Human Development and Gedner: Prof. Vibhuti Patel

Human Development and Gender : 

1 Human Development and Gender Dr. Vibhuti Patel, Director, PGSR Prof. & HOD, Department of Economics, SNDT Women’s University, Smt. Thakersey Road, Churchgate, Mumbai-400020 Phone-26770227®, 22052970 (o) Mobile-9321040048 E mail:vibhuti.np@gmail.com

Concept of Human Development : 

2 Concept of Human Development the real aim of development is to improve the quality of human life. process that enables human beings to realize their potential, build self-confidence and lead lives of dignity and fulfillment. Economic growth is an important component of development, but it cannot be a goal in itself, nor can it go on indefinitely. Although people differ in the goals that they would set for development, some are virtually universal. These include a long and healthy life, education, access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living, political freedom, guaranteed human rights, and freedom from violence. Development is real only if it makes our lives better in all these respects.

Genesis of HD Approach:: 

3 Genesis of HD Approach: Trickle-down Theory, 1950 Growth with social justice and distributive justice, 1960 Esther Boserup (1970)’s seminal work Asian Drama-Volume I, II, III, 1971 Human Resource Development, 1980 Human Development, 1990

Women and Development Debates : 

4 Women and Development Debates The critique of trickle down theory Marginalisation thesis popularised by the UN as WID (Women in Development) ‘Integration of Women’ Approach known as Women and Development (WAD) Development Alternatives with Women (DAWN) at Nairobi Conference, 1985 Gender and Development (GAD)- Women in Decision Making Process, 1990 Adoption of CEDAW-Convention on all forms of Discrimination against Women Human Development Index, Gender Empowerment Measure, 1995 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), 2000 Women Empowerment Policy, GoI, 2001 Gender Mainstreaming in planning, policy making and programme Implementation

Definition of Gender Equality : 

5 Definition of Gender Equality “equality is the cornerstone of every democratic society that aspires to social justice and human rights.” UN General Assembly, 2002 “gender equality in terms of capabilities (education, health, and nutrition) and opportunities (economic and decision-making).” UNDP, 1995 “equality under the law, equality of opportunity (including equality of rewards for work and equality in access to human capital and other productive resources that enable opportunity), and equality of voice (the ability to influence and contribute to the development process).” World Bank, 2000

Gender Inequalities: 

6 Gender Inequalities Gender inequalities exist because of discrimination in the family and societal institutions and social, cultural, and religious norms that perpetuate stereotypes, practices and beliefs that are detrimental to women. Amartya Sen (2001) narrates seven forms of gender inequalities-mortality, natality, basic facility, special opportunity, profession, ownership and household.

Redress for discrimination : 

7 Redress for discrimination Convention to Eliminate All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979. Economic institutions and policy modern markets legal rights

Empowerment of Women: 

8 Empowerment of Women Several experts agree that an empowered woman is one who has the agency to formulate strategic choices and to control resources and decisions that affect important life outcomes agency to use rights, capabilities, resources, and place in decision-making bodies (such as is provided through leadership opportunities and participation in political institutions).

Economic Basis of Patriarchy: 

9 Economic Basis of Patriarchy Control over women’s Sexuality-dress code, restriction, double standards of morality, code of conduct Fertility-Son producing ,machines, pro & anti-natalist policies Labour-unpaid work, segmentation, unequal wages, opportunities, treatment

Market, Mobility & Women: 

10 Market, Mobility & Women Women in poverty groups Female Headed Households Feminisation of Poverty Structural Adjustment Programme Customary laws, family laws Displacement Violence Against women

WID: 

11 WID WID Women in Development model explains the reasons for women being treated as beneficiaries of the crumbs thrown at them, in the margin of the economy, consumer and an auxiliary labour force to be utilised in the crisis period and eased out the moment men are ready for take over. The discourse revolved around the economic growth paradigm.

WAD: 

12 WAD WAD-Women and Development model integrates women in the development work as active change agents. Affirmative action by the state and pro-active approach by the civil society through NGOs and women's groups are advocated by these models for empowerment of women against the forces of patriarchal class society.

GAD: 

13 GAD GAD-Gender and Development model is based on an understanding of gender relations and empowers the weak (he or she). Gender is socially constructed and gender relations are power relations. Here power is an important analytical category. Explicit measures of gender inequalities are sex-ratio, literacy rates, health and nutrition indicators, wage differentials, ownership of land and property.

Visibility of women in statistics and data system : 

14 Visibility of women in statistics and data system Formulation of gender aware data system on literacy, education level, employment and earnings, health and well-being, sources of livelihood helps proper planning and policy making for empowerment of women. Inter -district, Inter-state and cross country comparisions of women's empowerment are obtained from Gender related Development Index (GDI). GDI owes its origin to its precursor, the HDI (Human Development Index), three main components of which are per capita income, educational attainment and life-expectancy which is a proxy for health attainment. Gender disparities are measured keeping these three indicators into consideration. "An additional measure, gender empowerment measure (GEM) has been formulated to take into account aspects relating to economic participation and decision-making by women. The indicators used in GEM are share in income, share in parliamentary seats and an index that includes share in administrative and managerial jobs and share in professional and technical posts.” UNDP

HDRs: 

15 HDRs National Human Development Report (HDR), 2001 State and City Human Development Reports: Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Karnataka, Delhi, Gujarat The human development approach which focuses on demographic, health, education, employment and human rights issues of women provides realistic insights to address women’s concerns.

Thank You: 

16 Thank You