Why does Gender Matter in Development? Module B

Review of the BIG IDEAS from previous sections. Presenter briefly reviews list of “Big Ideas” from Module A. Review of the BIG IDEAS from previous sections.

Learning Objectives Understand how gender plays a role in development. Identify concept of “power” as related to gender equality/inequality. Identify examples of long term and immediate gender needs.

Major International Efforts The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), was adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly. CEDAW defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination. Millennium Development Goal 3: Promote Gender Equity and Empower Women. CEDAW: The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field." Countries TAF works in which have signed CEDAW include: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Timor-Leste, Vietnam, China, India, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. MDG3: Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education, preferably by 2005, and in all levels of education no later than 2015 Gender is integral to all millennium development goals including Goal 1 to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger (women make up 70% of those in poverty globally) and Goal 2 to achieve universal primary education (girls are often underrepresented in schools).

Gender Equality in Development Gender equality means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full potential. Countries that invest in gender equality gain social and economic advantages. Lack of gender equality has created a “feminization of poverty”. Women make up 70% of the world’s poor. Gender equality “means that women and men have equal conditions for realizing their full human rights and for contributing to, and benefiting from, economic, social, cultural and political development.” (source: UNESCO) Building a mandate of gender equality into development work is a necessary step towards promoting fair, just, and prosperous societies. Simply put, countries that invest in gender equality gain social and economic advantages. Lack of gender equality has created a “feminization of poverty”. Women make up 70% of the world’s poor. Nearly 900 million women have incomes of less than $1/day. And in the world’s least developed countries, 23% of rural households are headed by women. The World Bank stresses that countries which create better opportunities for women and girls tend to have higher productivity, improved outcomes for children and advanced development prospects for both men and women. The World Bank estimates that output per worker would rise by up to 25 percent in many countries if barriers were removed that prevent women from working in certain occupations or sectors. Addressing gender in development work should incorporate both men and women into programming to ensure that projects have maximum impact. Inclusion of men’s perspectives and experiences even into those projects which address areas in which women are marginalized is key to ensuring the project’s success. As the previous module highlighted, gender identities are not fixed. Men in many contexts have changed their attitudes and behaviors, resulting in increased gender equality.

Addressing Power and Gender Inequality Gender inequality often arises out of an imbalance of power between women and men. A focus on this power imbalance is vital in development. Consider how men and women can distinctly participate in and benefit from project resources and activities. Consider how men and women distinctly influence project outcomes. Gender inequality often arises from an imbalance of power between women and men. A focus on the social, economic, political and cultural forces that determine how men and women can participate in, benefit from, and control project resources and activities is vital in development efforts. Through working to empower and transform relations through identifying and addressing the needs of men and women, gender equality A focus on the social, economic, political and cultural forces that determine how men and women can participate in and benefit from project resources and activities is vital in development efforts. Through working to empower and transform relations through identifying and addressing the needs of men and women, gender equality will be supported.

Assessing Needs Immediate Gender Needs Versus Long-term Transformational Goals Emphasize that meeting immediate gender needs and long-term transformational goals requires different programs for men and women.

Immediate Gender Needs Between 34 and 88 percent of men interviewed in a multi-country survey say that they are frequently stressed or depressed because of not having enough work or income. This stress was a key factor associated with perpetuation of violence and other negative effects. Addressing immediate gender needs responds to an immediate, perceived necessity. These needs often arise out of women’s subordinate position in society. Examples of these needs are: Water Shelter Food Income Health care In many regions, women spend up to 5 hours a day collecting fuelwood and water and up to 4 hours a day preparing food. 70% of women of reproductive age in Nepal are anemic and malnourished. (source: Worldbank) A focus on long-term goals and immediate needs is necessary towards accomplishing development objectives. Addressing immediate gender needs responds to an immediate, perceived necessity. These needs often arise out of women’s subordinate position in society. Projects that address these needs generally include responses to inadequate living conditions and needs related to water, shelter, food, income, and health care. Examples of immediate needs which can be addressed include: 70% of women of reproductive age in Nepal are anemic and malnourished. (source: Worldbank) Between 34 and 88 percent of men interviewed in a multi-country survey say that they are frequently stressed or depressed because of not having enough work or income. This stress was a key factor associated with perpetuation of violence and other negative effects (source: IMAGES). Women own 1% of the world's resources and earn one-tenth of the world's income. In many regions women spend up to 5 hours a day collecting fuelwood and water and up to 4 hours a day preparing food. Women own 1% of the world's resources and earn one-tenth of the world's income. Source: ILO

Long term Transformational Goals Identifying and working towards long term transformational goals promotes gender equality and can change gender roles. Examples of long term transformational goals are Gaining legal rights Closing wage gaps Protection from domestic violence Increased decision-making Access to credit Identifying and working towards long term transformational goals helps to achieve changes in society that promote gender equality. These changes often work to change existing gender roles. Addressing these needs challenges women’s subordinate position in society. When long-term transformational goals are met: 1. Women are enabled to become agents of change. 2. The position of women in society can improve in relation to men leading to greater equality. 3. Relationships can transform and women can have more control over their lives. Examples of long term transformational goals include: gaining legal rights, closing wage gaps, eradication of gender-based violence, increased decision-making, women’s control over their bodies. To ensure sustainable benefits, both immediate needs and long term goals must be taken into account in the design of policies, programs and projects. Source: ILO

Many of the Asia Foundation’s programs target long-term transformational goals and seek to address immediate needs. [Please provide feedback on whether we should skip this slide] To ensure sustainable benefits, both immediate needs and long term goals must be taken into account in the design of policies, programs and projects.

Questions for Discussion Identify 2 or 3 areas of gender equality/inequality in Wonderland. How have unequal power relations in Wonderland affected men’s and women’s roles in conflict and after conflict? What are 2 or 3 immediate needs and long-term transformational goals of project stakeholders in this case study?

What are the BIG IDEAS from this section? Presenter asks participants to state the main ideas from this Module. Presenter writes down these ideas as a list. The main ideas from this section may include: (note: presenter can choose whether to share any of the ideas from this list time permitting) Gender inequality often arises from an imbalance of power. Lack of gender equality has created a ‘feminization of poverty’. Promoting gender equality is a necessary step towards promoting fair, just, and prosperous societies. Two major international efforts which work towards gender equality are CEDAW and the Millennium Development Goals. Immediate gender needs respond to immediate necessity. Long-term transformational goals respond to the structural changes in societies that need to happen to promote gender equality. Both immediate needs and long-term transformational goals need to be addressed to ensure sustainable benefits. What are the BIG IDEAS from this section?