Gender introduction

Gender

Why does World Vision work on this?

Gender issues are at the heart of development. Gender discrimination can be as a major factor contributing to endemic poverty, inequitable and low economic growth, high HIV prevalence, and inadequate governance.  Gender equity is not only an end in itself but necessary to advance development and reduce poverty.

Gender facts

  • 70% of the 1.3 billion people who live in extreme poverty, on less than one dollar a day, are women and girls.
  • Women continue to be victims of violence, with rape and domestic violence listed as significant causes of disability and death among women of reproductive age worldwide.
  • On average, women receive between 30 and 40 per cent less pay than men earn for the same work (International Labour Organisation 1995).
  • Women work 66% of the world’s working hours and produce 50% of the world’s food yet only earn 10% of the world’s income and own less than 1% of the world’s property (International Labour Organisation 1995).


Gender MDG

Beijing Platform for Action (1995)

The U.N. fourth world conference on women held in Beijing identified critical areas for concern worldwide. These make up the Platform for Action. The Commission on the Status of Women has the task of annually reviewing the progress made and suggesting recommendations. It gathers its information through a variety of sources and World Vision is a valued contributor.

UN Millennium Development Goals (2000)   

The UN developed eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to address the issue of world poverty. These are to be achieved by 2015. The third goal is to “promote gender equality and empower women”.


World Vision and gender

Working towards the MDG on gender equality, World Vision is involved with many development projects throughout the world.

It seeks to address the following four key areas:

Education Health
Livelihoods

Governance, peace and security