IFM-SEI

Tool "The gender divide"

Language: English

Project Featuring This Tool: Peers without Frontiers

Time	90 minutes minimum
Approximate number of participants	12-25
Age	15+
Date published	19 Oct 2011, 15:31

Materials

• 6 x scissors
• 6 x pencils
• 6 x different coloured pencils (yellow, green, red, blue, purple, orange – or others, if you don’t have these)
• 6 pencil sharpeners
• 30 x sheets of A4 paper
• 5 x rulers
• A watch to time the days
• 3 facilitators (a game leader, a banker and a world forum facilitator)

Setting

• Copy the role cards and instructions for each group.
• Copy the ‘day sheet’ for the banker.

Step-by-step instructions

1. Divide the group into six smaller groups.
2. Give each group a pair of scissors, a pencil, a coloured pencil in their colour, sheets of A4 paper and a pencil sharpener. Each group except group 1 receives a ruler.

Their colours are: Group 1: yellow; group 2: green; group 3: red; group 4: blue; group 5: purple; group 6: orange. 3. Explain that in the game the six groups each represent a woman or a man situated in a different country, experiencing a variety of social, religious and political pressures. Two groups form a couple (a man and a woman) coming from one world region. The groups are not specific to any country or culture, but their circumstances are based upon a broad range of real life scenarios that affect women’s and men’s lives today. A two-week period is simulated, with each day lasting five minutes. One practice day can be played before the week starts. 4. Each group has to produce a certain amount of credits each day to survive. The credits are symbolised by paper shapes which have to be cut out and coloured. The amount each group has to produce is different and relative to the different workloads expected of a woman and a man around the world. Make sure everyone understands the rules and produces the right shapes in the practice round.

5. Before each day is finished, each group must take their credits to the bank in order to progress without a forfeit. Some groups have to produce credits for their partner groups. If they don’t produce the amount asked for, they and their partner groups will get a forfeit. 6. It is forbidden to work between the days. In this time the game leader will let all groups know how the others are doing and announce possible meetings or forfeits. 7. During the weekends, a World Forum will take place with representatives from each group. It gives the players the possibility to discuss what is happening and possibly change the rules of the game. The game ends with a World Forum including all participants.

Banker One facilitator takes the role of a banker. The banker needs the ‘day sheet’. It is a breakdown of what credits are expected from each group. A representative from each group must give the required shapes to the banker who will then mark off the relevant square on the chart. The banker must be strict in accepting the shapes. Bad sizing or colouring may result in shapes not being accepted. It is up to the Banker to use their judgement as to how strict they are with particular groups.

Game leader The Game leader is the timekeeper and general facilitator for the game. The game leader has to make sure that everyone plays according to the rules. After the game leader has called ‘end of day’, they announce how each group has done and announce possible forfeits if a group didn’t produce enough credits.

World Forum The World Forum facilitator organises and chairs the World Forum which takes place during the weekends (days 3/4 and 7/8). It is not compulsory to attend. There can be one representative from group 2 who will represent both their own group and Group 1. He does not have a vote. Group 3 can have one representative with one vote. Group 4 can have as many representatives as they want. As a group they have two votes. Group 5 and 6 can send one representative between them, who has two votes.

At the end of the second day of each weekend, every group may propose one change in the rules, apart from group 4 who can make two proposals. These are then voted upon and the new rule made into law upon a 2/3 majority. Any new laws will be adhered to in the morning of the next day (day 5 and 9). Group 2 cannot take part in the second day’s proceedings. They can however write a proposal during the first day which the other groups will vote upon.

Final World Forum To stimulate discussion for everyone and to allow everyone to take part in a World Forum, all members of each group will participate on days 11 and 12. For 10 minutes, each group will discuss amongst themselves one new law that they would like to propose. Each group’s presen­tation has to be exactly 1 minute long. After each presentation, there will then be a vote on the new laws. Every person gets a vote each; however group 4’s count x 3 and group 1 and 2’s only count for 1/2 a vote.

Game feedback and debrief The debriefing enables the participants to relate their experiences to the real world.

Debriefing questions:

• How did you feel at various points during the game?
• Which countries did you feel you were in?
• Is there anything you feel you would have liked to change within the game?
• Are there any similarities you felt in the game to those you have experienced in real life?
• Do you conform to any of the gender roles within the game?
• Do you think the world’s inter­national institutions such as the U.N, Security Council, World Bank, World Trade Organisation are biased to support men or women or the level of development in a country?
• Can you write a list of gender stereotypes or examples of personal experiences where men and women have been treated differently in the economic sphere? Also can you think of any expectations of men and women that is particularly to do with their gender?
• Do you feel you would like to confront global gender stereotypes, and if so how?

Important notes: As with all role play/simulation activities they are never played the same way twice and different people and groups may react in very different ways. It is very important that the game leader is able to adapt the game as they see fit. The World Forum encourages people to change the rules of the game, so also the Banker and World Forum Facilitator must be prepared to adapt.

Notes for Martin: The instructions for Group 1 to 6 have to be on one sheet, so that it’s easy to copy! (Not the beginning at page x and the end at page y together with instructions for the next group. Also the day sheet for the banker must start on a new page.

Instructions for the groups: Group 1: You are a woman. You share a ruler with Group 2, your husband. Your colour is yellow. Someone from your husband’s group will represent you at the World Forums on the weekends. They do not have to discuss the conference with you.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce each day in order to survive. One yellow rectangle (2cm x 3cm) counts as 10 credits.

Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 1

150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 1 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for yourself; 50 credits for group 2

Group 2 You are a man. You share a ruler with Group 1, your wife. Your colour is green.

Someone of your group can represent your group and group 2 at the World Forums on the weekends. You will have the chance to make one proposal for each World Forum. This will be proposed, written down and then voted on by the other groups on the second day. You will not have a vote that counts or be present for the vote. Group 1 knows there is a World Forum, but it is up to you if you want to listen to any requests they may have.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce each day in order to survive. One green rectangle (2cm x 3 cm) counts as 10 credits.
Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 2 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 2 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits 150 credits

Group 3 You are Group 3, a woman married to Group 4, a man. Your colour is red. One person from your group has the opportunity to represent your group at the World Forums.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce for yourself and for your husband each day to survive. One red rectangle (2cm x 3 cm) counts as 50 credits.
Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 3 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 3 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for yourself 50 credits for group 4

Group 4 You are Group 4, a man married to Group 3, a woman. Your colour is blue.

You can send as many representatives as you want to the World Forum, but you have only one vote.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce each day to survive. One blue rectangle (2cm x 3 cm) counts as 50 credits.
Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 4 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself Day off Day off 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 4 Day off Day off 150 credits for yourself 150 credits for yourself

Group 5 You are Group 5, a woman. You are in a long-term relationship with Group 6, a man. Your colour is purple.

At the international conference on the weekends, one person from either group 5 or 6 may participate. You must discuss with group 6 to decide who shall be chosen.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce for you and your partner each day to survive. One purple rectangle (2×m x 3 cm) counts as 40 credits.

Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 5 160 credits for yourself 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for group 6 Day off 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 5 80 credits for group 6 Day off 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 6

Group 6 You are Group 6, a man. You are in a long-term relationship with Group 5, a woman. Your colour is orange.

At the international conference on the weekends, one person from either group 5 or 6 may participate. You must discuss with group 6 to decide who shall be chosen.

Each day lasts exactly 5 minutes. There will be an announcement by the game leader after each day has finished. The new day will not start until the announcement is over. It is forbidden to work while the day is over and the game leader is speaking. You must give in your daily quota before the end of each day.

This chart shows you how much you have to produce for you and your partner each day to survive. One orange rectangle (2×m x 3 cm) counts as 40 credits.

Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 6 160 credits for yourself 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5 Day off
80 credits for group 5 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 6 Day off 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for yourself 80 credits for group 5

‘Day sheet’ for the banker

Group 1 – yellow; each shape is worth 10 credits Group 2 – green; each shape is worth 10 credits Group 3 – red; each shape is worth 50 credits Group 4 – blue; each shape is worth 50 credits Group 5 – purple; each shape is worth 40 credits Group 6 – orange; each shape is worth 40 credits
Training day Day 1 weekday Day 2 weekday Day 3 weekend Day 4 weekend Day 5 weekday Day 6 weekday Group 1

150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves

50 credits for group 2 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 2 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 2 Group 2 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Group 3 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 Group 4 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Day off Day off 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Group 5 160 credits for themselves 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for group 6 Day off 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 Group 6 160 credits for themselves 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5 Day off
80 credits for group 5 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5

Day 7 weekend Day 8 weekend Day 9 weekday Day 10 weekday International forum for everyone Group 1 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Group 2 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Group 3 50 credits for group 4 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 150 credits for themselves 50 credits for group 4 Group 4 Day off Day off 150 credits for themselves 150 credits for themselves Group 5 80 credits for group 6 Day off 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 6 Group 6 Day off 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5 80 credits for themselves 80 credits for group 5

Forfeits

Group 1 and 2 In four countries (Bahrain, Kyrgyzstan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates), the number of women in parliament is 0. Because of the lack of female representation in government, a law has been passed and your land has been taken away from you. There is nothing you can do about it. Your means to produce have dramatically decreased. This means that group 1 needs to produce 200 credits to survive the next two days in addition to any other work you need to do for other groups.

Group 1 and 2 Women do two-thirds of the world's work, but receive only 10% of the world's income. Group 2 has gone away looking for paid work. While they are away, Group 1 still has to provide for their family and look after the crops. This means group 1 need to produce 240 credits to survive the next two days in addition to any other work they need to do for other groups.

Group 1 and 2 Women make up two thirds of the 1 billion+ illiterate adults who have no access to basic education. Unfortunately the school in your local area has only minimal places available. This means the boys in the family get priority and the girls stay at home. You need to take more time out of your day to begin home education. This means group 1 need to produce 200 credits to survive the next two days in addition to any other work they need to do for other groups.

Group 1 and 2 A foreign force has invaded your country in the name of freedom. You are forced to leave your home and everything you own. 80% of the world's 27 million refugees are women. This means group 1 needs to produce 250 credits to survive the next two days in addition to any other work you need to do for other groups.

Group 3 and 4 You live in North America. One year out of college women earn 20% less than men and 10 years later 31% less. Unfortunately your job is taken by a less qualified but male friend of the manager. You must produce 200 credits for the next 3 days in addition to any other work you need to do for other groups.

Group 3 and 4 Women comprise 21 of the 37 million people living below the poverty line in the US. The man you were in love with runs off with your best friend. Unfortunately you lose a place to live as he owned your home. You need to work more than double to get yourself back on-track. You must produce 300 credits for the next 4 days in addition to any other work you need to do for other groups. Treat any weekends over the next 4 days as weekdays

Group 3 and 4 The United Kingdom comes 49th (out of 154 countries) in terms of women’s repre­sentation in parliament. Unfortunately you are underrepresented in parliament. A new proposed law promoting gender equality has been defeated. You must produce an additional 260 credits for the next three days.

Group 5 and 6 You live in Peru, one of two countries where women are more active in starting a business than men. Fortunately your new business venture is very successful. You do not need to change the amount of credits you produce

Attached files

• The gender divide (930.83kB)