Gender and Reproductive Health/Family Planning

 Gender is about how males and females are expected to act and behave as men and women in their society. It refers to a set of qualities and behaviors that societies expect from men and women. These expectations are based on the belief that certain qualities, behaviors, characteristics and roles are “natural” for men, while other qualities and roles are “natural” for women. What society deems as “appropriate” behavior for males and females is taught and learned.

ESD’s gender equity strategy (developed by IntraHealth) includes two distinct but equally important steps: The first being to encourage constructive male involvement and the second to promote women’s empowerment . Combined, these two strategic elements constitute ESD’s Men and Women as
Partners approach.  

ESD’s "men and women as partners strategy" reflects state-of-the-art gender approaches. It also reflects the spirit of the discussion on Gender Equality, Equity and Empowerment of Women at the 1994 International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo as well as more recent developments in regional consensus on gender equality.

Applying the Gender Strategy

Key elements common to male involvement and women’s empowerment activities include:

• Values clarification on gender
• Identification of and reflection on traditional gender roles
• Understanding of male and female power dynamics
• Identification of gender stereotypes
• Increase in women’s and men’s awareness of the gender inequities and inequalities that exist

ESD integrates these elements within other RH/FP activities, such as:

• Workplace programs, including the HIM program at Unilever Tea Tanzania
• Refugee program in Kakuma and Dadaab camps, Kenya
• Child marriage program (upcoming)

See ESD's publications about gender>>