Introduction to livelihoods and gender

Gender inequality means that women and men often do not have equal access to the assets they need to pursue or sustain their livelihoods and those of their families. Policies, institutions and processes, both formal and informal, reinforce these gender inequalities. Land, for example, is frequently owned by men who determine women’s access to it, and limited access to land means little collateral for obtaining credit.

A gender-sensitive approach to livelihoods involves understanding the different roles, needs, vulnerabilities and aspirations of women and men, girls and boys. Gender analysis requires disaggregation of households to better understand the different priorities, livelihood constraints and opportunities of women and men. This includes understanding:

• the dynamics of gender differences with respect to social relations - how ‘male’ and ‘female’ are defined in a given context; their roles and responsibilities
• gender division of labour in productive and reproductive work within the household, the community and wider society
• access and control over resources and services
• involvement in decision-making structures and processes, as well as networks that confer power and authority
• the distinct needs and potential of women and men, in both current and future roles.

This theme explores the relationship between gender and livelihoods with recommended reading and a list of regularly updated resources.