Messag 8: Manirul comments

More on the concepts of ‘gender’ and ‘gender equality’

Hart (1997) noted that “gender is not viewed as belonging to either men or women as immutable characteristics, but is created between them as a situational context. The terms masculine and feminine are then seen, not as belonging to either men or women, but as a relationship between them”. He also argued that “the division of household labour between men and women within the family highlights many of these issues regarding the social construction of gender”. DAC of OECD defined gender in the following manner:

“The term gender refers to the economic, social, political and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female. In most societies, men and women differ in the activities they undertake, in access and control of resources, and in participation in decision-making. In most societies, women as a group have less access than men to resources, opportunities and decision-making. … The nature of gender definitions (what it means to be male or female) and patterns of inequality vary among cultures and change over time” (1999:12).

In the view of Mosse (1993:7) “the interest and needs of the women in a family may be quite different from the interest of the men. These interests are not based on the biological roles of women and men but on their social roles and the power of differences of status vested in these social roles.” She also mentioned that decision-making, access to resources, division of labor, and relations outside the familyall may be decided by the gender relation within the family unit itself (idem). DFID defined gender equality as women having the same rights and opportunities in life as men, including the ability to participate in the public sphere. Empowerment is seen as a process of transforming gender relations through groups or individuals, developing awareness of women’s subordination, and building their capacity to challenge it. DAC has formulated its approach to gender equality as follows:

“Gender equality requires equal enjoyment by women and men of socially-valued goods, opportunities, resources and rewards. Gender equality does not mean that men and women become the same, but that their opportunities and life chances are equal. ...achieving gender equality will require changes in institutional practices and social relations through which disparities are reinforced and sustained. It also requires a strong voice for women in shaping their societies.” (999:13).

Women empowerment and increased gender equality coincide with each other as a process of development. Such development can be measured by various indicators.

- Hart, Bruce (1997), The social construction of the gendered self: Constructing a relational definition of gender, Journal of family theraphy, vol. 18, no1

- Mosse, Julia Cleves (1993), Half the World Half a chance: An Introduction to Gender and development, Oxfam, UK

-DAC (1999), Guidelines for women empowerment in Development Cooperation, OECD, France

Kind Regards

Manirul Islam