GENDER
Concepts
Malawi SDNP
 
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GENDER is a concept which is used to refer to women and men. This term is used to convey the fact that in most cases, the social distinctions between men and women; for example the positions they occupy, the roles they play and the social status they have are socially constructed and allocated. Gender is distinguished from sex, which is biologically determined. Because gender is socially constructed, it is affected by many factors and therefore, it varies in time, place and context

GENDER AWARENESS: refers to a state of knowledge of the differences in roles and relations of women and men, how this results in differences in power relations, statuses, privileges and needs.

GENDER SENSITIVE: when the state of knowledge of the socially constructed differences between men and women, and their needs, is used to identify and understand the problems arising from these differences and to further act tangibly and in empathy with their problems and needs.

GENDER RESPONSIVE: refers to a planning process in which program and policy actions are developed to deal with and counteract the problems which are likely to arise if the needs arising out of socially constructed differences of men and women are not adequately met.

GENDER PERSPECTIVE: often refers to an approach in  which the ultimate goal is to create equity and equality between women and men. Such an approach has a set of tools for and guidelines on how to identify the impact of the relations and roles of men and women on development.

GENDER ANALYSIS is a systematic process of identifying the differences in, and examining the related needs of, the roles, statuses, positions and privileges of women and men. This analysis is based on the premise that gender is a critical variable in  the development process.

GENDER ISSUES are revealed when relationships between men and women, their roles, privileges, statuses and positions are identified and analysed.

 
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