| FES Dialogue on Globalization |
| Gender Issues - Frequently Asked Questions
In contrast to the biological component of the term
'Sex', 'Gender' (from Latin: genus) is a term depicting
gender-specific roles which are attributed to
women and men in society.
These roles are not determined by biological criteria
and dispositions, but by structural and individual conditions, cultural
rules, norms and taboos. Gender roles and gender hierarchies vary
from one culture to another and can be changed.
Affirmative Action for Women - or women's promotion - is a concept aimed at ensuring equal conditions for women. It addresses the discriminatory mechanisms which affect women in all spheres of life by providing women with the tools necessary to cope with inequalities. Affirmative action is taken for women and with women. Conversely, the Gender Concept acknowledges disparities between the sexes. Women's Promotion is one of the components to ensure equality between the sexes. In the context of the gender concept, inequality is seen as a social and historical construct affecting both women and men in their lives and for which both have to assume responsibility. The Gender Concept recognizes differences between the sexes and encourages both men and women to address gender imbalances.
Women and men contribute to development in every sphere; whether it is their personal lives or society as a whole, they depend on each other. The more balanced gender relations are and the more closely women and men work together - and equality is a basic requirement for this - the greater chance to develop and to florish. Women take up 50% of the polulation; while they are discriminated against or disregarded, no development will therefore be possible. In addition, we are all living in one world, and therefore everybody has a duty to make sure that the same opportunities are enjoyed by everyone.
Gender Mainstreaming is the concept of bringing gender issues into the mainstream of society. It was clearly established as a global strategy for promoting gender equality in the Platform for Action adopted at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women, held in Beijing, China, in 1995. It highlights the necessity to ensure that gender equality is a primary goal in all area(s) of social and economic development. In July 1997, the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) defined the concept of gender mainstreaming as follows:
Mainstreaming includes gender-specific activities and affirmative action, whenever women or men are in a particularly disadvantageous position. Gender-specific interventions can target women exclusively, men and women together, or only men, to enable them to participate in and benefit equally from development efforts. These are necessary temporary measures designed to combat the direct and indirect consequences of past discrimination. Transformation by Mainstreaming Mainstreaming is not about adding a "woman's component" or even a "gender equality component" into an existing activity. It goes beyond increasing women's participation; it means bringing the experience, knowledge, and interests of women and men to bear on the development agenda. It may entail identifying the need for changes in that agenda. It may require changes in goals, strategies, and actions so that both women and men can influence, participate in, and benefit from development processes. The goal of mainstreaming gender equality is thus the transformation of unequal social and institutional structures into equal and just structures for both men and women.
A Gender Analysis
To carry out a gender analysis might involve the use of gender-aggregated data or an examination of how different concerns and interests of women and men are with regard to a specific issue. A Gender Analysis takes into account the different implications (of a policy, strategy, etc.) for women and men and identifies measures that might ensure greater equality in gender relations.
The following list includes suggestions of how to add a Gender Dimension to FES-specific lines of activities. These suggestions may give ideas on how to approach issues from a gender perspective. More detailed analysis is required for the planning of activities.
In most parliaments, women are underrepresented. Moreover, in those cases where women have obtained seats by means of quota or affirmative action others may question their legitimacy. They may be treated as "token" women. It is important in this context that women are given the opportunity to compete with men. In addition, prevailing cultural values create prejudices about women in leadership and in politics. Women are often not taken seriously as leaders, while politics is seen as an activity for men only. And women are largely given access to power only when they have successfully fulfilled their duties as mothers or wifes. It may therefore be a good idea to support both women parlamentarians and male representatives, to identify and understand the specific barriers women are confronted with and to foster discussions about the way women are treated when entering or attempting to enter politics. Parliamentary associations or caucuses can be partners in such activities. It may create considerable effects in male-dominated settings when women develop a greater public profile and when female role models and male allies in the promotion of gender equality are idetified. It is important to create space in which the underlying structures and causes are discussed which prevent women from active participation and, conversely, to support structures which challenge inequalities. For men, this issue is not merely about power-sharing, but it offers them an opportunity to challgenge traditional perceptions abour appropriate behaviour and roles of men.
Gender tends to be seen as irrelevant in connection with these issues. It is often taken into account only in the event of blatant discrimination and/or as a result of lobbying by women's/gender-responsive organizations. However, internal structures of institutions and legal and political systems affect women and men differently; efforts should therefore be made to provide more information about the consequences. The analysis of e.g. election systems, hierarchies within organizations and laws might reveal gender inequalities and provide strategies for transformation.
Internal trade union structures are often very traditional and hierarchical. Most of them consist of men at all levels. Even in cases where women represent the majority of members, e.g. in the cut-flower industry or in tea plantations, it will be mostly men holding positions of leadership. If women have attained leadership positions, they are often not able to promote gender equality because they depend on the support of their male colleagues. It is therefore crucial to discuss the issue of gender equality in the unions. Again, it will be necessary to reveal the underlying causes of gender inequalities.
Economy decisions and policies do not, as a rule, take into account gender inequality even though they affect women as well as men. It has been found that economic decisions and policies are much more likely to have negative consequences for women because of the very fact that they have not taken into account structural gender inequality. Again, men can be allies in the struggle for equality. To start with, support should be given to gender-balanced committees in which policies are formulated and reviewed in response to gender concerns.
Apart from a few civil society and some women's organizations, not many NGOs implement the gender concept. It is therefore advisable to discuss the gender concept with their members and representatives and to train them accordingly. They reach out to many people and as long as they do not have a background in gender they will not be able to address the issue appropriately. They are also part of reform movements and have opportunities to influence political decisions. Gender equality should become part of their agenda.
In the majority of their existing forms, the media reinforces established gender stereotypes and prejudices about women. They base their reporting on male norms. They reflect gender biases and at the same time contribute a great deal to public awareness. Women in leadership positions are often questioned inappropriately about the way they dress, their roles as mothers and are subject to comments about their appearance. Men in public office are not questioned or judged in the same manner. In addition, media representatives tend to prefer talking to men or asking for their views rather than that of women. The training of media representatives is therefore highly recommended. Discussions about ethical standards for the media should question gender prejudices and the manner in which women are presented.
Gender-responsive and Women's Organizations are a necessary source of expertise amd provide space for women to articulate their concerns and to act accordingly. It is useful to discuss with them at what point of a strategy it would make sense to look for male allies and how to build up alliances. The concept of coalition-building has proven to be an effective way of bringing together male-dominated organizations and women's organizations. However, it is important to support women in a manner which ensures that the same amount of attention is given to their interests and concerns than to those of men's organizations; equally, joint resolutions and actions should clearly indicate the contributions made by women and their associations. Again, greater support needs to be given to the ongoing discussions about gender inequalities and their underlying causes within the society.
Source: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Practising Gender - The Tool Book, Bonn, FES, 2003 |
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