Understanding the difference between Sex and Gender - By Imrana Garba

''Since the term sex refers to biological or physical distinctions, characteristics of sex will not vary significantly between different human societies. For example, all persons of the female sex, in general, regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that can lactate"

By Imrana Garba 

In a typical Hausa community of Northern Nigeria there are some silent issues that are affecting the life and progress of our well-being particularly on health and gender related issues.

If our society are fully orientated on the effects, dangers and consquences of sexual and gender based violence, on our young girls in many places like academic institutions, markets, places of works among others. Women, young girls and ladies are facing one or two form of gender based violence in the course of discharging their duties.

The violence against our nobles females counterparts can be in form of physical, emotional or social aspects to mention a few. 

This hamful and unlawful, condemnable behavior can be mitigated by enlightenment and awareness, first point of call understanding the difference between sex and gender.

Sexual and Gender Based Violence can be mitigated by enlightenment and awareness, first point of call is understanding the basic difference between sex and gender.

A common on street can't  differentiate between gender and sex, generally people are classifying sex and gender as one entity.

But in a real sense and practical situations '' sex'' and " gender'' are entirety different.

In every scenario or situations someone is if there is enlightenment about the matter his/her tension will reduce or sign of happiness can be seen.

When you are ask what is sex?... If I am the one I will say  " Sex  is refers  to a person’s sexual anatomy or sexual reproductive parts of male or female''

In a medical term or field one can describe sex as genetically acquired distinct between males and females according to their physical, anatomical and reproductive capabilities or short comings

In a layman term and unstanding we can describe sex as body difference between a male and female.

Since the term sex refers to biological or physical distinctions, characteristics of sex will not vary significantly between different human societies. For example, all persons of the female sex, in general, regardless of culture, will eventually menstruate and develop breasts that can lactate.

 Characteristics of gender, on the other hand, may vary greatly between different societies. For example, in some culture, it is considered feminine (or a trait of the female gender) to wear a dress or skirt, or some one behaves in a manner females are doing their daily routine and behaviors ranging from taking, dressing, walking and actions.

What about gender; is about who you feel yourself to be either a male or female.

In a well explained term, gender can be described as a  term we use to refer to how a person feels about himself as a boy/man or feels about herself as a girl/woman.

Gender identity is the term for how a person self-identifies in terms of being a boy/man or girl/woman. When you say, “I’m a man,” you are stating your gender identity.

In addition gender can be described as economic, social and cultural attributes with being male or female.