Feminism can be defined as the belief of equal rights, power and opportunities between men and women. The feminist development approaches include Women in Development (WID); Women and Development (WAD); Gender and Development (GAD); and Postmodernism and Development (PAD). The development approaches were established to illustrate how women and men are affected by development differently and to what extent women either benefit or do not benefit from development.

Firstly, the Women in Development approach (WID) was established as a way of giving women a voice and highlighted on gender issues during the international development regime. This approach pointed out the contradiction the development process had on women’s rights and status, as it led to a deterioration of women’s position in society. With the help of women such as Esther Boserup, women’s importance in the economy was voiced and noticed, for example: women’s importance in the economy of agriculture.

It focuses on the social, culture and economic factors that contribute to gender inequalities in society. This approach is useful in the South African context, as women are provided with equal access to resources and basic needs with an aim of improving women’s independence in the economy. Women in South Africa are also provided with more opportunities in education and employment, unlike in the past, women now have a right to education.

Secondly, Women and Development (WAD) focuses on the existing social relations between women and men. WID approach argued that women should be introduced into the modernization process, while the WAD approach argues that the introduction to modernization led to more women being poor.

Thirdly, Gender and Development (GAD) focuses on bringing together the lessons and limitations from the WID and WAD approaches, as it looks as the impact of development on both women and men. This approach can be used in the South African context, as it ensures that both men and women participate and benefit equally from development, thus emphasizing equality of benefit and control in development projects.

Lastly, Postmodernism and Development (PAD) focuses on achieving equality for women within the female gender, through taking note of the differences among women on the basis of class and race