Module 2. Theorethical Concepts of Gender - FSN Network Portal

Mainstreaming Gender into Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programs
Module 2: Theoretical Concepts of Gender
Lesson 7: Gender Concepts (2): Gender Roles and Relationships and Gender Needs
Handout 7.1
Definitions of Gender Relationships and Roles
Gender Relations
Gender relations are the economic and social relationships between men and
women – in particular how power is distributed between them. Such
relationships are constructed and reinforced by social institutions. They
impact on women’s and men’s position in society and tend to disadvantage
women. Gender hierarchies are often accepted as ‘natural’ but they are
socially-determined relations that are culturally constructed and subject to
change over time. Gender relationships relate to a range of institutional and
social issues rather than a specific relationship between certain male and
female individuals. Women’s human rights can only be realised through a
transformation of gender power relations at all levels.
Roles
A role is a pattern of personal behavior. It is shaped by the status and position
of a person in a community, and is influenced by one's own opinion and other
people's expectations of the role. It is therefore culturally, economically and
socially determined. Gender roles for men and women fall under the general
categories of ‘masculinity’ and ‘femininity’.
Gender Roles
Gender roles are what men and women are expected to do and how they are
expected to behave towards each other. Gender roles are not biologically
determined. They are learned behaviours in a given society/community or
other special group, that condition which activities, tasks and responsibilities
are perceived as for women and for men. They are different across
communities and across the world. They change over time in response to
changing circumstances (e.g. during wars, when women take on more
leadership roles) and changing ideas about what are acceptable or
unacceptable roles and behaviours. They are affected by age, class, race,
ethnicity, religion and by the geographical, economic and political environment
and circumstances, including development efforts.
Both men and women play multiple roles in society. The gender roles of
women in most societies can be identified as reproductive, productive and
community management roles, while men’s are often categorised as either
productive or community political roles. Most men are able to focus on a
particular productive role, and play their multiple roles sequentially. Most
women, in contrast to most men, must play their roles simultaneously and
balance competing claims on time from each of them.
A Training Manual for Water Professionals developed collaboratively by PROTOS and SNV, 01/02/2007
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