Gender matters. Abuses of women's rights are among the key drivers of demographic changes and social inequalities that triggeror sustainviolent conflict, extremism, poverty and other ills. Countries that are more gender equalwhere women and sexual minorities can participate on an equal basis in public life, engage in the labor market, hold positions of power, enjoy equal protection under the law, as well as equal access to education and health careare measurably more stable, peaceful and prosperous. The dismantling of the complex structures that produce inequality based on gender, race, class, and sexual orientation, and investing in women's empowerment, such as by including women in peace and transitional justice processes, reforming discriminatory personal status laws, or meeting the needs of women and girls in complex refugee and humanitarian crises, is not only a matter of justice but quite simply smart politics and smart economics. International organizations, NGOs, governments, policymakers and private businesses around the world are investing billions of dollars every year in gender equality and women's capacity-building programs. Gender equality has moved from the margins to being a priority issue in global politics and international development. Today, expertise in gender policy is both critical and eminently marketable.
The Concentration in Global Gender Studies is committed to real-world relevance and is strongly interdisciplinary. Our cutting-edge curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including feminist theory, development, migration, refugees and displaced people, conflict and peacebuilding, women's international human rights, LGBTQ rights, women's rights in the Middle East, Africa and Asia, corporate social responsibility, social impact entrepreneurship, mediation, data analytics, monitoring and evaluation, and program management. Beyond the core course, which is required, students have a great deal of flexibility in designing their own curriculum so as to meet their specific career goals.
