Introduction to Gender PDF

Introduction to Gender Session 1  Session 1: Learning Objectives At the end of today’s class, you should be able to: – Gain a better understanding of the concept of Gender and its related concepts. Discuss the justification for dealing with Gender...

Introduction to Gender Session 1  Session 1: Learning Objectives At the end of today’s class, you should be able to: – Gain a better understanding of the concept of Gender and its related concepts. Discuss the justification for dealing with Gender Inequality Identify the efforts that have been made globally, regionally and locally to deal with gender inequalities Be familiar with arguments for affirmative action and forms affirmative action. 3 BOYS WILL BE BOYS AND GIRLS WILL BE GIRLS 4  Definition: Gender Vs. Sex Unlike sex, which is a biological concept, gender is a social construct specifying the socially and culturally prescribed ideas about the behaviour, actions, and roles a particular sex performs and follows Gender is “the costume, a mask, a straitjacket in which men and women dance their unequal dance”. (Gerda Lerner, ………). Sex is definite, gender is fluid and constructed/negotiated 5  Gender Equality The concept that all human beings both men and women, are free to develop their personal abilities and make choices without stereotypes, rigid gender roles and prejudices (UNESCO, 2000) 6 Gender Equality contd Different behaviours, aspirations and needs of men & women are considered Rights, responsibilities and opportunities Valued and will not depend equally favoured on whether they are born male or female it does not mean that men and women have to become the same 7  Gender Equity This may Fairness of treatment include treatment Equity for women that is different but leads and men according considered equal in to to their respective rights, equali benefits, needs obligations & ty opportunities 8  Brain Teaser A father and son get in a car crash and are rushed to the hospital. The father dies. The boy is taken to the operating room and the surgeon says, “I can’t operate on this boy, because he’s my son.” who is the Surgeon? 10  Why is gender an important issue in African societies Socio-Cultural Factors  Social construction of society (we will build our society like that)  Discriminatory cultural practices  Discriminatory inheritance practices  Marriage (polygamy, rights and duties in marriage, widowhood rites, wife inheritance)  Family and community life (chores, decision-making, seclusion, stereotypes, role expectations  Reproductive health (decisions on family planning, sexuality, pro- natalism) 11  Why is Gender an important issue in African societies Important for social relations (gender, class, kinship, etc.) Social relations determine roles, positions, privileges and power. Gender relations are reinforced by socialisation. Socialisation institutions (family, church, school, media, work, etc.) Legal factors The law as a re-inforcer (Customary Laws vrs. State laws) 12 Messages from Social Media (Let’s discuss) Which one (s) do you use? What messages are sent? How are they gendered? How do you respond to such messages? 13 Brain Teaser  The Concept of Patriarchy Patriarchy is a social system in which the role of the male as the primary authority figure is central to social organisation and where fathers hold authority over women, children, other men and property. 15  Patriarchy, contd. – It implies the institutions of male rule and privilege and is dependent on female subordination. – Historically, patriarchy has manifested itself in the social, legal, political and economic organisation of a range of different cultures and also influences modern civilisation. – In modern times societies and institutions are described as patriarchal when they have features of patriarchies. – Matrilineal inheritance systems do not disrupt patriarchy. 16 MASCULINI TIES The term masculinity signifies a collective gender identity and not a natural attribute. It is socially constructed, fluid, resulting in diverse forms across different times and context, and mediated by socio- economic position, race, ethnicity, religion, age, geographic location and other local factors (Adomako Ampofo and Boateng 2007; Ratele 2002; Connell1998; Morrell, 1998a;). It is subject to change 17  Masculinity Contd. Masculinity defines how boys should behave, be treated, dress, appear, what they should succeed at, and what attitudes and qualities they should have (Bhasin, 2004) Hegemonic masculinity A dominant form of masculinity in a society and pertains to the relations of cultural domination by men. In addition to being oppressive to women, it silences other masculinities. They present a version of how ‘real men’ should behave and men who are unable to live up to such prescriptions are ridiculed Eg: “Kwadwo Basia” (lit: male with perceived feminine features and attitudes) 18  Masculinity contd In order to sustain itself, hegemonic masculinity is constantly on the ‘look out’ for threats against the status quo-to adjusts the balance of power to keep situation under control (Dipio, 2010). In some cases, masculinity can become precarious and susceptible to subversion because of its extraction from flawed depictions of femininity. 19  Elements of Gender Relations Division of labour –Productive and reproductive roles –Male roles and responsibilities valued more than women’s –Women roles and responsibilities undervalued  Elements of Gender Relations Control of resources (land, power, labour, education, training, etc.) Gender ideologies (socialization, changing, etc.) Gender myths and stereotypes (“women are their own enemies,” victim blaming, e.g. in rape, women are gossips, women are weaker sex, men are cheats, men are liars, ). 22 23 24  Justifications for dealing with gender inequalities – Development imperatives (sustainable-diversity contributes to sustainable development, people-centred development) - bringing diverse contributions in development initiatives. – Citizenship rights and the constitution (all are equal) - human rights are women’s rights; women’s rights are human rights. – Gender equitable cultures (E.g. eliminate indiscriminate cultural practices, bias working cultures). 25  INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES TO GENDER INEQUALITY  Past five decades: 4 world conferences has been held (Mexico City, Copenhagen, Nairobi and Beijing) and a convention adopted in 1979 to address gender equality.  The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).  These conferences helped to define the obstacles to gender equality and action needed to overcome them.  International Agreements;  Beijing Platform for Action (+5, +10, +15, +20)  Millennium Development Goals (1,3,5)  Sustainable Development Goal 5  African Charter on Human and People’s Rights 26  Historical Context to National Interventions-The 4th Republic Constitutional Guarantees – All persons shall be equal before the law (17.1).A person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic origin, religion, creed or social or economic status (17.2) and(17.3) – The State shall afford equality of economic opportunity to all citizens; and, in particular, the State shall take all necessary steps so as to ensure the full integration of women into the mainstream of the economic development of Ghana (35.6) 27  State Actions: Legal Reform Intestate Succession Law, 1985 (PNDC 111): Protects the inheritance rights of spouses and children Criminal code amendment act of 1994 and 1998 sections 69 and 314 respectively criminalizes FGM and Trokosi The Human Trafficking Act, 2005 (Act 694) Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732): Seeks to protect the populace against violence and abuse in homes and institutions Property Rights of Spouses Bill 28  State Action: Policy Reform Reproductive Health Policy and Strategy Gender Policy in Agriculture Girl-Child Education Policy Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy Maternity Leave policies Establishing Ministry for Women and Children’s Affairs** (Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection) Establishing of Women and Juvenile Unit (WAJU) of Police service, now called Domestic Violence Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) 29  Civil Society/Institutional Action Civil Society Action include labour unions and associations of professionals (farmers, fishermen), women, youth and students; religious and business organizations, cultural and recreational clubs, as well as political parties” (Drah 1993: 73). Women’s organisations have been an important part of civil society organisations in Ghana. e.g. Network For Women's Rights In Ghana (NETRIGHT), Domestic Violence Coalition, Women’s Manifesto Coalition. 30  Examples: Civil Society Actions Getting the vote Defending the rights of individual Getting access to reproductive freedom women (Federation of International (birth control, abortion) Women Lawyers, Women in Law and Women’s action in anti-apartheid Development in Africa (WILDAF), etc.) struggle Women’s action to end war in Liberia Greenbelt movement in Kenya, by Getting Domestic Violence Law passed Wangari Maathai, 2004 Nobel Peace Improving women’s participation in Prize Laureate. Mobilized women to politics bringing about change) Queen mothers associations supporting different causes (HIV, girl’s skills University of Ghana sexual harassment training, etc.) policy  Examples: Institutional Actions Women and gender studies in and outside universities Research on gender (e.g. Violence against women, women and migration, women and land, media and women, etc.) University of Ghana’s Sexual harassment and misconduct policy https://cegensa.ug.edu.gh/sites/cegens a.ug.edu.gh/files/sexual_harassment_ policy.pdf Submit a one page review of the University of Ghana’s sexual harassment and misconduct policy.  Group Agency Agency conveys the idea that people are not passive and can change their situations through self conscious action The role of women’s self-help groups – Micro-finance groups , e.g. susu – Women’s cooperative, e.g. shea butter, beading, pottery, bread making, etc. – Widows support group – HIV social network groups – Full Gospel Business men group 33  Individual Agency Instances where people have triggered change by their actions: – Taking legal action (e.g. Women who petitioned CHRAJ on workplace sexual harassment: FanAir, NADMO) – Taking a stand against gender discriminatory practices (e.g. Swaziland where mother of Reed Dance Bride protested) – Leaving abusive relationships – Learning new skills to improve lives 34  Affirmative Action Defined A set of temporary measures adopted by governments, public and private institutions such as political parties, educational establishments, corporations and companies to address a history of systemic discrimination and exclusion of particular social groups (Tsikata, 2009) AA encourages the efforts of particular social groups in the interests of certain development goals AA is one of the effective tools for redressing the inequalities/injustices/discrimination against people (women) 35  Background to Affirmative Action Origins: In USA to address racial discrimination. In South Africa to address racial and gender disparities after Apartheid Quotas for gender based affirmative is based on three potentially conflicting justifications equality difference Symbolic value 36  Types of AA and Examples DIRECT INDIRECT Quota (50% of appointed district Scholarship schemes (Northern Ghana assembly members are women; scholarships; cocoa marketing board Reservations of seats for women (10 scholarships) women in parliament) Fee free education; Free textbooks and Measures to promote participation of uniforms women in certain professions Targeted investments in infrastructure, education and health in some Regions Girl Child Education Policies School meals in certain districts Lower cut-off point for girls in Reserved places in state universities for tertiary education students from deprived districts Science clinics for girls Fee waiver or automatic accommodation for persons with disability) AA Cont. Quotas are only effective when backed by law and when policies such as electoral reform, political education, the mobilisation of citizens and the removal of obstacles to women’s ability to utilise the quotas are removed 38  Value of affirmative Action – Discrimination of any form does not self correct. Instead, it perpetuates itself – Improves representation of women – Ensures a critical mass which can make a difference (e.g. 30% of women in decision making bodies) – Provides more female role models and improves awareness of the issues. – Guarantees gender balanced policy making at all levels of government. – Allows considerable skills to be brought into decision making structures. 39  Assessing Responses to Gender Inequality Progress has been made in promoting gender equality – More consciousness of the importance of gender equality – Some issues being addressed, e.g. Narrowing gap between boys and girls in education – In some countries there have been strong representation of women in politics, e.g. Rwanda, South Africa – Important legislations, e.g. Domestic violence law has been passed. – Increased number of women in professional careers and in decision- making – Improved maternal health coverage – More access to credit for women 40  Summary Societies are gendered Gender is socially constructed Gender relations are power relations and privilege as well as disadvantage differently The concept of patriarchy and masculinity The concept of gender equality, equity and inequality 41  Summary, Ctd. We have examined the various responses to gender inequality : The justification for dealing with Gender inequality Identified the efforts that have been made globally, regionally and locally to deal with gender inequalities State responses – legal and policy reform; affirmative action Civil society actions Group actions to empower and to support rights Individual actions We have assessed the responses to gender inequality 42 END OF CLASS 43