Gender Analysis
What is Gender Analysis?
Gender Analysis is a tool to
better understand the realities of the women and men whose lives are affected by
planned development. Principally it is about constructing gender
identities and inequalities, and what that means in practical terms.It
aims to uncover the dynamics of gender
differences across a variety of issues. These include gender issues with respect
to social relations (how ‘male’ and ‘female’
are defined in the given context; their normative roles, duties,
responsibilities); activities (gender
division of labour in productive and reproductive work within the household and
the community; reproductive, productive, community managing and community
politics roles); access and control over
resources, services, institutions of decision-making and networks of power and
authority; and needs, the distinct needs of
men and women, both practical (i.e. given current roles, without challenging
society) and strategic.
It is the methodology for collecting and processing
information about gender. It provides disaggregated data by sex, and an
understanding of the social construction of gender roles, how labour is divided
and valued. Gender Analysis is the process of analysing information in order to
ensure development benefits and resources are effectively and equitably targeted
to both women and men, and to successfully anticipate and avoid any negative
impacts development may have on women or on gender relations. Gender analysis is
conducted through a variety of tools and frameworks.
Visit also:
http://www.gdrc.org/gender/framework/framework.html
Why do gender analysis?
Information is essential to gender mainstreaming at all levels from the formulation of national legislation and policy, to the planning and monitoring of specific interventions.
Gender analysis will be useful in order to understand the needs, constraints to participation, ability to participate, benefits accruing from participation.
Both qualitative and quantitative gender analytical research can also be used to raise awareness of gender issues; to inform policy makers; to provide material for gender training; and to monitor the differential impact of policy, project and budget commitments on women and men.
Gender analysis frameworks
Several frameworks exist which highlight the important elements of gender analysis and gender planning. They are,
1. Harvard Analytical Framework
2. Moser (triple roles) Framework
3. Levy (web of institutionalisation) Framework
4. Gender Analysis Matrix (GAM)
5. Equality and Empowerment Framework (Longwe)
6. Capacities and Vulnerabilities Framework (CVA)
7. People Oriented Framework (POP)
8. Social Relations Framework (SRF)
A useful framework is developed by DFID. It is designed to guide gender analysis at the primary stakeholder/community level. Its use/emphasis should be adapted to the particular situation and sector.