A gender lens is a powerful approach required for developing equitable and inclusive solutions for various issues. It is very useful to identify biases, disparities, and opportunities in policies, programs, and practices. This blog post shares gender lens examples that can be applied across sectors.
Also read What Is a Gender Lens? Its Importance, Application, and Challenges
1. Gender-Responsive Budgeting
Gender-responsive budgeting is one of the most prevalent gender lens examples. When allocating money governmental organizations often fail to consider gender-specific needs. This leads to unfair distribution of resources. These authorities may allocate budgets to areas and sectors that are predominated by men.
They might also fail to recognize underlying reasons that perpetuate inequality and discrimination. For instance, the government might overlook the hurdles that stop women from actively participating in economic and political activities. Such ignorance leading to disparities is a prevalent gender lens example.
Applying a Gender Lens: Incorporating gender-responsive budgeting involves analyzing the situation of gender, and then allocating the budget to address disparities.
Where required authorities may add additional resources or introduce a new program, such as encouraging entrepreneurial activities for women. Such initiatives foster equality.
Impact: Adopting gender-responsive budgeting ensures that public resources are equally distributed, and they address the needs of all genders. It enhances the effectiveness of public spending and plays a significant role in reducing gender disparities.
2. Gender-Sensitive Policy Frameworks
Another popular example of gender lens application is developing policies while considering their impact on different genders. One common example of gender lens ignorance is developing workplace harassment policies with little or no support for victims or leaving gaps that may overlook the needs of all genders.
Applying a Gender Lens: Adopting a gender-sensitive policy requires analyzing the impact of policies on different genders and making necessary adjustments. Authorities might make multiple changes or even introduce a new policy that supports the existing policy.
Impact: Governments and organizations that focus on developing gender-sensitive policies contribute to more inclusive and equitable outcomes. Therefore, gender-sensitive policy frameworks address diversity and needs of all genders.
Explore more by reading 5 Steps to Develop a Gender Policy
3. Gender-Specific Medical Research
The field of medicine is filled with ignorance of gender lens examples. If you explore medical history, you will find that men were the primary subjects of medical research. This bias has resulted in a lack of data in understanding how certain diseases or conditions impact women. The gap is the reason that women face less effective treatments that are tailored to the male body.
Applying a Gender Lens: Incorporating a gender lens in medical research is imperative for diagnosing diseases and coming up with effective solutions for all genders. Hence, the ratio of women and men should be equal in studies and critical trials.
Additionally, sex-disaggregated data will help to separately analyze the symptoms and risk factors of different genders. Through this researchers are able to consider diversity and design inclusive health approaches. It further helps to come up with more accurate and better healthcare solutions.
Impact: Gender-specific medical approaches fill data gaps and give comprehensive knowledge. It provides effective treatments and results in better health outcomes for all genders. Such interventions guide medical researchers to come up with tailored gender needs.
4. Gender-Sensitive Curriculum Design
You can easily identify gender stereotypes if you analyze the traditional curricula. Historically, the design of the courses perpetuated gender biases and failed to address inclusivity and diversity. Students experienced a lack of gender roles which reinforced gender stereotypes. It limited the potential and development opportunities for students.
Applying a Gender Lens: When designing a course or curriculum applying a gender lens means considering diversity and equality for all genders. Gender equality should be adopted across all subjects.
From history to science and literature, the contributions and achievements of women and men should be equally included. This strategy helps to challenge gender biases and stereotypes. Students’ capacity exceeds the traditional gender norms and it fosters an inclusive learning environment.
Impact: A gender-sensitive curriculum helps to challenge gender biases and stereotypes. It further promotes equality and ensures inclusivity. Students learn that certain gender roles are not limited to women or men, but everyone has the potential to achieve and shine in every field.
5. Addressing Gender Disparities in STEM Education
A gender gap in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is well-documented. Women and non-binary individuals are highly underrepresented in these areas. This disparity has a trickle-down effect and perpetuates gender inequality in society.
Applying a Gender Lens: Disparities in STEM fields require addressing the problem from STEM education. The underrepresentation of girls in schools and later in colleges can be tackled by incorporating programs that promote gender equality.
Educational institutions can create gender-inclusive classroom environments that promote the involvement of all genders from a young age. Additionally, scholarships, mentorship programs, and outreach activities can reduce barriers and encourage the participation of girls and young women in these fields.
Impact: Reducing gender disparities in STEM education from a young age can foster diversity and equality. Educational institutes can close the gender gap and establish an environment of equal opportunities in STEM careers for everyone.
6. Gender-Inclusive Hiring Practices
Other gender lens examples include gender-inclusive hiring practices. Generally, these practices are biased and stereotypical. There are certain jobs that are associated with women and men. For instance, caregiving jobs are considered best for women, and STEM jobs are seen as well-suited for men.
Additionally, job descriptions, candidate shortlisting, and interview processes unintentionally advantage men and ignore women.
Applying a Gender Lens: Businesses and organizations should adopt gender-neutral language in job descriptions. To encourage diversity they should implement a gender-blind recruitment process that hides personal details of applicants, such as their name and gender.
Additionally, interviews should be based on standardized questions. Whereas, the evaluation and selection should be done on education and skills rather than personal biases.
Impact: Adopting gender-inclusive hiring practices results in an increase in diversity and inclusivity. Whereas, diversity and inclusion lead to employee satisfaction, innovation, and better decision-making.
A 2023 McKinsey report found that companies that foster gender and diversity are 27 percent more likely to outperform financially than those that don’t.
7. Gender-Responsive Product Design
Products are generally designed with a one-size-fits-all approach. This often ignores the needs of women and non-binary people. Such products are less effective and less popular.
Applying a Gender Lens: Companies should conduct proper research to understand the needs of different genders. They should design their products with a gender lens that is more effective.
An example of a gender lens is the design of automobiles. Car manufacturers are considering the needs of different genders. They offer variations such as seat adjustment, control placement, and safety features. These all things and much more are adjustable according to the needs of male and female drivers and passengers.
Impact: Gender-responsive product designs increase customer satisfaction and enhance market reach. Companies can increase their sales by offering user-friendly product designs that address the needs of different genders.
8. Domestic Violence Services
Traditionally, women have remained the center of attention for domestic violence. In many societies, women are seen as victims and men as perpetrators. This idea ignores the fact that men and non-binary individuals can also be a victims of domestic violence.
Applying a Gender Lens: Domestic violence services should adopt gender-inclusive approaches. They should recognize and provide support to all individuals regardless of their gender.
Such services should train their staff to be sensitive to all gender identities. They should ensure that survivors receive support and respect regardless of their gender.
Impact: By providing support to all survivors, gender-inclusive domestic violence services can provide effective and equitable assistance. This can promote safety and recovery for all.
9. Gender-Responsive Social Welfare Programs
Usually, social welfare programs ignore gender diversity. This leads to unequal access and support for individuals. In some societies, one prominent example is not addressing the needs of widows.
Applying a Gender Lens: A gender-responsive social welfare program considers the needs of all genders. This means introducing targeted support to widows by providing childcare subsidies or providing assistance to individuals for their unpaid work.
Ensuring that social welfare programs are accessible and responsive to different gender needs helps address disparities and supports equitable outcomes.
Impact: Designing welfare programs with a gender lens fosters equity and support for all individuals. It helps to address the needs of different genders through their programs and contribute to a just and inclusive society.
10. Technology and Innovation
Technology and innovation is another gender lens example that needs attention. The evolution in technology and rapid innovations demands gender-inclusive approaches. However, gender biases in technology are so prevalent that they can easily be identified, ignoring the needs of all users.
Applying a Gender Lens: Adopting a gender lens strategy means ensuring that developers and designers conduct proper research and understand the differences between genders. A gender-responsive technology can be a result of a gender-diverse team.
After developing a technology developers and designers should look for gaps that ignore the needs of different genders. The voice recognition system is an example that performs better with male voices. Probably because the development team consists of male members only. This shows the importance of gender diversity on tech teams.
Impact: Involving gender-diverse teams in the development process can help to come up with inclusive and innovative solutions. This also ensures equitable and effective products and services that address the needs of different genders.
Concluding Remarks
The gender lens examples discussed above are a starting point for the public and private sectors to adopt a gender-inclusive approach. Incorporating a gender lens can reduce disparities and promote inclusion. This can be a transformative start for fair, inclusive, and effective solutions for all genders in a society.