Feminist Economics and Public Policy

‘This book is a must-read for any academic, student, civil society activist and policy expert interested not only in reducing gender inequalities but also in improving policy making more generally and in sustainable ways. Using an alternative feminist perspective, in tribute to Prof. Ailsa McKay, the authors innovatively challenge the current mainstream views about the necessity of austerity, about the unaffordable cost of public services and about the utopian vision of a universal basic income. It offers a very welcome international take on these issues, with contributions from leading experts in their fields from many countries.' — Dr Jerome De Henau, Associate Professor in Economics, The Open University, UK.

'This book is indeed remarkable tribute to Professor Ailsa McKay who was a leading expert of gender budgeting across United Kingdom. It is a timely book which encapsulates the concerns and aspirations of the contemporary feminist movement in the context of fiscal austerity and global financial crisis. The feminist movement has to intensify its struggle as the global financial crisis has dealt a severe blow to the social expenditure on gender. Gender budgeting is more relevant than ever before in highlighting that addressing gender biases in macro-economic policy is inherently valuable to society as a whole. In addition, we also need to be more creative with our solutions to the financial cutbacks to social services.' — Dr Keerty Nakray, Associate Professor, Jindal Global Law School and Visiting Fellow, Feinstein International Centre, Tufts University, USA.

'This collection provides an evidenced based rationale for gender sensitive macroeconomic policies for inclusive and socially sustainable development. It makes the theoretical and moral arguments and simulates alternative scenarios to demonstrate the effectiveness of investment in social infrastructure, such as child and elder care, as well as physical infrastructure. Anyone interested in evidenced based alternatives to neoliberal austerity and a more inclusive and gender equitable world would benefit from reading this book.' — Diane Perrons, Director, Gender Institute, London School of Economics, UK.