This collection of articles critically assesses the degree to which gender inequality has been addressed in the work of development organizations. Contributors scrutinize the efforts of governments and NGOs, at the national and international levels, in order to assess the difference that gender mainstreaming has made to advancing women 's interests in development. In addition, they consider the progress that development organizations have made in ensuring women 's fullest participation at all levels of their own organizations. Contributions to this volume include case studies from Bolivia, South Africa, India, and Thailand. Among the authors are Caroline Moser, Annalise Moser, Aruna Rao, David Kelleher, and Shamim Meer.

Aid organizations have their origins in a desire to help the world's poorest and most marginalized people - but are they reaching these people? Factors are coming together that put pressure on NGOs working in development: the economic crisis, the growing conditionality of aid, and increased competition for funding between NGOs. This creates 'a perfect storm' driven by a new language of aid, policies and procedures leaving poor women behind. This book explores how international NGOs are navigating these rapid changes that challenge their role and legitimacy, values, and overall purpose. The writers see a crisis for NGOs as they are pulled further from those they claim to work with; they also explore alternative ways of conceptualizing development, and of bringing about improvements for the most marginalized and increasingly 'unheard' women. This book is essential reading for development practitioners and those working on women's rights, as well as NGO staff , researchers, and students of development studies.