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“Gender Equality: Empowering Women and Men, and Co-ops” is a video produced in 2012 by the Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum (AWCF) and presented at the "Public Awareness Conference on Gender Equality (GE): Empowering Women and Men, and Co-ops," held December 6, 2012 in Quezon City, Philippines. AWCF organized the Public Awareness Conference as the culminating activity of the Project "Promoting GE Among Co-operatives in the Philippines," done 2010-2012, participated in by 15 of the most active and progressive co-ops in the Philippines, now also among the most gender-fair co-ops in the country (the 15 co-ops represent a total of 449,856 women and men members, nationwide). The Project was under the "ACCESS to the Poor" country program in the Philippines of the Swedish Cooperative Centre (SCC) (later known as We Effect), supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). This video and the 200-page book "Gender Equality: Empowering Women and Men, and Co-ops--Stories of the Gender Journey of Co-ops in the Philippines," also produced by AWCF, give the backgrounder on the GE Project, and the various accomplishments of the 15 co-ops based on the Project objectives and even beyond. The Public Awareness Conference and the materials produced by AWCF hope to convey to even more co-ops that when they promote and advocate GE, it is a win-win situation for them and their members. The co-ops and members get to enjoy enhanced socio-economic benefits made possible by the integration and practice of GE in the co-ops' people, policies, programs/projects/activities, and enabling mechanisms. In this way, the co-ops live out even more the "Statement on the Co-op Identity (SCI)" that promotes the "Co-op Values and Principles."

(Reference: Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum. 2012. "Gender Equality: Empowering Women and Men, and Co-ops") 

by GERC Inc., adapted from Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum.  2011. Gender Equality in Co-operatives: A Training Manual. Philippines: AWCF, citing Asian Women in Co-operative Development Forum and Credit Union Promotion Club. 2001. Gender-Sensitivity Training: A Manual for Co-ops in Malaysia. Philippines: AWCF and CUPC, and National Confederation of Cooperatives. 1995. Trainor’s Manual: Gender-Sensitivity Training for Cooperators. Philippines: NATCCO.

Gender issues need to be addressed. These are the issues or problems affecting women and men that result from society’s perceived generalizations and beliefs on characteristics, capabilities, and behavior of women and men. Often times, these generalizations and beliefs limit the understanding of what women and men can be and can do. Gender issues may happen anywhere, such as the organization, workplace, community, family/household, and other groupings wherein people interact. 

Image: AWCF photobank

We are dealing with gender issues when we box in women and men, that is, make stereotypes on how they should think, feel, and behave; and if we hinder their natural abilities and true selves. Men and women may each be differently affected by gender issues, but studies and experience show that it is the women who are in the more disadvantaged position.

Gender issues are inter-related and integral to one another. There may be times that gender issues do not directly concern people’s own lives. However, that does not mean that that these issues are too distant because it must be remembered that people’s lives are interlinked and intertwined.

People should be able to understand the implications and effects of these issues on themselves and their groupings, organizations, and households. They should also realize that they can act on the gender issues and, thereby, become better persons and also improve family and community relations.

Image: GERC Inc. photobank

A manifestation of one gender issue may be either the cause or effect of another gender issue. Thus it is actually difficult to discuss each gender issue separately. But just to have a name for those gender issues, they can be each defined as marginalization; gender stereotyping; multiple burden; subordination; and violence:

• Marginalization: forces women into the periphery of economic and social life and of the decision-making process; diminishes value of women’s activities through which they contribute to the national development process.
  
  
• Gender stereotyping: attributes a set of favorable or unfavorable characteristics, roles, and traits to all members of a social group based on sex
  
  
• Multiple burden: the involvement in the three spheres of work—reproductive, productive, and community management and governance. A person’s involvement in any of these spheres, sometimes too much and sometimes unwillingly, lessens her or his time for herself or himself, and for the things that she or he really wants to do.
  
  
• Subordination: one sex becoming inferior to the other. Gender subordination is the institutionalized domination by men of women (or vice versa). Subordination is a power relationship. Power has four categories: power over, power over, power to, power with, and power within.

Power over—power based on socially sanctioned threats of violence or intimidation that invites passive or active resistance and, in order to maintain it, the holder requires constant vigilance. This type of power is an either/or relationship of domination and subordination.

Power to—the type of power that is creative and enabling, the essence of individual empowerment. This power is best described in situations where an individual solves a problem, understands a situation, or learns a new skill.

Power with—power that involves a sense of the whole being greater than the sum of the individuals, especially when people felt empowered by engaging in collective efforts like organizing themselves toward a common purpose.

Power within—refers to the spiritual strength and uniqueness that is within each individual that makes her/him human. Its basis involves self-acceptance and self-respect that, in turn, enables an individual to respect and accepts others as equals.

In the so-called hierarchy of subordination, the subordination uses power over someone or something, which may then lead to abuse, oppression, and, finally, violence. 

In “gender subordination,” one sex is under the submission or the authority of another sex. In most cases, the women are under the subordination of the men. This situation often results to women having lesser or no control at all over available economic and other resources.

Subordination and also violence against women are of equal importance as that of political, economic, caste and religious subordination. If all forms of subordination are violations of human rights, then women’s subordination is a violation of human rights.

Violence: any act that instills fear and pain to injure or abuse a person. The two types of violence are domestic violence and sexual harassment.

Domestic violence—has four types: physical violence, sexual violence, destruction of properties, and psychological violence. Occurs in forms like spousal abuse, child abuse (including sexual abuse), elderly abuse, parents abused by children, or violence between siblings, etc.

Sexual harassment—violence that can occur in the workplace, manifested as verbal, visual, gestural and physical sexual harassment. It includes sexist remarks, propositions, coercive pressure for sexual activity, and assault. Physical forms of sexual harassment include touching, patting, punching, brushing on a woman’s body, and physical and sexual assaults. Two types of sexual harassment-- coercive and non-coercive. Coercive sexual misconduct offers benefit or reward. Non-coercive sexual misconduct simply annoys or offends a person.

The existence of gender issues in many aspects of people’s lives has various negative implications. Eliminating or considerably reducing gender issues needs the strongest commitment of those concerned to be sensitive to differences between and among women and men. People who work to address gender issues need to further commit themselves to search for ways and to work for change.

“The Impossible Dream” is an award-winning animated video produced in 1983 with a timeless message. The video takes a “wry humorous look” at a problem faced by women everywhere: the double-workload of a full-time job and being a housewife. It features an average family with a baby and two school-age children. While both parents work outside the home, the woman who puts in the same hours as her husband is paid lesser than the man. In addition, caring for the children and all the household duties remain her responsibility. Producers: United Nations and Dagmar Doubkova of Kratkty Films, Czechoslovakia. The video has become a popular advocacy and training tool on awakening women and men to gender issues in society that affect the family, workplace, and community.

Click the photo to access the embedded video.

(Reference: United Nations. 1983. “The Impossible Dream”)

The International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated every March 8. How did the IWD evolve? Here’s a backgrounder.

What values drive the International Women’s Day? “International Women's Day” means different things to different people, but the global focus on equality and celebration is clear. 

Throughout ancient and modern history, women have collaborated and lead purposeful action to redress inequality in the hope of a better future for their communities, children and themselves. Whether through bold well-documented action or through humble resistance that never made it into the history books, women have united for equality and achievement forever.

And along the way, one particularly powerful collaboration lead to the formation of a globally united moment for women across countries to come together in hope and action. That moment is International Women's Day.

Started in the early 1900s, the almighty and tenacious Suffragettes forged purposeful action for equality. It was the Suffragettes who started International Women's Day, with the first officially named "International Women's Day" event held in 1911.

And still to this day, International Women's Day continues to be a powerful platform globally that unifies tenacity and drives action for gender parity, while celebrating the social, cultural, economic and political achievements of women.

The specific values that drive International Women's Day provide an important parameter for guiding the action, behaviours and ethos associated with this critical and globally-supported day. 

The ten International Women's Day values are:  

• Justice
• Dignity
• Hope
• Equality
• Collaboration
• Tenacity
• Appreciation
• Respect
• Empathy
• Forgiveness

As modern day Suffragettes--both female and male--let us continue the work and spirit of the almighty Suffragettes, fighting the good fight. And let us recognize, honor and celebrate the important and impressive achievements of women globally. 

JUSTICE While the concept of justice may differ across cultures, the notion of justice is based on respect and equality amongst people. The Suffragettes toiled unreservedly for justice, dignity and hope. Justice means being afforded the same equal rights and opportunities as men. Today through International Women's Day, the call for justice across the world still prevails as women seek equal treatment, conditions and opportunities to that of men.

DIGNITY A leading organisation campaigning for Women's suffrage in the United Kingdom, the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU) that existed from 1903-1917 with membership and policies tightly controlled by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters Christabel and Sylvia, adopted from 1908 the colour purple to symbolise dignity. Dignity, as a value, refers to the idea that all people have the right to be valued, respected and receive ethical treatment. The word is derived from Latin dignitas meaning worthiness.

HOPE Hope is the feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. The Suffragettes campaigned tirelessly for a better world, one where they trusted that women would receive equal rights and opportunities. The Suffragettes symbolised the value of hope with the colour green. The Suffragette colours were used on banners, flags, rosettes and badges.

EQUALITY Equality means ensuring all people have equal opportunities to make the most of their lives and talents, and that no one has poorer life chances due to their background or status--the very core of International Women's Day. Gender equality refers to women receiving and accessing the same opportunities and benefits as men—but throughout history, women were deemed to have no place in politics. They couldn't stand as candidates for Parliament and they weren't allowed to vote as it was assumed husbands would take responsibility for political matters because a woman's role was seen to be child-rearing and taking care of the home.

COLLABORATION Just as Suffragettes rallied together, as did the earlier Suffragists, so too do modern day women (and men) who understand that there is power in unity. Strength in numbers and voice are critical in driving change. International Women's Day was founded on collaboration, and continues to be a key element of its power to this day. Across the world individuals and groups unite, not only to celebrate the achievements of women, but to continue to call for action supporting greater gender parity.

TENACITY Tenacity was a key principle of both the Suffragists and the Suffragettes, and their tireless effort in fighting the good fight changed history. "Deeds not words" was the Suffragettes' motto and they devoted considerable attention and effort to forging the rights of women. Around the world today, as in the past, exists an extensive number of groups and networks all working to improve the social, economic, cultural and political status of women - and International Women's Day is the major day for rallying action, driving visibility and applauding women who make a difference through their achievements.

APPRECIATION International Women's Day provides a specific and designated moment each year to identify and celebrate the successful achievements of women. Through celebrating success, populations not only become more appreciative of the role women play in contributing to society but awareness and expectation is increased that women will not be marginalised, discriminated against or absent from future successes moving forward.

RESPECT Equality can only be achieved if the diversity, differences and qualities of women are truly valued. Respect for others is a key value underpinning the ethos and agenda of International Women's Day. Respect for others and respect for self-play an important part in forging gender equality.

EMPATHY Seeking to understand others, caring for and valuing diversity, and appreciating difference are key to forging deep relationships to affect change. It's through the ability to understand and share the feelings of others that differing situations and perspectives can be grasped. International Women's Day calls for global understandings about the plight of women—the challenges faced, obstacles endured and changes desired for an inclusive and progressive world.

FORGIVENESS Throughout history women have been mistreated - and still to this day women suffer harsh and inhumane treatment through to continuing discrimination in the workplace. Focusing attention and effort on the way forward, reconciling discrimination through encouraging awareness and banding together to affect positive change is all part of what International Women's Day stands for.

Use these values to deeply understand and drive your own International Women's Day activity as you call for action and/or celebrate women's achievements. Looking back to look forward, these values have always under-pinned women's campaigning for action and recognition. 

Source: https://www.internationalwomensday.com/Values