Work

Towards a Feminist Theory of the Postcolonial Welfare State

Year: 2026

Type: book-chapter

Abstract: Unconditional cash transfers dispensed to 118 million by 12 states, mostly over less than 5 years, herald a dramatic expansion of India’s welfare regime, warranting a feminist theorisation of the postcolonial welfare regime. This chapter starts by outlining feminist theories of the welfare state in the Western context and their varied gender contracts mediating women’s commitments to paid employment and unpaid domestic and care work. Then the chapter revisits how female nationalist leaders at the time of independence aspired for both men and women to engage in paid work and care work, even while insisting that the state offer economic recognition of women’s unpaid domestic and care work. The chapter then takes stock of India’s welfare regime for women seven decades after independence to conclude that although it is basic and paternalistic, unconditional cash transfers signal a refashioning of the gendered social contract and the marital contract.

Source: Oxford University Press eBooks

DOI: 10.1093/9780198934523.003.0004

Author: Prabha Kotiswaran

Language: English

Topic: Gender, Labor, and Family Dynamics

Subfield: Gender Studies

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth, No poverty

Open Access status: hybrid

Funder: European Research Council

Award: G191805986