Women in Development (WID) is an approach that is based on the recognition of the significance role and status of women in development process. The main aim is to integrate women fully into the development process. this approach strive to achieve equality of opportunities through education and training.

Women and development (WAD)  focus on the interaction between women and development process. This approach argue that neither women nor men benefit from the global economic structures because of the unequal distribution of resources. Unlike WID this approach is critically pay more attention on position of women in development process. it also focus on addressing patriarchy and global inequality. WAD approach argue that the integration of women into development worsen the situation of inequality.

Women and Development approach is the most useful in South Africa because it insisted on affirmative action.