Women are often excluded from the preparations and execution of development projects, this leads to the development processes undermining the role, status and position of women in society, it also has a negative  impact on women than men. Women's lower status proved to be a common reality, evident in all societies. The common theory was that men and women are biologically different, which explained their different status. This viewpoint was questioned, with some arguing that what mattered was how the social construction of gender was viewed within culturally constructed value and value structured, rather than biological difference in and of themselves.

Women In Development Approach saw that women were being left out development practice, research and policy, and also that they were not benefiting fully and in some cases their status was made worse by the development. The WID approach saw the problem as the exclusion of women in development programs and approaches. Also women were treated as lacking opportunities to participate in development. Women should be included in development programs, according to the WID approach in order to boost women's status in society. More gender policies by national governments and international organizations, according to Boserup, may correct previous mistakes.
In order to increase their economic freedom, women should have fair access to resources and basic needs, including more balanced educational and job opportunities.

Gender and Development approach aim was to put together both the benefits and drawbacks of the WID and WAD approaches. GAD examines how growth affects both men and women, Gender relations, not "women," became the most important analytical group. Women, according to GAD, are not a homogeneous group, but are divided by race, class, and ethnicity. GAD aims to ensure that men and women equally participate in and profit from development, emphasizing equality of benefit and power in development projects, It recognizes that although women may participate in growth, they may not always benefit from it. GAD goes beyond WID and WAD in emphasizing women's productive and reproductive roles. GAD is not solely concerned with women, but the way gender relations affect particular roles, obligations, and perceptions between men and women is harmful to women. GAD recognizes gender as an integral part of a growth plan, while WID sees women as a distinct category.
Women's situations are no longer examined individually under GAD, but rather in comparison to men's. It claims that it is the duty of the states to promote women's social reproduction roles of child care and nurturing. GAD also understands the importance of recognizing both men and women as decision-makers through people-centered growth.

The WID and GAD are the most useful approaches in the SA context.