Efficiency and gender equality in growth theory: simply add-ons?

This article presents a general critique of win-win arguments that pair gender equality and economic growth. Reviewing the “growth is good for women” and “gender equality is good for growth” arguments, the article argues that the win-win conclusions are contingent on particular notions of gender equality, measurement of output, work, well-being and policy. More importantly, these arguments also constrain the quest for substantive gender equality (“equality of outcomes”), since they rely on micro-level fixes to improve gender-equal access without challenging the neoliberal macroeconomic framework.