WOMEN AND DEVELOPMENT: AN APPRAISAL OF THE MAIN PERSPECTIVES ON THE STUDY OF WOMEN

Abstract

Women studies have assumed different perspectives over time resulting in the adoption of different strategies of development for women. Three distinctive perspectives can be identified: Liberal feminism, Marxist feminism and Radical non-Marxist feminism. The starting point of liberal feminists is their belief in the inherent reliability of the capitalist system. It sees the inequalities and injustice against women within the capitalist system as aberrations that can be gradually rectified through legal procedures and attitudinal changes. Women's subordination under capitalism is seen as a deviation from the ideals of equality and justice advocated by the bourgeoisie. Liberal feminists believe that the way of solving sexual inequality is by moving women away from primary concern with domestic work and integrate them into the public sector as equals with men.


(Humanities Review: 2001 1(2): 41-45)