WO toolkit 2012 complete.pdf - GMB

SECTION 17.2
Gender
Expressed in terms of masculinity or femininity.Describes how people feel about themselves and how
they expect other people to behave towards them.It is a concept that refers to the social differences
between women and men that have been learned,are changeable over time and have wide variations
both within and between cultures.The term is often used to differentiate from‘sex’which refers to
biological differences.Gender consists of two related aspects: gender identity,which is the person’s
internal perception and experience of their gender; and gender role,which is the way that the person
lives in society and interacts with others,based on their gender identity.
Gender Dysphoria
Is a widely recognised medical condition variously referred to as gender dysphoria,gender identity
disorder and transsexualism.
Gender Equality
The concept that all human beings are free to develop their personal ability and make choices without
the limitation set by strict gender roles; that the different behaviours,aspirations and needs of women
and men are considered,valued and favoured equally.
Gender Neutral
Having no differential positive or negative impact for gender relations or equality between men and
women.
Gender Reassignment
Gender reassignment(or realignment)is the process which is undertaken under medical supervision
for the purpose of reassigning a person’s sex by changing physiological or other characteristics of sex.
This may include counselling,hormone treatment or surgery.The Sex Discrimination Act(SDA)1975 was
amended by the Sex Discrimination(Gender Reassignment)Regulations 1999 providing equality of
opportunity for the transsexual community in the areas of pay,employment,self-employment and
vocational training.
Gender Recognition Act 2004
This enables transsexual people to apply for gender recognition and those born in the UK can obtain a
new birth certificate.To qualify,a transsexual person has to show that:
• They have been diagnosed as having gender dysphoria,or
• they have had gender reassignment surgery,and
• they have lived in their acquired gender role for two years and
• they intend to do so permanently for the remainder of their life.
• Gender recognition means that transsexual or transpeople must be treated as of their new sex for
all legal purposes,including in the workplace.
Genuine Occupational Requirements(GORs)
This is where having a particular characteristic can be a genuine requirement for a job.For example,
being of a particular race,disability,gender,religion,age and sexual orientation may be essential
criteria in the job description and person specification.The law permits GORs provided these can be
justified.