Makt(re)produktion i jämställdhetsarbetet. En diskursanalytisk undersökning av den statliga offentliga utredningen Att bryta ett våldsamt beteende – återfallsförebyggande insatser för män som utsätter närstående för våld

In 2016, the Swedish government adopted six gender equality goals, one of which is aimed towards ending men's violence against women. This thesis analyzes discourses on perpetrators and victims in a 2018 government document regarding violence in intimate relationships. Drawing from feminist post-structural theories and Fairclough’s critical discourse theory, as well as using gender as an analytical term, I explore the beliefs about men's violence against women that the document conveys. Furthermore, I investigate the document’s reasoning based on Nils Christie's theory of ideal victims. The identified discourses reveal a belief that men's violence against women isn't inherently tied to gender inequality, which stands in conflict with Swedish gender equality politics. Christie's theory suggests a reevaluation of ideal victimhood, highlighting a potential conflict between achieving equality and preserving victim status. This thesis contributes to understanding power dynamics, gender roles, and victimhood in policy contexts. It highlights the need for nuanced approaches in addressing gender-based violence within the framework of gender equality policies.