Women’s empowerment and development are closely interconnected, as development can significantly reduce gender inequality; while empowering them contribute to economic progress. However, development policies and programs often do not recognize women as integral to the development process as seen in the emphasis on investments in their reproductive roles instead of their productive capacities, particularly through population programs. Despite this, women across the developing world actively participate in economically productive work and earn incomes. They primarily work in agriculture and the informal sector, with an increasing presence in formal wage employment. Even at that, their earnings remain generally low. Development agencies have attempted to address the need for poor women to earn incomes by investing in income-generating projects since the 1950s. Most of these projects fail because they are driven by welfare concerns rather than development objectives. They often offer women temporary and part-time employment in traditionally feminine skills such as knitting and sewing, which have limited market potential. In contrast, over the past two decades, some nongovernmental organizations such as the Self-Employed Women’s Association in Nigeria have successfully improved women’s economic status. Their success stems from recognizing that women are fundamental to the economic development process, rather than viewing them merely as beneficiaries of welfare programs.
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Year
Page Range
273-288