Abstract

The World Bank’s “Smart Economics” approach to gender equality has become a dominant narrative in global development policy, framing the empowerment of women as a means to achieve economic efficiency and growth. However empowerment through entrepreneurship is the ultimate way to uplift the societal status of women especially live at rural areas. While this instrumentalist perspective has successfully placed gender on the global development agenda, it has also attracted significant critique for subordinating social justice to market-oriented outcomes. This article critically examines the conceptual foundations, implementation, and consequences of the World Bank’s Smart Economics framework. Drawing on feminist political economy, postcolonial critique, and policy analysis, the article interrogates the extent to which gender equality is being instrumentalized for economic ends rather than pursued as an intrinsic human right. Through an analysis of key policy documents and development initiatives, the paper argue that while the Smart Economics narrative contributes to visibility and funding for gender issues, it often marginalizes more transformative agendas focused on structural inequality, care work, and collective agency. The article concludes by offering recommendations for reframing gender equality in development discourse toward more equitable, intersectional, and justice-based approaches.