Introduction Diane Elson’s seminal analysis of male bias in macroeconomic stabilization and structural adjustment policies has significantly contributed to our understanding of economies as gendered structures and economic change as a gendered proc- ess (Elson 1991; Elson 1993; Elson 1995). Elson’s conceptualization stresses the importance of unpaid care work for the functioning of the market economy and its essential contribution to the maintenance and wellbeing of the labour force. Understanding the interdependence between reproductive and productive activi- ties, and the gender division of labour within these, constitutes the starting point for any feminist economic analysis. 1 Economic policies that do not take the non- market sphere into account are likely to increase women’s disadvantage (since it is women who carry the bulk of reproductive work) and to undermine the develop- ment of human capabilities in the long term. Formal modelling has a role to play in fostering the formulation of economic policies that promote gender equality. Some feminist economists have reservations about the application of mathematics to economic analysis but others recognize the usefulness of models for diagnosing a country’s macroeconomic problems from a gender perspective (i.e. Çag ˘ atay et al. 1995). Models can help in identifying key interactions and data gaps. By definition, a model is always partial and its value lies in concentrating attention on what the modeller takes to be the most significant aspects of an economic process.The contribution of a feminist model is therefore to make visible a different set of constraints and interactions than those recognized by conventional macro-models and to expose the main biases of the gendered econ- omy. Developing alternative feminist macro-models could prove especially effective in generating gender awareness among those professional economists who com- municate in technical terms. It should be seen as just one component of a wider strategy to influence the implementation of equitable and just policies. 8 GENDER IN ECONOMY-WIDE MODELLING Marzia Fontana Chapter 6-10.indd 157 7/23/13 6:12:12 PM