is a different way of demarcating the boundaries of global exchange. The idea of ‘the West’ has been criticized for advancing the same hegemonic, imperialistic ideals as the Cold war definitions of geographical regions.  The idea of ‘the West’ carries connotations of rationality, objectivity, and science, whereas the conception of ‘the East’ under the same framework implicates irrational spirituality, subjective and uninformed cultural practices, and technological backwardness.

is a ‘racial’ classification which is at best sociologically useful, and at worst a tool of imperialism and dominance.  The definition of ‘white’ has changed throughout the years; for example, the first Irish immigrants were differentiated from the ‘white’ Scandinavians, whereas now the Irish are thought to be white.  This points to the nature of the term, not as an absolute or scientific demarcation, but as a device to define who is inferior and superior, what is normal (white) and what is deviant (everything else).

is a recognition that women’s rights are human rights and that women experience injustices solely because of their gender.

does not simply refer to a biological female, but to a gender/sociological identification.  It is the sum total of all that is expected of females in behaviour, dress and attitude which obviously reaches beyond the biological definition.

a type of feminism defined in opposition to traditional white-dominated feminism, womanism works for gender equality for all women, regardless of race and class.  The term refers to a branch of theory and to the related educational and social activism that the theoretical framework inspires.

is a new-Marxist feminist approach, which emerged in the latter half of the 1970’s. It grew out of concern with the limitations of the modernization theory and draws its theoretical base from the dependency theory. It points out the relationship between women and development process and that the work they do inside and outside the household is central to the maintenance of their societies.

is an approach that promotes women’s integration in development efforts. The focus is mainly on women whereas the GAD approach concentrates on both men’s and women’s roles and responsibilities

refers to the systematic, academic study of gender issues from a feminist perspective.  Women's Studies includes a historical, analytical, and normative framework.