The Bank's Rural Development Strategy recognizes the importance of integrating gender into all aspects of rural development as a cross-cutting issue. Women represent the majority of the rural poor (up to 70%) and play a major role in the survival strategies and the economy of poor rural households.

The Gender and Rural Development Group at the World Bank is a community of practice bringing together specialists in many fields to promote the systematic integration of gender concerns in the World Bank's rural activities. It provides a forum for the exchange of experience and information on issues such as gender analysis, policy formulation, project design, and implementation.

The goal of the community is to promote gender integration in all World Bank Rural Development activities, consistent with the gender strategy: Integrating Gender into the World Bank's Work: A Strategy for Action. Finally, it proposes to reach out to women involved in rural development activities at the grassroots level.