Based on the contemporary research on gender and language, using the method
of discourse analysis applied to the laws and policies, this article explains
how certain linguistic practice, in the context of the administrative
discourse, produces meaning that may or may not contribute to its better
understanding and more efficient implementation. Through discourse analysis
of gender equality and non-discrimination laws and strategies in Serbia, it
has been shown how and with what consequences the socio-political and
academic elites affect defining and promoting certain concepts (gender, sex,
gender equality, discrimination) in one social and historical moment. The
paper is placed in the theoretical framework of three visions of gender
equality: perspective of equal treatment, women?s perspectives and gender
perspective (Booth, Bennett 2002), that are corresponding to the three
strategies for achieving gender equality: equal treatment, specific policy of
gender equality and gender mainstreaming (Verloo, 2001). The discourse
analysis of the Law on Gender Equality (2009), the National Strategy for the
Improvement of the Position of Women and Advancement of Gender Equality
(2009), the Law on Prohibition of Discrimination (2009) and the Strategy for
Prevention and Protection against Discrimination (2013), has shown the
context of use and meaning of terms gender and sex, as well as implications
it has on their potential to change the existing paradigms and understanding
of gender equality, and the implementation of policies in Serbia. Analysis of
the use of terms sex and gender in the most important legal and strategic
documents for achieving gender equality, showed that the choice of certain
categories and terms is always a political choice. The authors show how these
documents are written in the key of two gender perspectives and strategies:
equal treatment and the specific policy of gender equality, while the third -
introduction of a gender perspective and gender mainstreaming is almost not
mentioned, although it is consider to have the greatest potential for
transformation of existing patterns of power and hierarchy in society (Booth,
Bennett, 2002; Verloo 2005; Walby, 2011). While it is clear that neither laws
nor strategies can reflect the complete corpus of knowledge and ideology of
gender equality and feminist theory, it is essential that they, at the
discourse level, act as a source of new knowledge and understanding of these
concepts. Better connection between these documents and the contemporary
feminist theory, the use of knowledge accumulated within gender studies, as
well as their consistent linguistic and terminological compatibility and
innovation, would contribute to a better understanding of concepts,
terminology and knowledge of gender equality among the general public.
From Schoolgirls to “Virtuous” Khmer Women: Interrogating Chbab Srey and Gender in Cambodian Education Policy
