Gender
“Gender”
refers to the social differences and relations between men and women
which are learned, vary widely among societies and cultures, and change
over time. The term “gender” does not replace the term “sex”,
which refers exclusively to biological differences between men and women.
For example, statistical data are broken down by sex. The term “gender”
is used to analyse the roles, responsibilities, constraints, opportunities
and needs of women and men in all areas and in any given social context.
Gender
roles are learned behaviours in a given society, community or other
social group. They condition which activities, tasks and responsibilities
are perceived as male and female. Gender roles are affected by age,
class, race, ethnicity and religion, and by the geographical, economic
and political environment.
Changes
in gender roles often occur in response to changing economic, natural
or political circumstances, including development efforts or structural
adjustment, or other nationally or internationally based forces. The
gender roles within a given social context may be flexible or rigid,
similar or different, and complementary or conflicting. Both women and
men are involved in reproductive, productive and community management
activities and play roles within social and political groups. Their involvement
in each activity reflects the gender division of labour in a particular
place at a particular time. The gender division of labour must be reflected
in gender analysis.