Orphans and Vulnerable Children - CRIN

For this activity you will need:

 Flipchart and markers

 Copies of Handout 1

To facilitate this activity:

1 Start the activity by defining to the group what genderis. Explain the difference between sex

and gender; and how gender is socially and culturally constructed. Use your facilitator notes

to discuss gender roles and, importantly, explain that gender roles and responsibilities often

place girl children at a disadvantage.

2 Divide the participants into groups. Explain that each group should think about the common

roles – or common jobs, tasks or functions – that are generally assigned to girls, and others that

are generally assigned to boys. Give them some time to discuss and brainstorm this in their

groups and come up with a list of roles for girls and a list of roles for boys.

3 Volunteers from each group should then select one example that he or she will role-play

in plenary. For example: a role-play of a girl grinding millet, or a boy tending to goats.

Note that a woman can role-play a boy’s role, or

vice-versa. The other participants will try to guess the

activity being demonstrated, and will guess whether

they think it is a boy or a girl carrying out the activity.

You can write up on the flipchart the roles that are

acted out by participants.

4 Distribute Handout 1 to participants and summarise

gender roles and responsibilities by going through the lists

with the group. Get them to add any other examples

that are not listed on the handout.

5 Discuss with participants whether they think there is an

imbalance of roles between girls and boys; and whether

this has any effect on their development. For example,

do girls and boys have the same education and recreation

opportunities? These questions are dealt with in the

next activities.

Examples of activities usually ascribed to both girls and boys (you may add

others):

• Digging or tending gardens


• Going to school


• Shopping


• Fetching firewood


• Fetching water.

1 hour

(^140) Unit 2, Module 1 Guide to Mobilising and Strengthening Community-Led Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children