Introduction to Gender Concepts

PROF.
PROF. EDA
EDA S.P.ADORNADO
S.P.ADORNADO
Gender Concepts
Learning Objectives
1. To define gender, gender concepts and terminologies
2. To identify the differences between sex and gender.
3. To discuss the difference between sex roles and gender roles.
4. To explore the relationship between gender and power.
Learning Outcomes:
5. Participants will have a sound understanding of gender
concepts and terminologies
Definition of Gender
Gender refers to those characteristics and roles of women and
men that are socially constructed.
What is Gender about?
Social roles and relations between men and women in the society.
It affects all parts of our lives (social, economic and political).
It changes over time.
It is what we expect men and women to do and behave.
It is about how power is used and shared
Differences
Between
Sex and
Gender
Gender Equality
Entails the concept that all human beings, both men and women,
are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without
the limitations set by stereotypes, rigid gender roles, or prejudices.
Gender equality means that the different behaviors, aspirations and
needs of women and men are considered, valued and favored
equally.
It does not mean that women and men have to become the same,
but that their rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not
depend on whether they are born male or female.
Gender Equity
Means fairness of treatment for women and men,
according to their respective needs.
This may include equal treatment or treatment that is
different but considered equivalent in terms of rights,
benefits, obligations and opportunities.
In the development context, a gender equity goal
often requires built-in measures to compensate for the
historical and social disadvantages of women.
Empowerment
 Implies people – both women and men – taking control
over their lives by setting their own agendas, gaining skills (or
having their own skills and knowledge recognized),
increasing their self-confidence, solving problems, and
developing self-reliance.
 It is both a process and an outcome.
 Empowerment implies an expansion in women's ability to
make strategic life choices in a context where this ability was
previously denied to them.
Gender Mainstreaming
 Is a strategy for making women's, as well as men’s, concerns
and experiences an integral dimension in the design,
implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and
programmes in all political, economic and social spheres so
that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not
perpetuated.
 The ultimate goal is to achieve gender equality
 Gender mainstreaming should be done in all areas and at all
levels in society.
 • Gender transformative
Approaches approaches
actively strive to examine,
• Gender-neutral Gender aware (or
question, and change rigid
approaches responsive) approaches
gender norms and the
do not account for the are designed to meet imbalance of power as a
differences between both women’s and men’s means of achieving
needs. These approaches development goals as well
women and men and as meeting gender equity
ensure that both women
do not consider how objectives.
and men will benefit, and
women and men may neither will be harmed These research,
be marginalized and by research, program and programmatic and policy
harmed or may not policy, such as, for approaches challenge the
benefit from research, example, by exacerbating distribution of resources
programs and policy. their work burdens. and allocation of duties
between men and women.
Why Gender?

Why is it a big deal?

Abraham Lincoln’s Quote

“Women are the only person I am afraid of who I
never thought would hurt me,”
GaD vs WiD
• Women in Development
(WID)
is an approach that emerged in
the 1970s, with the goal of
integrating women more fully
into the development process. It
includes strategies such as
women – only projects and
credit and training projects for
women.
• Gender and Development (GAD)
Approach
Was developed in 1980s in
response to perceived failings of
the WID Approach. Rather than
focusing exclusively on women,
this approach is concerned with
relations between women and
men. It Challenges unequal
decision-making and power
relations between not only men
and women but also between rich
and poor
Practical Gender Needs (Practical
Gender Issues)
Practical Gender Needs are related to
immediate needs of living, such as food,
drinking water, and medical care. These
needs can be fulfilled by providing
inputs (such as food, installation of
wells, and establishment of clinics,
etc.). Although the situation of women
may be improved by meeting their
practical gender needs, this alone can
not be sufficient to change existing
gender roles and social relationships
between men and women.
Strategic Gender Needs (Strategic Gender
Issues)
Strategic gender needs arise from
women’s subordinate position and gender
bias, such as lack of resources and
education, and inability to avert poverty
and resist violence. Although these
strategic gender needs are commonly
experienced by many women, women
may not be aware of their disadvantaged
position nor their potential powers to
bring about change. To meet these
strategic gender needs, it is necessary to
encompass social and political reforms
through the empowerment of women.
These measures are seen as relatively
long-term objectives.