This paper discusses the theory that work is central to the current understandings of poverty and well being, as well as to prescriptions for poverty reduction. In the past, poverty has been solely measured by household income or command over commodities; but this paper explores recent research which has shown that an individual’s endowments of personal, private, communal and public resources and assets, the command over commodities, consumption and decision making could be used to measure poverty on an individual level. It also discusses well-being and the entitlements one must posses to experience both physical and mental well-being. It links well-being to work, and explains how well-being expands ones capabilities, thus increasing ones ability to work. The gender application of the model suggests that women as well as men require healthy, well-nourished bodies and minds, the absence of social constraints and plentiful opportunities for employment. This paper suggests that further gender refinement of capability approaches would be obtained by more careful attention to the quality and embodied experience of work. As a result, we might reach a fuller understanding of how work and well-being are connected in gendered ways.