The Gender Perspective: What Difference Does it Make?

Empowering women in developing countries can lead to better economies, and better lives for families and children. On October 11, Amartya Sen, Nobel Laureate in Economics, economist and philosopher, shared his thoughts on the gender perspective at the Brookings Institution. The event was hosted by the Wolfensohn Center for Development in collaboration with the International Center for Research on Women for the Annual Irene Tinker Lecture.

In his remarks, Sen stated that the gender perspective does matter for development since women experience specific disparities in societies that can affect many spheres. Sen also noted the connective links of gender inequality, showing that the consequences of neglecting women’s interests extend far beyond women into the whole of society.

Sen’s comments showcase how gender has become a central concern for social and economic matters in development.

More about Amartya Sen

Born in Santiniketan, India, Sen is the Lamont University Professor at Harvard University where he is also professor of economics and philosophy. Well-known for his pioneering studies on gender inequality, Sen’s research has ranged over a number of fields in economics, philosophy and decision theory, including development economics, public health, gender studies, and the economics of war and peace.

His books have been translated into more than 30 languages and include Collective Choice and Social Welfare; On Economic Inequality, Poverty and Famine; On Ethics and Economics; The Standard of Living; Inequality Reexamined; Development as Freedom; The Argumentative Indian and his most recent work, Identity and Violence: The Illusion of Destiny.