An individual self conception as being male or female as distinguished from actual biolgoical sex. For most persons, gender identity and biological characteristics are the same. There are however, circumstances in which an individual experiencces little or no connection between sex and gender, in trans sexualism for example, biological sexual characteristics are distinct and unambiguous but the affected person believes that he or she is or ought to be of the opposite sex. Contents : PrefaceGender women equality and developmentWomen power and authorityWomen development issues and interventionsThe symbolism of biological reproduction and sexual relations of productionWomanpowerThinking critically about gender equalityEmpowerment of womenPolicies and programems for empowerment of womena nd gender equalityA self help experience in women reproductive healthEmpowering women in gram panchayats through trainingEnhancing the neogitaiating power of womenetc..