In this book, Naila Kabeer brings together a set of arguments, findings and lessons from the development literature which help to explain why gender equality merits specific attention from policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and other stakeholders committed to the pursuit of pro-poor and human-centered development. Neglect of gender inequalities in the distribution of resources, responsibilities and power in the processes of economic accumulation and social reproduction has a high costs, not only for women themselves but also their children and other dependants and for the development society as a whole. This book highlights the interconnections between production and reproduction within different societies, and women’s critical role in straddling both, and points to the various synergies, trade-offs and externalities which these generate.