Global Policy Forum

Gender inequality undermines development and prospects for reducing poverty, while economic growth and rising incomes reduce inequality, the World Bank reports. Studies show that societies where discrimination is greatest have more poverty, slower economic growth and a lower quality of life than societies with less discrimination.

The effects are strongest in the poorest countries in Africa and Latin America where tradition and custom ensures that inequality between genders are made to stay. However, ensuring that women and men enjoy the same rights and have equal access to education, jobs, property and credit, and fostering women's participation in public life, reduces child mortality, improves public health, slows population growth and strengthens overall economic growth. This is true in all countries, but particularly in the poorest.

The ratio of girls' school attendance to that of boys is highest where both incomes and gender equality are relatively high. Countries where either incomes or equality are relatively low have lower girl's enrolment. Educating girls is one of the most effective ways to promote development. As incomes rise, previously poor families increase their spending on children's education, health care and nutrition, girls generally benefit more than boys.

Similarly, development that creates new job opportunities often benefits women more than men. Gender inequality is also reduced by economic development that improves the infrastructure for water, energy and transportation. This cuts the time women have to spend fetching water, gathering cooking fuel and producing food for family consumption, giving them more time to earn additional income and participate in community affairs. Economic growth by itself will not eliminate inequalities.

Societies that promote women's rights and gender equality along with growth are more effective in reducing gender disparities than societies that focus on growth alone. The Gambia like other developing countries is seriously hamstrung by this crisis of inequality between the sexes. But with the tacit cooperation of our men folks, women who are on the vanguard of 'liberating' their sex from the pains and worries inherent in living and having to put up with 'a man's world' the task may not be daunting and fruitless after all. Men should no longer be told about the wisdom in banishing the backlog of stereotypes that wittingly or unwittingly renders them 'superior' to women.

The incontrovertible truth is that men would be better off if they cooperate with women in making this world 'everybody's world'. The benefit for all is clear.

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