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Forum 2015

Author

Listed:
  • Murat Arsel
  • Kalpana Wilson

Abstract

type="main"> Tracing a complex trajectory from ‘liberal’ to ‘neoliberal’ feminism in development, this article argues that approaches to gender which are currently being promoted within neoliberal development frameworks, while often characterized as ‘instrumentalizing’ gender equality, in fact rely upon, extend and deepen gendered inequalities in order to sustain and strengthen processes of global capital accumulation in several ways. This is explored through development discourses and practices relating to microfinance, reproductive rights and adolescent girls. Drawing on examples from India, the article goes on to reflect on experiences of collective movements in which the assumptions underpinning this ‘Gender Equality as Smart Economics’ approach are challenged. Finally, it highlights several concepts associated with Marxist, Black, Post-colonial and Queer feminisms and underlines their importance to projects seeking to critically redefine development, arguing for a radical re-appropriation of gender in this context.

Suggested Citation

  • Murat Arsel & Kalpana Wilson, 2015. "Forum 2015," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 46(4), pages 803-832, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:devchg:v:46:y:2015:i:4:p:803-832
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    File URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10.1111/dech.12176
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kalpana Wilson, 2011. "‘Race’, Gender and Neoliberalism: changing visual representations in development," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 32(2), pages 315-331.
    2. Charmaine Pereira, 2009. "Interrogating Norms: Feminists theorizing sexuality, gender and heterosexuality," Development, Palgrave Macmillan;Society for International Deveopment, vol. 52(1), pages 18-24, March.
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    5. Supriya Garikipati, 2012. "Microcredit and Women's Empowerment: Through the Lens of Time-Use Data from Rural India," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 43(3), pages 719-750, May.
    6. Rahman, Aminur, 1999. "Micro-credit initiatives for equitable and sustainable development: Who pays?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 27(1), pages 67-82, January.
    7. Goetz, Anne Marie & Gupta, Rina Sen, 1996. "Who takes the credit? Gender, power, and control over loan use in rural credit programs in Bangladesh," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 45-63, January.
    8. Kees Biekart & Rob Aitken, 2013. "The Financialization of Micro-Credit," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 44(3), pages 473-499, May.
    9. Garikipati, Supriya, 2008. "The Impact of Lending to Women on Household Vulnerability and Women's Empowerment: Evidence from India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 36(12), pages 2620-2642, December.
    10. Frances Cleaver, 2007. "Understanding Agency in Collective Action," Journal of Human Development and Capabilities, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(2), pages 223-244.
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    12. World Bank, 2006. "Gender Equality as Smart Economics: A World Bank Group Gender Action Plan (Fiscal Years 2007-10)," Working Papers id:685, eSocialSciences.
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