Feminist Economics in India: Contributions to the Discourse on a New Society
Keywords:
Feminist economics, unpaid care work, gender inequality, the informal economy, social reproduction, gender-responsive budgeting, and inclusive development are all important terms.Abstract
Feminist economics in India has developed into a transformational paradigm that contests traditional economic theories by prioritising gender, care, and social justice in development studies. This article analyses the significant contributions of feminist economics in India towards reevaluating the underpinnings of a more just society. It shows how feminist studies have shown that orthodox economics has some problems, such as ignoring unpaid care work, dividing labour by gender, and having structural inequities built into markets and institutions. The study examines significant topics within Indian contexts, including the valuation of unpaid labour, women's involvement in the informal economy, resource accessibility, and intersectional disparities influenced by caste, class, and geography.
The study also looks at how feminist economic ideas have affected public policy discussions in India, such as gender-responsive budgeting, labour rights, and social welfare programmes. It contends that feminist economics broadens the definition of "economic" and introduces alternative development models based on sustainability, communal welfare, and social reproduction. By combining real-world data with innovative ideas, feminist economists in India help us imagine a future society that values fairness, respect, and growth that includes everyone. The paper emphasises the significance of feminist economics as a critique of current institutions and a constructive approach to conceptualising economic and social development in India.
