Session II
Understanding Gender, Policy and Analytical Tools for Trade Policy & Export Promotion – Gender Analytical Frameworks
1. Mrs. Kamla Bhasin initiated the discussions by defining the term ‘gender’, which is the societal and cultural definition of a male/female and ‘sex’, which is the biological term for male/female. She explained how the societal and cultural definitions of men and women have created ‘gender’ differences and differentiate the roles of boys/girls and men/women.
2. As the rules made by the society, including all of us, differentiate the roles of boys and girls or men and women and create inequalities between girls and boys, women and men, if we want to, by creating new definitions of girls and boys and men and women, we can create a society, where roles , responsibilities, qualities and behaviour patterns are not determined and imposed by gender, caste, class or race, but a society where everyone has the right and freedom to choose roles, develop talents and have a life of one’s choice.
3. All over the world, gender differences are mainly patriarchal, i.e.male dominated. However, South Asia is the most gendered and patriarchal part of the world. She explained that ‘gender’ is in fact a neutral term. It does not mean either ‘equal’ or ‘unequal’. By the societal construction of the term ‘gender’ has become synonymous with power/rights. In the context of power/decision making gender has become a relational term.
4. She explained the gender division of labour viz. “reproductive activities” that are life sustaining activities, which include biological reproduction and sustaining of life, which are mainly performed by women and are not paid, whereas “productive activities” that are performed mainly by men are valued and paid. She quoted the Human Development Report of 1994 which evaluated the work done by women at home at US$ 11 trillion. The Report also states that 60% of the total work is done by women who receive only 10% of the income generated and on just 1% of the total property in the world. This calls for serious introspection of the value of work done and the role played by men and women. She explained that what is called for is “Gender Equity” where everybody receives his/her just and fair share and not gender equality.
5. She also emphasized the need for “mainstreaming gender” i.e. put gender where it matters in the decision making process. This according to her requires not just a separate Ministry for Gender Issues but a gender focal point in every Ministry because every decision/policy involves gender aspect.
6. The terms which were used during the course of discussions are:-
• Gender relations- where the difference made is based on gender,
• Gender distributive- Redistributing the resources so that the gender balance is tilted to empower women which would have transformatory potential for the society.
• Gender blind- when men and women are treated differently by society.
• Gender sensitive- not only one is aware but feel the pain of the other. Sensitive human being would be gender sensitive.
7. The issues which came out of the discussions are:-
(i) How we deal with gender underlying all areas in relationships?
(ii) Without challenging the societal definition of gender, equity can not be brought about.
(iii) Redistribution of power will lead to disturbances.
