Question

gender perspective on development

Answer 1

i hope it will help



Historically, the development of the so-called Third World has been tied to modernization theory. Modernization theory argues that industrialization leads to economic development. The growth of the economy creates political stability which in turn benefits all sectors of the population. Modernization theory takes for granted that, “urbanization- often accompanied by increased industrialization, literacy, and exposure to the mass media-would offer women greater occupational and educational opportunities, thereby enhancing their status.” Evidence used to argue that economic development does indeed help women in developing nations shows that though short term results of industrialization are detrimental to women, in the long term as wealth flows through all sectors of society, everyone profits.

Prior to 1970, it was believed that development affected men and women in the same way, no gendered perspective existed for development studies. It was later realized that economic development did not eradicate poverty nor did it reach all demographics, especially women. The 1970’s saw a transformation in development theory that sought to incorporate women into existing development paradigms. The issue was not perceived to be a theoretical one, but rather a practical one; simply including women would alleviate their subordination.

Ester Boserup’s analysis of development in, “Women’s Role in Economic Development,” was a watershed moment for gendered development. Boserup attacked the focus on economic development that had dominated development theory. She argued that the benefits gained by economic development do not reach women. Oppressive social hierarchies and the lack of women working in the formal economy are two factors that prevent economic growth in developing nations from reaching women. For example, women produce 60-80% of food in developing nations. Since agricultural production occurs in rural areas, and industrialization focuses on urban areas, women benefit little.

Contemporary gendered development theory focuses not only on the economic constraints women face, but the social constraints as well. This approach takes a holistic approach to the development of women and recognizes the full spectrum of oppressive structures that subordinate women: It favors the elimination of legal, customary, and labor market constraints on women’s mobility and economic participation while realizing that these constraints are rooted in long-standing gender ideologies and asymmetrical gender relations. this approach recognizes the not only the public sphere but the private as well, and how both spheres are sources of oppression.

The operationalization of this most recent theory on gendered development can be seen in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDG). These goals were created at the UN Summit in 2000 with the intention of achieving all eight MDGs by 2015. The MDGs do not mention economic development but rather things such as maternal health, universal primary education and promoting gender equality. The MDGs give international credence to the assertion that for the Third World to become developed, social as well as economic problems must be addressed.