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GENDER
Gender is at the center of sexuality and youth development. While sex determines the biological differences between males and females, gender identifies the social roles and relations associated with being male or female. Gender defines the norms and expectations about appropriate male and females behavior and the interaction between the sexes. Rigid gender norms hinder access to quality services and undermine the reproductive health of young people. As a result of this correlation between gender issues and adolescent sexual and reproductive health, gender is an integral part of the AYA project, which seeks to improve the sexual and reproductive health of young people. Gender & Sexuality — While differences associated with sex are biological and universal, gender differences are cultural and variable. Gender norms within different cultural contexts help define male and female sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior. They determine the power dynamics that influence the way girls and boys experience intimacy, sexuality, and reproduction (Irvin, 2000). As youth come of age, gender norms give them clues about what they should know or not know about sexuality, how they should interact with the opposite sex or same sex partners, and whether or not they should have access to reproductive health information and services. Gender & Youth Development — Gender norms influence developmental changes among youth by inhibiting their self-confidence, access to information, and opportunities to develop skills. Constraints on girls' knowledge of sexuality hamper their understanding of reproductive systems and disease transmission and prevention. Girls' communication and negotiation skills are restricted by the lead role expected of males in decision-making. Masculine ideals of the strong, silent male can promote violent behavior and limit boys' receptiveness to information, ability to communicate, and openness in intimate and sexual relationships. Gender Dimensions of Vulnerability and Risk — Gender-based power dynamics and stereotypes increase vulnerability and risk by affecting both boys' and girls' ability to make decisions related to their reproductive health and to take action to protect themselves (Population Council, 2001). Gender-related expectations compromise girls' knowledge and ability to protect themselves from unwanted pregnancy, STIs and violence. Their health risks are increased by norms that teach them to take a subservient role in decision-making; not to question the fidelity of their partners; to tolerate violent sexual behavior; and to have sex, get married and/or produce children at an early age (UNAIDS, 1997b). Married girls are particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV because it is considered unacceptable to ask husbands to use condoms in most cultures, and young women are expected to be monogamous while husbands are not. Gender norms may also support harmful traditional practices, such as female genital cutting, which have extensive health consequences for girls. Gender stereotypes that encourage boys to be uncommunicative and to adopt multiple sex partners and other high-risk behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use, also increase their chance of infection. The AYA Approach to Gender In AYA, attention to gender dynamics and equity is built into every aspect of our work with youth, communities, providers, health facilities, schools, and policy-makers to ensure that the sexual and reproductive health needs of young people — both male and female — are being met. Gender-sensitive approaches are applied at different levels to challenge gender biases that exist at multiple levels and maintain unequal status, access, and life experience for male and females. Social and institutional systems underlie and reinforce gender-based disparities through formal laws and policies (eg, laws providing lower age of marriage for girls than for boys), institutional arrangements (eg, health facilities that assume married girls do not need protection from unwanted pregnancy and STIs), and religious practices (eg, those constricting access to contraceptives). Gender analysis strengthens program efforts to address the influence of norms on autonomy, connectedness, behavior, and opportunity at each of these levels. AYA works with youth and communities to increase awareness of gender-related power dynamics, which improves self-perception among youth and gender equality in decision-making, and reduces risk in sexual relations (Irvin, 2000). Discussing gender stereotypes can help boys and girls be more receptive to reproductive health information, talk to each other about sexual health concerns, and understand the effects of power on individual rights, behavior, and discrimination. Reducing vulnerability and risk-taking among youth requires an understanding of the social context of sexuality and its inherent gender dynamics. Research on HIV prevention confirms the key role of gender in risk reduction. More specifically, evaluations of AIDS prevention and health education programs have shown that sexuality education with open discussion of gender issues helps to delay age of first sex, increase use of contraception, reduce number of partners, and decrease frequency of sex (UNAIDS, 1997a; Kirby, 2001). In addition, encouraging youth to question gender norms has long-term implications for societal change. Challenging social norms is perhaps most effectively done with young people, before their values and behaviors are established. Building upon existing methodologies and tools, the program applies gender-sensitive approaches inn program design, implementation, and evaluation to —
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