‘Call me by your name’: How Labels and Sponsors Shape Public Support for Gender Equality Policies

This project explores how ‘gender equality’ labelling, as opposed to more neutral, technocratic labelling such as ‘labour market’, ‘education,’ or ‘financial inclusion’ policy and sponsorship (government or international organizations) might influence public support for gender equality policies, even when the policy content is the same. Using survey experiments across six developing countries—Argentina, Colombia, Indonesia, Turkey, South Africa, and Vietnam—it tests how different policy labelling may trigger implicit biases against gender equality-focused policies and international organizations. The findings have implications for international organizations, governments, and NGOs working to achieve Sustainable Development Goals, including gender equality.