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Women, Work and Agency: An Introduction

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Women in Kolkata’s IT Sector

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Sociology ((BRIEFSSOCY))

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Abstract

This chapter sets the tone of the book by laying out its conceptual framework, the context of the study and the issue to be examined. It defines empowerment, examines different empirical approaches to measure empowerment—particularly Amartya Sen’s capability approach—and contrasts empowerment with agency. The methodology of the study and sample profile is also described.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    This power involves an either/or relationship of domination/subordination. Ultimately, it is based on socially sanctioned threats of violence and intimidation, it requires constant vigilance to maintain, and it invites active and passive resistance.

  2. 2.

    This power relates to having decision-making authority, power to solve problems and can be creative and enabling.

  3. 3.

    This power involves people organising with a common purpose or common understanding to achieve collective goals.

  4. 4.

    This power refers to self confidence, self awareness and assertiveness. It relates to how can individuals can recognise through analysing their experience how power operates in their lives, and gain the confidence to act to influence and change this (Williams et al. 1994).

  5. 5.

    An example illustrates the difference between functioning and capabilities. Compare two persons who are fasting. One of them is a poor Indian farmer, conditioned by years of hardship to expect little from life. Another is a protestor in a developed country. While the outcome or functionings (level of nutrition) of both persons are the same, they differ substantially in their capabilities to escape from the current outcome.

  6. 6.

    Sen himself refuses to tie himself to any central list and argues that such lists are entirely context specific and must be defined through a participative process (Sen 1999, 2004).

  7. 7.

    Crocker and Robeyns (2008) Capability and Agency. Draft manuscript, 18 January, cited by Drydyk (2008b, p. 4).

  8. 8.

    Reported in Economic Times (13 May 2009).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India

    Zakir Husain

  2. Department of Economics, Presidency University, Kolkata, India

    Mousumi Dutta

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  1. Zakir Husain
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  2. Mousumi Dutta
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Correspondence to Zakir Husain .

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Husain, Z., Dutta, M. (2014). Women, Work and Agency: An Introduction. In: Women in Kolkata’s IT Sector. SpringerBriefs in Sociology. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1593-6_1

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