Final answer:
Lele highlights contradictions in policies related to the expansion of female-headed households, the persistence of intra-household inequalities, and the implementation of neoliberal economic policies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Lele identifies a couple of contemporary policy contradictions in the case studies, focusing on the realm of social policy and economic structures. First, the expansion in the number of female-headed households raises concerns about the efficacy of existing socio-economic policies in supporting these families. With the increase in such households, there's a contradiction between the need for policies that directly support female-headed households and the reality of policy measures which may not adequately address their unique challenges. The second contradiction involves the persistence and consequences of intra-household inequalities and biases against women. Even as policies may ostensibly be aimed at improving gender equality, the deep-seated societal biases and structures continue to perpetuate inequality within households, suggesting a disconnect between policy intentions and outcomes. Lastly, the implementation of neoliberal economic policies around the world poses its own set of contradictions. While these policies are designed to enhance economic efficiency and growth, they can sometimes undermine social support systems and widen the inequality gap, particularly affecting women and economically marginalized groups. This represents a tension between economic policy objectives and social equity considerations.