we must look beyond basic statistics and understand the deep-rooted power structures that shape our world. This text-based course guides you through the foundational theories and modern perspectives of gender and development. You will learn to analyze development initiatives through a critical gender lens, preparing you to contribute meaningfully to global justice and equity debates. What you'll learn: - Understand foundational gender and development frameworks, including Women in Development (WID) and Gender and Development (GAD). - Analyze how intersectionality, race, and class shape development outcomes for different groups. - Explore critical feminist theories and post-colonial perspectives on international aid. - Examine contemporary global issues such as the digital gender divide, climate justice, and unpaid care work. - Evaluate development policies and sustainable development goals (SDGs) using gender-analytical tools. The course starts with essential terminology and historical frameworks before moving into critical theories and real-world case studies on economic empowerment, climate change, and policy design. Designed for beginners, this course requires no prior background in sociology or international relations—only a desire to understand global inequality. Read on to build your critical analysis skills and make a difference in the field of international development.