Defining Gender

Gender
Gender refers not to biological differences but to the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female and the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as the relations between women and between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are context and time-specific. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a women or a man in a given context. In most societies there are differences and inequalities between women and men in the responsibilities that are assigned, activities that are undertaken, the access to and control over resources, as well as decision-making opportunities. Gender is a part of the broader socio-cultural context .

Gender Equality
Gender equality refers to equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities between women and men and girls and boys, for example equal access to schooling. Equality does not imply that women and men will become the same but that women’s and men’s rights, responsibilities and opportunities will not depend on whether they are born male or female. Gender inequality is generated both by society’s written and unwritten norms, rules and understanding. Gender equality implies that the interests, needs and priorities of both women and men are taken into consideration. This includes decision making in the home, but also clearly defining needs, interests, and rights during the development and implementation of policy and lawmaking. Gender equality refers to equal opportunities for all people and equally valued work done by all, irrespective of their sex, identity, or sexuality. Equality between women and men is seen as a precondition for and indicator of sustainable development as the economic and social contributions of each individual is valued equally.

Gender Equity
Unlike gender equality, which demands equal treatment of people, gender equity refers to an acknowledgement that some groups in society are marginalized. Equity is the process of minimizing the unfairness. An example is the under-representation of women in politics . Women play a crucial role in politics as they not only serve as a role model for future generations, the acceptance of women in a position of authority at the national level has positive effects on the role of women in the community and in the household. Finally, women involved in politics are likely to promote the needs and protection of women through the formulation of policy and lawmaking. Equal representation cannot be instantly achieved without proactive policies. Parity laws or quotas requiring a certain percentage of women candidates on electoral lists with or without mandatory ordering, quotas for seats in the electoral body or voluntary party quotas are some examples of attempts to minimize the inequality gap, which have been used around the world.