Title: Half the world, half a chance. An introduction to gender and development.

POPLINE Document Number: 099876

Author(s):

Mosse JC

Source citation:

Oxford, England, Oxfam, 1993. viii, 229 p.

Abstract:

A descriptive analysis was provided of how discrimination actually operates within different societies. An explanation was provided for why women are disadvantaged and why development efforts have failed to help women. Many illustrations from Oxfam's experiences were given to show how women can be part of social changes to improve their lives. The first chapter defines gender as the male and female characteristics attached to biological sex, which change over time and include the roles of both men and women. The following chapter addresses the issue of development as a gender issue. The Association of African Women for Research and Development voiced in 1985 the position that the major problems in Africa were "external domination and misplaced priorities of existing development strategies." There has been complete neglect of traditional forms of cultivation for local production, mostly by women, in favor of export markets. The assumption has been that only paid labor produces value. The obstacles identified by women were international development, the local context of unjust social structures, oppression and repression and inequalities of power, colonialism, environmental damage, the debt crisis, the lack of investment in the poor, and unequal impacts of development. Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era (DAWN) has proposed that poor women's perspectives offer a needed orientation to development analysis. How much power women have to set their own agendas is an ignored issue. Chapter 3 focuses on reproductive and productive work, which is devalued or ignored in the model of development for male headed households. Female subordination that is mediated by class and race is addressed in chapter 4. Women have gained some economic advantages in the manufacturing industry, but it has been at the expense of low pay, lack of job security, and exploitation. Chapter 5 focuses on nationality, class, and race as oppressive to women. Both chapters 4 and 5 provide case studies. Development at the crossroads, as the topic of chapter 6, presents the perspective that there are a number of crises: poverty, lack of food and water, cash crops versus food, urban migration, population pressure, environmental damage, and war and civil conflicts. Chapter 7, on reassessing the role of women, emphasizes that empowerment of women to bring about greater equity should be the aim of development. The practical issues of women in development are exposed in chapter 8, and chapter 9 discusses maintaining faith in the ability of humans to direct their own destiny individually and collectively.

Keywords:

Developing Countries
Women in Development
Women's Status
Gender Relations
Caste
Social Class
Female Role
Social Change
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Gender Issues
Socioeconomic Status
Social Behavior
Behavior