Introduction

Midway through the United Nations Decade for Women it seemed appropriate to coordinate a special issue for the Journal of Development Studies which concentrated on women's role in development processes. The World Conference in Mexico City in 1975 marked the beginning of a global examination of women's roles in the economic, political and social life of their societies and a recognition of their right to participate fully and equally in all aspects of society. Much has been written; many analyses presented. Some progress has been made in the area of formal development planning, for instance, the Basic Needs approach now in vogue for United Nations Agencies, and the Percy Amendment which makes it mandatory to include in each USAID feasibility study a consideration of the effects of that project on women in the ‘target population’. However, as most of the articles in this volume confirm, a great deal more needs to be done. Women continue to be more underfed, undereducated, and overworked than men … a neglected and under-utilized minority.