Females make up half of the world's population, and have an enormous impact on the well-being of their families and societies. Research shows that women and girls work harder than men, are more likely to invest their earnings in their children, are major producers as well as consumers, and bear critical, life-sustaining responsibilities. Yet, in many countries their potential goes unrealized because of social norms that discriminate and legal institutions that deny both rights and incentives. Gender inequality keeps women at a disadvantage throughout their lives. Girls are more likely to receive less education than boys, and, in some countries, infant girls are less likely to survive because of discrimination and neglect. Africa Regional Gender Strategy (ARGS) The Africa Region's Gender Unit has developed a Regional strategy to ground gender issues firmly in development work. The Africa Region Gender Strategy (ARGS) builds on the "strategic mainstreaming" approach articulated in the Bankwide gender mainstreaming strategy paper (GMSP). The process is country-specific and country-led, with the Bank playing a supportive but pro-active role, which includes a periodic assessment of gender issues in each country in which the Bank has an active lending program. The Region's gender strategy also focuses on the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specifically addressing the cross-cutting and multi-sectoral dimensions of gender issues. The strategy responds to the need for institutional strengthening and capacity building in governments, civil society, and communities involved in the process of gender mainstreaming. This support extends to helping in-country agents and country teams carry out Strategic Country Gender Assessments (SCGAs) to determine which actions are brought into the operational work program-including the CASs and business plans-in support of the MDGs. Another cornerstone of the strategy is to build effective partnerships both inside and outside Africa, and within the Bank, to build capacity in African institutions for gender analysis, monitoring. and evaluation. Strategy at work In FY04-05, the ARGS is focusing on four core entry points into country work: (a) Gender and HIV/AIDS; (b) Gender and Poverty; (c) Engendering Economic Policy; and (d) Gender and Law. These points offer the best potential for informing policy dialogue and operations at the macro level and within and across key sectors. The strategy will seek cross-support from the PREM Gender Anchor, WBI, and others around each of these entry points. The Region is also expanding its approach to integrating gender into operational work by moving from "self motivation" to institutional recognition of operational responsibilities. Regional management, as well as staff, will take part in planning and have greater accountability for gender work. The Bank's gender mainstreaming strategy makes clear that Country Directors are responsible for carrying out SCGAs, and for implementing the selected gender-responsive interventions. Africa's gender team The gender team in AFTPM has three principal responsibilities: (a) provide technical and other support for the tasks identified in the ARGS-and, in some instances, assume task management responsibility for them; (b) ensure quality review of gender-focused work in the Region; and (c) meet Regional and corporate responsibilities for gender mainstreaming, especially in monitoring implementation. To support this work, the AFTPM gender team provides the following services: Please refer to the Gender Strategy and work program of the Africa Region gender team for more information.
1Working Group: UNU/INIRA Agenda for Gender and Natural Resources Conservation and Management, 1997.
2Moser, C 1993: Gender Planning and Development: theory, practice and training. Routledge, London and New York. p. 230. |
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