Interact Worldwide Gender
Gender refers to a set of qualities and behaviour expected of individuals by society, it is not biological. Although often viewed as innate, gender roles differ from place to place and are societally determined.
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, they may be forced to marry young, coerced into marrying someone they do not wish to, not allowed to choose whether or when to bear children, or subjected to violence such as female genital mutilation. In most countries women struggle for equal access to education, economic empowerment and inheritance. Working towards the greater empowerment of women is agreed to be one of the most effective drivers of human development. Sexual minority groups such as transgendered people, and men who have sex with men also face discrimination, stigma and even criminalisation for not conforming to the gender roles expected by societies.
Interact Worldwide works with Southern partners to enable individuals to realise their right to equality in the eyes of the law, and equity in terms of access to resources and services. We take a rights based approach which supports people in identifying and solving their own gender-related problems. We work with individuals to make them aware of their rights, and to help them engage in advocacy on their own issues. The issues that we focus our work on - sexual and reproductive health and HIV/Aids - cannot be tackled without a gender sensitive approach.
