Gender Analysis

Click on the side arrow to learn about the process of gender analysis and then click on the plus (+) sign in the image to find out why conducting a gender analysis is important.

A thorough gender analysis enables policymakers to understand gender inequalities in a given situation or sector, as it not only describes the current state of contextual situations by gender, but also explores the causes and effects of gender disparities on the target group. Looking at the underlying causes of gender inequalities and discrimination can assist in setting relevant and targeted objectives and measures to eliminate gender inequalities . In this way, gender analysis contributes to the improved gender responsiveness of policies and legislation as it provides the basis for ensuring that the needs of all citizens — women and men — are adequately addressed . When focused on organizations and institutions, gender analysis is also important in determining how the nature of their service delivery may affect women and men, or how institutions themselves are also ‘gendered’, for example, in the workplace in terms of recruitment practices, the gendered divisions of labour and women’s access to decision-making positions .

How does gender analysis work?

As part of the broad category of socioeconomic analysis, gender analysis starts by identifying and explaining gender inequalities in a specific context. This helps to build an understanding of different patterns of participation, involvement, behaviors and activities that women and men have in economic, social and legal structures, and the implications of these differences. The following are three suggested steps to take when carrying out gender analysis:

1. Collecting Available Data
2. Identifying gender differences and the underlying causes of gender inequalities
3. Informing policies, programmes and projects.

Read the interactive E-book and respond to the comprehension questions that follow: