1. Gender based analysis… Sex- and gender-based analysis What are we talking about?

2. A Bit of History  Women and development  Beijing 1995  Gender-based analysis, to understand how women are disadvantaged and what can be done  Better understanding of the disadvantages to men too

3. Sex and Gender Sex refers to the biological differences between females and males Gender refers to the array of socially constructed roles and relationships, personality traits, attitudes, behaviours, values, relative power and influence that society ascribes to the two sexes on a differential basis

4. “Women's health involves their emotional, social and physical well-being and is determined by the social, political and economic context of their lives, as well as by biology…..” Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action Fourth World Conference of Women, 1995

5. Canada Commitments to Gender Based Analysis “Gender-based analysis (GBA) can contribute to attaining the overarching goal of gender equality… To have a positive impact on society, social policies and legislation in areas such as immigration, agriculture, and disease prevention need to reflect the differences in the obstacles and barriers faced by men and by women.” Auditor General 2009

6. More Recently…

7. Treating Men and Women the Same When Not Appropriate  Ignoring the effects of gender on the health of senior women  Not considering the differences between men and women in mental health issues Treating Women and Men Differently When Not Appropriate  Health education messages to prevent unwanted teen pregnancies have focused almost exclusively on young women. It would be more appropriate and effective to target both women & girls and men & boys. Two Types of Problems

8. (Sex- and) Gender-based Analysis … critical thinking (a tool) to better understand how the experiences of women and men are different, and how they are the same … a means to consider ways in which gender interacts with other health determinants in research, policy and planning … an opportunity to bring research to decision making by broadening the scope of evidence … GBA is a diversity & equity analysis and considers how income, age, culture, ethnicity, ability and other factors also interact with sex & with gender roles

9. Gender-based analysis examines: How determinants of health interact with each other A fundamental question asked in Gender-based analysis is: not “Who is not included here?” This encourages us to think beyond the mainstream and consider what makes women and men, girls and boys, vulnerable.