UNDERSTANDING GENDER CONCEPTS (Mini lecture, brainstorming and discussions) 4 Notes for the facilitator • Prepare for the module by reading other relevant material on the concept of gender. • Watch out for differences of opinions, beliefs and responses and be prepared to deal with them constructively. Do not dispute these or disagree in an argumentative way. • Allow for concrete and relevant examples of local issues. Take into consideration the varied and diverse cultural and social contexts of participants, where necessary. • Bear in mind that it is not necessary for all participants to have a common agreement concerning gender roles and responsibilities at this time. Transformation is a process, and it needs time. Session learning objectives By the end of this session, participants should demonstrate an understanding of the concept of gender by way of their ability to: • Describe basic gender and related concepts; • Explain the factors that contribute to the establishment and maintenance of gender stereotypes; and • Discuss the effects of gender stereotypes in relation to choices men, women and children make. ACTIVITY / ‘Group discussion’ • Provide participants with pieces of coloured paper and ask them to write down a definition for the word ‘gender’ • Attach a blank sheet of paper to one of the walls and, without examining the different definitions, ask participants to paste their definitions on this sheet of paper (These definitions will be examined in a later activity.) • Divide the participant into small groups of the same sex and ask them to list the activities or responsibilities that only men can carry out, followed by the things that only women can do • Reconvene the group for feedback and, from the feedback, identify the activities or responsibilities that men and women can carry out until the sex roles are clearly isolated. Definitions of ‘gender’ and ‘gender roles’ The term ‘gender’ is used to describe what it means to be either male or female in a particular society. Gender varies within and between cultures. The term ‘gender roles’ can be defined in two ways: Definition 1: In terms of this definition, ‘gender roles’ refers to socially determined characteristics, roles, ideas, values and attitudes that are attributed or assigned to males and females by their particular culture or society. Definition 2: According to this definition, ‘gender roles’ is a sociocultural construct that refers to power differences between males and females within a culture, differences that manifest themselves in roles, responsibilities, expectations, privileges, rights, limitations, opportunities, and access to services. Module 4: Gender and community healing 69