Paper short abstract:

This paper will explore the intersection of sustainability and development in the process to define the 2030 Agenda. By applying a gender lens it will problematise the notion of 'sustainable development' and question if engendering the Agenda should be the aim of those seeking gender equality.

Paper long abstract:

The contemporary sustainable development discourse as reflected in the 2030 Agenda sees gendered rights present, if problematic, in the social and economic strands of the sustainability discourse. But what of the environmental discourse? Here there is a silence, but, this paper will argue, it is perhaps a welcome silence. When viewed through a gender lens, the current constructions of 'sustainability' within the international policy context suggests a 'business as usual' approach. This sees women included in sustainable development initiatives, but their inclusion is not on an equality basis, but rather for efficiency reasons, and this does not necessarily promote or even protect their rights while at the same time it does widen their responsibilities. In the 1990s gender critics suggested that the proclaimed 'success' of environmental projects had often been gained at the expense of women - adding unremunerated environmental protection roles to women's existing burdens to bring positive collective benefits but few personal gains. In the contemporary context it seems women continue to be promoted as the efficient policy solution. Their inclusion in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development may result not in greater equality, but greater responsibilities for women as the ones charged with ensuring not only development, but a sustainable development is achieved. This raises the question of how best to ensure the inclusion of women within ongoing 'sustainable' development programmes in a way that ensures they are served by these programmes, rather than being at the service of them.