This Master’s thesis focuses on how and to what extent donor countries fulfill their commitments to gender equality in the allocation of official development aid. Through a comparative analysis of Sweden, Canada, and France, it examines how feminist commitments operate at symbolic, institutional, and budgetary levels and how these are reflected in concrete budgetary decisions. It investigates the extent to which feminist foreign policy influences the allocation of development aid for gender equality in donor countries and to what degree normative commitments are reflected in financial flows. Using quantitative data from 2002 to 2023, it measures the share of official development aid targeting gender equality, considering thematic and geographical distribution, institutional mechanisms, and strategic documents. The analysis shows that Sweden demonstrates strong alignment between rhetoric, institutions, and financial implementation. Canada increased funding following the adoption of its feminist policy, but this trend includes significant fluctuations due to external factors and limited cross-sectoral coordination. France – despite clear commitments to gender equality – remains selective, as its feminist orientation is often shaped by geopolitical interests and foreign policy priorities. The Master's thesis thus shows that declarative commitments, without strong institutional backing and monitoring mechanisms, rarely lead to sustained budgetary shifts. Overall, the results confirm that the sustainable development of feminist-oriented policies requires more than political declarations – it depends on solid institutionalisation and consistent budgeting, supported by political will.
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