Gender issue

community heath nursing
Gender inequality refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their gender. It arises from differences in socially constructed gender roles.
Gender equality, also known as sex equality, sexual equality, or equality of the genders, is the view that everyone should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on their gender.

1. Prepared by Jenisha adhikari BSN Community health nursing Gender Issues

2. Meaning Gender- the characteristics that a society or culture delineates as masculine or feminine gender  role as a 'man' or a 'woman' in society can be quite different cross culturally.

3. Sex - either of the two main categories (male and female) into which humans and most other living things are divided on the basis of their reproductive functions .

4. Issue - an important topic or problem for debate or discussion

5. Gender issue Gender inequality  refers to unequal treatment or perceptions of individuals based on their  gender . It arises from differences in socially constructed gender  roles. Gender equality , also known as sex  equality, sexual equality, or equality of the genders, is the view that everyone should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against based on their gender.

6. Gender issue is not same as women’s issue…. Understanding gender mean understanding the behavior, opportunities and constraint that affect both men as well as women.

7. Equity and Bias

8. Equality- the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, or opportunities. Equity - the quality of being fair and impartial. Bias- inclination or prejudice for or against one person or group, especially in a way considered to be unfair.

9. Know the difference

10. Equity  and  equality  are two strategies we can use in an effort to produce fairness.  Equity  is giving everyone what they need to be successful.  Equality is treating everyone the same.  Equality  aims to promote fairness, but it can only work if everyone starts from the same place and needs the same help

11. Gender equality means equal treatment of women and men in law and policies and equal access to resource and service within families, communities and society at large. Gender equity means fairness and justice in the distribution of benefits and responsibilities between women and men ,

12. “ Gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men . ” - UNFPA (United Nation Population Fund )

13. In contrast to gender equality, gender equity refers to the process of allocating resources based on the particular requirements of a gender. For example, instead of making sure males and females each receives 50 percent of the facilities of a sports center, gender equity means that each gender receives the right proportion and types of facilities according to their interests, capacities and experiences.

14. While gender equality focuses on providing the same starting circumstances for everyone, the goal of gender equity is to provide both genders with the same end results. In most cases, the concept of gender equality is used in correlation with the empowerment of women, whereas gender equity refers to the process of treating both men and women with the same amount of fairness when it comes to the equality of chances based on individual needs.

15. Gender violence

16. Gender violence Meaning Violence - behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.

17. “ Any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life ."

18. The nature and extent of specific types of GBV vary across cultures, countries and religions. Examples include rape, sexual exploitation and forced prostitution; domestic violence; trafficking ; forced or early marriage; and harmful traditional practices, such as female genital mutilation and honor killing.

19. Magnitude of the problem( worldwide) Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. Every year, about 5,000 women are murdered by family members in the name of honor year worldwide Worldwide 2 million girls of age 5- 15 years are introduced into commercial sex market Worldwide, one out of 5 pregnant women are abuse.

20. Women’s are not dying because of the disease we cannot treat, they are dying because society have yet to make a decision that their life are worth saving. - Dr. Mohammod F atahalla

21. Magnitude of problem ( Nepal 2011) 22% of women age between 15- 49 have experienced physical violence at least once. 2 out of 5 experienced spousal violence( physically or sexually) and had physical injuries. The experience of violence during pregnancy decline with education from 8% among women with no education to 2 % among women with an SLC or higher education.

22. Women in Nepal barely seek for assistance from any source for violence they have experienced. Nearly 2 out of 3 have never told anyone about it. Women who are divorced, separated, or widowed are more likely to report experiencing violence during pregnancy (10%) than women who are currently married (6%)

23. Gender discrimination throughout a woman’s life Phase Type prenatal Prenatal sex selection, female fetocide , battering during pregnancy, coerced pregnancy Infancy infanticide, emotional and physical abuse, differential access or deprive to food, nutrition and medical care childhood Genital mutilation, incest and sexual abuse; child prostitution differential access or deprive to food, nutrition and medical care Adolescence Dating violence, sexual abuse in work place, forced prostitution , rape, sexual harassment, forced pregnancy, trafficking, forced abortion, early marriage Reproductive Abuse by intimate partner, marital rape, dowry abuse and murders, partner homicide, psychological abuse, sexual harassment, forced pregnancy, trafficking, forced abortion, bigamy, polygamy, Old age Abuse of widows, elder abuse (

24. Types of violence against women Domestic violence Sexual violence Human trafficking and forced prostitution Others Honor killings Dowry violence Acid throwing Forced marriage Stalking Mistreatment of widows Accusations of witchcraft

25. Domestic violence It is defined as the physical or mental torture given by a member of the family to another member of the same family. It is the most common form of gender based violence.

26. Types of domestic violence Physical abuse- causing physical pain. Includes slapping beating, arm- twisting, stabbing, strangling, burning, kicking and threats with weapon, murder, traditional harmful practice like genital mutilation and widowhood abuse. Sexual abuse- forced to fulfilling sexual desire of men. Includes rape, coerced sex through threats, unwanted sexual act, incest, marital rape, forced prostitution.

27. Psychological abuse – include threatening behavior, harassment, threats of abandonment, confinement, verbal abuse and other mental torture Emotional abuse – public embarrassment, humiliation, fear, shame, isolation Economic abuse- denial funds, exploitation controlling access to healthcare, food, basic necessities

28. Sexual violence Sexual violence  is defined as a  sexual  act committed against someone without that person's freely given consent.  It could be done by acquaintances or strangers Sexual violence  is divided into the following types: Completed or attempted forced penetration of a victim.

29. It includes- Sexual exploitation and abuse Sexual exploitation  is the  sexual  abuse of children and youth through the exchange of sex or  sexual  acts for drugs, food, shelter, protection, other basics of life, and/or money.  Sexual exploitation  includes involving children and youth in creating pornography and  sexually  explicit websites. incest, child abuse, pornography

30. Sexual harassment; sexual assault the making of unwanted sexual advances or obscene remarks. Rape / attempted rape: Rape is the unlawful sexual activity and usually sexual intercourse carried out forcibly or under threat  Rape attempted may include Rape of adult female Rape of minor Gang rape Marital rape

31. Trafficking Trafficking  is a crime against the person because of the violation of the victim's rights of movement through – coercion , of abduction, of fraud, of abuse of power or of position for the purpose of exploitation.

32. Other violence Honor killings Dowry violence Acid throwing Forced marriage Stalking Mistreatment of widows Accusations of witchcraft

33. Consequences of violence Health effects of domestic and sexual abuse or violence. Social and economic cost Added cost Effect on productivity and empowerment

34. Health effects of domestic and sexual abuse or violence Non- fatal outcome Physical health : injuries, functional impairment, physical symptoms, poor subjective health, permanent disability, handicapped Chronic condition: irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, somatic complain Negative health behavior- smoking, alcohol, drug abuse, over eating Mental health- Post- traumatic stress disorder( PSTD ), depression, anxiety, phobia, sleep difficulties, eating disorder, low self- esteem

35. 5. Reproductive – unwanted pregnancy, STDs, gynecological disorder, unsafe abortion, pregnancy complication, pelvic inflammatory disorder Fatal outcome: homicide, suicide, maternal mortality, AIDs related death, female, infanticide

36. 2. Social and economic costs the social and economic costs of violence against women are enormous. Women may suffer isolation, inability to work, loss of wages due to losses of women’s earning potential, lack of participation in regular activities and limited ability to care for themselves and their children, decrease quality of life in family and community and low self- esstem

37. 3. Added cost Include the cost of treatment, therapy , court and legal services

38. 4.Effect on productivity and employment: Girls who are victims of sexual abuse at school by their male teacher are likely to be depressed and stay away from school. Elsewhere, parents who are fear that their daughter will be sexually assaulted, may keep them at home until they are safely married The consequences in every case, is a cutting of education, a decreased chance of securing gainful employment, quality of life and reduce contribution to community as well as nation

39. Gender Discrimination

40. Meaning Discrimination- the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.

41. Gender discrimination  is the unfair treatment of a person because of  gender .  Gender discrimination affects both men and women. It is apparent in work situations where one  gender  is given preferential treatment or one  gender  receives less pay or job responsibilities because of  gender bias  and unfair stereotypes.

42. The existing society has been such that no girl or woman dares to go out in the evening. Even in broad day light rapes, murders and eve teasing’s are rampant. Under social circumstances, a son is considered a necessity while a daughter is considered a liability or burden.

43. Society teaches the girls from the very beginning to speak slowly, do not laugh loudly, tolerate the torture of others, accept injustice, obey, sacrifice and cooperate, don’t assert, don’t argue and don’t violet man’s orders . These are the characteristics of a good woman as per the social norms.

44. Cause of Gender Discrimination The causes of gender discrimination may be as follows: (1) Prejudice. (2) Biological. (3) Socio-cultural. (4) Economic. (5) Educational. (6) Personal and Psychological. (7) Adherance to traditional gender roles .

45. Prejudice. Men are so much biased against the qualities of a woman that when a woman works excellently, men say ‘she is a man’. Prejudices indicate unfounded and unscientific judgement . It is wrong to discriminate all women on the behaviour of one woman.

46. Biological biological differences between man and woman play a minor role in creating gender discrimination But women are considered as only birth giver Today women are taking part in athletics and sports like cricket, hockey, football, volley-ball which were once considered the monopoly of males. But the percentage of women taking part in such games is quite small. It is hoped that if women are encouraged by family, society and government they can prove that they are also physically stronger like men.

47. Socio-cultural. people are no more interested in a girl child and are engaged in the abortion of the unborn female fetus, parents and in laws feel sorry when a girl is born because they considered A female child in our society is not wanted because she is considered by her parents as flower of someone else’s garden. Parents don’t bother to pay for education and her basic needs, thinking her existence is their loss because they have to give away dowry  

48. Economic Causes Around the globe in almost all societies women were/are economically dependent on men. Since they had no education and expertise to do jobs outside and since men did not allow those who were suitable for jobs, women were financially weak. They were only engaged in domestic work for which they were never paid. One psychologist called women  “unpaid maid servants”.

49. Educational Causes Empowerment of women is possible through education in the first place. In order to make women self-sufficient and reduce gender discrimination women should be educated. Empowerment of women means improvement in their political status, financial position, occupational status and legal awareness etc., which can be achieved through education. Experience and observation shows that in general the status of women to-day is very low, they are discriminated because of want of education. Education is considered to be the most significant agent of basic change in the status of women including economic and occupational status.

50. How to prevent GBV and GD All individual men, women, buys and girls are accountable for practicing zero- tolerance of all form of gender- based violence in home community Within household, ensuring that women and girls have equal access to information, education and participation in decision making

51. Social- economic and legal right to children and women or right to participate should be ensured in all issue concerning them. Shelter, counseling service and legal aid are required in communities for women. Legal law enforcement system , including polices and security and armed forces must come to such a women aid

52. Health care workers can be informed about violence against women and how to identify and treat sign of gender based violence. Eg – bruise, fracture, internal bleeding, malnourishment Empowering and mobilizing local civil society group to influence the local government

53. Since of the main cause of violence is illiteracy, primary education should be meaningful and productive Awareness should be increased in legal and human right of children and women. Caste and gender discrimination should be ended and equal pay for equal amount of work should be applied

54. Minimum age of marriage should be set at 20 year and implementation and enforcement should be approached in a more sustained manner and directed toward the market demand Poverty and lack of employment opportunities are the major contributing factors of violence thus economic and employ opportunities, income- generating activities should be provided to all women according to their capacity. Only heavy fines and previous legal punishment to the perpetrator and exploiters is not sufficient to prevent the violence so legal punishment should be strong to them

55. Meaning Mainstream - the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional.

56. Gender mainstreaming Gender mainstreaming  is the public policy concept of assessing the different implications for women and men of any planned policy action, including legislation and programmes , in all areas and levels.  Mainstreaming  essentially offers a pluralistic approach that values the diversity among both men and women.

57. It is the process of assessing the implication for women and men of any planned action, including legislation, policies or programs in all area and at all levels. It is a strategy for making women’s as well as men’s concerns and experiences an integral dimension of the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of policies and programs in all political, economical and societal spheres so that women and men benefit equally and inequality is not perpetuated.

58. Requirement and principles of Gender mainstreaming Broad concept of gender equality Incorporation of gender perspective into the mainstream of political agenda Inclusion and participation of women in decision making Prioritizing gender equality objectives and framing policies of relevance of women

59. Transformation by mainstreaming Mainstreaming is not about adding a “woman’s component” or even a “gender equality component” into a existing activity. It goes beyond increasing women’s participation ; it means bringing the experience, knowledge and interests of women and men to bear on the developmental agenda.

60. Roles and responsibilities of nurse in gender issue According to the International Council of Nurse (ICN) code of ethics for nurses the nurse is expected to provide care for all patient with respect for his/ her human dignity and uniqueness as an individual regardless of rave, creed, gender , socio- economic status, or the nature of illness.

61. The nurse is responsible for safeguarding the patient’s right to privacy by honoring the confidentiality of information related to the patient. Because gender based violence is sustained by silence, women’s voice must be heard. Nurse should puts every effort into enabling women to speak out against gender- based violence, and to get help when they are victims of it and also commit to keeping gender- bases violence in the spotlight as a major health and human right concern.

62. Nurse should advocate for legislative reform and enforcement of laws for the promotion and the protection of women’ s right to reproductive health choices and informed consent, including promotion of women’s awareness of laws, regulations and policies that affect their rights and responsibilities in family life.

63. Nurse should promote zero tolerance of all forms of violence against women and works for the eradication of traditional practices that are harmful to women’s reproductive and sexual health, such as rituals associated with puberty.

64. Attention has been paid to involving communities and to creating support network for gender- based violence victims that include both police and health care provider, along with counseling service

65. Nurse also can held workshops for health providers on recognizing the effects of gender- based violence on women’s health, and on how to detect and prevent abuse and assist victims.

66. Nurse also can help to ensure emergency contraception is available for victim for victims of sexual violence Nurse can strengthening advocacy on gender- based violence in all country programmes , in conjunction with other different NGOs and INGOs.

67. Integrating message on the prevention of gender- based violence into information, education and communication projects. Conducting more research on gender- based violence