Gender – Gender refers to the socially constructed roles ascribed to males and females. These roles, which are learned, change over time and vary widely with and between cultures • Sex – Biological distinction between males and females. Determined with reference to genetic and anatomical characteristics.

1. Understanding Gender

2. “Be a good girl”
“Act like a man”

3. Identities
• When do we first receive these messages?
• Who are some of the messengers?
• Do these messages sound different when they come
from a man or from a woman?
• Are these messages also conveyed in ways other than
through individuals? What are these ways?
• What happens when a girl or a boy disobeys these
messages?

4. Gender Roles & stereotypes
• Reflect on how your behavior is controlled by your
peers. When does it happen and why?
• Are there some aspects of men’s attitude towards
women, that men would like to reject?

5. Change-a possibility?
• What are some of the ways in which gender roles
and norms can and do change?
• What would be different in your life if gender norms
changed?(Is there anything you wanted to do in your
life, but couldn’t, because it wasn’t considered
ladylike/manly?)
• What are some of the ways you think gender norms
will change for the next generation in your society?

6. Definitions
• Gender – Gender refers to the socially
constructed roles ascribed to males and
females. These roles, which are learned,
change over time and vary widely with and
between cultures
• Sex – Biological distinction between males
and females. Determined with reference to
genetic and anatomical characteristics.

7. Sex and Gender - differences
Sex
• Natural – biologically
constructed
• Constant everywhere
• Normally unalterable
• Aspect of physical
inequality
• Innate and not learned
• Categorizes as male and
female
Gender
• Socio-cultural, society-made
• Variable with time, place
and culture
• Attributes can be changed
• Aspect of social inequality
and unequal power
• Learned behavior
• Normative behavior
expected from society

8. Gender Defines
• Behaviour – how to talk, walk and laugh
• Dress Code – what to wear, what not to wear
• Roles – what kind of work to do and what not to
do
• Responsibilities – housework, office-work,
cooking, cleaning, child-rearing
• Mobility – where to go, what time to go, what
time not to go, how far to go
• Rights – property, maintenance

9. Manifestations of Gender
• Son-Preference
• Discrimination in food distribution
• Lack of educational facilities
• Masculine vs. Feminine concept
• Lack of mobility
• Lack of right to property
• No space in decision-making

10. DIR - F03 10
Women’s Work

11. Approach to Equality
Formal equality regards women and men as being the same and therefore
sets out to treat women the same as men.
Its principal aim is to achieve equal treatment

12. Protectionist Approach
Recognizes the difference and prescribes different treatment. However in its
recognition of difference, it reinforces rather than challenges gender
differences and stereotypes, often barring women from doing certain things in
their own interest, or limiting their spheres of activity.

13. Substantive Equality Approach
Stipulates not only formal legal equality
but correction of historical, systemic
and
structural barriers to enable equality of
results in real terms
•Equality of opportunity
•Equality of access and
•Equality of results
It takes into account and focuses
on diversity, difference, disadvantage
and discrimination.
It deploys affirmative action through
use of temporary special measures to
accelerate social change.
Seeks a paradigm shift from “equal treatment” to “equality of outcomes”

14. Why gender and development
F
- A Social justice /Human Rights Issue
but also
- Linked to economic growth
- Investment in human capital and future generations
- Education of women reduces fertility
- Labour market participation increases growth
- Wage equality is good for savings, efficiency and productivity
- Business and enterprise needs women involvement
- Rural productivity improves
Financing women is “Smart Economics”

15. Why Gender training is important?
• A development intervention
• Awareness to influence behavior & attitude
• Influences personal and professional life
• Helps in realization of full potential of both
men and women.

16. Thank You