Global Development Policy

For the first time in 25 years, the World Bank’s annual Development Report (WDR 2008) is dedicated to agriculture. The report is a welcome indicator of renewed interest in agriculture worldwide that is urgently needed.

Although publicly-funded International Financial Institutions (IFIs) have missions to reduce poverty and promote economic growth, IFI projects often ignore gender inequality and increase poverty, prostitution, and HIV/AIDS, particularly among women and girls.

Sevetny persent of the world's poor are women...Any policies that aim to reduce poverty must address the female face of poverty today.

This Study assesses the effectiveness of the Bank’s Gender Strategy and recommends how to strengthen the Strategy.