How did adoption of WID approach affect developmental programmes for women in India?

The Women in Development (WID) approach, which gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, significantly influenced developmental programs for women in India. WID marked a shift in focus from a welfare-oriented approach to a more rights-based and participatory framework, aiming to integrate women into mainstream development processes. The adoption of the WID approach had both positive and critical impacts on women's development in India.

Positive Impacts:

1. Increased Visibility of Women's Issues: The WID approach contributed to elevating the visibility of women's issues within the development discourse. It highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing gender disparities in various aspects, including education, health, employment, and participation in decision-making.

2. Policy Formulation and Implementation: The adoption of the WID approach influenced the formulation of policies and programs specifically targeting women. The Government of India initiated various schemes and policies aimed at enhancing women's access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

3. Economic Empowerment: WID emphasized the economic empowerment of women, recognizing their crucial role in economic activities. This led to the implementation of programs focusing on skill development, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion for women, contributing to their economic independence.

4. Health and Reproductive Rights: WID drew attention to women's health and reproductive rights. Developmental programs in India began to address issues such as maternal health, family planning, and access to healthcare services, aiming to improve overall well-being.

Critical Impacts:

1. Limitations of WID as an Add-On: Critics argue that WID often operated as an add-on rather than an integral part of development strategies. Women's issues were seen as separate from the mainstream development agenda, potentially leading to isolated and tokenistic interventions.

2. Overemphasis on Women as Homogeneous Group: WID, at times, tended to treat women as a homogeneous group, overlooking the diversity of experiences and needs based on factors such as caste, class, and ethnicity. This oversimplification limited the effectiveness of programs in addressing the unique challenges faced by different groups of women.

3. Insufficient Attention to Structural Inequalities: WID, while addressing immediate concerns, did not always adequately challenge the underlying structural inequalities and power dynamics. Transformative change requires addressing deeply rooted societal norms and structures that perpetuate gender-based discrimination.

4. Inadequate Participation and Empowerment: The WID approach sometimes fell short in promoting meaningful participation and empowerment of women. Genuine empowerment involves women having a say in decision-making processes at all levels, but this was not always achieved in practice.

In conclusion, the adoption of the WID approach had a significant impact on developmental programs for women in India by bringing attention to gender disparities and influencing policy formulation. However, it also faced criticism for its limitations in addressing structural inequalities and ensuring meaningful empowerment. Over time, the women's movement and development discourse in India have evolved, incorporating more inclusive and intersectional approaches such as Gender and Development (GAD) to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women in the country.