Short Abstract:
Gender inequality is a key issue in development policy and practice, yet the relationship between gender inequality, patriarchal social norms and donor programmes is complex. This panel examine how donor policy translates into programming, and the challenges that arise on the ground when attempting to promote gender-equality. It also considers how exogenous variables, such as employment and education, may lead to women's empowerment and changing social norms outside of aid programmes, as well as how such norms can affect the relative success of donor-led interventions.
Long Abstract:
It is impossible to consider global inequalities in development without focusing on gender issues. While donors and practitioners tend to prioritize gender equality, programs targeting women may have different results in different country contexts based on cultural norms and the reality on the ground. Often the women most in need of support are the hardest to reach. At the same time, the benefits of achieving gender equality are far reaching, and are linked to improvements in wellbeing for other household members and the wider community, as well as impacting on other basic indicators.
This panel will explore the interplay between gender inequalities and both development programmes and paid employment. Whilst social norms may prevent women accessing labour markets, which hinder their ability to earn an income or maximize the benefit from inclusion on asset-transfer programs, their involvement in such activities can also influence social norms. It is important to understand the relationship between employment, entrepreneurship and individual/societal values if we are to understand how policy and programmes can aim to improve the position of women in the long-term. In order to provide a holistic analysis of this problem, the panel will also explore the process gender policy goes through from formulation to implementation in the field.
Accepted papers:
Session 1
Does Income and education of working-women transform their social values? Evidence from Pakistan
Ahmad Nawaz
(Lahore School of Economics)
Asad Ghalib
(Liverpool Hope University)
Rida Riaz
(Monash University)
Paper short abstract:
Inequalities in income and education levels of working women affects societal values. Which ultimately determines the state of modernization, equality, religiosity, and politics in a society. This paper investigate these complex relationships in the context of working women in Pakistan.
Paper long abstract:
Unequal levels of income and education of working women affect societal values and norms thus determine the degree of modernization, equality, religiosity, and political values in a society. This paper investigate this phenomenon in the context of working women in Pakistan. To this extent, three hundred and six working-women are being interviewed in urban vicinity of Lahore city. By employing Multinomial logit model, our results suggest that socio-economic status of working-women plays a significant role in transforming their social values. Both income and education levels of working-women tend to display similar association to values, although differences persist in some important dimensions. Women's higher education and rising income hold more liberal/self-expressive values that leads to more bargaining power in household decision-making, transmitting gender equality at the household, and participation in political activities. However, increased income levels and education has led to a decline in importance of religion in working women belonged to upper class (higher income and education levels) , whereas, women from lower class give more importance to religious values. We conclude that the process of modernization proxied by increase in working women's socio-economic status has led to a shift from survival to self-expressive values when it comes to religion, politics and family.
'I am a woman, what can I do?' The challenges of targeting women in asset-transfer programmes in Bangladesh
Sally Faulkner
(University of Sheffield)
Paper short abstract:
Asset-transfer programmes have the potential to stimulate economic empowerment through entrepreneurship, but there are a number of challenges that have to be considered when targeting women in patriarchal societies such as Bangladesh
Paper long abstract:
Asset-transfer programmes can be effective when working with the extreme poor, as they provide the potential for economic empowerment through entrepreneurship. Women are often identified as target beneficiaries, yet their selection of livestock options or small-businesses for male relatives to manage has implications for success. Understanding if and how asset-transfer programmes can bring about gender-transformative change is crucial for improving the situation of women. This paper uses qualitative data gathered from beneficiaries of the Economic Empowerment of the Poorest Programme (EEP/Shiree) in Bangladesh to analyse different factors, interests, constraints and opportunities that need to be taken into consideration when working with extreme poor women. Firstly, the paper documents the type of assets that beneficiaries tend to select, the key considerations behind these choices and the role women play in these decisions. Secondly, it highlights how gender dynamics can influence asset selection and therefore impact on the outcomes of asset selection programmes. Finally, the paper uses this analysis to inform delivery of asset-transfer progammes that target women.
Women and gender in development policy. Views from Finland and Poland.
Joanna Bunikowska
(University of Eastern Finland)
Paper short abstract:
The objective of the paper is to present main findings of the ongoing doctoral research in the topic of addressing gender equality- and women's rights related issues in development policies of two different donors: Finland and Poland.
Paper long abstract:
While research in development (cooperation) mostly focuses on developing countries or particular projects and programs, this study is a self-reflection by looking at the other end: donor's development policies. It focuses on "women" and "gender" in this context as particular development issue where the gap between rhetoric and practice has been significant globally.
Finland has been known for its commitment to gender equality on national level that has also been reflected in Finnish development policy. The study looks at processes of institutionalization of "gender" in development and identifies "the leadership's" various role: from conducive, through indifferent to hindering; the gender adviser's special role that includes not only being an expert but foremost advocate of "gender" and that it has been mostly gender adviser's task to provide the content to policy statements on gender equality. The study examines the process of translation of policy into practice and describes how "gender" is likely to dissipate along the way down to the "field", but also, on the other hand, identifies special factors that contribute to strengthening "gender" in this process.
Poland's case is an interesting study of how a "new donor" finds itself in this new position, about the institutionalization of development policy, defining its identity and tapping into experiences as recipient of development aid. The study shows how and why "gender equality" could not become one of the official development issues in Poland's development agenda. Yet, many funded projects targeted women and girls often with unintended effect of promoting of gender equality.