What is Gender?

Gender refers to a set of qualities and behaviour expected of individuals by society it is not biological, that's a persons sex. Although previously and still often viewed as innate and inherent, gender roles differ by location and are determined by one’s society, not at birth.

Gender expectations are very often oppressive to women and sexual minority groups in particular. Women globally face great challenges to their right to self-determination and gender equality such as:

• Being forced to marry young.
• Coerced into marrying someone against their will.
• Not given the choice of whether or when to bear children.
• Being subjected to violence, such as female genital mutilation, or being blamed for being raped.

Sexual minorities also suffer through harmful attitudes about gender:

• There are still 88 countries in which homosexuality, or homosexual acts are deemed illegal.
• Lesbians or other women deemed to have rejected men can suffer corrective rape, which is not illegal in many countries.

Interact Worldwide seeks to address harmful attitudes toward gender equality in its programmes and advocacy work. We work with girls, women and sexual minorities to change perceptions and strengthen the capacity of communities to claim their rights and transform gender roles. Gender equality is central to our work and one of the key drivers of human development.

Please support our work on Gender Equality by making a gift today, any amount makes a big difference. Thank you.

Case Studies

Helping girls avoid early marriages in India Empowering women to take their own decisions regarding when, how and to whom they marry preserves their health and rights. Interact encourages the involvement of the whole society, especially young boys and girls as well as local leaders, to promote gender equality in India.