Structural adjustment: cure or curse?

Overview

Antrobus explains why gender analysis of structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) is important. She calls on planners and development practitioners to conduct such analysis, both at the macroeconomic level (how SAPs affect societies and economies) and also at microeconomic level (SAPs have greatest impact upon households). Structural adjustment programmes have been formulated around – and strengthen – unequal gender relations that exploit women. As a result, planners and practitioners need to: analyse women’s needs at planning stage; understand the link between women’s productive and reproductive roles; and allow female service users a say in making public services more efficient.

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