Sexual inequality in socialist countries is still high yet there was a generally held assumption that it is only the socialist parties as well as governments that can contribute to the emancipation of women. Molyneux acknowledges that even though socialist states have completely dealt with the issue, they have reported significant improvements on the matter. Even though the changes are far less than the expected, the countries have implemented some of the measures which were demanded by feminists. Socialist states have progressive legislation and equitable policies that have promoted the position of women in the society. Socialist states have social and economic transformation programs aimed at enhancing economic development and some of the initiatives includes the improvement of the position of women in the society. Socialist’s theory also promotes the emancipation of women as a way of enhancing social equality.
Social emancipation is likely to be affected by different factors. The failure, however, cannot be wholly attributed to the following issues which were identified by Molyneux. The factors, however, play a significant part in cases where there is class resistance, conservative believes and constrained development of the productive forces. According to the author, many revolutionary governments are unable to promote freedom as they are faced with challenges of poverty, underdevelopment and a combination of anti-capitalism and imperialism. Similarly, pre-capitalism relations are still rampant in the rural areas. Such countries were also affected by a series of war which affected their economic abilities.
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Governments which are interested in promoting equality are facing a set of tasks when they come into power. They have to develop the productive capacity of their nations, dismantle pre-capitalist and capitalist social relations and unifying a fragmented and backward society. The governments must transform the political as well as other structures and afford the citizens' welfare benefits. Trying to prioritize on economic development in a resource-scarce society makes sexual equality a second priority. States, in this case, focus more on the development and their productive capacity ending up developing policies that promote economic development and placing socialist programs as second priorities. The development goals, however, benefit women as they are aligned to improve their position in the society. Dismantling the social order in the developing countries has a significant influence on women as the process of transforming the society affects the position of women and in some instances, it attacks some of the social relations as well as institutions as it tries to institute revolutionary reforms. Some of the institutions are firmly woven into the fabric of pre-capitalist and even form part of the reproduction of women. Systems of inheritance that are discriminatory to women and controls on the institutions of marriage are central to the maintenance of the pre-capitalist property as well as the social relations. The improvement of the position of women calls for the dismantling of the structures that establish the pre-capitalist order.
The success of socialist states is determined by the reception of pro-women policies. Some of the approaches used to improve the position of women are not wholly accepted by the rest of the society due to their perceived influence. According to Molyneux, such attacks are four-pronged and involve pre-capitalist property, male supremacy, patriarchal family as well as the religiously orthodox. The author notes that such attacks have resulted in considerable resistance in some countries and therefore extra caution must be taken if a successful change is to be achieved. Rapid transformation without establishing the appropriate structures have resulted in negative outcomes.
Alternative Development that can Change the Status of Women
Changing the status of women requires a shift from the traditional approaches that recognized some of the practices as leading to equality. Employment, for example, was traditionally held as a factor that can narrow down the gap between men and women. It was believed that women should be employed just like their male counterparts and serves in similar positions and receives equal salaries. According to Maria Mies, such assumptions do not enhance the status of women. The author believes that employers should be driven by passion and not as a way to earn a salary and pay the bills. Mies points out that independent crafts can operate side by side with large-scale industrial productions. Small-scale enterprises according to the author are facing significant challenges due to the influence of large corporations that are growing in size and taking all business opportunities available to the small enterprises.
Women have continued to receive widespread attention from international agencies and governments which have developed programs for advancing women. With time, the concern for women has been raised a notch higher and their economic and social contribution has received widespread recognition. Women at the same time have become more organized forming groups that spearhead issues affecting them at the local, regional and national levels. Women have raised their voice for recognition, consultation and equality on different issues affecting them. Women advocacy has been enhanced by an extensive network that spans through the national, regional or even international front. Such efforts have led to significant gains in education, health, and political participation. In her article, Kate Young presented the women in development approach to equality. Additionally, the author looked at woman and development and gender and development.
To incorporate women in the political, economic and social life, institutions and laws must be reformed and the attitudes must also change. Women have to be assisted to access higher education and other trainings. Women in development assume that economic growth and modernization lead to better living conditions an educated population and higher wages. Such benefits will be at the disposal of all individuals and traditional belief systems will be eliminated by progressive attitude brought about by education. Women in development do not place much weight on the historical perspective or even the structural division. It focuses on the importance of role models or other women who have been recognized by the public. Women on development focus on the inequalities between developed and developing countries. It explains women and capital generation and how they can be exploited. WAD focuses on capitalism and patriarchy and recognizes the economic contribution of women irrespective of the public or private sphere. According to Young, women are aware of the need to question why the underlying processes of development. Women in the third world have not had an opportunity to participate in the process of growth and development. It is generally accepted that women share of resources should be increased to effect dramatic change in their social and economic position. Gender and development forms a transition in understanding development. It forms a comprehensive overview of the social political and economic realities for development.
From the two articles by Kate Young and Mies Maria, Kate young provides a better alternative. Her proposition of women in development helps women to deal with daily encounters that stop them from achieving the same goals as their male counterparts. it addresses gender inequalities from different perspectives ranging from individual to government. It emphasizes the importance of women to economic development and why they should not be deprived of their equal share among men. The approach makes women more visible in development and also helped to promote women in the workplace helping them to improve their productivity thus enhance their lives.
