DVA4805
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO. 206112
DUE DATE: 11 JUNE 2025
, DVA 4805 A 2/25
Postcolonialism and feminism as critical discourses have enriched the gender
and development debate. Offer support for this statement by describing how
these two theories offer critiques of the concept of development and of women’s
roles in development.
Postcolonialism and feminism, as critical theoretical frameworks, have significantly
enriched the gender and development debate by questioning dominant paradigms of
development and foregrounding the voices and experiences of historically marginalized
groups. Both discourses challenge the assumptions embedded within mainstream
development theories and practice, particularly in relation to the roles and
representations of women.
1. Postcolonial Critique of Development
Postcolonialism critiques development as a continuation of colonial power dynamics
under the guise of modernisation. Postcolonial theorists such as Edward Said, Gayatri
Spivak, and Arturo Escobar argue that development often imposes Western ideals and
economic models on formerly colonized nations, disregarding indigenous knowledge
systems and local contexts.
Development as a neo-colonial project: Postcolonialism exposes how
development perpetuates unequal power relations between the Global North and
Global South. It suggests that development is often framed as a “civilizing
mission” that positions Western societies as superior and casts the Global South
as backward or underdeveloped.
Silencing of subaltern voices: Scholars like Spivak argue that women in the
Global South are often depicted as voiceless victims in need of rescue,
reinforcing stereotypes. This reduces their agency and fails to recognize their
roles in shaping their communities.
Cultural imperialism: Postcolonial perspectives critique the erasure of local
cultural identities and practices by Western-led development agendas that
ASSIGNMENT 2 2025
UNIQUE NO. 206112
DUE DATE: 11 JUNE 2025
, DVA 4805 A 2/25
Postcolonialism and feminism as critical discourses have enriched the gender
and development debate. Offer support for this statement by describing how
these two theories offer critiques of the concept of development and of women’s
roles in development.
Postcolonialism and feminism, as critical theoretical frameworks, have significantly
enriched the gender and development debate by questioning dominant paradigms of
development and foregrounding the voices and experiences of historically marginalized
groups. Both discourses challenge the assumptions embedded within mainstream
development theories and practice, particularly in relation to the roles and
representations of women.
1. Postcolonial Critique of Development
Postcolonialism critiques development as a continuation of colonial power dynamics
under the guise of modernisation. Postcolonial theorists such as Edward Said, Gayatri
Spivak, and Arturo Escobar argue that development often imposes Western ideals and
economic models on formerly colonized nations, disregarding indigenous knowledge
systems and local contexts.
Development as a neo-colonial project: Postcolonialism exposes how
development perpetuates unequal power relations between the Global North and
Global South. It suggests that development is often framed as a “civilizing
mission” that positions Western societies as superior and casts the Global South
as backward or underdeveloped.
Silencing of subaltern voices: Scholars like Spivak argue that women in the
Global South are often depicted as voiceless victims in need of rescue,
reinforcing stereotypes. This reduces their agency and fails to recognize their
roles in shaping their communities.
Cultural imperialism: Postcolonial perspectives critique the erasure of local
cultural identities and practices by Western-led development agendas that
