In their quest to accelerate equality in the event of celebrating International Women’s Day on 8th March 2022, the World Bank Group showcases women’s achievements and contributions globally with a series of events and engagements. The Bank Group believes, “gender equality remains a priority” for them in operations, as well in the organization.
The event marked parts of the Bank Group’s year-long Accelerate Equality initiative, which explores important progress made and lessons learned over the last 10 years in closing gender gaps and promoting girls’ and women’s empowerment.
The World Bank Group in their Newsletter on contributions made by women in addressing clean energy reveals, “women hold just 22 percent of jobs in energy production, and distribution,” quoting the International Energy Agency, even though they make up 48 percent of the global workforce. The Bank believes, the number is even lower among senior managers, accounting for 14 percent.
However, the World Bank Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnership, Mari Pangestu, in her blog, emphasized a few lessons on women and leadership she has learned throughout her career and looks forward to inspiring more women globally to be part of and lead the changes they need to make happen.
The World Bank Group is aware of the fact that progress has been made in that vein, but is slow spanning 10 years, since the Bank [publishes its World Development Report 2012, on Gender Equality and Development (WDR2012.)
Although progress has been achieved in decreasing maternal mortality by 10 percent and increasing girls’ enrolment in secondary school by 5 percent. The Bank Group says Women Business and the Law index is indicative of the fact that women’s economic rights have improved, with more women than ever before in national parliaments across the globe.
Notwithstanding the gains, progress remains slow in many important domains, including female labor force participation rates at below 40 percent in low-income countries. It observes “significant gender wage gaps persist,” and that in many countries, women are still clustered into sectors and occupations associated with lower profits, absence of work contract, and lack of protection.
Photo Credit: World Bank Group
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