Gender matters and decent work in the outdoor sector: a framework to interrogate policy

In this paper, we have developed an original framework to interrogate policy concerning the outdoor sector, giving thought to achieving Sustainable Development Goals 5 (gender equality) and 8 (decent work), emphasising a shift from precarious to decent work in our investigation. Employing qualitative content analysis, we found the discourse of policy to be masculinised and heteronormative, focussed on growth, with limited reflection on gender matters in employment, its precarity, or its commitment to decent work for all. Across all documents, sex-disaggregated data were absent, and inconsistent nomenclature disguised the true extent of precarious work. How to implement change and promote social sustainability, decent work and inclusivity remained unclear. Our framework suggests a way forward to critically examine policy to address these issues and to focus on positive change.