The World Bank reported today that gender equality is needed as countries offering better opportunities for women can boost productivity.
The “World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development” by the World Bank Group (WBG) was released today in Washington DC, and stated that gaps in gender development are narrowing, however small differences are still noticeable in developing countries.
The report has stated that countries offering better opportunities and conditions for women can raise its productivity and advance the development of its women. The last 30 years has shown that over half a billion women have joined the workforce, almost closing the gender gap completely.
The report is also addressing four main issues including closing the gaps in wages and productivity in women and giving women more of a voice by listening to their opinions within societies.
These reports show positive development as the WBG provided US$65 billion to support women’s health, education and access to jobs over the past five years.
The WBG is a financial and technical source in helping the development of countries worldwide. They pledge to help fight poverty by helping people and their environment by sharing knowledge they have, and building capacities in the public and private sector.
In a press statement released today the WBG president, Robert B Zoellick, stated that the work over the last five years has been important, but it “has not been enough or central enough to what we do.
“We need to achieve gender equality” said Mr Zoellick. “Going forward, the World Bank Group will mainstream our gender work and find other ways to move the agenda forward to capture the full potential of half the world’s population.”
The statement also stated that gender gaps in education and health are narrowing and that “significant progress” has been made in the last 25 years.
The differences between young boys and girls in education are improving; however girls are out numbering boys in full-time education in over 45 countries, and more women are offered places in universities than men. Progress in life expectancy has improved, as women in low-income households and poorer countries are outliving men by 20 years.
The WBG stated that the progress in gender equality must be sustained through the international communities accompanying the domestic policy actions in their areas.
They need to help with efforts to improve data and statistics and encourage learning in young boys and girls.
The stubborn gender gaps, such as the number of young girls who are disadvantaged in education and unequal access to income for women, need to have more focus in order to improve the situation.
By Bethan Hâf Marsh
[Image courtesy of isca-web.org ]
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