GENDER FOCUS

Gender

The concept of gender emerged in the seventies in the context of feminist critique.
to explain, from a new perspective, the differences between women and men,
on which discrimination against has been justified throughout History
women.
Thus, since the first universal declaration of human rights (1789), many
philosophers and thinkers labored to justify the exclusion of women from the
rights and citizenship. To do this, they argued a natural, biological difference,
that assigned women a nature distinct from that of men which explained
their lesser abilities to be full subjects of rights and decide on their
lives, excluding them from the realm of the public and politics.

In addition, women were considered inferior beings, hence they were constituted
in dependent and subordinate subjects, always subject to guardianship and oversight and whose
the main function would be relegated to reproduction and the realm of home and family,
while men were destined to rule society, participate in the
politics and public space, write History and develop Culture and Science.

Simone de Beauvoir will be the first to refer to the concept of gender in

"The Second Sex" (1949) with the following words: 'one does not become a woman, one arrives at'
"serlo". Kate Millet will coin the term gender in the seventies ("Sexual Politics", )
ed. Cátedra, Madrid, 1995) and it will be in the nineties, especially around the IV
World Conference on Women 1995, which became part of the policies
public.

The so-called 'gender studies' represented a revolution for the sciences.

social sciences: the major theoretical currents: Marxism, functionalism, structuralism,
etc., they had not realized the oppression of women... The distinction between what
the biological and the cultural had the enormous significance of transferring the problem to the realm
of human will and responsibility.

In summary, gender is how society defines what it is.

man and a woman. In that sense, it is different from sex (biological fact), already
that gender is constructed socially and culturally. That is why it changes over the
time and from culture to culture. In all societies there are inequalities and
unjust situations produced by that differential assignment of roles and
gender opportunities for men and women. Let's look at the characteristics of
gender.

Difference between gender and sex

Gender is learned, not given

The socialization process lasts a lifetime but is especially influential in the
childhood and youth stage. Through differential psychology, we know that children and
girls, at the age of three, have already acquired sexual identity and also the
gender identity. They can distinguish which sex they belong to themselves and the
others, and they have a clear awareness of the main attributes of their gender.

How do we learn it?

Through imitation (vicarious learning), prohibitions, permissions,
sanctions or reinforcements that are applied so that we can adapt to the model
female or male in the different spaces of socialization: school, the
family members, language, the 'equals', the Church, the media
communication.
What do we learn?
Women are attributed with a greater capacity for emotional relationships and are
socialize so they can effectively develop their reproductive role and take responsibility for
the tasks of caregiving and personal care. Female roles are considered
secondary sources promote dependency and have little visibility in the social sphere
and a lot in the family.
Men are presumed to have certain values and roles that prepare them to be
successful in the public and professional world; labor, economic, scientific-technological.
One is socialized for production and is educated so that the source of their self-esteem,
above all, come from success in this area. The messages that children receive are
of visibility, dominance, and superiority.

We learn to be men and to be women from the precise moment in

that we are born (and some say even before), shaping our
identity, hence its enormous strength and the important degree of unconsciousness
with which we live our position in gender relations. That
explains that gender may appear to us as natural, but in reality it is
naturalized
Gender is part of our individual and social identity: of what we are and
how we perceive ourselves, how we see others, and how they see us.

Gender is changing and evolving, despite the prevailing cultural patterns.

minantes. Gender relations and the way in which it is conceived how they should be
Men and women and their relationships with each other change depending on multiple factors.
factors: change due to the evolution of society and politics; change like
result of a migration process; it can change because culture changes, because
people change.

Analysis of gender identities

How do we live, feel, and value our/the other gender?

Gender is part of our identity, of our subjectivity, of what we are,
we live and feel.
That is to say, it is a very internalized and unconscious dimension of people, which
it implies that any process of change in our way of living gender happens
necessarily due to a 'crisis', due to a profound change, one of whose stages is the
what we call 'the critical gender awareness', that is, the understanding of
how gender can affect or limit our opportunities for personal development
and social.
Any change of gender implies a process of internal change, the pace of which
characteristics are specific to each person and can be supported, but not
supplanted, within the framework of social projects and interventions.
In any case, the analysis of gender identities or, in other words, the
way in which men and women 'live their gender', self-perceive and perceive the
others based on gender is one of the most relevant issues to consider in
the planning of social interventions.

It is important to understand and adapt interventions to the limits and opportunities that
open the gender identity feelings, which will always come into play, about
everything when it comes to changing behaviors, roles and, especially,
feelings.
For example, to support the will of those women determined to break with the roles.
of gender to integrate more competitively into sectors where there are greater
job opportunities may be easier than supporting women who do not
they are able to confront and report gender violence, or undertake freedom
development of their sexuality or sexual orientation.
It should not be forgotten that many times it is not that "women do not want to change."
but they themselves impose difficult self-limitations that are hard to overcome and, in the majority
In part of the cases, the environment itself makes it very difficult to maintain those.
changes.

One must not forget that gender identities change throughout the life cycle.
and understanding these differences can be very useful in relation to the projects
social
Thus, it will not be the same to work on gender with adult women and men as it is with girls and ...
children or elderly people; in the latter cases, there is greater flexibility in
the way gender identities and expectations are lived, which is why the
projects can be bolder or more innovative than in adulthood, where the
The rigidity of roles and the level of family, work, and social demands are very strong.

"Gender is changeable": factors that influence gender

Cultural traditions
Many times we think about the cultural traditions associated with exotic countries,
when we know that a good part of macho attitudes have been legitimized in our
own society. It hasn't been so many years since in Spain a woman couldn't go out alone
to public space, that schools were separate for boys and girls, that the
ways of dressing and behaving were clearly defined in terms of gender,
that women should not have an opinion on politics, that men should not enter into
 the kitchen, etc. All these traditions have been changing along with our own
legal, political, and social system.
The migratory experience
Migrations can lead to changes in gender relations, in the
to the extent that many women become the forefront of the process
migratory and in the main income providers of the family of origin. The
the empowerment of these women can be strengthened by coming into contact with the
host society, in the event that it is more equal in terms of
gender. Family reunification processes can generate conflicts when it is
the man the reunified, breaking his traditional roles.
Religious factors
The advance of religious fundamentalism can lead to a regression in
women's rights and the recognition of their role in society and politics.
Similarly, the development of a conservative doctrine regarding the role of
women in the family and in society have repercussions on progress
towards equal opportunities. The secularization of the State can entail
greater opportunities for opening up to gender equality.
The age
People change the way we live our gender and relationships.
gender throughout our life cycle. Adulthood is often the model
representative of the prevailing gender relations, but there are others
different moments, both in childhood and adolescence and that of people
older. These moments tend to be more flexible regarding the
gender expectations.

The gender is also masculine.

There is a tendency to identify gender with women. It is true that it has been women,
from their life experiences of discrimination, those who have organized and have
claimed changes towards gender equality, precisely because it is the group
excluded or disadvantaged.
However, precisely gender refers to the relative construction of genders:
as much of men as of women and both are, precisely, susceptible to being
analyzed from this perspective.
Gender equality will not be possible if changes do not also occur on the part of the
men. More equal relationships need to be based on a redefinition of
the rights and responsibilities of women and men in all spheres, including
the family, work, and society in a broad sense.
One of the most important challenges to advance in this regard is to motivate
more men to participate as partners in the process of defining the visions and
strategies to achieve a fairer society from a gender perspective.
But what do men have to gain from it?

To begin with, men are also limited in their personal and social development.
by certain norms imposed on their masculinity (they have to be
tough, not expressing feelings, being uncommunicative, strong, violent, etc.
They are also discriminated against when they do not conform to the masculinity model.
hegemonic: for being homosexuals, peaceful men, sensitive, lovers of
home... Even their health and quality of life are affected by embracing those prejudices
and stereotypes about masculinity that contribute to exacerbating the associated risks
to their physical integrity or to the way they develop their sexuality.

Gender roles and stereotypes

Gender roles are the set of roles and functions that make up the model
pre-established to be a man or to be a woman in a given society. The children
they learn to occupy the social, material, and symbolic spaces reserved for
characteristic of a man. Girls learn to occupy social, material spaces
and symbolic reserved for what is 'proper to a woman'. Gender roles are
changing and culturally specific. The problem is not the difference in roles but
its hierarchy and the way in which they are valued:
Masculine roles are associated with the public sphere and are prestigious because
they entail economic independence, power, influence, and status.
Female roles are associated with the private, emotional, and relational sphere: no
are not paid or recognized, it develops in a more limited and reduced scope
and is less visible than the public.

Gender stereotypes are judgments or prejudices based on an idea

preconceived and imposed as a cliché on men and women without taking into account
it tells of its individuality. They fulfill the role of proposing rigid and unique models in
those that must be fit in to be socially accepted as men and women. It is
They are topical opinions about the 'should be' of masculinity and femininity.
How to detect a gender stereotype? When the characteristic, attitude, or activity
what it is about can be applied indiscriminately to a man or a woman. For example:
Are there no strong women? For example: Are there no sensitive men?
Where or how are gender inequalities expressed?

They are expressed in many ways and in all areas of life. It is important
maintain a critical gaze with a gender focus to perceive them beyond what is
apparent or politically correct, since the unconscious tendency prevents us
to overlook them or leads us to downplay them, if not to justify them.

Gender inequalities are expressed both in the field of education and in

in health, in the economy, in relation to work or in the way they consider
women and men the media, in relation to the reconciliation of the
work and family life, in the context of the legal system and also in politics. A
One of the most extreme expressions of inequality is gender violence.
Below we can observe some examples.

In education, there is a persistent educational segregation regarding careers.

techniques, engineering, and sciences, which remain predominantly
masculine.

In economics, the phenomenon known as the feminization of poverty occurs:

According to the United Nations Development Programme, the 1.3 billion
Poverty in the world, 70% are women, which is explained by the lesser
economic opportunities that all societies provide to women.

The media shows sexist and devalued images of the

women. A study has recently been conducted that clearly shows the
difficulties of the media to give greater importance to the role, the experiences
and the opinions of women.

In the labor field, men are still preferred for jobs of greater responsibility.
prestige and responsibility, and women are asked about their family life and about
his intention to have offspring. The difficulties of reconciling work-life balance
And family continue to affect, to a greater extent, the development of the professional career.
of women.

Gender violence constitutes one of the most serious expressions of

gender inequalities in our societies, let's see below:

Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations

What is the gender perspective or viewpoint? What does it aim to achieve?

A gender perspective is one that takes into account the

differences and inequalities between men and women existing in reality.
That is to say, it makes visible the way in which gender can affect life and the
opportunities for people to solve their problems and difficulties.
That's what we call 'putting on gender glasses'.

The gender lens implies, therefore, a new perspective on reality, more

broad and complete. In this sense, it involves a learning process and
enrichment: it allows us greater social sensitivity, an essential quality
of social intervention.
It also provides us with means to adapt more precisely and balanced.
the resources available to the needs of people, whether they are men or
women. In this sense, it contributes to greater gender equity; but also
contributes, undoubtedly, to the improvement of the quality and impact of the programs and
social projects.

What is gender equality?

In the evolution of the concept of equality, feminist thought has been putting
the emphasis on the need to take into account the differences between men and
women, their different attributes if you will, but not as the foundation of the
discrimination, but as that which, being constitutive of one's own individuality,
presupposes the ontological possibility of equality, since only can be equal
those who are individuals and, therefore, different from each other.

Promoting equality between women and men does not mean making them into something
identical, rather equivalent, that is to say, means granting them equal
valuation.
Promoting gender equality therefore involves ending the
discrimination based on sex, granting the same value, the same
rights and the same opportunities for women and men in a society
determined.

Empowerment in gender relations

It is the process by which women gain confidence, resources, and

necessary strength to face the conditions of inequality that affect them and
change their position in gender relations, both in the State and in
the market, the community or the home.
Empowerment is a complex process that includes multiple dimensions.
including the subjective, so projects can contribute to generating the
conditions related to one of its dimensions, but it is clear that it is not something
it should be generated from within, rather than granted from outside.
For example, the process that a woman goes through to report the violence she has faced
it is being object, it is personal and unique. Organizations can facilitate or
contributing to that process: providing information, advice, support, resources,
accompaniment, etc. However, the decision to face the problem is personal and
personal and depends on the different dimensions that we detail below,
specific form and with different weight for each case.

Dimensions of empowerment
Cognitive dimension: it refers to the understanding of the conditions and causes of the
subordination, both at home and in the social context. It includes the realization
of options that may go against cultural expectations and norms
social. Education, training, and information are important means of
this dimension.
Economic dimension: requires that women have access to and control over
productive resources, in such a way that a certain degree of autonomy is ensured
financial. However, it is important to verify that the changes in the balance of the
economic power (the so-called economic independence of women)
they necessarily alter traditional gender roles or social norms.
Political dimension: it involves the participation of women in movements.
social, political parties and the determination of their own gender interests
in the political sphere, so that they encourage and determine social change.
Psychological dimension (subjective): includes self-belief and its
capacity to act at all necessary levels (personal and social) to
transforming the position of subordination in gender relations. This is a
key dimension that is scarcely considered as a limiting factor for participation of
women and, many times it is used as justification that "they are the women who
that do not want to change.

GENDER FOCUS
It is a way of looking at reality by identifying the roles and tasks that are performed.
women and men in a society, as well as the asymmetries and power relations
and inequities that occur between them, allowing to understand and explain the
causes that produce them to formulate measures (policies, mechanisms, actions)
statements, standards, etc.) that contribute to bridging the social gaps produced
due to gender inequality.

The gender approach is an analytical and methodological tool that also has
a political dimension, as it seeks to build gender relations
equitable and fair, and recognizes the existence of other discriminations and inequalities
derivatives of ethnic origin, social status, sexual orientation and gender identity, age,
among others. From a change perspective, the gender approach influences the
formulation of public policies and in their management, incorporating the
specific needs of women and men throughout the policy cycle
allowing for a more efficient and effective public management, oriented towards equality
social and gender.

GENDER EQUALITY
It is the equal valuation of different behaviors, aspirations, and needs.
of women and men.

Gender equality is based on the principle that all people, men and women, have
the possibility of developing their skills and freedom to make their own decisions, and that they have been
taking into account their specific conditions, which have been assessed and favored in the same way. Not
It is about men and women being equal, but their rights, responsibilities and
opportunities do not depend on having been born with one sex or another.

On the other hand, gender equity aims to treat men fairly and equitably.
and women, according to their needs. Taking this principle into account, measures will be taken
timely so that their rights, responsibilities, and opportunities are the same, although that
It does not mean favoring one group over another. Equity is the path to equality.
This inevitably leads us to the concept of 'gender gap', which refers to the inequalities that
there are differences between men and women in access to resources and services, the exercise of rights, the
public participation and equal opportunities. The gender gap is an excellent way to
illustrate the discrimination of women in society and their inequality compared to men. In each
an initiative that an organization should ask itself what the gender gap is and ensure that its
actions aim to eliminate that gap or, at least, not deepen it.

Equality requires identical treatment

In a situation of real equality, the rights, opportunities, and responsibilities of
women and men do not depend on their biological nature, they should therefore
so, having the same conditions and opportunities to exercise their rights and
expand their capabilities and opportunities for personal development, contributing to the
social development and benefiting from its results. For example: the right to
equality before the law, in work and remuneration, to the freedoms of information,
opinion and expression, to political and civic participation, etc.

But it also requires a differentiated treatment.

When necessary, due to biological differences or historical inequality.
Between genders, women and men do not enjoy the same treatment and rights.
For example: differentiated treatment in the enjoyment of prenatal leave, where women
they are granted more time off because it is in their body (biological difference) where
the human being develops.
What is sought then, whether through identical or differentiated treatment, is to achieve
the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

Through gender equality, the aim is not to turn women into equals.
to men, but to transform relationships and power inequality into
identical conditions for both. Therefore, gender equality is an issue that
not only involves women and men, but also the State, civil society and
private sector. Gender equality is an outcome pursued by every action
planned by the State.

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against

woman–CEDAW (1979) constitutes the legal framework that synthesizes the set of
rights that, in civil, political, economic, and social matters, must be guaranteed
to women. It obliges the subscribing states to implement actions and policies
to guarantee the full exercise of these rights.

Peru approved its subscription through Legislative Resolution No. 23432, on June 4.
since 1982, and with that, committed to combating discrimination and inequalities
existing between women and men.