New publication on gender equality in sustainability initiatives

The publication appeared in the journal "Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility", with co-author Christian Herzig (Justus Liebig University Giessen). It takes a critical look at how so-called multi-stakeholder initiatives - such as Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance - implement programs to empower women and what areas of tension arise in the process. With the help of feminist organizational theory, it shows why only limited or even regressive progress has been made since the introduction of Agenda 2015. The focus is on structural gender inequalities in MSI programs: Some studies emphasize the role of the global economy in reinforcing them, others shed light on the role of women's initiatives outside MSIs. Although many standards contain gender-specific criteria, their implementation remains weak - with a few exceptions, for example in the area of occupational health and safety. The study makes a contribution to the scientific debate on "gendered CSR" and offers impulses for a differentiated discussion of gender issues in sustainability practice. The publication is available in "Open Access" via this link.