Relationality and Economic Empowerment: The Role of Men in Supporting and Undermining Women's Pathways. Issue 7 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spark, Ceridwen; Sharp, Timothy L. M.; Koczberski, Gina
• Is Part Of: Journal of development studies. Volume 57:Issue 7(2021)
• Page Start: 1138
• Page End: 1153
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Economic development -- Periodicals; Economic history -- 1945- -- Periodicals; Developing countries -- Economic conditions -- Periodicals; Développement économique -- Périodiques; Histoire économique -- 1945- -- Périodiques; Pays en voie de développement -- Conditions économiques -- Périodiques; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2020.1850697
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-0388

Abstract

Abstract: Within development projects, empowerment is often construed in narrow terms, and increasingly in relation to economic empowerment. Feminist scholars have recently argued the need to bring back a more encompassing view of empowerment, which pays greater attention to relationality and changes in consciousness. In this article, we focus on one aspect of relationality – women's relationships with men. Drawing on three case studies of women's business success in Papua New Guinea, we argue men are pivotal in supporting and undermining women's economic opportunities. Offering support to recent work on women's empowerment which emphasizes both women's relationships with men, and the specificity of contexts into account, our article contributes to current debates in gender and development.