Faculty of Social Sciences
Module: Gender Studies
a) What is a gender responsive environment?
A gender responsive environment is a surrounding that is ready to respond or render solutions
to gender issues with a view of eradicating the bias and discrimination in order to show
equity and equality (FAWE,2004). A gender responsive environment response directly to
meet the unique respective needs for both sexes and can be seen as the ability to visualise and
make practical, gender equity and equality.
In Zimbabwe the government has made efforts to create a gender responsive environment
through section 56 of the nation's constitution which promotes and protects the rights of both
sexes. A gender-responsive environment goes beyond sensitivity to gender inequalities.
According to Nwoye (2007) gender sensitivity It seeks to actively promote equality this often
includes specific actions to empower women which start from lower up to upper level of
societal structure such as their households, in their communities and in their societies as well
as in broader environments like political, social, economic and biophysical environment.
Environmental gender responsiveness also regarded as the outcomes that reflect an
understanding of gender roles and inequalities and which make an effort to encourage equal
participation and equal and fair distribution of benefits. Gender responsiveness is
accomplished through gender analysis and gender inclusiveness that is to say it starts from
being able to recognise and closely look at the issues of gender and to include both genders in
any decision or structure.
Module: Gender Studies
a) What is a gender responsive environment?
A gender responsive environment is a surrounding that is ready to respond or render solutions
to gender issues with a view of eradicating the bias and discrimination in order to show
equity and equality (FAWE,2004). A gender responsive environment response directly to
meet the unique respective needs for both sexes and can be seen as the ability to visualise and
make practical, gender equity and equality.
In Zimbabwe the government has made efforts to create a gender responsive environment
through section 56 of the nation's constitution which promotes and protects the rights of both
sexes. A gender-responsive environment goes beyond sensitivity to gender inequalities.
According to Nwoye (2007) gender sensitivity It seeks to actively promote equality this often
includes specific actions to empower women which start from lower up to upper level of
societal structure such as their households, in their communities and in their societies as well
as in broader environments like political, social, economic and biophysical environment.
Environmental gender responsiveness also regarded as the outcomes that reflect an
understanding of gender roles and inequalities and which make an effort to encourage equal
participation and equal and fair distribution of benefits. Gender responsiveness is
accomplished through gender analysis and gender inclusiveness that is to say it starts from
being able to recognise and closely look at the issues of gender and to include both genders in
any decision or structure.
