Appendix A: Background Paper

Canadian Congress for Learning Opportunities for Women

Background for On-Line Dialogue: Why Gender-Based Analysis? (1)

What is Gender?

In most cultures people expect women and men to fit into specific male and female roles and to behave in certain ways. Each culture has different expectations and values regarding women's and men's roles and activities. We use the word gender to describe culturally-based views of how women and men should behave. Gender roles can change over time as the culture and society change. In contrast, sex refers to the fixed biological characteristics that make someone female or male. Sex characteristics are mainly physical in nature and generally do not change. Therefore gender and sex are not the same thing.

What is Gender Equality?

Gender equality exists in a society when women and men have the same status. It means that women and men experience equal conditions. This equality allows them to realize their full human rights and their ability to contribute to national, political, economic, social and cultural development. It also allows women and men to benefit equally from the results of development. Gender equality exists when people give equal value to women's and men's roles, work and behavior (2).

What is Gender Equity?

Gender equity is the process of ensuring that society treats women and men fairly. To achieve gender equity, we often need to take specific actions to overcome the historical and social barriers that prevent women and men from operating on a level playing field. Equity leads to equality.

What is Gender-Based Analysis?

Gender-based analysis refers to any analytical tool that you can use to examine and measure gender differences. You can also use it to:

1. Identify barriers to the achievement of equality between women and men;

(1) Sponsored by Status of Women Canada
(2) paraphrased from CIDA' s Policy on Gender Equality 1999, Draft for Consultation, June 1998