Gender Mainstreaming in the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence: Lessons on the Implementation of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

Abstract

This article uses the Canadian military’s gender-mainstreaming strategy—gender-based analysis plus (or GBA+)—as a case study to explore the implementation of gender mainstreaming in militaries. Utilizing a mixed method approach, including group interviews and surveys, we employ Jahan’s model of gender mainstreaming to understand how GBA+ has been operationalized. We argue that the implementation of GBA+ in the Defense Force constitutes a more superficial integrationist approach to the implementation of gender mainstreaming rather than a transformative, agenda-setting approach, despite the internalization of messaging to the contrary by many in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and the Department of National Defence (DND). While not ideal, we suggest that an integrationist approach does not necessarily mean a GBA+ agenda will fail in a male-dominated organization like the CAF; rather, we contend that it could constitute a valuable starting point for progressive, large-scale change.

Creating a new pathway for change in the military using gender as process

“…Hence, integrationist approaches are considered easier to implement as they only require women to be included into the prevailing system, rather than changing the existing structures of the organization (Tiessen, 2007). While Johnstone and Momani (2020) found that an integrationist approach could bring modest yet valuable changes to male-dominated organizations, they maintain that it cannot bring about fundamental changes to the prevailing culture.…”

“…Gender mainstreaming has been put forward as a transformative approach to gender equality, particularly in military contexts (Caglar, 2013; Duncanson & Woodward, 2016; Rees, 2005). Gender mainstreaming gained prominence when the United Nations (UN) Security Council adopted Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) in 2000, which called on member states to mainstream gender perspectives into all peacekeeping and security operations (Johnstone & Momani, 2020). The transformative potential of gender mainstreaming is linked to the promotion of gender equality and the incorporation of gender perspectives into planning and policymaking processes (UN, 1997).…”

“…Western militaries have grappled with a complex set of challenges in their efforts to progress gender equality in recent decades. While positive changes have been made to reduce the barriers to women's integration, such as the removal of combat exclusion policies (Portillo et al., 2021), implementation of gender mainstreaming models (Johnstone & Momani, 2020), and the introduction of participation targets (Department of Defence, 2021c), Western militaries remain heavily male‐dominated organizations (Doan & Portillo, 2019; Pendlebury, 2020). For instance, the average representation of women in national armed forces of NATO member nations in 2020 was 13% (NATO, 2020).…”

Trials and tribulations among members of Canada’s Defence Team early in the pandemic: key insights from the COVID-19 Defence Team Survey

“…JECL was involved in the design and conceptualization of the work, analysis and to account for the unique challenges of individual Defence Team members in the development of organizational practices, policies and programs. 18 In particular, it is important for leaders of organizations to assess and understand the many ways in which diverse individuals might be impacted when facing a crisis, and to carefully consider this information when developing policies and support services to better serve all members of the workforce. Indeed, the present findings further illustrate how different sociodemographic groups may experience the same crisis in varying ways and thereby have distinct support needs.…”

Canada's GBA+ framework in a (post)pandemic world: Issues, tensions and paths forward

“…The piecemeal integration and uptake of GBA+, both by key agencies and across departments, signals what is a broader issue in the policy space: critical analytical approaches, including intersectionality, are neither embraced across all policy areas, nor seen as legitimate within key disciplines that inform policymaking. For example, Johnstone and Momani (2022), in analyzing GBA+ uptake in military and defence policy, find among policy actors confusion about the purpose and implications of the tool, as well as concerns that GBA+ could compromise operational effectiveness. Further, outside of a small feminist branch, economists—who, for better or worse, enjoy a certain prominence in expert policy circles—have largely been absent from conversations about GBA+.…”