GENDER RELATIONS, POWER AND STEREOTYPES: UNDERSTANDING THE WORK PLACE ENVIRONMENT By: Prof. Halimu S. Shauri, PhD Chair-Social Sciences

Gender ‘the relations between men and women, both perceptual and material, based on attitudes, feelings, and behaviors that a given culture associates with a person’s biological sex. not determined biologically but constructed socially. A central organizing principle of societies, and often governs the processes of production and reproduction, consumption and distribution’ (FAO, 1997). often misunderstood as being the promotion of women only.

Gender perceptions How individuals are classified as either male, female or transgendered based on physical cues such as genitalia, facial hair and body structure. At birth, this determination is made upon observing the genitalia of a newborn. Societal norms, in particular, play a role in how a person views his or her own gender, as well as how his or her gender is perceived by others. Newborn girls and boys are dressed in different colors and styles of clothing, given different toys to play with as they begin to grow and develop.

At work, the “ultimate powers that be” are men, and the culture favors men on the issues driving the organization. Men are unlikely to be the target of sexual harassment at work, sexually motivated attacks in public or domestic violence at home. As such, personal safety is not a daily concern for them, as it is for many women. At work men earn more than women in the same job function and receive more opportunities for advancement than women colleagues. No man is averagely expected to change their name at the time of marriage.

Gender stereotypes Oversimplified notions about the attitudes, traits, or behavior patterns of women or men. Form the basis of sexism, or the prejudiced beliefs that value one sex over another. A "Man's Place" and a "Woman's Place" - In all of history, there's been a "man's world" and a "woman's world," and never the twain shall meet. Acceptance of gender-stereotyped roles as normal behaviors, with boys being rewarded for assertive behavior, uniqueness, and risk-taking, and girls for nurturing, conformity, and placing others' needs before their own, renders women invisible.

Gender relations Social and economic relationships that exist in any family, community, workplace or society between males and females. Influences people’s ability to freely decide, influence, control, enforce, and engage in collective actions. Affects how both men and women relate- leads to more physical violence, confrontation. Women are taught how to be ‘’feminine’’ and men are taught to be ‘’masculine’’. These are learned attributes and can be changed when both men and women start to understand this and how it came to be widely practiced in their society.

Exclusion from certain roles (such as leadership and decision making); the view that women are inferior to men; the view that it is okay for men to discipline women; and that women’s work is less valuable and less important than men’s work. Women are assumed to be the problem themselves- are seen as backward, poor, illiterate, ignorant and powerless. Gender relations are the real problem, not women because- determine whether women will be educated, have equal opportunities and how much power they have.

Sexual division of labor, at a societal level, divides women and men into gender specific occupations where women are assigned to unequal, lower paying positions. At the institutional level, women are often assigned to do “women’s work”, uncompensated responsibilities, that favors men over women, which has a profound implication on women’s health and economic well-being Is the glass ceiling been broken? Is It a compliment to Call a Female “A Chick”?

Gender and the Constitution The Constitution of Kenya 2010 (CoK) recognizes women, youth, persons with disabilities and ethnic minorities as special groups deserving of constitutional protection. Article 81 (b) -not more than two-thirds of the members of elective public bodies shall be of the same gender. Article 27 obligates the government to develop and pass policies and laws, including affirmative action programs and policies to address the past discrimination against women

Though many studies have recognized the benefits of empowering women, it is important to realize that, in some societies, empowering women may actually lead to increased domestic violence and family tensions. Way forward : Gender Diversity The equal treatment and acceptance of both males and females in an organization –Social Justice and Equity. Always target a strength so that it empowers rather than humiliates the target.