Influenced mainly by liberal and socialist feminists, several gendered
approaches to development have emerged, in part, as critiques of the
major theoretical approaches to development – modernisation theory,
underdevelopment and dependency theory, and neo-liberalism – in
the Third World countries since the 1950s. A major policy highlight
of this has been the predominance of ‘efficiency approach’ of Women
in Development (WID), that is, development plans and projects are
sought to be made more efficient and effective through women’s
economic contribution. Although part of the feminist agenda has been
incorporated into development plans and projects, the new directions
have wider significance for gender equity and efficiency in develop
ment policy and planning in these countries.