What is gender?

 What Is Gender?

In today's world, the term "gender" comes up in many conversations — from identity and expression to rights and representation. But what exactly is gender?

At its core, gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and expectations that a society considers appropriate for men, women, and other gender identities. It is not the same as sex, which refers to biological and physical characteristics such as chromosomes, hormones, and reproductive organs.

Gender is a social and cultural construct. This means it can vary across different cultures and can change over time. For instance, what it means to be “masculine” or “feminine” today might not be the same as it was 100 years ago — or even ten years ago.

Many people identify as male or female, but gender is not always binary. Some people identify as non-binary, genderqueer, or genderfluid, among other identities. These terms reflect experiences that don’t fit neatly into the categories of “man” or “woman.”

Understanding gender means recognizing and respecting people’s identities and expressions. It means creating spaces where everyone can be themselves without judgment or fear. In short, gender is about who we are, how we express ourselves, and how we relate to the world around us.