Gender in Research
as a mark of excellence
Training notes
1. OBJECTIVES, APPROACH &
CONTENT
Gender in Research - training notes
Objectives
Strengthening participants basic
knowledge on gender issues
Raising participants awareness on the
importance of integrating gender in
research
Gender in Research - training notes
Content
Morning session:
Introduction to gender and research
Afternoon session:
Case studies
Gender in Research - training notes
3. BASIC CONCEPTS
Gender in Research - training notes
Gender race excercise
Sex= biological differences
Indicated in green
Sex= biological differences ( green)
Gender = Culturally constructed differences (red)
Sex or gender?
Sex?
Sex refers to the biologically determined characteristics
of men and women in terms of reproductive organs and
functions based on chromosomal complement and
physiology. As such, sex is globally understood as the
classification of living things as male or female.
Gender?
Gender refers to the social construction of women and
men, of femininity and masculinity, which varies in time
and place, and between cultures.
Gender in Research - training notes
Sex or gender?
Sex
Gender
Biologically fixed,
does not vary
Social construction that
varies according to:
Training notes
Time
Social class
Ethnicity
Culture
Age
Region
Religion
Excercise
Listen to the statements, are they
related to sex or gender?
Note that:
The problem is not the difference between
men and women as such, but the difference
in how they are valued
Certain aspects associated with masculinity
still tend to be valued more highly
The result is inequality of opportunities,
segregation & discrimination
Gender in Research - training notes
Gender equality
A situation where individuals of both sexes
are free to develop their personal abilities
and make choices without the limitations
imposed by strict gender roles. The different
behaviours, aspirations and needs of women
and men are considered, valued and favoured
equally
Gender in Research - training notes
Excercise
In groups of 3 or 4 persons:
List 4 M/F differences that exist today.
(Think of different domains of life like
sports, health, employment, politics,
etc)
Excercise
In groups of 3 or 4 persons:
List 4 M/F differences that exist today
Pick one difference which you also
consider an inequality. Why do you
think it is an inequality?
Note that:
There are still structural inequalities
between men & women
Concerns of both sexes should weigh
equally
Gender equality is a prerequisite for
sustainable development!
Gender in Research - training notes
Gender mainstreaming aproach
Transversal: concerns all domains (of
research)
Systematic: In each step of the
research process
Transformative: strengthening
capacities and eliminating inequalities
EC dual-track approach
to gender equality
Gender mainstreaming (horizontal
approach): Integrating a gender
perspective into the mainstream
But! Specific actions (vertical
approach) still needed: gender-specific
projects/policies
Gender in Research - training notes
4. GENDER IN RESEARCH
Gender in Research - training notes
Gender in Research
The gender-sensitive research cycle
gender in research
Equal opportunities for women and men in research
Gender balance in the team
Working conditions
Manage and monitor gender equality
Gender in the research content
Research ideas phase
Proposal phase
Research phase
Dissemination phase
Gender in the research content:
Step1: determine if gender is relevant
Does your research involve humans?
YES: gender always relevant
NO: At what point down the line will humans
be involved and how will gender be influencing
your research at that stage?
Step 2: gender analyses of the content of your
proposal.
Examples of gender in research: Malaria
Gender in the research content:
Gender sensitive analyses:
1. Different (re)productive roles and tasks
2. Different time allocation
3. Differences in representation &
participation
4. Difference in access to ~ control over
5. Etc
Step 3: adapt your
research methods
Gender sensitive research methods
Sex as variable
Gender sensitive questionnaires,
surveys, focus groups, test cases, etc.
Step 4: take it on board in
analyses and
dissemination
Publish about it
Show gender relevance in your reports
5. The business case for gender
Gender in Research - training notes
Excercise
What do you think could be the
advantages of integrating gender in
research (gender mainstreaming and
equal opportunities for researchers)?
Facts and figures
70% of the baby-boomers and 92% of generation Y
say that finding a good balance between family
and work is a priority!
(source: The corporate Lattice, Cathleen Benko)
Facts and figures
The catalyst report:
(The bottom line:
Corporate Performance and womens representation on boards, 2007.)
Study of Fortune 500 companies:
Ranked according to number of women on the
board:
Highest percentile:
53% more turn over then lowest percentile
42% more sale then lowest percentile
66% more turnover on invested capital then lowest
percentile
McKinsey&Company: Women matter: confirms this finding.
The story of
the tortilla
in space
Excellent research
needs gender
Effectiveness and efficiency
Investing in equal opportunities for men
and women in research:
stimulates the constitution of better
performing teams
allows you to get the best
talent from the whole
potential talent pool
Gender in Research - training notes
Excellent research
needs gender
Quality and validity
Investing in a gender-sensitive approach
to the research content:
allows your research to be of a higher
quality
makes it valid for a larger group of endusers
Gender in Research - training notes
