Working Along the Gender Continuum: Gender Programming at Concern

For many years, gender programming in the humanitarian and development community meant addressing the inequalities faced by women and girls, by working solely with women and girls to improve their circumstances. But despite the knowledge and programming surrounding gender, we are moving even further away from gender equality. Over the last few years, however, the phrase “gender transformative” has become a buzzword in programming. But what exactly does this phrase mean, and how is it implemented in the work of the international community and here at Concern??

It’s no secret that we don’t live in an equal world — and in some areas, like gender, inequality is growing. In March of this year, the UN released a report stating that if the rate of progress and investment in gender equality continues, gender parity won’t be achieved for another 300 years. Previously, it was widely assumed that it would take 132 years to achieve gender parity.??

Concern's work focuses mainly on three areas of crisis and disaster: conflict, climate, and hunger. Women are found to be disproportionately impacted by all of these crises.?

The growing inequities are evident in the harsh realities that women face every day:?

• Of the 345 million people who are severely hungry in the world right now, 60% of them are women and girls?
• In times of conflict, girls are 90% more likely to be out of school??
• 80% of those displaced by climate change are women and girls??

To add insult to injury, although women are treated and impacted disproportionately, communities and societies rely on their invisible labor to function. In times of conflict, the burden of caring and providing for the household and family often falls on women, even though they face barriers to employment and high risks of sexual violence. Even in times of peace, women might be responsible for providing financially for the family while also taking on the majority of caregiving and domestic work. On average, women do 2.6 times more unpaid work than men, and earn 23% less for paid work. When they do get paid, women reinvest as much as 90 percent of their income back into their families and communities. This imbalance can spur a cycle of inequity and poverty that affects generations to come.??

What does gender transformative programming mean??

This is where a gender transformative approach comes into play. Gender awareness is a prominent practice in the humanitarian and development fields. At the very least, most of the programming nowadays accounts for the consequences of current gender norms. However, it’s not enough to simply work within the confines of the existing gender dynamics when we’re living in an inherently unequal society.?

The question that comes to mind in the absence of gender transformative programming is this: If women are most affected by conflict, climate, hunger, and poverty, how are we supposed to solve these issues without also addressing women’s issues?

Gender transformative programming doesn’t simply work around existing inequalities, but instead, it “critically examines and challenges long-held norms and dynamics and strengthens systems that foster true equality.” The end goal is humanitarian and development programs built on an equitable foundation, so the outcomes of these programs are actually sustainable.?

Gender Transformative Programming at Concern?

Since 2013, Concern has shifted its focus from gender equality to gender transformative programs. To do so, we started small. We recognize that so often, change begins at home, and therefore gender transformation must also begin with interpersonal relationships.??

Concern’s Engaging Men and Boys program aims to do just that. Through a series of group sessions, this program unpacks the harmful stereotypes and norms that boys learn at a young age and reframes gender roles and relationships in their own lives. The program works in four thematic modules, building up from individual reflection to community collaboration.??

The program begins by introducing the ideas of gender and gender equality and asking participants to reflect on their own roles in society. It includes closely examining their roles and relationships in the house and with their peers. In doing so, participants are encouraged to question why these norms exist.

Once armed with the necessary skills, participants work towards facilitating change at an interpersonal and community level. Participants are encouraged to create their own community sessions, or action teams to promote accountability in their own communities. These community sessions give men and boys a chance to put their learnings into practice by opening a platform for women to speak directly about the issues they experience in their own relationships and in the community. The goal of this program is to reframe these gender issues as not just a woman’s issue, but a community issue.??

Key Takeaways??

If you’ve reached the end of this and you’re wondering if gender equality really is achievable, then you’re in luck, because it is. But it will only happen with the active efforts of all members of society at all levels. Here are just a few things you can do to promote gender equality in your daily lives:?

1. Listen to women and ensure their voices, perspectives, and needs are heard.?
2. Reflect on your own position in society and the stereotypes applied to both men and women in your culture.?
3. Challenge others when you see them play into harmful stereotypes – focus on education versus punishment.?
4. Help your partner or spouse with unpaid domestic work and caregiving at home that traditionally falls on women.?