INTRODUCTION:
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The concept of gender used in this report assumes the fact that the prevailing identities of man and woman are created by societies and do not correspond to a permanent and fixed condition.
The UNDP defines gender as “the social attributes and opportunities associated with being male
and female and the relationships between women and men and girls and boys, as well as the
relations between women and those between men. These attributes, opportunities and relationships are socially constructed and are learned through socialization processes. They are context/time -specific and changeable. Gender determines what is expected, allowed and valued in a woman n or a man in a diverse context.” (UNDP 2001b).
Development in its essence must represent the whole process of change by which an entire socials system turned to the diverse basic needs and desire of individuals social groups within that system, moves away from a condition of life widely perceived unsatisfactory towards a situation or condition of life regarded materially and spiritually better.
The issue of Gender and Development is of Importance in that it emphasis on gender relationship rather than women issues in isolation. This involves addressing the unequal relationship of power (rich/ poor, women and men) that present equitable development and men’s full participation with a goal of equitable and sustainable development with women. Gender equality is a fundamental element in achieving decent operational environment for all women and men in order to bring up institutional and social change leading to sustainable development with equity and growth. Gender and development identifies and addresses practical gender needs determined by men and women through people centered development.
In this paper, the importance of gender and development in a society will be brought out clearly with the obstacles and opportunities thereof.
Cultural representations, meaning the images,...