Gender Analysis Tools

Gender analysis is a tool for examining the differences between the roles that women and men play, the different levels of power they hold their differing needs, constraints and opportunities, and the impact of these differences on their lives. A method of identifying, assessing, examining and understanding; Different, • Activities of men and women • gender roles/social division of labour • Relations between men and women Patterns of women’s and men’s access to and control over resources Why Gender Analysis? • Important planning tool because it provides information on the gender map or pattern. • Makes it possible to generate gender disaggregated data • Gender distinction and sensitivity in terminology • Understanding of men’s and women’s practical and strategic gender needs. • Specific targeting of women, men, boys and girls. How can Gender Analysis impact the work of Communities? 1. By helping us understand relationships between men and women. Gender Analysis does this by answering the following questions: • What do men, women, adults, children and elders do, and where do they do it? • Who has access to and control over resources and services, and who makes decisions in the community? • What are the reasons behind these differences in gender? 2. By helping us understand the impact of our work on men and women, boys and girls. EXAMPLE from the community: A skills training program for community members has been delivered primarily through night classes. By considering the roles and activities undertaken by men and women, especially those related to parenting, this program could be assessed for its accessibility to men and women. 3. By helping us increase the capacity of our institutions and organizations to program for and consider gender equality