Making a Conceptual Shift

Suneeta Dhar

During the 1950s, mainstream development approaches were based on the predominant belief that modernization, industrialization, and rapid technologization of the agrarian sector to the industrial sector would enable third world economies to grow. By the late 1960s, however, modernization theory was subject to criticism from many quarters, included the emerging women in development movement.

In 1970, Esther Boserup's seminal work, “Women's Role in Economic Development,” showed that new technology actually lowered women's status by reducing their access to productive work and, since cash crops and wage jobs were only available to men, women were increasingly relegated to the subsistence economy. Feminist critique in the 1970s further examined the roots of women's subordination - inequality between men and women, sexual division of labor, women's unrecognized work within the household - and made links between the household as an economic unit and the global economy (Mies, 1982). The 1980s saw a further critique of neo-liberal policies, the debt crisis, and top-down development projects.

Such analysis led to a conceptual shift from “women” to “gender” to distinguish between biological differences and socially constructed inequality. The concept of gender relations moved the focus from women and men as isolated categories to looking at both to understand the unequal social dynamics through which resources are allocated, tasks and responsibilities assigned, value given, and power mobilized (Kabeer and Subrahmanian, 1996).

Gender equity advocates today are seeking to change power relationships at all levels and to incorporate the perspectives and priorities of both women and men into development policies and projects. Advocacy efforts are focusing on:

• Changing policies. While it has been assumed that development interventions benefit men and women equally, it is known today that one set of people has benefited over another. Gender-blind interventions have often left the distribution of resources and responsibilities among the genders intact and unquestioned. For example, the environmental movement in India has focused on people's right to land, the forest, and natural resources, but has overlooked fundamental issues such as women's right to own property and control resources.

Thus, the negative impact of one gender eclipsing another needs to be understood and the gender gap bridged. Steps forward include evolving gender-redistributive policies that transform existing distributions in a more egalitarian way (Kabeer and Subrahmanian, 1996), and developing other affirmative policies, such as reserving seats in government for women.

• Analyzing culture. Young boys and girls in every society are socialized in practices, beliefs, and values that privilege one gender over another and perpetuate gender inequities. They are affected by and, in turn, pass on these practices to the next generation.

Culture, therefore, is an important site for advocacy. Advocates of gender equity are analyzing the nature of relationships between men and women in social structures like the family; challenging traditional practices that subordinate women and girls; and bringing issues from the private sphere of life - domestic violence, infanticide, property rights - into public scrutiny. In doing so, advocates need to be proactive - engaging in public debate, creating new language and meaning, reaching out the “non-converted” - rather than investing energy in reacting to hostile opposition.

• Sensitizing both women and men. Mainstreaming a gender perspective is not only important for achieving gender equality. It is a journey all men and women need to undertake to create a sustainable, gender-just world.

1. Women who are disenfranchised - whether by class, race, or nationality - are best able to analyze their subordination, bring micro-macro analysis and real life experiences to bear on the task, and devise strategies for more equitable development policies.

1. Women's participation as their own advocates is essential. However, before women can negotiate for gender justice, separate spaces are needed for them to nurture self-awareness, become sensitized to gender issues, create platforms for solidarity, analyze traditional forms of power, and enhance their confidence, skills, and perspectives. These spaces are not meant to divide women from men, but are necessary as interim structures until genuine alternatives can be found.
2. Mainstreaming a gender perspective must not be seen solely as a woman's issue. Men need to take as much responsibility for change as women do. They must work to transform their internal selves; critically examine the layers of patriarchy within their own communities, organizations, and movements; and make a commitment to gender equity at all levels.

Contributed by Suneeta Dhar, 1996 India Advocacy Fellow and an activist associated with Jagori, a feminist documentation, training, and resource center. To contact Ms. Dhar, e-mail <suneetad_AT_hotmail.com>.

Information on this page came from Advocacy for Social Justice: A Global Action and Reflection Guide, now available in English and Spanish from Kumarian Press.