Gender needs assessment classifies planning interventions in terms of those that meet practical gender needs - that is, the needs identified to help women in their existing subordinate position in society - and strategic gender needs - namely, the needs identified to transform existing subordinate relationships between men and women....

...Frequently different needs are confused. Clarification is essential if realistic parameters are to be identified both as to what can be accomplished in the planning process, as well as the limitations of different policy interventions.... Because it deals directly with the issue of subordination, this planning tool is the crux of the framework for a gender planning methodology. As such, gender needs assessment is a tool by which it is possible to measure changes.

1. Examine the definitions of gender roles and gender needs provided. Consider how these concepts are applied in the Table 1, which presents examples of various types of development interventions from different sectors.

   	WOMEN'S ROLE RECOGNIZED			GENDER NEED MET
   TYPE OF INTERVENTION	R	P	CM	PGN	SGN
   1. EMPLOYMENT POLICY
   A.) SKILL TRAINING
   COOKING ANGEL CAKES	X			X?
   DRESSMAKING		X		X
   MASONRY / CARPENTRY		X		X
   B.) ACCESS TO CREDIT
   ALLOCATED TO HOUSEHOLD		X		X
   ALLOCATED TO WOMEN		X		X
   2. HUMAN SETTLEMENT POLICY
   A.) ZONING LEGISLATION
   SEPERATE RESIDENCE AND WORK	X
   DOES NOT SEPERATE RESIDENCE AND WORK	X	X		X
   B.) HOUSE OWNERSHIP
   IN MAN'S NAME	X			X
   IN WOMAN'S NAME	X	X		X
   3. BASIC SERVICES
   A.) LOCATION OF NURSERY
   LOCATED IN COMMUNITY	X	X	X	X	X
   MOTHER'S WORKPLACE	X	X		X
   FATHER'S WORKPLACE	X	X		X
   B.) TRANSPORT SERVICES
   ONLY PEAK HOURS BUS SERVICE		X		X?
   ADEQUATE OFF-PEAK SERVICE	X	X	X	X
   C.) TIMING OF RURAL EXTENSION MEETINGS
   IN THE MORNING		X		X
   IN THE AFTERNOON / EVENING	X	X	X	X
   R = Reproductive P = Productive C = Community managing PGN = Practical gender need SGN = Strategic gender need

   A. Changing the gender division of labour

   B. Control over financial services

   C. Overcoming discrimination against women owning land, by law tradition

   D.Alleviation of the burden of domestic labour

2. Read and consider one or more of the case studies provided.
3. On the basis of the definitions and examples you have examined in step 1 above, and for each of the case studies you have read in step 2 above, fill in the following information in Table 2 below: Roles: On which of men's and women's roles do you consider the intervention was intended to focus, and on which do you think it focused in practice?
   
   Gender needs: Identify which gender needs the intervention was intended to meet, or met in practice.
   
   

   PROJECT	ROLE ON WHICH FOCUSED						GENDER NEEDS MET
   	INTENTION			ACTUAL			INTENTION		ACTUAL
   	R	P	CM/P	R	P	CM/P	PGN	SGN	PGN	SGN

4. Consider the usefulness of distinguishing between practical and strategic gender needs as a planning tool. Answer the questions below:
   • In your opinion, can gender needs analysis potentially improve the design, implementation and impact of development interventions related to the labour market?
   • If so, from your own experience, describe an example of where and how gender needs assessment did help, or could have helped, in improving the quality or outcomes of an intervention.