March 7, 2008 - A year ago, the World Bank Group launched a new Gender Action Plan to help unleash economic potential of women in developing countries.

The plan, titled "Gender Equality as Smart Economics," focuses on both making markets work for women and empowering women to compete in markets. Giving women better access to land, labor, agriculture and financial markets will help raise their productivity and incomes, which will benefit their families and the economy as a whole.

Since its inception, the plan has allocated US$14.9 million, roughly a third of its funds, to support gender-related activities in 71 Bank projects. Here's a sample of the undertaken activities... Read More