Gender Studies 101 - Quick Reference Guide

Core Concepts & Definitions

Sex

Biological characteristics: chromosomes, hormones, anatomy. Examples: male, female, intersex variations.

Gender

Social roles, behaviors, expressions associated with sex. Learned and varies across cultures.

Gender Identity

Internal sense of being male, female, both, neither, or other gender. Personal and innate.

Gender Expression

How gender is presented through clothing, behavior, voice, mannerisms. Can vary by context.

Sexual Orientation

Pattern of romantic/sexual attraction. Independent of gender identity.

Patriarchy

System where men hold primary power in political, social, economic spheres. Affects all genders.

Power Analysis Framework (Rowlands)

Power Over

Domination, control, coercion. Traditional patriarchal power.

Power To

Ability to act, make decisions, solve problems. Individual agency.

Power With

Collective action, solidarity, mutual support. Collaborative power.

Power Within

Self-confidence, dignity, sense of self. Internal strength and recognition.

Intersectionality Analysis Tool

Multiple Identity Intersections

Gender

Caste

Class

Religion

Region

Sexuality

Disability

Age

Key Insight: People experience privilege and oppression simultaneously across multiple identities. Consider how identities compound and interact.

Intersectional Analysis Questions

Which groups are most marginalized in this context?
How do different identities create unique experiences?
What specific barriers do multiply marginalized groups face?
How can interventions address intersecting inequalities?
Whose voices are missing from decision-making?

Gender Analysis for Development Programs

Essential Questions for Any Initiative

Who participates? Who is included/excluded? Who makes decisions?
Who benefits? How are benefits distributed? Who controls resources?
Who bears costs? What are risks and burdens for different groups?
How are power relations affected? Does intervention challenge or reinforce inequalities?

Analysis Level	Key Areas to Examine	Tools/Methods
Individual	Knowledge, skills, confidence, access to resources	Surveys, interviews, life histories
Household	Division of labor, decision-making, resource control	Time-use studies, household surveys
Community	Social norms, institutions, leadership structures	Focus groups, community mapping
Institutional	Policies, laws, organizational practices	Policy analysis, institutional assessment

LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Language & Practice

Inclusive Language Tips

Use: "Partner" instead of assuming "husband/wife"
Use: "Chosen name" and correct pronouns
Use: "People of all genders" instead of "both genders"
Ask: "What pronouns do you use?" when relevant
Avoid: Assumptions about family structures, relationships
Create: Safe spaces for disclosure and discussion

Key Terms

Cisgender: Gender identity matches assigned sex
Transgender: Gender identity differs from assigned sex
Non-binary: Gender identity outside male/female binary

Pronouns

She/her: Traditional feminine pronouns
He/him: Traditional masculine pronouns
They/them: Gender-neutral pronouns

Legal Milestones in India

Key Legal Developments

2009: Delhi High Court decriminalizes homosexuality (Naz Foundation)
2013: Supreme Court reverses decision, reinstates Section 377
2014: NALSA judgment recognizes transgender rights as fundamental right
2018: Navtej Singh Johar - Section 377 struck down, homosexuality decriminalized
2019: Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act passed
Ongoing: Marriage equality cases, conversion therapy bans, workplace discrimination

Feminist Theory Quick Guide

Wave/Approach	Focus	Key Achievements	Limitations
First Wave (1850s-1920s)	Legal rights, suffrage	Voting rights, property rights	Focused on privileged women
Second Wave (1960s-1980s)	Workplace equality, reproductive rights	Recognition of domestic violence, unpaid work	Centered educated, urban women
Third Wave (1990s-2000s)	Intersectionality, diversity	Multiple identities, global perspectives	Sometimes individualistic focus
Current/Fourth Wave	Digital activism, trans inclusion	#MeToo, online organizing, LGBTQIA+ rights	Digital divides, backlash

Red Flags: Recognizing Gender Bias

Warning Signs in Programs/Policies

Language: "Helping women" vs. "transforming gender relations"
Participation: Women included but not in leadership/decision-making
Benefits: Benefits flow primarily to men or higher-status women
Burden: Programs increase women's workload without addressing root causes
Assumptions: Assumes heterosexual nuclear families as norm
Intersectionality: Ignores multiple identities and their interactions

Essential Resources

Legal & Advocacy

Alternative Law Forum
Human Rights Law Network
Lawyers Collective
Centre for Law & Policy Research

‍ LGBTQIA+ Organizations

Naz Foundation (Delhi)
Humsafar Trust (Mumbai)
Sangama (Bangalore)
Sahodaran (Kerala)

Research Centers

Centre for Women's Dev Studies
TISS School of Gender Studies
JNU Centre for Women's Studies
CWDS (Delhi)

Women's Organizations

SEWA (Self-Employed Women's Assoc)
Jagori (Delhi)
Akshara Centre (Mumbai)
Breakthrough (Delhi)

Quick Assessment Checklist

Gender-Responsive Program Checklist

□ Conducted gender analysis during design phase
□ Disaggregated data by gender and other identities
□ Meaningful participation of diverse women and gender minorities
□ Addressed structural barriers, not just individual capacity
□ Considered unpaid care work and time burdens
□ Included strategies to address gender-based violence
□ Used intersectional analysis for program design
□ Monitored differential impacts on various groups
□ Challenged harmful gender norms and stereotypes
□ Created safe and inclusive spaces for all participants