MAPPING GLOBAL RESEARCH ON GENDER EQUALITY AND SOCIAL INCLUSION: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY BIBLIOMETRIC ANALYSIS

Abstract

Gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) have become fundamental pillars of sustainable development, equitable governance, and inclusive societal progress. Despite the increasing volume of research in this field, the scientific literature remains fragmented across multiple disciplines, making it challenging to identify global research trends and emerging knowledge domains. This study aimed to map the global research landscape on gender equality and social inclusion through a multidisciplinary bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications. Bibliographic data were retrieved from the Scopus database, and after applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 613 English-language articles and review papers published between 1970 and 2026 were included in the analysis. Bibliometric performance indicators were generated using the Bibliometrix package through the Biblioshiny interface, while VOSviewer (version 1.6.21) was employed to visualize keyword co-occurrence networks and thematic relationships. The findings revealed a sustained increase in scientific production, particularly after 2018, reflecting growing international interest in gender equality and social inclusion. The analysis identified influential publication sources, productive authors, collaborative research networks, and major thematic clusters centered on gender equality, diversity, inclusion, empowerment, education, health, and sustainable development. Overall, the study demonstrates the multidisciplinary and rapidly evolving nature of GESI research and provides valuable insights into its knowledge structure and emerging research directions. These findings can inform researchers, educators, practitioners, and policymakers in advancing evidence-based strategies and fostering more inclusive and equitable societies.