Institute of Development Studies Jaipur Gender and Gender Based Violence

Gender based Violence Issue of VAW gained increasing centrality in globally, nationally and regionally. UN Decade for Women; WID initiatives; GAD efforts - successful in identifying problems critical to women's participation that were not previously understood as development and human rights issues. One such area is violence against women.

1970’s The work of Esther Boserup, Women’s Role in Economic Development (1970), provided intellectual underpinning for WID arguments which had lasting impact on the women and development discourse.

Esther Boserup Challenged the assumptions of the ‘welfare approach’ Highlighted the important role women played in agriculture economy of Sub-Saharan Africa. Also challenged the conventional wisdom that women were less productive and not entitled to a share of scarce development resources

Gender and Development The UN Millennium Declaration (2000) makes an explicit commitment to Gender Equality as an end in itself “ No individual and no nation must be denied the opportunity to benefit from development. The equal rights and opportunities of women and men must be assured”.

GaD contd… Gender Inequality more pervasive than other forms of inequality. A feature of social relations in most societies- different forms in different cultures. Can be seen in – distribution of roles and responsibilities, access to resources, power and decision making

Sex and Gender SEX- biological state of being male or female, born with, cannot be changed GENDER-Socially constructed, not born with, can be changed

Gender Is not another word for women Does not focus on women alone Does not denote sexual difference

Concept of Gender and Gender Relations Gender -- rules, norms, customs and practices by which biological differences between males and females are translated into socially constructed differences between men and women and boys and girl Results in the two genders being valued differently and in their having unequal opportunities and life chances.

Concept of Gender contd… Gender Relations- an aspect of broader social relations, shaped and sanctioned by norms and values. Central to these are culturally specific notions of masculinity and femininity. Do not operate in social vacuum Four key institutions: family/community/market and state

UNDERSTANDING GENDER GENDER Gender refers to the socially constructed roles and responsibilities of boys and girls, women and men Gender roles are learned from families and communities Differ by culture and religion and periods of history

Gender Equality Gender Equality: equality of treatment under law and equality of opportunity A necessary condition for human development

Factors contributing to existing gender inequalities in Rajasthan Several interrelated factors –Patriarchal values, ideologies and practices Expected to fit the image of a ‘good’ woman Gender discriminatory practices-low value at birth/pre-birth

Contd… Seen in reproductive role i.e. homemakers and child bearers; men as providers. Poor access to resources as education, health and nutrition Rights severely curtailed, authority and decision- making remains largely with men

Sex Ratio Sex Ratio 922 Urban 890 Rural 932 Juvenile sex ratio 909 Urban 886 Rural 914 (Source: Census 2001)

Juvenile Sex Ratio Declined in 21 out of 32 districts from 916 in 1991 to 909 in 2001, total decline of 7 decimals Worse in western and northern regions compared to southern and south-eastern regions. 13 districts lower than 900

Article 2 UN Declaration "Violence against women shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following: Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non- spousal violence and violence related to exploitation.

Gender Based Violence Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution. Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the state, wherever it occurs"

Institutional Mechanisms to address gender inequalities State Commission for Women Mahila Thanas Vishakha Judgment State Policy for Women