Dilemmas in gender equality work

How should a social worker act when the woman in a family is not allowed to speak for herself, but rather that her husband speaks for her? This is one problematic area that Anne-Charlott Callerstig has addressed in her research on practical gender equality work.

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Anne-Charlott Callerstig studies how gender equality is put into practice within various segments of the public sector. She is a doctoral student at the Department of Gender Studies and has worked for the Equal Opportunities Ombudsman for many years.

One of her research topics is social services in Rosengård, a district in Malmö, Southern Sweden densely populated by immigrants. She highlights the dilemmas social workers encounter daily. Should they base their work on individual needs, adhere strictly to the available guidelines for their work, or base their work on ideals like gender equality and human rights? In order to be able to work at all, social workers sometimes have to accept an unequal practice.

“Real dilemmas are characterised by the absence of unequivocal right and wrongs, says Anne-Charlott Callerstig. “There are no straightforward answers to what is right or wrong.”

The question of whether the similarities or differences between the sexes should be emphasised is a classic ideological dilemma within the gender equality debate. Should everyone, regardless of their gender, be treated the same, or should people’s different backgrounds be factored in?

“If dilemmas are ignored they can prevent good gender equality work. However, if you bring them to the fore and discuss them then work can move forward,” says Anne-Charlott Callerstig.

Callerstig points out several factors necessary for successful gender equality work. Active ownership is one.

“Management should not just provide support, it must actively participate in and demand results from gender equality work.”

Vaguely worded gender equality goals are common, as are a scarcity of time and resources.

“For people with practical jobs it is often hard to understand what the equality goals really mean and how to put them into practice. This is long-term work that requires both competency and support from the organisation.”