Mainstreaming Gender and Development in the World Bank: Progress and Recommendations (Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development Series. Social Development)

This report presents the main findings of a completed desk study undertaken for the Social Development Family in the World Bank's Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (ESSD) Network. The primary objective of the review is to identify the current rationale, language, and underlying policy approach to Gender and Development (GAD) adopted by the World Bank; to evaluate the extent to which these are Bank-wide, that is, shared across the institution; and, based on its findings, to make recommendations concerning needs specifically identified by ESSD. The issues raised go beyond social development and, regardless of network, are of relevance to all Bank staff concerned with mainstreaming gender and development into World Bank lending and non-lending operations at the policy, program and project levels. This report presents the main findings of a recently completed desk study undertaken for the Social Development Family of the World Bank's Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Development (ESSD) Network. The primary objectives of the review are to a) identify the current rationale, language, and underlying policy approach to Gender and Development (GAD) adopted by the World Bank; b) evaluate the extent to which these are shared across the institution; and c) make recommendations concerning future steps toward mainstreaming gender in the Bank. The following five findings synthesize the review's conclusions: 1) Bank policy documents lack a common conceptual rationale, language, and underlying policy approach; 2) Bank country gender studies and strategies--including gender action plans--vary extensively in terms of their conceptual rationale and language. 3) Bank staff express a need to develop a common gender rationale and language as well as tools and training for mainstreaming gender and development. 4) Most bilaterals and multilaterals are adopting a policy approach to gender that integrates equality and people-centered sustainable development, reflecting a combination of the messages from the Rio, Copenhagen, and Beijing summits. 5) Bank socially related action plans have limited success in integrating gender as a social development priority. The review discusses the details of these conclusions along with the implications for World Bank policy and programs.