The interventions that aim at improving the status of women can address two kinds of needs, practical needs and strategic needs.

Practical needs are linked to women's condition. They can be readily identified and usually relate to poor living conditions and lack of resources. Generally projects that aim to meet practical needs and improve living conditions generally preserve and reinforce relations between men and women. Meeting such needs through development activities can be relatively short-term process involving inputs such as equipment, technical expertise, training, hand-pump and other devices. Women than practical needs less obvious and less readily identify strategic interests. Like any other powerless group, women may be well aware of their subordination but may not understand its basis. Strategic interests readily emerge in women's gatherings and in the most informal of consciousness. Women have identified several such interests in forums where gender quality is discussed.

These include

>>  Reduced vulnerability to violence and exploitation

>>  More economic security, independence, options and opportunities

>>  Shared responsibility for reproductive work by men and the state

>>  Organizing with other women for strength, solidarity and action

>>  Increased political power

>>  Increased ability to improve lives and future of their children

>>  More humanistic and development processes