PRESENTATION TO THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON THE IMPROVEMENT OF LIFE AND STATUS OF WOMEN

Gender relations refer to the social relationships between women and men. They are concerned with how power is distributed between the sexes. Gender relations determine the position of men and women in a given society and the value attached to these positions.

Gender roles and responsibilities refer to the tasks and responsibilities that are undertaken by women and men, also referred to as the sexual or gender division of labour. It includes the different categories of work namely, productive work, reproductive work and community work.

Productive work: this is work that produces goods and services for income. Both men and women contribute to family income with various forms of productive work. Productive work is usually paid, in public arena, is formal and organised

Reproductive work: involves the tasks associated with supporting and nurturing a family. Usually performed by women , involves meeting the needs of human beings, includes health care, food preparation, cleaning. Reproductive work is usually unpaid

Community work: unpaid participation in community activities and decision making about community services. Men are usually in leadership positions with more power and influence.

Needs and Interests

 

A Story: Mr Moyo goes to the doctor

 

"What is your job?" asked the doctor.

"I am a farmer" replied Mr Moyo.

"Have you any children?" the doctor asked.

"God has not been good to me of 15 born, only 9 alive," Mr Moyo answered.

"Does your wife work?"

"No she stays at home".

"I see. How does she spend her day?"

"Well she gets up at four in the morning, fetches water and wood, makes the fire, cooks breakfast and cleans the homestead. Then she goes to the river and washes clothes. Once a week she walks to the grinding mill. After that she goes to the township with the two smallest children where she sells tomatoes by the roadside while she knits. She buys what she wants from the shops. Then she cooks the midday meal."

"You come home at midday?"

"No, no she brings the meal to me about three kilometers away."

"And after that?"

"She stays in the field to do the weeding, and then goes to the vegetable garden to water."

"What do you do?"

"I must go and discuss business and drink with the men in the village."

"And after that?"

"I go home for supper which my wife has prepared."

"Does she go to bed after supper?"

"No, I do. She has things to do around the house until 9 or 10."

"But I thought you said your wife doesn’t work."

"Of course she doesn’t work. I told you that she stays at home."

(Source: Presented by the Women and Development Sub-committee Ministry of Community Development and Community Affairs, Zimbabwe to Women ‘s Regional Ecumenical Workshop, 26 June – 6 July 1989, Harare, Zimbabwe).

The Oxfam Gender Training Manual © Oxfam UK and Ireland 1994 183