Background: Gender and development Gender: Biological differences between women and men do not change. But the social roles that they are required to play vary from one society to another and at different periods in history. The term gender refers to the economic, social, political and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male and female. In most societies, men and women differ in the activities they undertake. The Australian Government's aid program has moved from a Women in Development approach (WID) which emphasises the role of women to a Gender and Development approach (GAD). This recognises the importance of the different roles of men and women in the family, the community and in society. In terms of efficiency, studies have highlighted the high return from investments in women. Lawrence Summers, then Vice-President of the World Bank, recognised that: Investment in the education of girls may well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world. More detailed information is available in a series of publications produced by the Australian Government's overseas aid agency. Click here to see what is available. Contents Case study: Women and recovery in Palestine This case study looks at the projects in action for women's rights in the Jenin district of Palestine. Click here for the primary case study Click here for the secondary case study Gender and development facts Background: Gender and development Australian response to gender and development The Beijing platform for action Other useful resources More links   © Commonwealth of Australia