Module 2. Theorethical Concepts of Gender - FSN Network Portal

Mainstreaming Gender into Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Programs
Module 2: Theoretical Concepts of Gender
Lesson 9: Different Approaches to Gender and Development: a Historical Understanding
Issues Women In Development (WID) Gender And Development (GAD)
Strategies As a strategy, emphasizes
women’s components and
integrated projects in order to
increase women’s productivity
and ability to look after the
household.
Features
WID was solidly grounded in
traditional modernisation theory
that wrongly assumed that
women were not integrated into
the process of development.
WID accepted existing social
structures and did not question
the sources of women’s
subordination and oppression.
WID adopted a nonconfrontational
approach.
It did not question why women
had not benefited from earlier
development strategies.
It treated women as an
undifferentiated category,
overlooking the influences of
class, race, culture and other
factors.
WID focused exclusively on
productive aspects of women’s
work, ignoring or minimising the
reproductive side of women’s
lives.
As a strategy, establishes projects
and programs to identify and
address practical needs determined
by women and men to improve their
condition.
At the same time, GAD addresses
women’s strategic interests and the
strategic interests of the poor
through
people-centered
development.
GAD rejects the public/private
dichotomy.
It gives special attention to the
position of women in the family; the
so-called ‘private sphere’. It
emphasizes the state’s duty to
provide social services for the
advancement of both women and
men.
Women and men are both seen as
agents of change rather than
women as passive recipients of
development assistance. On the
one hand, men are seen as capable
of supporting women’s equality. On
the other hand, GAD stresses the
need for women to organise
themselves for a more effective
political voice.
GAD strengthens legal rights,
including the reform of inheritance
and land laws.
GAD is interested in changing the
existing social power relations in
society between men and women,
aiming for a more equitable sharing
in development.
Source: Adapted from Oxfam 1994
A Training Manual for Water Professionals developed collaboratively by PROTOS and SNV, 01/02/2007
2.60