Gender Dynamics in Economic Development of India

Gender equality has become a buzzword in different fora across the globe. New books and literatures on women development have been appearing with increasing rapidity. The ongoing globalization process has generated an over optimism around the globe. It has created an atmosphere of excitement of instant economic growth. But moving very fast in the economic ladder does not mean much unless it brings social development. The feminization of jobs in India, is less meaningful. Because the ongoing commercialization process displaces the women. The neo-patriarchy gradually gets institutionalized at several spheres: work, culture, customs, religion and education. She is not free to think as an individual. Technology and science has remained as divisive as before. Software is dominated by females, while hardware is dominated by males. The preference for boy-child, drop out rate among girl-student, dowry, violence and dowry-related death have not decreased among the educated class. Thus we need a meaningful social transformation, which gives the equal human status to women. Empowerment of women is not a product but a process to evolve from the society itself but not to be triggered by outside donors or agencies. "This book argues for genuine women development. It examines the gender implications of the economic development process. It highlights the impact of industrialisation and economic development on women. It analyses the gender equality under the broader framework of human development. It argues that the idea of women development should be less nebulous and more practical. It asserts that we should have gender budgeting women empowerment in order to build a prosperous society. The author provides a systematic treatment organizing the increasingly influential new political economy as a more established field at the highly productive intersection of economics and society. By using his insightful experience the author demonstrates that national policies are the key determinants of women development. The book focuses on powerful economic and social dynamics. This text will have an enormous impact on planner, policy makers and social activists, redefining how the policy maker should think about full range of gender.