Development
Has a Woman's Face
Insights
from Within the UN
This book analyzes the concepts that have transformed the 'woman
question' into the current notion of 'gender mainstreaming' from 1970s to 2005.
For example, take the question of the redefinition of 'economic activity' -- a
large area considered non-economic in traditional definitions. Another concept
can be illustrated by the tools and techniques devised to measure and quantify
economic contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) and the system of
national accounts. Does it matter if an economy accounts for all women's work
paid and unpaid, inside and outside the house? The answer given by several
surveys and reports show that its relevance lies in a very simple conclusion and
that is women are poorer than men anywhere, everywhere. How did poverty acquire
a gender bias? Are the causes that procure this remarkable gender bias connected
to any particular system government or economic structure ? If not then wherein lies the problem? Is
the segregation of occupations in the labor market to determine the inequality
of remuneration between women and men ? How is the political drama of women's
entry into the labor market connected to the legislative provisions to protect
maternity rights and parental leave? What was the political prerequisite to
create basic needs strategies at a global level when in fact women were meeting
these minimum needs at the household level ? As women attempt to climb step by
step the corporate ladder at the macro level there is a tremendous upheaval in
current strategies to discuss micro enterprises and micro credits for women. Why
should the gender division of labor signify big money for men and small money
for women? No matter which process of the development paradigm is analyzed, its
hidden economic reality touches the profile of a woman.
International
Development Studies, St. Mary’s University,
December 2006
*
President, NGO Committee on the Status of Women,
Published by APH Publishing
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Distributed by St. Mary’s University in
Email: kahooja@smu.ca