Women in the Americas examines the respective roles of men and women in development - roles determined not by biology but by social, political, and economic influences that can be affected by policies and strategies. Prevailing social policies in the region often view men as income earners and women as wives and mothers, neglecting the role of women in the work force and as community leaders. In fact, between their economic, social and domestic responsibilities, women often have double or triple workdays.Based on the central tenet that understanding gender differences is vital to development planning, Women in the Americas focuses on the status of women in social policy, the labor force, the political process, and the environment. It also examines how the concept of gender equity could be better incorporated into mainstream development policy. Read Less