A Tale of Two Women: Why Context Is Crucial

In the world of development, big data is often seen as the ultimate source of truth for making decisions. Large datasets provide the numbers we need to measure impact and design scalable interventions. But what happens when numbers tell only half the story, leading to ineffective solutions?

I recently interviewed two women entrepreneurs in a craft cluster whose quantitative profiles appeared nearly identical:

• Both are married and live in the same town.

• Both are in their 40s/50s and have studied till class eight.

• Both have a single block printing table at home.

• Both are micro-entrepreneurs who do job work.

• Both have bank accounts but are not GST registered.

• Both have smartphones but primarily use them for personal communication, not business.

Based on this quantitative segmentation alone, a development program would group them together and conclude they need similar interventions—perhaps a standard microloan or a generic digital skills training program.

But the numbers don’t tell the complete story.

The Critical Qualitative Distinction

My qualitative research revealed a stark difference in their realities.

One woman, let’s call her Gita, is the sole breadwinner and primary caregiver for her paralysed husband. Her work is not supplementary; it is the absolute lifeline for her family's survival.

The other woman, let’s call her Sita, uses her income to supplement her household's stable income, as her husband and sons have steady jobs in the private sector.

This crucial piece of information changes everything.

Vulnerability vs. Agency

Gita’s position makes her highly vulnerable and affords her less agency to negotiate her wages; she must accept whatever the market offers. Her business is a necessity for survival.

Sita, on the other hand, is in a far more resilient position. Her work is a choice, giving her greater agency to select the work she undertakes and to negotiate better pay.

This distinction is vital because it reveals exactly where a data-only approach can fail. By looking beyond the easily quantifiable numbers, my research identified a critical difference in their resilience and vulnerability. The needs of these two women are fundamentally different, and a one-size-fits-all intervention will likely fall short for both.

Designing Truly Effective Solutions

Qualitative research reminds us that we are not just dealing with data points but with people and their complex lives. It provides the essential context needed to design solutions that are not just scalable but are also truly effective and impactful. By combining quantitative data with rich qualitative insights, we can move beyond a superficial understanding of a community and create interventions that meet people where they truly are.