Concept of Gender and Sex:

Sex and gender are terms that are often used interchangeably. However, they are in fact two different concepts, even though for many people their sex and gender are the same.

  Sex:    Sex refers to the biological aspects of an individual as determined by their anatomy, which is produced by their chromosomes, hormones and their interactions.

Gender:

Gender is a social construction relating to behaviors and attributes based on labels of masculinity and femininity;

Gender identity is a personal, internal perception of oneself and so the gender category someone identifies with may not match the sex they were assigned at birth.

Stereotype: A stereotype is a widely accepted judgment or bias about a person or group — even though it’s overly simplified and not always accurate. Stereotypes about gender can cause unequal and unfair treatment because of a person’s gender. This is called sexism.

There are four basic kinds of gender stereotypes:

Personality traits

Domestic behaviors

Occupations

Physical appearance

There are ways to challenge these stereotypes to help everyone — no matter their gender or gender identity — feel equal and valued as people:

Point it out

Be a living example

Speak up

Give it a try