WID, WAD, and GAD are acronyms used in the context of development studies and international development to describe different perspectives on the impact of development interventions on women.
WID: Women in Development
- WID, which stands for "Women in Development," emerged in the 1970s and 1980s as a response to the recognition that women's contributions to development were often overlooked. The WID perspective aimed to integrate women into existing development processes, considering them as beneficiaries of development programs. It focused on women's economic participation and sought to improve their access to resources and opportunities. However, the WID perspective was criticized for reinforcing gender roles and not challenging the underlying patriarchal structures.
WAD: Women and Development
- WAD, "Women and Development," gained prominence in the 1980s as a critique of the WID perspective. The WAD approach argued that the WID perspective tended to assimilate women into existing development paradigms without addressing the root causes of gender inequality. Instead, the WAD perspective sought to challenge the structural inequalities and power imbalances that perpetuated women's subordination. It aimed to empower women and create more gender-equitable societies.
GAD: Gender and Development
- GAD, "Gender and Development," emerged in the 1990s and represented a further evolution in development thinking. The GAD approach recognized that gender issues go beyond women and men and encompass complex social constructions of femininity and masculinity. It sought to understand the roles and relationships between genders and how they influence development outcomes. The GAD perspective emphasized the need to address gender disparities in power, access to resources, decision-making, and social norms. It aimed to promote gender equality and social justice as essential elements of sustainable development.
These three approaches represent different stages of understanding and addressing gender issues in development, with GAD being the most comprehensive and inclusive approach. The GAD perspective recognizes that gender equality is not only about improving the lives of women but also about transforming societal norms, structures, and power dynamics to benefit all genders and achieve more equitable and just societies.