First published in 1985, Technology and Rural Women synthesizes the fragmented empirical evidence and the wide range of theoretical approaches on the effects of modernisation on women in the developing world. Using a multi-disciplinary methodology, empirical and sectoral overviews, and country case studies, it draws together the literature to clarify the issues and the policies. The book begins with a conceptual overview and analyses the applicability of traditional theories of technological change and impact on gender based distributional questions. It proceeds to compare the African and Asian experience, examines the African situation regionally, and then as a set of four country case studies. The authors find that the imperfections of rural factor markets have contributed to women’s concentration in labour intensive sectors, marked by low productivity and low returns. Biases in the agrarian structure and the extension services are largely responsible for the Institutionalisation of discrimination against women. Finally, the volume identifies the social, economic, and technical constraints to the diffusion of technologies relevant to rural women’s tasks. In the final chapter the book’s analysis is further refined and extended, so that its conclusions to both theory and policy making are clearly brought out, and areas of future research identified. This book is an essential read for students and scholars of labour economics, women’s studies and economics in general.
Author(s): Iftikhar Ahmed
Series: Routledge Revivals
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 401
City: London
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Page
Original Title Page
Original Copyright Page
Table of Contents
Preface
Editor’s Acknowledgements
List of Contributors
List of Abbreviations
1: Introduction
Background
Objectives
Methodology and Design
Summary and Highlights
Part I: Conceptual Approaches
2: Technological Change and Rural Women: A Conceptual Analysis
Relevance of Traditional Analysis
A Relevant Analytical Framework
Social Acceptability of Technological Change Among Rural Women
3: Effects of Technological Change on Rural Women: A Review of Analysis and Concepts
Introduction
Women and Technological Change: Some Pointers from the Literature
Evidence from the Green Revolution
Technological Innovation and the Intensification of Women’s Work within the Peasant Household
Some Characteristics of Unremunerated Labour Within the Peasant Household
Factors Affecting the Intensification of Women’s Work: The Sexual Division of Labour
Further Implications for Technological Change and Women
Gender Hierarchy and the Rural Production System: Women and Access to Resources
How to Conceptualise Women in the Rural Production System?
Gender Hierarchy in Access to Productive Resources: Land
Gender Hierarchy in Costs and Access for Women
Concluding Remarks
Part II: Empirical Overviews
4: Women and Technological Change in Agriculture: The Asian and African Experience
Introduction
Some Conceptual Issues: Intra-Household Distribution of Work, in Come and Consumption
Distribution of Work Burden
Control and Sharing of Household Income
Sharing of Household Food
The Impact of Technological Change in Agriculture by Class and Gender
The Asian Experience
The African Experience
Forms of Survival
Concluding Comments
5: Technologies for Rural Women: Impact and Dissemination
Introduction
Current Situation
Role of Women and Division of Labour
Technologies Relevant to Rural Women’s Tasks
Impact and Dissemination of Technologies
Major Problem Areas
Limited Impact
Limited Dissemination
Limited Access
A New Approach
Part III: Programmes and Projects
6: Modernisation, Production Organisation and Rural Women in Kenya
Introduction
Outline and Analytical Approach
Historical Overview
The Division of Labour Between Sexes
Social Differentiation and Technical Change
Rural Women in Modern Kenya
Rural Women and the Agrarian Structure
Access to Sources of Capital Formation and Credit
Employment Alternatives for Rural Women
Alternative Technologies for Rural Women
The Nature of Female Tasks
The Household Unit of Production
The Nature of Technological Change
Reallocation of Labour Time
Summary and Conclusions
7: Technologies for Rural Women of Ghana: Role of Socio-Cultural Factors
Introduction
Potential for Technological Improvements in Rural Women’s Traditional Activities
Farming
Agricultural Extension Services
Land Tenure System
Food Processing
Domestic Chores
Other Activities
Constraints to Technological Improvements Inrural Women’s Activities
Food Processing
Other Improved Technologies
Strategies for Technology Diffusion
Conclusions
8: Innovation and Rural Women in Nigeria: Cassava Processing and Food Production
Introduction
Objectives
Survey Design
Technology of Gari Processing
Traditional Processing
Mechanised Processing
Time Spent in Processing
Traditional Processing
Mechanised Processing
Costs and Returns
Traditional Processing
Mechanised Processing
Innovation, Women and Development
Alternative Technologies
Impact of Innovations
Conclusions and Policy Implications
Conclusions
Policy Implications
9: Improved Technologies for Rural Women: Problems and Prospects in Sierra Leone
Introduction
Technology Spectrum for Rural Women’s Tasks – Review and Appraisal
Cooking
Water Collection and Storage
Farming
Rice Processing
Food Preservation
Food Processing
Gari (Tie) Dyeing
Lubi and ‘Black’ Soap Production
‘Soda’ Soap Preparation
Handicrafts
Shallow Water Fishing
Conditions for the Widespread Adoption of Improved Technologies
Flow Chart for the Introduction of Improved Technologies
Examination of ‘Improved’ Technologies Developed in the Light of the Conditions for Widespread Adoption
Problems of Generation, Production and Diffusion of Improved Technologies in Sierra Leone
Improved Technologies to Increase Production, Relieve Boredom and Save Women’s Labour Time
Cooking Stoves
Problems of Water Supply
Farming and Rice Processing
Food Preservation
Food Processing Technology
Improved Technologies in Income Generating Activities
Conclusions
10: Conclusions
Introduction
Traditional Macroeconomic Theories
Prediction of Impact
Labour and Production Processes
The Institutional Basis of Female Labour Input
Are Women a Homogeneous Group?
The Household as a Unit of Analysis
Mechanisms and Causes of Female Labour Displacement
Factor Rice Distortions
Scale of Production and Commercialisation
Rural Factor Market Imperfections, Technology Choice and the Institutionalisation of Sexual Discrimination
Diffusion of Innovations
Technology and Welfare
Areas for Future Research
Bibliography
Index
