Gender and Development
The talk entitled Kababae / Kalalaki mong Tao gave comprehensive information regarding sex, gender and sexuality, and the institutions that seeks to maintain the status quo that is heteronormativity. First, we discussed about how neutral objects are given gendered meanings e.g. strength and intellect, pants, tie, toy gun and doctors are associated with masculinity while beauty and emotions, skirt, lipstick, dolls and teachers are associated with femininity.
To further emphasize the following topics, we had an activity wherein we were asked to write the differences and similarities of men and women.The distinctions between the concepts of sex, gender and sexuality were then explained by the speaker. Sex is based on biological characteristics (male, female and intersex). Gender refers to the socially constructed characteristics which are not caused or determined by sex (man/masculine, woman/feminine, queer, etc). Both concepts are said to be social constructs. On the other hand, sexuality simply pertains to whom a person likes (heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, etc). For a more accurate representation of these concepts and the spectrum, the Genderbread person will be of great help. The continuum of sex, gender and sexuality was also introduced wherein the social norms that is expected from a person with such sex and gender is established. Afterwards, we watched two videos on a Q & A about LGBT which was very funny and informative.
Moreover, we discussed about the institutions that reinforce gender norms such as the family, school, religion and media. We had an activity where we had to write what the corresponding institutions expects us to be because of our sex and gender. The following are my answers:
Because I am a woman, my family says I should do the chores and that to be a woman, I should have a boyfriend. :((
Because I am a woman, my school says I have to be demure and quiet.
Because I am a woman, religion says I should marry a man.
Because I am a woman, the media says I should have a fair complexion, a model-like body and no body hair.
Furthermore, the speaker talked about gender roles and stereotypes which deems gender as something that also dictates power relations wherein masculinity is valued over femininity and how society punishes deviations from the binary. Lastly, they [speaker] discussed about how gender impacts human rights and privileges that we enjoy, and how it is used as a basis to discriminate (e.g. the LGBTQIA+ community).
I absolutely loved this module and how the speaker discussed the concepts about sex, gender and sexuality. I think this lecture is very relevant, necessary and significant. To be honest, I already know the majority of what has been discussed but I recognize that not everyone is as aware as I am regarding these topic and issues. Additionally, I appreciate the challenges the speaker gave us before ending their lecture and I believe it would all do us great to also practice the following:
Unlearn gender
Use of non- binary language & non-discriminatory language
Embrace the diversity and complexity of sex, gender and sexuality
In this lecture, I was able to reflect more on the difficulties that our people face that are largely based on sex and gender. Until now, women are not given equal work opportunities and wages; we are still expected to wear “appropriate” clothes to avoid perverts; and [TRIGGER WARNING} to live with the traumas of abuse and rape, and the threat of unsafe pregnancy by withholding us the right to access affordable and sufficient medical services and the right to deem what is right for our body even if it means abortion (given that giving birth does not exactly mean providing a livable life). Ultimately, as a bisexual woman, I am glad we talked about the gender issues that affect and dictate human rights especially with the failure of the SOGIE Equality Bill or Anti-Discrimination Bill to be passed in the Congress. It is truly unfortunate that the stumbling blocks that hinder the LGBTQIA+ community to experience the same exact rights the straights have is primarily based on religion and the lack of information on the spectrum of gender and sexuality. Considering all these, I believe we should all unite our efforts to eradicate such gender norms that established and reinforces power differentials in the society, in simple words, let’s all unite to smash the patriarchy!
