Macroeconomics and Gender

It is now widely recognized that gender analysis has both challenged and enriched many of the standard assumptions and concepts that inform economic analysis of different kinds, whether to do with paid or unpaid work, peasant studies, care labour and many other areas. Despite this, changes in economic policies have been few and far between, and most do not translate into women-friendly economic policies. Nor have the important contributions of women’s studies research to the field of economics ‘standardly seen as a male discipline’ been given its due importance or recognition.

This collection of essays by some of the best-known academics and practitioners in the fields of economics, women’s studies, development and sociology, examines a wide range of areas in which women’s studies has played a crucial part. Accessibly written and rigorously researched, this book will be useful for academic and general readers, and for those in the related fields of economics, development and gender studies.

RITU DEWAN heads the Centre for Women’s Studies, Department of Economics at the University of Mumbai, and is also the Coordinator of the Centre for Human Development. She has published widely and has over 20 books and 60 articles on aspects of development economics, gender economics, informal sector, rural economy, urban issues, labour markets, small-scale industries, environment, displacement, health, conflict and human rights. She is also a consultant to the Planning Commission of the Government of India, United Nations, ILO, as well as Honorary Advisor to the Kashmir Foundation for Peace and Democracy. Her research focus is generally the result of the demands of several on-going movements.

K. SEETA PRABHU works with United Nations Development Programme, India. She has guided and supported the preparation of a large number of sub-national Human Development Reports (HDRs) in India. Previously, she was Professor of Development Economics at the University of Mumbai and has also been Visiting Professor at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi as well as at the universities of Oxford and Erasmus, Rotterdam. She has served as Advisor to the Planning Commission, India, as well as the Reserve Bank, state governments and others. Key among her publications are Economic Reform and Social Sector Development: A Study of Two Indian States and Reforming India’s Social Sector: Poverty, Nutrition, Health and Education.