Origin and concept of WID, WAD, GAD, and GESI

Women in Development (WID)

Origin:

The WID approach arose in the early 1970s in response to the recognition that women were mainly excluded from mainstream development plans and programmes. Influenced by feminist movements in the Global North, particularly following the release of Ester Boserup’s 1970 book “Women’s Role in Economic Development,” WID emphasised women’s roles as active contributors to the economy rather than passive recipients of development.

Concept:

WID aims to integrate women into existing development programmes. It emphasises the necessity of recognising women as vital actors in development, with a particular emphasis on economic production. WID does not fundamentally disrupt existing development structures, but rather seeks to improve women’s access to resources, education, and jobs within them. However, it has been criticised for failing to address the underlying structural causes of gender inequality.

Women and Development (WAD)

Origin:

WAD first appeared in the mid-1970s as a critique of the WID method. Advocates of WAD claimed that WID failed to take into account the larger global disparities that affect both men and women, particularly in the Global South. WAD is based on Marxist and dependency theories, emphasising the interaction between women and the development process rather than just incorporating women into development.

Concept:

WAD contends that women’s issues are inextricably linked to the development process, emphasising women’s roles in the capitalist system of exploitation. It sees both men and women as marginalised by global economic processes, but women’s marginalisation is more pronounced. WAD criticises just integrating women into development programmes without challenging global economic imbalances. While it emphasises women’s creative contributions, it does not entirely address patriarchy or gender dynamics in households or communities.

Gender and Development (GAD)

Origin:

GAD emerged in the 1980s as a response to the constraints of WID and WAD. Feminists and development researchers aimed to study gender relations and the societal creation of gender roles, rather than merely women themselves. GAD is based on feminist theory and emphasises the need for a more complete examination of power dynamics between men and women in both public and private arenas.

Concept:

GAD shifts the focus from women to gender relations, highlighting that gender inequality affects both men and women, and is deeply embedded in social, cultural, political, and economic structures. GAD emphasizes:

• Gender roles are socially created, meaning that they are influenced by social conventions and power relations rather than being natural or set.
• Transforming gender relations: Rather than just incorporating women into existing structures (as in WID), GAD aims to modify the power dynamics and unequal systems that sustain gender discrimination.
• Intersectionality: GAD takes into account other elements such as class, colour, and ethnicity, acknowledging that different women experience gender injustice differently.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)

Origin:

GESI is a relatively new idea that evolved as development agencies and organisations began to incorporate both gender equality and broader social inclusion into their strategies. GESI frameworks are particularly popular in the twenty-first century, and they are utilised by international organisations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to address the systemic exclusion of marginalised groups.

Concept:

GESI goes beyond just focusing on gender by incorporating a broader lens of social inclusion that recognizes the intersectionality of various forms of discrimination, such as race, ethnicity, disability, and caste. The aim of GESI is to ensure that all marginalized groups, including but not limited to women, have equitable access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making processes. Key components of GESI include:

• Gender equality means ensuring that both genders have equal access to opportunities, rights, and resources.
• Social Inclusion: Actively involving marginalised groups (based on gender, ethnicity, disability, age, and so on) in social, economic, and political activities.
• Addressing Intersectionality: Recognising that various types of oppression (e.g., gender, racism, and class) interact to produce distinct experiences of discrimination and exclusion.

GESI encourages participatory development processes and focuses on eliminating both formal and informal barriers that prevent marginalized groups from full participation in society.

Key Differences Between WID, WAD, GAD, and GESI

• WID aims to integrate women into existing development frameworks.
• WAD criticises development itself, emphasising the systemic exploitation of both men and women in capitalist institutions.
• GAD focuses on gender relations and power dynamics, with the goal of transforming unfair social structures.
• GESI broadens the focus to encompass not only gender, but also other types of social exclusion, encouraging an intersectional and inclusive approach to development.

Each of these frameworks has helped to shape how gender and development are understood and addressed, with a shift away from focusing primarily on women and towards examining the broader processes of inequality and inclusion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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