Importance_of_Gender_in_Development

THE IMPORTANCE OF GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT A PAPER PRESENTED AT A GENDER AND HUMAN RIGHTS WORKSHOP FOR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS AT HOTEL GARDENS, KAWEMPE MBOGO BY LINDA TUMUSIIME MUGISHA IMPORTANCE OF GENDER IN DEVELOPMENT What is Gender' Gender refers to the social differences between females and males through out the life cycle. Gender determines the roles power and resources for females and males in any community and therefore it is not only about women. The roles may include productive activities such as farming, reproductive roles such as child bearing and rearing. These social differences are learned and are embedded in every culture although they are changeable and may be different from one culture to another. Why the focus on gender' The focus on gender has been due to the need to address women’s needs and circumstances as they are more disadvantaged than men although it is important to also understand the needs of men and boys. For instance in some cultures women are perceived to be subordinate to men from some proverbs such as “ A doomed clan is that whose women fight with spears, ‘where there are no women, women become judges etc. The focus is therefore to ensure that inequalities among boys, girls’ men and women, are reduced and to create an understanding of human rights among women and men. To also increase the presence and capacity of women to participate in decision making at all levels. To ensure that gender concerns are catered for at all levels of planning. We are all expected to address gender issues. Policy makers, community based workers and law enforcement officers however are expected to ensure that all peoples needs both men and women are met equally and their rights protected. Gender enables the classification of roles socially rather than based on sex (biological and physiological characteristics). What is Gender equality' Gender equality refers to the equal enjoyment by females and males of all ages regardless of social status. Equality does not mean that men and women are the same but that their enjoyment of their rights and opportunities and life chances are not determined by whether they were born male or female. This therefore means that protecting of gender equality and human rights are central to the community. The community needs to be a sensitive gender issue that is, inequality, inequity or differential treatment of an individual or group purely on the basis of sex. Attitudes towards Gender Many people think gender is about women only. Others think it is only related to reproductive health or to gender based violence as a result there has been a lot of confusion about the term Gender. Focus on reproductive rights particularly relates to the right to establishing a family especially when it comes to decisions on the family size. The importance of gender in Development The importance of gender in development is as follows: • To address poverty and inequalities in the access to productive resources and especially to improve the productivity of women who initially had no access to reproductive resources. • To ensure equal access to justice and prevent socio- cultural discrimination against girls and women. • To prevent gender based violence. • To ensure that women can also participate in elective processes and effectively participate in leadership and decision making. To ensure that they are involved in management positions both in the private and public sector. • To ensure that women and men have equal access to participation in the macro- economics such as in trade, formal employment, markets. What is government doing' • Established a Gender Policy to ensure that labour is mainstreamed at all activities at all levels • Sensitization on gender issues at all levels. • Promoting Gender and Development i.e understanding of gender roles and social relations of men and women with emphasis on the disadvantaged. Improving the conditions of women only (WID) because women have been found to be more disadvantaged. • Promotion of education of children with specific emphasis on the Girl child • Ensuring that there is gender responsive planning • Ensuring proper gender analysis and identification of gender concerns at all levels. • Advocating for gender equality at all levels of government. Key Actors: 1. Sector ministries 2. Ministry of finance Planning and Economic Development 3. Parliament 4. Local governments( higher and lower local governments) 5. the private sector 6. academic and research organizations 7. leaders at all levels including community volunteers. Some concepts to note: Protection All activities aimed at securing full respect for the rights of individuals- women, girls , boys and men in accordance with the, international law, the national Constitution and Chapter 3. Gender Social differences between females and males throughout the lifecycle that are learned and deeply rooted in every culture, are changeable, and vary from culture to culture. Gender Equality Refers to the equal enjoyment by women, girls, boys and men, of rights opportunities, resources and rewards. Men and women are not the same but the enjoyment of rights is not determined by whether you were born a woman or men. Gender mainstreaming A global strategy for achieving gender equality. A means of assessing the implications for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programmes in all areas and at all levels in all political, economic and societal spheres. Gender analysis This examines the relationships between females and males and their access to and control of resources, their roles and the constraints they face. It should be done in all areas and at all levels to ensure that gender based injustices and inequalities are not made worse and that greater equality and justice in gender relations are promoted. Gender balance It is about the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work and in all programmes at all levels. This includes creating a balance in staffing patterns and creating a working environment that is conducive to catering for the whole population. Gender – based violence Any harmful act that is done against a person’s will and that is based on the differences between males and females. The nature and extent of gender based violence vary across cultures, countries and regions. Examples include sexual violence, such as sexual exploitation/ abuse and forced prostitution, domestic violence, trafficking; forced/early marriage; harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation; honour killings and widow inheritance.