Technology and rural women : conceptual and empirical issues : a study prepared for the International Labour Office within the framework of the World Employment Programme

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. 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 Study of the impact of technological change on rural women in developing countries. Deals with conceptual, analytical and theoretical approaches. Looks at agricultural employment for women workers. Includes regional overviews of obstacles to the introduction, evaluation and dissemination of technologies to women in Africa, and case studies of Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Identifies research needs. Bibliography and statistical tables