The lives of women around the world have improved dramatically, at a
pace and scope difficult to imagine even 25 years ago. Women have made
unprecedented gains in rights, education, health, and access to jobs
and livelihoods. More countries than ever guarantee equal rights in
property, marriage, and other domains. Gendergaps in primary schooling
have closed in many countries, while in a third of all countries girls
now outnumber boys in secondary school. And more young women than men
attend universities in 60 countries. Women are using their education to
participate more in the labor force: they now make up for 40 percent of
the global labor force and 43 percent of its farmers. Moreover, women
now live longer than men in every region of the world.
Despite the progress, gaps remain in many areas. Women are more
likely to die—relative to males—in many low- and
middle-income countries than their counterparts in rich
countries,especially in childhood and during their reproductive years.
Primary and secondary school enrollments for girls remain much lower
than for boys in many Sub-Saharan African countries and some parts of
South Asia, as well as among disadvantaged populations. Women are more
likely than men to work as unpaid family laborers or in the informal
sector, to farm smaller plots and grow less profitable crops, operate
in smaller firms and less profi table sectors, and generally earn less.
Women—especially poor women—have less say over decisions
and less control over household resources. And in most countries, fewer
women participate in formal politics than men and are underrepresented
in the upper echelons.
The World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and
Development argues that closing these persistent gender gaps
matters. It matters because gender equality is a core development
objective in its own right. But it is also smart economics. Greater
gender equality can enhance productivity, improve development outcomes
for the next generation, and make institutions more representative.
Building on a growing body of knowledge on the economics of gender
equality and development, the Report identifies the areas where gender
gaps are most significant—both intrinsically and in terms of
their potential development payoff—and where growth alone cannot
solve the issues. It then sets forth four priorities for public
action:
- Reducing excess female mortality and closing education gaps where
they remain
- Improving access to economic opportunities for women
- Increasing women’s voice and agency in the household and in
society
- Limiting the reproduction of gender inequality across
generations.
Related resources
Free
WDR 2012 iPad app
WDR 2012 web site
eAtlas of
Gender
- Shipping Weight: 2.46 lbs (1.12 kgs)
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