Gender Analysis: Tips And Tools

Mahmuda Anwar

EDRD 6000, March 2013

Some Basic Definitions

Sex-refers to the biological difference between men and women. The differences are concerned with men’s and women’s bodies

Gender-refers to the social difference between men and women based on activities, roles and responsibilities connected to be a male or female. These differences are changeable overtime

Equity- refers to fairness and justice in the distribution of responsibilities and benefits between men and women. It leads to gender equality

Equality- refers to equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities for men and women(and girls and boys)

Gender Relations-refers the social relationships between men and women. Gender relations vary according to time , place and other relations such as class, race, ethnicity , disability and so on(March, Smyth & Mukhopadhyay , 1999)

Gender ConceptsWomen in Development(WID)

This concept, introduced in the 1970s, focuses on women’s practical needs. It aims tochange the condition of women through women’s participation. Specific women’s project andsupport form all development actors were centered to make women more efficient in developmentactivities/projects.

Gender And Development(GAD)

This concept focuses on gender relation, and addresses inequalities in women’s and men’ssocial roles in relation to development. It aims to change the position of women and incorporategender consideration into mainstream.

This approach argues that sustainable development is only possible if women and menare equally involved and that equality of women is not just a women’s issue, it is a goal that requiresthe active participation of both men and women(“Gender Analysis Guideline”, 2012).

Gender MainstreamingThe concept focuses on institutionalizing gender sensitivity and equality. It aims to

mainstream all gender concerns into every aspect of an organizational priorities and procedures.“Mainstreaming gender is both a technical and political process which requires shifts in

organizational cultures and ways of thinking, as well as in the goals, structures, and resourcesallocation of international agencies , government, and NGOs”(Kardam,1998).

What is Gender Analysis?

Gender analysis is a systematic analytical process thatexamines the relationship between men and women, and theinequalities of those relationships in relevance of gender rolesand power dynamics in a given context (“Tips for”,2011,p-2).

Main Goals of Gender AnalysisTo better understand a community for developmental work

To ensure gender equality in development context

Source of picture :http://tinasheonline.com/2012/09/gender-based-analysis-immigrantyouth-social-innovation/

When to conduct Gender Analysis

Gender Analysis

Policy/Program/project

Design

Policy/Program/project

Planning

Policy/Program/project

Implementation

Policy/Program/project

Evaluation

Stages of Gender AnalysisAdapted from “Gender Analysis Toolkit”, 2009

Questions about Roles and Responsibilities

Who does what?

How?

When?

Where?

With whom?

Questions about Access & Control

Who has what?

Who decides for whom?

Who has access?

Who benefits?

Who losses?

Questions about the Influencing Factors

Why not equal?

Cultural factors?

Social factor?

Economical ?

Others?

What questions do we ask for Gender Analysis

Development context tool kit, livelihood toolkit and stakeholderspriorities for development toolkit can be used for asking questions aboutcurrent situations and future planning(FAO,2001).

The development context tools are-Village resource map, transects, trendlines, village social map , Venn diagram and institutional profiles .

Livelihoods tools are- farming system diagram, benefits analysis flow chart,daily activities clocks, seasonal calendars, income and expenditurematrices and resource picture cards.

Stakeholders Priorities Tools are- Pair wise ranking matrix, flow diagram,problem analysis chart, venn diagram of stakeholders, stakeholders conflictand partnership matrix , and best bets action plan.

Source: SEAGA Field Handbook,FAO,2001

How to find the answers of the questions

Gender Analysis Frame Works

Gender Analysis Frame Works are practical instruments designed to understand the gender dynamics within a project or a context. Framework used for analysis of tools.

Purposes of Gender Analysis Frame Work

Context Analysis

Visualisation of key points

Planning of Development works

Communications

Monitoring & Evaluation

Name of Frame Work Key concepts Strength Weakness/Challenges

The Harvard AnalyticalFrame Work

This is a grid/matrix for collecting data on genderroles at individual and community level. It has fourmain components: activity profile; access and controlover resources ; influencing factors; and project cycleanalysis.

• Easy adaptable to all sectors•Provides micro level data•Helps planners design moreefficient projects and improveoverall productivity

•Focusing on gender rolesrather than genderrelations•Lack of power analysis•Time consuming

The Moser FrameWork(Also known as thetriple roles framework)

It identifies women’s triple role as productive,reproductive and community activities. It is aplanning methodology which tells: division of labourat micro level; gender differences in access to andcontrol over resources; decision making, andWID/GAD policy matrix.

•Accessible and easy applicable•The concept of “triple role ”makes all areas of work visible

•Assumes women arehomogenous•Time consuming•Does not highlight otherforms of inequalities suchas class and race

Gender Analysis Matrix This is a community–based technique to analyzegender differences at household and community leveland considers impact on labour, time, resources andsocial cultural factors.

•Fosters “bottom-up’ analysisthrough communityparticipation

•Difficulties defining acommunity•Excludes macro andinstitutional analysis

Capacities andVulnerabilitiesAnalysis(CVA) FrameWork

Used by external agencies in emergency reliefinterventions to meet immediate needs, and to buildon people’s strengths to support at long-term socialand economic development.

•CVA can be used at all levels-from the community to thenational and even internationallevel

•Does not include anexplicit agenda forwomen’s empowerment

Women’sEmpowerment FrameWork

This frame work might be used to assess how adevelopment intervention or programme mightsupport greater women’s empowerment.

Focus on gender relation ratherthan only women’s role

•Ignores other aspects ofempowerment(rights,claims and responsibilities)

Social RelationApproach

The approach uses an institutional analysis in order toidentify how institutions(community, market , stateand family) create and reproduce inequalities.

•This approach can be use bothin policy analysis and indevelopment programmes

• Complex analysis•Emphasis on structureand ignores agency

The People-OrientedPlanning Frame Work

This framework is an adaptation of the HarvardAnalytical Frame Work and uses to the situation ofrefugees . Aims of the frame work is: to ensure thatthere is an efficient and equitable distribution ofresources .

•Easy to use• Give a clear picture

•Top-down approaches

Tips for Gender Analysis

I came up with the term “PERFORM” which when expanded summarizes the key

considerations for gender analysis specially in the rural context

Participation of community members is essential

Ensure full diversity of women’s and men’s voices and experiences are captured

Respect values, culture and norms of the society

Find a place for using the tools which is accessible to all men and women

Organize the process in natural settings

Represent same issue from different perspectives(triangulation)

Monitor the whole process from the position of an observer or a facilitator

Note: Consider sexual minorities if any (gay/transgender)

References• Canadian International Development Agency.n.d. Gender Analysis. Retrieved from

http://tamarackcommunity.ca/downloads/gender/Tools.pdf

• Food And Agriculture Organization(FAO). (2001). SEAGA Field Handbook. Rome. Retrieved from www.gdnonline.org/resources/seaga-field-handbook.pdf

•Gender Analysis Toolkit.(2009). Queensland Government. Retrieved fromhttp://www.communities.qld.gov.au/women/resources/resource-types/gender-analysis-toolkit-resource

• Gender Analysis Guideline.(2012). Retrieved from www.aid.govt.nz/.../Gender%20Analysis%20Guideline_0.pdf

• Kardam , N.(1998).Changing Institutions in Women’s Interests. Retrieved from http://www.bridge.ids.ac.uk/Dgb5

• March,C.,Smyth,I., Mukhopadhyay , M.(1999). A Guide to Gender-Analysis Frame works . Oxfam: Oxford

• Tips for Conducting a Gender Analysis at the Activity or Project Level. (2011,March 17). USAID. Retrieved from http://transition.usaid.gov/policy/ads/200/201sae.pdf

• World Health Organization(WHO).(2002).Gender Analysis: A Review of Selected Tools. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/gender/documents/en/Gender.analysis.pdf