‘Gender equality is important to me as an individual because I grew up most my life in the

village, so I know the struggles that women in the village face. I look at the reasons why girls
drop out of school. When I was growing up there were seven of us and only I made it to
secondary school. The rest dropped out of school. And I look at where I am today. I was not
special. Some of those girls were more intelligent than I was, and I imagine that they would have
been in good positions, they would be independent, they would be able to work and support
their own children, but now they are still in that chain of poverty. And I feel it is possible to break
the cycle of poverty. There are women that are suffering, that are not supposed to be suffering
and it would only take someone to encourage them, someone to empower them and that would
bring about the change. They say ‘educate a girl child, you educate the nation’. If we empower
the women, we can be ensured that a country is empowered.’ - Martha Khonje, Country
Director of ActionAid Malawi

'I believe we need to make the world a better place for current and future generations. It is only
when all people are valued as equals that we can really achieve a brighter future, full of ideas
and inputs from people across society. We need women leaders and for women to be fully
involved in decision-making but to achieve that we need to challenge gendered nuances in
everyday life. It needs to start today, in our offices and in our every day lives. ‘Bossy. Feisty.
Emotional.’ Language permeates our thinking and our culture. Let’s challenge that.
‘Inspirational. Driven. Committed.’ Let’s pledge for parity and equality.' - Orla Murphy UN Youth
Ambassador

Gender equality is not just the concern of half of the world’s population; it is a human right, a
concern for us all, because no society can develop – economically, politically, or socially – when
half of its population is marginalized. We must leave no one behind.

This is a year of global action. Governments will adopt a new set of Sustainable Development
Goals, work together to draft a meaningful climate agreement, and craft a framework to provide
the financial resources needed to deliver on a global sustainable development agenda. Those
participating would be wise to remember that inclusive sustainable development can be realized
only when all human rights – including gender equality – are protected, respected, and fulfilled.

The three of us – each from different continents – support these international processes. We
share a common motivation for our work: protecting our planet for our children and
grandchildren, and ensuring the development of a world where all people – regardless of their
gender, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation – have an equal opportunity to
achieve their aspirations.

The implications of not providing girls with equal voices, choices, and opportunities affect not
just their lives, but the future of the planet. Efforts to promote inclusive sustainable
development and fight climate change are inextricably linked. If we care about development, we
must care about the consequences our greenhouse-gas emissions are having around the world.
And if we do not take urgent action, we will irreparably damage the natural systems on which life
depends.

This is not a threat that we can set aside until we have eradicated poverty worldwide. Nor is it a
problem that we can leave to future generations to address. Left unchecked, climate change –
along with other unsustainable patterns of development – could wipe out the gains of recent
decades. All countries – developed and developing – have a role to play in ensuring a stable
world for our children.

Women are among those most vulnerable to the impacts of unsustainable practices and climate
change, because they often have no independent income or land rights. In many countries,
women are responsible for the provision of water and food for their families. And when the
usual sources of these resources are disrupted, women are forced to travel farther and spend
more time working for less return. Scarcity requires them to make difficult choices like pulling
children out of school or deciding which family member can afford to skip a meal.

In many homes around the world, women are at the heart of the household’s nexus of water,
food, and energy – and thus often know firsthand about the challenges and potential solutions in
these areas. In our conversations with women around the world, we hear about their struggles,
but also their ideas, many of which, if applied, could facilitate change. Women are the most
convincing advocates for the solutions that they need, so they should be at the forefront of
decision-making on sustainable development and climate-change mitigation.

Over the coming weeks, during the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in
New York, the international community will take stock of the progress that has been made
toward achieving what was pledged 20 years ago in Beijing and assess where more efforts are
needed.
This year will be crucial. With the Financing for Development conference in July, the Special
Summit on Sustainable Development Goals in September, and the UN Climate Change
Conference in December, we have the opportunity to integrate gender equality and women’s
empowerment fully into the effort to promote sustainable development and fight climate
change.

The three of us wake up every morning thinking about how to make this happen. Everyone
should. We call on all women and men to join us in making their voices heard loudly and in
seizing this opportunity for a just and equitable future for all.

This article is published in collaboration with Project Syndicate. Publication does not imply
endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

The Equal Harvest study, which was published on International Women’s Day (8 March), says
that enabling more women to join the organisations that grow produce such as bananas, cotton
and tea, could benefit businesses and support global development, as well as bringing gains for
women.

Women make up almost half the agricultural workforce in developing countries, but only
account for 22% of the farmers registered as members of the 1,210 small producer organisations
certified by Fairtrade.

“Local norms, attitudes and customs related to the role of men and women in society often
create barriers to women’s participation,” says the report. Membership of co-operatives, for
example, can be dependent on owning land or crops, while some agricultural work may be
deemed inappropriate for women. Women may also be expected to undertake most of the
domestic work in the home, giving them less time to participate in producer groups.

The Fairtrade Premium is often invested in projects that benefit women, such as access to
childcare or training to help them diversify their income. But the report argues that increasing
the participation of women farmers could boost productivity, improve development outcomes
for communities, and provide opportunities to launch new products.
As part of the report, the Fairtrade Foundation collected views on why increased women’s
participation should be facilitated. “It’s important to be an active member of the association
because it gives women the right to vote, to participate in decision-making, the right to receive
benefits and to live with dignity,” said a female banana producer in the Dominican Republic. said
that enabling women to become members of producer organisations is important because “it
gives women the right to vote, to participate in decision making, to receive benefits and to live
with dignity.”

gender equality and UN representatives from across the world.

The priority theme for this year’s CSW is ‘Women’s empowerment and its link to sustainable
development.’ Often associated with the environment, the UN has a wider definition for
sustainability as calling for: ‘a decent standard of living for everyone today without
compromising the needs of future generations.’

Gender equality is an essential element of sustainable and inclusive development. Here are just
four of the reasons why:

Home Blogs comms's blog Why Gender Equality is Key to Development

Why Gender Equality is Key to Development

author: COMMS,

08 march 2016

Throughout the international development sector people and organisations are fighting for
gender equality and parity around the world. We asked women working in the development
sector why equality matters to them:
‘There are already so many role models in development, leaders from Aung San Suu Kyi to
Malala and Mary Robinson – to name but a few, who show us the importance of equality and
the power of women in leadership to change the world. We also see heroes in women around
the world working to support their families, communities and countries, often in very difficult
circumstances. We need to hear their voices, be guided by their values of participation, diversity,
empathy and equality if we are to tackle the terrible tragedy of gender based violence which
affects so many women around the world. Only through equality can we truly tackle gender
based violence. That is why equality matters so much to me.’ - Suzanne Keatinge, CEO of Dóchas

‘Gender equality is important to me as an individual because I grew up most my life in the

village, so I know the struggles that women in the village face. I look at the reasons why girls
drop out of school. When I was growing up there were seven of us and only I made it to
secondary school. The rest dropped out of school. And I look at where I am today. I was not
special. Some of those girls were more intelligent than I was, and I imagine that they would have
been in good positions, they would be independent, they would be able to work and support
their own children, but now they are still in that chain of poverty. And I feel it is possible to break
the cycle of poverty. There are women that are suffering, that are not supposed to be suffering
and it would only take someone to encourage them, someone to empower them and that would
bring about the change. They say ‘educate a girl child, you educate the nation’. If we empower
the women, we can be ensured that a country is empowered.’ - Martha Khonje, Country
Director of ActionAid Malawi

'I believe we need to make the world a better place for current and future generations. It is only
when all people are valued as equals that we can really achieve a brighter future, full of ideas
and inputs from people across society. We need women leaders and for women to be fully
involved in decision-making but to achieve that we need to challenge gendered nuances in
everyday life. It needs to start today, in our offices and in our every day lives. ‘Bossy. Feisty.
Emotional.’ Language permeates our thinking and our culture. Let’s challenge that.
‘Inspirational. Driven. Committed.’ Let’s pledge for parity and equality.' - Orla Murphy UN Youth
Ambassador
Where are we now:

Today, on International Women’s Day we recognise that paramount challenge. In the

international development sector we believe that gender equality and parity is key to ensuring a
sustainable future for the world. This year International Women’s Day falls at a unique time in
Irish life. We have just experienced a general election which has been an historic election for
women. The figures speak for themselves: 35 women elected as Members of the 32nd Dáil,
which means 1 in 5 TDs are now women. This is a huge step forward in terms of female
representation. We see women in leadership positions. It shows change is possible.

However, there is still a long road ahead for gender equality and parity in Ireland and around the
world. Despite some modest gains in some regions in the world, millions of women are losing
ground in their quest for equality in the world of work, with large gender pay gaps remaining
across the global labour market, according to a new report prepared by the United Nations
International Labour Organisation. A recent study from the World Economic Forum also shows
that gender parity may take 117 years to achieve if we continue at the current rate of change.
Women today are at the same pay levels as men were in 2006. Women are being left behind.
Women around the world still suffer gender based violence- discrimination and inequality.
Around the world the battle is far from won. And this is where development can play a key role.

What is the plan to achieve equality:

There is an urgency when it comes to gender equality. We now have a strong global pathway to
achieving this equality through The Sustainable Development Goals. This is a global agreement
which sets out an action plan to end poverty and injustice and gender equality is a key part of
that plan. Nearly all of the agenda’s goals have a gender component, with Goal 5 focussing
specifically on gender equality. Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and
girls.

Find out more about Goal 5 and what it means for gender equality here.

See the Dóchas Gender Empowerment Knowledge Hub for why gender empowerment is so
important in international development.

For more how women are affected by each of the Sustainable Development Goals see the UN
women and the SDGs briefing.

“Getting to Equal by 2030: The Future is Now,” highlights the importance of addressing these
gaps in equality and parity if the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved.

For these goals to be achieved, everyone needs to get involved. Join the fight for equality.

How you can get involved:

Social Media: This year the theme of International Women's Day is parity. Why not make your
personal #PledgeforParity

Get social media pledge cards here

Become an activist for change in your daily life: Get involved and become an activist for change
in your organisations or in your communities- you'll find resources and ways you can help here.

Go to a Women's Day Event:

The Audience takes centre stage in an interactive play running this week, produced in
conjunction with ActionAid: “Safe Cities for Women – You reACT” will run in Players Theatre,
Trinity College at 7.30 pm on Monday 7th and Friday 11th March and the Stagg's Head, 1 Dame
Court, at 7.30pm on Wednesday 9th March – Find out more here.

Empowerment is Magic: To Mark the International Women's Day, Wezesha Dada in co-operation
with the Irish School of Ecumenics is hosting a seminar: “Empowerment is the Magic”,
Accelerating the 2030 Agenda. The Wezesha report “Healing the wounds of War” will be
launched on the day. 10 March 2016, 2:00pm - 4:30pm. For more information/ to register go
here.

TIDI / DSAI Seminar: Gender, Violence and Conflict, Tuesday 8 March 2016; Time: 16:30 – 18:00,
TRISS Seminar Room, Room C6.002 (6th Floor), Arts Building, Trinity College Dublin.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland is hosting a series of events across the country. Find
out more here.

Keep an eye on the Dóchas Wednesday News for more events taking place around the country.
tags:

International Women's Day, Dóchas, Gender, Equality, Parity

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Our Mission

Dóchas is the association of Irish Non-Governmental Development Organisations. Dóchas

provides a forum for consultation and co-operation between its members and helps them speak
with a single voice on development issues.

Our Vision

Our vision is of a world where poverty and inequality are unacceptable, and where every person
has the right to live free from fear, free from want and able to fulfil their potential.

Contact Details

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Address:

Suite 8, Olympic House, Pleasants Street, Dublin 8, Ireland

Twenty years ago, the adoption by 189 governments of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for
Action marked a turning point in the history of women’s rights. This progressive blueprint
remains a powerful source of inspiration in the effort to realize equal opportunities for women
and girls.

But while much progress has been made in the intervening decades, much more remains to be
done to ensure that women and children are guaranteed healthy lives, education, and full social
inclusion. In just 42 countries do women hold more than 30% of seats in the national legislature,
and girls still do not have the same educational opportunities as boys in Sub-Saharan Africa,
Oceania, and western Asia.

Gender equality is not just the concern of half of the world’s population; it is a human right, a
concern for us all, because no society can develop – economically, politically, or socially – when
half of its population is marginalized. We must leave no one behind.

This is a year of global action. Governments will adopt a new set of Sustainable Development
Goals, work together to draft a meaningful climate agreement, and craft a framework to provide
the financial resources needed to deliver on a global sustainable development agenda. Those
participating would be wise to remember that inclusive sustainable development can be realized
only when all human rights – including gender equality – are protected, respected, and fulfilled.

The three of us – each from different continents – support these international processes. We
share a common motivation for our work: protecting our planet for our children and
grandchildren, and ensuring the development of a world where all people – regardless of their
gender, race, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation – have an equal opportunity to
achieve their aspirations.

It is critical that we continue to engage men and boys actively in the fight against gender-based
discrimination and violence. We have an opportunity to secure a better future and raise a new
generation of girls and boys who respect one another and work together to protect the rights of
all people.

The implications of not providing girls with equal voices, choices, and opportunities affect not
just their lives, but the future of the planet. Efforts to promote inclusive sustainable
development and fight climate change are inextricably linked. If we care about development, we
must care about the consequences our greenhouse-gas emissions are having around the world.
And if we do not take urgent action, we will irreparably damage the natural systems on which life
depends.

This is not a threat that we can set aside until we have eradicated poverty worldwide. Nor is it a
problem that we can leave to future generations to address. Left unchecked, climate change –
along with other unsustainable patterns of development – could wipe out the gains of recent
decades. All countries – developed and developing – have a role to play in ensuring a stable
world for our children.

Women are among those most vulnerable to the impacts of unsustainable practices and climate
change, because they often have no independent income or land rights. In many countries,
women are responsible for the provision of water and food for their families. And when the
usual sources of these resources are disrupted, women are forced to travel farther and spend
more time working for less return. Scarcity requires them to make difficult choices like pulling
children out of school or deciding which family member can afford to skip a meal.

In many homes around the world, women are at the heart of the household’s nexus of water,
food, and energy – and thus often know firsthand about the challenges and potential solutions in
these areas. In our conversations with women around the world, we hear about their struggles,
but also their ideas, many of which, if applied, could facilitate change. Women are the most
convincing advocates for the solutions that they need, so they should be at the forefront of
decision-making on sustainable development and climate-change mitigation.

Over the coming weeks, during the 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women in
New York, the international community will take stock of the progress that has been made
toward achieving what was pledged 20 years ago in Beijing and assess where more efforts are
needed.
This year will be crucial. With the Financing for Development conference in July, the Special
Summit on Sustainable Development Goals in September, and the UN Climate Change
Conference in December, we have the opportunity to integrate gender equality and women’s
empowerment fully into the effort to promote sustainable development and fight climate
change.

The three of us wake up every morning thinking about how to make this happen. Everyone
should. We call on all women and men to join us in making their voices heard loudly and in
seizing this opportunity for a just and equitable future for all.

This article is published in collaboration with Project Syndicate. Publication does not imply
endorsement of views by the World Economic Forum.

To keep up with the Agenda subscribe to our weekly newsletter.

Author: Mary Robinson, a former President of Ireland and UN High Commissioner for Human
Rights, is President of the Mary Robinson Foundation and the UN Secretary-General’s Special
Envoy on Climate Change. Christiana Figueres is Executive Secretary of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Amina J. Mohammed is the UN Secretary-
General’s Special Adviser and the Assistant-Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development
Planning since 2012.

Image: A girl selling apples by the roadside waits for customers just outside the Angolan city of
Lubango. REUTERS/Finbarr O’Reilly

Share

Written by

Mary Robinson,
The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic
Forum.

PROGRAMS AND COURSES COURSES CRITICAL ISSUES IN GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

COURSE

Critical Issues in Gender and Development

A graduate course offered by the Crawford School of Public Policy.AN

Learning Outcomes

Course participants who satisfy all requirements of the courses will have the knowledge and
skills:

to demonstrate a critical appreciation of almost all the major gender issues in development;

to have a strong understanding of the concepts and approaches used by development scholars
and practitioners, linking them to gender and development theory;

be familiar with the main gender concerns, be able to identify the gaps and use the skills in
formulating development projects from a gender perspective;

to describe and evaluate data from a gender perspective, and appraise a development project
or policy in terms of the likely gender impacts of it; and

to reflect critically on their own experiences of gender and development in light of the
concepts and methods introduced in the course.

Gender Role, Gender Identity, Core Gender Identity: Usage and Definition of Terms

John Money

Additional Information

Free first page

Cited by

Ethel S.Person, LionelOvesey. (1983) Psychoanalytic Theories of Gender Identity. Journal of the
American Academy of Psychoanalysis 11:2, 203-226.

Online publication date: 13-Jul-2017.

Citation | PDF (983 KB) | PDF with links (1032 KB)

Eva P.Lester. (1976) On the Psychosexual Development of the Female Child. Journal of the
American Academy of Psychoanalysis 4:4, 515-527.

Online publication date: 13-Jul-2017.

Citation | PDF (540 KB) | PDF with links (576 KB)

Read More: https://guilfordjournals.com/doi/abs/10.1521/jaap.1.1973.1.4.397?

journalCode=jaap.1

why is it critical to adress gender isssues on development?

gender can be defined as the mental analogue of sex of an individual. Gender issues