Gender mainstreaming and frame analysis: A qualitative study of childcare policies in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay during Latin America's left turn

Abstract

AbstractThis article analyzes how and to what extent gender equality perspectives mobilized by feminist actors have (re)designed childcare policy frames to address the sexual division of labor during the left turn in Latin America. Using the Mainstreaming Gender Equality in Europe (MAGEEQ) framework as the foundation for our study, we conducted qualitative case study research in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay by examining official documents. We also reviewed feminist literature and documents to access the positions adopted by the actors involved in the reframing process. We identified quite different results for gender mainstreaming in childcare policy: (1) Argentina—non‐occurrence; (2) Brazil—occurrence (reasonably marginalized); and (3) Uruguay—occurrence (fairly well embedded). We expect to contribute to the development of the MAGEEQ framework, particularly in terms of care policy investigations, and for adapting this framework to the Latin American context.