Book Review: A Perspective in Development

In the book, A Perspective in Development, Raana Haider presents the fascinating and intertwined relationships between women and the socio-cultural and economic roles which they play and are expected to play in society. Haider’s perspective is specifically poignant as she brings importance to the fact that although modernization may have occurred, this may not have had a direct correlation with the improvement of women’s lives. Therefore, Haider not only recognizes the grave gender divisions which still exist despite various changes in society, she also identifies other means by which development among women can be measured. The construction of gender within a society serves to function in the marginalization of women and this phenomenon specifically manifests itself in terms of development, work and education, among other sectors.

Haider begins the book with an intricate discussion about development and the means through which it is measured. These measures are specifically helpful as they go beyond the simple assessment of mortality and morbidity rates to looking at a range of factors such as health, migration, nutrition, credit, work environment, and food security among others. She illustrates the fact that ‘feminization of poverty’ has occurred specifically because women are sidelined both in the development process as well as otherwise. The trickle down effect of development which still plays a large role in most countries, Haider claims, only further serves to increase the dependency of women on the male members of society. Haider presents her argument in a systematic and organized fashion as she not only illustrates the different approaches to mainstream development which have been pursued, but she also deconstructs these methods of development which helps to point out why many mainstream development processes serve to further entrap women in a cycle of dependency.

In the next section of the book, Haider elegantly distinguishes the difference between gender and sex and how the manifestations of gender have graver consequences on females than they do for males. Hence, her main argument is that development needs be perceived through a gendered lens so that it functions to not only include women in the development process but also functions to recognize the fact that women are inherently a part of the development process itself. She strongly supports her main argument sufficiently by making the claim that because men and women have to live up to different social and economic expectations; these very expectations serve to entrap women in a cycle of dependence. For example, the household labor which is done by the female is completely discounted in contrast to the field work a male is performing. This very divide in the division of labor and how this labor is rewarded, serves to isolate women from economic empowerment as their role in labor is not rewarded in the same aspect as a male. Although Haider makes various intriguing points in her discussion, it is essential to recognize that her assessments have been made previously by other individuals who have also analyzed gendered development. Haider’s argument therefore serves to further enlighten the existent knowledge in gendered development but does not present a completely novice argument. Perhaps, this is justified as the role of women have been so ignored in the process of development that reinforcing and reinstating how gender roles have impacted the socio-economic status of women is integral to truly understanding and appreciating the role of women in this society.

Haider’s strongest asset in her writing is conceivably her ability to draw connections within the realm of development and illustrate how these cultural and economic factors have affected women and their role in society. For instance, the next section discusses women and self image. A correlation is established between women who lack economic empowerment and those who seem to consequently suffer from low self confidence. She specifically supports this point by using case studies from women in Mexico. Haider identifies that this happens for various reasons. Firstly, the men in the lives of these women may have a negative impact as they may be both emotionally as well as physically abusive. Such situations can obviously lead to a dramatic loss of self esteem and self worth. Secondly, financial empowerment is so intricately attached with the quality of life that women solely identify confidence or, happiness with self, distinctly with the accumulation of wealth. The women therefore perceive their very dependency as a sign of weakness and a loss of self.

This loss of self esteem may be tackled with the access to education; however, Haider discusses the notions of why many societies are apprehensive of the education of females. Haider establishes the fact that many individuals associate education with liberation and view liberation for women as “dangerous.” This very false notion already leads one to assume that communities would rather choose to isolate their female children than to give them an access to education.

Hence, the ‘feminization of poverty’ has occurred specifically because of the gender construction which isolates females and controls their access to education as well as financial empowerment. Haider’s arguments are practical and sound however lack in originality as they have been discussed in development discussions at a previous point. Haider does not present her work with constancy and switches from presenting her work from one format to another repeatedly. This discrepancy in style from one section to another somewhat leads to a disconnected overall piece. However, her passion and enthusiasm for the subject can be clearly felt through out the piece and it is this passion which propels the reader to be engrossed in the piece. This piece is only one of the arrays of pieces which deconstructs the reasons why women are integral part of development and debunks the notions of perceived gender equality which many development projects and/or theories claim to establish.