Gender & Development

Exercise 1: What is "gender" as opposed to "sex"?

Objective:

This exercise enables you to differentiate between the concepts of "gender" and "sex" and to reflect upon the usefulness of this distinction.

Method: 1. Look at the columns in the table below. Without pausing to think too long, fill in under each column

those characteristics or attributes which you consider to be typically female and typically male, respectively. Try to write the first thoughts that come into your mind.

On reflection, you will notice that only the biological functions cannot be interchanged. All the other characteristics can be interchanged, although in practice, this may not be the case. This is because of gender stereotyping, which often restricts men and women to attitudes, roles and activities that are socially or culturally prescribed as "appropriate" for each gender.

1. Consider whether the conceptual differentiation between "sex" and "gender" is a useful one in analyzing men’s and women’s activities, constraints and needs in the world of work

AJK Rural Support ProgrammeGreen and Skilled Kashmir

A Company formed under Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance 1984

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MAN WOMAN

   

   

   

   

   

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What is Gender?

Exercise 2: "Because I am... I can... If I were... I could..."

Objective:

This exercise shows you the differences between sex and gender. It also illustrates how the two may often overlap. You may do the exercise individually or in a group.

Method as a Group Exercise Method as a Group Exercise:

Round 1:

1. Within the group, each participant reflects and writes (individually).Men write:

"Because I am a man, I can...." and list;"If I were a woman, I could...." and list.

Women write:

"Because I am a woman, I can...." and list; "If I were a man, I could...." and list.

Method as a Group Exercise:

Round 1: 1. If you are a man, reflect and fill in the table below Because I am a man, I can... If I were a

woman, I could...

Because I am a man, I can... If I were a woman, I could...

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

2.If you are a woman, reflect and fill in the table below

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Because I am a woman, I can... If I were a man, I could...

   

   

   

   

   

   

3. Now, consider: o Which items on your list are immutable? These items are the ones related to

the biological difference of sex. o Which items could be interchanged with someone from the opposite sex? Are

they exchanged between members of each sex in practice? These items are related to gender differences. In practice, it may be uncommon for them to be interchanged with a member of the opposite sex. This is because of gender stereotyping, which often restricts men and women to attitudes, roles and activities that are socially or culturally prescribed as "appropriate" for each gender.

o Is the conceptual differentiation between "sex" and "gender" a useful one in analyzing men’s and women’s activities, constraints and needs in the world of work?

Gender Needs Assessment

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Gender & Development

Exercise: Gender Needs Assessment

Introduction

As Moser explains:

Gender needs assessment classifies planning interventions in terms of those that meet practical gender needs - that is, the needs identified to help women in their existing subordinate position in society - and strategic gender needs - namely, the needs identified to transform existing subordinate relationships between men and women....

...Frequently different needs are confused. Clarification is essential if realistic parameters are to be identified both as to what can be accomplished in the planning process, as well as the limitations of different policy interventions.... Because it deals directly with the issue of subordination, this planning tool is the crux of the framework for a gender planning methodology.

Gender needs assessment is a tool by which it is possible to measure changes.

The following exercise helps clarify the distinction between practical and strategic gender needs and the applicability of this concept to development interventions.

Objective

To apply the concept of gender needs in assessing the actual and potential impact of selected projects.

Method 1. Examine the definitions of gender roles and gender needs provided. Consider how

these concepts are applied in the Table 1, which presents examples of various types of development interventions from different sectors.

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  WOMEN'S ROLE RECOGNIZED GENDER NEED MET

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TYPE OF INTERVENTION R P CM PGN SGN

1. EMPLOYMENT POLICY

A.) SKILL TRAINING

COOKING ANGEL CAKES X     X?  

DRESSMAKING   X   X  

MASONRY / CARPENTRY   X   X  

B.) ACCESS TO CREDIT

ALLOCATED TO HOUSEHOLD   X   X  

ALLOCATED TO WOMEN   X   X  

2. HUMAN SETTLEMENT POLICY

A.) ZONING LEGISLATION

SEPERATE RESIDENCE AND WORK X        

DOES NOT SEPERATE RESIDENCE AND WORK

X X   X  

B.) HOUSE OWNERSHIP

IN MAN'S NAME X     X  

IN WOMAN'S NAME X X   X  

3. BASIC SERVICES

A.) LOCATION OF NURSERY

LOCATED IN COMMUNITY X X X X X

MOTHER'S WORKPLACE X X   X  

FATHER'S WORKPLACE X X   X  

B.) TRANSPORT SERVICES

ONLY PEAK HOURS BUS SERVICE   X   X?  

ADEQUATE OFF-PEAK SERVICE X X X X  

C.) TIMING OF RURAL EXTENSION MEETINGS

IN THE MORNING   X   X  

IN THE AFTERNOON / EVENING X X X X  

 

R = Reproductive P = Productive C = Community managingPGN = Practical gender need SGN = Strategic gender need

A. Changing the gender division of labor

B. Control over financial services

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C. Overcoming discrimination against women owning land, by law tradition

D. Alleviation of the burden of domestic labor

2. On the basis of the definitions and examples you have examined in step 1 above, and for each of the case studies you have read in step 2 above, fill in the following information in Table 2 below: Roles: On which of men's and women's roles do you consider the intervention was intended to focus, and on which do you think it focused in practice?

Table 2.Gender Needs: Identify which gender needs the intervention was intended to meet, or met in practice.

PROJECT ROLE ON WHICH FOCUSED GENDER NEEDS MET

  INTENTION ACTUAL INTENTION ACTUAL

  R P CM/P R P CM/P PGN SGN PGN SGN

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

                     

2. Consider the usefulness of distinguishing between practical and strategic gender needs as a planning tool. Answer the questions below:

o In your opinion, can gender needs analysis potentially improve the design, implementation and impact of development interventions related to the labor market?

o If so, from your own experience, describe an example of where and how gender needs assessment did help, or could have helped, in improving the quality or outcomes of an intervention.

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