Conclusion: Promoting Development By Women, For Women

Abstract

In this concluding chapter, we synthesize the contributions to this volume, elucidating the unique contributions made by each author. We provide a detailed discussion and analysis of themes across chapters and sections, and present several important takeaways from the edited volume. What remains clear across the chapters is that many of the contributions that women make in the social, economic, and political spheres occur through informal arrangements and personal associations. Given this, and as demonstrated by the chapters, the importance of connection to community, local-level relationships and networks, and trust cannot be underestimated. These are particularly important because in many instances women’s access to formal institutions is limited by traditional gender roles, opportunity to access education, formal work, and financial resources. And in many instances when women are successful, their success is conditioned by their economic status, marital status, or connections to men. Under such conditions, institutions that are for women, by women become increasingly important as mechanisms to enter the social, economic, and political spheres.