GENDER SENSITIVITY

UNESCO has a document entitled, Gender Sensitivity: A Training Manual published on May 12, 2002

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/resources/publications-and-
communication-materials/publications/full-list/gender-sensitivity-a-training-manual-for-sensitizing-
education-managers-curriculum-and-material-developers-and-media-professionals-to-gender-concerns/

In March 7, 2019, ABS-CBN News posted that there is a law about gender sensitivity training in the government.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/07/19/alamin-batas-na-naglalaan-ng-gender-sensitivity-training-sa-
gobyerno

Gender sensitization generally refers to theories which claim that modification of the behaviour of teachers and
parents (etc.) towards children can have a causal effect on gender equality. As per the UNESCO document on
Gender Sensitization ‘Gender sensitivity is not about pitting women against men. On the contrary, education that
is gender sensitive benefits members of both sexes. It helps them determine which assumptions in matters of
gender are valid and which are stereotyped generalizations. Gender awareness requires not only intellectual
effort, but also empathy and open-mindedness. It opens up the widest possible range of life options for both
women and men.’ Issues such as problem of sexual harassment, sexual stereotyping, Dearth of counsellor sensitive
to complexities such as caste, minority experience or sexuality, Lack of Special emotional and academic support of
both at the personal and institutional level for students from marginalized groups, Issues pertaining to
Infrastructural and Health Facilities, Lack of encouragement or recognition for research, patenting, innovation in
gender sensitization etc. are pertinent to ponder. Gender sensitivity helps to generate respect for the individual
regardless of sex. A change in perception is the need of the hour and requires orientation of policy-makers,
curriculum developers, media professionals, adult learners and even the public at large.

https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2018/webprogram/Paper101629.html

Manual about Gender Sensitization in Pakistan (?)

https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---asia/---ro-bangkok/---ilo-
islamabad/documents/publication/wcms_122298.pdf

Gender Sensitization and The Sexual Harrasment of Women at Workplace

http://www.saha.ac.in/web/images/administration/pdf/Gender%20Sensitization%20New-10-4-
2017_545c7.pdf

Importance of Gender Sensitization (September 17, 2015)

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-gender-sensitization-manjula-thakur/
GENDER SENSITIVITY

Gender Sensitivity
A. Definition
B. Issues
C. Solutions
D. Importance
E. How to Promote Gender Sensitivity (Application)
F. Gender Sensitivity Training
- Countries:
India
Pakistan
Philippines
- Organizations:
PCW
UNESCO
GENDER SENSITIVITY

I. Definition
Gender Sensitivity
- It is not about pitting women against men.
- Broad definition: it refers to understanding and consideration of socio-cultural factors underlying sex-based
discrimination.
- Simpler definition: Act of being sensitive to the ways people think about gender.
- iow, Gender Awareness (requires not only intellectual effort, but also empathy and open-mindedness.)

Gender Sensitization
- is a process in which people of all genders are taught to respect everyone regardless of gender while
acknowledging the differences.

Gender Sensitization Theories

- claim that modification of the behavior of teachers and parents towards children can have a causal effect on
gender equality.

II. Issue(s)
 Sexual Harassment
 Sexual stereotyping
 Gender Stereotype
WOMAN MAN
Home Bread winner
Caring & submissive Masters / Dominant
Patient Demanding
Emotional Controlled emotions
Working mothers’ a Doing household chores
curse is unmanly

For kids, gender identity develops around the ages of 2 and 3 therefore, at early age, we should instill what gender
sensitivity is. Because if not:
 It will restrict their creativity
 They will be exposed only on one side
 There will be restriction in choice of career

III. Importance
- Helps people in examining their personal attitudes and beliefs and questioning the realities they
thought they know
- Gender equality can be achieved
- It opens up the widest possible range of life options for both women and men.
- helps to generate respect for the individual regardless of sex
- It gives your child the freedom to be who they rea lly are without feeling restricted, which
would create a much healthier self-concept and self-esteem for them.
GENDER SENSITIVITY

IV. How to Promote Gender Awareness in Parents and Teachers (Application)

 Home
 Use of gender sensitive vocabulary – promoting gender neutral language
 Education - education that is gender sensitive benefits members of both sexes. It helps them determine
which assumptions in matters of gender are valid and which are stereotyped generalizations.
 Work
 Media
 Gender Sensitivity Training

V. Gender Sensitivity Training

As universally recognized at the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, countries will neither prosper nor
thrive unless they are equally supportive of women and men in their quest for a fulfilling life.