Resource 1: Gender Issues

 Background information / subject knowledge for teacher

• Gender describes those characteristics of men and women that are socially determined rather than biologically determined.
• Many of the pupils’ reactions come from the way they have been socialised, which leads to an unconscious gender stereotyping.
• In the family, men are generally considered the heads, and decision-making is largely dominated by them.
• There are gender disparities in access to education, economic opportunities and health care.
• There are imbalances in employment by sector and sex. Within the agriculture sector, women are the major food producers.
• People are born male or female, but learn to be girls or boys who grow into women or men.
• People are taught what the appropriate behaviour and attitudes, roles and activities are for them, and how they should relate to other people. This learned behaviour is what makes up gender identity and determines gender roles.