Documento(s) 9 de 17

Basically gender analysis is focused on a number of practical questions. 

The first set of questions relate to efficiency. When we are doing research on development-related topics, it is obvious that we want to ensure that we are putting relevant information into our analysis. To do any less is to create a recipe for failure. In fact we know, after about 45 years of development assistance, that projects do fail regularly. One reason for failure is that for a long time it was assumed that women's perceptions and experiences of development processes were identical to those of men. Even worse, it was sometimes assumed that women did not have any views or perceptions. 

We know now that this is not the case. Women do have experiences which are often very different from those of men, and we also know that when their views are ignored, they sometimes sabotage initiatives by refusing to take on extra workloads or by cooperating at only the most tokenistic level. This is hardly surprising, but it suggests that development projects have to be designed realistically to reflect the experiences and perceptions of both women and men. 

The second set of questions has to do with equity. Most people would agree that both women and men in all countries have the right to benefit from development processes. To deny women access to schooling or to modern health care or to economic opportunities simply on the basis of sex is not only grossly unfair but also creates a societal drag. If women are not given the opportunity to look after themselves, this will place a greater burden on men or on the state. 

So what are the questions we need to ask when we do gender analysis? 

Division of labour

• Who does what in the household? On the farm? In the small enterprise? 
• Is some work done exclusively by one sex? If so, does this have implications for the capacity of that sex to participate in or benefit from new development strategies? 

Decision-making

• Who has access to financial means? 
• To what extent are women involved in making decisions at the household level? At the community level? At the national or regional levels? 
• Is women's perspective likely to differ from that of men? 

Access to resources

• Do women have the same access to resources such as credit, property ownership, training opportunities, education, etc., as men? If not, is this likely to affect the outcome of a development initiative that is dependent on women's participation? 
• Do women have access to information? 

Documento(s) 9 de 17