Gender Equality and Equity
Why it matters!
Development is not gender neutral, and, therefore, program design should take into consideration the different needs of different groups of society. The Risha Solutions team strives for equality in all our programming, networking, and activities.
Our expertise covers
In the context of development, half of the population - women and girls - often do not have equal and equitable access to basic services due to a wide range of policy, programmatic, and socio-cultural barriers. By integrating a gender lens into all programming, organizations are, thus, able to identify and understand the unique challenges faced in the pursuit of gender equality and equity, or social inclusion, and the ways in which systems, institutions, and policies must change to advance these objectives. We understand that the burden for the provision of basic services often falls on women and girls, with women and girls overwhelmingly responsible, for example, for water and firewood collection. Gender-responsive programming can, therefore, enable multi-dimensional results for women and girls, including better health, increased economic and education opportunities, and more time for participation in decision-making and leadership roles.
Gender and WASH
We understand not only the burden that befalls women and girls when there is a lack of access to water but also the biological differences, social norms and practices, and household dynamics that contribute to the diverse needs of women and men related to sanitation and hygiene over the course of their lives.
Gender and Education
There are countless reasons for the gender disparity in education, including financial constraints, socio-cultural norms, care and domestic work burdens, insecurity, and lack of access to sanitation and hygiene facilities, among others. However, less access to education can translate into lower lifetime earnings, higher fertility and maternal mortality rates, greater risks of early and child marriage, and other consequences which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty.
Women's Empowerment and Entrepreneurship
Women in the region still suffer from significant inequalities, with policies and practices that limit their ability to be decision makers within their communities and improve their livelihoods through engagement in economic and social affairs.
Gender Statistics
Gender statistics identify the different situations, experiences, opportunities, and needs of women and men. Data disaggregated by sex should not simply provide a numerical comparison of
women's and men's access to public services but offer a deeper understanding of why inequalities occur and how to address these. Therefore, gender statistics should not only be collected but analyzed and used to inform policies and programs. This requires strong coordination by the data producer and the data user.
women's and men's access to public services but offer a deeper understanding of why inequalities occur and how to address these. Therefore, gender statistics should not only be collected but analyzed and used to inform policies and programs. This requires strong coordination by the data producer and the data user.