Offical criteria for assessing the status of women in development throughout different areas of India and particularly in Bengal (Fig 1) are evaluated against the value of women during historical and recent famines. Their traditional roles as food preparers are extended during food crises to include increased decision-making and food procurement, particularly with regard to wild food gathering, gainful employment, the selling of personal assets and the final decision for the family to migrate. The paradox of women apparently improving their “status” at times of famine indicates the need to re-examine the existing criteria for assessing “status” and women’s roles in the development process.