Challenges and dilemmas of integrating gender in the field of environment and development at SEI

The document explores the difficulties of mainstreaming gender within the 'epistemologically masculine' fields of environmental science and natural resource management. Through conversations with SEI researchers, it identifies a tension between 'gender specialists'—who often face a lack of legitimacy compared to technical scientists—and women in technical roles who encounter 'testimonial injustice' and are frequently relegated to administrative tasks. The authors argue that overcoming these barriers requires moving beyond simple quantitative data (like counting people) toward a methodology that addresses power asymmetries, intersectionality, and the 'opportunity cost' of gender-unequal resource access.

• Women scientists in technical environmental fields frequently experience 'testimonial injustice,' where they are marginalized as knowers or ignored due to systemic gender prejudices. This manifests as 'mansplaining,' being interrupted in meetings, or having their professional communications ignored unless routed through male colleagues.
• There is a persistent professional tension for gender experts who feel caught between the role of a 'gender specialist' providing technical advisory services and that of a 'feminist researcher' seeking to transform unequal power structures.
• Gender analysis is often relegated to the epistemic margins of environmental research because problems are framed as primarily technical or natural science issues requiring techno-scientific solutions, rather than social justice issues involving power asymmetries.
• Institutional commitments to gender mainstreaming can become 'lifeless' or performative ('ticking the box') when gender leads are given the authority to review proposals but lack the power to hold others accountable for implementing recommendations.
• Effective gender integration in resource planning requires moving beyond simple disaggregated demographic data to include metrics on 'opportunity costs,' such as the time women spend collecting water instead of pursuing education or income-generating activities.
• In the energy sector, gender impacts are often an 'afterthought' in climate mitigation policies; however, there is a growing effort to quantify gender-specific burdens, such as pollutant exposure and time burdens associated with household energy demand.

APA

Torre, A. R. (n.d.). Challenges and dilemmas of integrating gender in the field of environment and development at SEI. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10.4324-9781351175180-7-chapterpdf.pdf

Chicago

Torre, Andreea R. Challenges and dilemmas of integrating gender in the field of environment and development at SEI. Stockholm Environment Institute, n.d. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10.4324-9781351175180-7-chapterpdf.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Torre |first1=Andreea R. |title=Challenges and dilemmas of integrating gender in the field of environment and development at SEI |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10.4324-9781351175180-7-chapterpdf.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{torrendchallenges, author = {Torre, Andreea R.}, title = {{Challenges and dilemmas of integrating gender in the field of environment and development at SEI}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/10.4324-9781351175180-7-chapterpdf.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }