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TOPIC 4: GENDER
The Concept of Gender
Gender refers to the state of being male or female. In
this context, it refers to the social relationship between men and women. It is
concerned with the roles and responsibilities of men and women in our families,
communities and country.
this context, it refers to the social relationship between men and women. It is
concerned with the roles and responsibilities of men and women in our families,
communities and country.
Different
Gender Concepts
Gender Concepts
There are various concepts which are used in relation to
the concept of gender. It is important to know how they interrelate or differ
in the whole process of dealing with gender issues. These concepts are:
the concept of gender. It is important to know how they interrelate or differ
in the whole process of dealing with gender issues. These concepts are:
1. GENDER EQUALITY
Gender equality is the exercise of fairness and justice
to all sexes without discrimination or considering whether one is born male or
female. It is based on the belief that all people are equal and should
therefore have equal access to opportunities and resources. It is practiced in
giving equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to women and men.
to all sexes without discrimination or considering whether one is born male or
female. It is based on the belief that all people are equal and should
therefore have equal access to opportunities and resources. It is practiced in
giving equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities to women and men.
2. GENDER EQUITY
Gender equity is based on the principle that measures
should be taken to bridge the inequality between men and women. It is about
giving priority to women in order to reduce the imbalance that already exists.
should be taken to bridge the inequality between men and women. It is about
giving priority to women in order to reduce the imbalance that already exists.
3. GENDER ROLES
A role is a duty or importance of a person or a group in
a particular activity or area of life. Gender roles are, therefore, duties of a
particular sex (male or female) as determined by a society. Gender roles can be
divided into reproductive and productive roles:
a particular activity or area of life. Gender roles are, therefore, duties of a
particular sex (male or female) as determined by a society. Gender roles can be
divided into reproductive and productive roles:
a) Reproductive Roles
are the activities that include child-bearing and other domestic-related
tasks. Some societies do not value reproductive roles because they have no
economic return. However, these roles are very important for social and family
stability
are the activities that include child-bearing and other domestic-related
tasks. Some societies do not value reproductive roles because they have no
economic return. However, these roles are very important for social and family
stability
b) Productive Roles are
the activities that men and women engage in to earn a living. These are valued
in many societies because they contribute directly to the economy
the activities that men and women engage in to earn a living. These are valued
in many societies because they contribute directly to the economy
c) Gender Stereotyping is to have a fixed idea
about a community, group or person, but which is usually not true in reality.
Gender stereotyping is whereby opinions are formed about what men and women are
capable of doing. It reflects people’s attitudes and practices on gender division
of labour. For example, some people believe that boys are more capable in
science subjects than girls. This is gender stereotyping.
about a community, group or person, but which is usually not true in reality.
Gender stereotyping is whereby opinions are formed about what men and women are
capable of doing. It reflects people’s attitudes and practices on gender division
of labour. For example, some people believe that boys are more capable in
science subjects than girls. This is gender stereotyping.
d) Gender Discrimination is a situation where one
sex (male or female) is treated either better or worse than the other some
traditions and customs discriminate against women and favour men. Women and
girls are discriminated right from the family level. For example, some people
do not believe that girls should go to school. As a result, there are
differences in socioeconomic and development activities.
sex (male or female) is treated either better or worse than the other some
traditions and customs discriminate against women and favour men. Women and
girls are discriminated right from the family level. For example, some people
do not believe that girls should go to school. As a result, there are
differences in socioeconomic and development activities.
e) Gender Analysis is
a systematic effort to identify and understand the roles of women and men
within a given society. It involves collection of gender-specific information
and data from the community. This analysis is the first step towards making the
gender-sensitive planning needed for promoting gender equality in the society.
a systematic effort to identify and understand the roles of women and men
within a given society. It involves collection of gender-specific information
and data from the community. This analysis is the first step towards making the
gender-sensitive planning needed for promoting gender equality in the society.
f) Gender Mainstreaming
is the taking into consideration gender issues in development activities
at all levels, for example, making laws, policies and programs. It helps women
and men to benefit equally from development projects.
is the taking into consideration gender issues in development activities
at all levels, for example, making laws, policies and programs. It helps women
and men to benefit equally from development projects.
g) Gender blindness is
the inability to know that there are different gender roles, gender responsibilities
and a gender-based hierarchy. This leads to the failure to realize that
policies, programs and projects can have a different impact on men and women.
the inability to know that there are different gender roles, gender responsibilities
and a gender-based hierarchy. This leads to the failure to realize that
policies, programs and projects can have a different impact on men and women.
h) Gender Balance is
majorly a human resource concept. It is about ensuring that men and women
participate equally at their work places.
majorly a human resource concept. It is about ensuring that men and women
participate equally at their work places.
GENDER
ISSUES IN THE SOCIETY
Gender issues are topics which arise for discussion
because there existsinequality among the two sexes (male and female) in a
society. The following are some of the gender issues in the society:
because there existsinequality among the two sexes (male and female) in a
society. The following are some of the gender issues in the society:
1. Bride price
2. Wife inheritance
3. Female genital mutilation
4. Male dominance in the family community and society
5. Unequal distribution of domestic or economic tasks
between men and women.
between men and women.
6. Sexual harassment
Gender issues occur due to contacts with other societies,
religions and types of education.
religions and types of education.
NEGATIVE
SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES
SOCIO-CULTURAL PRACTICES
Culture refers
to the totality of society’s way of life. It includes the customs, art, beliefs
and social organization of a particular group of people. In different
societies, there are socio-cultural practices that hinder equal participation
between men and women.
to the totality of society’s way of life. It includes the customs, art, beliefs
and social organization of a particular group of people. In different
societies, there are socio-cultural practices that hinder equal participation
between men and women.
1. Wife Inheritance
To inherit means to receive something such as a house,
car, farm or money from someone when he or she dies. Some societies in Tanzania
regard women as property that can be inherited. In these societies, when a
woman’s husband dies, another man who is a member of her husband’s family can
inherit her.This practice dehumanizes women and contributes to the spread of
diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
car, farm or money from someone when he or she dies. Some societies in Tanzania
regard women as property that can be inherited. In these societies, when a
woman’s husband dies, another man who is a member of her husband’s family can
inherit her.This practice dehumanizes women and contributes to the spread of
diseases such as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Female Genital Mutilation
Female genital mutilation is the removal of the outer
part of the sexual organs of a woman. It is also called female circumcision.
Some communities in Tanzania still practice female circumcision. It is taken as
part of the initiation process in which girls are trained to become responsible
women.
part of the sexual organs of a woman. It is also called female circumcision.
Some communities in Tanzania still practice female circumcision. It is taken as
part of the initiation process in which girls are trained to become responsible
women.
Female Circumcision is a Negative Practice because:
1. It can cause women to develop complications when giving
birth.
birth.
2. The tools which are used for circumcision are not
hygienic and are used on many people. Hence, the spread of HIV and AIDS is very
likely.
hygienic and are used on many people. Hence, the spread of HIV and AIDS is very
likely.
3.Bleeding after circumcision can lead to anaemia or even
death.
death.
4. Many girls drop out of school after the initiation because
they consider themselves mature women.
they consider themselves mature women.
3. Early Marriage
Early marriage is the marriage of people who have not yet
reached the legal age for such a union. In Tanzania, this age is 18 years.
reached the legal age for such a union. In Tanzania, this age is 18 years.
Early Marriage leads to:
1. Dropping out from school, hence increasing illiteracy in
the society.
the society.
2. Greater risk of death because the reproductive organs of
the young mother are still immature.
the young mother are still immature.
3. Higher possibility of divorce and family instability as
the couple has little knowledge on family affairs.
the couple has little knowledge on family affairs.
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| Eary Marriage: A girl (16) stands with her husband (50) outside their house |
4. Discrimination against Women
This is a situation whereby women are treated badly in
comparison to men. This is because of the traditions and customs that exist in
some Tanzanian communities. For example, men are the heads of families and are
also decision-makers. Women have no right to land, property, education and employment
opportunities.
comparison to men. This is because of the traditions and customs that exist in
some Tanzanian communities. For example, men are the heads of families and are
also decision-makers. Women have no right to land, property, education and employment
opportunities.
Socio-cultural practices which discriminate against women
should be abolished. This is because if women are given a chance, they can
contribute a lot to the family, community and society. They are as capable as
men in any profession necessary for national development.
should be abolished. This is because if women are given a chance, they can
contribute a lot to the family, community and society. They are as capable as
men in any profession necessary for national development.
5. Cruelty/Violence against Women
Some Tanzanian communities have traditions and customs which
give men power to oppress women. Domestic violence is becoming a major problem
in many families. Some husbands beat their wives because their traditions and
customs encourage this practice. Women are forced to endure this mistreatment
because they are dependent on their husbands.
give men power to oppress women. Domestic violence is becoming a major problem
in many families. Some husbands beat their wives because their traditions and
customs encourage this practice. Women are forced to endure this mistreatment
because they are dependent on their husbands.
6. Regarding Women as Sex Objects
Some societies in Tanzania regard women as sex objects. A
woman has to remain at home so as to refresh a man when he comes from work. She
is not allowed to work outside the home. These societies do not allow girls to
get higher education, with the belief that it is a waste time and money because
girls are married off to serve their husbands.
woman has to remain at home so as to refresh a man when he comes from work. She
is not allowed to work outside the home. These societies do not allow girls to
get higher education, with the belief that it is a waste time and money because
girls are married off to serve their husbands.
Corrective
Measures against Negative Socio-Cultural Practices
Though it is very important for a nation to maintain its
culture, there are some negative sociocultural practices which should be
abandoned in order to bring equality between men and women in the society. Therefore,
corrective measures should be taken jointly by the government, community,
family, nongovernmental organizations and individual citizens on the following
aspects:
culture, there are some negative sociocultural practices which should be
abandoned in order to bring equality between men and women in the society. Therefore,
corrective measures should be taken jointly by the government, community,
family, nongovernmental organizations and individual citizens on the following
aspects:
1. Empowerment of women: Women should be given a chance
to make decisions and exercise their rights.
to make decisions and exercise their rights.
2. Mass education: People should be educated about the
dangers of negative socio-cultural practices such as early marriage and female
genital mutilation. This will make people aware of the harm caused by these
practices.
dangers of negative socio-cultural practices such as early marriage and female
genital mutilation. This will make people aware of the harm caused by these
practices.
3. Enhancing the existing laws on women’s rights: The
government should enhance these laws to enable women to participate in the same
socio-economic activities as men. For example, women should be able to own and
inherit properties like land, houses and business so as to have a strong
economic base.
government should enhance these laws to enable women to participate in the same
socio-economic activities as men. For example, women should be able to own and
inherit properties like land, houses and business so as to have a strong
economic base.
4. Use of mass media: Radio, television and newspapers
can be used to educate and give people information concerning negative cultural
practices and their effects in the society.
can be used to educate and give people information concerning negative cultural
practices and their effects in the society.
5. Adjust the school curriculum: Students should be made
to understand the dangers of negative cultural practices. They should be taught
the effects these practices have on the society and also what would be a better
way of doing things.
to understand the dangers of negative cultural practices. They should be taught
the effects these practices have on the society and also what would be a better
way of doing things.
6. Special consideration should be given to women in
education and politics as they have been lagging behind for a long time. They
should be given special seats in parliament and given special provisions in
admission for higher education.
education and politics as they have been lagging behind for a long time. They
should be given special seats in parliament and given special provisions in
admission for higher education.
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| Say NO against Female Genital Mutilation |