1. Gender Politics: Paradoxes, Dilemmas, Difficulties, and Chances Edeltraud Hanappi-Egger

2. Introduction to Gender- Theories gender sex When we are born each of us is labeled “boy” or “girl”. As we grow up, we adopt roles that our culture defines as “male” or “female”. gender

3. Introduction to Gender- Theories Heterosexual matrix (Butler): Sex/gender/desire: “Doing gender” (West, Zimmerman): Social construction of meaning Sex (Body)Gender (social meaning)Desire (sexual orientation) manwomanmasculinefeminineHomo-Hetero-Bi-A-

4. Gender Segregations and Gender Hierarchies Gender-specific division of labour: production – reproduction Within production: masculine versus feminine works (engineering versus social work) Bread-winner versus part-time jobs for women Sex and Gender used synonymously !! Gender-switch of tasks (e.g.programming, real estate)

5. Gender Discourse: Dilemmas, Paradoxes 1.Equality-oriented View: “Women are equally capable as men” Men as norm Neglects gendered socialisation 2.Difference-oriented View: “Due to biology (or socialisation) there is an essential difference between men and women” Reproduction of dualistic gender concept Assumption of intra-gender homogeneity 3.Deconstruction-View: “The meaning of gender is permanently created, produced and reproduced in social settings.” Critique on categorisation “fluid identity constructions” – politically ignorant?

6. Gender Discourse: Chances Gender-Neutral or Gender-Blind? Acker: gendered organisations: division of labour, symbols, values Hanappi-Egger: gender-scripts in technological systems Equal or Different? “temporarily static identities” to overcome re-production of stereotypes Intersectionality Social or Functional? Shift away from social categories to living contexts and demands

7. Example: Technology Design and Devlopment: “adding women” Technology: Hanappi-Egger (2004; 2006) “More women in technology development will change technologies.” Artefact Essentialist approach: biology determines?

8. Example: Technology Design and Devlopment: “adding women” Technology: Hanappi-Egger (2004; 2006) “More women in technology development will change technologies.” Artefact Gendered imaginations: Gender assignments Social construction of gender determines Reflection needed: Doing gender

9. Examples:  I-Methodology: gender-bias in design of software systems  Word-processing programs: low-status (female) tasks versus high-status (male) tasks - different supporting features  Organising principles of the Internet: hierarchies related to „target-groups“  ….

10. Gender Discourse in Technology: Chances Gender-Neutral or Gender-Blind? Questioning hidden gender-scripts Equal or Different? Diversity participation Social or Functional? Contexts of use

11. DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT Augasse 21, 1090 Vienna, Austria UNIV.PROF. DI. DR. EDELTRAUD HANAPPI-EGGER T +43-1-313 36-5181 F +43-1-313 36-759 Edeltraud.hanappi-egger@wu.ac.at www.wu.ac.at Thank you for your attention!