Melissa Johnston

Melissa Johnston, a peace and conflict studies lecturer at the University of Queensland and author of "Building Peace, Rebuilding Patriarchy," discusses the shortcomings of gender interventions in Timor-Leste. She highlights how these initiatives, meant to empower women, often reinforce existing class and gender hierarchies. Johnston critiques the effectiveness of gender-responsive budgeting and microfinance, revealing how they may perpetuate patriarchal structures instead of fostering true equality. Her insights challenge conventional peacebuilding strategies and advocate for a deeper understanding of local dynamics.

Melissa Johnston, a Lecturer in peace and conflict studies at the University of Queensland, dives into the complexities of gender interventions in Timor-Leste. She criticizes the uneven outcomes of programs like microfinance and gender-responsive budgeting, arguing they often reinforce existing patriarchal structures. Johnston emphasizes the importance of understanding local contexts and the interplay of political and economic forces. Her insights urge a reevaluation of peacebuilding strategies to genuinely empower women in post-conflict settings.