UNDERSTANDING Gender Sensitivity The concept of gender sensitivity has been developed as a way to reduce barriers to personal and economic development created by Seyism. Gender sensitivity helps generate respect for the individual regardless of sex. It is about pitting women against men. It is the act of being sensitive to the ways people think about gender. What is Gender? Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society considers appropriate for men and women. It is what a person identifies himself or herself as. It is not binary; it is a spectrum. What is sex? Sex is biologically assigned to an individual. It refers to the biological and physiological characteristics that define men and women. GEN DER S EX • What makes one male or female • What is masculine or feminine • Biologically determined • Socially determined; culturally defined • Refers to physical characteristics • Refers to learned behavior SEX is what you are born with GENDER is what happens afterwards S EX • Women have a developed uterus and can become pregnant • Men have underdeveloped breasts • Women give birth to babies, men do not GEN DER • Little girls are gentle, boys are tough • Decision making in the community and the larger society is dominated by men, because it is they who are involved in the economic activities that society values • Most building-site workers in Britain are men S EX GEN DER BIOLOGICAL SOCIALLY CONSTRUCTED Born With Not Born With Can’t be changed (generally) Only women can give birth Changeable Women can do traditional male jobs as well as men can take good care of their children Thus, while sex is permanent and Universal, gender construction varies from one society to another. To put it in another way, “Male” and “Female” are sex categories, while “Masculine” and “Feminine” are gender categories. Gender as Social Construct The social construction of gender is a theory in feminism and sociology about the operation of gender and gender differences in societies. According to this view, society and culture create gender roles, and these roles are prescribed as ideal or appropriate behavior for a person of the specific sex. Where does gender emanate? This question translates to the source of gender or where did it come and gender came from the society itself. People before had no basis of understanding of gender until a sexologist John Money introduced the distinction between biological sex and gender as a role. S E X ROLE Roles according to the reproductive function of a person’s body G E N D E R ROLE Roles a person is expected to perform as a result of being male or female in a particular culture G E N D E R ROLE It determines how males and females should think, speak, dress and interact within the context of society Are not inborn but are passed on through generations Learned in early stages of childhood and are further reinforced This become gender issues once it block people’s capacity to do and to be GENDER ROLES ATTRIBUTED TO MALES PERCEPTION Strong, Primary Rational, Cannot feel ROLES Hard work Leader/Boss No care giving EXPECTATIONS Don’t make women do hard work Always be smart/in control Get the best Don’t cry GENDER ROLES ATTRIBUTED TO FEMALE PERCEPTION Weak, Secondary Emotional, Cannot think ROLES No hard work Not a leader/boss No decision-making EXPECTATIONS Stay at home Don’t assert Don’t participate in decision-making It is okay to cry AND THEY AFFECT FEMALES MORE The basic idea of the gender-equal society A "gender-equal society" is a "society in which both men and women, as equal members, have the opportunity to participate in all kinds of social activities at will, equally enjoy political, economical and cultural benefits, and share responsibilities." Gender Equality does not mean that women and men have to become the same, but it can only be achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights, responsibilities and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviors, beliefs, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally valued and favoured. Quality education is important for girls and women, preventing genderbased violence and equality through education clearly also remains a priority. Gender-based discrimination in education is, in effect, both a cause and a consequence of deep-rooted differences in society. Gender Sensitivity - The ability to recognize Gender Issues, especially women’s different perceptions and interests, arising from their unique social location and gender roles. Seeing what men and women can actually do rather than relying on assumptions. Hearing, women and men, their needs, priorities and perspectives. Counting, putting values in women’s work. Respecting women’s and men’s views and human rights. Caring about women and men, and the impact on them of the programs involved Gender issues include all aspects and concerns related to women's and men's lives and situation in society, to the way they interrelate, their differences in access to and use of resources, their activities, and how they react to changes, interventions and policies. How does Gender Inequality affects our society? The reason why investments and education policies are producing different outcomes for women and men is because they happen in societies where gender inequality is deeply entrenched. Inequality is often driven by existing gender stereotypes that determine how we perceive the roles of women and men in society. Agents of Socialization of Gender Roles Social groups It often provide the first experiences of socialization. Families, and later peer groups, communicate expectations and reinforce norms. People first learn to use the tangible objects of material culture in these settings, as well as being introduced to the beliefs and values of society. Family The family is the most important agent of socialization. The family has been viewed as the major vehicle for socialization. Parents provide physical and social conditions in which children learn social skills Family is the first agent of socialization. Mothers and fathers, siblings and grandparents, plus members of an extended family, all teach a child what he or she needs to know. For example, they show the child how to use objects (such as clothes, computers, eating utensils, books, bikes); how to relate to others (some as “family,” others as “friends,” still others as “strangers” or “teachers” or “neighbors”); and how the world works (what is “real” and what is “imagined”). As you are aware, either from your own experience as a child or from your role in helping to raise one, socialization includes teaching and learning about an unending array of objects and ideas. Keep in mind, however, that families do not socialize children in a vacuum. Many social factors affect the way a family raises its children. For example, we can use sociological imagination to recognize that individual behaviors are affected by the historical period in which they take place. Sixty years ago, it would not have been considered especially strict for a father to hit his son with a wooden spoon or a belt if he misbehaved, but today that same action might be considered child abuse. Institutional The social institutions of our culture also inform our socialization. Formal institutions—like schools, workplaces, and the government—teach people how to behave in and navigate these systems. Other institutions, like the media, contribute to socialization by inundating us with messages about norms and expectations. School Students are not in school only to study math, reading, science, and other subjects—the manifest function of this system. Schools also serve a latent function in society by socializing children into behaviors like practicing teamwork, following a schedule, and using textbooks. School and classroom rituals, led by teachers serving as role models and leaders, regularly reinforce what society expects from children. Sociologists describe this aspect of schools as the hidden curriculum, the informal teaching done by schools. Schools also socialize children by teaching them about citizenship and national pride. For example, schools have built a sense of competition into the way grades are awarded and the way teachers evaluate students When children participate in a relay race or a math contest, they learn there are winners and losers in society. When children are required to work together on a project, they practice teamwork with other people in cooperative situations. The hidden curriculum prepares children for the adult world. Children learn how to deal with bureaucracy, rules, expectations, waiting their turn, and sitting still for hours during the day. Schools in different cultures socialize children differently in order to prepare them to function well in those cultures. The Workplace Just as children spend much of their day at school, many U.S. adults at some point invest a significant amount of time at a place of employment. Although socialized into their culture since birth, workers require new socialization into a workplace, in terms of both material culture and nonmaterial culture. Different jobs require different types of socialization. In the past, many people worked a single job until retirement. Today, the trend is to switch jobs at least once a decade. Between the ages of eighteen and forty-six, the average baby boomer of the younger. This means that people must become socialized to, and socialized by, a variety of work environments. Religion Religion is one of the most powerful agents of socialization which is linked with concepts and values people identify themselves with. At the same time, it is the most sensitive agent of socialization as well. People tend to develop their own religious beliefs from their parents, right from their inception. It is an important avenue of socialization for many people. Like other institutions, these places teach participants how to interact with the religion’s material culture, like prayer rug, or a communion wafer. People gather to worship and learn important ceremonies related to family structure—like marriage and birth—are connected to religious celebrations. Many religious institutions also uphold gender norms and contribute to their enforcement through socialization. From ceremonial rites of passage that reinforce the family unit to power dynamics that reinforce gender roles, organized religion fosters a shared set of socialized values that are passed on through society. Mass Media Mass media distribute impersonal information to a wide audience, via television, newspapers, radio, and the Internet. With the average person spending over four hours a day in front of the television (and children averaging even more screen time), media greatly influences social norms (Roberts, Foehr, and Rideout 2005). People learn about objects of material culture (like new technology and transportation options), as well as nonmaterial culture—what is true (beliefs), what is important (values), and what is expected (norms). Socialization is a big factor in shaping people to become who they are. Our social relations help us in forming our individuality and sense of self towards others. Socialization is the process whereby we learn and internalize the values, beliefs, and norms of our culture and, in so doing develop a sense of self. There are many agents of socialization, such as our families, the friends we gain, and the institution we belong to. Mass media had become one of the most powerful forces that onnect people to other people. Because of this, mass media can already be considered a significant agent of socialization. And since mass media had already developed into a powerful and influential agent, serve as a powerful socializing agent and has indeed become A large influence of who we become. It is a fact that the role of mass media as agents of socialization has been both strengthened and changed by the modernization of the world. Technology had increased the spread of mass medias reach. People spend most of their time in touch with the world through the different forms of mass media. Sometimes, the time allotted to other agents of socialization is even sacrificed just to give time to the usage of mass media. Television shows and movies today dominate culture as the kind of life they portray easily dictates what will be reality. The number of people who depend on what they watch in the television, hear from the radio, or read from the internet, is increasing rapidly because of the help of modern advancements. More time is given to mass media use, and greater proportions of that time is dedicated to entertainment. To keep people entertained means that the form of mass media is successful in gathering supporters, and hence, profit also. Mass media, after all, has also a business side. Important Legislations Equality Act. The objective of the Equality Act is to prevent genderbased discrimination and promote equality between women and men, thereby improving the status of women, particularly in working life. Another goal of the act is to prevent discrimination based on gender identity or the expression of gender Gender equality is intrinsically linked to sustainable development and is vital to the realization of human rights for all. The overall objective of gender equality is a society in which women and men enjoy the same opportunities, rights and obligations in all spheres of life. RA 7877 An Act Declaring Sexual Harassment. Unlawful in the Employment, Education, or Training Environment, and for other Purposes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled. This Act shall be known as the "Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995." Republic Act No. 9262 An act of defining Violence Against women and their Children (VAWC), providing for protective measures for victims, prescribing penalties therefore, and for other purposes. This Act shall be known as the “Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.” Violence Against Women & their children (VAWC) any act or series of acts committed by any PERSON against a WOMAN who is his wife, former wife, or with whom the person has or had a sexual or dating relationships, or with whom he has a common child, or. Violation of a Barangay Protection Order (BPO) shall be punishable by imprisonment of thirty (30) days without prejudice to any other criminal or civil action that the offended party may file for any of the acts committed. Republic Act 7610. An act providing stronger deterrence and special protection against child abuse, exploitation and discrimination, providing penalties for its violation and for other purposes. A graphic titled “Rape Culture” that has a triangle with words and a background gradient of darker red at the top peak, orange in the center, and yellow at the bottom. On the side of the pyramid is an arrow and 3 works, explaining the gradient. Normalization leads to Degradation which leads to Assault. The text under the pyramid explains the relationship: “Tolerance of the behaviors at the bottom supports or excuses those higher up. To change outcomes, we must change the culture. If you see something, say something! Start the conversation today.” The words inside the pyramid, starting with the top and most severe: Rape, Drugging, Molestation, Stealthing (Covert Condom Removal), Contraceptive Sabotage, Victim Blaming & Shaming, Coercion/Manipulation, Threats, Revenge Porn, Safe Word Violations, Groping, Non-Consensual Photo or Video, Flashing & Exposing, Unsolicited Nude Pics, Catcalling, Unwanted NonSexual Touch, Stalking, Sexist Attitudes, Rape Jokes, Locker Room Banter. Is Gender Equality a Law? Discrimination based on gender (or sex) is a common civil rights violation that takes many forms, including sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and unequal pay for women who do the same jobs as men. Equal Credit Opportunity ActProhibits discrimination against credit applicants on the basis of gender. The National Center on Elder Abuse distinguishes between seven different types of elder abuse. These include physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, financial/material exploitation, neglect, abandonment, and self-neglect. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) Bill* • • • • Gender Identity refers to the personal sense of identity as characterized, among other, by manner of clothing, inclinations, and behavior in relation to masculine or feminine conventions. A person may have a male or female identity with the physiological characteristics of the opposite sex, in which case this person is considered transgender. Gender Expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, communication or speech pattern, or body characteristics. Sexual Orientation refers to the direction of emotion, sexual attraction, or conduct towards people of the same sex (homosexual orientation) or towards people of both sexes (bisexual orientation), or towards people of the opposite sex (heterosexual orientation) or to the absence of sexual attraction (asexual orientation) LGBT Community refers to the collective of persons who are male and female homosexuals (gays and lesbians, respectively), bisexual, and transgender. *not yet a Law For Every Woman By Nancy R. Smith, copyright 1973 For every woman who is tired of acting weak when she knows she is strong, there is a man who is tired of appearing strong when he feels vulnerable. For every woman who is tired of acting dumb, there is a man who is burdened with the constant expectation of "knowing everything." For every woman who is tired of being called "an emotional female," there is a man who is denied the right to weep and to be gentle. For every woman who is called unfeminine when she competes, there is a man for whom competition is the only way to prove his masculinity. For Every Woman For every woman who is tired of being a sex object, there is a man who must worry about his potency. For every woman who feels "tied down" by her children, there is a man who is denied the full pleasures of shared parenthood. For every woman who is denied meaningful employment or equal pay, there is a man who must bear full financial responsibility for another human being. For every woman who was not taught the intricacies of an automobile, there is a man who was not taught the satisfactions of cooking. For every woman who takes a step toward her own liberation, there is a man who finds the way to freedom has been made a little easier. GENDER SENSITIVITY TRAINING – ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY 1. Register and Create an Account at iadapt.pdrf.org - Click Sign Up, fill up required information and follow the instructions GENDER SENSITIVITY TRAINING – ASYNCHRONOUS ACTIVITY 2. Sign In using the account. 3. Click Open Courses 4. Scroll Down and Start the following Courses/Trainings: Gender Sensitivity (English/Filipino) On GAD Laws and Mandates (English/Filipino) 5. Finish the Lessons, answer the quiz, and download the Certificate of Completion.
