Social Development

Why, despite a growing body of knowledge, do gender and child-related change remain so difficult to address in development policy, public expenditure and practice? Our research in this area seeks to identify the restrictions upon translating knowledge on women and children’s wellbeing into policy and practice. Emphasis is placed upon identifying spaces for effective child and gender-sensitive policy advocacy.

A key focus of our research is exploring policy solutions that address social exclusion in diverse country and cultural contexts. Attention is paid to the relationship between traditionally excluded groups, including women, children and indigenous groups. Key strategies, such as participation, asset enhancement, gender mainstreaming and human development policies, are examined and essential questions are asked of the capacity for policy to protect groups from social exclusion for long term security.

What shapes the recognition or neglect of the lives of particular population groups by donors and governments, and their integration into policy and programming instruments? Here we explore social policy regimes in both the North and South, and seek to unpack the political, institutional and historical and cultural factors that promote effective policy and programming development.

Civil society actors and social movements have played an active role in raising the visibility of social development challenges. Our research considers the influence and power of various agents in development particularly social movements, civil society groups and local social units, like families, seeking to shape gender and child related policy outcomes. The objective is to uncover successful strategies for advocacy and successful agents for implementing policy.