Gender and Development

Course details

The aim of this course is to develop a greater understanding of the nature and importance of gender roles and gender relations in development processes, with a particular focus on project planning and management, and to introduce students to a range of gender analysis frameworks and tools which can be applied to promote greater gender awareness and equity in development interventions and organisations.

Module Objectives

• To develop learners knowledge and understanding of theory and concepts around gender and gender relations
• To provide background on the evolution of thinking and approaches around gender and development, and to explore and analysis the current main approaches
• To explore why and how gender is a development issue, and critically reflect on a range of related debates and issues
• To develop learners knowledge and understanding of gender analysis and its application in development practice, using a range of gender analysis frameworks and tools

Module Learning Outcomes

• At the end of the course the participants are expected to have:
• An understanding of key concepts and theory relating to gender.
• Knowledge of the evolution of approaches to gender and development
• A greater insight into and critical analysis of the relevance of gender in development, particularly in relation to key debates around the MDGs, powerand empowerment, and the feminisation of poverty.
• Familiarity with and practice in applying a range of gender analysis frameworks and tools in development interventions.

Content

Introduction to gender theory and concepts

• Gender and related concepts
• Gender identities and roles
• Culture, socialisation and gender
• Cultural change and gender relations
• Gender, power relations, empowerment

Gender and development

• Relevance of gender to the development process
• Evolution of approaches to gender equality and gender and development
• Gender and the Millenium Development Goals
• The feminisation of poverty
• Mainstreaming gender – policy and process

Gender analysis

• What is gender analysis?
• How and why would gender analysis be used in project planning?
• Introduction to some gender analysis tools and frameworks

Details of assessment and up to date reading lists for this module will be made available to learners following enrollment.