Dialogue to Dismantle Gender Inequality and Ignite Social Change: Examining the Impact of Gender Reconciliation
Abstract
Dialogue processes, from community conversations to racial intergroup dialogues to peacemaking processes, confront challenging societal dilemmas and successfully generate positive social change. Considering the endemic nature of gender inequality and gender-based violence globally, could a gender-based dialogue transform gender inequality and drive social change? This study explores the transformative potential of gender reconciliation, a dialogue process developed by the Satyana Institute called “Gender Equity and Reconciliation International” (GERI), which creates a space for women and men to examine gender constructs, their personal experiences and move toward healing and transformation. The study first examines the foundational elements of gender reconciliation, which draws from tenets of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa. The study then analyzes the impact of gender reconciliation through in-depth interviews of two South African participants who later became GERI facilitators. Finally, the study develops a conceptual framework to assess how dialogue can generate social change: DABAS (Dialogue, Awareness, Belief, Action, Society). The findings document significant personal transformation as participants encountered their beliefs around gender and experienced changed mindsets. The gender reconciliation process impacted their leadership, as both participants expanded their work to promote greater dialogue on gender equity. Finally, the participants presented gender reconciliation as a rallying call to confront, dismantle, and transform gender-based inequality, conflict, and violence in South Africa and worldwide. The study suggests that gender reconciliation provides a viable tool to uproot problematic gender-based constructs and shift social dynamics toward greater gender equity.
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