Gender bonds for who? : For women, gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, finance? Or for all?

The thesis Gender bonds for who?, explores the new financial instrument gender bonds, their mission and target to work for gender equality, and if they are really designed optimally for this purpose through a What’s the problem represented to be analysis – WPR. The research study finds that the problem represented to be is lack of access to financial assets, while the real problem lies in lack of gender equality, patriarchal structures and lack of legislation promoting gender equality. Many gender bonds are geared more towards channeling finance towards women, than to work for gender equality. More effort is needed to advance gender equality, policy issues and systemic issues. Women and women organizations should be included when constructing the genders bond and projects they are to finance. In the appendix, six leading experts within the field of gender bonds and gender equality are interviewed to provide views and recommendations for the future advancement of gender bonds. With an globally agreed framework, regulatory measures and more focus on country level gender bonds can work for structural change and advancing gender equality.