GOVT2268: Gender and Governance

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Questions and Answers

What is meant by 'gender norms' in the context of governance?

Gender norms refer to socially-constructed ideals, scripts, and expectations regarding manhood and womanhood.

Define 'gender equity' and its significance in governance.

Gender equity is the equal access to resources, power, and opportunities for both women and men, which is crucial for achieving fairness in governance.

Explain what a 'gender lens' means in policymaking.

A gender lens involves analyzing programs and policies with awareness of their different impacts on women and men, considering societal norms of masculinity and femininity.

What distinguishes gender-blind policies from gender-sensitive policies?

Gender-blind policies ignore the impact of gender inequity and gender norms, while gender-sensitive policies acknowledge and address these issues. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a strong women's movement important for gender-sensitive governance?

A strong women's movement is vital because it ensures the close involvement of women's organizations, which promotes greater gender-sensitivity in government. Signup and view all the answers

How can women's organizations contribute to gender-sensitive governance processes?

Women’s organizations can advocate for inclusive policies and provide insights into gender-specific needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is sustainable gender mainstreaming?

Sustainable gender mainstreaming involves integrating gender considerations into all levels of policies and practices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Gender Roles Table?

The Gender Roles Table aims to identify and analyze the roles and responsibilities of different genders in various contexts. Signup and view all the answers

Why is gender analysis essential for creating country gender profiles?

Gender analysis is crucial as it provides a comprehensive understanding of gender disparities and needs within a country. Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of the Gender Equality Screening Checklist (GESCI)?

GESCI is essential for ensuring that gender considerations are integrated during the identification phase of projects. Signup and view all the answers

What role does the G-Marker play in gender equality policy?

The G-Marker assesses the relevance of projects related to gender equality within urban development. Signup and view all the answers

How does the EU Consensus on Development relate to gender equality?

The EU Consensus recognizes gender equality as a fundamental goal, human right, and essential for social justice. Signup and view all the answers

What commitments does the Women's Charter establish regarding gender perspectives?

The Women’s Charter commits to integrating gender perspectives across all policies and measures aimed at promoting equality. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main objective of the EU Guidelines for Equality between Women and Men?

To end violence and discrimination against women and girls. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Gender Analysis Matrix (GAM) framework focus on?

It provides a structured approach to analyze gender-based issues in various contexts. Signup and view all the answers

How is reproductive work typically perceived in society?

It is usually considered 'unreal work' and often goes unpaid. Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinction between practical gender needs and strategic gender needs?

Practical gender needs address short-term needs without challenging women's subordinate status. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes community work as described in the guidelines?

It involves collective organization for social events and typically requires volunteer time. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Equality and Empowerment framework by Sara Longwe aim to achieve?

It aims to promote gender equality and empower women to challenge their subordination. Signup and view all the answers

Why do practical gender needs differ between men and women?

They differ due to the different tasks and responsibilities assigned to each gender. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the EU Plan of Action on Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment?

It outlines concrete actions for implementing gender equality principles. Signup and view all the answers

What are strategic gender needs, and why are they important for women's empowerment?

Strategic gender needs address the long-term needs arising from women's subordinate position, aiming to transform gender relations and empower women as agents of change. Signup and view all the answers

Identify one weakness of the Moser framework regarding gender needs analysis.

One weakness is its focus on separate activities instead of the interrelated activities of women and men. Signup and view all the answers

According to the Social Relations Framework, what is development primarily concerned with?

Development is primarily concerned with increasing human well-being, not just economic growth. Signup and view all the answers

List two core elements of development as defined in the provided content.

Two core elements of development are survival and autonomy. Signup and view all the answers

What role does women's involvement play in achieving gender sensitivity in government?

Women's involvement is crucial as it helps change the political status quo and promotes a strong commitment to gender equality. Signup and view all the answers

Mention one factor that contributes to gender-sensitive national and local government.

An active and united women's movement is a key factor that contributes to gender-sensitive governance. Signup and view all the answers

Why is addressing other forms of inequality, such as race and class, important in gender analysis?

Addressing other forms of inequality is important because they intersect with gender, affecting women's needs and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

What is one drawback of the strict division between practical and strategic needs in gender analysis?

The strict division can be unhelpful in practice, as it fails to capture the complexity of women's needs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of a positive social and cultural environment for gender-sensitive government?

A positive social and cultural environment fosters women's empowerment and gender equality, which influences the development of gender-sensitive state institutions. Signup and view all the answers

What factors should be assessed to evaluate women's participation in government beyond numerical quotas?

Assessments should focus on equal opportunities, voice in decision-making, respect for opinions, and workplace culture. Signup and view all the answers

How can government institutions adopt a gender mainstreaming approach effectively?

Institutions should invest in ongoing gender training and regularly assess the impact of their gender mainstreaming efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What are gender-sensitive budgets and why are they important?

Gender-sensitive budgets take into account the differing needs of women and men and are integral to the budgeting process. Signup and view all the answers

What was a key takeaway from the South African Gender Budget Initiative regarding gender budgeting?

The initiative highlighted the importance of collaboration between parliamentarians and civil society organizations for successful gender budgeting. Signup and view all the answers

In what ways can policymaking processes be evaluated for gender responsiveness?

Policymaking processes can be evaluated by their responsiveness to issues like domestic violence and the implementation support for gender-sensitive laws. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it insufficient to only increase the number of women in government?

Simply increasing numbers does not guarantee that women have equal voice, respect, and opportunities in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What role do gender advocates play in the process of developing gender-sensitive budgets?

Gender advocates conduct initial gender-sensitive analyses that inform the main budgeting processes. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

GOVT2268: Exploring Governance through Gendered Lenses

Course is exploring governance through a gendered lens.
Course presenter: Shinique Walters.

Session Objectives

Understand institutional involvement in gender equality.
Analyze processes promoting gender equality.
Examine policies related to gender equality promotion.

A Word about Language

Gender Norms: Socially-constructed expectations for manhood and womanhood.
Gender Equity: Equal access to resources, power, and opportunity for all genders.
Gender Lens: Examining programs/policies with awareness of varying impacts on men and women, considering how masculinity and femininity influence outcomes.
Gender Blind: Programs/policies that disregard gender inequity and gender norms.

Equal Opportunities

Illustrative cartoon shows that a fair selection process doesn't automatically equate to equal outcomes without acknowledging diverse needs.

The Lie of the Land

Political Cartoon portrays gender roles and responsibilities in a traditional setting.
Shows the division of labour falling predominantly on women.

Where to Mainstream Gender Equality? Analytical Framework

Diagram illustrates a multi-level approach to mainstreaming gender equality;
Levels include: Project, Macro, Meso, and Micro levels, and sectors.

The WID-approach (Women in Development)

Women's projects are initially separate from other projects.
Gradually, gender concerns are integrated into other initiatives.

A Strong Women's Movement...

Women's organizations, with female representatives, are crucial for government sensitivity to gender equality.

Sustainable Gender Mainstreaming

Diagram illustrating the implementation of sustainable gender equality in all aspects of the community.

Tools for Gender Mainstreaming

Gender Roles Table: Framework for equitable access to benefits and resources.
Gender Needs Table: Practical and strategic gender needs outline.
Gender Analysis: Crucial for country gender profiles, mandatory for future initiatives.
GESCI: Mandatory gender equality screening tool, introduced in 2010.
G-Marker: Gender equality policy marker for project performance evaluation.

Main Policy Commitments to Promote Gender Equality (GE) and Women's Empowerment (WE)

Treaties and policies promote gender equality and women's rights.
Numerous policy commitments and initiatives for gender equality across EU.

Gender Analysis Frameworks

Multiple frameworks exist for gender analysis, indicating the complexity of the issue.
Specific frameworks mentioned include: gender roles, triple roles, web of institutionalisation, gender analysis matrix, equality and empowerment, capacities and vulnerabilities, people-oriented planning, and social relations.

Reproductive Work

Describes unpaid and often overlooked caregiving tasks primarily performed by women and girls.
Includes bearing and caring for children, preparing food, collecting water and fuel, shopping, household maintenance.

Community Work

Collective actions in communities like ceremonies, celebrations, and political activities.
Traditionally, often unpaid community labor undertakes by women.

Practical Gender Needs

Immediate needs arising from concrete circumstances.
Primarily concern women's reproductive and productive roles.
Don't usually challenge women's subordinate position. (Examples: clean water, healthcare)

Strategic Gender Needs

Long-term needs arising from women's subordinate position.
Challenges the nature of gender power dynamic in society.
Focuses on women wielding agency for meaningful change.
Examples include access to resources (land, credit), and protection from violence.

Moser Framework - 3

Weakness: Separates women's and men's activities, overlooking interrelations.
Other forms of inequality (race, class) aren't adequately addressed.
Division between practical and strategic needs isn't always effective.
Doesn't include strategic needs of men.

Core concepts:
- Development as human well-being and not just economic growth
- Social relations
- Institutional analysis
- Institutional gender policies
- Underlying/structural causes

Development

Development defined as increasing human well-being, not only economic growth.
Core elements: survival, security, and autonomy.

Gender Policies (Types)

Gender-blind: Policies that ignore gender differences.
Gender-neutral: Policies trying to be gender-neutral, not really neutral since policies often unintentionally favour one gender.
Gender-sensitive: Addressing specific needs of one gender.
Gender-redistributive: Aims for more egalitarian distribution of resources and responsibilities.

Towards Greater Gender Sensitivity...

Evidence suggests various factors that contribute to greater gender equality in national and decentralized governments.
These factors include an active women's movement, a gendersensitive social/cultural environment, a desire for change by those in power, involvement of women within government, and support of male actors/leaders

An environment of gender equality and women's empowerment is needed that facilitates gender-responsive governance practices.

Gender-Sensitive Assessments

Institutions need self-assessment to ensure women and men have equal opportunities, voice and respect.

Relevant Policies

Discussion on implementation of gender mainstreaming approach within institutions, involving policies, training, and impact assessments.
Discussing if facilities comply with needs for women and men and gender training.
Evaluating policy impact across various sectors.

Gender-Sensitive Budgets

Gender-sensitive budgets are regarded as integral to allocative decisions reflecting the diverse needs of men and women.
Lessons learned about gender-sensitive from collaborations across sectors.

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Description

This course explores governance through gendered lenses, focusing on gender norms, equity, and institutional involvement in achieving gender equality. Participants will analyze policies and processes that promote gender awareness and consider how gender influences governance outcomes.