About the Book
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On their list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals for all nations, the United Nations uses #5 “to achieve equality and empower all women and girls”. One of the nine targets under goal 5 is ‘gender equality in the ownership of productive assets, especially land, by 2030”. When it comes to achieving gender equality in developing countries like Bangladesh, women and men’s equal access to property is generally seen as a goal that is universally desirable.
But what if this were a wholly inappropriate metric for measuring and achieving gender equality by 2030 across diverse situations in the developing world—and Bangladesh in particular? This is exactly the case author and development expert Mohammad Jabbar makes in this impressive, thoroughly researched work of non-fiction. Among other acute insights, he argues SDG target on gender equality is asset ownership by 2030 may be ill-suited for the rural Bangladeshi context because of . . . • The inappropriate use of the concept of “household” over that of “family” as a survey unit for measuring its attainment • The potential for the creation of superfluous junk statistics for monitoring progress that measure ownership and use rights not indicative of actual gender (in)equality • The general lack of understanding it displays of local laws, customs and norms of gender, inheritance, and other vital concepts related to asset ownership. |
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Thoughtful in its conception and precise in its execution, this carefully argued piece of academic research is sure to make a useful—even necessary—addition to the bookshelves of anyone interested in development and gender equality, whether they be academics, policymakers, researchers, students, or laypeople.
Reviews
Gender equality is a well-recognized concern in understanding balanced growth and development. This book analyzes theoretical, methodological and practical issues regarding gender and asset ownership in diverse family systems, social structures, and land tenure systems across societies, with a focus on Bangladesh. This pioneering work will help enrich the understanding of the gender equality concept in terms of asset ownership.” - Dr. Shamsul Alam, Minister of State, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Ex-Member, General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission.
Going against conventional thinking, this book challenges some of the mainstream ideas, concepts and methods related to gender and property relationships, and provokes new thoughts. An essential read for gender research, advocacy and development workers, especially in the developing countries" - Professor Anwarullah Chowdhury, Founder Head of the Department of Anthropology and former Vice-Chancellor, the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh
A thorough analysis of the complexities of conceptualization, measurement and data generation on gender-based asset ownership in the developing countries. Coming from the critical mind of a highly experienced researcher, anyone interested in the subject will find it enriching and highly valuable.” - Professor Rezaul Karim Talukder, Former National Food Security Adviser, FAO-Bangladesh
