In India, the paradigm shift from "Women in Development" (WID) to "Gender and Development" (GAD) reflects a broader and more inclusive understanding of gender relations, highlighting not only the challenges faced by women but also the structural inequalities that affect both men and women in society. This transition marks a significant shift in development discourse, moving beyond the traditional focus on women as a distinct group requiring specific interventions to address their needs.

The WID approach emerged in the 1970s as part of the global development framework, including in India. It was based on the idea that women’s involvement in economic development could contribute to overall national progress. The focus was largely on integrating women into the development process through employment, education, and economic opportunities, often treating women as beneficiaries or targets of development policies. This approach, while successful in certain areas, tended to treat women’s issues as separate from broader socio-economic issues and often overlooked the root causes of gender inequality. In India, this approach largely centered on women’s access to welfare programs, healthcare, and education, yet it did not fully challenge or address the social and cultural systems that reinforced gender-based discrimination.

As women’s movements across the world began to evolve, the limitations of the WID approach became apparent. Women were seen not just as victims of poverty and marginalization, but as active agents who could drive change if provided with the right tools, opportunities, and power. This led to the emergence of the "Women and Development" (WAD)