Women and the Family

Overview

Looking at factors as diverse as the pervasiveness of patriarchy, changing family forms, female infanticide, and land reform policies, this collection of articles considers the family from a gender perspective, and how the socially prescribed roles of men and women within the family can constrain women’s opportunities. Women are usually responsible for domestic tasks and child care; this in itself represents a significant economic contribution, which may go unrecognised. We need to understand the underlying power structures and expectations which operate in particular family forms within target communities, if development initiatives and family-support policies are to benefit women.