Based on primary data from a large household survey in seven districts in West Bengal in India, t... more Based on primary data from a large household survey in seven districts in West Bengal in India, this paper analyses the reasons underlying low labor force participation of women. In particular, we try to disentangle the intertwined strands of choice, constraints posed by domestic work and care responsibilities, and the predominant understanding of cultural norms as factors explaining the low labor force participation as measured by involvement in paid work. We document the fuzziness of the boundary between domestic work and unpaid (and therefore invisible) economic work that leads to mis-measurement of women’s work and suggest methods to improve measurement. We find that being primarily responsible for domestic chores lower the probability of “working”, after accounting for all the conventional factors. We also document how, for women, being out of paid work is not synonymous with care or domestic work, as they are involved in expenditure saving activities. We also find that religio...
In this book, Naila Kabeer brings together a set of arguments, findings and lessons from the deve... more In this book, Naila Kabeer brings together a set of arguments, findings and lessons from the development literature which help to explain why gender equality merits specific attention from policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders committed to the pursuit of pro-poor and human-centered development. Neglect of gender inequalities in the distribution of resources, responsibilities and power in the processes of economic accumulation and social reproduction has a high costs, not only for women themselves but also their children and other dependants and for the development society as a whole. This book highlights the interconnections between production and reproduction within different societies, and women's critical role in straddling both, and points to the various synergies, trade-offs and externalities which these generate. - See more at: http://www.ids.ac.uk/idspublication/gender-mainstreaming-in-poverty-eradication-and-the-millennium-development-goals-a-h...
The world's population is ageing rapidly as a result of demographic transition, and it is cur... more The world's population is ageing rapidly as a result of demographic transition, and it is currently ageing most rapidly in the developing world. Ageing is consequently set to become a key development issue and a challenge for social policy. Yet a review of the literature suggests that research on ageing in the Southern context, particularly those countries undergoing demographic transition, is still in its infancy. This paper reviews some of this literature, organising the analysis around the concept of 'inter-generational contract', the set of norms, rules, conventions and practices which govern the relationship between different generations at the level of families and at the level of society. It offers evidence that there is a reconstitution in these contracts underway in many societies, reflecting and in turn contributing to, the changing beliefs, values and material realities which tend to accompany demographic transition. Although there is much greater diversity in the situation of the elderly than is often recognised by many of the studies reviewed, there is a perceptible shift within this literature from an earlier consensus which saw the elderly as well cared for and supported within the family to a growing view that they constitute a vulnerable group within families. We briefly explore the implications of our findings for a research agenda on this issue as well as for social policies to meet the needs and promote the rights of elderly cohorts.
The paper discusses the limits to markets as a means of overcoming 'durable inequalities'... more The paper discusses the limits to markets as a means of overcoming 'durable inequalities' which reflect long-established power relations and the need for public action by states and civil society to address these underlying causes. The paper sketches out a number of areas where policies could make a difference, including a difference on the terms on which women can participate in, contribute to and benefit from processes of economic growth. They include; building women's human capital and capabilities, redistributing reproductive responsibilities, equalising property rights, mainstream women into the financial system and promoting gender-aware social protection.
Based on primary data from a large household survey in seven districts in West Bengal in India, t... more Based on primary data from a large household survey in seven districts in West Bengal in India, this paper analyses the reasons underlying low labor force participation of women. In particular, we try to disentangle the intertwined strands of choice, constraints posed by domestic work and care responsibilities, and the predominant understanding of cultural norms as factors explaining the low labor force participation as measured by involvement in paid work. We document the fuzziness of the boundary between domestic work and unpaid (and therefore invisible) economic work that leads to mis-measurement of women’s work and suggest methods to improve measurement. We find that being primarily responsible for domestic chores lower the probability of “working”, after accounting for all the conventional factors. We also document how, for women, being out of paid work is not synonymous with care or domestic work, as they are involved in expenditure saving activities. We also find that religio...
In this book, Naila Kabeer brings together a set of arguments, findings and lessons from the deve... more In this book, Naila Kabeer brings together a set of arguments, findings and lessons from the development literature which help to explain why gender equality merits specific attention from policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders committed to the pursuit of pro-poor and human-centered development. Neglect of gender inequalities in the distribution of resources, responsibilities and power in the processes of economic accumulation and social reproduction has a high costs, not only for women themselves but also their children and other dependants and for the development society as a whole. This book highlights the interconnections between production and reproduction within different societies, and women's critical role in straddling both, and points to the various synergies, trade-offs and externalities which these generate. - See more at: http://www.ids.ac.uk/idspublication/gender-mainstreaming-in-poverty-eradication-and-the-millennium-development-goals-a-h...
The world's population is ageing rapidly as a result of demographic transition, and it is cur... more The world's population is ageing rapidly as a result of demographic transition, and it is currently ageing most rapidly in the developing world. Ageing is consequently set to become a key development issue and a challenge for social policy. Yet a review of the literature suggests that research on ageing in the Southern context, particularly those countries undergoing demographic transition, is still in its infancy. This paper reviews some of this literature, organising the analysis around the concept of 'inter-generational contract', the set of norms, rules, conventions and practices which govern the relationship between different generations at the level of families and at the level of society. It offers evidence that there is a reconstitution in these contracts underway in many societies, reflecting and in turn contributing to, the changing beliefs, values and material realities which tend to accompany demographic transition. Although there is much greater diversity in the situation of the elderly than is often recognised by many of the studies reviewed, there is a perceptible shift within this literature from an earlier consensus which saw the elderly as well cared for and supported within the family to a growing view that they constitute a vulnerable group within families. We briefly explore the implications of our findings for a research agenda on this issue as well as for social policies to meet the needs and promote the rights of elderly cohorts.
The paper discusses the limits to markets as a means of overcoming 'durable inequalities'... more The paper discusses the limits to markets as a means of overcoming 'durable inequalities' which reflect long-established power relations and the need for public action by states and civil society to address these underlying causes. The paper sketches out a number of areas where policies could make a difference, including a difference on the terms on which women can participate in, contribute to and benefit from processes of economic growth. They include; building women's human capital and capabilities, redistributing reproductive responsibilities, equalising property rights, mainstream women into the financial system and promoting gender-aware social protection.
Uploads
Papers by Naila Kabeer