Although it remains to be seen how effectively they implement it, the G 8 agenda is, quite correctly, focusing on how to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the developing world. But an even tighter focus is called for. It is worrying from all points of view that the current crisis’s effects will fall on women and children first. In many countries, just as within memory in the industrialized world (indeed even at the United Nations) the assumption will be that women should be let go first in the event of layoffs, that their income is somehow supplementary rather essential to family welfare.

Similarly, stimulus packages will almost certainly have an inherent assumption that the male is the breadwinner and spender and so any funds should be sent in his direction. It is of course the women who overwhelmingly procure the food and essentials for family life.  It is only some three decades since British minister Barbara Castle combated this in serious way. She took away the child tax breaks from the men who usually got them, and made them into  child benefits – payable directly to mothers.

It was a fiscally neutral, socially beneficial and gender balancing initiative of a kind that bears examination now. If it was necessary in an advanced economy that prided itself on its policies of equality then similar moves to direct funds and help to women and children are even more essential in the developing world.

Both globally and at national level the way to stimulate economies is to increase women’s earning power and spending power, through education and ensuring their control over family planning decisions.  Women are stimulating in more ways than one!

The opinions expressed in this text are those of the author.