Introduction
Theories of development have evolved over time to address gender inequalities. Two significant perspectives that have shaped gender discourse in development are the Liberal and Marxist feminist approaches. Both aim to improve women’s status but differ in their methods and ideologies. Understanding these approaches helps us see how women’s interests are addressed in the development process.
Liberal Feminist Perspective
The liberal feminist view focuses on ensuring equal rights and opportunities for women, mainly through legal reforms and policy changes.
Key Features:
- Advocates for gender equality in education, employment, and politics.
- Stresses individual freedom and equal treatment of men and women under the law.
- Supports access to the same resources, jobs, and decision-making roles for women as for men.
Impact on Development:
- Encourages women’s participation in formal employment and governance.
- Promotes gender-sensitive laws like equal pay, property rights, and protection against discrimination.
- Has led to initiatives like gender mainstreaming, women’s quotas in politics, and gender budgeting.
Marxist Feminist Perspective
Marxist feminism links women’s oppression to the capitalist system. It argues that women are exploited both at home (as unpaid labour) and at work (as underpaid workers).
Key Features:
- Focuses on the relationship between class and gender.
- Sees women’s oppression as part of broader economic exploitation under capitalism.
- Highlights the burden of unpaid domestic labour and limited ownership of resources.
Impact on Development:
- Calls for redistributing wealth and labour, including recognition of unpaid work.
- Demands policies like maternity benefits, universal childcare, and land rights for women.
- Emphasizes collective struggle and women’s role in labour movements and grassroots activism.
Comparison of Both Perspectives
| Aspect | Liberal Feminism | Marxist Feminism |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Legal equality and rights | Class struggle and economic structure |
| Solution | Reform laws and institutions | Change in socio-economic systems |
| Key Strategy | Empower women individually | Empower women collectively |
Conclusion
Both liberal and Marxist perspectives contribute valuable insights to gender and development discourse. While liberal feminism works within the existing system to bring reform, Marxist feminism seeks to transform the system entirely. Together, they shape a more holistic understanding of how to promote women’s interests in the development process.