Understanding Gender In Society Concepts And Trends Understanding

Understanding Gender In Society: Concepts And Trends Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

Unit 6 Gender Mainstreaming Within Institutions • Gender Mainstreaming Within Institutions 6. 1 6. 2 • Participatory Gender Audit: Gender Assessment Of An Organisation • Engendering Workplace Through A Gender Policy 6. 3 Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

Introduction Making Institutions Gender Sensitive • Despite increased female participation in the workforce, gender biases thrive in the workplace • Organisations being microcosms of society, reflect excising biases of society • Participatory methods of gender audit should be conducted to examine strategies, activities, policies, programmes and organisational frameworks, which either constrain or promote gender equality within the workplace. • There is a need to engender workplaces and introduce gender policies Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

Introduction Learning Objectives Upon completion of this unit, you will be able to: • Understand the concept, rationale and strategy of gender mainstreaming in institutions • Become familiar with conducting a gender audits for an organisation • Comprehend he significance, various components and he implementation process of a gender policy Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 1 Understanding Gender Mainstreaming Within Institutions • Gender mainstreaming was established as major global strategy for promotion of gender equality at the Beijing Platform for Action - UN’s 4 th World Conference for Women • Gender mainstreaming necessarily involves both men and women • Gender mainstreaming calls for positive action at different levels and requires commitment, capacities and resources • Goal of gender mainstreaming is to convert unequal social and institutional structures into equal, just structures Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 1 Understanding Gender Mainstreaming Within Institutions • Gender mainstreaming in institutions is a strategy, a process and a method of bringing about change in organizations. It brings together the experiences, knowledge and interests of both men and women to have a positive impact upon the functioning of the workplace • It is based on the principle of gender equality and implies providing equal opportunity for men and women in leadership management and indeed in all spheres and activities of the organisation Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 2 Participatory Gender Audit: Gender Assessment Of And Organisation • Gender audit would examine and sharpen organisational learning on the existing reality of he workplace through a gender lens • The objective of gender audit is to recognise gaps and challenges to gender mainstreaming and identify ways of fulfilling them • A participatory gender audit exercise draws largely from the tenets of adult learning • The methods used in ‘Participatory Gender Audit’ are designed to create a sense of ownership by staff over the process Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 2 Participatory Gender Audit: Gender Assessment Of And Organisation • Tools to study the various aspects of the organisation Secondary data sources • • • Human Resource Policy Service rules and policies Gender policy and/or prevention of sexual harassment policy Primary sources • • • Gender reality questionnaire/interview Focused group discussions Participatory tools • Trend analysis: • Venn diagram: • Hofstede’s onion Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 2 Participatory Gender Audit: Gender Assessment Of And Organisation Challenges in conducting a participatory gender audit Lack of experience in gender mainstreaming initiatives Lack of understanding on ‘gender’ issues Resistance to change at organisational level Individual resistance Restrictive Policies Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

Engendering Workplace Through A Gender Policy 6. 3 • Components of Gender Policy Introduction Vision Situational Analysis Policy Statement Gender Action Plan Principles & Guidelines External Relations Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

6. 3 Engendering Workplace Through A Gender Policy • Implementation of gender policy at two levels: i. Institutional Level: Clear commitment to gender equality in institution and strategies towards fulfilling these goals ii. Programmatic level: Adherence to gender sensitive procedures in programming actions for organisations Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses

Summary Key Points To Remember • To make institutions gender sensitive, there is a need to acknowledge the role of gender and engender the workplace • Gender policies and audits reflect commitment of an institution to make the workplace a better place for men and women • Gender policies are to be implemented at institutional and programmatic levels • Participatory gender audit helps people decide their goals and how they are to be fulfilled Understanding Gender in Society: Concepts and Trends Unit 6 © 2014 PRIA International Academy | Certificate Courses