Introduction
The Women and Development (WID) approach came up in the 1970’s after the increasing cases of the gender concerns from various people. The approach was aimed at salvaging the situation the women were in as per the time. The focus of the Women in Development approach was on integrating the women’s fraternity in all development initiatives. Based on the numerous shortcomings of the WID, Gender and Development approach were formed to focus on bringing equity among the various relationships between men and women. It specifically addressed both genders and trying to find a striking balance among the men and women (Bradshaw, Castellino & Diop, 2013, p. 4)
Gender issues have raised concerns due to the levels of equalities among the women and men attributed to the various cultural systems, economic and political backgrounds. Since time immemorial the bid to arrive at a gender equity state among various nations has been a long and tough road, case of India in the state of Andhra Pradesh. There has been quite an effort by the human rights activist, law enforcers, and gender based movements in trying to solve the gender inequality problem.
Borrowing from the various perspectives within the social sphere like changing the political structure and introducing new cultures that foster equity has been adopted. Economic empowerment of the disadvantaged gender, which is the women, has come out as the only source of rooting out gender inequalities (Taneja, Pryor & Oyler, 2012, p. 45). The use of women in development approaches and the gender and development approaches has greatly impacted in the bid to attain gender balance (Bradshaw, Castellino & Diop, 2013, p. 4).
The issue of equality greatly is biased to one gender in all communities who are the women at all times. The WID approach was a better tool in addressing gender inequalities compared to Gender and development. Gender equity can only be addressed through affirmative actions taken to alleviate the position of the oppressed gender. Preference should be accorded to approaches that tackle gender at a specific criterion that is if the men are facing the unequal treatment, and then men related projects should be fostered.
For a long period the women in the country of India faced inequality in all spheres from political, economic and social setting. The move by Mr. Naidu to place emphasis on the position of women proved progress in attaining gender equality. Based on the lessons learnt from India, to address gender issues is pathway to direct development, to empower women means welcoming development in that area. The continued running of the programs in India represents an empowered future with the country.
Political empowerment of women is the key to all social problems. The notion that women in power are a problem is not taken seriously, but reciprocated with positive gains in terms of ensuring peace, equality and sustainable development. Women given an opportunity were change agents in the current dismantled political structure that has failed to rise in security issues, and economic problems.
A focus on politics and development among women showed an inverse relationship in that with the political mileage women were bestowed with brought about decreased levels of negative accountability concerns such as corruption. Also, it was evident that the lesser the economic empowerment women were going through the better the situation as it increased their productive gender role (Taneja, Pryor & Oyler, 2012, p. 45).
Reference list
Bradshaw, S., Castellino, J., & Diop, B. (2013). Women’s Role in Economic Development: Overcoming the Constraints.
Taneja, S., Pryor, M. G., & Oyler, J. (2012). Empowerment and gender equality: The retention and promotion of women in the workforce. Journal of Business Diversity, 12(3), 43-53.