12.07.2015 Views

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

From Poverty to Power Green, Oxfam 2008 - weman

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

FROM POVERTY TO POWERthe work of women and men is by no means immutable and ought <strong>to</strong>be changed, since it is both an outcome and a driver of systematic biasagainst women, transmitted through culture, the family, markets, andthe state.Differences between women and men in terms of what theyconsume also matter. Women on average choose <strong>to</strong> spend a higherproportion of their incomes on education and health care, whichenhances the well-being and capabilities of their families. Researchfrom many different contexts in both the developing and the developedworld shows a correlation between the proportion of moneycontrolled by women and improved child health. 9 Men are likely <strong>to</strong>spend a higher proportion of income on themselves, but are also morelikely <strong>to</strong> invest in longer-term enterprises, including small businesses,which do not bring immediate benefits <strong>to</strong> the family but may pay offhandsomely in the long run.By ignoring gender-based differences, policy makers may exacerbategender inequality. In parts of sub-Saharan Africa, for example,women have generally been more adversely affected by trade liberalisation.Because of their relative disadvantages in gaining access <strong>to</strong>credit, new technologies, and marketing networks, as well as theirrelative ‘time poverty’, women are slower than men <strong>to</strong> take advantageof new export opportunities. 10 At the same time, liberalisation hasincreased competition from imports in the domestic food market,where women farmers play a predominant role. In households inwhich women’s bargaining power is weak, men may pressure women<strong>to</strong> spend more time on cash crop production, while retaining controlover the proceeds.To date, feminist economics has not moved in<strong>to</strong> the mainstream,despite overwhelming evidence that gender equity produces a moreprosperous and efficient economy, and despite women’s increasingrefusal <strong>to</strong> act as an infinite resource <strong>to</strong> be exploited without cost.If development is <strong>to</strong> succeed in reducing poverty and inequality,economics must acknowledge household politics and incorporate as apositive contribution the work invested in caring for the next generation.The global spread of women’s rights shows how fast attitudesabout women’s ‘proper’ role are changing. Conventional economicthinking needs <strong>to</strong> catch up.112

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!