At – SIRD20th May 2011

Getting to know each other

NameSexDaughter / Son of One responsibility at

home

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Objectives Understand the concept of gender

and related issues.

Understand gender mainstreaming in the context of Local Governance

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Why Gender Training?

Because it concerns both men and women

It involves transformation of attitudes and practices in all societies.

Because when we work with communities, it’s essential to be sensitive to both men’s and women’s needs and issues

It touches all of us.

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Difference between Sex & Gender

Sex refers to biologically determined differences between men and women that are universal.

They are established in nature.

They largely remain unchanged.

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GENDER

Gender refers to the social roles and relations between women and men.

Unlike the sex of men or women that is biologically determined, gender roles of women and men are socially constructed.

Such roles can change over time and vary according to geographic location and social context.

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Gender roles are learned behaviors in a given society/community or other social groups, that condition which activities, tasks and responsibilities are perceived as male and female

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GenderGender is not “Sex”

Gender is not “Women”

Gender is a focus on the unequal relations between men and women

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Statements about men and women

Role and Activity – Exercise

Division of workSame work - different value

Women

Stitching - at home

Cooking - at home

Cleaning - at home

Healthcare - at home

Men

outside + Money = Tailor

outside + Money = Cook

outside + Money =

Cleaner

outside + Money = Doctor

Story – 24 hours a day

Triple role of women

ProductiveReproductiveCommunity

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Practical gender needs & Strategic gender needs

Practical Gender Needs: Facilitate in managing effectively the current roles more easily without changing the position in society

Strategic needs are related to changing the status quo

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Gender DifferencesAspect Women Men

Roles and responsibilities

Work at homeLook after childrenLook after the sick

Go out to work for moneyCannot be expected to cook or clean

Access and control over resources

Does not own or inherit propertyChoice of having sex/child –partnerTime decided by others

Property is in his nameInherits propertyMore educational opportunities Entitled to leisure

Behavioral stereotypes

WeakEmotionalDependantShy

Strong RationalIndependentTough

How gender works as a system

Beliefs in society about women and men

Gender norms

Gender roles for men and women

Sexual division of labor

Different activities and tasks for men and women

Differential Access to and control over resources

Differential decision making and power

Socialization

Socialization is a life long process through which individuals acquire a personal identity and social skills. This is a process through which a new born child is gradually transformed into a knowledgeable adult

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Agents of Socialization

Family, Peer, School, Community, Media

Institutions- Religious, Political, Legal,

Economic, Political and Social Factors.

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Patriarchal values and gender relations : Some Answers

Patriarchy explains:How our societies function?How it controls womenIt is a control by men.Patriarchy has its roots in religionIn family traditionsIt involves the idea that within a

family there is a clear unwritten and unsaid hierarchy of need

It leads to certain mindsets and behaviour and this results in inequality.

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Gender works against women and men

Even though men usually end up having more power and decision making ability through this system they are also under pressure to follow the pattern.

An individual man , though having more power than a similarly placed woman has to conform to behaviour, task, roles expectations

Situation of Women in the world Women form almost half of the population of our country Women work 2/3 of the world’s working hours, and produce ½

of the world’s food, yet earn only 10 per cent of the world’s income, and own less than 1 per cent of the world’s property. (UN)

Two-thirds of children denied primary education is girls, and 75 per cent of the world’s 876 million illiterate adults are women. Every extra year a girl spends at school could reduce child mortality by ten per cent. (UN, World’s Women)

More than half a million women die in pregnancy and childbirth every year: of these deaths,

Women hold only 14 per cent of parliamentary seats worldwide, and only eight per cent of the world’s cabinet ministers are women.

Domestic violence is the biggest cause of injury and death to women worldwide. Gender-based violence causes more deaths and disability among women aged 15 to 44 than cancer, malaria, traffic accidents, and war. (World Bank Discussion Paper)

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Mainstreaming is The word “Mainstream” as a noun means:

‘principal current of a river; prevailing trends in opinions, fashion etc’.As a verb, it indicates becoming part of the ‘mainstream’.

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Gender Mainstreaming is It is a strategy to ensure gender equality It is an approach to governance that

makes men’s and women’s concerns and experiences an integral part of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies in all sectors of society.

It is a strategy to promote strategic gender need

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Equality and Equity

Equality is an ideal value

When the principle of equality is applied to unequals, inequality usually increases

Gender equality is a goal

Equity is an operational principle

Equity requires making special provisions for the powerless

Practicing gender equity is essential to achieve gender equality

Gender equality

Absence of discrimination on the basis of a person's sex in opportunities and the allocation of resources or benefits or in access to services.

Gender equity

Fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men. The concept recognises that women and men have different needs and power and that these differences should be identified and addressed in a manner that rectifies the imbalance between the sexes.

Gender Mainstreaming is Cont…….

It is a strategy not only for attaining gender equality but for the

sustainable development of societies as a whole.

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Mainstreaming requires Awareness of ParticipantsSensitization of Participants Enhancement of Decision making

power of participants Access to and Control of the

participants on the developmental activities

Supportive environment

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Understanding DevelopmentDevelopment is committed to the

equality of all people. Two Pillars of Development

Participation – Full involvement of people which affects their lives, regardless of gender, race , age , class or social disability.

Empowerment – Achieved by people themselves, through their own effort. Power to, power with and power within

women is key to development than power over

Approaches to Women’s DevtWelfareAnti – Poverty EfficiencyEquity Empowerment

Possible Areas of Involvement Decision Making

Finance in the Home

Education of Children

Family PlanningContribution to

Health of Children

Feeding of familyProduction of

food for family Consumption

Production of food for cash payment

Community DiscussionAgriculture Water and SanitationSchool / educationNeighbourhood /

ConstructionNationality

Political Representation

Political InvolvementEmployment outside the

HomeIndustryBusinessMedical / nursingLawservice industries

Factors obstructing women’s involvement. Lack of formal educationLimited involvement in community action/ discussionsPovertyMalnourishmentHeavy domestic workloadMobility requires permission form males in the

householdReligious practices / beliefsInequality in national lawsPrevious negative experience of developmentDifficulty in recruiting female workersChild rearing responsibilitiesGovernment austerity programmes resulting in less

time and financ

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