Introduction

Abstract

Abstract The introduction establishes the historical context and analytical framework of the book, distinguishing it from the numerous other studies of gender relations in Timor-Leste. It briefly outlines the Timorese case as the setting in which gender interventions are examined and argues that analyses of peacebuilding interventions grounded in “local turn” literature are insufficient because they fail to examine the dynamics of power. Instead, this section introduces a synthetic approach of structural and feminist political economy which allows the examination of class and gender power relations within and across national and international groups.