womenineconomic andsocialinstitutions inordertoenable themtoraisetheir productivity andincomes andtotakebettercareofthenutritional, health and sanitary needsoftheirchildren. Inmanycountries womenaredeniedrights, eitherbylaworbytradition. Forinstance theyareoftendeniedtherightto participate insuchorganizations asagricultural co-operatives andcredit institutions; theyaredeniedtherighttolandandtitlestootherproperty, accesstocredit, ar.daccesstoeducation. Suchdeprivations consign themto life-long drudgery inlow-productivity occupations andprevent themfromboth improving theirownwell-being andcontributing tothedevelopment oftheir countries. Governments areincreasingly recognizing thesocial andeconomic handicaps womenface,butfewhavetakenactiontomakeitpossible for~om~nto enjoythesamerightsasmen.Actionisneededinvarious areas. Restr~ct1ve -37-administrative andlegalpractices andthecustoms andattitudes thatperpetuate thosepractices needtobechanged. Womenshould begivenfullaccess toavailable co-operative andcreditfacilities; social andeducational programmes needtobe provided sothatwomencanenhance theircapabilities forfuller participation iD theeconomy andinsociety generally; ~/ (f)Urbanindustry should beallowed todevelop unfettered byunnecessary controls andinthecontext ofmacro-economic policies thatallowprices toreflect realscarcities. Credit should bemadeavailable atitsopportunity costtomicro enterprises inurbanareas. Thiswillenable entrepreneurs. whenmaking investment andproduction decisions. tochoosecapital labourratios onthebasisofactual relative scarcities. This.inturn.willencourage fasterindustrial expansion a:.d greater labour absorption inindustry. thereby raising thelevelofproductivity in theeconomy asawhole; (g)Inmostcountries. education andther.1s.1ng incomes ofwomenarelikely toreducefertility ratesandpopulation growth. Family planning programmes aDd theprovision ofbirthcontrol facilities canhelptoreduce therateofpopulation growth andbringaboutademographic transition toastagewherebothmortalitya:/ fertility ratesarelow; (h)Poverty eradication wouldbeassisted bygreater democracy and participation ofthepoorinlocalelectoral politics andthrough thecreationaf organizations thatsupport theircause. Itiswidely recognized thatthe redistribution ofpowerandparticipation inanderadication ofruralpoverty are' interlinked. Theinvolvement oftheruralpoorinthedevelopment process can unleash thecreative potential oflargenumbers ofpeople. makethemawareoftheir fundamental rights andhelpimprove theirbargaining power. E.Eliminating discrimination against thepoor 129.Inconsidering theimpactofgovernmental action onpoverty. thefullrangeof governmental activities should betakenintoaccount. notjustthosepolicies, projects andprogrammes ~hatareof::icially designated asbeingoriented against poverty. Thisdoesnot.1mplythat.1twouldbem~staken to d1.. . . ~ target projects an po7c7esexpl.1c.1tly forthepoor.Clearly targeting, whereitcanbedone eff.1?.1ently, canbeveryimportant. especially inperiods ofeconomic recession or readJustment, whenpublic expenditure isbeingreddD.htf h uce. utonemustnotlose ~~itiP~ic~tye :;cgtothatWhattlmatt?r~ forpoverty intheendisthenetimpactofthevernmen aact.1V.1tiesandnot ' factivities thathappentoh '' anypart1cular subset 0aveanant.1-poverty labeltth dh··.... olleexamines governmental activities as . a acetotem."nen effecthasbeentothedetr' t f a whole, .1toftentranspires thattheirnet.1men 0thepoor. 130.Macro-economic policy-making hast d .policies onemployment investme t d ~medtoignore theeffects ofalternat1\,e rathernarrowly onaChiev~ng a nan.1ncomedistribution andhasfocused instead ~ggregate eNu'l·b 'government deficit Systems oftt' "1.1J.r1um,suchasareduction inthe. • axa.1onfarfrob' . ftnregress.1ve. Import-restrictive pOl'.' me1ngprogress1ve, are0e
**Analysis**
The text primarily focuses on the economic empowerment of women, discussing the importance of their participation in the economy, access to education and credit, and the need for policy changes to address their social and economic handicaps. It also touches on broader economic development issues, such as poverty eradication, population growth, and macro-economic policy-making.

**Category**
Economic development, Employment, Education