Why Gender is a Development issue Development is the betterment of life for individuals- for both men and women. There are many reasons why gender is a development issue. These include: –Each sex constitutes half of the world’s population. Ignoring half of the population in development does not bring full and effective development at all –Promotion of equality will improve existing tension between the two sexes. This will create healthy society/ better environment for development

–Men and women are main agents of development; hence, each needs to be. recognized,. addressed, and. mobilized. Otherwise low level of development will be achieved –The fruit of development should be shared equitably by both men and women who must have equitably shared in work

Planning and execution of programmes/projects can be easier if a development practitioner has much information. This way, unnecessary bottlenecks to development can be removed Therefore, one should consider the following checklist for designing a gender- balanced project Involvement of women in project preparation Access of women to land, water, food, shelter, education and health services Access of women to income generating activities

Ratio of women labour in the total labour Ratio of women in the decision-making body Availability of activities specially designed for women Increase of funds allocated to women activities Introduction of technologies which reduce women’s workload

Impact on political equality between men and women Influence of the project on the prevention of male abuse of power and violence Education and training opportunities provided by the project to women Influence of the project on the reduction of gender bias

The Situation a)Production: Women play a crucial role in food security and food production. According to various sources, women produce % of the food in most developing countries and are responsible for half of world food production. However, their ability to produce enough food and earn adequate income which would ensure food security is hindered by unequal resource allocation, i.e., access to input, credit, fertilizers, extension services, and access to technology

b) Resource allocation Gender-biased planning and unequal resource allocation have left women little room to increase their role in production. In this regard, development activities have to be geared towards increasing the capability of both men and women and thereby to satisfy their basic needs and aspirations as a basis for a healthy society.

c) Employment Women have limited access to productive resources, higher education and training, and they have little employment opportunities. The majority of women earn their meager incomes from the informal sector. The informal sector does not offer adequate job opportunities to all women and those who are already engaged in this sector have little income for survival

d) Feminization of poverty In many of the developing countries, women are over-represented among the poor, with inadequate basic services and facilities. The number of female-headed households shouldering family responsibilities is increasing rapidly. In the Beijing Platform for Action the feminization of poverty has been emphasized.

e) Workload women are the health agents of the household and they have a key role in household maintenance, family nutrition and education. In many of the developing countries women work longer hours than men, and child care and family responsibilities take a large part of women’s time and energy. Women’s dual role as contributors and beneficiaries in the development process has been constrained by their heavy workload in reproductive activities

Private and social returns for women through: Education Health and nutrition Agriculture Employment Legal issues

a) Education If countries are to achieve sustained development, the gaps in education must be closed, and women integrated into development. Private and social returns from female education: Evidence indicates that, educating African women improved birth and mortality indicators Lower fertility rates, healthier babies, nutritional awareness, and better health Better prospects for employment and higher wages Strong, sustained impact on female productivity, which is especially important in agriculture. Promotes the well- being of future generation

b) Health and nutrition Compared to men, women suffer from greater incidence of morbidity; a large proportion of this death and disease would have been easily preventable. Women are health care agents of the family; improving women’s health enhances the health prospects of the family and future generations. Private and social returns of women’s health: As productivity increases and participation in productive activity rises, poverty levels will begin to fall. Infant and child mortality rates will fall as healthy mothers give birth to healthy infants. Increased use of contraceptives will help bring fertility rates under control. Improving women’s health and providing them with health and nutrition education will enhance family health. Healthy people will be able to lead more productive lives (education + access to jobs + improved women’s health = economic development).

c) Agriculture Women play a key role in agriculture and produce 60-80% of the continent’s food; female farmers are increasing in number; however, significant barriers are keeping women from achieving their potential productivity levels. Freeing women from these constraints promotes economic development and women empowerment. Private and social returns increasing women’s potential productivity: Household income will be better allocated toward the well-being of household members, since women are concerned to the welfare of their families. Reduce malnutrition, and this will improve health Increase growth of the agricultural sector, better food security as agricultural yields increase Higher income generation as women start growing cash crops, as a result of better access to inputs and markets

d) Employment Women’s active participation in the formal labor force is low. Gender differentials in employment are the difference in education levels between men and women. Women suffer from limited employment opportunities, and discrimination in hiring. Private and social returns of women employment: Better employment prospects for women will encourage equality as women become more independent. Increased employment opportunities in the formal sector will enable women to escape the unstable low wage conditions they face in the informal sector. Also higher earning promote lower levels of fertility as employed women have fewer children

e) Legal issues The subordinate position of women stems largely from cultural biases but these are reinforced by the legal framework in many countries. The removal of such discriminatory laws is imperative to encourage female participation in economic activity as well as to foster equal opportunities for all. Private and social returns of removal of gender discriminatory laws: Increase productivity stemming from better access to credit, economic security and investment, Cultural and social empowerment, enhanced self-respect and self-confidence; Economic empowerment and a stronger bargaining position within the household; Gender biased legal codes sanction and perpetuate gender based discrimination - legal reform to elevate women’s status will allow policy makers to seek change throughout the economy.

To sum-up Removing inequality and accepting gender integration are pre-requisites to sustainable development. These need to be recognized, addressed and mobilized at program and planning levels. Working with women and men in development thus requires special effort and commitment. Any development planning has to efficiently target resources and benefits to both men and women while at the same time ensuring that the fruits of development are shared equitably. Gender planning ensures women’s participation right from the beginning including the issue of how they will benefit from the development process.