CONCEPTS
AND DEFINITIONS
Development
of an adequate understanding of mainstreaming requires
clarity on the related concepts of gender and equality.
| Equality
between women and men (gender equality): refers
to the equal rights, responsibilities and opportunities
of women and men and girls and boys. Equality
does not mean that women and men will become the
same but that womens and mens rights, responsibilities
and opportunities will not depend on whether they
are born male or female. Gender equality implies
that the interests, needs and priorities of both
women and men are taken into consideration recognizing
the diversity of different groups of women and
men. Gender equality is not a womens issue
but should concern and fully engage men as well
as women. Equality between women and men is seen
both as a human rights issue and as a precondition
for, and indicator of, sustainable people-centered
development. |
| Gender:
refers
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 those between
men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships
are socially constructed and are learned through
socialization processes. They are context/ time-specific
and changeable. 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 responsibilities
assigned, activities undertaken, access to and
control over resources, as well as decision-making
opportunities. Gender is part of the broader socio-cultural
context. Other important criteria for socio-cultural
analysis include class, race, poverty level, ethnic
group and age. |
A number of fact sheets on the underlying concepts have
been developed by OSAGI.
| An
overview of gender mainstreaming has been developed
which outlines the lessons learned from implementation
of the strategy and provides some guidance on
approaches and methods in different areas of the
work of the United Nations. |
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Office of the Special Adviser on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women (OSAGI)
United Nations, Two United Nations Plaza,
44th St. 12th Floor, NY ,NY 10017
URL:
http://www.un.org/osagi
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