Women’s Role In Economic Development: From Classical Approach To The Present

Women’s Role In Economic Development: From Classical Approach To The Present

İşler , Ruhan

The aim of this study is to examine women’s role in economic development from a historical perspective. Many classical economists considered women to be irrational as economic agents. They took it for granted that women were paid less than men. Feminist economists criticise traditional-neoclassical economics claiming that conceptual basis for the mainstream economic knowledge is gender discrimination and women’s experiences are not reflected in economics. For this reason, they suggest that economic horizon be broadened by reviewing and questioning economics, including women’s perspective. Towards the end of the 1980s, the concept of human development was improved and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) started working under the name of Human Development Index (HDI) in order to measure the development levels of countries. In the same way, studies on the elimination of gender-related inequality that is one of the new dimensions of development concept were started by UNDP. In this context, Gender-Related Development Index (GDI) was developed. Furthermore, Gender Empowerment Measure (GEM) has been emerged to measure the distribution and participation of women in the economic and political life. In recent years, The World Bank has shifted its focus from structural adjustment to poverty reduction. The growing interest to the problems of gender and women has been an important part of this process. When gender inequality is not taken into consideration, economic growth and development cannot be handled effectively, because poverty leads to gender inequality and gender inequality negatively affects economic development. Considered as a human capital, human factor is a fundamental determinant of economic development. In this context, the major target of economic development is to improve life standards and to provide equal opportunities in health, education, employment for everybody without gender discrimination. Women should be involved in the current economic development plans, programs and projects with the help of the government policy. Keywords: Gender, Feminist Economics, Economic Development, Gender İnequality, Women’s Studies.

Conference or Workshop Item
PeerReviewed

2012-05-31

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