Sex  
 

refer  to  a set  of  biological  differences  between  women  and  men which is genetically determined. Only a very small proportion of the differences in roles assigned to men and  women can be attributed to biological or physical differences based on sex. For example, pregnancy, childbirth and differences in physiology can be attributed to sex-related characteristics.

   
Gender  
 

refer to the socially determined differences between women and men, such as roles, attitudes, behaviour and values. Gender roles are learned and vary across cultures and over time; they are thus amendable to change. Gender is a relational term that includes both women and men. Gender equality focuses on changes for both men and women.
   
Gender Equity 
 

is a process of being fair to both women and men. To ensure fairness, measures must often be available to compensate for historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating on a level playing field.  Equity can be understood as a means, where equality is the end. Equity leads to equality.
   
Gender Equality 
 

means that women and men enjoy the same status within a society.  It does not mean that men and women are the same, but rather that there similarities and differences are recognized.
   
Gender   Analysis  
 

is the  process  to assess the diffential impact of proposed or existing policies, programs, projects and regislation on men and  women. Gender analysis recognizes that the realities of men’s and women’s lives are different, and that equal opportunities does not necessarily, mean equal results. Key  issues  for  analysis  includes  the  gender  division  of  labor;  access  to  and  control  over  resources;  and  decision-making  capacity.
   
Systemic Discrimination
  is caused by policies and practices that are built into systems and that have the effect of excluding women and minorities. Although it may not exclude all members of a group, it will have a more serous effect on one group than on others. The remedy often requires affirmative measures to change systems.
   
Women in Development (WID)
  is an approach that emerged in the 1970s, with the goal of integrating women more fully into the development process. It includes strategies such as women – only projects and credit and training projects for women.
   
Gender  and  Development  (GAD)  Approach 
  was developed in 1980s in response to percieved failings of the WID Approch. Rather than focusing exclusively on women, this approach is concerned with relations between women and men. It Challenges unequal decision-making and power relations between not only men and women but also between rich and poor.
 
Gender Responsiveness
  entails consistent and systematic attention to the differences between women and men in society with a view to addressing structural constraints to gender equality.
   
Women-specific approach refer to initiatives that target women or girls exclusively. These initiatives tend to have an explicit
  objective to meeet practical or strategic need of women that are not always addressed through the integrated approach. Such activities are often valuable development investments , especially where they will be catalylic, innovative or strategic, or where they remedy a particularly urgent gender inequity. They are justified as being necessary to overcome gender-blindness that has in the past excluded women from the benefits of development
   

Gender  Mainstreaming  (GM)  Approach
 

Acknowledges  that  all  development  operations  have  gender  impact  and  do  not  automatically  benefit  women  and  men  equally.  It  ensures  that  women  and  men  equally  participate  in  every  aspect  of  the  project,  both  as  beneficiaries  and  decision-makers.
   

Women’s  Multiple  Roles

 

Both  women  and  men  have  multiple  work  roles.    These include  production,  essential  household  and  community  service,  and  community  management  and  political  activities.

1. Productive  Roles
 

Productive  activities  include  all  tasks  that  contribute  to  the  income  and  economic  welfare  and  advancement  of  the  household  and  community.  Women’s  productive  roles  include  cash  and  subsistence  farming,  home-based  industries and  formal  sector  employment.
   
2. Reproductive  Roles
  Reproductive  activities  are  those  carried  out  to  reproduce  and  care  for  the  household.  Women’s  reproductive  roles  include  pregnancy,  childbirth,  breast-feeding  and  child  rearing.
   
3. Household  and  Community  Services
 

Essential  household   and  community  services  are  those  which  must  be  carried  out  daily  to  meet  the  family’s  and  community’s  basic  needs,  such  as  fuel  and  water  collection,  education,  health  care and  food  preparation.
   
4. Community  Management  and  Political  Activities
 

This  refers to  the  management and  conservation  of  resources  for collective community  consumption  as  well  as  participation  in  cultural and religious ceremonies, formal  and  informal  political activities nd  involvement  in  development  organization,  such as  non-government  organizations  or   women’s  groups.