Gender and Development

Gender and development studies the gendered dimensions of economic and social development and policies to advance gender equality.

Scope

It covers women's role in development, gender and economic change, the Women-in-Development and Gender-and-Development approaches, and empowerment.

Core questions

• How does development affect women and men differently?
• How does gender shape economic change?
• How can development advance gender equality?
• What is women's empowerment?

Key concepts

• Women in Development (WID)
• Gender and Development (GAD)
• Empowerment
• Capabilities
• Gendered division of labour
• Gender mainstreaming

Key theories

Women's role in development

Boserup showed economic development can marginalize women, founding gender-and-development analysis.

Capabilities and gender

Sen's capability approach frames gender equality as the expansion of women's freedoms.

History

Gender and development grew from Boserup's analysis through the WID and GAD approaches and the capability and empowerment frameworks (Sen), shaping development policy.

Debates

Efficiency versus empowerment rationales

Whether to promote gender equality for development efficiency or as a matter of rights and empowerment.

Key figures

• Ester Boserup
• Amartya Sen

Seminal works

• boserup-1970
• sen-1999

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between WID and GAD?

Women in Development sought to integrate women into development; Gender and Development focuses on transforming unequal gender relations.